Pipe Laser Lowering Mount for Narrow Manhole Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In sewer installations, the need for human access to set up pipe lasers inside pipes poses safety risks and logistical challenges due to confined spaces, requiring extensive safety protocols and increasing costs, especially in non-traditional manholes where human access is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A laser lowering device that can mount and lower pipe lasers down narrower manholes, allowing remote placement from the surface, with a pivotable design and pulley system to accommodate various orientations and environments, enabling safe and efficient installation without human entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a worker accesses the sewer to set up the pipe laser inside the pipe, then the laser can be properly positioned and aligned, but the worker faces safety risks including lack of oxygen, toxic gases, and requires extensive safety protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the lowering device with pole and mounting mechanism) that transfers the laser from the surface to the pipe interior without requiring human entry. The device acts as a mediator between the worker on surface and the laser positioning task inside the confined space, eliminating direct human exposure to hazardous conditions while maintaining operational capability
2Ease of operation
If the manhole is designed for traditional human access, then workers can enter to install equipment, but the manhole size increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by instead of designing the access point (manhole) to accommodate human entry, it designs a delivery mechanism that brings equipment through the existing restricted opening. The lowering device with its collapsible or segmented structure can pass through narrow manholes and then deploy the laser inside the pipe, reversing the conventional logic of sizing access points for human comfort
3Measurement precision
If the laser is placed inside the pipe for proper alignment, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but worker safety is compromised due to confined space entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lowering device is designed to be self-operating or easily operable from surface level. The mounting mechanism can be deployed and positioned using simple manual operations (cranking, lowering, releasing) without requiring worker entry into the hazardous environment. The device serves itself to position the laser accurately while the worker remains safely outside
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and cost-effective installation of pipe lasers in non-traditional manholes by allowing remote placement and orientation, reducing safety risks and logistical complexities associated with human access, while maintaining compatibility with different pipe laser models and harsh underground environments.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes a pulley system with a control line that can be manipulated from the surface to cause the mount to pivot, allowing the pipe laser to be oriented in different directions without requiring human entry into the manhole
Data Source
AI summary
A laser lowering device for mounting a laser, which in one embodiment includes: at least one laser support for mounting the laser; a mount having a line receiving portion, the mount being connected to the at least one laser support; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end being removably connected to a pole and the second end being pivotally connected to the mount; and a mount control line connected to the line receiving portion and extending towards the elongated member. The mount control line is manipulable to cause the mount to pivot relative to the elongated member. The laser lowering device allows a laser to be remotely lowered into a non-traditional manhole and inserted into pipes.