Pipe-Laying Guide Rail and Carriage for Balanced Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline laying devices face challenges with imbalanced pipe handling, leading to difficult and imprecise laying operations, resulting in oversized and costly equipment due to the need to absorb significant imbalance, especially with longer pipes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a guide rail connected to a telescopic tube, positioned close to the center of gravity, with balanced fixing and reduced forces on pivoting and tilting joints, allowing precise positioning and alignment of pipes without disturbing existing pipes, using a combination of suction cups and cameras for precise engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pipe is located almost completely on one side of the slewing ring and gimbal, then the device can be simpler in structure, but the device experiences significant imbalance requiring oversizing of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the guide rail and telescopic tube assembly such that the pipe support is offset from the central axis of the slewing ring. This asymmetric arrangement allows the pipe to be held on one side while the counterweight is positioned on the opposite side, creating a balanced configuration that reduces the moment of inertia and minimizes the forces on the slewing ring and gimbal, thereby avoiding component oversizing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device components are oversized to compensate for pipe imbalance, then the device can handle longer pipes, but the equipment weight and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements counterweight by positioning the guide rail and telescopic tube assembly to create a balanced configuration where the pipe support on one side is counterbalanced by the structural arrangement on the opposite side. This counterbalancing effect reduces the net moment and forces that the slewing ring and gimbal must withstand, allowing the device to handle longer pipes without requiring oversized components, thereby reducing equipment weight and cost.
3Ease of operation
If the fixed part is placed and secured to the pipe already in place by its suction cup, then the mobile part can be positioned and pulled, but there is a risk of lifting or disturbing the pipe already in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by balancing the device components relative to the attachment point on the articulated arm, creating a configuration where the center of gravity of the guide rail and telescopic tube assembly is positioned to minimize unbalanced forces. This balanced arrangement ensures that when the suction cup secures the device to the installed pipe, the forces are distributed evenly, preventing lifting or disturbance of the pipe already in place while maintaining ease of positioning.
4Force
If the telescopic tube is supported on the guide rail on both sides of the attachment point, then the forces are transmitted in a balanced manner, but the guide rail structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the guide rail structure into distinct segments: the fixed guide rail attached to the slewing ring, and the telescopic tube that moves along the guide rail. The telescopic tube is supported at multiple points on the guide rail, creating segmented support zones that distribute forces in a balanced manner. This segmentation allows the force balance to be achieved through the arrangement of support points rather than through overall structural complexity.
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
This solution enables precise and balanced pipe laying with reduced equipment size and weight, lower operational forces, and improved maneuverability, facilitating accurate alignment and engagement of pipes, while reducing the need for oversized components.
Implementation Method 1
The guide rail (2) has a suction cup-shaped support (21) held by suction on the pipe laid (To)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a device for laying mains pipes (T), connected to the boom (F) of a transport machine carrying the pipe to be laid (T) in order to fit it into a pipe (To) that is already laid. This attachment head (1) is formed by a pivoting joint (11) with a vertical axis (YY) and a tilting joint (12) with a horizontal axis (Z). The device comprises a guide rail (2) having a support (21) for positioning the guide rail on, and fastening it to, the end of the laid pipe (To), and for aligning the pipe to be laid (T) with the pipe (To) already laid, as well as a carriage (3) formed of a telescopic tube (30) fitted on the guide rail (2) and actuated with respect to same; the carriage (3) carries the pipe (T) that is to be positioned and connected to the laid pipe (To) by fitting it into said laid pipe (To). The guide rail (2) is connected to the attachment head (1) through the telescopic tube (30).