Pipe Liner Removal Knife for Safe Field Welding Prep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing elastomeric polymer liners from metal pipes, such as those used in oil sands and mining tailings pipelines, are impractical in the field due to the durability and resiliency of the material, and can pose safety risks during welding or require costly and time-consuming factory-based high-pressure water jet systems.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using a knife with axial and radial blade portions, supported by an annular lathe, to cut the liner into ribbons or strips in two stages, facilitating safe and efficient removal in the field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure water jet systems are used to remove elastomeric polymer liners, then complete liner removal is achieved, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming requiring factory-based equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-pressure water jet capability from factory-based fixed equipment and implements it in a portable handheld device that can be brought directly to the field location, enabling complete liner removal without returning to the factory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable high-pressure water jet device as an intermediary between the liner material and the worker, delivering complete removal capability while avoiding the need for heavy factory equipment at the work site
2Adaptability or versatility
If welding is performed on severed pipe ends to attach brackets or flanges, then pipe reconfiguration is enabled, but hazardous gases are released from the heated elastomeric polymer liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastomeric polymer liner material from the pipe interior before welding operations, eliminating the source of hazardous gases that would otherwise be released when the liner is exposed to welding heat
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs liner removal as a preliminary action before welding, so that when welding subsequently occurs on the pipe ends, no hazardous gases are generated because the liner has already been extracted
3Temperature
If elastomeric polymer liner material is heated above threshold temperature, then welding operations can proceed, but dangerous gases such as hydrogen cyanide are released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the elastomeric polymer liner material from the pipe before welding operations, so that even when high welding temperatures are applied, there is no liner material present to decompose and release hazardous gases like hydrogen cyanide
4Length of moving object
If annular lathe is used to sever lined pipe into shorter lengths, then pipe length adjustment is achieved, but the process requires complex equipment and may damage the liner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liner removal function from the pipe cutting function, using a simple handheld device for liner removal配合 with standard cutting equipment, rather than requiring a complex integrated annular lathe system
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex equipment to cut the pipe and then dealing with the liner, the patent inverts the approach by first removing the liner with a simple device, then cutting the pipe as needed
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
The device allows for quick and safe removal of elastomeric polymer liners from metal pipes without damaging the inner surface, reducing the need for costly equipment and minimizing delays, while ensuring worker safety by avoiding hazardous gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a knife with an axial blade portion and a radial blade portion joined to form a heel with respective cutting edges of the axial and radial blade portions facing in the same direction
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a device for facilitating removal of elastomeric polymer liner material from inside a pipe comprises a knife having an axial blade portion and a radial blade portion joined to form a heel with respective cutting edges of the axial and radial blade portions facing in the same direction. The knife has a working orientation in which the axial and radial blade portions are oriented axially and radially, respectively, relative to the pipe and the axial blade portion is further from the pipe axis than the radial blade portion. Rotation of the knife about the pipe axis in the working orientation with the cutting edges leading and the knife contacting the elastomeric polymer liner material causes the cutting edges of the radial and axial blade portions to cut through the elastomeric polymer liner material in the radial and axial dimensions, respectively, of the pipe.