Pipe Pulling Lubrication Assembly for Tight-Bend Bursting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe bursting methods face challenges with pipe splitters fracturing in tight bends, requiring replacement and increasing labor and cost due to the use of hardened steel, especially when navigating non-linear pipe layouts.
Innovation Solution
A pipe splitting assembly with a rotatable joint and a lubrication system that includes a pneumatic hammer, cutter, and a lubricant distribution mechanism to facilitate smooth navigation through non-linear pipes, reducing friction and stress on the splitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hardened steel pipe splitter is used to burst pipes, then the splitter has sufficient strength to break the pipe, but the splitter experiences high stress and friction in tight bends causing it to fracture
Solution Approach 1:
A lubrication system is introduced as an intermediary between the pipe splitter and the pipe wall to reduce friction and stress. The system includes a lubricant delivery device that applies lubricant to the pipe splitter surface, allowing it to navigate tight bends without fracturing while maintaining its bursting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The physical-chemical state of the interface between the pipe splitter and pipe wall is changed by applying lubricant. This reduces the coefficient of friction and alters the stress distribution, enabling the hardened steel splitter to navigate bends without fracturing
2Productivity
If a pipe splitter is replaced after fracturing, then the operation can continue, but labor and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is activated before the pipe splitter encounters tight bends to prevent fracturing in advance. By applying lubricant proactively, the splitter can navigate the entire pipe length without fracturing, eliminating the need for replacement and reducing downtime
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pipe splitter navigates tight bends, then it can reach all sections of the pipe, but friction and stress increase causing the splitter to fracture
Solution Approach 1:
Lubricant acts as an intermediary substance between the pipe splitter and pipe wall, reducing friction and stress during navigation of tight bends. This allows the splitter to maintain its structural integrity while achieving full pipe coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The application of lubricant changes the friction parameter at the interface, reducing the stress required to navigate tight bends. This enables the splitter to maintain adaptability for reaching all pipe sections without experiencing excessive stress
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 system effectively navigates non-linear pipes with reduced friction and stress, minimizing the need for splitter replacement and lowering operational costs by using a lubrication system to ease the pulling of replacement pipes.
Implementation Method 1
A pipe splitting assembly with a rotatable joint and a lubrication system that includes a pneumatic hammer, cutter, and a lubricant distribution mechanism to facilitate smooth navigation through non-linear pipes, reducing friction and stress on the splitter
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe pulling lubrication apparatus includes a pipe anchor having an anchor body. The anchor body includes a first coupling feature near an anchor body proximal portion and a distal pipe coupling feature near an anchor body distal portion. The distal pipe coupling feature is configured to couple and position a replacement pipe exterior surface near an anchor body exterior surface. The lubrication apparatus further includes a lubrication system including a lubricant conduit extending within the anchor body from the distal pipe coupling feature toward an anchor body intermediate portion between the first coupling feature and the distal pipe coupling feature. The lubrication system includes a lubricant distributor having one or more lubricant passages extending from the lubricant conduit toward the anchor body exterior surface, the lubricant distributor is configured to deliver a lubricant to the replacement pipe exterior surface.