Pipe Rehabilitation Device With Inclination Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipe rehabilitation methods face challenges in accurately locating and exposing openings in pipes with oval or circular cross-sections, especially in bends, leading to potential leaks and costly repairs due to misalignment of the base unit relative to the horizontal plane.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating electronic inclination sensors on the base unit to detect its position relative to the horizontal plane, allowing for the determination of the absolute opening position and precise alignment of the exposure unit, thereby ensuring accurate material removal without damaging the inner lining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the base unit is moved in the longitudinal direction of a pipe with an oval or circular cross-section, then the base unit can be positioned at the opening location, but the base unit is not moved on a horizontally oriented flat surface causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidhorizontal position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical positioning systems with electronic inclination sensors to detect and compensate for deviations from the horizontal plane. Instead of relying on purely mechanical alignment, the system uses electronic sensing and computational correction to achieve accurate positioning of the base unit and exposure unit at opening locations in pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter being monitored from simple axial distance to a combination of axial distance and inclination angle. By measuring the inclination angle relative to the horizontal plane and using this parameter in calculations, the system compensates for pipe cross-section shape variations and achieves accurate horizontal positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the exposure unit is brought into the predetermined position relative to the base unit without inclination detection, then the device structure is simpler, but the positioning of the exposure unit does not match the position of the opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system complexityVSAvoidopening exposure accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electronic inclination sensing to replace purely mechanical positioning methods. The inclination sensors and associated calculation system add electronic complexity but dramatically improve the manufacturing precision of opening exposure by ensuring accurate alignment between the exposure unit and the actual opening location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If material removal is performed without accurate horizontal positioning, then the operation is faster, but leaks are created in the inner lining requiring costly repairs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuncovering operation speedVSAvoidinner lining integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the base unit's inclination angle and calculates the corrected position before material removal begins. This preliminary action ensures that the exposure unit is accurately positioned at the opening location, preventing leaks and maintaining inner lining integrity while allowing the actual uncovering operation to proceed efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reliable and cost-effective pipe rehabilitation by ensuring accurate positioning and alignment, preventing leaks and reducing the need for complex repairs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electronic inclination sensor arranged on the base unit (2) for detecting a position of the base unit (2) relative to a horizontal plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2614287B1Device for pipe rehabilitation
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 I S T INNOVATIVE SEWER TECH
  • EP2614287B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for renovating a pipe, the latter being provided with at least one opening arranged in the wall of the pipe, said device (1) having a base unit (2) that can be introduced into the pipe, a clearing unit (3) that is movable relative to the base unit (2), and an electronic sensor arrangement for detecting the instantaneous position of the clearing unit (3) relative to the base unit (2). To make available a novel device (1) for renovating a pipe provided with at least one opening arranged in the wall of the pipe, which device permits reliable and inexpensive repair of the pipe, the invention proposes that at least one electronic inclination sensor is arranged on the base unit (2).