Pivotable Arm Measurement Head for Sewer Pipe Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring sewer pipe diameters are inefficient, particularly in pipes with varying diameters and obstructions, as they require manual cleaning and video inspections, and existing measurement tools struggle to accurately capture interior profiles and linear distances within these complex environments.
Innovation Solution
A measurement head with a sensor body and camera attached by a resilient member, featuring pivotable arms with a catch and latch sleeve mechanism, allows for compact insertion and radial extension to measure interior diameters, utilizing guide wires for navigation and a linear variable displacement transducer to convert radial movement into linear data, facilitating accurate diameter measurement along the pipe length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement tools are inserted into pipes with varying diameters and obstructions, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device is divided into multiple independent arms that can be individually controlled. Each arm can be independently extended, retracted, and positioned, allowing the device to adapt to varying pipe diameters and navigate obstructions without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement arms are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The arms can pivot, extend, and retract based on real-time conditions within the pipe, enabling the device to maintain measurement precision across pipes with varying diameters and around obstructions through active adaptation.
2Measurement precision
If arms are extended to measure interior profile, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement arms are designed to nest within the central body of the measurement device when retracted, similar to nested dolls. This allows the arms to be extended when measurement is needed while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use, thus improving measurement precision without permanently increasing the device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms transition from a compact stored position to an extended measurement position dynamically. This allows the device to achieve precise interior profile measurements when needed while maintaining a small volume for insertion and navigation through the pipe system.
3Loss of information
If multiple measurement parameters are captured, then information completeness is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement arms serve multiple functions: they act as both the probing elements for contactless measurement and as the structural framework for mounting sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each measurement task, thereby capturing comprehensive interior profile information without proportionally increasing system 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
Enables efficient and accurate measurement of sewer pipe diameters, allowing for precise fitting of custom liners and video inspection, improving the repair process by providing detailed interior profiles and linear distance measurements, even in pipes with bends and varying diameters.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor body is attached to the camera by the resilient member. The resilient member allows relative movement of the camera and the sensor body
Implementation Method 2
utilizing guide wires for navigation and a linear variable displacement transducer to convert radial movement into linear data
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed measurement head includes a sensor body attached to a camera by a resilient member. The sensor body includes a sensor that measures linear distance and is actuated by arms pivoting outward from the sensor body into contact with an interior surface of pipe for measurement. Each of the arms includes a catch engageable to a latch sleeve to hold each of the arms in a compact folded position for insertion into a pipe. The latch sleeve is movable to release the catch and the arms to provide for measurement of the interior profile of the pipe. Another measurement head includes guide wires attached to an end of each of the arms. The guide wires provide for movement of the arms to provide for insertion of the measurement head into and through a pipe.