Radially Extending Cleaning Tool for Restricted Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools, such as brushes with long, soft elements, are ineffective for cleaning areas inside restrictions with smaller diameters, like downhole safety valves or pipe portions, due to uncertain cleaning outcomes and potential tool entrapment.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical cleaning tool with a radially movable cleaning body, activated by a compression spring and rotary adapter, allows the cleaning body to extend into and retract from the restricted area, utilizing stiff-bristled brushes and a guide ring for precise positioning and reliable cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brushes with long, soft brushing elements are used to clean areas inside restrictions, then the cleaning body can reach into the restricted area, but the cleaning effect becomes uncertain and the tool may become entrapped
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning body is designed with radial movability between retracted and extended positions, allowing dynamic adaptation to restriction dimensions. The attachment can pivot between idle and active positions, enabling the tool to navigate through restrictions without entrapment while maintaining reliable cleaning contact when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning body parameters (position, orientation, contact force) are changed dynamically during operation. By adjusting the radial position and angle of the attachment, the tool transitions from a non-contact state (passing through restriction) to a contact state (cleaning), optimizing both navigability and cleaning effectiveness
2Area of stationary object
If the cleaning body is extended to reach areas inside restrictions, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the tool housing may not pass through the restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is segmented into a compact tool housing and an extendable cleaning body on a separate attachment. The housing remains compact for passing through restrictions, while the cleaning body extends radially outward to provide adequate cleaning coverage of the restricted area
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning body operates in a different spatial dimension (radial direction) relative to the tool housing movement (axial direction). This dimensional separation allows the housing to pass through restrictions while the cleaning body provides coverage in the radial dimension
3Reliability
If the cleaning body is made rigid for stable cleaning contact, then cleaning reliability is improved, but the tool cannot adapt to different restriction sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment holding the cleaning body is designed with radial movability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This enables stable cleaning contact to be maintained while adapting to various restriction dimensions and geometries
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the tool have different properties: the tool housing maintains structural rigidity for stability, while the attachment and cleaning body incorporate radial movability for adaptability. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability
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 effective mechanical cleaning of areas inside restrictions by ensuring the cleaning body maintains contact and rotates relative to the area, ensuring thorough cleaning while being adaptable to existing equipment and minimizing the risk of tool entrapment.
Implementation Method 1
A compression spring which may be connected between the cone and the tool housing may be arranged to move the cone to its initial position
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical cleaning body arranged to clean the area in question by means of mechanical contact and relative movement between the cleaning body and an area to be cleaned
Implementation Method 3
The tool is inserted into a pipe in which there is a restriction, the tool being rotated about its longitudinal axis while energy is supplied to the tool
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a device for cleaning an area (48) located inside a restriction (46) by means of a mechanical cleaning tool (1), the restriction (46) having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the area (48) to be cleaned, the comprising: - moving the cleaning tool (1) into or through the restriction (46); - moving a mechanical cleaning body (18) radially out into abutment against the area (48) to be cleaned; - rotating the cleaning body (18) relative to the area (48) to be cleaned; - moving the mechanical cleaning body (18) radially in from the area (48) which has been cleaned; and - moving the cleaning tool (1) out from the restriction (46).