Remote Controlled Vehicle for Pipeline Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directional drilling methods for installing pipelines under barriers, such as highways or buildings, are costly and require human intervention, which poses safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled vehicle is used to extend a cable through a final bore by forming pits on either side of the barrier, drilling a pilot bore, and enlarging it to accommodate the vehicle, which then pulls the pipeline through, eliminating the need for human passage and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a human or animal passes through the final bore to extend the cable, then the cable can be extended through the bore, but safety risks increase and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controlled vehicle performs the cable extension operation autonomously without requiring human or animal passage through the final bore. The vehicle is controlled remotely to drive through the bore and extend the cable, eliminating the safety risks and inefficiencies associated with manual passage while maintaining operational capability.
2Loss of time
If traditional directional drilling methods are used without automation, then the process can be completed, but operational costs increase and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated remote controlled vehicle system. The vehicle, controlled by remote signals, performs the cable extension and pipeline installation operations automatically, reducing operational time and increasing installation efficiency compared to traditional manual methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If the vehicle chassis is made larger to accommodate all components, then component installation is easier, but the vehicle difficulty to pass through narrow final bores increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle system is divided into separable components: the remote controlled vehicle itself and the cable/pipeline being installed. The vehicle chassis is designed to be compact enough to pass through narrow final bores, while the cable and pipeline are extended through the bore separately, eliminating the need for the entire system to fit through the confined space.
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 remote-controlled vehicle efficiently installs pipelines under barriers without human intervention, reducing operational costs and ensuring safety by automating the cable extension and pipeline installation process.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic power unit in communication with front and rear hydraulic drives supported on corresponding front and rear portions of a chassis of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A remote controlled vehicle includes a chassis, front and rear axles mounted on the chassis and at least one wheel coupled to each axle. A front hydraulic drive drives the front axle and a rear hydraulic drive drives the rear axle. The remote controlled vehicle includes front and rear control valves in fluid communication with the corresponding front and rear hydraulic drives for regulating at least one of a fluid direction and a fluid flow through each control valve to each corresponding hydraulic drive. A controller communicates drive commands to each hydraulic drive and receives the drive commands front an external communicator. The chassis has a width substantially equal to the widest width of the reservoir and the motor.