Rotatable Nested Buried Pipe for Shallow Excavation Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional buried pipes are inadequately protected from damage by excavation machinery due to difficulty in securing sufficient separation between the ground surface and the pipe, especially in shallow layers.

Innovation Solution

A buried pipe configuration featuring a first inner pipe, a second inner pipe that rotates within the first, and an outer pipe, where both inner pipes are capable of rotating within each other, reducing friction with optional rotating layers such as slippery coatings or ball bearings to absorb rotational forces and divert excavation edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional buried pipes are installed in shallow layers, then installation flexibility is improved, but protection from excavation machinery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidprotection from excavation machinery

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inner pipe rotatable within the outer pipe structure. This rotational capability allows the inner pipe to dynamically adjust its position and orientation when subjected to external forces from excavation machinery, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the cable and thereby maintaining protection reliability even in shallow installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements the nested doll principle through its multi-layered pipe structure where the first inner pipe is nested within the second inner pipe, which is in turn nested within the outer pipe. This nested configuration provides multiple protective barriers while maintaining a compact overall structure, enabling both installation flexibility and reliable protection against excavation machinery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If separation distance from ground surface is increased, then protection from excavation machinery is improved, but installation adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from excavation machineryVSAvoidinstallation adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable inner pipe mechanism enables the system to achieve reliable protection without requiring large separation distances. The dynamic rotational capability allows the pipe to absorb and redirect forces from excavation machinery, providing effective protection even when installed at shallow depths where separation from the ground surface is limited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameters by introducing a rotatable inner pipe within a nested multi-layer configuration. This parameter change transforms the static protective structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to various installation conditions, including shallow layers with limited separation distance, thereby improving both protection reliability and installation adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If rigid protective structure is used, then protection strength is improved, but resistance to rotational forces from machinery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection strengthVSAvoiddamage from rotational forces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing rotational freedom to the inner pipe while maintaining the structural strength of the nested multi-layer configuration. The inner pipe can rotate to absorb rotational forces from excavation machinery, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the cable, while the overall structure maintains sufficient strength to provide effective protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable inner pipe acts as an intermediary element between the outer protective structure and the cable. It absorbs and redirects rotational forces from excavation machinery through its rotational capability, preventing direct transmission of these harmful forces to the cable while maintaining the protective function of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration effectively protects buried cables by reducing the impact of excavation machinery, preventing damage and twisting of cables, even when separation from the ground surface is limited, by allowing inner pipes to rotate and absorb rotational forces, thus enhancing protection without requiring extensive separation.

Implementation Method 1

both inner pipes are capable of rotating within each other, reducing friction with optional rotating layers such as slippery coatings or ball bearings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20240356323A1Buried pipe

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

The buried pipe 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) includes a first inner pipe 12 capable of accommodating a cable 9, a second inner pipe 11 for accommodating the first inner pipe 12, and an outer pipe 10 for accommodating the second inner pipe 11, wherein the second inner pipe 11 is rotatable about a central axis L of the first inner pipe 12 with respect to the first inner pipe 12 and the outer pipe 10.