Rotating Support Cleaning Bodies for Pipe Tool Entrapment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning tools for pipes often get stuck due to uneven deposit thickness, causing a helical opening that increases the risk of tool entrapment, and prior art tool supports are ineffective in preventing this and thoroughly cleaning the pipe surface.
Innovation Solution
The cleaning tool features a tool support with at least two rotatable support cleaning bodies having different surface patterns, including grooves with sharp ridges and pyramids, which roll against the pipe surface to break up deposits and counteract radial displacement, reducing the required torque for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the external work diameter of cleaning bodies is made smaller than the pipe diameter to reduce sticking risk, then the tool can pass through the pipe more easily, but a helical opening is formed due to radial displacement which increases the risk of tool entrapment
Solution Approach 1:
The tool support with cleaning bodies is positioned close behind the free end portion to preemptively counteract radial displacement before it can create a helical opening. The support cleaning bodies actively engage the pipe wall to prevent the leading cleaning bodies from deviating radially, thus preventing the formation of helical openings that could cause entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool support acts as an intermediary element between the leading cleaning bodies and the pipe wall. It provides additional contact points with cleaning bodies that mediate the interaction between the cleaning tool and pipe, distributing forces and preventing excessive radial displacement that would otherwise lead to helical opening formation.
2Ease of manufacture
If prior art tool supports with sliding bodies and scraping blades are used to bear on the pipe surface, then some cleaning action is provided, but the tool supports are relatively ineffective in preventing helical opening formation and thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The support cleaning bodies are designed to rotate about a rotary axis as the tool moves through the pipe, transforming a static sliding contact into a dynamic rolling motion. This rotation enhances the cleaning action by continuously presenting fresh surfaces to the pipe wall and improving the ability to break up and remove deposits compared to stationary scraping blades.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the motion parameter of the cleaning bodies from sliding to rolling rotation. This parameter change significantly improves cleaning effectiveness by reducing friction, enhancing the breaking up action on deposits, and allowing the cleaning bodies to self-adjust to the pipe surface profile while maintaining effective contact.
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 design allows for effective cleaning with reduced torque requirements and enhanced pipe surface cleaning, preventing tool entrapment and ensuring thorough deposit removal.
Implementation Method 1
The support cleaning body is arranged to rotate about a rotary axis in a rolling manner against the internal jacket surface of the pipe
Implementation Method 2
By the surface of a support cleaning body including a number of grooves with intermediate, relatively sharp, ridges, the ridges radially surrounding the cleaning body, whereas the ridges extend axially or helically along another one of the cleaning bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning tool device (1) for a pipe (10), the cleaning tool (1) being moved internally in the pipe (10) while rotating about substantially the center axis (12) of the pipe (10), and the cleaning tool (1) being provided with a leading cleaning body (2) at its free end portion (4), and there being arranged, close behind the free end portion (4), a tool support (6) which is arranged to bear on the internal jacket surface (16) of the pipe (10), the tool support (6) being provided with at least one rotatable support cleaning body (8′, 8″, 8′″ and 8″″).