Selectable End-Gate Cutter for Large Elongated Member Truncation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for truncating elongated structural members, such as those in oil platforms and bridges, are hazardous, time-consuming, and environmentally impactful, and existing cutter technologies do not efficiently allow for precise cutting near the seabed or in confined spaces.

Innovation Solution

A cutter system with an end gate that allows selection among multiple cutting edges, featuring concave-shaped blades, enabling truncation of elongated members up to 95% of their outside diameter, with a smaller frame size and reduced weight, using opposing beveled blades that can be adjusted for different cutting tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional thermal cutting tools, wire saws, or explosives are used to truncate elongated members, then the truncation can be performed, but the method is dangerous, time-consuming, costly, and causes significant environmental impact including airborne or seaborne fine particulate matter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impact and safety hazardsVSAvoidtruncation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal cutting tools, wire saws, and explosives with a mechanical cutter system that uses opposing concave-shaped blades to physically sever elongated members. This mechanical approach eliminates the harmful emissions and safety hazards associated with thermal and chemical methods while maintaining efficient truncation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutter is designed with multiple cutting edges on the end gate, allowing selection among at least two cutting edges. This segmentation of cutting functions enables the same cutter to handle different truncation needs without requiring multiple specialized tools, reducing overall time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cutter with multiple cutting edges on the end gate is used, then versatility and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting edge selection capabilityVSAvoidcutter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cutting edges are integrated into a single end gate component, merging several cutting functions into one unified structure. This allows the cutter to handle various truncation scenarios with a single device while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate cutting tools or interchangeable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end gate is designed with multiple cutting edges that can be selected based on the specific truncation task, making the cutter universally applicable to different elongated member configurations and materials. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If concave-shaped opposing blades are used to truncate elongated members with outside diameter up to 95 percent of the distance between frame side rails, then the cutter can handle larger diameter members, but the frame size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruncation precision for large diameter membersVSAvoidcutter weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The opposing blades are designed with concave shapes that curve inward, allowing them to effectively engage and truncate elongated members with outside diameters up to 95 percent of the frame width. The curved geometry enables precise cutting contact across the member surface without requiring an oversized frame, thus maintaining manageable cutter weight while handling large diameter members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11453145B2Apparatus and methods for truncating elongated members

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 TRUDEAU LEON

AI summary

A cutting tool for truncating elongated structural members has a frame with a pair of parallel siderails connected at a first end by a support plate and at a second end by a removable end gate, the frame having an open center adapted to receive the structural member therethrough. The truncating is performed by a fixed penetrating cutting edge on an end gate and a driven penetrating blade slidably disposed within the frame to advance towards the end gate. The end gate has two integral penetrating cutting edges pointing in opposite directions. The driven penetrating blade and the fixed penetrating cutting edge may have concave cutting edges relative to one another and configured to be adjacent to one another along the travel of the driven penetrating blade. Alternately, an end gate second cutting edge may be directed to the opening within the frame and have a piercing V-shaped cutting edge.