Variable-Flex Spring Assembly for Push-Cable Pipe Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push-cables with single coil springs face difficulties in maneuvering around turns and obstacles within pipes due to their rigidity, often becoming stuck or blocked during pipe inspection or cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A push-cable system with a spring assembly featuring varying flexibility, comprising an outer coiled spring and one or more nested inner springs of different lengths, arranged such that the front section is more flexible than the rear section, allowing for easier bending and navigation through pipes while maintaining stability at the connection point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single coil spring with uniform flexibility is used in the push-cable, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the push-cable becomes rigid and difficult to maneuver around turns and obstacles in pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is divided into multiple sections with different flexibility characteristics. The front section has higher flexibility to navigate turns and obstacles, while the rear section has lower flexibility to maintain stability during insertion and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the spring assembly have different physical properties - the front section uses springs with smaller wire diameter and larger coil diameter for higher flexibility, while the rear section uses springs with larger wire diameter and smaller coil diameter for lower flexibility and greater stability.
2Ease of operation
If the spring assembly is made more flexible to navigate turns, then maneuverability improves, but the stability at the connection point deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly is segmented into front and rear sections with different flexibility characteristics, allowing the front to bend easily while the rear remains stable for secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The front section is designed with higher flexibility properties for bending, while the rear section is designed with lower flexibility properties for stability, creating local quality differences that resolve the contradiction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid push-cable is used, then the connection stability is maintained, but the ability to maneuver around turns and obstacles is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The push-cable incorporates a spring assembly with segmented sections - the rear section provides rigidity for stable connection, while the front section provides flexibility for maneuvering around obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the push-cable have different mechanical properties - the rear section maintains rigidity for stable connection, while the front section has enhanced flexibility for navigating turns and obstacles.
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 system enhances the ability to navigate through curved pipes and avoid obstacles by varying the flexibility along the spring assembly, reducing the likelihood of becoming stuck and improving the overall efficiency of pipe inspection and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
The first spring may be configured to reduce a buckling load of the second spring by a predetermined amount when a buckling force is applied to the second spring
Implementation Method 2
a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring
Data Source
AI summary
Push-cables and associated apparatus for pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a pipe inspection system includes a camera head, a push-cable including an outer covering enclosing a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting signals and/or power between the camera head and an electronic device operatively coupled to the push-cable, and a spring assembly disposed about the push-cable near the distal end where the spring assembly comprises a spring with a tapered flex section having a varying cross-sectional area and/or a varying cross-sectional shape.