CA2485819C - Interior sewer pipeline scarifying apparatus - Google Patents
Interior sewer pipeline scarifying apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- CA2485819C CA2485819C CA2485819A CA2485819A CA2485819C CA 2485819 C CA2485819 C CA 2485819C CA 2485819 A CA2485819 A CA 2485819A CA 2485819 A CA2485819 A CA 2485819A CA 2485819 C CA2485819 C CA 2485819C
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Abstract
This application discloses an apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a sewer pipe, which can remain in the sewer under active flow conditions. The apparatus includes at least one scarifying head (20), which may transverse back And forth along a rail assembly (12,14), which is configured to match the circumferential shape of the sewer pipe. The scarifying head (20) includes a nozzle assembly and driving assembly. The nozzle assembly (28), located at the outer end of the scarifying head has nozzles (28). The nozzles emit jets of water under pressure to clean or scarify the interior surface of the pipe.
Description
INTERIOR SEWER PIPELINE SCARIFYING APPARATUS
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for cleaning the interior surface of a pipe and more specifically for cleaning the interior surface of a sewer pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pipes used to carry liquids and gases commonly transport all types of materials including water, natural gas and liquid sewage. Over time, these pipes require servicing and cleaning. MacNeil et al. disclose an automated process for cleaning or restoring the inside of a pipe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,106. Similar apparatuses are disclosed by French Patent 2 744 469 and German Patent 198 06 350. The apparatuses disclosed by the above three patents occupy and obstruct a central portion of the pipe.
In other words, nobody has disclosed a device with an automated process for cleaning or restoring the inside of a pipe that can remain in the interior of the pipe, even under active flow conditions.
The interior surface of a pipeline carrying solids, liquids and gases generally degrades over time as the pipe walls interact chemically and physically with the substances flowing through them and air. In particular, a sewer system's interior walls corrode and deteriorate because corrosive materials contaminate the surface, degrading the metal and concrete used to build the sewer pipe. The corrosive material arises from both the sewage and waste water itself, and also from the digestible by-products of bacteria found in the sewage which proliferate in the anaerobic environment. The corrosion causes the walls of the sewer pipe to physically decay, eventually reducing their overall thickness.
-------- - --- ----The principle source of corrosion is sulfuric acid, which arises as a product of the reaction of sewer gases with water and air in the sewer pipe and the sewer environment itself. Various metal sulfates found in the sewage quickly convert into hydrogen sulfide by reducing to sulfide ions in the waste water, combining with hydrogen in water and outgassing above the liquid as hydrogen sulfide gas. Additional hydrogen sulfide originates from bacteria-containing contaminants which accumulate on the relatively rough concrete below the maximum liquid level.
Bacteria found in these accumulations thrive in the anaerobic sewer environment producing hydrogen sulfide gas as a respiratory by-product. Oxygen from the liquid below and oxygen condensing from the water in the air react with the hydrogen sulfide on the pipeline walls creating the highly corrosive sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid attacks the calcium hydroxide in the concrete sewer walls leaving calcium sulfates which ultimately crumble and fall -off the interior of the wall substantially reducing its thickness.
The waste water level varies over the course of a 24-hour period. The flow is at its lowest level between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the morning but it rises distinctly in the daytime when the pipe may operate near capacity. Because of the gaseous nature of the hydrogen sulfide, the pipe walls are predominately corroded in the portions of the wall above the minimum liquid level. Portions of the walls which are always below the water level are not subjected to such high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas or sulfuric acid and consequently do not experience the same level of decay.
Eventually the sewer walls must be restored or they can suffer permanent damage leading to great expense. The restoration process is a two-step operation that consists of first scarifying the interior pipe surface to remove the contaminants (including any possibly existing outer layers of corrupted concrete) from the surface of the pipe, i.e. a process herein defined as scarifying, and then applying a protective coating over the newly cleaned (scarified) pipe surface.
Attempting to apply a protective coating without first scarifying the pipe surface is futile because it does not stop the decay that has already begun underneath the coating. Furthermore, the protective coating itself does not adhere well to the contaminated surface. Thus, scarifying is an essential element of the restoration process.
As previously mentioned, the sewer typically operates at high capacity during the day with a decreased flow overnight. In order to restore the sewer pipes without diverting the flow (a costly and sometimes impossible alternative), a bulk of the work must be done at night during the brief period when the flow is at a minimum. As previously outlined, the restoration process involves both scarifying the pipe surface and applying a protective coat. In practice, the rate of restoration is impaired because manual scarifying takes a proportionally greater amount of time than does the application of the protective coat.
Automated scarifying processes exist, e.g. MacNeil et al above, however, presently devices require insertion into the sewer assembly and then removal from the sewer, all during the brief period when the sewer flow is at a minimum. Consequently, a need exists for an automated scarifying or restoration apparatus that can remain in the sewer during the period when the waste water level is not at a minimum.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a sewer pipe. A rail assembly matching the circumferential shape of the sewer pipe interior is connected at its ends to a chassis moveable along the bottom half of the sewer pipe. For example, if the configuration of the sewer pipe is semicircular, or cylindrical with a false floor, preferably the rail assembly will be of an arcuate configuration.
Preferably, the rail assembly of'the present invention will be easily removed from the chassis to allow entry and removal of the apparatus through small openings, such as manholes, into the sewer.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for cleaning the interior surface of a pipe and more specifically for cleaning the interior surface of a sewer pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pipes used to carry liquids and gases commonly transport all types of materials including water, natural gas and liquid sewage. Over time, these pipes require servicing and cleaning. MacNeil et al. disclose an automated process for cleaning or restoring the inside of a pipe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,106. Similar apparatuses are disclosed by French Patent 2 744 469 and German Patent 198 06 350. The apparatuses disclosed by the above three patents occupy and obstruct a central portion of the pipe.
In other words, nobody has disclosed a device with an automated process for cleaning or restoring the inside of a pipe that can remain in the interior of the pipe, even under active flow conditions.
The interior surface of a pipeline carrying solids, liquids and gases generally degrades over time as the pipe walls interact chemically and physically with the substances flowing through them and air. In particular, a sewer system's interior walls corrode and deteriorate because corrosive materials contaminate the surface, degrading the metal and concrete used to build the sewer pipe. The corrosive material arises from both the sewage and waste water itself, and also from the digestible by-products of bacteria found in the sewage which proliferate in the anaerobic environment. The corrosion causes the walls of the sewer pipe to physically decay, eventually reducing their overall thickness.
-------- - --- ----The principle source of corrosion is sulfuric acid, which arises as a product of the reaction of sewer gases with water and air in the sewer pipe and the sewer environment itself. Various metal sulfates found in the sewage quickly convert into hydrogen sulfide by reducing to sulfide ions in the waste water, combining with hydrogen in water and outgassing above the liquid as hydrogen sulfide gas. Additional hydrogen sulfide originates from bacteria-containing contaminants which accumulate on the relatively rough concrete below the maximum liquid level.
Bacteria found in these accumulations thrive in the anaerobic sewer environment producing hydrogen sulfide gas as a respiratory by-product. Oxygen from the liquid below and oxygen condensing from the water in the air react with the hydrogen sulfide on the pipeline walls creating the highly corrosive sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid attacks the calcium hydroxide in the concrete sewer walls leaving calcium sulfates which ultimately crumble and fall -off the interior of the wall substantially reducing its thickness.
The waste water level varies over the course of a 24-hour period. The flow is at its lowest level between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the morning but it rises distinctly in the daytime when the pipe may operate near capacity. Because of the gaseous nature of the hydrogen sulfide, the pipe walls are predominately corroded in the portions of the wall above the minimum liquid level. Portions of the walls which are always below the water level are not subjected to such high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas or sulfuric acid and consequently do not experience the same level of decay.
Eventually the sewer walls must be restored or they can suffer permanent damage leading to great expense. The restoration process is a two-step operation that consists of first scarifying the interior pipe surface to remove the contaminants (including any possibly existing outer layers of corrupted concrete) from the surface of the pipe, i.e. a process herein defined as scarifying, and then applying a protective coating over the newly cleaned (scarified) pipe surface.
Attempting to apply a protective coating without first scarifying the pipe surface is futile because it does not stop the decay that has already begun underneath the coating. Furthermore, the protective coating itself does not adhere well to the contaminated surface. Thus, scarifying is an essential element of the restoration process.
As previously mentioned, the sewer typically operates at high capacity during the day with a decreased flow overnight. In order to restore the sewer pipes without diverting the flow (a costly and sometimes impossible alternative), a bulk of the work must be done at night during the brief period when the flow is at a minimum. As previously outlined, the restoration process involves both scarifying the pipe surface and applying a protective coat. In practice, the rate of restoration is impaired because manual scarifying takes a proportionally greater amount of time than does the application of the protective coat.
Automated scarifying processes exist, e.g. MacNeil et al above, however, presently devices require insertion into the sewer assembly and then removal from the sewer, all during the brief period when the sewer flow is at a minimum. Consequently, a need exists for an automated scarifying or restoration apparatus that can remain in the sewer during the period when the waste water level is not at a minimum.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a sewer pipe. A rail assembly matching the circumferential shape of the sewer pipe interior is connected at its ends to a chassis moveable along the bottom half of the sewer pipe. For example, if the configuration of the sewer pipe is semicircular, or cylindrical with a false floor, preferably the rail assembly will be of an arcuate configuration.
Preferably, the rail assembly of'the present invention will be easily removed from the chassis to allow entry and removal of the apparatus through small openings, such as manholes, into the sewer.
At least one scarifying head is coupled to the rail assembly and may traverse in either direction along the rail assembly. The scarifying head comprises a nozzle assembly and a driving assembly. The nozzle assembly includes nozzles which rotate or oscillate, and emit a pressurized jet of fluid to scarify a circumferential swath of the interior surface of the sewer pipe. The driving assembly enables the scarifying head to move back and forth along the rail assembly.
The scarifying head may be extendible to place the nozzles proximate the interior surface of the sewer pipe when the scarifying head is at rest or as it moves back and forth along the rail assembly.
The present invention may also include guide bars affixed to the chassis. The guide bars may have wall-engaging attachments, which move along the interior surface of the sewer pipe and maintain the orientation of the apparatus along a longitudinal axis of the pipe when the apparatus is in use.
An advantage of the present invention is improved rates of scarifying of the sewer pipe's interior walls. A further advantage is assurance that the same intensity of scarifying is applied to the entire surface without the quality variation that is inherent in manual execution. Further still, the ability of the scarifying head to traverse in either direction of the rail assembly enables a circumferential swath of the interior surface of the sewer pipe to be scarified without requiring the apparatus to make several passes back and forth, resulting in a fast and cost-effective method of scarifying, and making restoration without diversion a cost-effective possibility.
The scarifying head may be extendible to place the nozzles proximate the interior surface of the sewer pipe when the scarifying head is at rest or as it moves back and forth along the rail assembly.
The present invention may also include guide bars affixed to the chassis. The guide bars may have wall-engaging attachments, which move along the interior surface of the sewer pipe and maintain the orientation of the apparatus along a longitudinal axis of the pipe when the apparatus is in use.
An advantage of the present invention is improved rates of scarifying of the sewer pipe's interior walls. A further advantage is assurance that the same intensity of scarifying is applied to the entire surface without the quality variation that is inherent in manual execution. Further still, the ability of the scarifying head to traverse in either direction of the rail assembly enables a circumferential swath of the interior surface of the sewer pipe to be scarified without requiring the apparatus to make several passes back and forth, resulting in a fast and cost-effective method of scarifying, and making restoration without diversion a cost-effective possibility.
Lastly, as the configuration of the apparatus leaves a central portion of the sewer pipe unobstructed, thereby enabling it to remain in the sewer for the duration of the restoration (i.e. even when waste flow is not at a minimum).
This feature results in an increase in productive working time for scarifying the interior surface of the sewer pipe when the sewer flow is at a minimum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure I is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus showing a vehicle, carts, rail assembly, and scarifying heads;
Figure 2 is a front view of the scarifying head of the first embodiment;
Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment showing the configuration of the apparatus when it is in use;
Figure 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a top view of the second embodiment showing the track assembly and removable platform;
Figure 7 is a side view of the track assembly and lateral support for the second embodiment;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the interior of a cylindrical pipe depicting a circumferential swath scarified by a pass of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Two embodiments envisaged in this invention are outlined below with reference to the drawings.
The First Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a scarifying apparatus 10 includes at least one scarifying head 20 slidably mounted between two arcuate, spaced apart rails 12 and 14. The scarifying head 20 is mounted with a pair of low friction brackets or plates 18 slidably engaging the edges of the rails 12 and 14. A rack 16 is mounted on the underside of one of rails 12 and 14 and a small reversible hydraulic motor 22 mounted on the scarifying head 20 drives a pinion gear 26 which, in turn, engages the teeth of the rack 16, causing the scarifying head 20 to move along the rails 12 and 14. At an outer end of the scarifying head 20 is mounted a pair of outwardly directed nozzles 28 each connected to a respective branch 30, with each branch coupled to an exchanger 32 which receives a single stream of fluid and splits it into two streams of equal flow rate for each of the two nozzles 28. An inlet 31 at another end of the scarifying head 20 is engaged by a hose end 34 and conducts water to the exchanger 32. Inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 36 and 37, respectfully attach to hydraulic couplings on the hydraulic motor 22.
The exchanger 32 is mounted at the distal end of a telescoping arm, which includes two telescoping pipes in which the upper portion of the pipe 21 has a smaller diameter such that it slides down the lower portion 23. A piston (not shown) controls the extension of the telescoping arm. Consequently, the scarifying head 20 can be manipulated so that the outwardly directed nozzles 28 can be positioned in close proximity to the pipe walls when the scarifying head 20 is at rest or as the scarifying head 20 moves back and forth along the rails 12 and 14.
One set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14 are affixed to a small cart 38A positioned at one side of the sewer pipe to be cleaned, while the other set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14.
are affixed to another small cart 38B positioned on the other side of the sewer pipe to be cleaned. Each of carts 38A and 38B
have mounted thereon a guide roller 40A and 40B which prevents the cart from scraping against the side of the sewer pipe when the apparatus 10 is in use.
Carts 38A and 38B are affixed by rigid rods 42A and 42B, respectively, to a small vehicle 44 powered by hydraulic motors (not shown) to move the rails 12 and 14 and carts 38A and 38B
along the sewer pipe, while keeping the rails 12 and 14 transverse to the direction of travel. Although a hydraulic motor is used in this embodiment, any power providing means of both external or on-board types but preferably exhaustless may be used for this application. The direction of motion of the vehicle is that of arrow 58. However, in the event of movement in direction 60 is desired, an additional rigid rod may be connected to rods 42A and 42B to keep the latter rods from moving towards each other.
Rails 12 and 14 can accommodate several scarifying heads 20 at the same time. Generally the scarifying heads 20 are positioned so that each travels back and forth along the rails 12 and 14 the same distance, with the net result being that together the scarifying heads 20 cover the entire circumference of the rails 12 and 14.
A controller 62 mounted adjacent to motor 22 receives a signal from a position sensor (not shown) which senses the position of the scarifying heads 20 and is responsive to command signals received from controller 62 to establish the trajectories of the scarifying heads 20 along the rails 12 and 14. For example, if three scarifying heads were used, each scarifying head 20 would usually be set to traverse approximately 1/3 of the circumference of the rails 12 and 14 by each traveling in one direction until the end of a respective path is reached and the opposite to cover the same path in an opposite direction.
As the scarifying head 20 moves along rails 12 and 14, water supplied under pressure through hose 34 flows into exchanger 32 and causes nozzles 28 and nozzle branches 30 to rotate. Arrows 64 and 66 in Figure 2 indicate the direction of rotation of the nozzle assembly. Jets of water are emitted by the rotating nozzles 28 and impact on a surrounding interior surface of a sewer pipe (not shown). Typical water pressures used are in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 psi.
Vehicle 44 includes a chassis 70, a track assembly 68 and an on-board hydraulic motor (not shown). Although a track assembly 68 is shown in this embodiment, any actuator capable of moving the vehicle 44 under power from the hydraulic motor may be used.
The hydraulic motor 22 is coupled by hydraulic hoses 36 and 37 that pass through a manhole.(not shown) to an external hydraulic pump (not shown). An electrical cable from an external generator (not shown) also feeds through the manhole and couples electrical power to the vehicle 44. An on-board power supply converts this electrical power to low voltage DC for application to the various switches in response to commands from an on-board controller (not shown). The switches control the speed and direction of the vehicle 44. An on-board battery (not shown) can also power the electrical system which controls the speed and direction of the vehicle 44 as well as the movement of the scarifying heads 20.
The hydraulic motor 22, switches, and on-board power supply are covered by protective boxes (not shown) to protect their sensitive parts from debris when the waste water level when is not at a minimum.
The vehicle 44 and carts 38A and 38B are outfitted with a drawbar (not shown) which holds the hoses away from the apparatus so that it may easily travel in either direction without running over the hoses. The drawbar may also hold the hoses close to the apparatus to enable debris to flow more easily through the sewer pipe when the apparatus is not in use.
An additional safety feature not shown in the drawings is a "deadman", which is a safety switch operative to cut off the high pressure from the moving parts of the apparatus. The deadman is useful in both emergency situations and when minor adjustments must be made to the apparatus during a job.
In order to reduce the size of the apparatus, the rails 12 and 14 may easily be removed from the carts 38A and 38B to enable the apparatus to enter small access opening into the sewer pipe.
Once assembled, the configuration of the apparatus enables it to remain in the sewer pipe for the duration of the restoration.
The Second Embodiment Referring to Figures 3 and 4 a second embodiment of the scarifying apparatus 10 includes at least one scarifying head 20 slidably mounted between two arcuate, spaced apart rails 12 and 14. At an outer end of the scarifying head 20 is mounted a pair of outwardly directed nozzles 28 each connected to a corresponding branch 30, with each branch coupled to an exchanger 32 which receives a single stream of fluid and splits it into two streams of equal flow rate for each of the two nozzles. An inlet at another end of the scarifying head 20 is received by a hose end 34 and conducts water to the exchanger 32.
The exchanger 32 is mounted at the distal end of a telescoping arm, which includes two telescoping pipes in which the upper portion of the pipe 21 has a smaller diameter such that it slides down the lower portion 23. A piston (not shown) controls the extension of the telescoping arm. Consequently, the scarifying head 20 can be manipulated so that the outwardly directed nozzles 28 can be positioned in close proximity to the pipe walls when the scarifying head 20 is at rest or as the scarifying head 20 moves back and forth along the rails 12 and 14.
However, in contrast to the first embodiment a pulley system is used to move the scarifying head 20 along the rails 12 and 14.
Referring to Figure 3, 4, and 5 the pulley system is shown for a scarifying system having two scarifying heads 20. The ends of a fixed length of cable 94A and 94B are attached to either side of a carriage 87 of the scarifying head 20. To guide the ends of the cable, a sheave 81 is attached to each side of the carriage 87 just under the ends of the cable 94A and 94B. One side of the cable 94A and 94B is then lead around a motor controlled sheave 88'mounted to the chassis 51 of the track assembly 68, while the other side of cable 94A and 94B is guided over a motor controlled sheave 72 connected to a hydraulic motor 71. The hydraulic motor 71 is suspended from the rail assembly 12 by a rigid pole 75.
The hydraulic motor 71 causes the motor controlled sheave 72 to rotate, which, in turn causes the cable 94A and 94B to move over the motor controlled sheave 72, and sheaves 88 and 81, which results in the scarifying heads 20'moving along the rails 12 and 14. Inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 71A and 71B attach to hoses coupling on the hydraulic motor 71. Alternatively, a chain passing over the rim of the sheaves 72 and 81 may be used.
As the scarifying head 20 moves along rails 12 and 14, water supplied under pressure through hose 34 flows into exchanger 32 and causes nozzles 28 and nozzle branches 30 to rotate. Arrows 64 and 66 in Figure 4 indicate the direction of rotation of the nozzle assembly. Jets of water are emitted by the rotating nozzles 28 and impact on a surrounding interior surface of a sewer pipe (not shown). Typical water pressures used are in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 psi.
One set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14 are affixed to socket 74A at one side of the track assembly 68, while the other set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14 are affixed to-another socket 74B positioned on the other side of the track assembly 68.
In order to reduce the size of the apparatus, the rails 12 and 14 may easily be removed from the sockets 74A and 74B to enable the apparatus to enter small access opening into the sewer pipe.
A platform 82 is located between the track assemblies 68 to keep the track assemblies transverse to the direction of travel.
The track assemblies 68 are powered by hydraulic motors 86 to move the rails 12 and 14 along the sewer pipe. Inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 86A and 86B attach to hoses coupling on the hydraulic motors 86. Although hydraulic motors 86 and 71 are used in this embodiment, any power providing means of both external or on-board types, but preferably exhaustless may be used for this application. A battery 78 and a hydraulic solenoid 80 are mounted on the platform 82. Referring to Figure 6, the platform 82 may be removed from the chassis 51 of the track assemblies 68 by pins 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D to protect the battery 78 and hydraulic solenoid 80, as well as to improve waste water flow through the sewer pipe when it is not at a minimum.
Referring to Figure 3, limit switches 76A and 76B are also removably mounted to the chassis 51 by pins 73A and 73B. The configuration of the apparatus enables the remaining portions of the apparatus to remain in the sewer pipe for the duration of the restoration.
The hydraulic motors 86 and 71 are coupled through hydraulic hoses to the hydraulic solenoid 80 and to an external hydraulic pump (not shown). The battery 70 powers the electrical system for application to the various switches. Alternately, an electrical cable from an external generator (not shown) may be used to couple electrical power to the scarifying apparatus 10.
The limit switches 76A and 76B send signals to an on-board controller (not shown) coupled to the hydraulic solenoid 80 to cause the scarifying heads to change their speed and/or direction along the rails via the hydraulic motor 71. For example, if two scarifying heads were used, each scarifying head 20 would usually be set to traverse approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the rails 12 and 14 by each traveling in the same direction until one scarifying head 20 reached the end of a respective path where one of the limit switches 76A and 76B is located, and then reversing direction until signaled by the other limit switch 76A and 76B to change direction again. While the limit switches 76A and 76B
control the direction of the scarifying heads 20, switches (not shown) also send signals to the on-board controller (not shown) to control the direction of the track assemblies 68 via the hydraulic solenoid 80.
An additional safety feature not shown in the drawings is a "deadman", which is a safety switch operative to cut off the high pressure from the moving parts of the apparatus. The deadman is useful in both emergency situations and when minor adjustments must be made to the apparatus during a job.
Referring to Figure 7 a lateral support 53 is attached to the rails 12 and 14 and chassis by a socket 55 on each side of the track assemblies 68. The lateral support may easily be removed from the rails 12 and 14 when the scarifying apparatus 10 is not in use.
In the first and second embodiments an apparatus with an arcuate rail assembly will be preferred when the sewer pipe is a semicircular shape. However, referring to Figure 8 the arcuate rail assembly may also be used in a cylindrical pipe by using a false floor 92 layered on top of the minimum flow mark 90. As the scarifying heads transverse back and forth along the rails, the apparatus can clean an entire circumferential swath in one pass. The circumferential swath is approximately the same width 96 as the-diameter between the nozzles 28 which are coupled to the branches 30 of the scarifying head 20. As most of the corrosion occurs above the minimum flow mark 90, use of the false floor 92 is acceptable for restoration applications.
Alternatively, if the sewer pipe is another shape, such as rectangular, the rails of the apparatus may be configured to match the shape of the pipe. Further, the rail assembly may consist of only one rail with a slot to which the scarifying head 20 may be coupled.
While the nozzle assembly in the above description is described as rotating, it may instead oscillate or both rotate and oscillate.
Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
The invention may be summarized, at least in part, by the following enumerated statements:
Statement 1. The invention comprises an apparatus for scarifying an interior surface of a sewer pipe, characterized by: a. a support assembly (38) moveable along an interior of said sewer pipe supported from a bottom half thereof; b. a rail assembly (12, 14) supported on its ends by said support assembly juxtaposed to the interior surface of said sewer pipe, said rail assembly matching a circumferential trajectory of said sewer pipe; c. at least one scarifying head (20) coupled to and moveable in either direction along said rail assembly, said scarifying head having: i. a nozzle assembly coupled to said scarifying head having at least one nozzle (28), operative to rotate or oscillate and to emit a jet of fluid against the interior surface of said sewer pipe and to scarify the interior surface of said sewer pipe; and ii. a driving assembly (22, 71) coupled to said scarifying head, operative to drive said scarifying head along said rail assembly over a pre-selected trajectory wherein said support assembly, rail assembly and scarifying head are positioned proximate said interior surface of said sewer pipe so as to leave unobstructed a central portion of said sewer pipe so that sewage can flow through said sewer pipe substantially unimpeded by said apparatus.
Statement 2. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said support assembly is a pair of carts.
Statement 3. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 2, wherein said pair of carts is coupled to a vehicle (44), said vehicle moveable along said interior of said sewer pipe.
Statement 4. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 3, wherein said vehicle is supported and propelled by a pair of spaced apart tracks (68).
Statement 5. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 2, wherein said pair of carts are each supported and propelled by a pair of spaced apart tracks (68).
Statement 6. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said support assembly is a single vehicle.
Statement 7. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 6, wherein said single vehicle is supported and propelled by a pair of spaced apart tracks.
Statement 8. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said nozzle assembly further comprises: a.
13a an exchanger coupled to an external source of fluid; b. a plurality of branches coupled to and radially spaced around said exchanger; and c. a distal end on each branch of said plurality of branches having said at least one nozzle.
Statement 9. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 8, wherein said external source of fluid is a pressurized fluid source remote from said sewer pipe.
Statement 10. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly further comprises a rack having gears located on an underside of said rail assembly Statement 11. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 10, wherein said driving assembly is operative to drive said scarifying head back and forth along said pre-selected trajectory.
Statement 12. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly further includes two recessed edges located on opposing inner sides of said rail assembly.
Statement 13. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 12, wherein said driving assembly further comprises: a. a carriage having a first side substantially perpendicular to said rail assembly and a second side, opposite said first side and substantially perpendicular to said rail assembly; b. at least one roller 85 coupled to said carriage between said first and second sides, said at least one roller operative to engage said recessed edge; c. a first upper sheave coupled to said first side of said carriage and a second upper sheave coupled to said second side of said carriage; d. a lower sheave coupled to said support assembly; e. an intermediate sheave coupled to said rail assembly; f. a cable coupled to said 13b first side of said carriage, and passing over said first upper sheave, said lower sheave, said intermediate sheave, said second upper sheave and coupled to said second side of said carriage;
and g. a motor coupled to and operative to rotate said intermediate sheave; wherein rotation of said intermediate sheave in a first direction draws the cable to move said scarifying head in a first direction, and rotation of said intermediate sheave in a second direction draws the cable to move said scarifying in a second direction opposite said first direction.
Statement 14. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said support assembly is moveable incrementally along said interior of said sewer pipe.
Statement 15. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said apparatus is operative to scarify a circumferential swath of said interior surface of said sewer pipe perpendicular to a direction of travel of said support assembly.
Statement 16. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly is readily detachable from said support assembly to enable said support assembly to pass through an access opening into said sewer pipe.
Statement 17. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, including one or more extendible guide bars extending out from said support assembly, and having a wall engaging attachment at a distal end thereof, each of said one or more guide bars operative to move along an interior surface of said sewer pipe and maintain orientation of said apparatus along a longitudinal axis of said sewer pipe.
Statement 18. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said apparatus includes three l3c scarifying heads spaced apart along said rail assembly such that each of said scarifying heads transverses along 1/3 of said rail assembly, each scarifying head operative to scarify a corresponding region of said interior surface of said sewer pipe.
Statement 19. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly is arcuate.
Statement 20. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, further comprising at least one drawbar to hold hoses and cables necessary for said apparatus to operate in a position away from said apparatus when said apparatus is in use and in a position close to said apparatus when said apparatus is not in use.
Statement 21. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said bottom half thereof is a false floor mounted within said sewer pipe.
Statement 22. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said scarifying head is reversibly extendible to place said at least one nozzle proximate said interior surface of said sewer pipe when said scarifying head is either at rest or moving over said pre-selected trajectory.
13d
This feature results in an increase in productive working time for scarifying the interior surface of the sewer pipe when the sewer flow is at a minimum.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure I is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus showing a vehicle, carts, rail assembly, and scarifying heads;
Figure 2 is a front view of the scarifying head of the first embodiment;
Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment showing the configuration of the apparatus when it is in use;
Figure 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a top view of the second embodiment showing the track assembly and removable platform;
Figure 7 is a side view of the track assembly and lateral support for the second embodiment;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the interior of a cylindrical pipe depicting a circumferential swath scarified by a pass of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Two embodiments envisaged in this invention are outlined below with reference to the drawings.
The First Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a scarifying apparatus 10 includes at least one scarifying head 20 slidably mounted between two arcuate, spaced apart rails 12 and 14. The scarifying head 20 is mounted with a pair of low friction brackets or plates 18 slidably engaging the edges of the rails 12 and 14. A rack 16 is mounted on the underside of one of rails 12 and 14 and a small reversible hydraulic motor 22 mounted on the scarifying head 20 drives a pinion gear 26 which, in turn, engages the teeth of the rack 16, causing the scarifying head 20 to move along the rails 12 and 14. At an outer end of the scarifying head 20 is mounted a pair of outwardly directed nozzles 28 each connected to a respective branch 30, with each branch coupled to an exchanger 32 which receives a single stream of fluid and splits it into two streams of equal flow rate for each of the two nozzles 28. An inlet 31 at another end of the scarifying head 20 is engaged by a hose end 34 and conducts water to the exchanger 32. Inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 36 and 37, respectfully attach to hydraulic couplings on the hydraulic motor 22.
The exchanger 32 is mounted at the distal end of a telescoping arm, which includes two telescoping pipes in which the upper portion of the pipe 21 has a smaller diameter such that it slides down the lower portion 23. A piston (not shown) controls the extension of the telescoping arm. Consequently, the scarifying head 20 can be manipulated so that the outwardly directed nozzles 28 can be positioned in close proximity to the pipe walls when the scarifying head 20 is at rest or as the scarifying head 20 moves back and forth along the rails 12 and 14.
One set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14 are affixed to a small cart 38A positioned at one side of the sewer pipe to be cleaned, while the other set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14.
are affixed to another small cart 38B positioned on the other side of the sewer pipe to be cleaned. Each of carts 38A and 38B
have mounted thereon a guide roller 40A and 40B which prevents the cart from scraping against the side of the sewer pipe when the apparatus 10 is in use.
Carts 38A and 38B are affixed by rigid rods 42A and 42B, respectively, to a small vehicle 44 powered by hydraulic motors (not shown) to move the rails 12 and 14 and carts 38A and 38B
along the sewer pipe, while keeping the rails 12 and 14 transverse to the direction of travel. Although a hydraulic motor is used in this embodiment, any power providing means of both external or on-board types but preferably exhaustless may be used for this application. The direction of motion of the vehicle is that of arrow 58. However, in the event of movement in direction 60 is desired, an additional rigid rod may be connected to rods 42A and 42B to keep the latter rods from moving towards each other.
Rails 12 and 14 can accommodate several scarifying heads 20 at the same time. Generally the scarifying heads 20 are positioned so that each travels back and forth along the rails 12 and 14 the same distance, with the net result being that together the scarifying heads 20 cover the entire circumference of the rails 12 and 14.
A controller 62 mounted adjacent to motor 22 receives a signal from a position sensor (not shown) which senses the position of the scarifying heads 20 and is responsive to command signals received from controller 62 to establish the trajectories of the scarifying heads 20 along the rails 12 and 14. For example, if three scarifying heads were used, each scarifying head 20 would usually be set to traverse approximately 1/3 of the circumference of the rails 12 and 14 by each traveling in one direction until the end of a respective path is reached and the opposite to cover the same path in an opposite direction.
As the scarifying head 20 moves along rails 12 and 14, water supplied under pressure through hose 34 flows into exchanger 32 and causes nozzles 28 and nozzle branches 30 to rotate. Arrows 64 and 66 in Figure 2 indicate the direction of rotation of the nozzle assembly. Jets of water are emitted by the rotating nozzles 28 and impact on a surrounding interior surface of a sewer pipe (not shown). Typical water pressures used are in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 psi.
Vehicle 44 includes a chassis 70, a track assembly 68 and an on-board hydraulic motor (not shown). Although a track assembly 68 is shown in this embodiment, any actuator capable of moving the vehicle 44 under power from the hydraulic motor may be used.
The hydraulic motor 22 is coupled by hydraulic hoses 36 and 37 that pass through a manhole.(not shown) to an external hydraulic pump (not shown). An electrical cable from an external generator (not shown) also feeds through the manhole and couples electrical power to the vehicle 44. An on-board power supply converts this electrical power to low voltage DC for application to the various switches in response to commands from an on-board controller (not shown). The switches control the speed and direction of the vehicle 44. An on-board battery (not shown) can also power the electrical system which controls the speed and direction of the vehicle 44 as well as the movement of the scarifying heads 20.
The hydraulic motor 22, switches, and on-board power supply are covered by protective boxes (not shown) to protect their sensitive parts from debris when the waste water level when is not at a minimum.
The vehicle 44 and carts 38A and 38B are outfitted with a drawbar (not shown) which holds the hoses away from the apparatus so that it may easily travel in either direction without running over the hoses. The drawbar may also hold the hoses close to the apparatus to enable debris to flow more easily through the sewer pipe when the apparatus is not in use.
An additional safety feature not shown in the drawings is a "deadman", which is a safety switch operative to cut off the high pressure from the moving parts of the apparatus. The deadman is useful in both emergency situations and when minor adjustments must be made to the apparatus during a job.
In order to reduce the size of the apparatus, the rails 12 and 14 may easily be removed from the carts 38A and 38B to enable the apparatus to enter small access opening into the sewer pipe.
Once assembled, the configuration of the apparatus enables it to remain in the sewer pipe for the duration of the restoration.
The Second Embodiment Referring to Figures 3 and 4 a second embodiment of the scarifying apparatus 10 includes at least one scarifying head 20 slidably mounted between two arcuate, spaced apart rails 12 and 14. At an outer end of the scarifying head 20 is mounted a pair of outwardly directed nozzles 28 each connected to a corresponding branch 30, with each branch coupled to an exchanger 32 which receives a single stream of fluid and splits it into two streams of equal flow rate for each of the two nozzles. An inlet at another end of the scarifying head 20 is received by a hose end 34 and conducts water to the exchanger 32.
The exchanger 32 is mounted at the distal end of a telescoping arm, which includes two telescoping pipes in which the upper portion of the pipe 21 has a smaller diameter such that it slides down the lower portion 23. A piston (not shown) controls the extension of the telescoping arm. Consequently, the scarifying head 20 can be manipulated so that the outwardly directed nozzles 28 can be positioned in close proximity to the pipe walls when the scarifying head 20 is at rest or as the scarifying head 20 moves back and forth along the rails 12 and 14.
However, in contrast to the first embodiment a pulley system is used to move the scarifying head 20 along the rails 12 and 14.
Referring to Figure 3, 4, and 5 the pulley system is shown for a scarifying system having two scarifying heads 20. The ends of a fixed length of cable 94A and 94B are attached to either side of a carriage 87 of the scarifying head 20. To guide the ends of the cable, a sheave 81 is attached to each side of the carriage 87 just under the ends of the cable 94A and 94B. One side of the cable 94A and 94B is then lead around a motor controlled sheave 88'mounted to the chassis 51 of the track assembly 68, while the other side of cable 94A and 94B is guided over a motor controlled sheave 72 connected to a hydraulic motor 71. The hydraulic motor 71 is suspended from the rail assembly 12 by a rigid pole 75.
The hydraulic motor 71 causes the motor controlled sheave 72 to rotate, which, in turn causes the cable 94A and 94B to move over the motor controlled sheave 72, and sheaves 88 and 81, which results in the scarifying heads 20'moving along the rails 12 and 14. Inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 71A and 71B attach to hoses coupling on the hydraulic motor 71. Alternatively, a chain passing over the rim of the sheaves 72 and 81 may be used.
As the scarifying head 20 moves along rails 12 and 14, water supplied under pressure through hose 34 flows into exchanger 32 and causes nozzles 28 and nozzle branches 30 to rotate. Arrows 64 and 66 in Figure 4 indicate the direction of rotation of the nozzle assembly. Jets of water are emitted by the rotating nozzles 28 and impact on a surrounding interior surface of a sewer pipe (not shown). Typical water pressures used are in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 psi.
One set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14 are affixed to socket 74A at one side of the track assembly 68, while the other set of the ends of the rails 12 and 14 are affixed to-another socket 74B positioned on the other side of the track assembly 68.
In order to reduce the size of the apparatus, the rails 12 and 14 may easily be removed from the sockets 74A and 74B to enable the apparatus to enter small access opening into the sewer pipe.
A platform 82 is located between the track assemblies 68 to keep the track assemblies transverse to the direction of travel.
The track assemblies 68 are powered by hydraulic motors 86 to move the rails 12 and 14 along the sewer pipe. Inlet and outlet hydraulic hoses 86A and 86B attach to hoses coupling on the hydraulic motors 86. Although hydraulic motors 86 and 71 are used in this embodiment, any power providing means of both external or on-board types, but preferably exhaustless may be used for this application. A battery 78 and a hydraulic solenoid 80 are mounted on the platform 82. Referring to Figure 6, the platform 82 may be removed from the chassis 51 of the track assemblies 68 by pins 84A, 84B, 84C, and 84D to protect the battery 78 and hydraulic solenoid 80, as well as to improve waste water flow through the sewer pipe when it is not at a minimum.
Referring to Figure 3, limit switches 76A and 76B are also removably mounted to the chassis 51 by pins 73A and 73B. The configuration of the apparatus enables the remaining portions of the apparatus to remain in the sewer pipe for the duration of the restoration.
The hydraulic motors 86 and 71 are coupled through hydraulic hoses to the hydraulic solenoid 80 and to an external hydraulic pump (not shown). The battery 70 powers the electrical system for application to the various switches. Alternately, an electrical cable from an external generator (not shown) may be used to couple electrical power to the scarifying apparatus 10.
The limit switches 76A and 76B send signals to an on-board controller (not shown) coupled to the hydraulic solenoid 80 to cause the scarifying heads to change their speed and/or direction along the rails via the hydraulic motor 71. For example, if two scarifying heads were used, each scarifying head 20 would usually be set to traverse approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the rails 12 and 14 by each traveling in the same direction until one scarifying head 20 reached the end of a respective path where one of the limit switches 76A and 76B is located, and then reversing direction until signaled by the other limit switch 76A and 76B to change direction again. While the limit switches 76A and 76B
control the direction of the scarifying heads 20, switches (not shown) also send signals to the on-board controller (not shown) to control the direction of the track assemblies 68 via the hydraulic solenoid 80.
An additional safety feature not shown in the drawings is a "deadman", which is a safety switch operative to cut off the high pressure from the moving parts of the apparatus. The deadman is useful in both emergency situations and when minor adjustments must be made to the apparatus during a job.
Referring to Figure 7 a lateral support 53 is attached to the rails 12 and 14 and chassis by a socket 55 on each side of the track assemblies 68. The lateral support may easily be removed from the rails 12 and 14 when the scarifying apparatus 10 is not in use.
In the first and second embodiments an apparatus with an arcuate rail assembly will be preferred when the sewer pipe is a semicircular shape. However, referring to Figure 8 the arcuate rail assembly may also be used in a cylindrical pipe by using a false floor 92 layered on top of the minimum flow mark 90. As the scarifying heads transverse back and forth along the rails, the apparatus can clean an entire circumferential swath in one pass. The circumferential swath is approximately the same width 96 as the-diameter between the nozzles 28 which are coupled to the branches 30 of the scarifying head 20. As most of the corrosion occurs above the minimum flow mark 90, use of the false floor 92 is acceptable for restoration applications.
Alternatively, if the sewer pipe is another shape, such as rectangular, the rails of the apparatus may be configured to match the shape of the pipe. Further, the rail assembly may consist of only one rail with a slot to which the scarifying head 20 may be coupled.
While the nozzle assembly in the above description is described as rotating, it may instead oscillate or both rotate and oscillate.
Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
The invention may be summarized, at least in part, by the following enumerated statements:
Statement 1. The invention comprises an apparatus for scarifying an interior surface of a sewer pipe, characterized by: a. a support assembly (38) moveable along an interior of said sewer pipe supported from a bottom half thereof; b. a rail assembly (12, 14) supported on its ends by said support assembly juxtaposed to the interior surface of said sewer pipe, said rail assembly matching a circumferential trajectory of said sewer pipe; c. at least one scarifying head (20) coupled to and moveable in either direction along said rail assembly, said scarifying head having: i. a nozzle assembly coupled to said scarifying head having at least one nozzle (28), operative to rotate or oscillate and to emit a jet of fluid against the interior surface of said sewer pipe and to scarify the interior surface of said sewer pipe; and ii. a driving assembly (22, 71) coupled to said scarifying head, operative to drive said scarifying head along said rail assembly over a pre-selected trajectory wherein said support assembly, rail assembly and scarifying head are positioned proximate said interior surface of said sewer pipe so as to leave unobstructed a central portion of said sewer pipe so that sewage can flow through said sewer pipe substantially unimpeded by said apparatus.
Statement 2. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said support assembly is a pair of carts.
Statement 3. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 2, wherein said pair of carts is coupled to a vehicle (44), said vehicle moveable along said interior of said sewer pipe.
Statement 4. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 3, wherein said vehicle is supported and propelled by a pair of spaced apart tracks (68).
Statement 5. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 2, wherein said pair of carts are each supported and propelled by a pair of spaced apart tracks (68).
Statement 6. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said support assembly is a single vehicle.
Statement 7. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 6, wherein said single vehicle is supported and propelled by a pair of spaced apart tracks.
Statement 8. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said nozzle assembly further comprises: a.
13a an exchanger coupled to an external source of fluid; b. a plurality of branches coupled to and radially spaced around said exchanger; and c. a distal end on each branch of said plurality of branches having said at least one nozzle.
Statement 9. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 8, wherein said external source of fluid is a pressurized fluid source remote from said sewer pipe.
Statement 10. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly further comprises a rack having gears located on an underside of said rail assembly Statement 11. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 10, wherein said driving assembly is operative to drive said scarifying head back and forth along said pre-selected trajectory.
Statement 12. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly further includes two recessed edges located on opposing inner sides of said rail assembly.
Statement 13. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 12, wherein said driving assembly further comprises: a. a carriage having a first side substantially perpendicular to said rail assembly and a second side, opposite said first side and substantially perpendicular to said rail assembly; b. at least one roller 85 coupled to said carriage between said first and second sides, said at least one roller operative to engage said recessed edge; c. a first upper sheave coupled to said first side of said carriage and a second upper sheave coupled to said second side of said carriage; d. a lower sheave coupled to said support assembly; e. an intermediate sheave coupled to said rail assembly; f. a cable coupled to said 13b first side of said carriage, and passing over said first upper sheave, said lower sheave, said intermediate sheave, said second upper sheave and coupled to said second side of said carriage;
and g. a motor coupled to and operative to rotate said intermediate sheave; wherein rotation of said intermediate sheave in a first direction draws the cable to move said scarifying head in a first direction, and rotation of said intermediate sheave in a second direction draws the cable to move said scarifying in a second direction opposite said first direction.
Statement 14. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said support assembly is moveable incrementally along said interior of said sewer pipe.
Statement 15. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said apparatus is operative to scarify a circumferential swath of said interior surface of said sewer pipe perpendicular to a direction of travel of said support assembly.
Statement 16. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly is readily detachable from said support assembly to enable said support assembly to pass through an access opening into said sewer pipe.
Statement 17. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, including one or more extendible guide bars extending out from said support assembly, and having a wall engaging attachment at a distal end thereof, each of said one or more guide bars operative to move along an interior surface of said sewer pipe and maintain orientation of said apparatus along a longitudinal axis of said sewer pipe.
Statement 18. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said apparatus includes three l3c scarifying heads spaced apart along said rail assembly such that each of said scarifying heads transverses along 1/3 of said rail assembly, each scarifying head operative to scarify a corresponding region of said interior surface of said sewer pipe.
Statement 19. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said rail assembly is arcuate.
Statement 20. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, further comprising at least one drawbar to hold hoses and cables necessary for said apparatus to operate in a position away from said apparatus when said apparatus is in use and in a position close to said apparatus when said apparatus is not in use.
Statement 21. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said bottom half thereof is a false floor mounted within said sewer pipe.
Statement 22. The invention further comprises the apparatus of Statement 1, wherein said scarifying head is reversibly extendible to place said at least one nozzle proximate said interior surface of said sewer pipe when said scarifying head is either at rest or moving over said pre-selected trajectory.
13d
Claims (19)
1. An apparatus for scarifying an interior surface of a sewer pipe, wherein said apparatus comprises:
a. a support assembly, wherein said support assembly is operative to move along the interior of the sewer pipe, b. a rail assembly, wherein said rail assembly comprises a plurality of arcuate rails, and wherein a curvature of said arcuate rails matches the circumferential shape of the sewer pipe, and wherein said rail assembly is connected to said support assembly by ends of said arcuate rails, whereby said rail assembly is carried by said support assembly; and, c. at least one scarifying head, wherein said scarifying head is coupled to and moveable along said arcuate rails, and wherein said scarifying head comprises:
i. a nozzle assembly, wherein said nozzle assembly comprises:
1) at least one nozzle wherein said nozzle is operative to emit a jet of fluid against the interior surface of the sewer pipe, whereby the interior surface of said sewer pipe is scarified;
2) a mechanism for rotating or oscillating said nozzle; and, ii. a driving assembly, wherein said driving assembly is operative to drive said scarifying head along said arcuate rails.
a. a support assembly, wherein said support assembly is operative to move along the interior of the sewer pipe, b. a rail assembly, wherein said rail assembly comprises a plurality of arcuate rails, and wherein a curvature of said arcuate rails matches the circumferential shape of the sewer pipe, and wherein said rail assembly is connected to said support assembly by ends of said arcuate rails, whereby said rail assembly is carried by said support assembly; and, c. at least one scarifying head, wherein said scarifying head is coupled to and moveable along said arcuate rails, and wherein said scarifying head comprises:
i. a nozzle assembly, wherein said nozzle assembly comprises:
1) at least one nozzle wherein said nozzle is operative to emit a jet of fluid against the interior surface of the sewer pipe, whereby the interior surface of said sewer pipe is scarified;
2) a mechanism for rotating or oscillating said nozzle; and, ii. a driving assembly, wherein said driving assembly is operative to drive said scarifying head along said arcuate rails.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises a pair of carts.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2, further comprising a vehicle, wherein each of said pair of carts is coupled to said vehicle, wherein said vehicle is operative to move said support assembly, said rail assembly, and said scarifying head along the interior of the pipe.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said powered vehicle comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks, wherein said spaced apart tracks are operative to propel said vehicle.
5. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein each of said pair of carts comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks wherein said spaced apart tracks are operative to propel its respective cart.
6. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said support assembly is a single vehicle.
7. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said single vehicle comprises a pair of spaced apart tracks, wherein said spaced apart tracks propel said vehicle.
8. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said nozzle assembly further comprises:
a. an exchanger, wherein said exchanger is coupled to an external source of fluid; and, b. at least one branch, wherein said branch is coupled to said exchanger, and wherein said branch comprises a distal end, and wherein said nozzle is mounted on said distal end of said branch.
a. an exchanger, wherein said exchanger is coupled to an external source of fluid; and, b. at least one branch, wherein said branch is coupled to said exchanger, and wherein said branch comprises a distal end, and wherein said nozzle is mounted on said distal end of said branch.
9. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said rail assembly further comprises a rack, wherein said rack comprises a plurality of gears, and wherein said gears are located on an underside of said rail assembly
10. The apparatus of Claim 9, wherein said driving assembly is operative to drive said scarifying head back and forth along said arcuate rails.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arcuate rails comprise opposing inner sides, and wherein each of said opposing inner sides comprises a recessed edge.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said driving assembly further comprises:
a. a carriage, wherein said carriage comprises a first carriage side and a second carriage side, wherein said first and second carriage sides are substantially parallel to each other;
b. at least one roller coupled to each of said first and said second side, wherein said roller is operative to engage said recessed edge of one of said inner sides;
c. a first upper sheave coupled to said first carriage side and a second upper sheave coupled to said second carriage side;
d. a lower sheave coupled to said support assembly;
e. an intermediate sheave coupled to said rail assembly;
f. a cable coupled to said first carriage side, wherein said cable passes over:
i. said first upper sheave;
ii. said lower sheave;
iii. said intermediate sheave; and, iv. said second upper sheave, and wherein said cable is coupled to said second carriage side; and, g. a motor, wherein said motor is coupled to and operative to rotate said intermediate sheave;
wherein said scarifying head is moved in a first direction along said arcuate rails by rotation of said intermediate sheave in a first direction, and wherein said scarifying head is moved in a second direction along said arcuate rails by rotation of said intermediate sheave in a second direction.
a. a carriage, wherein said carriage comprises a first carriage side and a second carriage side, wherein said first and second carriage sides are substantially parallel to each other;
b. at least one roller coupled to each of said first and said second side, wherein said roller is operative to engage said recessed edge of one of said inner sides;
c. a first upper sheave coupled to said first carriage side and a second upper sheave coupled to said second carriage side;
d. a lower sheave coupled to said support assembly;
e. an intermediate sheave coupled to said rail assembly;
f. a cable coupled to said first carriage side, wherein said cable passes over:
i. said first upper sheave;
ii. said lower sheave;
iii. said intermediate sheave; and, iv. said second upper sheave, and wherein said cable is coupled to said second carriage side; and, g. a motor, wherein said motor is coupled to and operative to rotate said intermediate sheave;
wherein said scarifying head is moved in a first direction along said arcuate rails by rotation of said intermediate sheave in a first direction, and wherein said scarifying head is moved in a second direction along said arcuate rails by rotation of said intermediate sheave in a second direction.
13. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said support assembly is moveable incrementally along said interior of said sewer pipe.
14. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said nozzle is operative to scarify a circumferential swath of the interior surface of the sewer pipe as said scarifying head moves along said arcuate rails, wherein said swath is substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of said support assembly along the interior of the sewer pipe.
15. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises an attachment mechanism for reversibly attaching said rail assembly to said support assembly.
16. The apparatus of Claim 15, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of sockets, wherein each of said sockets reversibly receives an end of one of said arcuate rails.
17. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising at least one guide bar, wherein said guide bar extends out from said support assembly, and wherein said guide bar comprises:
a. a guide bar distal end; and, b. a wall-engaging attachment connected to said a guide bar distal end, wherein the guide bar is operative to move along the interior surface of the sewer pipe and maintain orientation of said apparatus along a longitudinal axis of the sewer pipe.
a. a guide bar distal end; and, b. a wall-engaging attachment connected to said a guide bar distal end, wherein the guide bar is operative to move along the interior surface of the sewer pipe and maintain orientation of said apparatus along a longitudinal axis of the sewer pipe.
18. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said scarifying heads are spaced apart along said arcuate rails, wherein each of said scarifying heads transverses 1/3 of said rail assembly.
19. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising at least one drawbar, wherein said drawbar is operative to hold hoses and cables away from said apparatus when said apparatus is in use, and wherein said drawbar is operative to hold hoses and cables close to said apparatus when said apparatus is not in use.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/144,705 | 2002-05-15 | ||
| US10/144,705 US20030213508A1 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2002-05-15 | Interior sewer pipeline scarifying apparatus |
| US10/429,790 US7066188B2 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2003-05-06 | Interior sewer pipeline scarifying apparatus |
| US10/429,790 | 2003-05-06 | ||
| PCT/CA2003/000704 WO2003097260A1 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2003-05-12 | Interior sewer pipeline scarifying apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2485819A1 CA2485819A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 |
| CA2485819C true CA2485819C (en) | 2011-07-05 |
Family
ID=34107148
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2485819A Expired - Lifetime CA2485819C (en) | 2002-05-15 | 2003-05-12 | Interior sewer pipeline scarifying apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003229447A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2485819C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US12076764B2 (en) | 2020-03-18 | 2024-09-03 | Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. | Tractor towed indexing system |
-
2003
- 2003-05-12 AU AU2003229447A patent/AU2003229447A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-05-12 CA CA2485819A patent/CA2485819C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US12076764B2 (en) | 2020-03-18 | 2024-09-03 | Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. | Tractor towed indexing system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2485819A1 (en) | 2003-11-27 |
| AU2003229447A1 (en) | 2003-12-02 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20230512 |