GB2252807A - Cutting pig - Google Patents

Cutting pig Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2252807A
GB2252807A GB9102959A GB9102959A GB2252807A GB 2252807 A GB2252807 A GB 2252807A GB 9102959 A GB9102959 A GB 9102959A GB 9102959 A GB9102959 A GB 9102959A GB 2252807 A GB2252807 A GB 2252807A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
axis
jet head
drive means
motor
operable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9102959A
Other versions
GB9102959D0 (en
GB2252807B (en
Inventor
Alan Nigel Newitt
David Anthony Gilbert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Barriquand & Fils C
Original Assignee
Barriquand & Fils C
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Barriquand & Fils C filed Critical Barriquand & Fils C
Priority to GB9102959A priority Critical patent/GB2252807B/en
Publication of GB9102959D0 publication Critical patent/GB9102959D0/en
Publication of GB2252807A publication Critical patent/GB2252807A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2252807B publication Critical patent/GB2252807B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
    • F16L55/28—Constructional aspects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/049—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes having self-contained propelling means for moving the cleaning devices along the pipes, i.e. self-propelled
    • B08B9/051—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes having self-contained propelling means for moving the cleaning devices along the pipes, i.e. self-propelled the cleaning devices having internal motors, e.g. turbines for powering cleaning tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C1/00—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods
    • B24C1/04—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods for treating only selected parts of a surface, e.g. for carving stone or glass
    • B24C1/045—Methods for use of abrasive blasting for producing particular effects; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods for treating only selected parts of a surface, e.g. for carving stone or glass for cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C3/00—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants
    • B24C3/32—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks
    • B24C3/325—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks for internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
    • E03F3/00—Sewer pipe-line systems
    • E03F3/06—Methods of, or installations for, laying sewer pipes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means

Abstract

A self-propelled fluid jot cutter for pipes for the removal of tree roots and other obstructions or for cutting liners comprises at least one motor 102 to move the cutter along the pipe and to rotate a cutting head 114 about at least one axis eg. longitudinal axis X. The cutting head may be drawn by a separate motor 112 as shown or by the same motor (eg. 130, Fig 2 not shown) propelling the cutter or pig. The head 114 may employ water and/or abrasive and may have an adjustable angle M to axis X. The pig may carry a T.V. camera (eg. 116, Fig. 2). A shaft/gearing arrangement (Fig. 3 not shown) may be provided to allow the cutting head (eg. 140) to rotate about the X-axis to position opposite a lateral and then rotate about an axis Y transverse to axis X to out a liner across the lateral. <IMAGE>

Description

Device for Fluidic Cutting within Conduit o The invention relates to a device of the kind which is inserted into conduits and bears a jet head provided with at least one nozzle through which a fluid, usually water, is sprayed at high velocity to cut through obstructions within the conduit. Such obstructions include three roots and pieces of concrete from badly-formed pipe-work.
Hitherto such known devices have consisted of a sled mounting a motor for rotation of the jet head said known devices being winched through conduits on a cable between two access points. To cut away obstructions in pipes joining the conduit in which the device is located, it has been known to provide a laterally facing jet rotating about an axis normal to the direction of motion of the device through the main conduit. Such previous devices have been bulky and not convenient to use in narrow conduits.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved device of this kind.
The present invention provides a device for fluidic cutting within conduits comprising a chassis, first drive means mounted on the chassis and operable to move the device along a conduit, a jet head mounted for rotation on the chassis about an axis parallel to the direction of travel of the device, second drive means operable to at least partially rotate said jet head about said axis.
Preferably the device is also provided with third drive means operable to rotate said jet head about an axis substantially normal to the direction of motion of the device along a conduit.
Desirably the first drive means comprises a motor driving at least one wheel via a first remotely operable clutch.
The second drive means may comprise said motor driving said jet head via a second remotely operable clutch.
Alternatively, the first and second drive means may comprise respective motors driving said at least one wheel and said jet head respectively via first and second remotely operable clutches. The second and third drive means may comprise a motor operable to drive said jet head about said normal axis via a third remotely operable clutch and to drive said jet head about said parallel axis via said second remotely operable clutch.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1. is a schematic plan view of a first device according to the invention.
Fig 2. is schematic plan view partially broken away of a second device according to the invention.
Fig 3. is a schematic plan view of a jet head alternative to a jet head fitted to the device of 2 (shown partially broken away).
Fig 4. is a schematic side view on a larger scale of the second device (shown foreshortened) fitted with a jet head similar to that shown in Fig 3.
Fig. 1 shows a device comprising a chassis 100 mounting a motor 102 operable via a gearbox 103, a clutch 104, shaft 105, and a bevel gear arrangement 106 to drive an axle 108 mounting ground engaging wheels 110. The motor 102 is powered by an electrical current supplied to the device through an umbilical cable (not shown). The clutch is used when disengaged to interrupt movement of the device through a conduit. A second electric motor 112 drives a jet head 114, via a second gearbox 113 a shaft 111 and a second clutch 115; the jet head being rotatable through more than 3600about an axis X parallel to the direction of motion of the device when under the influence of the motor 102.Since the device is used in conduits no steering ability of the device is necessary, the curved walls of most conduits acting to steer the device should it have a tendency to try to 'climb' the conduit walls, especially when negotiating slight bends in conduits. In most applications access points are provided at bends and intersections in the conduits.
Wheels 120 are driven from axle 108 via a gear train (not shown) and a layshaft 122 (shown schematically). A closed circuit television camera (see Fig.2) is mounted on a top cover (see Fig.2) of the device its wide angle lens pointing forward to view cutting motion of the jet head 114 about axis X. The chassis 100 is of box construction with walls provided with tapped holes 101 for securement of the cover by screws.
In operation of the device shown in Fig.1 the device is inserted into a conduit to be worked on at a convenient access point as close as possible to a work point in the conduit where the device is to commence cutting work. The closed circuit television camera whose signal is fed to a monitor at a convenient remote location via a second umbilical cable (not shown) is switched on. The motor 102 is switched on and clutch 104 locked so that motor 102 drives wheels 110. When the device reaches the work point, a pressurised supply of water supplied to the device through an umbilical hose (not shown) is switched on and a jet issues from a nozzle 118 of the jet head 114.
The nozzle is arranged to direct the water generally forwardly but a little outwardly at an angle M to the axis X. Tree roots and the like obstructions at the cutting point are cut away by the water jet which is rotated about axis X rotating the jet head 114 relative to chassis 100 by motor 112 via clutch 115 to follow the conduit curvature.
The device is dimensioned such that axis X lies as close to the centre line of the conduit as possible so that the jet nozzle 118 can follow the periphery of the conduit in a smooth manner. Wheels 110 and wheels 120 in different sets of sizes may be used to enable adjustment of the position of the device in conduits of different diameters. For larger diameter conduits the jet nozzle 118 must be mounted on an extension arm so that the jet is delivered close to the wall of the conduits. The nozzle 118 is adjustable to alter angle M.
It if often the case that obstructions such as tree roots only occur in certain circumferential regions of the conduit and so full rotation of the jet head 114 is often not necessary.
The clutches 104 and 105 could be omitted but they are desirable to enable, respectively, the wheels 110 to free wheel when the device is to be removed from the conduit by a rope or other means, and the jet head 114 to be prepositioned easily at a particular angular displacement from top centre before the device is placed in a conduit, and for ease of maintenance. Fig.2 shows a device which has a single motor 130. Counterparts in the device of Fig. 2 of the parts of the device shown in Fig.l have been given the same reference numerals.
The motor 130 is operable to drive either the wheels 110 via gearbox 103 and clutch 104, or to drive the jet head 114 via gearbox 113 and clutch 115 (or possibly both though this is unlikely to be required). Thus motor 130 fulfils the functions of both motor 102 and motor 112, giving greater compactness of the device. Clutches 104 and 115 are necessary in the device of Fig.2.
A cover 124 (shown partially removed) mounts a closed circuit television camera 116 on its upper surface, the camera having a lens 117 pointing towards the jet head 114 (shown partially broken away on Fig. 2). A cover (not shown) similar to that shown in Fig.2 of slightly different shape is provided for the device of Fig.1 and also mounts a camera 116.
Fig. 3 shows a more complex jet head 140 fitted to a device as shown in Fig. 2 (partially broken away) but suitable also for use with the device of Fig 1.
Shaft 111 is driven by motor 130 (not shown) and is coupled to a further shaft 142 by a clutch 144. The latter is arranged such that when it is engaged the jet head 140 as a whole turns with said shaft enabling the angular positioning of the jet nozzles 118 about axis X against a lateral conduit to be cut. When the lateral position is reached clutch 144 is disengaged and shaft 111 turns shaft 142 alone, friction between the casing 146 of the jet head 140 and the chassis 100 preventing movement of the jet head 140 relative to chassis 100. Shaft 142 turns the jet nozzles about an axis Y through the agency of bevel gears (not shown).
Fig.4 shows a jet head 140 having wider spaced arms 148 than those in the device of Fig.3 to correspond to a lateral conduit 150 tC#r;L of larger diameter than aF for which the jet nozzles shown in Fig.3 are intended.
The devices according to the invention may have instead of or as well as electric motors 102, 112 and 130, fluid powered motors or any other suitable type.
The closed circuit TV camera has been omitted from Fig.4.
The turn nozzles shown in Figs.3 and 4 may be replaced by a single nozzle.
Whilst in the device described water is the cutting medium any suitable fluid medium may be used such as 'fluidised' sand or other abrasive or a combination of water and sand or other abrasive.
The sand/abrasive would be supplied through a hose (not shown) in known manner.

Claims (7)

Claims.
1. A device for fluidic cutting within conduits comprising a chassis, first drive means mounted on the chassis operable to move the device along a conduit, a jet head mounted for rotation on the chassis about an axis parallel to the direction of travel of the device, second drive means operable to at least partially rotate said jet head about said axis.
2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which the device is also provided with third drive means operable to rotate said jet head about an axis substantially normal to the direction of travel of the device.
3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first drive means comprises a motor driving at least one wheel via a first remotely operable clutch.
4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 which the second drive means comprises said motor driving said jet head via a second remotely operable clutch.
5. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the first and second drive means comprise respective motors driving said at least one wheel and said jet head respectively via first and second remotely operable clutches.
6. A device as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 as appended to Claim 2 in which the second and third drive means comprise a motor operable to drive said jet head about said normal axis via a third remotely operable clutch and to drive said jet head about said parallel axis via said second remotely operable clutch.
7. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig 1, Fig 2, Fig 3 or Fig 4 of the accompanying drawings.
GB9102959A 1991-02-12 1991-02-12 Device for fluidic cutting within conduit Expired - Fee Related GB2252807B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9102959A GB2252807B (en) 1991-02-12 1991-02-12 Device for fluidic cutting within conduit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9102959A GB2252807B (en) 1991-02-12 1991-02-12 Device for fluidic cutting within conduit

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9102959D0 GB9102959D0 (en) 1991-03-27
GB2252807A true GB2252807A (en) 1992-08-19
GB2252807B GB2252807B (en) 1994-12-07

Family

ID=10689914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9102959A Expired - Fee Related GB2252807B (en) 1991-02-12 1991-02-12 Device for fluidic cutting within conduit

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2252807B (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0622156A1 (en) * 1993-04-27 1994-11-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation A systenm and method for shot peening reactor vessel penetrations
GB2301414B (en) * 1995-05-22 1999-08-11 British Gas Plc Pipeline vehicle and method
WO2000006312A1 (en) * 1998-07-27 2000-02-10 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. Spray cleaner for interior surface of pipeline
US6418947B1 (en) 1998-07-30 2002-07-16 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition, Inc. Scarifier for interior surface of pipeline
AU754443B2 (en) * 1998-07-27 2002-11-14 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. Spray cleaner for interior surface of pipeline
US6550486B2 (en) 1998-07-30 2003-04-22 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition, Inc. Apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a pipeline
EP1700060A1 (en) * 2003-12-20 2006-09-13 Colin Brian Nicholson Self-propelled vehicle for use in a conduit
US7128074B2 (en) 1998-07-30 2006-10-31 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition, Inc. Scarifier for the interior surface of a pipeline
EP2148010A2 (en) 2005-06-03 2010-01-27 The Waterflow Group plc Improvements in or relating to pipelines for drainage
WO2012129608A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2012-10-04 Paris Jim Assembly for improving removal from a pipe of debris such as roots and scale using a water jet nozzle
NL2006995C2 (en) * 2011-06-24 2013-01-02 Grootvalk Materieel B V Sewer cleaning robot having a controllable water jet cutter at an outer end of a moving mechanism.

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106824958B (en) * 2016-12-25 2019-05-07 广西壮族自治区机械工业研究院 The automatic area changing and positioning device and method of vertical heater cleaning equipment of uncapping

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB964746A (en) * 1961-06-16 1964-07-22 Hammelmann Paul A pipe or conduit-cleaning and fire fighting vehicle
GB1306535A (en) * 1969-03-11 1973-02-14 Snam Progetti Performing operations in pipes
US3967584A (en) * 1973-09-19 1976-07-06 Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha Self-running and automatic cleaning coating machine for internal wall of pipe
GB2147080A (en) * 1983-08-19 1985-05-01 Europa Engineering Apparatus for and method of repairing ducts
US4601204A (en) * 1983-09-23 1986-07-22 Daniel Rouland Apparatus with means of self-displacement for its advance within a duct, in particular for remote inspection and/or treatment and/or tubing of said duct
US4785512A (en) * 1987-03-31 1988-11-22 Alwin Sigel Machine for repairing and sealing conduits
GB2214263A (en) * 1988-01-26 1989-08-31 Kubota Ltd Pipe pig
EP0365921A2 (en) * 1988-10-25 1990-05-02 HEINRICH SCHLICK GmbH Device for navigating closed canals
GB2236065A (en) * 1989-09-22 1991-03-27 Subocean Projects & Equipment High pressure rotary cutting tool

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB964746A (en) * 1961-06-16 1964-07-22 Hammelmann Paul A pipe or conduit-cleaning and fire fighting vehicle
GB1306535A (en) * 1969-03-11 1973-02-14 Snam Progetti Performing operations in pipes
US3967584A (en) * 1973-09-19 1976-07-06 Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha Self-running and automatic cleaning coating machine for internal wall of pipe
GB2147080A (en) * 1983-08-19 1985-05-01 Europa Engineering Apparatus for and method of repairing ducts
US4601204A (en) * 1983-09-23 1986-07-22 Daniel Rouland Apparatus with means of self-displacement for its advance within a duct, in particular for remote inspection and/or treatment and/or tubing of said duct
US4785512A (en) * 1987-03-31 1988-11-22 Alwin Sigel Machine for repairing and sealing conduits
GB2214263A (en) * 1988-01-26 1989-08-31 Kubota Ltd Pipe pig
EP0365921A2 (en) * 1988-10-25 1990-05-02 HEINRICH SCHLICK GmbH Device for navigating closed canals
GB2236065A (en) * 1989-09-22 1991-03-27 Subocean Projects & Equipment High pressure rotary cutting tool

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0622156A1 (en) * 1993-04-27 1994-11-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation A systenm and method for shot peening reactor vessel penetrations
GB2301414B (en) * 1995-05-22 1999-08-11 British Gas Plc Pipeline vehicle and method
AU754443B2 (en) * 1998-07-27 2002-11-14 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. Spray cleaner for interior surface of pipeline
WO2000006312A1 (en) * 1998-07-27 2000-02-10 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. Spray cleaner for interior surface of pipeline
US6206016B1 (en) 1998-07-27 2001-03-27 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. Spray cleaner for interior surface of pipeline
US6550486B2 (en) 1998-07-30 2003-04-22 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition, Inc. Apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a pipeline
US6418947B1 (en) 1998-07-30 2002-07-16 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition, Inc. Scarifier for interior surface of pipeline
US7128074B2 (en) 1998-07-30 2006-10-31 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition, Inc. Scarifier for the interior surface of a pipeline
USRE44518E1 (en) 1998-07-30 2013-10-08 Mac & Mac Hydrodemolition Inc. Method of scarifying an interior surface of a pipeline
EP1700060A1 (en) * 2003-12-20 2006-09-13 Colin Brian Nicholson Self-propelled vehicle for use in a conduit
EP1700060A4 (en) * 2003-12-20 2010-07-07 Pipeworks International Limite Self-propelled vehicle for use in a conduit
EP2148010A2 (en) 2005-06-03 2010-01-27 The Waterflow Group plc Improvements in or relating to pipelines for drainage
WO2012129608A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2012-10-04 Paris Jim Assembly for improving removal from a pipe of debris such as roots and scale using a water jet nozzle
NL2006995C2 (en) * 2011-06-24 2013-01-02 Grootvalk Materieel B V Sewer cleaning robot having a controllable water jet cutter at an outer end of a moving mechanism.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9102959D0 (en) 1991-03-27
GB2252807B (en) 1994-12-07

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19950307