WO2018014395A1

WO2018014395A1 - Pipeline cleaning tool for unmanned vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2018014395A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/095117
Authority: WO
Inventors: 杨越
Original assignee: 杨越
Priority date: 2016-07-17
Filing date: 2016-08-14
Publication date: 2018-01-25
Also published as: CN106180094A

Abstract

A pipeline cleaning tool (10) for an unmanned vessel. The tool consists of an extended central axle (14), a hard cutting unit (22), a hard and flat disc-shaped metal cutting plate (24), a plurality of sharp, triangular blades (32) extending longitudinally, and a propulsion unit (40). Using the cleaning tool (10) under an unmanned vessel condition expands the cleaning range. The invention ensures a more thorough cleaning and allows real-time inspection of the status of a pipeline during a cleaning process.

Description

Unmanned pipeline cleaning tool

Technical field

The invention relates to an unmanned marine vehicle accessory, in particular to an unmanned marine pipeline cleaning tool.

Background technique

The pipeline cleaning tool is a tool for cleaning the pipe wall by its own power or under the push of oil and airflow. It can be divided into two categories according to its function. The first type is for the purpose of pipeline cleaning. Ordinary pipe inspection device; the second type is a smart pipe detector that can independently adjust the cleaning parameters during the cleaning process to detect the condition inside the pipe, and the latter uses a wider field and a wider range. The intelligent checker assembly is widely used on unmanned ships and has a great influence on the accuracy and range of pipeline inspection. At present, the cleaning tool has a small cleaning range, and the cleaning is not thorough enough to detect the pipeline condition in real time during the cleaning process.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) comprising: an elongated central shaft having a first end and an opposite second end; a rigid cutting unit secured to the central shaft Near the first end; a hard and flat disc-shaped metal cutting plate having a serrated outer periphery forming a radially outwardly extending serration; a plurality of sharp, triangular, longitudinally extending blades spaced at equal intervals The periphery of the metal cutting board is fixed and welded to the downstream surface of the metal cutting board, the tip of the cutting blade is aligned with the edge of the metal cutting disc, the cutting edge of the blade is inclined radially inward and backwards toward the metal cutting disc; Located at opposite second ends of the central shaft, including a rigid axle fixed adjacent the second end of the central shaft, a plurality of rigid sector segments extending radially outward from the axle, and each segment panel A separate rigid expansion aileron thereon, a rotating baffle plate and a backing sealing disc formed of a film of water impermeable material are located on the downstream and upstream sides of the propulsion unit, respectively.

Preferably, the central shaft is a B7 steel stud having an external thread diameter of 1.25 inches, the length of the central shaft being defined by the curved diameter of the conduit.

Preferably, the cutting unit is a single fixed diameter cutting element and the cutting element is comprised of a full diameter steel cutting plate having an outer diameter of less than 20 inches and a thickness of 0.5 inches.

Preferably, the metal cutting plate has an upstream face and an opposite downstream face, and the metal cutting plate is held in place on the downstream face by a retaining nut screwed onto the first end of the central shaft.

Preferably, the axle has a central circular opening that can be mounted to the central shaft through the open axle, the outer perimeter of the axle being in the form of a regular polygon.

Preferably, the axle is octagonal and each of the perimeter eight sides is about 4 inches long.

Preferably, the segmented panels are about 0.5 inches thick and have a circular fan shape to remove the pointed relaxed steel plates, each segmented panel having a convex arcuate outer edge and a shorter straight inner edge, and a radial direction The first edge and the second edge of the outer fork.

Preferably, the segmented panels are independently hinged to the axle by a linear hinge joint, and are rotatable relative to the axle about eight different axes along the outer edge of the axle, the rotational axis of the segmented panel being imaginary relative to the axle and the axle The inscribed circle is tangent and is in contact with the eight straight edges at the tangent point.

Preferably, the extended aileron is a trapezoidal shape hinged to a first edge of the segmented panel by a linear, radially-leaf leaflet and independently rotated, and a single extended aileron is hinged to each of the segmented panels along the first edge And extending behind the next adjacent segment panel to contact and overlap a portion of the upstream face.

Preferably, the rotating blocking plate is fixed to the central axis immediately downstream of the propulsion unit, which is a hard steel rotating disk having a diameter of 12 inches and an opening in the center adapted to the central axis.

The use of the cleaning tool designed according to the invention under unmanned ship conditions has a larger cleaning range, a more thorough cleaning and a real-time detection of the pipeline condition during the cleaning process.

The above as well as other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the <

DRAWINGS

Some specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below by way of example, and not limitation. The same reference numbers in the drawings identify the same or similar parts. Technical person It is understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent in consideration of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an unmanned marine pipe cleaning tool in accordance with the present invention wherein the cutting elements of the tool are of a fixed diameter.

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the tool of Figure 1 as it is being cleaned of a length of tubing.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the axle, segmented panels and ailerons, shown in isolation from the remainder of the propulsion unit of Figures 1 and 2, viewed from upstream thereof.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the seal of the unmanned marine pipeline cleaning tool propulsion unit of Figures 1 and 2, alone.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view showing an alternative embodiment of an unmanned marine pipe cleaning tool in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8, showing the cutting unit of the tool separately.

detailed description

Figures 1 and 2 show a pipe cleaning tool 10 which is formed in a suitable size to clean the pipe 12 once through the pipe section in a length of pipe 12 having an inner diameter of 20 inches. The pipe cleaning tool 10 consists of an elongated central shaft 14 which is a B7 steel stud with an external thread diameter of 1.25 inches. The length of the shaft 14 is defined by the curved diameter of the conduit 12. If desired, the central shaft 14 is preferably as long as possible to maintain the cleaning tool 10 aligned with the length of the conduit 12. However, the pipe cleaning tool 10 must be short enough to move through the bend of the pipe 12. In the industrial range used by unmanned vessels, the bend of the pipe 12 typically has a standard diameter equal to 1.5 times the inner diameter of the pipe. So for a 20 The maximum length of the central shaft 14 is typically about 30 inches for an inch pipe.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the central shaft 14 has a first end 16, in this embodiment a downstream end, and an opposite second end 18, which is an upstream end. The direction of flow of water propelling the pipe cleaning tool 10 inside the pipe 12 is indicated by arrow 20.

A rigid cutting unit 22 is secured adjacent the first end 16 of the shaft 14. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 1-7, a single fixed diameter cutting element 22 is employed. The cutting unit 22 is comprised of a full diameter steel cutting plate 24 having an outer diameter of slightly less than 20 inches and a thickness of about 0.5 inches. The periphery of the hard and flat disc-shaped metal plate 24 is serrated to form serrations 26 projecting radially outward, as shown in FIG. The metal cutting board has an upstream face 28 and an opposite downstream face 30. The metal cutting plate 24 is held in place on its downstream face 30 by a retaining nut 34 that is threaded onto the first end 16 of the central shaft 14.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a plurality of sharp, triangular, longitudinally projecting blade-like projections 32 are secured at equal intervals against the periphery of the cutting plate 24 to the downstream face 30 of the metal cutting plate 24. The tip end of the cutting blade projection is aligned with the edge of the metal cutting disc 24, and the cutting edge of the blade 32 is inclined radially inwardly and rearwardly toward the structure of the metal cutting disc 24.

A propulsion unit 40 is located at the opposite end 18 of the shaft 14. The propulsion unit 40 includes a rigid axle 42 secured adjacent the second end 18 of the axle 14, a plurality of rigid sector segment panels 44 extending radially outward from the axle 42 and each segment panel 44 Independent hard extension aileron 46. A rotating barrier plate 48 and a backing sealing disk 50 formed of a film of water impermeable material are on the downstream and upstream sides of the propulsion unit 40, respectively.

The axle 42 has a central circular opening 43 through which the axle 42 can be mounted to the central shaft 14. The outer perimeter of the axle 42 is in the form of a regular polygon. The axle 42 is octagonal in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-7. Each of the eight sides of the periphery of the axle 42 is about 4 inches long. The segmented panel 44 is approximately 0.5 inches thick and is shaped as a circular sector to remove the sharp, relaxed steel sheet. Each segmented panel 44 has a convex arcuate outer edge 52 and a shorter straight inner edge 54. The segmented panel 44 also has a first edge 56 and a second edge 58 that are radially outwardly bifurcated.

The segmented panels 44 are independently hinged to the axle 42 by a linear hinge connector 60. Segmentation The plates 44 are hinged independently so that they can be rotated about eight different axes along the outer edge of the axle 42 relative to the axle 42. The axis of rotation of the segmented panel 44 is tangent to the imaginary inscribed circle in the axle 42 relative to the axle 42 and is in contact with the eight outward straight edges at the point of tangency.

The ailerons 46 are generally trapezoidal in shape and are hinged to the first edge 56 of the segmented panel 44 by a linear, radially-leafed sheet 62, each of which can be independently rotated, as best shown in FIG. This embodiment. A single extension aileron 46 is hinged to each of the segmented panels 44 along the first edge 56 and extends behind the next adjacent segmented panel 44, thus contacting and overlapping a portion of the upstream face.

A rotating blocking plate 48 is fixed to the central shaft 14 immediately downstream of the propulsion unit 40. The rotating blocking plate 48 is a rigid steel rotating disk having a diameter of about 12 inches and having an opening 49 adapted to the central shaft 14 in the center. The rotating blocking plate 48 limits the rotation of the segmented panel 44 axially relative to the axle 42 toward the downstream end 16 of the central shaft 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the rotation blocking plate 48 limits the segmented panel 44 from rotating toward the downstream end 16 toward the downstream end 16 of the central shaft 14, but allows the segmented panel 44 to move away from the downstream end 16 and the blocking plate 48, It is free to rotate toward the downstream end 18 of the central shaft 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the segmented panel 44 is rotated forward and reaches the maximum extent allowed by the rotational blocking plate 48 in the downstream direction, there is a large width gap between adjacent segmented panels 44. The segmented panel 44 is generally coplanarly aligned with the axle 42 and extends radially outwardly under rotational constraints in the downstream direction. The extended ailerons 46 are wide enough to span the gaps existing between adjacent segmented panels 44. When water is pushed downstream from the upstream end of the conduit 12 in the direction indicated by the directional arrow 20, each expansion aileron 46 is pressed against the upstream face portion of the segmented panel 44, abutting each sectoral aileron 46 attached segment panel 44.

The backing seal 50 is mounted upstream of the central shaft 14 adjacent to the propulsion unit 40. The backing seal is formed from a piece of rubber that is 0.5 inches thick and extends the same distance radially outwardly from the segmented panel 44. The rubber backing seal 50 is formed from the same rubber material typically used in the manufacture of conveyor belts. A rubber backing seal 50 is mounted on the central shaft 14 against the side of the axle 42 opposite the blocking plate 56 on the axle 42. That is, the axle 42 is located between the blocking plate 56 and the backing seal 50 on the shaft 14.

The sealing disk 50 has a radial crack 52 therein that extends inwardly from the periphery of the backing seal 50 by a distance equal to the length of the

edges

56 and 58 of the segmented panel 44. The crack 52 divides the outer peripheral portion of the backing seal 50 Into eight petals-like segments 55. The radial crack 52 defined by the sealing disk 50 is angularly aligned with the gap between the segmented panels 44.

The pipe cleaning tool depicted in Figures 1-7 has a propulsion unit axle 42 that is octagonal in shape. There are therefore eight different segmented panels 44 in the propulsion unit 40. The backing seal 50 is thus arranged at a 45 degree interval extending inwardly from the periphery of the backing sealing disk 50 to eight radial cracks 52 about 3 inches from the central axial opening 53 in the backing sealing disk 50. The central opening 53 is large enough to allow passage of the extended central shaft 14. The crack 52 in the backing sealing disc 5 is thus aligned from the gap between the angle and the longitudinal direction and the advancement unit segment panel 44.

The propulsion unit 40 has a unique ability to fold a large distance, so that a pressure difference is established between the upstream and downstream sides of the backing seal 50, the pressure difference is due to the difference in diameter accumulated on both sides of the rust and calcification deposits, and in the pipe 12 The internal deposition accumulates in different diameters. The axle 42, the segmented panel 44, the extended aileron 46 and the backing seal 50 collectively extend radially outward from the central shaft 14 until reaching the inner wall of the conduit 12 or the clogging deposit 67 along the blocked conduit 12 requiring cleaning. Extending toward the inner surface.

In addition, since there are a plurality of segmented panels 44, and each of the segmented panels 44 is independently hinged to the axle 42, the different segmented panels 44 are independent of the other segmented panels 44, each being folded or extended to The extent necessary to reach the surrounding duct wall or deposit layer 67. This allows the system to accommodate the unevenness of the plugging deposits 67 accumulated on the inner circumference of the pipe 12.

The segmented panels 44 are movable between extended positions that are generally coplanar with the axle 42 and perpendicular to the central axis 42 to their folded back position in the upstream direction opposite the directional arrow 20 shown in Figure 2, relative to the center The shaft 14 is stopped at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. The extreme outer end edge of the segmented panel 44 and the extended aileron 46 may be from a maximum radial position of approximately 20 inches from the central shaft 14 when the segmented panel 44 is parked in a substantially coplanar relationship with the axle 42 to Folding occurs when the segmented panel is at an angle of about 40 degrees with respect to the axis 14 and at a 50 degree angle to the plane of the axle 42 to a distance of about 13.75 inches from the center of the shaft 14.

When the segment panel 44 is in a direction substantially coplanar with the axle 42 , the extension aileron 46 is remote from the edge 47 of the hinge connecting the aileron 46 to the segment panel 44 at the first segment panel edge 56, and The second edge 58 of the adjacent segment panel 44 overlaps less. Since the segmented panel 44 is folded inwardly toward the axis 14, adjacent segments The width of the gap between the panels 44 is reduced and the extended ailerons 46 are drawn across the upstream face of the segmented panels 44 there. The propulsion unit 40 formed by the axle 42, the segmented panel 44 and the extended aileron 46 can thus be folded, from a generally disc-shaped configuration to a structure shaped like a top cone. Nonetheless, by its folding movement, the composite structure of the axle 42, the segmented panel 44 and the extended aileron 46 is a strong, rigid, radially moveable plug in the central opening of the conduit 12. This clogging of the liquid flow is enhanced by the addition of a water impermeable backing seal 50 which significantly contributes to limiting fluid flow from the propulsion unit 40.

The axle 42, segmented panel 44 and extension aileron 46 form a rigid structure that resists the force of fluid flow as the cleaning tool 10 moves along the conduit end 12, protecting the backing seal from damage. At the same time, the backing seal 50 limits the penetration of the propellant liquid through the propulsion unit 40. If there are no segmented panels 44 and extension ailerons 46, the periphery of the backing seal 50 can simply be folded due to the force exerted by the fluid on the upstream end of the conduit 12. The segmented panel 44 and the extended aileron 46 and the axle 42 together exhibit a rigid structure that resists fluid forces applied from the upstream end 12 of the conduit.

Of course, the clogging formed by the advancement unit 40 and the backing seal 50 does not form a seal that is impermeable to liquid. A certain amount of fluid will flow through the periphery of the outer edge of the backing seal 50, the segmented panel 44, and the extended aileron 46. There is also some leakage of fluid between the crack 52, and the upstream surface of the expansion aileron 46 and the segmented panel 44 on which it is overstruck. Regardless, the unit of the propulsion unit 40 and the backing seal 50 is formed between the upstream end of the cleaning tool 10 adjacent the second upstream end 18 of the shaft 14 and the downstream end of the cleaning tool adjacent the first downstream end 16 of the shaft 14. Significant pressure difference.

It is necessary that a certain amount of fluid passes through the rigid cutting unit 22 as long as the liquid pressure difference is large enough to maintain the operation of the tool 10. Due to the hydraulic pressure exerting water from the upstream end of the conduit 12, in the direction indicated by the arrow 20, to the propulsion unit 40, the pressure differential established within the conduit 12 urges the conduit cleaning tool 10 to longitudinally along the conduit 12 from the upstream end. The lower end of the cleaning pipe end moves.

As the pipe cleaning tool 10 moves, the radially extending serrations 26 on the outer edge of the cutting disk 24 pass through the cumulative blockage of deposits 67 adhering to the inner wall of the pipe 12, thereby breaking up these deposits from the pipe wall. Remove them. The water that is not flowing through the propulsion unit 40 carries these broken deposits downstream.

The efficiency of the cleaning action of the cleaning tool 10 is enhanced by the presence of a longitudinally extending blade 32 located around the downstream face 30 of the cutting disk 24. The position of the blade 32 around the outside of the cutting disk 24 causes the sheet and broken deposition material to be forced to move radially inward along the center of the pipe 12, where it can pass through the middle of the enclosed deposit 67. The blocked opening 68 carries the deposit downstream.

As shown in Figure 3, the cutting disk 24 preferably has a plurality of openings 66 located at a short distance radially inward from its toothed periphery. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-7, there are two openings 66 on either side of the disc-shaped metal plate 24 adjacent each blade 32. The openings 66 are preferably about 1 inch in diameter and are located in pairs on either side of the four tear and crush blades 32. The opening 66 provides water that flows through the propulsion unit 40, wherein water can flow through the low resistance flow path. The flow of liquid through opening 66 is used to rinse and carry away the particulate material of deposit 67 after those materials have been torn and crushed by blade 32 and serrations 26.

To enhance the stiffness of the pipe cleaning tool 10, the extended support mechanism of the cleaning tool 10 includes an axle 42 and a 1.25 inch diameter threaded shaft 14 to which the cutting unit 22 is mounted, and a small diameter metal that is concentrically aligned with the shaft 14 and securely mounted. A cylindrical reinforcing tube 70. Tube 70 is held in place by a pair of hard rubber alignment discs 72. The fixed disks 72 each have a flat surface and an opposite face with an annular alignment groove 74. The alignment disk 72 has faces that are aligned with the grooves 74 to be placed opposite each other at the opposite ends of the reinforcing tube 70. The alignment disk 72 also has a central axial opening 76 that accommodates the presence of the central shaft 14.

The pipe cleaning tool 10 is assembled with the extended threaded support shaft 14 inserted through a central axial opening 76 of an alignment disk 72 and through the central axis of the reinforcing tubular tube 70. Then another alignment plate 72 is mounted on the central shaft 14, and the circumferential end edge of the reinforcing tube 70 is mounted in the groove 74. The slot 74 maintains the enhanced circular tube 70 coaxially aligned with the shaft 14. The steel cutting disk 22 is thereafter mounted to the downstream end 16 of the shaft 14. An overweight internally threaded nut is advanced along the helix to the downstream end 16 of the shaft 14.

At the upstream end 18 of the opposing shaft 14, a rotating blocking plate 48 is inserted over the shaft 14 such that the shaft 14 passes through a central axial bore of the rotating blocking plate 48. The rotating blocking plate 48 is pressed against the smooth upstream face of the upstream alignment disk 72. The segmented panel 44 to which the axle 42 of the extension aileron 14 is hinged is then mounted to the shaft 14. The shaft 14 passes through a central axial opening 43 in the axle 42. The axle 42 is mounted such that the extended tail 42 is located on the upstream side of the segmented panel 44.

A flat spacer disk 80 is then mounted on the shaft 14. The thickness of the spacer disk 80 is equal to the thickness of the extension aileron 46, and the outer diameter does not exceed the circumference of the axle 42. The shaft 14 extends through a central axial opening 80 in the spacer disk 80. The disc-shaped backing seal 50 is then mounted adjacent the spacer disk 80 and extends through the shaft 14 through the central axial opening 53 of the disc-shaped backing seal 50. Then, a disk-shaped reinforcing plate 82 having an outer circumferential diameter equal to the distance from the eight sides of the axle 42 to the axis of the shaft 14 is attached to the shaft 14. The second, upstream end of the shaft 14 extends through a central axial opening 83 of the stiffener 82. The two nuts 84 are then screwed to the second upstream end of the shaft 14 and tightened.

When the cutting tool 10 is assembled, the cutting disk 22 is held by the reinforcing tube 70 from the structure to the propulsion unit 40 at a fixed, predetermined distance. The nuts 34 and 84 at the opposite ends of the shaft 14 press the cutting unit 22 and the advancement unit 40 against the reinforcing tube 70 and clamp them at a fixed position of the shaft 14.

The duct 12 has an interior cleaned by a duct cleaning tool 10 surrounded by a cylindrical annular wall 13 in which the deposit is blocked. The cleaning work is performed by forming an opening at both ends of the pipe 12 and providing an internal inlet there. These ends and their corresponding openings are generally shown in Figures 2 with 86 and 88. End 86 can be considered the upstream end and 88 is the downstream end.

The opening of the pipe cleaning tool 10 at the upstream end is then inserted into the interior of the pipe end 12 such that the upstream surface of the segmented panel 44 faces the upstream end 86 of the pipe section into which the tool 10 is inserted. The water is then advanced under pressure by the upstream end 86 of the pipe section 12. Water flows in the direction indicated by directional arrow 20, exerting a force on the backing seal 50. This force is transmitted to the upstream face of the segmented panel 44 and also acts on the extended aileron 46. The hydraulic pressure tends to rotate the segmented panel 44 outwardly toward the annular wall surface 13 of the conduit 12. The hydraulic pressure also tends to press against the fan-shaped blades of the backing sealing disk 50 to the upstream faces of the segmented panels 44 and the extension ailerons 46, and also presses the expansion ailerons 46 into close contact with the upper surface of the segmented panels 44 to the expansion pair. The extent to which the wings 46 thus overlap these faces. Thus, the fluid force tends to restrict the flow of fluid through the propulsion unit 40, thereby creating a pressure differential across the opposite sides of the composite structure formed by the backing seal 50, the axle 42, the segmented panel 44, and the extended aileron 46.

The pressure differential across the propulsion unit 40 drives the pipe cleaning tool 10 to move toward the downstream end of the pipe end 12. As the cleaning tool 10 moves downstream, the serrations 26 of the cutting unit 22 are looped from the pipe section 12. The wall 13 removes the plugged deposits 67. The blade 32, which tears and crushes the deposited material 67, axially inward toward the unblocked central opening 68 of the pipe section 12, assisting in the removal of deposits 67. Water flowing through the propulsion unit 10 moves along the fluid passage opening 66 of the cutting disk 22, around the periphery of the cutting disk 22, carrying broken particulate matter from the deposit 67 to the downstream end 88 of the pipe section 12 in front of the pipe cleaning tool 10. . Finally, the pipe cleaning tool 10 floats the pipe section 12 at the downstream end 88. The pipe cleaning tool is then removed from the opening of the downstream end 88 of the pipe section 12.

Depending on the resistance provided to the cutting disk 22, the pipe section 12 can be cleaned by the pipe cleaning tool 10 from there once. In some cases, it is in fact sufficient that the pipe cleaning tool 10 passes through the pipe section 12 once to remove all deposits 67. In other cases, the adhesion of the deposit 67 to the inner wall 13 of the pipe section 12 is particularly strong, requiring the pipe cleaning tool 10 to pass through the pipe section 12 multiple times.

In the case where the deposits 67 are relatively hard and firmly adhered to the inner duct wall 13, it may be necessary to use the progressively larger diameter cutting disc 22 as the tool 10 continues to pass through the duct section 12 to gradually increase the serrations 26 and support. The distance between the axes 14. In such a case, a cutting disk having a diameter that is only slightly larger than the unblocked opening 68 can be employed first. Once the cleaning unit 10 has passed through the pipe section 12, the first page is the smallest cutting disk removed from the shaft 14 and replaced with a larger diameter cutting disk. Several progressively larger diameter cutting discs can be used in sequence. However, the components of the propulsion unit 40 need not be exchanged because the propulsion unit 40 is folded radially inwardly to a diameter from an outer diameter of up to approximately 20 inches to a diameter as small as approximately 13.75 inches.

The use of the propulsion unit 40 greatly reduces the time and expense and the water pressure required to clean the pipe section 12. For example, the pipe cleaning tool 10 depicted in Figures 1-7 requires only about 120-135 psi (pounds per square inch) of water pressure to propel through a 20 inch diameter 3000 inch long pipe section.

Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the first or upstream end 116 of the pipe cleaning tool 110 has a cutting unit 122 mounted therein while the second or downstream end 118 of the threaded shaft 14 supports the propulsion unit 140. The cutting unit 122 of the pipe cleaning tool 110 has serrations 126 extending radially outwardly about its periphery, but there is also an adjustable blade mounting support that changes the distance the serrations 126 extend outwardly from the elongate support shaft 114, as shown in FIG. .

The embodiment of the pipe cleaning tool 110 shown in Figure 8 can be constructed to clean the pipe shown in Figure 2. 12 pipes of the same or different sizes. By way of example, the pipe cleaning tool 10 can be designed to clean pipes having an inner diameter of 14 inches. In such an embodiment, the threaded shaft 114 can be a B7 bolt having a diameter of 1.125 inches and a length of 1.5 times the diameter of the pipe. That is, the length of the shaft 114 is approximately 21 inches.

The propulsion unit 140 of the duct cleaning tool 110 operates in the same manner as the propulsion unit 40 of the embodiment of Figures 1-7, and the components and associated components of the propulsion unit 140 also have the same structural configuration as the components and management elements of the propulsion unit 40. . That is, the propulsion unit 140 has an axle 142 with a short straight edge hinged to the segmented panel 144 and the extended aileron 146 on the axle 142. The blocking plate 148 is located downstream of the axle 142 and a backing seal 150 with radial cracks is located upstream of the axle 142. The parts of the propulsion unit 140 shown in Fig. 8 have the same function as the parts of the corresponding propulsion unit described in connection with the cleaning tool 10 shown in Figs. 1-7 and function in the same manner.

The dimensions of the parts associated with the embodiments depicted in Figures 8 and 9 are scaled down for a smaller diameter pipe. For smaller diameter pipes, it is economically advantageous to provide a propulsion unit that has fewer number of segmented panels 144 than in the embodiment of Figures 1-7. More specifically, the axle 142 is hexagonal such that the propulsion unit 140 includes six sector panels 144 that are independently hinged about the periphery of the axle 142 by a linear flyer 160. Thus, each of the sector panels 144 is rotated relative to the axle 142 about a rotational axis that is tangential to the imaginary inner circle of the center point of the edge of each outer and outer edge of the axle 42.

The propulsion unit 140 also includes six different extension ailerons 146, each hinged to a first edge of a separate segment panel 44. The disc-shaped backing seal 150 has six radial slits whose structure extends radially inwardly from its perimeter and terminates approximately three inches from the shaft 114.

The main difference between the propulsion unit 140 and the propulsion unit 40, except for the number of different segmented panels and the smaller outer diameter, is that the propulsion unit 140 is located at the second, downstream end of the shaft 114. Thus, the propulsion unit 140 pulls the cleaning tool 110 through a conduit opposite the propulsion unit 40 in which the cleaning tool 10 is pushed through the conduit 12 in the embodiment of Figures 1-7.

The propulsion unit 140 is mounted at a downstream distance from the downstream end of the second end of the shaft 114. This rearward or upstream positioning of the drive unit 140 accommodates a substantially spherical projection 102. The protrusion 102 has a substantially hemispherical surface that is convex outwardly from the center, facing the downstream, and is formed of metal, as shown in FIG. When the pipe shown by the deposit 67 accumulated on the pipe is shown, the central opening is enlarged. An oversized nut 134 holds the projection 102 in place and presses a raised base disc 104 rearwardly in the upstream direction. The protruding base discs 104 are sequentially supported on the rotation restricting disc 148.

The cutting unit 122 of the pipe cleaning tool 10 is significantly different from the cutting unit 22 employed in the pipe cleaning unit 10. More specifically, the cutting unit 122 is comprised of a pair of cutting

element mounting discs

106 and 108 that are coaxially mounted relative to the support shaft 114 at the upstream end 116. Each of the cutting

element mounting disks

106 and 108 has a plurality of openings 111 equally spaced apart at its periphery. In the embodiment of Figures 8-9 there are six mounting element openings 111 on each of the cutting

element mounting discs

106 and 108. The mounting openings 111 are radial and longitudinally aligned with one another. Each cutting

element mounting disk

106 and 108 also has a central axial opening 113 adapted to support the shaft 114 therethrough.

The cutting unit 122 is comprised of a plurality of flat cutting elements 124 that are located between the mounting

plates

106 and 108 and extend radially outward therefrom. Each cutting element 124 is in the form of a flat sector hard steel plate with outer peripheral band saw teeth 126. Each of the sector cutting elements 124 has a narrower, radially inner end with a radially extending mounting opening 125 at the same location. Each mounting opening 102 is in the form of a long slot and is closed at both ends.

The cutting unit 122 also includes a bolt 115 for each cutting element plate 124. Each bolt 115 has an outer threaded shank extending through the smooth, edged opening of the downstream cutting element mounting disk 108 and threadedly engages the internally threaded opening 111 in the cutting element mounting disk 106. The cutting

element mounting plates

106 and 108, the elongated slots 125 and the bolts 115 form an adjustment mechanism that allows the radial distance of the serrations 126 to the shaft 114 to be selectable and adjustable.

To adjust the distance the serrations 126 extend from the shaft 114, the bolts 115 are loosened allowing the flat sector cutting element plate 124 to adjust the radial distance extending from the shaft 114. The limit of adjustment is determined by the oblong groove 125. Once the radial distance over which the serrations 126 extend from the shaft 114 are selected, the bolts 115 are tightened again to securely sandwich the sector-shaped cutting element plates 124 from radially outwardly between the cutting

element mounting discs

106 and 108, such as Figures 8 and 9 are shown.

The pipe cleaning tool 10 has a reinforcing tube 170 that is coaxially mounted about the support shaft 114. Reinforced tube The 170 is coaxially aligned with respect to the shaft 114 by an annular groove corresponding to the downstream surface of the downstream cutting element mounting disk 198 and an annular groove corresponding to the upstream face of the steel alignment disk 172 at the opposite end of the tube 170. The overall length of the tube 170, by way of example, is about 12 inches. Tube 170 can be a standard tube wall stainless steel tube having an inner diameter of 3 inches and a wall thickness of about 0.125 inches.

The pipe cleaning tool 110 is used in substantially the same manner as the pipe cleaning tool 10. That is, a pipe section to be cleaned is opened at both ends, and the pipe cleaning tool 110 is inserted into the upstream end of the pipe section. The second or downstream end 118 of the pipe cleaning tool 110 is first inserted into the open end upstream of the pipe section and the tool 110 is pushed into the pipe section to be washed. Water having a pressure between 100 and 135 psi is then forced into the upstream end of the conduit and acts in the direction from the upstream end to the downstream end of the conduit as indicated by directional arrow 120.

Water passes between the sector-shaped cutting elements 124 of the cutting unit 122, but acts on the obstacle formed by the propulsion unit 140 to establish a pressure differential with the backing seal 150 in the manner previously described. As with the segmented panel 44, the segmented panel 144 can be folded inwardly around the leaflet 160 if it passes through or is in contact with the inner wall of the pipe section to be cleaned or is in contact with the deposit on that wall. The rotation restricting blocking plate 148 is restricted to a direction substantially coplanar with the axle 142, and is oriented rearward toward the upstream direction of the shaft 114.

Although directed at the applied fluid pressure in the direction of arrow 120, the segmented panel 144 of the advancement unit 140 folds inwardly toward the shaft 144, corresponding to the contact of deposits accumulated on the inner wall of the conduit. The water pressure acts on the upstream surface of the soft, water-impermeable disc-shaped backing seal 150, so that the six sectors of the flattened seal 150 are on the upstream face of the segmented panel 144, and the cover section of the expanded aileron 146 portion Panel 144.

Due to the backing seal 150, the periphery of the segmented panel 144 and the extended aileron 146 are in contact with the inner wall surface of the duct or in contact with the inner surface of the material accumulated on the inner wall surface, forming a pressure differential across the propulsion unit 140. That is, the water pressure acting on the upstream surface of the backing seal 150 is higher than the water pressure flowing through the projections. As a result, the pressure differential established across the propulsion unit 140 pushes the pipe cleaning tool 110 longitudinally along the pipe until it emerges from the downstream end. As the serrations 126 are pulled through the accumulated material accumulated on the inner wall of the pipe, the material is broken and carried downstream, through the portion of the water flowing through the propulsion unit 140.

If the material accumulated on the pipe wall is not too thick, or if it can be removed from the pipe wall without applying additional hydraulic pressure, it is possible to clean the pipe section with the pipe cleaning tool 140 once. pipeline. If the accumulated material is thicker or the material is more firmly bonded to the pipe wall, it may be necessary to clean the material out. That is, the sector-shaped cutting plate 124 can be adjusted from the initial direction to project a relatively short distance radially outward from the shaft 114.

Since each of the pipe cleaning tools 110 continuously passes through the pipe section to be cleaned, the bolts 115 are loosened, and before being tightened again, the cutting element plates 124 are pulled radially outward from the intermediate opening 113 of the cutting

element mounting disks

106 and 108. Incremental distance. Thus, as each pipe cleaning tool 110 passes through the pipe section, a progressively larger diameter hole passes through the material accumulated on the pipe wall until the last serration 126 extends almost radially to the pipe wall and almost all of the material is removed. .

The pipe cleaning tool 110 is advantageous because the radial extent of the serrations 126 to the support shaft 114 can be adjusted quickly and easily. This adjustment can be done for all cutting elements 124 in only about 10 minutes. Therefore, when the tool cleaning tool 110 continuously passes through the pipe section to be cleaned, it can be quickly deployed.

It goes without saying that many variations and modifications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art of pipe cleaning tools. For example, a large number of adjustment devices can be used in place of the elongated slot 125 and the clamping bolt 115 and the mounted mounting

plates

106 and 108, and an adjustable cam mechanism can be used to force the serrations 126 to move radially outward from the shaft 114 to the desired position. To the extent required, similarly, different reinforcement systems can be used to replace the

reinforcement tubes

70 and 170, by way of example, the spacer rods can be arranged radially about each other at a selected angular interval about the central support shaft. The scope of the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments illustrated and described.

The present invention has been described with reference to the specific illustrative embodiments, and is not limited by the scope of the appended claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention can be modified and modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

An unmanned ship pipeline cleaning tool (10), characterized by comprising:

An elongated central shaft (14) having a first end (16) and an opposite second end (18);

a rigid cutting unit (22) fixed adjacent to the first end (16) of the central shaft (14);

a hard and flat disc-shaped metal cutting plate (24) having a serrated outer periphery to form a radially outwardly extending serration (26);

A plurality of sharp, triangular, longitudinally extending blades (32) are fixed at equal intervals against the periphery of the metal cutting plate (24) and welded to the downstream face (30) of the metal cutting plate (24) for cutting The tip end of the blade is aligned with the edge of the metal cutting disc (24), the cutting edge of the blade (32) is inclined radially inwardly and rearwardly toward the metal cutting disc (24);

A propulsion unit (40), located at an opposite second end (18) of the central shaft (14), includes a rigid axle (42) secured adjacent the second end (18) of the central shaft (14), a plurality of secondary axles ( 42) a rigid sector segment panel (44) extending radially outwardly and a separate rigid extension aileron (46) on each segment panel (44), a rotating blocking plate (48) and A backing sealing disk (50) formed of a film of water impermeable material is located on the downstream and upstream sides of the propulsion unit (40), respectively.
The unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to claim 1, wherein said central shaft (14) is a B7 steel stud having an external thread diameter of 1.25 inches, said central shaft ( The length of 14) is defined by the curved diameter of the pipe.
An unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cutting unit (22) is a single fixed diameter cutting element, said cutting element being cut by a full diameter steel The plate (24) is composed of a steel cutting plate (24) having an outer diameter of slightly less than 20 inches and a thickness of 0.5 inches.
An unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said metal cutting plate (24) has an upstream face (28) and an opposite downstream face (30), said Metal The cutting plate (24) is held in place on the downstream face (30) by a retaining nut (34) that is threaded onto the first end (16) of the central shaft (14).
An unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said axle (42) has a central circular opening (43) through said opening (43) said axle (42) ) can be mounted to the central shaft (14), the outer perimeter of the axle (42) being in the form of a regular polygon.
An unmanned marine pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to claim 5, wherein said axle (42) is octagonal and each of the perimeter eight sides is about 4 inches long.
An unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said segmented panels (44) are about 0.5 inches thick and have a circular fan shape to remove sharpened steel plates, each The segmented panel (44) has a convex arcuate outer edge (52) and a shorter straight inner edge (54), and a radially outwardly bifurcated first edge (56) and second edge (58). ).
An unmanned boat pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said segmented panels (44) are independently hinged to the axle (42) by a linear hinge joint (60). Rotating about eight different axes along the outer edge of the axle (42) relative to the axle (42), the axis of rotation of the segmented panel (44) relative to the imaginary interior of the axle (42) and axle (42) The tangent is tangent and is in contact with the eight straight edges at the tangent point.
An unmanned ship pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to claim 8, wherein said extension aileron (46) is in the shape of a ladder and is hinged to a point by a linear leaflet (62) along the radial direction. The first edge (56) of the segment panel (44) is independently rotated, and a single extension aileron (46) is hinged to each segment panel (44) along the first edge (56) and is adjacent to the next segment The rear portion of the segment panel (44) extends into contact with and overlaps a portion of the upstream surface.
An unmanned ship pipeline cleaning tool (10) according to claim 8, wherein said rotating blocking plate (48) is fixed to a central shaft (14) immediately downstream of the propulsion unit (40), The rotating blocking plate (48) is a hard steel rotating disk having a diameter of 12 inches and a central opening (49) adapted to the central shaft (14).