Patent Application
20230098654
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devices and more specifically to a water pipe scale removal device.
There are many problems that exist for home and building owners over time. Some issues (such as replacing HVAC vent filters) require routine maintenance and demand simple solutions. Other issues however evolve slowly and may require much more detailed solutions. An example of this is the continuous buildup of minerals and rust which may reduce water flow and damage water systems over, often resulting in significant expenses to the owner.
One way of treating such buildup is the process of pipe descaling. This process may involve the removal of accumulated materials (such as calcium carbonate and magnesium) through the use of specialized tools. These tools may be cost prohibitive for the common homeowner and also may involve specialized training before use. In addition, tools already in practice may not do a good job and would therefore leave some water pipes with a mineral lining still in place. A suitable solution is desired.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
10 water pipe scale removal device
15 cutting head
20 flexible drive cable
25 wide diameter section
30 narrow diameter section
35 side cutting edge
40 forward cutting edge
45 potable water pipe
50 rotating power unit
55 concealed space
60 forward face
65 internal diameter “i”
70 gap
75 internal sidewall surface
80 forward travel path “a”
85 rotating travel path “r”
90 mineral deposits
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
In general, the present invention discloses a pipe scale removal device having a cutting head configured to be inserted into a pipe having an inside diameter. In addition, the device may include a flexible drive cable in rotational communication with the cutting head. The flexible drive cable may be provided in different lengths for varying applications. The cutting head may include a cylindrical shaft with a plurality of separating cutting members, each of which may have an outside diameter that is constructed to be smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe by an amount sufficient to allow the cutting head to be inserted into the pipe. The separated cutting members may be supplied in different diameters to match different sized pipes in varying applications. Each separated cutting member may also have a plurality of elongated cutting blades arranged concentrically around the cylindrical shaft, with each cutting blade having at least one side cutting edge and at least one front cutting edges. Each of the plurality of elongated cutting blades may be configured from masonry cutting type material such as tungsten carbide, although other materials are hereby contemplated as well.
There may also be a prime mover configured to rotate the flexible drive cable in such a manner that then rotates the cutting head. In one version of the device, there may be three (3) cutting members with eight (8) cutting blades on each cutting member. In addition, the cutting blades may be oriented at an acute angle to the cylindrical shaft's central axis. This acute angle may preferably be between 10-20 degrees, although other angles such as 5, 25, 30, etc. may hereby be contemplated. Each cutting blade may also be configured as an elongated rectangular solid with a top surface having two longitudinal vertices and two lateral vertices, and wherein, the side cutting edge is one of the longitudinal vertices and the front cutting edge is one of the lateral vertices. The cylindrical shaft may include a distal end and a proximal end, and at least one of the cutting members may be mounted flush with the distal end of the cylindrical shaft.
In another embodiment, the present invention may disclose a water pipe scale removal device including a cutting head configured to be inserted into a pipe, the pipe having an inside diameter. In addition, the water pipe scale removal device may include a flexible drive cable in rotational communication with the cutting head. The flexible drive cable may be supplied in different lengths for varying applications. The cutting head may include a cylindrical shaft having three separated cutting members. The separated cutting members may be supplied in different diameters to match different sized pipe applications. Each separated cutting member may include eight elongated cutting blades arranged concentrically around the cylindrical shaft, while each cutting blade may have a side cutting edge and a front cutting edge. The elongated cutting blades may be configured from masonry cutting type material such as tungsten carbide, although other materials are hereby contemplated. The cutting blades may be constructed with outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe by an amount sufficient to allow the cutting head to be inserted into the pipe. The cylindrical shaft may have a central axis, a distal end and a proximal end. The cutting blades may be oriented at an acute angle to the central axis of the cylindrical shaft. This acute angle may be between 10-20 degrees, although other angles such as 5, 25, 30, etc. may hereby be contemplated. Further, each cutting blade may be configured as an elongated rectangular solid with a top surface having two longitudinal vertices and two lateral vertices, and wherein, the side cutting edge may be one of the longitudinal vertices and the front cutting edge may be one of the lateral vertices. Further still, one of the cutting members may be mounted flush with the distal end of the cylindrical shaft.
In another embodiment, the present invention may disclose a pipe scale removal apparatus having a set of cutting blades mounted on a cylindrical shaft driven by a flexible rotating cable adapted to be inserted into a pipe having a particular inside diameter. The apparatus may include a cylindrical shaft having a central axis and a distal and proximal end, the proximal end constructed to attach to, and be rotated by the flexible rotating cable. The apparatus may also include a plurality of separated gear-like cutting members mounted on the cylindrical shaft, with each cutting member having a plurality of cutting blades arranged around the cutting member in gear-tooth fashion and with each cutting blade being a rectangular solid with a surface having two longitudinal vertices and two lateral vertices. The cutting blades may be configured from tungsten steel, although other materials are hereby contemplated. In addition, each cutting blade may be offset by an acute angle from the central axis of the cylindrical shaft. Each of the cutting members may have an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe by an amount sufficient to allow the apparatus to be inserted into the pipe. The longitudinal vertices may be longer than the lateral vertices. In addition, at least one of the longitudinal vertices may form an edge cutting blade, while at least one of the lateral vertices may form a front cutting blade. Further, one of the separated gear-like cutting members may be mounted flush with the distal end of the cylindrical shaft. The apparatus may be supplied with different outside diameters to match the inside diameter of different sized pipes.
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The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the device 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
During utilization of the device 10, the following procedure would be initiated: access to the interior of the potable water pipe 45 with mineral deposits 90 will be achieved by removal of a section of the potable water pipe 45 or by a respective fitting; the proper diameter of cutting head 15 with attached flexible drive cable 20 is connected to the rotating power unit 50; the rotating power unit 50 is activated thus feeding the flexible drive cable 20 and the attached cutting head 15 into the potable water pipe 45 via the forward travel path “a” 80 and the rotating travel path “r” 85; cutting action from the forward cutting edges 40 and the side cutting edges 35 removes the mineral deposits 90; a flush of water or air, opposite the direction of the forward travel path “a” 80 will aid in removal of loosened mineral deposits 90. When complete, the cutting head 15 is removed by pulling on the flexible drive cable 20, thus completing the process. After use of the device 10, it is stored until needed again in a cyclical and repeating process.
These features of the device 10 provide the following benefits over conventional mineral deposits 90 removal processes; there are no dangerous chemicals or acids necessary; the device 10 is safe and easy to operate; use of the device 10 does not contaminate the water supply; complete removal of the mineral deposits 90; near instant removal of mineral deposits 90 instead of having to wait twenty-four to forty-eight hours (24-48 h) of use when using chemicals or acid; instant use of the potable water pipe 45 after use; use in tight or cramped locations; use of the device 10 by professional plumbers or do-it-yourselfers alike; and suitability for use in multi-story commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
