Systems and methods for identifying points of interest in pipes or drain lines
AssigneeRidge Tool Company
InventorsChristopher Schmauder, Alex M. Cole, Ryan Lattimer, Anthony Greer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for identifying one or more points of interest in pipes or drain lines are described. Examples of points of interest include blockages caused by debris in the pipe or drain line. The systems are incorporated into drain cleaning machines. Also described are drain cleaning machines utilizing the systems.
Claims25
An identifying system for use with a drain cleaner having an elongated flexible member, a rotatable motor output, and a rotatable cable follower, the identifying system for identifying a point of interest in an enclosed region and comprising:
- a first sensor assembly including a first pickup disposed on the motor output, and a first sensor affixed to a stationary component of the drain cleaner and in operable communication with the first pickup;
- a second sensor assembly including a second pickup disposed on the cable follower, and a second sensor affixed to a stationary component of the drain cleaner and in operable communication with the second pickup;
- a counter configured to determine a linear amount of the elongated flexible member dispensed from the drain cleaner;
- and
- a controller configured to determine occurrence of a distal end of the elongated flexible member encountering a point of interest in an enclosed region.
A method for identifying a point of interest in an enclosed region, the method comprising:
- providing a drain cleaner having an elongated flexible member, a rotatable motor output, a rotatable cable follower, a first pickup on the motor output, a first sensor affixed to a stationary component of the drain cleaner and in operable communication with the first pickup, a second pickup disposed on the cable follower, and a second sensor affixed to a stationary component of the drain cleaner and in operable communication with the second pickup;
- operating the drain cleaner and axially displacing the flexible member relative to the drain cleaner such that the cable follower rotates;
- measuring a first rate of rotation, wherein the first rate of rotation is determined by measuring a rate of rotation of the motor output via the first pickup and the first sensor to produce a raw data set;
- processing the raw data set to produce a smoothed data set;
- from the smoothed data set, calculating changes in rate of rotation per a predefined time interval to produce a calculated rotational slope value;
- continuously comparing the calculated rotational slope value to a predetermined rotational slope value indicative of a point of interest;
- upon the calculated rotational slope value being within a predefined range of a first predetermined rotational slope value to a second predetermined rotational slope value, issuing a location marker signal to thereby identify a point of interest in the enclosed region.
A drain cleaner comprising:
- a frame assembly;
- a motor having a rotatable motor output, the motor supported by the frame assembly;
- a rotatable drum supported by the frame assembly, the drum at least partially housing an elongated flexible member;
- a rotatable cable follower that rotates upon linear displacement of the flexible member;
- a first sensor assembly including a first pickup disposed on the motor output, and a first sensor affixed to a stationary component of the drain cleaner and in operable communication with the first pickup;
- a second sensor assembly including a second pickup disposed on the cable follower, and a second sensor affixed to a stationary component of the drain cleaner and in operable communication with the second pickup;
- and
- a counter configured to determine a linear amount of the elongated flexible member dispensed from the drain cleaner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.