Relating to cutters
AssigneeInsituform International N.V.
InventorEric Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention describes a cutter which is for positioning in an underground pipe which is too small for man entry. The cutter is for cutting holes in previously applied pipe lining which cover lateral connections. The cutting must be controlled from above ground. Flexibility and positionability is achieved by mounting the cutter head at the free end of a boom body, the other end of which is mounted through a universal joint to a mounting so that the boom can swing in any direction. The cutter is controlled in its movement by coupling it to a master unit located and controlled above ground.
Claims24
A cutter apparatus for cutting apertures in the side of a conduit from the inside of the conduit, which apparatus includes
- (1) a slave unit for location inside the conduit comprising
- (a) a mounting member which is adapted to contact a portion of the interior of the conduit and permit movement of the slave unit within the conduit,
- (b) a body supported on said mounting member,
- (c) a cutter head carried by said body, said cutter head having at least one cutter,
- (d) universal movement means associated with said body which permits said cutter head, within the physical confines of the conduit, to be angled at any desired angular disposition in relation to the aperture to be cut, and
- (2) a master unit for location outside the conduit which is operatively connected to said slave unit, said master unit including
- (a) a follower having means to follow the outline of template that simulates the contours of an aperture to be cut in the conduit,
- (b) means associated with said follower so that manipulation of said follower along the contours of a template by either hand or by automatic control will result in said cutter head moving in a corresponding path.
A cutter apparatus for cutting apertures in a conduit from inside the conduit comprising a mounting member, and elongated body having a free end and carried by the mounting member at the other end for movement relative thereto, a universal pivot joint supporting said body and on said mounting member enabling said body to be pivoted in any direction and supporting the body in any adjusted position, a cutter head carried by the free end of said body, said cutter head having a plurality of different cutter bits that are positionable in a plurality of different positions to bring the respective bits into operative function, and means mounting the cutter head on the body together with means permitting sliding and turning movement enabling the cutter head, within the physical limitations of the conduit to be angled to any angular disposition in relation to the aperture to be cut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.