Lateral cutter device
AssigneeTRB Specialty Rehabilitation, Inc.
InventorsTrent H. Ralston, Kenneth R. Guthrie, James C. Veatch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for cutting lateral holes in plastic pipe liners at the locations of lateral taps in a surrounding pipe comprises a cylindrical body which is inserted into the pipe liner, and remote devices for observing and controlling operation of the body. A rotary cutter, having axial and radial cutting teeth, can be remotely translated in three dimensions with respect to the body, making it possible to cut non-circular holes; the body can be rotated about its axis within the liner as well. A video camera on the sled permits observation of the cutter. Lateral taps are precisely located by monitoring return signals from a microwave transmitter/receiver on the sled, and identifying points of maximum deviation in microwave reflection.
Claims5
A device for cutting lateral holes in a pipe liner, from the inside thereof, comprising
- a body movable within the pipe,
- a rotary cutter including a motor and a head, driven by said motor, for both boring and enlarging holes in the tube,
- means for supporting the cutter within said body, said means allowing three-dimensional translatory movement of the cutter with respect to said body,
- means for moving the cutter in any of said three directions with respect to said body, whereby holes of various sizes and shapes may be cut in the tube, and
- means for turning the body about its own axis, within the pipe, to align the cutter with a desired opening orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.