[Underwater vacuum and sterilization system]

Abstract

An underwater vacuum, cleaning, removal, and sterilization system that allows for the submersible cleaning and sterilization of interior surfaces of drinking water storage, treatment, and distribution facilities. The system allows for the cleaning and chemical sterilization of surfaces in an underwater environment while simultaneously removing the sterilization chemical to prevent the said sterilization chemical from impacting or increasing the optimum sterilization chemical concentration in the surrounding water. The underwater vacuum, cleaning, and sterilization system includes a housing 24 having an opening 46 which is positioned adjacent the surface to be cleaned and sterilized. The system also includes a containment chamber 55 inside said housing. The containment chamber is open on the top and bottom and more than one flexible member, seal or plurality of bristles or brushes thereby defining a circumferential seal 63 on the bottom which is fluidly connected to both the interior cavity and the interior of the vacuum housing for assuring that all of the cleaning and sterilization fluids and any other matter are removed from the cavity and do not leak therefrom. The system also includes a variable-pressure-fluid mechanism inside the housing and containment chamber for providing a variable-pressure fluid flow against the surface to be cleaned and sterilized. The mechanism includes pressure jets 53 or spray portals from which variable pressure water and sterilization chemical flow to remove debris or material from the surface being cleaned and sterilized. A turbine energized by water flow through the vacuum powers the rear wheels inside the housing. In addition the system includes vacuum or water suction for removing all of the cleaning fluid and sterilization chemical and coatings, debris, or any other matter from the cavity. The housing has a water outlet 42 which communicates with a pump or siphon at the surface of the water. The vacuum has two rear wheels that are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing with a rotable axle between each wheel and with a sprocket attached to a chain drive powered by said turbine motor, and two front wheels that are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing. The underwater vacuum, cleaning, removal, and sterilization system can remove sediment and other debris from a water storage reservoir while simultaneously sterilizing the surfaces without causing turbidity in or allowing the sterilization chemical to enter the water column. In one of the embodiments a rotable brush 32 is supported inside the housing, which is also powered by the turbine motor, which may assist the cleaning process for some applications. In some of the embodiments the system includes hand held water suction and variable pressure fluid jet tools that are not powered by a turbine and are held by hand against smaller surfaces, roof support column bases, in corners, wall to floor joints, or any other area not reachable by the large turbine powered embodiment for cleaning and sterilization of said surfaces. The hand held embodiments may or may not have wheels or brushes. In some additional embodiments air lift or fluid pressure driven water suction and variable pressure fluid flow tools are designed to clean and sterilize the exterior surfaces of roof support columns or pipes and the interior surfaces of pipes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an underwater vacuum and sterilization system. More particularly, the invention relates to an underwater vacuum specifically designed for sterilizing and removing debris and potential bacterial film from large drinking water reservoirs, treatment and distribution facilities. [0003] 2. Background and Description of the Related Art [0004] Protection of the public's health requires that potable water supplies be free of microorganisms that can cause health effects in humans. Also, supplies of potable water must be free from other contaminants that may taint the water and / or negatively impact its acceptability by the consumer, i.e. the members of the public. To ensure consistent and acceptable water quality, rules and regulations regarding testing, maintenance, and maximum tolerable levels of contaminants for potable water reservoirs have been established. Disinfectant chemicals are used to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] Water flowing through the vacuum is routed through the turbine. The inlet to the turbine has a trap which collects large debris that can damage the turbine blades. The flow of water through the turbine powers the rotation of the rear wheels so the vacuum is self-propelled over the surfaces being cleaned and sterilized. The vacuum has four wheels that support the vacuum and sterilization system adjacent the surface being cleaned while allowing free movement of the underwater vacuum over the surface. The two rear wheels are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing and connected by a shaft or axle, while the two front wheels are adjustably attached to the interior of the housing and are not connected by a shaft or axle. The particular arrangement and attachment of the wheels contributes to the capability of the underwater vacuum and sterilization system of the present invention to remove sediment from the bottom of a water storage reservoir without causing turbidity in the water column and propelling the vacuum over the surface being cleaned and sterilized. The structure and particular arrangement of the interior containment chamber effectively prevents any of the sterilization chemical fluid flow from entering and impacting the surrounding water column on the outside of the vacuum housing.

[0028] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

Problems solved by technology

These materials may vary from easy to remove to sticky and difficult to remove.

None of the fluid pressure pumps or jet nozzles will be discussed in this patent due to the fact that they are readily available on the open market for purchase and are not the subject of this patent.

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