Adjustable Cavity Spray Mount for No-Entry Cleaning and Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of vertical cavities such as manholes requires entry of workers, exposing them to hazardous conditions due to sewer gases and biological contaminants, and there is a need for a safer and more efficient method to clean and coat these cavities without human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A cavity cleaning and coating system with a mount connected to a vehicle's arm, featuring an adjustable and rotatable spray head that can be positioned and operated remotely to dispense cleaning and coating fluids into and within the cavity, allowing for safe and efficient cleaning and coating without worker entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers manually clean and coat cavity interiors, then cleaning and coating can be performed, but workers are exposed to hazardous conditions including sewer gases and biological contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning and coating operations with an automated spray system. A vehicle-mounted apparatus with extendable arms and spray heads delivers cleaning and coating fluids into the cavity through the opening, eliminating the need for workers to physically enter the hazardous environment while maintaining effective cleaning and coating functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vehicle-mounted spray system as an intermediary between the operator and the hazardous cavity environment. The system uses extendable arms and spray heads to deliver fluids into the cavity without requiring direct human presence, acting as a protective barrier that maintains worker safety while achieving the desired cleaning and coating results
2Reliability
If a vehicle-mounted system is used to clean and coat cavities, then worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single vehicle-mounted system. The apparatus combines cleaning fluid delivery, coating fluid delivery, and positioning capabilities in one unified system. The spray heads can deliver both cleaning and coating fluids, and the extendable arms provide both positioning and fluid delivery functions, reducing the need for separate equipment while maintaining worker safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cleaning and coating operations into a single integrated system. The vehicle-mounted apparatus combines spray heads for both cleaning and coating fluids, along with extendable arms for positioning, into one unified platform. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices needed while achieving both cleaning and coating functions safely
3Manufacturing precision
If the spray head is made adjustable and rotatable, then positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning capabilities through an adjustable and rotatable mount for the spray head. The mount allows the spray head to be positioned at various angles and orientations to accurately target different areas within the cavity. This dynamic adjustability enables precise fluid delivery while the mount's design integrates these movements into a cohesive structure that manages complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient cleaning and coating of cavities by eliminating the need for worker entry, reducing exposure to hazardous substances and improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The spray head is lowered into the cavity to dispense the cleaning fluid and, after the cleaning fluid has dried, the coating fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cavity cleaning and coating system for safely and efficiently cleaning and coating the interior of a cavity without requiring entry of any workers. The cavity cleaning and coating system generally includes a mount which is coupled with a movable arm of a vehicle. The mount includes an inner plate, which is coupled to the arm, and an outer plate. A shaft is coupled to the outer plate. The mount is adjustable independently of the arm of the vehicle, including outwardly, inwardly, and rotatably. A spray head is connected to the shaft. The spray head is rotatable and includes a dispenser for dispensing fluids. The vehicle is positioned near a cavity to be treated. The mount is adjusted for optimal positioning of the spray head. The spray head is lowered into the cavity to dispense a cleaning fluid and, after the cleaning fluid has dried, a coating fluid.