Boat Wood Coring Moisture Removal via Pressurized Dry Air Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing moisture from wood coring in boats are destructive, costly, and require extensive downtime, often voiding warranties and necessitating costly repairs and reconstruction, while also being inefficient and prone to introducing debris.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of processed air with reduced humidity, pumped into strategically drilled holes in the wood coring to remove moisture without removing the coring, using a desiccant to create ultra-dry air that is injected into the wood, allowing for faster drying and minimal structural damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuuming is used to remove coring, then moisture can be removed from the wood, but the wood coring becomes distorted and visible deformation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidwood deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using vacuum to pull air out (DeTurris method), this invention forces processed air in through pressure injection. This reverses the direction of air flow, preventing the wood from being pulled inward and deformed, while still achieving moisture removal through the injected dry air

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pneumatic pressure to force processed air into the wood coring through injected holes. This pneumatic approach replaces the vacuum mechanical method, allowing moisture removal through pressure-driven air flow without the suction forces that cause wood deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If vacuum process is used, then air is pulled to affected area, but unwanted debris is drawn in during the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying effectivenessVSAvoiddebris introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pulling air inward with vacuum, this invention pushes processed air outward through pressure injection. This reversal prevents the suction effect that draws debris into the affected areas, while still achieving effective moisture removal through the forced air flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If coring is removed and rebuilt, then moisture damage is repaired, but the process takes 3-4 months and costs $20,000-$75,000

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrepair time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of removing the entire coring structure, this invention extracts only the moisture from the existing coring through injected holes. The coring itself remains intact and is simply dried in place, eliminating the need for time-consuming removal and reconstruction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the moisture content parameter of the wood coring by injecting processed air with controlled humidity. This transforms the wet wood into dry wood through parameter modification rather than physical removal and replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If ambient air is used for drying, then the process is simple, but the air contains moisture that slows down the drying process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoiddrying speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the humidity parameter of the air by using processed air with reduced moisture content instead of ambient air. This parameter modification accelerates the drying process by creating a larger humidity gradient between the injected air and the wet wood coring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach reduces downtime and costs, preserves the structural integrity of the wood, and allows for cosmetic repairs only, avoiding warranty voidance and minimizing debris introduction, with the ability to apply sealants and protectants to the dried areas.

Implementation Method 1

processing ambient air 35 to create processed air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesiccant: Desiccant Material

Implementation Method 2

pumping or displacing 40 said processed air into said exposed portion 200

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

remove moisture from the wood coring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10717505B2System and method to remove moisture from boats

Publication Date: 2020.07.21 RICHMOND SCOTT

AI summary

A system and process is provided to deplete or remove moisture from wood coring in boats by piercing 20 a fiberglass outer skin; forming 30 bores or holes 200 in wood coring to form an exposed portion; processing ambient air 35 to create processed air; pumping or displacing 40 processed air into the bores or holes 200; penetrating 50 an exposed portion 80; with a sealant 100; and filling 60 the exposed portion 80 with a sealant 100.