Buoyant Retrieval of Tank Inspection Platforms in Non-Conductive Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting tanks containing flammable or non-conductive hazardous substances are labor-intensive, pose safety risks due to the need for human intervention, and require extensive preparation and downtime, as they often involve manual entry and the risk of sparks igniting flammable materials or energetic substances.
Innovation Solution
A mobile platform with an inherently safe enclosure that uses a control unit and propulsion system to autonomously navigate and inspect tank interiors, eliminating the need for human entry by preventing sparks and using a buoyant retrieval system to safely remove the platform, while also addressing electrical charge accumulation issues in non-conductive environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used with human work crews entering the tank, then inspection can be performed, but the process becomes labor-intensive and requires extensive purging time to eliminate explosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform performs inspections autonomously without requiring human operators inside the tank. The platform navigates independently, operates sensors, and transmits data automatically, eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual inspection and extensive purging procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated mobile platform equipped with electronic sensors and navigation systems. This substitution eliminates human exposure to hazardous environments while maintaining inspection effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If an umbilical is used to connect the inspection device to the control unit, then power and data transmission are enabled, but the opening required exposes the outside environment to hazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform employs wireless communication technologies that transmit data and power signals through electromagnetic fields without requiring physical openings or umbilicals. This approach maintains tank sealing integrity while enabling full operational control and data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wireless electromagnetic signals as an intermediary medium to transmit control commands and inspection data between the mobile platform and external control systems, eliminating the need for physical connections that would compromise tank integrity
3Productivity
If electrical equipment is used in non-conductive hazardous environments, then inspection operations can be performed, but electrical charge accumulation may cause sparks that ignite flammable substances
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform incorporates intrinsic safety design principles that limit electrical energy to levels incapable of causing ignition in hazardous atmospheres. The system operates with inherently safe electrical components that prevent charge accumulation and spark generation in non-conductive environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent acknowledges the risk of electrical charge accumulation in non-conductive environments and addresses it through specialized grounding and charge dissipation systems that safely manage electrical energy, converting a potential hazard into a controlled parameter
4Ease of operation
If the mobile platform is retrieved manually from the tank, then the platform can be removed, but human intervention is required which poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform incorporates self-retrieval capabilities including onboard propulsion systems and navigation that enable it to autonomously navigate back to the tank opening and exit without human assistance, eliminating exposure risks for retrieval personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual retrieval operations with automated propulsion and navigation systems on the mobile platform, substituting human mechanical intervention with electronic control and automated movement
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 efficient and safe tank inspections without human intervention, reducing downtime and safety risks by allowing the platform to autonomously navigate and retrieve itself from tanks containing flammable or non-conductive substances, while minimizing the risk of electrical sparks and charge accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
uses a buoyant retrieval system to safely remove the platform
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4
AI summary
A method of retrieving a mobile platform (100) from a tank (10) at least partially filled with a non-conductive, energetic substance (12, 14), the method characterized by : - configuring the mobile platform (100) to include at least: - an enclosure (200), - at least one control unit (300) positioned inside the enclosure (200), - at least one propulsion system (400) positioned at least partially inside the enclosure (200), - at least one power supply (500) positioned inside the enclosure (200), - at least one retrieval system (700) disposed at least partially on the enclosure (200), the at least one retrieval system (700) including at least one buoyant body (702), an electrically conductive member (1130), and at least one tether (1100), the at least one tether (1100) having at least a portion that is not conductive, the at least one tether (1100) electrically isolating the at least one buoyant body (702) from the enclosure (200); - lowering the mobile platform (100) into the tank (10) using a deployment carrier (50, 764, 780); - submerging the enclosure (200) in a non-conductive, liquid energetic substance (12); - moving the mobile platform (100) using the at least one propulsion system (400) to perform at least one task in the tank (10); - releasing the buoyant body (702) to convey the at least one tether (1100) toward a surface (1116) of the non-conductive, liquid energetic substance (12); - conveying an electrically conductive cable (1304) to the electrically conductive member (1130) of the mobile platform (100) using the at least one tether (1100); - electrically connecting a voltage neutralizing end (1306) of the electrically conductive cable (1304) to a voltage differential neutralizing body (1302) in a spark inhibiting ambient condition; - electrically connecting a mobile platform end (1308) of the electrically conductive cable (1304) to the electrically conductive member (1300) of the mobile platform (100) while the electrically conductive member (1300) is below the surface (1116) of the non-conductive, liquid energetic substance (12); and - retrieving the mobile platform (100) from inside to outside of the tank (10).