Cleaning Head for Air Intake Conduits Using Merged Fluid Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air intake plant decontamination systems are limited by heavy cleaning heads that restrict their range of action, require frequent maintenance, and inefficiently remove particulates due to separate propulsion and cleaning fluid systems, leading to limited reach and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A decontamination system with a cleaning head that uses a single two-phase fluid for both propulsion and cleaning, delivered through a tapered hollow body with annular and through-hole apertures, optimizing movement and dirt removal, and a modular intake apparatus with filtering modules to prevent dispersion of dirt, allowing for extended reach and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate feed and delivery pipes for two fluids are provided in the cleaning head, then propulsion and cleaning functions are achieved, but the weight of the cleaning head increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the delivery of two separate fluids (propulsion fluid and cleaning fluid) into a single integrated system. The cleaning head receives a mixed fluid stream that serves both propulsion and cleaning functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate feed pipes and reducing the overall weight of the cleaning head while maintaining both operational functions.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning head has complex internal conformation for separate fluid delivery, then dual fluid delivery is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the internal conformation of the cleaning head by merging the delivery mechanisms for both fluids into a single integrated structure. Instead of complex separate piping systems, the design uses a unified fluid delivery path that reduces manufacturing steps, lowers production costs, and improves ease of manufacture while still achieving dual fluid delivery functionality.
3Reliability
If the cleaning head is made heavy to support separate fluid systems, then fluid delivery reliability is improved, but the range of action inside the conduit is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves reliable dual fluid delivery without increasing weight by merging the fluid delivery systems. The integrated design maintains sufficient fluid pressure and flow reliability for both propulsion and cleaning functions while keeping the cleaning head lightweight enough to be propelled by compressed air over extended distances of 20-30 meters inside the conduit.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate propulsion and cleaning systems are used, then functional separation is achieved, but the system complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the propulsion and cleaning functions into a single integrated fluid delivery system. The cleaning head receives one mixed fluid stream that simultaneously provides both propulsion force and cleaning action, reducing the number of separate components, simplifying the overall system architecture, and decreasing maintenance requirements while maintaining functional versatility.
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
The system effectively increases the range of action up to 20 meters, reduces maintenance needs, and ensures efficient dirt removal and propulsion using a single fluid, while maintaining adherence to conduit surfaces and preventing environmental dispersion.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning head delivers under pressure a stream of two-phase fluid, that is, a mixture of compressed air and nebulized sanitizing liquid
Implementation Method 2
an aspirator which generates a depression inside the conduit to be decontaminated
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Decontamination system (10) for air intake plants comprising a cleaning apparatus (12) at least partly inserted inside a conduit ( 1 1) of the plant so as to remove any dirt possibly present, in particular on at least part of the internal surfaces of the conduit (1 1), and a suction apparatus (13) that takes in the dirt removed by the cleaning apparatus (12), to prevent it from being dispersed in the environment. The cleaning apparatus (12) comprises at least a cleaning head (20) which is inserted and moved inside the conduit (11), and delivers under pressure at least a stream of fluid. The cleaning head (20) comprises a hollow body (25) conformed so as to define at least a first exit aperture (32) shaped so as to direct at least a first portion of the stream of fluid in a direction such as to guarantee the propulsion forward of the cleaning head (20), and with an angle such as to hit the internal surfaces.