Extendable High-Pressure Cleaning Conduit for Tank Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning methods for tank trailers and rail car tanks are inefficient, requiring large volumes of water and chemicals, leading to unpredictable chemical reactions and safety issues, with high-pressure fluid jets often atomizing before reaching the interior surfaces, reducing cleaning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with extendable high-pressure fluid conduits and nozzles that can be inserted through a manhole to extend radially, directing high-pressure fluid streams up to 3.05 meters without atomization, using internal pressures from 500.0 PSI to 5000.0 PSI, and a locking mechanism for simultaneous extension and retraction of the conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high pressure fluid nozzles are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the fluid atomizes before reaching the interior surface, reducing the impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an extendable conduit system that adds a spatial dimension to the cleaning apparatus. The conduits can be extended to position nozzles at optimal distances from the interior surface, allowing the fluid to maintain pressure and direction over longer distances without atomizing. This dimensional extension solves the problem of fluid atomization by separating the nozzle position from the manhole entry point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically extendable and retractable conduits that can adjust their length during operation. This dynamic configuration allows the system to optimize the distance between nozzles and interior surfaces in real-time, maintaining effective fluid pressure while reaching difficult-to-access areas. The conduits can be extended to prevent atomization and retracted for easy removal and storage.
2Manufacturing precision
If recirculation systems with high chemical content are used, then cleaning capability is improved, but unpredictable chemical reactions occur causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameter of the cleaning system by replacing high-chemical-content recirculation systems with a high-pressure water system. This parameter change eliminates unpredictable chemical reactions while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through mechanical energy (high-pressure fluid impact). The system achieves cleaning capability through physical rather than chemical means, improving safety and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical-based recirculation cleaning system with a mechanically-driven high-pressure fluid system. Instead of relying on chemical reactions to break down contaminants, the system uses high-pressure water jets to mechanically impact and remove buildup from interior surfaces. This substitution eliminates chemical safety hazards while maintaining or improving cleaning effectiveness.
3Quantity of substance
If low pressure high volume water systems are used, then large volumes of water are available for cleaning, but the system produces undesirable amounts of waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating water delivery precisely where needed through extendable conduits with strategically positioned nozzles. Instead of distributing large volumes of water throughout the tank trailer, the system delivers high-pressure water directly to contaminated interior surfaces. This localized application maintains adequate water availability for effective cleaning while minimizing overall water consumption and waste production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the water system, transitioning from low-pressure high-volume to high-pressure controlled-volume delivery. This parameter change allows the system to achieve effective cleaning with significantly reduced water quantities. The high-pressure delivery mechanism ensures that sufficient water reaches the interior surfaces to remove contaminants without generating excessive waste water.
4Area of stationary object
If spreader type systems are used to reach distal interior surfaces, then coverage area is improved, but the fluid pressure is too low for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cleaning system into multiple extendable conduit sections that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the system to reach distal interior surfaces through strategically placed nozzles on different conduit segments. Each nozzle maintains high fluid pressure while covering different areas, achieving both extensive coverage and effective cleaning pressure that spreader systems cannot provide.
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 apparatus significantly reduces cleaning time, water consumption, and waste production, ensuring thorough interior cleaning while maintaining safety and improving the utilization of tank trailers.
Implementation Method 1
fluid in the one or more pressurized fluid sources is conveyed to the apparatus via the one or more upstream fluid conduits at an internal fluid pressures from 500.0 PSI to 5000.0 PSI to produce a fluid jet stream out through each of the first high pressure spray nozzle and the second high pressure spray nozzle
Implementation Method 2
produce a fluid jet stream out through each of the first high pressure spray nozzle and the second high pressure spray nozzle having a flow rate of 52.0 gallons per minute at 500.0 PSI to 5000.0 PSI up to a distance of 3.05 meters (10.0 feet) without atomization of the fluid jet streams
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for cleaning interior surfaces of storage containers such as tank trailers and other surfaces using a low volume of high pressure fluid. The apparatus of this disclosure includes one or more high pressure fluid conduits that can be extended and retracted within a storage container.