Extendible Rinse Hose for Cleaning Obstructed Tank Interiors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tank rinsing devices often fail to reach and effectively clean the entire interior of large tanks due to obstructions and inadequate fluid pressure, leading to incomplete waste removal and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A flexible and extendible rinse hose with a resilient elongate tube and optional sleeve, which expands to reach deeper areas of the tank when pressurized fluid is applied, ensuring greater coverage and effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional rigid rinse hose is used, then the device structure is simple, but the hose cannot reach deeper areas of the tank and cleaning coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rinse hose flexible and extendible rather than rigid. The hose can dynamically change its length and configuration based on the pressurized fluid flow, allowing it to reach deeper areas of the tank while maintaining structural simplicity. The hose transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that adapts to the cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing the physical properties of the hose material that allows it to extend and retract based on fluid pressure. When pressurized fluid flows through the hose, the hose extends to reach farther into the tank; when pressure decreases, it retracts. This dynamic parameter change enables greater cleaning coverage without permanently increasing device complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If the hose is made extendible to reach deeper areas, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the hose may not return to original position when fluid pressure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by incorporating a resilient element or spring mechanism within the hose structure that provides a restoring force. When the external fluid pressure decreases, the internal resilient element pushes the hose back to its original retracted position, ensuring reliable position recovery and preventing the hose from remaining extended indefinitely.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose system implements a form of feedback through its resilient structure that automatically responds to changes in fluid pressure. The resilient element continuously monitors the pressure differential and adjusts the hose length accordingly, extending when pressure increases and retracting when pressure decreases, ensuring the hose maintains the appropriate position for effective cleaning.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are used to spray fluid around the tank, then cleaning coverage is improved, but areas obstructed by tank components remain unreachable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by transitioning from a fixed-position multi-nozzle system to a flexible hose that can physically move into three-dimensional space within the tank. The hose can navigate around obstructions and reach into areas that would be inaccessible to a rigid multi-nozzle assembly, effectively adding positional flexibility as a new dimension to the cleaning capability.
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 device provides improved coverage and cleaning efficiency by extending further into the tank, ensuring all areas are reached with sufficient cleaning fluid, reducing residual waste and contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
the tube is configured to extend from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to a predetermined pressure of fluid being present in the housing cavity
Implementation Method 2
the tube is elastic or resilient such that it returns to the first configuration in the absence of the predetermined pressure of fluid in the housing cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A rinse device comprising a housing part and a rinse hose, the housing part having a first end configured to be attached to a supply of pressurized fluid and a second end to which a first end of the rinse hose is attached, a second end of the hose is open to allow fluid to flow out of the hose, in use; the housing part defining a cavity through which pressurized fluid from the supply flows, in use, from the first end to the rinse hose, the rinse hose being a flexible and extendible hose provided with a plurality of openings through which the pressurized fluid is ejected; and wherein the rinse hose comprises an elongate tube through which the fluid flows, in use, the openings provided through the elongate tube.