Flexible Casing Bleeder Valve Cleaner for Confined Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bleeder valve cleaners are not designed to operate in confined spaces, making it difficult to access and clean bleeder valves that are frequently clogged with sediments and other materials, leading to fluid leakage issues.

Innovation Solution

A flexible casing with a rotatable drill bit and a selective venting valve, allowing for fluid-tight coupling and effective cleaning of bleeder valves without leakage, even in hard-to-reach locations, by using a flexible shaft connected to a drill bit with cutting edges to dislodge obstructions and a safety handle for easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional bleeder valve cleaners are used, then cleaning function is provided, but they cannot operate in confined spaces and cause fluid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tight operationVSAvoidaccess to confined spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible casing made of corrugated flexible material that can bend and flex to reach confined spaces where bleeder valves are located. This flexible casing maintains fluid-tight sealing while accommodating the limited access areas, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and enabling ease of operation in confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a flexible shaft with drill bits that can rotate and adapt to different valve positions and orientations. The dynamic flexibility of the shaft and drill assembly allows the cleaning apparatus to reach various confined locations while maintaining fluid-tight coupling through the flexible casing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If rigid cleaning apparatus are used, then structural stability is maintained, but they cannot access confined spaces and require operator maneuvering into awkward positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safety and comfortVSAvoidaccess to various valve locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible casing allows the operator to access confined spaces without maneuvering into awkward positions. The corrugated flexible material provides both adaptability to reach various valve locations and structural integrity to maintain fluid-tight operation, improving operator safety and comfort while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If conventional cleaners are used, then cleaning capability is provided, but they cause sediment buildup and clogging issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective sediment removalVSAvoidprevention of future clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical cleaning methods with a drill bit mechanism that actively breaks down and removes sediment buildup. The rotating drill bits with cutting edges effectively disintegrate clogging materials, improving productivity by enabling thorough sediment removal and enhancing reliability by preventing future clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively cleans bleeder valves by allowing for fluid-tight operation in confined spaces, preventing leakage and allowing for easy access, thus maintaining the integrity of the cleaning process and ensuring efficient removal of sediments and obstructions without requiring operators to maneuver into awkward positions.

Implementation Method 1

a drill bit adapted for engagement to breakdown sediments. The drill bit includes a tip, a first and second flutes. The first and second flutes are extended longitudinally along the length of the drill bit, and are relatively straight. The first flute includes a first cutting edge, and the second flute includes a second cutting edge.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9321088B2Apparatus for cleaning bleeder valves

Publication Date: 2016.04.26 AMERIMAINTENANCE SYST LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for cleaning bleeder valves is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rigid casing and a flexible casing rotatably connected to the rigid casing. The flexible casing is adapted to provide fluid-tight coupling of the flexible casing to a bleeder valve. Within the flexible casing, a flexible shaft is rotatably mounted and extended from one end of the flexible casing to a position outwardly of an opposite end of the flexible casing. Connected to the flexible shaft is a drill bit adapted for engagement to breakdown sediments. The drill bit includes a tip, a first and second flutes. The first and second flutes are extended longitudinally along the length of the drill bit, and are relatively straight. The first flute includes a first cutting edge, and the second flute includes a second cutting edge. Also connected to the rigid casing is a valve adapted for selective venting of an interior of the rigid casing.