Floating Suction System for Hydraulic Sludge Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cleaning heterogeneous sludge in hydraulic facilities are inefficient, causing clogging and damage to infrastructure, and existing equipment fails to effectively handle cohesive and heterogeneous fluids, leading to reduced hydraulic capacity and environmental issues.

Innovation Solution

A modular, configurable system with mechanical assemblies that include a floating platform, suction mobile support, and cutting/shredding elements, allowing for guided suction and transport of sludge without generating particles in suspension, and adaptable for various hydraulic facilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional backhoe methods are used to extract sludge, then sludge removal is achieved, but the hydraulic facility must be stopped and heavy machinery causes defects in the facility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesludge removal efficiencyVSAvoidfacility integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical backhoe extraction with a vacuum suction system. The vacuum device creates a pressure difference to extract sludge through a suction hose, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical挖掘 equipment that damages the facility structure. This substitution of mechanical extraction with vacuum suction resolves the contradiction by maintaining facility integrity while achieving sludge removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium to facilitate sludge extraction. By injecting water through injection hoses to liquefy and suspend the sludge, the system enables easier removal without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach allows sludge extraction while preserving facility structure, resolving the contradiction between removal efficiency and facility integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If flooded channel cleaning methods are used, then sludge extraction is possible, but large amounts of particles in suspension are created causing clogging downstream

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesludge extraction capabilityVSAvoidparticle suspension and clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water as an intermediary to control particle suspension. By carefully managing water injection and suction, the system prevents excessive particle mobilization while maintaining extraction capability. The controlled water application ensures sludge removal without creating harmful particle suspensions that would clog downstream facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs real-time monitoring of extracted material characteristics to adjust water injection and suction parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that particle suspension levels are controlled within acceptable limits, preventing downstream clogging while maintaining effective sludge extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If robotic methods with high flow capacity are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the system loses effectiveness when sludge has little homogeneity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning flow capacityVSAvoideffectiveness with heterogeneous sludge
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of suction parameters including flow rate, pressure differential, and hose positioning. The system can adapt its suction characteristics in real-time to match the heterogeneity of the sludge, maintaining effectiveness whether the sludge is homogeneous or highly variable in composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple independently controllable suction hoses that can be positioned and operated separately. This segmentation allows the system to address different sludge zones with appropriate local parameters, ensuring effective cleaning of heterogeneous sludge while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 removes large sludge elements and heterogeneous sediments, maintaining facility functionality while reducing clogging and environmental impact, and allows for precise management and treatment of extracted materials.

Implementation Method 1

a suction element (13) for extracting the sludge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a cutting element (12) coupled to the suction element (13) for cutting the large sludge elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3647496B1System for cleaning heterogeneous sludge deposited in hydraulic facilities
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 CABEZAS CARBONERO JUAN FRANCISCO
  • EP3647496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3647496B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3647496B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The system for cleaning heterogeneous sludge deposited in hydraulic facilities comprises a machine assembly (2) mounted on a floating platform (8) that floats on the water of the hydraulic facility. Said machine assembly (2) can also comprise at least a first suction pipe (20) connected to a suction and transfer device (19). It allows a system to be provided which adapts to the different types of hydraulic facilities (reservoirs, canals, basins, etc.), without altering the normal functioning of the same and generating few or no particles in suspension.