Gas Container Cleaning Apparatus with Endoscope and Blasting Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning the interior of gas containers, particularly for scuba diving air cylinders, lack documentation of cleaning quality and may not effectively address severe oxidation or fouling, potentially compromising diving safety.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a rig with elongate arms, one end equipped with an endoscope for visual inspection and a blasting nozzle for abrasive cleaning, allowing for thorough cleaning and documentation through image capture, along with an air nozzle for removing debris, and optionally hot air for improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If liquid acid solution is used to wash the inside of a gas container, then surface rust is removed, but the steel material surface is etched creating tiny surface fractures that serve as oxidation seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical cleaning (acid washing) with mechanical cleaning methods including abrasive blasting using nozzles that propel abrasive material to remove oxidation and rust from the container interior surface, thereby avoiding chemical etching while achieving effective cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic systems to propel abrasive material through nozzles for mechanical cleaning of the container interior, using compressed gas to deliver the abrasive medium without direct contact of liquid chemicals with the steel surface
2Object-generated harmful factors
If abrasive material and water mixture is used to clean the gas container by rotation, then the inner surface is cleaned, but there is no documentation of cleaning quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates imaging devices (cameras) that capture photographs of the container interior before and after cleaning operations, providing visual feedback and documentation of cleaning quality. The system can detect remaining oxidation and verify cleaning effectiveness through these images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (photographs) of the container interior state at different stages of the cleaning process, allowing documentation and verification of cleaning quality without requiring physical inspection of the actual interior surface
3Object-generated harmful factors
If prior art cleaning systems are used on severely oxidized containers, then basic cleaning is performed, but sufficient cleaning and de-oxidizing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic cleaning approaches including rotating the container on its side during abrasive blasting to ensure all surfaces are adequately treated, and using movable nozzles that can be positioned to target specific areas of severe oxidation for thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary imaging and assessment of the container interior before cleaning to identify areas of severe oxidation, allowing targeted and thorough cleaning of problem areas while ensuring complete coverage of all surfaces
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
Ensures thorough cleaning and documentation of the cleaning process, enhancing diving safety by providing visual evidence of the container's interior condition and improving the purity of the gas, while avoiding chemical interactions that could harm the container material.
Implementation Method 1
a blasting arm (8, 18) comprising in its first end (10) a blasting nozzle (19) for abrasive blasting the interior of the container
Implementation Method 2
an endoscope (14) comprising in its first end (10') image capturing means (16) for visual inspection of the interior of said container
Implementation Method 3
an air nozzle (24) for blowing compressed air into the interior of said container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Apparatus (100) for cleaning the interior of a gas container (2) for pressurized gas; said apparatus comprising: - a rig (4) comprising container receiving means (6) for suspending said container; - an array (7) of elongate arms (8,8',8",8"'), wherein said array (7) of elongate arms comprises: ii) an endoscope (14) comprising in its first end (10) image capturing means (16); and ii) a blasting arm (18) comprising in its first end (10') a blasting nozzle (19); wherein said apparatus comprises means (20,20') for independently moving one or more of said elongate arms (8.8',8",8'"), relative to said container receiving means (6), in such a way that the first end (10,10', 10",10'") of said one or more of said elongate arms can be inserted into the interior of a gas container (2), when said gas container is suspended in said rig.