Automated Hose Clearing Apparatus Using Pneumatic Blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduits such as hoses and pipes are prone to freezing due to residual liquids, which can solidify and compromise the infrastructure, especially in cold temperatures, and existing methods like disassembly and winding are cumbersome and not applicable to all types of conduits.
Innovation Solution
A conduit clearing apparatus comprising an electric blower, check valve, and faucet coupler, powered by batteries, activated by a user switch, with optional timer, temperature sensor, and microcontroller to automatically clear liquids from conduits before freezing occurs, using a thermal control circuit to activate the blower when temperatures drop below a certain threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hose is disconnected and wound to ensure it is empty, then the liquid can be removed from the conduit, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of disconnecting, winding, and manually emptying the hose with an automated pneumatic system. An electric blower delivers compressed air through the hose to force liquid out automatically, eliminating the need for manual disconnection and winding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the hose to clear itself of liquid automatically. By connecting the blower to the hose via a faucet coupler, the compressed air flows through the hose and expels liquid residue without requiring human intervention to disconnect or manually empty the conduit.
2Reliability
If manual disconnection and winding is used to clear the hose, then liquid can be removed, but additional time is required for the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The manual process of disconnecting, winding, and manually emptying the hose is replaced by an automated pneumatic clearing system. The electric blower rapidly forces air through the hose to expel liquid, reducing the clearing operation from a multi-step manual process to a single automated action that completes in minutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary clearing action by automatically removing liquid from the hose before freezing conditions become problematic. The thermal control circuit detects temperature drops and activates the blower proactively to clear the hose, preventing freezing rather than addressing it after occurrence.
3Ease of operation
If the hose is left connected to the faucet, then convenience is maintained, but the residual liquid can freeze and damage the hose or spigot
Solution Approach 1:
The hose performs self-protection by automatically clearing its own liquid residue through the pneumatic system. The check valve prevents backflow into the faucet, and the thermal control circuit activates the blower when temperatures approach freezing, enabling the hose to protect itself without requiring user disconnection or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary protective action by detecting temperature drops and activating the blower to clear liquid from the hose before freezing can occur. The check valve is positioned to prevent any potential backflow that could cause damage, and the automated clearing occurs proactively when temperatures approach the freezing point.
4Reliability
If winding the hose is used to clear it, then liquid can be removed, but the method is not applicable to rigid or semi-rigid conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical winding method with a pneumatic clearing system that works by forcing air through the conduit. This approach is universally applicable to flexible hoses, rigid pipes, and semi-rigid conduits, as it does not require the conduit to be flexible or movable for the clearing mechanism to function.
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
Effectively prevents conduit freezing by automatically removing residual liquids without disassembly, ensuring continuous functionality of hoses and pipes in freezing conditions, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining water supply availability.
Implementation Method 1
an electric blower, a check valve, and a faucet coupler... The electric blower is preferably powered by one or more batteries
Implementation Method 2
an electric blower, a check valve, and a faucet coupler; the faucet coupler having a first end for threading to a faucet, a second end for threading to a conduit, and a blower connecting port wherein the blower is coupled to the blower connecting port via the check valve
Implementation Method 3
The thermal control circuit may comprise a temperature sensor chip (e.g., LM35) and a relay. When the temperature falls below a predetermined level (e.g., 34 degrees Fahrenheit), the temperature sensor chip actuates the relay, the relay activating the blower
Implementation Method 4
the expansion of the ice may compromise the hose and/or the spigot
Data Source
AI summary
A hose/conduit clearing apparatus has an electric blower, a check valve, and a faucet coupler; the faucet coupler having a first end for threading to a faucet, a second end for threading to a conduit, and a blower connecting port wherein the blower is coupled to the blower connecting port via the check valve. The electric blower is preferably powered by one or more batteries and is activated automatically when reaching a predetermined temperature (e.g., 34 degrees Fahrenheit) or by a user toggling a switch.