Portable Insect Eradication System with Sinuous Heat Exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for eradicating fire ants are inadequate for treating residential areas due to size and operational constraints, and the use of pesticides can contaminate soil and groundwater, necessitating a more portable and environmentally friendly solution.

Innovation Solution

A portable system that includes a housing with a fluid-heating assembly, a heat exchanger, and an application stem, which uses heated water to exterminate insects without pesticides, allowing for direct connection to a residential hose bib and mobility without external mechanisms or vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large water tanks are used to store sufficient water for fire ant eradication, then the water supply is adequate for treating large areas, but the system size increases and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater supply capacityVSAvoidsystem portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the water supply function into two parts: a small onboard tank for initial operation and a connection interface for external water sources. This segmentation allows the system to maintain portability while providing access to large water volumes when needed by connecting to municipal water or other external sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed with multi-functionality to operate in two modes: portable mode using the onboard tank for locations without water access, and connected mode using the hose bibb interface for locations with water availability. This universal design resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If pesticide-based extermination systems are used, then insect eradication is effective, but environmental contamination of soil and groundwater occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect eradication effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the physical parameter of water from ambient temperature to high temperature (near or above boiling point). This parameter change transforms water into an effective insect eradication agent that kills pests through thermal damage without introducing chemical contaminants, thereby maintaining effectiveness while eliminating environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful high-temperature water into a beneficial extermination agent. By heating water to high temperatures, the system creates a substance that is harmless to the environment yet highly effective at killing insects, thus converting a potential hazard (hot water) into a benefit (eco-friendly pest control).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If portable systems without external mechanisms are used, then ease of operation on residential properties is improved, but the system must be self-contained increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and maneuverabilityVSAvoidself-contained system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the water tank, heating element, pump, and application mechanism are all combined in one portable package. This consolidation achieves ease of operation by eliminating the need for external support equipment while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 eradicates insects by delivering heated water to extermination temperatures, reducing the need for large water tanks and minimizing environmental contamination, making it suitable for residential use and easy to maneuver.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger defining a sinuous flow path positioned to receive heat from the one or more burners

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

Fluid within the heat exchanger is heated to an extermination temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230090699A1System for eradicating fire ants and other insects

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 WRIGHT MARK T

AI summary

A system for exterminating insects includes a housing, a fluid-heating assembly housed within the housing that includes one or more fuel reserves, one or more burners that receive fuel from the one or more fuel reserves, and a heat exchanger defining a sinuous flow path positioned to receive heat from the one or more burners, a fluid inlet line coupled to the housing and fluidly connectable to a residential hose bib, the fluid inlet line fluidly coupled to the sinuous flow path of the heat exchanger, such that fluid is directed from the fluid inlet line directly to the sinuous flow path of the heat exchanger, and a fluid outlet line coupled to the housing and fluidly coupled to the sinuous flow path of the heat exchanger such that fluid is directed from the sinuous flow path of the heat exchanger directly through the fluid outlet line.