Nuclear Pool Floor Cleaner with Elastic Hinge Rollers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current floor cleaners for nuclear reactor pools are inadequate in navigating narrow spaces and overcoming small obstacles, leading to incomplete cleaning and operational issues due to their size, weight, and lack of maneuvering capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A floor cleaner with a casing and suction bell, driven by independent motors and belts, featuring interior and exterior rollers with elastic hinges and adjustable speed, allowing for flexible movement and cleaning of irregular surfaces without getting jammed on obstacles, equipped with lighting and a camera for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional floor cleaners with drive chains are used, then they can clean pool floors, but they get stuck on small obstacles like bolt heads and cannot navigate narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner employs dynamic rollers that can rotate in multiple directions and adapt their orientation based on terrain variations. The rollers are mounted on elastic hinges allowing them to tilt and adjust automatically when encountering obstacles or narrow spaces, enabling the device to navigate irregular surfaces without getting stuck
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by varying the rotation speed and direction of different rollers independently. The drive system can adjust rotational parameters to match specific cleaning scenarios, such as rotating rollers in opposite directions to navigate corners or adjust speed to overcome obstacles
2Productivity
If larger cleaning devices are used to cover more area, then cleaning productivity increases, but the device cannot access narrow spaces and recesses
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is segmented into multiple independent roller units distributed across the housing. Each roller can operate independently and is positioned to cover specific zones, allowing the compact device to effectively clean both narrow recesses and larger areas through coordinated operation of multiple cleaning elements
Solution Approach 2:
The device extends its cleaning capability in multiple dimensions by positioning rollers at different locations on the housing - front, rear, and side rollers create a three-dimensional cleaning zone that covers narrow spaces, corners, and larger floor areas without requiring a larger device footprint
3Extent of automation
If manual cleaners with suction hoses are used, then they can clean pool floors, but they require human presence which must be minimized in nuclear reactor pools
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities through sensors, cameras, and control systems that enable it to operate independently in nuclear reactor pools. The device can locate itself, navigate to cleaning zones, and return to charging stations without human intervention, minimizing radiation exposure to personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through cameras, sensors, and communication systems that provide real-time information about the cleaning status, device position, and operational parameters. This allows remote monitoring and control, maintaining ease of operation while achieving autonomous functionality in hazardous environments
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
Enables thorough cleaning of reactor pool floors with enhanced maneuverability, ensuring complete coverage and operation in restricted spaces without getting stuck on small obstacles, even in dark environments, with improved traction and control systems.
Implementation Method 1
At least one elastic hinge of at least one axle carrying the rollers
Implementation Method 2
A set of outer rollers with permanent opposite rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device comprising: an external shell or casing (1) forming a suction hood and an upper suction mouth (2) and being provided with drive means arranged on each side and equipped with independent motors and corresponding transmission mechanisms on each side; and cleaning rollers (51, 52, 53, 54). The cleaning device also comprises: sets of internal cleaning rollers (53, 54) disposed close to the centre of the hollow interior of the casing (1) and having a width that is approximately equal to the distance between the side elements (11) of said casing (1); sets of external cleaning rollers (51, 52) located close to the front and rear edges of the casing (1) of the cleaning device and having a total width that is slightly greater than the width of the casing; a resilient joint at the support for the external rollers; an adhesion turbine, a suction turbine, and auxiliary drive wheels on the internal cleaning rollers.