Packaged Liquid Reclamation System for Sewer Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing reclamation components on sewer cleaning vehicles are diversely mounted, making service, maintenance, and cleaning difficult and time-consuming, increasing exposure to contaminants, and complicating plumbing and system costs, especially during retrofitting.
Innovation Solution
A packaged liquid reclamation system with a hinged cover and integrated components, including a transfer pump and separator, mounted on a common structure for easy access and modular operation, allowing for centralized water recycling and reduced exposure to contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reclamation components are mounted at several diverse locations on a sewer cleaning vehicle, then the system can perform reclamation functions, but service, maintenance and cleaning become difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The reclamation system is segmented into a modular packaged unit that can be independently removed and serviced. This modular design allows the entire reclamation system to be treated as a single serviceable component rather than multiple dispersed components, resolving the contradiction between having reclamation functionality and maintaining ease of service access.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaged reclamation system is designed to be extractable from the sewer cleaning vehicle as a complete unit. This extraction capability allows the reclamation system to be removed for servicing without requiring disassembly of the entire vehicle system, thereby maintaining both reclamation functionality and ease of maintenance.
2Device complexity
If reclamation equipment is mounted on fixed bases incapable of retracting or swinging out, then the structure is simplified, but service and cleaning become difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure incorporates dynamic elements including retractable and swing-out capabilities that allow the packaged reclamation system to transition between a compact mounted state and an accessible service state. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing structural simplicity when mounted while enabling easy service access when needed.
3Ease of operation
If personnel are required to enter the debris tank to service internally mounted equipment, then access to equipment is direct, but exposure to sewer materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaged reclamation system is extracted from the interior of the debris tank and mounted on the exterior. This external mounting allows all servicing operations to be performed from outside the tank, eliminating operator exposure to sewer materials while maintaining direct access to the reclamation equipment through the swing-out and retractable mounting mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If reclamation components are mounted at several diverse locations, then reclamation coverage is improved, but plumbing complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reclamation components (pump, separator, filters, control systems) are merged into a single packaged unit with integrated plumbing connections. This consolidation reduces the overall plumbing complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate mounting locations and their associated interconnecting pipes, while maintaining comprehensive reclamation coverage through the integrated component design.
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
Simplifies maintenance and cleaning by reducing operator exposure to contaminants, consolidating access points, and reducing plumbing complexity, while enhancing modularity and productivity through centralized water recycling and efficient component placement.
Implementation Method 1
A transfer pump may also be provided that is supported by the hinged cover on the first side. In one aspect, the transfer pump has an outlet and an inlet in fluid communication with the storage tank
Implementation Method 2
A separator may also be provided for cleaning the fluid leaving the refuse tank. In one aspect, the separator is supported by the hinged cover on the first side wherein the separator has an inlet in fluid communication with the transfer pump outlet
Implementation Method 3
a hinged cover having a first side and a second side is pivotally mounted to the storage tank. The hinged cover can be movable between a first position in which the hinged cover covers the storage tank opening and a second position in which the storage tank opening is uncovered
Data Source
AI summary
A sewer cleaning vehicle is disclosed. In one aspect, the sewer cleaning vehicle has a refuse storage tank having a first end with an opening. The sewer cleaning vehicle may also have a recycled water storage tank and a packaged liquid reclamation system for cleaning and transferring water from the refuse tank to the recycled water storage tank. In one embodiment, a hinged cover having a first side and a second side is pivotally mounted to the storage tank. The hinged cover can be movable between a first position in which the hinged cover covers the storage tank opening and a second position in which the storage tank opening is uncovered by the hinged cover. A transfer pump and a separator are supported by the hinged cover and are in fluid communication with the refuse tank through a port in the hinged cover.