Pneumatic Shock Wave Excavation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for excavating soil using compressed air are inefficient in breaking down cohesive soils and generating excessive dust and debris, and lack sufficient force to fracture rocks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a pneumatic shock wave generated by rapidly discharging a pulse of pressurized fluid through a dump valve integrated within a suction wand, which includes a compressor and accumulator to supply high-pressure fluid, effectively fracturing and dislodging soil for efficient excavation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a steady stream of compressed air at high velocities is used to loosen soil, then the excavation process can be continued without interruption, but a large amount of dust and debris blowback is generated at the user during excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces continuous compressed air flow with periodic shock waves generated by rapidly opening and closing a dump valve. The valve opens to release a high-pressure pulse that creates a shock wave, then closes to allow pressure buildup, creating a cyclic pattern of shock wave generation. This periodic action maintains excavation effectiveness while reducing continuous dust and debris generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure delivery parameters from continuous high-velocity flow to intermittent high-pressure pulses. By controlling the dump valve timing and opening duration, the system delivers energy in concentrated shock wave bursts rather than sustained flow, altering the physical parameters of air delivery to achieve better soil loosening with less dust blowback.
2Ease of operation
If compressed air is used to loosen soil from around buried utilities, then the excavation process can be performed, but the compressed air may not provide enough force to quickly fracture and dislodge rocks and cohesive soils
Solution Approach 1:
The dump valve operates in a cyclic manner, opening briefly to release high-pressure air pulses that generate shock waves, then closing to allow pressure accumulation. This periodic high-pressure delivery creates stronger instantaneous forces compared to continuous flow, enabling the system to fracture rocks and dislodge cohesive soils more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapidly opening and closing dump valve creates pressure fluctuations that generate shock waves and vibrations in the air and soil. These mechanical vibrations and shock waves propagate through the ground, providing the necessary force to fracture rocks and loosen cohesive soils without requiring continuously high-velocity air flow.
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 pneumatic shock wave system efficiently fractures and dislodges soil and rocks, reducing dust and debris, and allows for effective excavation in various subsurface conditions, enhancing the efficiency of soil removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
The dump valve is configured to rapidly discharge a pulse of the pressurized fluid out an open end of the air line to generate a shock wave at a distal end of the suction wand to fracture and dislodge soil
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to excavate using a pneumatic shock wave includes a supply of pressurized fluid, a suction wand, and an air line in communication with the supply of pressurized fluid. A portion of the air line is integrated within the suction wand. The system also includes a dump valve interposed between the supply of pressurized fluid and the portion of the air line integrated within the suction wand. The dump valve is configured to rapidly discharge a pulse of the pressurized fluid out an open end of the air line to generate a shock wave at a distal end of the suction wand to fracture and dislodge soil so that the suction wand can excavate the soil.