Portable Water Tank Assembly with Low-Pressure Submersible Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing dust during construction operations, such as cutting concrete, stone, and ceramics, face issues with energy consumption, clogging, and safety concerns due to high voltage components, as well as inconvenience in manual pressurization and frequent battery replacements.
Innovation Solution
A portable water tank assembly with a low-pressure submersible pump powered by a Li-ion battery, housed in a hood member with a battery charger and spare battery, featuring an electronic circuit board for voltage control and a centrifugal pump design resistant to particles, allowing for extended operation without frequent battery exchange and minimizing the risk of clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a self-priming pump of membrane type is used to pump water from a 5 gallon bucket, then water can be pumped under pressure of 1.8-2.8 bar, but the pump requires a lot of energy and drains battery quickly, requiring frequent battery exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical self-priming pump with an electric pump system powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This substitution allows for controlled electric motor-driven pumping that consumes less energy than the mechanical membrane pump, while maintaining adequate water pressure for dust suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with higher energy density compared to standard batteries. This parameter change extends the operational time between battery exchanges, addressing the frequent battery replacement issue while maintaining pumping capability.
2Power
If a self-priming pump of membrane type is used, then water can be pumped under pressure, but the pump is sensitive to particles/dirt in the fluid that could easily clog the pump, especially its checkvalves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtration system that captures particles and dirt before they reach the pump. This mediator prevents clogging of the pump and its checkvalves while allowing the pump to maintain its pressure-generating function without being compromised by contaminants in the water.
3Power
If a water tank is manually pressurized, then the tank can provide pressurized water flow, but the pressure reduces quickly as water level goes down, requiring frequent pumping that interrupts work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual pressurization with an electric pump system that automatically maintains water pressure. The electric motor-driven pump compensates for pressure loss as water level decreases, eliminating the need for frequent manual pumping and enabling continuous operation without work interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous pumping action through the electric pump system that maintains constant water pressure throughout the operation. Unlike manual pressurization where pressure drops as water is consumed, the electric pump continuously replenishes pressure, ensuring uninterrupted water flow for dust suppression throughout the entire water supply duration.
4Power
If 220 V is fed to a pressurizing pump through an earth leakage switch, then the pump can achieve desired fog-like spray pressure of 260 kPa, but the combination of high voltage and water pump makes users feel unsafe, and 220 V is not always available at construction sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter from high voltage (220V) to low voltage operation using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This parameter change eliminates the safety hazards associated with high voltage and water exposure while providing sufficient power to drive the pump at adequate pressure for dust suppression operations.
5Ease of operation
If the pump is mounted to the bottom end of the tank, then the pump is easily accessible, but the pump is damaged easily due to its exposed location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the pump inside a protective housing or container structure. The pump is nested within the water tank assembly, protected by the tank walls and housing, while remaining accessible for maintenance and replacement when needed. This nested arrangement protects the pump from external damage while maintaining operational accessibility.
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 solution provides a reliable, energy-efficient, and safe means to maintain a long-lasting water flow, reducing dust emission without frequent battery changes, while being easy to handle and robust, with a compact design that minimizes weight and maximizes operational time.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is of centrifugal type and is insensitive to sand and similar particles
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable water tank assembly for a dust emitting construction machine, such as a machine for cutting concrete, stone, ceramic materials and the like, said assembly comprising a water container (1) and an electric pump (2) powered by a battery for pumping water from the container (1) through an outlet to the construction machine. To provide a portable water tank assembly which provides a long service life without changing battery, is easy to handle and carry and that is robust and reliable, the pump is a low pressure pump (2), of 0,1 - 1,5 bar, preferably of 0,3 - 1,2 bar, that is preferably submersible and placed inside the water container (1); and said assembly has at least 5 liter capacity. Preferably the hood member (3) has a first compartment (5) for a battery for delivering power to the pump (2) and a battery (6) located in the compartment (5), and it may have a second compartment (11) for a battery charger (12) and a third compartment (13) for a spare battery.