Reciprocating Net Surface Cleaning System Preventing Deposit Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning methods for surfaces prone to deposits such as frost, ice, marine biofouling, and mineral scaling are inefficient, often requiring frequent shutdowns and are costly, with existing preventive solutions being expensive and environmentally impactful.

Innovation Solution

A surface cleaning system comprising a net with wire elements that can move relative to the surface, guided by the surface itself, allowing for continuous cleaning during operation without the need for shutdowns, using a mesh configuration that reduces contact area and minimizes deposit buildup, and is modular for easy installation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cleaning methods are used to remove deposits from surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but operational shutdowns are required and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidcleaning frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The net is positioned and guided along the surface before significant deposit buildup occurs, enabling preventive cleaning that maintains surface integrity and prevents the need for shutdowns. The system continuously removes deposits at early stages rather than waiting for thick accumulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system operates continuously during normal operations, with the net moving along the surface in a sustained manner to prevent deposit accumulation. This continuous action eliminates the need for periodic shutdowns and maintains consistent cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If heavy cleaning equipment is used to remove thick deposits, then cleaning capability is improved, but system complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposit removal capabilityVSAvoidequipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The net extracts and removes deposits from the surface through its mesh structure, which physically captures and eliminates fouling materials. This extraction mechanism provides effective cleaning without requiring complex heavy equipment, as the net itself performs the removal function through its design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The net is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced. Rather than investing in complex, expensive cleaning equipment, the system uses an affordable net that serves its cleaning function and can be replaced when needed, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If preventive coatings are applied to stop deposit formation, then cleaning frequency is reduced, but costs and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning frequencyVSAvoidcoating application cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The net performs self-service cleaning by physically removing deposits from the surface through its mesh structure. Rather than relying on chemical coatings to prevent deposition, the system actively cleans itself by continuously removing fouling materials, eliminating the need for expensive and environmentally impactful preventive coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces chemical preventive measures (coatings) with a mechanical cleaning approach using the net. This substitution eliminates the need for costly and environmentally harmful chemical applications while providing effective deposit removal through mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3041616B1System for cleaning a surface
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 VAHIDA BEHZAD
  • EP3041616B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3041616B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3041616B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (4) for cleaning a surface, comprising: - a surface to be cleaned (10) that extends in perpendicular axial (X) and transverse (Y) directions; - a scraping net (12) that is guided with respect to the surface and comprises: · first filamentary elements (20) which extend in a first direction that is collinear with the axial direction and which are spaced apart from one another in a second direction different from the first direction, · second filamentary elements (22) which extend in the second direction and are spaced apart from one another in the first direction, these second elements being fixed to the first elements so as to form a mesh; - a moving device (14) configured to move the net in a reciprocating movement in the axial direction and with an amplitude at least equal to the average distance between the second elements.