Removable Coating for Tank Interior Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning methods for large tanks, such as those in aircraft sanitation systems, often fail to reach and effectively clean areas obstructed by components or the bottom of the tank due to the design of rinse nozzles, leading to incomplete waste removal and potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

A removable coating is applied to the tank's interior, which accumulates contaminants and can be easily removed with heat or a dissolving substance, allowing for thorough cleaning without the need for manual access or powerful water jets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressurized water or cleaning solution is sprayed from a spinning rinse head, then the tank interior is cleaned, but areas obstructed by components or the bottom of the tank are not reached, leading to incomplete waste removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidaccess to tank interior

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spray cleaning system with a chemical cleaning approach. A cleaning agent is applied to the tank interior surface, allowing chemical action to clean obscured areas without requiring mechanical access or spray coverage. This substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable cleaning in areas that are mechanically inaccessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning agent acts as an intermediary substance between the cleaning objective and the tank interior surface. It is applied via a applicator device that can reach obscured areas, and the cleaning agent itself performs the cleaning function by chemically interacting with contaminants, bypassing the need for direct mechanical spray contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple nozzles and spinning head are used to maximize fluid coverage, then more area is contacted, but components and fittings on tank walls obstruct the spray and create hidden areas that are not reached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaned surface areaVSAvoidobstruction by components

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spray system with a chemical cleaning system. The cleaning agent is applied in a manner that allows it to flow over and contact obscured surfaces that spray from nozzles cannot reach. This chemical approach eliminates the harmful effect of component obstructions by not relying on spray trajectories that are blocked by tank interior components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning approach transitions from a directional spray (line/point source) to a surface-applied coating (area coverage). By applying the cleaning agent as a coating that flows and adheres to surfaces, the system achieves coverage in a different dimensional manner that is not constrained by line-of-sight or spray angle limitations imposed by components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If pressurized fluid is used to clean the tank, then waste is removed, but waste material may remain in areas where the fluid does not reach, causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste removal efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fluid spray removal with chemical cleaning agent action. The cleaning agent is applied to surfaces and allowed to chemically interact with and break down waste material, ensuring removal from all surfaces including obscured areas. This eliminates contamination risk by ensuring complete coverage without relying on pressurized fluid reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning agent is applied in advance and allowed to dwell on the tank interior surfaces, performing preliminary chemical action on waste material before removal. This preliminary chemical treatment ensures that waste is broken down and loosened from all surfaces, including obscured areas, preventing subsequent contamination and ensuring complete removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method ensures comprehensive cleaning of the tank interior, prevents contamination, and simplifies the cleaning process, allowing for efficient waste removal without chemical reactions with the tank material.

Implementation Method 1

A cleaning arrangement for cleaning an interior volume of a tank... the inner wall is provided with a removable coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

A cleaning method is also provided... can be easily removed with heat or a dissolving substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS20250001470A1Tank cleaning arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A cleaning arrangement for cleaning an interior volume of a tank. The arrangement includes: a tank, the interior of which is to be cleaned, the tank having a top, a bottom, and, extending from the top to the bottom, an outer wall and an inner wall defining the interior volume. The inner wall is provided with a removable coating.