Rinsing Device With Pressure Waves For Tank Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rinse devices for cleaning tank interiors, such as those in aircraft waste tanks, often fail to reach all areas due to obstructions and lack sufficient force to effectively clean the bottom, leading to incomplete waste removal and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A rinse device with a housing that includes a rinse fluid dispensing mechanism and a pressure generating mechanism to create pressure waves, ensuring thorough coverage and effective cleaning by ejecting rinse fluid and generating waves to direct it against the tank's interior surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a spinning rinse head with multiple nozzles is used to spray cleaning fluid around the tank interior, then the coverage area is maximised through rotation and momentum, but areas obstructed by tank components and the bottom of the tank are not reached with sufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cleaning function into two distinct mechanisms: a spinning rinse head for general surface coverage and a separate pressure wave generation system for delivering force to obstructed areas and the tank bottom. This segmentation allows each mechanism to optimise its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional spray pattern (radial coverage from the spinning head) to a three-dimensional cleaning approach by introducing pressure waves that propagate through the fluid volume in all directions, enabling the rinse fluid to reach areas blocked from direct spray exposure.
2Reliability
If pressurised fluid is sprayed from a spinning head to clean the tank, then most interior surfaces are reached, but the bottom and obstructed areas are not contacted with sufficient force for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two cleaning mechanisms (spinning spray head and pressure wave generation) into a single integrated device housed within one housing structure, sharing common components such as the fluid supply connection and control systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving enhanced cleaning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinse device is designed as a multi-functional system that performs both the traditional spinning spray function and the pressure wave generation function within a single device, eliminating the need for separate cleaning equipment and simplifying installation and operation.
3Productivity
If the rinse head is positioned to provide momentum for spinning, then coverage is maximised, but the spray does not reach the bottom of the tank with sufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure wave generation operates in periodic pulses that propagate through the rinse fluid, creating repeated pressure fronts that progressively advance the fluid toward the tank bottom and obstructed areas, extending the effective reach distance beyond what continuous spray can achieve.
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 device ensures that a greater area of the tank interior is contacted by the spray, providing effective cleaning and preventing contamination by ensuring the rinse fluid reaches all surfaces, including the bottom, with increased pressure and momentum.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generating mechanism configured to generate pressure waves in the volume
Data Source
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AI summary
A rinse device comprising rinse device comprising a housing (310, 310'), and where in the housing there is provided: a rinse fluid dispensing mechanism (300, 300') configured to eject a rinse fluid from the housing into a volume (200) surrounding the housing; and a pressure generating mechanism (400, 400') configured to generate pressure waves in the volume