Rotating Liquid Jet Nozzle for Tank Wall Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an apparatus that can effectively clean the interior walls of storage tanks used for crude oil or other carbon-containing fluids.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a primary fluid conduit with a motor-driven drive assembly that rotates the conduit to direct a pressurized liquid jet at the tank walls, allowing for remote control operation to aim the nozzle and clean the surface effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motor-driven drive assembly is used to rotate the primary fluid conduit, then the ability to direct the liquid jet at different areas of the tank walls is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple independent functional modules: a motor-driven drive assembly for rotation, a piston sleeve with penetration sleeve for linear movement, and a swivel nozzle assembly for directional control. Each module can be controlled independently to achieve comprehensive coverage of tank interior surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic movement capabilities with the primary fluid conduit capable of both rotation (via motor-driven drive assembly) and linear movement (via piston sleeve and penetration sleeve). This dynamic positioning allows the liquid jet to reach different areas of the tank walls efficiently.
2Area of stationary object
If a piston sleeve and penetration sleeve are used to move the nozzle back and forth, then the cleaning coverage of the tank interior walls is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration sleeve is positioned inside the piston sleeve, creating a nested configuration where the penetration sleeve moves back and forth within the confines of the piston sleeve. This nested arrangement allows for compact packaging of multiple movement mechanisms while maintaining their independent functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetration sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the piston sleeve and the swivel nozzle assembly. It translates the linear movement generated by the piston sleeve into controlled positioning of the swivel nozzle, enabling precise coverage of tank interior surfaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a swivel nozzle is used to pivot between extended and retracted positions, then the accessibility to different tank wall areas is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel nozzle is pre-configured with pivot capability that allows it to be positioned in either an extended or retracted orientation before operation begins. This preliminary positioning capability enables the nozzle to adapt to different cleaning scenarios without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel nozzle assembly provides localized directional control of the liquid jet. By pivoting between extended and retracted positions, the nozzle can concentrate its cleaning action on specific areas of the tank walls that require targeted attention, while other areas are covered by the overall movement of the primary fluid conduit.
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 apparatus efficiently removes debris from the tank walls using a pressurized liquid jet, allowing for precise control and effective cleaning of the interior surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
discharge it as a pressurized liquid jet that can be used to clean a surface by blasting unwanted debris off of the soiled surface
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for cleaning a surface with a liquid jet, the apparatus having: a primary fluid conduit having a longitudinal axis and two ends, a fluid-intake end and a fluid-exit end; a first motor-driven drive assembly configured to engage the primary fluid conduit and turn the primary fluid conduit about the primary-fluid-conduit longitudinal axis; a first motor configured to engage the first motor-driven drive assembly; a section of the primary fluid conduit being inside of an adjacent penetration sleeve; a section of the penetration sleeve being inside of a piston sleeve; the piston sleeve configured to engage the penetration sleeve and move the penetration sleeve back and forth along a penetration-sleeve linear path over a primary-fluid-conduit exterior surface; an actuator configured to engage the piston sleeve and move piston sleeve back and forth along a piston-sleeve linear path; a penetration-sleeve end being attached to an extension sleeve that has a first end and a second end; the extension-sleeve second end being attached to a swivel rod that has a first end and a second end; the primary-fluid-conduit fluid-exit end being attached to a fixed nozzle having a first end and a second end; the fixed-nozzle second end being attached to a swivel nozzle; the swivel-rod second end being attached to the swivel nozzle; the swivel nozzle configured to pivot between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position as the swivel rod respectively extends and retracts as the penetration sleeve moves back and forth; and a continuous fluid-flow channel that extends from the primary-fluid-conduit fluid-intake end through the swivel nozzle.