Sensor-Based Micro-Cleaning of Buried Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for cleaning pipes and other voids are inefficient and often damage the infrastructure due to a lack of sensing and adaptive cleaning strategies, leading to frequent failures and maintenance challenges in sewer systems and other pipe networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of mobile platforms equipped with sensors that determine debris characteristics and adjust cleaning plans in real-time, using various power forms (mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical) to incrementally move and remove debris while minimizing damage, and utilizing multiple platforms to optimize material transfer and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical cleaning methods (bucket machines, steel cables) are used to remove sediment and debris, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but pipe damage increases due to cable sawing and repeated dragging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning systems (steel cables, bucket machines) with a robotic system that uses hydraulic or pneumatic jets for debris removal. The robotic cleaner uses high-pressure fluid streams to erode and transport sediment without physical contact that causes damage, eliminating the 'sawing' effect of cables and repeated dragging of mechanical buckets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic or pneumatic power sources to drive jet nozzles that射出 high-pressure water or air streams. These fluid jets mechanically erode sediment and debris through hydraulic impact and shear forces, allowing effective cleaning without the mechanical contact that damages pipes. The system uses fluid dynamics rather than solid mechanical contact for material removal.
2Device complexity
If blind cleaning methods are used without sensing activities, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning efficiency decreases and unnecessary pipe damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic cleaning system performs preliminary sensing and mapping of the pipe environment using sonar, cameras, or other detectors before initiating cleaning operations. This advance detection allows the system to identify sediment locations, pipe geometry, and potential obstacles, enabling optimized cleaning path planning and method selection before the actual cleaning begins, thus improving efficiency without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time sensing during cleaning operations, using detectors to monitor sediment removal progress, pipe condition, and operational parameters. This feedback allows the control system to dynamically adjust cleaning intensity, nozzle positioning, and traversal speed to optimize cleaning effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary pipe contact and damage, creating an adaptive cleaning process.
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning operations are performed to maintain sewer system performance, then system reliability is improved, but cumulative pipe damage from traditional methods increases leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing traditional mechanical cleaning equipment with a robotic system using hydraulic/pneumatic jets, the patent enables frequent cleaning operations without the cumulative damage caused by steel cables and mechanical buckets. The non-contact or minimal-contact fluid jet method maintains sewer performance while preserving pipe integrity over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic cleaning system is designed to be inserted into and withdrawn from pipes without requiring external cable systems or complex external machinery. The self-contained robot with integrated power source, propulsion, and cleaning mechanisms can perform repeated cleaning cycles independently, enabling frequent maintenance without the infrastructure damage associated with traditional externally-supported cleaning systems.
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 approach enhances cleaning efficiency, reduces pipe damage, and allows for adaptive maintenance by optimizing cleaning operations based on real-time data, enabling more effective and sustainable management of sewer systems and other voids.
Implementation Method 1
Sensors can be used to improve the efficiency of micro-cleaning operations and to minimize pipe damage. Sensors mounted on a mobile platform with a cleaning head can be used to provide feedback regarding pipe and debris characteristics.
Implementation Method 2
Debris agitation by the cleaning head can occur through mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or vibratory action.
Implementation Method 3
Debris agitation by the cleaning head can occur through mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or vibratory action.
Implementation Method 4
Debris agitation by the cleaning head can occur through mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or vibratory action.
Implementation Method 5
Debris agitation by the cleaning head can occur through mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, or vibratory action.
Implementation Method 6
Agitated debris can be ejected or pushed away from the cleaning head via pumping, jetting, air blasting, or mechanical action.
Implementation Method 7
Agitated debris can be ejected or pushed away from the cleaning head via pumping, jetting, air blasting, or mechanical action.
Implementation Method 8
Agitated debris can be ejected or pushed away from the cleaning head via pumping, jetting, air blasting, or mechanical action.
Implementation Method 9
Transfer of the debris may be aided by natural or artificial flows within the environment. For example, a cleaning head can be used to artificially increase flows within a submerged pipe to aid material transport.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and tools for cleaning pipes or pipe networks based on characteristics of pipes and debris in the pipes. A mobile platform includes a cleaning head and a sensor head. The platform implements a cleaning plan and senses characteristics of the pipe and debris. The cleaning plan is incrementally updated based on the sensed characteristics, and can be automatically updated using software. Many different cleaning tasks can be accomplished using the present platforms including agitation of sediment, pulverization of large debris, and movement of debris to facilitate removal.