Subsea Cleaning Tool with Venturi Suction and Distance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea surface cleaning tools are complex, expensive, prone to malfunction, and inefficient due to high energy consumption for rotation, with suboptimal suction effects, leading to pollution and sediment dispersal during cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A simpler tool design featuring a convex cleaning face with adjustable distance control, integrated brushes or high-pressure nozzles, and a suction outlet that draws in surrounding water and debris, utilizing the venturi effect for enhanced suction and energy efficiency, with optional rotation mechanisms driven by flow energy or turbines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex rotating tools with integrated nozzles and suction outlets are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into separate functional components: a simple cup-shaped body for suction, separate nozzle assemblies for cleaning fluid delivery, and optional separate brush elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup-shaped body serves multiple functions: it acts as the suction outlet housing, provides structural support, and creates the venturi effect for enhanced suction. The nozzle assemblies can be configured for different cleaning modes (spray, direct jet), and brushes can be added or removed based on specific cleaning needs, making the tool adaptable to various subsea surface cleaning scenarios.
2Area of stationary object
If large rotating mass is used for cleaning, then cleaning coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases and rotation control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a fixed large rotating mass, the tool uses dynamic spray patterns and optional brush rotation that can be activated only when needed. The high-pressure nozzle assemblies can be positioned to cover different areas, and brushes can be rotated by the flow energy of the cleaning fluid itself, reducing the need for external rotation energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool uses high-pressure water or cleaning fluid delivered through nozzles to perform the cleaning action, replacing the need for large mechanical rotating masses. The hydraulic energy of the fluid jet provides the cleaning force, and optional brush rotation is driven by the fluid flow itself rather than external motors, significantly reducing energy consumption.
3Extent of automation
If cleaning fluid spray momentum is used for rotation, then rotation is achieved without external motors, but less energy is available for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The tool provides partial rotation capability through fluid momentum, but this is optional and can be combined with stationary nozzle configurations. The system allows the operator to choose between using fluid momentum for rotation (when self-rotation is beneficial) or directing all fluid energy toward cleaning, providing flexibility to optimize energy distribution based on specific operational needs.
4Quantity of substance
If suction outlet is positioned centrally, then debris collection is improved, but tool follows surface less effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The tool transitions from relying solely on central suction to a combination of distributed suction along the cup perimeter and central suction. The cup-shaped geometry creates a suction field that extends across the entire cleaning face, allowing the tool to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining effective debris collection through the venturi effect generated along the entire suction perimeter.
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 tool provides improved cleaning efficacy and reliability with reduced energy consumption, minimized pollution, and easier surface following, while maintaining low operational costs and effective debris collection for further treatment.
Implementation Method 1
In operation the outlet is connected to a suction device so that water, debris and contamination is drawn into the outlet for transport to further treatment. The cleaning face preferably comprises flat surface inside the periphery, preferably circular symmetric, such as a flat ring shape. In operation the flat surface provides underpressure and suction effect of the tool toward the surface according to the venturi effect, due to low static pressure in the flow.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention provides a tool (4) for cleaning surfaces subsea, comprising a body having a cleaning face (11) for holding against and preferably also moving along the surface to be cleaned, the face has a shape convex or corresponding to the surface to be cleaned, and a means for distance control of the cleaning face of the body such that a gap is provided between said face and the surface (3) to be cleaned when the tool is in operation, and/or openings or channels are arranged for allowing surrounding water to flow in towards the centre of the cleaning face. Further, the cleaning face comprises a suction outlet for water, debris and contamination, in operation the outlet (13) is connected to a suction device (17) so that water, debris and contamination is drawn into the outlet for transport to further treatment.