Surface Cleaning Vehicle With Hydrocyclone Water Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems for large surface areas, such as aircraft carrier decks, are inefficient and costly due to reliance on soap and manual scrubbing, and previous water recycling technologies are prone to filter clogging and require frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A mobile cleaning apparatus utilizing a hydrocyclone-based system that recycles water by separating solids and oils using solid-liquid and liquid-liquid cyclones, allowing for continuous reuse of cleaning fluid without the need for soap or brushes, and includes a self-flushing filter for efficient contaminant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filters are used for water recycling, then water can be recycled, but filters are prone to clogging and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical filter system with a hydrocyclone separation system that uses centrifugal force generated by rotating water flow to separate solids and oils from water. This eliminates the need for mechanical filters that clog and require maintenance, while achieving continuous water recycling. The hydrocyclone creates a vortex flow that automatically separates contaminants without any moving parts or filter media.
2Productivity
If manual soap and brush cleaning is used, then surfaces can be cleaned, but substantial amounts of soap are required and deck downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-pressure water jets (hydraulic system) to clean surfaces instead of manual soap and brush methods. The high-pressure water effectively removes contaminants including oils and greases from aircraft carrier decks without requiring soap. The system delivers water at pressures sufficient to blast away accumulated contaminants, achieving rapid cleaning of large surface areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a water recovery and recycling system that collects used cleaning water, separates contaminants through hydrocyclones, and returns cleaned water to the system for reuse. This dramatically reduces water consumption compared to traditional methods where all cleaning water is discharged. The recovered water is continuously recycled throughout the cleaning operation.
3Productivity
If traditional cleaning vehicles are used, then cleaning can be performed, but vehicles are very large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated vehicle platform: high-pressure water delivery system, vacuum recovery system, hydrocyclone separation system, and water storage tanks. By merging the cleaning function with the water recycling function in one compact unit, the system eliminates the need for separate large vehicles or multiple equipment pieces, resulting in a more compact and maneuverable platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle carries its own water supply tanks and implements self-contained water recycling through onboard hydrocyclones. The system is self-sufficient, generating its own high-pressure water flow and processing its own waste water without requiring external infrastructure. This self-service capability allows for a more compact design compared to systems that require connections to external water supplies and discharge 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
The system effectively recycles water, reducing the need for initial cleaning water, minimizing downtime, and maintaining surface traction, while reducing environmental impact and operational costs by eliminating soap use and minimizing saltwater usage.
Implementation Method 1
The water processing unit can have a recovery tank and at least one solid-liquid cyclone
Implementation Method 2
separating solids and oils using solid-liquid and liquid-liquid cyclones
Implementation Method 3
The water processing unit can also have a liquid-liquid cyclone
Implementation Method 4
separating solids and oils using solid-liquid and liquid-liquid cyclones
Implementation Method 5
which can be a self-flushing filter
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for cleaning large surface areas. The method and vehicle clean large surface areas such as streets, runways, aircraft carrier decks, and the like, wherein a substantial portion of the soiled water is recaptured, processed, and reused.