Tank cleaner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning tank water heaters are cumbersome, costly, and inefficient, as they often require multiple chemical treatments or manual intervention to remove mineral deposits and sediments, and lack a portable and easy-to-use solution for various types of tanks.
Innovation Solution
A tank cleaning tool with an agitator at the inlet end and a discharge hose at the outlet end, designed to be connected to the tank's drain hose, uses a rotating mechanism to stir and remove debris, forming a slurry that is easily discharged, and can be adapted for different tank types and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical treatments are used to clean tank water heaters, then mineral deposits and sediments can be removed, but the process takes several treatments over a period of days or weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical cleaning methods with a mechanical cleaning system. A motor-driven agitator with rotating elements mechanically breaks up and removes mineral deposits and sediments from the tank bottom, eliminating the need for multiple chemical treatments over days or weeks and achieving cleanin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by circulating water through the tank and using water flow to carry away dislodged sediments. The system pumps water into the tank, the motor-driven agitator stirs up deposits, and the water flow transports the removed particles out through the drain, creating an efficient mechanical-hydraulic cleaning process
2Ease of operation
If screwdrivers or similar tools are inserted through the drain hole to break up clogs, then the drain hole can be unclogged, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tool-based mechanical cleaning with an automated motor-driven system. The electric motor powers rotating agitator elements that automatically break up and remove clogs and sediments, eliminating the need for users to manually insert and maneuver screwdrivers or similar tools through the drain hole
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service cleaning by automatically circulating water, agitating deposits, and draining removed particles without requiring continuous manual intervention. Once set up, the motor-driven system operates autonomously to clean the tank, reducing user effort and time investment
3Reliability
If the tank is drained and heating elements are removed for cleaning with a shop vacuum, then thorough cleaning can be achieved, but the process takes up hours and requires disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cleaning tool that can be applied to various tank types (water heaters, boilers, tanks) without requiring disassembly or removal of heating elements. The motor-driven agitator with adjustable rotating elements provides multi-functional cleaning capability that works through the existing drain hole, eliminating the need for tank disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential cleaning function from complex disassembly procedures. Instead of requiring removal of heating elements and complete tank drainage, the system extracts the cleaning action to a motor-driven agitator that operates through the drain hole, achieving thorough cleaning while leaving the tank assembly intact
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing tank cleaning systems are used, then cleaning can be performed, but they are costly and may not work with regular tank water heaters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal cleaning system with a motor-driven agitator and adjustable rotating elements that can adapt to different tank types including regular tank water heaters, boilers, and various tank configurations. The system works through the standard drain hole and requires no special adaptations, providing broad compatibility across different applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive components such as a standard motor, basic agitator elements, and common plumbing fittings to create an affordable cleaning system. The design avoids expensive specialized parts, using instead readily available components that can be easily manufactured or assembled, making the system cost-effective for regular tank water heaters
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 efficiently cleans tanks in a fraction of the time required by existing methods, is easy to use, portable, and adaptable, making it a cost-effective solution for regular tank water heaters and other tanks with sediment buildup.
Implementation Method 1
The motor driven agitator with rotating elements stirs up the sediments and debris in the tank creating a slurry mixture
Implementation Method 2
The pump circulates water through the tank and forces the mixture through the drain hole discharging the debris outside
Data Source
AI summary
A tank cleaning tool is disclosed for cleaning sediments and debris out of a tank. The tool has housing with an inlet end to connect to drain hole of the tank, and an outlet end to discharge slurry out of the tool. An agitator is present at the inlet end, and can be inserted through drain hole of the tank to agitate sediments and debris inside the tank to pull sediments and debris into the inlet end when the agitator is spun. The tool may preferably include an auger connected to lower end of said agitator where the auger grinds sediments and debris inside the housing to form slurry. The tool may also include a grinding chamber between said outlet end and said inlet end to grind the sediments and debris inside said housing to form slurry. A drill can be used to rotate the auger and the agitator.