Tank Washing Head Sealing and Speed Control for Precise Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tank cleaning heads are difficult to adapt to specific applications, prone to leakage, and lack precise control over rotational movement, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of low-wear sealing bushings and bevel gears for sealed fluid channels, combined with an eddy current brake for precise speed control of the nozzle shaft, allowing for adjustable rotational speed and improved cleaning coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sliding bushings with sealing surfaces are used in the fluid channels, then leakage is reduced and sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding bushings are integrated into the existing fluid channel structure, with sealing surfaces formed as part of the bushing components that fit within the housing. This nesting approach adds sealing functionality without requiring separate external sealing systems, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding bushings act as intermediary components between the stationary housing and rotating elements, providing sealing surfaces that prevent leakage at the interface. These bushings mediate the connection between moving and stationary parts, ensuring fluid tightness while allowing relative motion, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and device simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an eddy current brake is used to control the rotational speed of the housing shaft, then speed control precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eddy current brake replaces traditional mechanical friction-based braking systems with an electromagnetic field-based eddy current mechanism. This substitution provides smoother, more precise speed control without the wear and tear of mechanical contacts, improving speed control precision while the electromagnetic nature of the system reduces mechanical complexity compared to traditional multi-component mechanical brakes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The eddy current brake utilizes electromagnetic fields and induced eddy currents (analogous to fluid dynamics in terms of field interaction) to create a non-contact braking force. This approach mirrors how pneumatic and hydraulic systems use fluid fields rather than direct mechanical contact, providing precise control with reduced mechanical complexity and no wear

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Power

If bevel gears are used to transmit rotational movement from the nozzle shaft to the housing shaft, then mechanical advantage and speed control are improved, but device complexity and potential points of failure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical advantageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bevel gears are designed with optimized tooth profiles and engagement geometries that allow for smooth, efficient power transmission with minimal sliding and wear. The gear design skips over potential failure points by distributing loads across multiple teeth simultaneously and using skewed teeth that engage gradually, thereby improving mechanical advantage while reducing the complexity of individual gear components and minimizing potential failure points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

Enhances adaptability, reduces leakage, minimizes maintenance, and ensures efficient cleaning coverage by adjusting the cleaning effect to specific requirements, resulting in longer service life and lower operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a braking effect can be achieved and the speed of the nozzle shaft can be influenced using structurally simple means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 2

an eddy current brake for precise speed control of the nozzle shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

each of the channels has a complementary sliding bushing with a sealing surface at its mutually facing and sealingly contacting ends, which forms a rotating sealing connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4703043A1Tank washing head
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 MOSMATIC
  • EP4703043A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703043A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703043A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Tank cleaning head (71) for internal cleaning of tanks, containers and the like, comprising a stationary housing part (8) suitable for connecting the tank cleaning head (71) to a supply hose or supply line through which a cleaning fluid flows into the tank cleaning head (71) under high pressure, wherein a one- or multi-part housing part (25) rotatable about a vertical axis is arranged at one end of the stationary housing part (8), and wherein a nozzle carrier (58) rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (66) and driven to rotate by recoil from at least one spray jet of at least one nozzle (59, 59a, b) is arranged on the rotatable housing part (25), wherein the housing parts (8), (25) and the nozzle carrier each have a channel (7, 26, 47) which are coupled to each other in a fluid-conducting manner, wherein the channels (7, 26,47) each have at their mutually facing and sealingly contacting ends a mutually complementary sliding bushing (2, 3, 34, 43) with a sealing surface which forms rotating sealing connections with the sealing surface of the complementarily aligned sliding bushing (2, 3, 34, 43) of the adjoining channel (26, 47).