Telescopic Rinse Nozzle for Large Tank Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank cleaning systems, such as those using rinse nipples, often fail to reach and effectively clean all areas of the tank interior, particularly in large tanks or those with obstructing components, leading to incomplete purging and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A rinse arrangement featuring a telescopic rinse nozzle with a rotary head that cycles between retracted and extended positions in response to alternating low and high pressure fluid pulses, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the tank interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rinse nipple with a spinning head is used, then the cleaning system is simple and requires no power supply, but the fluid cannot reach the bottom of large tanks or areas obstructed by tank components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the rinse nozzle telescopic and movable between retracted and extended positions. The nozzle extends along the tank axis to reach the bottom of large tanks and retract to avoid obstructing components. This dynamic positioning allows the same nozzle to serve multiple areas of the tank interior that would otherwise require multiple fixed nozzles, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and coverage area.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles and a spinning head are used to maximize fluid spray coverage, then more areas are contacted, but areas obstructed by tank components remain unreachable
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding multiple fixed nozzles or a complex multi-component system, the patent uses a single telescopic nozzle that dynamically changes its position. The nozzle extends to reach obstructed areas and retracts to navigate around components, providing comprehensive coverage with a simpler single-nozzle design rather than multiple fixed nozzles.
3Length of moving object
If high pressure fluid is continuously applied, then the telescopic mechanism remains extended to reach the bottom, but the rotary head cannot rotate effectively due to insufficient momentum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between high pressure and low pressure fluid application. During high pressure phases, the telescopic mechanism extends to reach the bottom. During low pressure phases, the rotary head rotates effectively due to sufficient momentum. This periodic alternation allows both extension and rotation to occur effectively at different times, resolving the contradiction between maintaining extension and achieving rotation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by extending the telescopic mechanism to the required position before initiating the rotation phase. The high pressure fluid first extends the nozzle to the bottom position, then the pressure is reduced to allow the rotary head to rotate and spray the fluid effectively across the tank interior.
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 described rinse arrangement effectively reaches and cleans a greater area of the tank interior, including hard-to-reach areas, thereby ensuring complete purging and reducing the risk of contamination.
Implementation Method 1
means for applying rinse fluid to the rinse nozzle alternately at a low pressure and a high pressure, the low pressure the fluid to spray from the rotary head but the low pressure being insufficient to overcome the bias, and the high pressure overcoming the bias and causing the telescopic mechanism to move to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
the fluid to spray from the rotary head and causing rotation of the rotary head around the axis due to the force of the spraying of the fluid
Implementation Method 3
a biasing means to bias the telescopic mechanism to the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A rinse arrangement for cleaning an interior volume of a tank. The arrangement includes: a rinse nozzle having a rotary head via which rinse fluid is sprayed as the head rotates about a rinse nozzle axis A; a telescopic mechanism attached to the rotary head movable between a retracted position and an extended position along the rinse nozzle axis A; a biasing means to bias the telescopic mechanism to the retracted position; means for applying rinse fluid to the rinse nozzle alternately at a low pressure and a high pressure. The low pressure causes the fluid to spray from the rotary head and causes rotation of the rotary head around the axis due to the force of the spraying of the fluid, but the low pressure being insufficient to overcome the bias.