Ultrasonic Steam Cleaning System for Complex Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surface cleaning methods face challenges in achieving consistent quality, particularly on complex or interior surfaces, due to limitations in accessing and effectively removing debris and contaminants.

Innovation Solution

A system combining steam generation, ultrasonic waves, and vacuum airflow, where ultrasonic devices are positioned both within and outside a vacuum chamber to atomize steam and dislodge debris, which is then collected by vacuum suction, allowing for non-contact cleaning of large and complex surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cleaning methods are used, then simple surfaces can be cleaned, but complex or interior surfaces are difficult to reach and access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to complex surfacesVSAvoidcleaning quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical contact-based cleaning systems with an ultrasonic cleaning system that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate cavitation in a liquid medium. This substitution allows the cleaning medium to penetrate complex geometries and interior surfaces without physical contact, resolving the accessibility issue while maintaining consistent cleaning quality through uniform energy distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a liquid medium (hydraulic principle) that can flow into and throughout complex surface geometries, combined with ultrasonic energy transmission through the liquid. This approach allows the cleaning medium to reach interior surfaces and complex areas that mechanical contact methods cannot access, while the liquid's ability to conform to any shape ensures consistent cleaning quality across all surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If mechanical contact cleaning is used, then debris can be removed from accessible surfaces, but surface damage may occur and interior surfaces remain unreachable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-contact cleaning capabilityVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact cleaning with ultrasonic wave-based cleaning that operates through a liquid medium. The ultrasonic energy creates cavitation bubbles that collapse gently on the surface, removing debris without the abrasive contact forces that cause surface damage. This non-contact approach eliminates mechanical wear while still effectively removing contaminants from both accessible and interior surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional cleaning systems are used, then equipment complexity is minimized, but cleaning precision and consistency on complex surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning quality consistencyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and contact systems with an ultrasonic field-based cleaning system. The ultrasonic transducers generate a cleaning field that automatically adapts to complex surface geometries without requiring precise mechanical alignment or contact. This substitution reduces the need for complex mechanical structures while maintaining high cleaning precision and consistency across all surfaces through uniform energy distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 dislodges and removes debris from surfaces with high precision and consistency, improving cleaning efficiency on complex and interior surfaces without physical contact, ensuring thorough cleaning and minimizing surface damage.

Implementation Method 1

a steam source comprising a water tank and a heating mechanism to generate steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam generation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of ultrasonic devices configured to deliver ultrasonic waves to said object, wherein said ultrasonic waves atomize said steam and captured debris from said surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic waves: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

said ultrasonic waves atomize said steam and captured debris from said surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 4

a vacuum configured to provide a vacuum airflow within the vacuum chamber, wherein said vacuum airflow collects atomized steam and captured debris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3110571B1System and method for surface cleaning

Publication Date: 2024.09.04 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A system for cleaning (10) an object (18) may include a cleaning medium dispenser (22) configured to deliver a cleaning medium (26) to a surface (16) of the object, wherein the cleaning medium dislodges and captures debris from the surface, an ultrasonic device (20) configured to deliver ultrasonic waves (28) to the object, wherein the ultrasonic waves generate ultrasonic vibrations in the object to atomize the cleaning medium from the surface and a vacuum (24) configured to provide a vacuum airflow, wherein the vacuum airflow collects atomized cleaning medium and debris from the surface.