Vacuum Excavation Nozzle Array for Local Transmission Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum excavation methods are inefficient and costly for local transmission system asset excavations in rural environments due to challenging site conditions and safety concerns, leading to labor-intensive and time-consuming operations.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum excavation system utilizing an end effector with a manifold, valves, and a nozzle array that exhausts air at supersonic speeds to efficiently remove soil, coupled with a vacuum hose for effective soil agitation and suction, designed to improve excavation efficiency and safety in variable site conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional vacuum excavation methods are used for LTS asset excavations in rural environments, then excavation can be performed, but the operations become labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum excavation system is divided into multiple functional components: a vacuum generation unit, a delivery system with nozzles, and a collection system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, improving overall excavation efficiency while reducing the time required to complete operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by generating vacuum pressure to remove soil and debris. The vacuum excavation process utilizes pressure differentials created by the vacuum generator to suction soil through nozzles and into collection containers, enabling faster excavation compared to manual methods.
2Reliability
If hand-digging operations are used in close proximity to higher-risk underground assets, then excavation can be performed, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum excavation system acts as an intermediary between the worker and the soil. Instead of direct manual contact with potentially hazardous underground assets, the worker operates the vacuum system which mechanically removes soil through controlled vacuum pressure, reducing safety risks while maintaining excavation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual hand-digging mechanical actions with an automated vacuum-based mechanical system. The vacuum generator creates suction that automatically removes soil and debris, eliminating the need for workers to manually dig near hazardous assets and improving both safety and efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable site conditions with hazardous soils are encountered, then excavation can proceed, but safety concerns and logistical challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum excavation system is designed to handle multiple soil types and site conditions universally. The same vacuum generation and delivery system can operate in sandy soils, clay, peat, and other hazardous conditions, providing adaptability while maintaining safety through consistent vacuum-based soil removal mechanisms.
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 enhances the productivity and efficiency of underground excavations, reduces costs, and minimizes downtime and safety risks for workers by efficiently removing soil and improving the safety of workers in the gas industry.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more nozzles are each configured to exhaust air at a supersonic speed
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum hose for effective soil agitation and suction
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for vacuum excavation of local transmission are provided. The system for vacuum excavation of local transmission may include an end effector coupled to a vacuum hose. The end effector may include a manifold coupled to one or more valves and one or more pipes, each coupled to one of the one or more valves. The excavator head may include a nozzle array coupled to the one or more pipes, wherein the nozzle array may include one or more nozzles, each coupled to one of the one or more pipes. The one or more valves may be controlled to actuate individually, as a subset, or collectively, thus changing an air pattern exhausted from the nozzles.