Viscous Aqueous Mass for Water Object Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for retrieving objects from water, such as freezing the surrounding water, are energy-intensive and time-consuming, making them costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of an aqueous viscous mass with increased viscosity, which is applied to the object before freezing, using viscosity increasing agents and thermal conductivity promoters to expedite the freezing process while maintaining structural integrity, and incorporating reinforcement fibers to manage tensile forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is frozen around the object to improve structural integrity, then the object can be retrieved safely, but the process becomes very power consuming and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the freezing process by using a viscous aqueous mass instead of liquid water. The increased viscosity (at least 50× that of water) allows the mass to retain its position better during cooling, reducing thermal losses and enabling faster freezing with reduced energy consumption while still forming a solid protective structure around the object
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the viscous aqueous mass from liquid to solid state during freezing. This phase change creates a solid protective structure around the object that provides structural integrity for retrieval, while the specific properties of the viscous mass optimize the freezing process efficiency
2Reliability
If water is frozen around the object to improve structural integrity, then the object can be retrieved safely, but the process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the freezing process by using a viscous aqueous mass instead of liquid water. The increased viscosity (at least 50× that of water) allows the mass to retain its position better during cooling, reducing thermal losses and enabling faster freezing with reduced energy consumption while still forming a solid protective structure around the object
3Productivity
If a viscous mass is used instead of water, then thermal losses are reduced and freezing is faster, but the mass must be transported to the zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles to transport the viscous aqueous mass to the required zone using pumps and conduits. The system includes a pump for circulating the mass and conduits for delivery, leveraging fluid dynamics to move the thickened solution efficiently to the object that needs protection
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
This approach reduces energy consumption and time required for freezing, enhances structural integrity during retrieval, and allows for safer handling and transportation of objects from water bodies.
Implementation Method 1
The mass has a viscosity which is larger than the viscosity of the body of water the object is exposed to
Implementation Method 2
freezing said mass to the object
Implementation Method 3
the step of freezing the mass to the object is expedited
Data Source
AI summary
A method for retrieving an object exposed to a body of water. The freezing of water is a very power- and time-consuming operation and therefore, can be quite costly. To reduce at least one of these problems, an aqueous viscous mass is provided in a zone adjacent to an outer section of an object, and then the mass is frozen to the object. In some implementations, a thermal conductivity-promoting agent, such as metal, is used, among other variations.