Concrete Weep-Hole Drilling With Fluid Debris Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating weep holes in concrete structural components, such as hollow core flooring, often result in debris falling back into the newly drilled hole, blocking the weep hole and requiring additional drilling to remove, thus failing to ensure a debris-free opening.
Innovation Solution
A drilling apparatus with a drill bit that includes a cutting edge and flutes for removing material, and an internal fluid passageway for pressurized fluid to eject debris away from the weep hole, ensuring the weep hole is created free from interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional drilling method with masonry drill bit is used, then weep hole can be created in concrete, but debris falls back into the hole and blocks it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful debris from the weep hole by introducing pressurized fluid through an internal passageway that directs fluid flow to eject debris away from the hole, preventing blockage and ensuring the weep hole remains functional
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressurized fluid as an intermediary substance through the internal passageway to mediate between the drilling process and debris removal, using the fluid to carry debris away from the weep hole and prevent blockage
2Ease of operation
If drilling is performed while concrete is partially cured, then less physical labor is required and tool life is extended, but debris may become cured in the hole requiring additional drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary debris removal action during the drilling process itself by incorporating an internal passageway that continuously ejects debris as drilling occurs, preventing cured debris from blocking the hole before additional drilling would be needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by integrating debris removal through the internal passageway throughout the entire drilling process, ensuring uninterrupted ejection of debris and continuous functionality of the weep hole creation
3Productivity
If drill bit flutes deposit cut material adjacent to drilling area, then material is temporarily removed from hole, but material falls back into hole and forms barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic or hydraulic principles by introducing pressurized fluid through the internal passageway to generate sufficient force to eject debris away from the weep hole, preventing the debris from falling back and blocking the hole while maintaining efficient drilling
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 apparatus effectively removes debris from the immediate area of the weep hole, preventing blockage and ensuring the functionality of the weep hole, even when drilled in partially cured concrete.
Implementation Method 1
an internal fluid passageway for pressurized fluid to eject debris away from the weep hole
Data Source
AI summary
A method for creating a weep hole is disclosed. The weep hole is drilled in an uncured, concrete, hollow core structural component having one or more external surfaces and one or more internal surfaces. The weep hole is drilled using a drilling apparatus comprising a drill, a rotating drill bit with an internal fluid passageway, a power source, and a pressurized fluid source. Loose, uncured concrete material deposited near the weep hole on the one or more internal surface as a result of drilling the weep hole is removed by releasing pressurized fluid which flows from the pressurized fluid source, through the drill and the rotating drill bit.