Wood Coring Moisture Removal via Inverted Air Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing moisture from wood coring in boats are destructive, costly, and time-consuming, often requiring reconstruction of the coring, which can void warranties and lead to structural integrity issues and health hazards due to mold growth.

Innovation Solution

A method involving piercing the fiberglass outer skin to form bores in the wood coring, processing ambient air to create ultra-dry air, and pumping this air into the bores to remove moisture, followed by sealing with a penetrant and filling the holes with a sealant, without the need for coring removal or reconstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vacuum is used to remove moisture from wood coring, then moisture removal is achieved, but the wood coring becomes distorted and requires costly reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removal effectivenessVSAvoidwood coring dimensional stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using vacuum to pull air out (DeTurris approach), the patent forces processed air into the wood coring through injected bores. This inversion of the air flow direction prevents the distortion caused by vacuum while achieving effective moisture removal through the introduced processed air.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (processed air) that is forced into the wood coring to displace moisture. This processed air acts as a mediator between the external environment and the moisture within the coring, enabling removal without the damaging effects of vacuum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If vacuum process is used to remove moisture, then moisture removal is achieved, but unwanted debris is drawn into the affected area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removal effectivenessVSAvoiddebris contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the air flow direction from vacuum (pulling air out) to forcing processed air in, the patent prevents unwanted debris from being drawn into the affected area. The processed air is forced through controlled bores, creating a unidirectional flow that expels moisture without introducing contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If coring is removed and rebuilt, then moisture problem is solved, but structural integrity is compromised and warranty is voided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture removal completenessVSAvoidboat structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts moisture from the wood coring through injected bores without removing the coring itself. The processed air is forced through the bores to pull moisture out, and the bores are then filled with sealant, preserving the structural integrity of the coring while eliminating the moisture problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding and rebuilding the coring, the patent recovers the existing coring structure by treating it in place. The moisture is removed through the injected bores, and the coring is restored with sealant, avoiding the need for reconstruction and preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Ease of manufacture

If ambient air is used for moisture removal, then the process is simple, but moisture removal efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidmoisture removal rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of air moisture content by using processed air instead of ambient air. The processed air has lower moisture content, which increases the moisture removal efficiency when forced into the wood coring, while the overall process remains relatively simple through the use of injected bores and sealant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 downtime and costs, preserves structural integrity, avoids warranty voidance, and is less invasive, allowing for faster and more efficient moisture removal and sealing, while preventing mold growth.

Implementation Method 1

pumping or displacing 40 said processed air into said bores or holes 200

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas displacement:

Implementation Method 2

penetrating 50 an exposed portion 80; with a sealant 100

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9945612B2System and method to remove moisture from wood coring

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 DRYBOAT SOUTH

AI summary

A system and process is provided to deplete or remove moisture from wood coring in boats by piercing 20 a fiberglass outer skin; forming 30 bores or holes 200 in wood coring to form an exposed portion; processing ambient air 35 to create processed air; pumping or displacing 40 processed air into the bores or holes 200; penetrating 50 an exposed portion 80; with a sealant 100; and filling 60 the exposed portion 80 with a sealant 100.