RUST CLEANING DEVICE FOR AN INNER SURFACE OF A PIPE

Abstract

A rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe, comprising a hollow cylindrical housing 101 having a pair of motorized wheels 102 for a locomotion of the housing 101 on an inner surface of a pipe, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on housing 101 to determine a presence and location of the rust in inner surface of the pipe, an expansion pulley arrangement 201 install on an outer lateral surface of housing 101 via a circular sliding unit 202 to enable the brushes 106 to contact with inner surface of pipe for a scrubbing of determined rust, plurality of nozzles 104 provided circumferentially on outer lateral surface of the housing 101 and connected to a tank with a pump spray the solution on inner surface of pipe for a prevention of corrosion.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe that is capable of determining a presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe and accordingly scrub the determined rust in order to clean the rust from the inner surface of a pipe in a precise and an automated manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In daily life and industrial production activities, the straight tube and deep camber bend pipe is widely used. The inner wall of the pipe get rust or dirt accumulated on the surface that decrease the lifespan of the pipe as well as affects the structural integrity of the pipe. Several environmental factors are responsible for the rusted surface. The rust cleaning of small diameter metal pipeline in wall is the difficult problem on the process for treating surface always, there are the problems such as workload is large, cost is high, production environment is abominable, the depths rust staining is difficult to remove, de-rusting is unstable, rust cleaning is not thorough, efficient is low in the de-rusting method such as pickling, machinery.

[0003] Traditionally, the rust from inner surface of the pipe is cleaned manually by using various traditional tools and methods, such as wire brushing, sand blasting, chemical treatment. The user manually scrub the inner surface of the pipe with a wire brush to remove rust. While these traditional method offer some benefits but they also pose several challenges and drawbacks. Most of the traditional methods involves manual cleaning of the pipe which is labor intensive and time consuming. Also manual cleanings is not much efficient which might result in some rust particles to be left out inside the pipe, which cause restriction to the flow of the fluid inside the pipe and might also cause further rusting of the pipe.

[0004] CN105798744A discloses about an invention that is a kind of the invention provides a pipe inner wall rust removing device and method. The device comprises a support, a small belt wheel, a motor, a large belt wheel, a belt, an annular magnetic pole device, a protective cover, guiding devices and a columnar magnet; the support is divided into an upper support body and a lower support body; the motor is fixed to the lower support body; the small belt wheel is fixedly connected with an output shaft of the motor; the annular magnetic pole device is installed on the upper support body through a bearing; the large belt wheel is fixed to the front end of the annular magnetic pole device and is in transmission connection with the small belt wheel through the belt; the protective cover is arranged on the rear side of the annular magnetic pole device and fixedly connected with the upper support body; a round barrel is arranged on the middle portion of the protective cover and stretches into the annular magnetic pole device; the guiding devices are installed on the protective cover; during rust removal, a workpiece is placed in the round barrel on the middle portion of the protective cover; and the columnar magnet is attracted into the workpiece. The pipe inner wall rust removing device and method can easily and effectively remove rust attached to the pipe inner wall, and scratches, uneven rust removal and environmental pollution cannot be caused. CN'744 discloses about a pipe inner wall rust removing device and method. However, the above mentioned device is lack in determining a presence location of rust in the inner surface of the pipe and accordingly clean the surface in an automated manner without damaging surface of the pipe.

[0005] CN202878129U discloses about an invention that is a kind of the invention relates to a conduit inner wall cleaning device for removing rust and cleaning before the surface coating, coating and splicing of the inner wall of the small-bore metallic conduit. The sandblast cleaning device comprises a frame , a spray gun and a sand box , wherein a rail and a car are arranged on the top of the frame; a nut assembly and a feeding motor are arranged at one end of the rail; a pipe fitting fixing frame is arranged at the other end of the rail; the front end of the spray gun is connected with a spray gun pipe by a rotary joint ; a screw rod is fixed at the rear end of the spray gun; the spray gun is fixed on the car; and a rotary motor on the car is connected with the rotary joint at the front end of the spray gun by a conveying belt. The sandblast cleaning device disclosed by the utility model has the advantages of being simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost and good in cleaning effect, and can be used for quickly, efficiently and completely clearing the inner wall of the small-bore metallic conduit. CN'129 discloses about a a conduit inner wall rust cleaning device. However, the above mentioned device is not in capable of cleaning various dimension pipe and also lack in protect the pipe from further rusting.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices exist that are capable of cleaning a rust from the inner surface of the pipe, however these devices fail in evaluating presence and location of the rust inside the pipe and accordingly clean the inner surface of the pipe, and also failed in dispensed optimum amount of anti-rust solution after cleaning the rust from the surface.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of evaluating the exact location of the rust inside the pipe and accordingly clean the inner surface of the pipe through the user voice command and alos capable of dispensing optimum amount of the anti-rust solution over the rust cleaned surface, in order to protect the surface from corrosion.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of determining a presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe and accordingly scrub the determined rust in order to clean the rust from the inner surface of a pipe in a precise and an automated manner.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of dispensing an anti-rust solution on the pre-defined position on the surface of the pipe in view of preventing the pipe from the corrosion, thereby increase the lifespan and strength of the pipe.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature and easy to operate through the voice command.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe that is capable of evaluating exact location of the rust inside the pipe and accordingly scrub the determined rust in view of cleaning the rust from the inner surface of the pipe and also capable of dispensing optimum amount of the anti-rust solution over surface of the pipe.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe comprises of a hollow cylindrical housing having a pair of motorized wheels attached at a front end of the housing as well as a rear end of the housing for a locomotion of the housing on an inner surface of a pipe, an expansion pulley arrangement attached on a circular sliding unit provided on an outer lateral surface of the housing having plurality of brushes on the sliding unit for a cleaning of a rust on the inner surface of the pipe, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the housing integrated with a processor for recording as well as processing images in a vicinity of the housing to determine a presence or location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe to actuate the wheels to position the expansion pulley adjacent to the determined rust actuate the sliding unit to rotate the expansion pulley with the brushes for a scrubbing of the determined rust and an ultrasonic sensor provided on the housing for detecting an inner diameter of the pipe to actuate the expansion pulley to expand to enable the brushes to contact with the inner surface of the pipe.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of plurality of nozzles provided circumferentially on the outer lateral surface of the housing to spray the solution on the inner surface of the pipe for a prevention of corrosion, nozzles connected to a tank with a pump arranged within the housing for storing an anti-rust solution, a microphone linked with the microcontroller provided on the housing for receiving an audio command from a user regarding a removal of the rust on the inner surface of the pipe, the ultrasonic sensor detect the inner diameter of the pipe and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical or electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe; and
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a pulley arrangement associated with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe that is capable of cleaning a determined rust from the surface of the pipe in automatic manner. Additionally, the proposed device is capable of dispensing an optimum amount of the anti-rust solution on the surface through the user voice command.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, an isometric view of a rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe and a front view of expansion pulley arrangement associated with the proposed device are illustrated, respectively comprising a hollow cylindrical housing 101 having a pair of motorized wheels 102 attached at a front end of the housing 101 and a rear end of the housing 101, an expansion pulley arrangement 201 provided on an outer lateral surface of the housing 101, sliding unit 202 attached on the outer lateral surface of the housing 101, plurality of brushes 106 attached with the pulley, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on the housing 101, plurality of nozzles 104 provided circumferentially on the outer lateral surface of the housing 101, a microphone 105 installed on the housing 101.

[0023] The proposed device includes a hollow cylindrical housing 101 having a pair of motorized wheels 102 attached at a front end of the housing 101 and a rear end of the housing 101 for a locomotion of the housing 101 on an inner surface of a pipe. The housing 101 is cast with highly durable materials and is rigid in nature with a flat housing 101 shape, offering a large space to accommodate multiple mechanical and electrical units. The housing 101 is constructed from sturdy and robust materials that may include but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum. These materials offer rigidness and robustness to the housing 101 making the housing 101 resistant to mechanical stress and pressure.

[0024] Further, an expansion pulley arrangement 201 installed on an outer lateral surface of the housing 101 and attached on a circular sliding unit 202. The sliding unit 202 having plurality of brushes 106 for a cleaning of a rust on the inner surface of the pipe.

[0025] Upon accessing the housing 101, a microphone 105 linked with the microcontroller, provided on the housing 101 enables the user to provide input audio command from the user regarding a removal of the rust on the inner surface of the pipe. The microphone 105 contains a small diaphragm connected to a moving coil. When sound waves of the user hit the diaphragm, the coil vibrates. This causes the coil to move back and forth in the magnet's field, generating an electrical current. The signal of which are sent to an inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the housing 101 for processing the input voice command of the user regarding the removal of the rust on the inner surface of the pipe.

[0026] As per the user command, the microcontroller activates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on the housing 101 to determine a presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe. The imaging unit 103 comprises of an image capturing arrangement 201 including a set of lenses that captures multiple images in a vicinity of the housing 101 and the captured images are stored within a memory of the imaging unit 103 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 103 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines a presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe.

[0027] Upon determining the presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe, the microcontroller activate the wheels 102 to position the expansion pulley arrangement 201 adjacent to the determined rust. The motorized wheel comprises a disc or a wheel coupled with a motor via a shaft wherein upon receiving the command from the microcontroller by the motor, the motor starts to rotate in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction in order to provide movement to the wheel via the shaft. The wheel thus provides a movement to the housing 101 in an order to maneuver the housing 101 adjacent to the determined rust position in the inner surface of the pipe.

[0028] Thereafter, the microcontroller activate the sliding unit 202 to rotate the expansion pulley arrangement 201. The circular sliding unit 202 consists of a pair of sliding rails fabricated with grooves in which the wheel of a slider is positioned that is further connected with a bi-directional motor via a shaft. The microcontroller actuates the bi-directional motor to rotate in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction that aids in the rotation of the shaft, wherein the shaft converts the electrical energy into rotational energy for allowing movement of the wheel to translate over the circular sliding rail by a firm grip on the grooves. The movement of the sliding unit 202 results in the rotation of the expansion pulley arrangement 201 over the housing 101, which is further rotate the brush in order to cleat the rust.

[0029] Furthermore, an ultrasonic sensor configured on the housing 101 for detecting an inner diameter of the pipe. The ultrasonic sensor works by generating ultrasonic waves, wherein the waves hit the inner circumference of the pipe and are diffracted back. The diffracted waves are received by a receiver integrated within the sensor. The pattern of the received waves gets converted into an analog value which is further converted into an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal is send to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then processes the received signal from the sensor, thus the detecting inner circumference of the pipe, accordance to which the microcontroller evaluates the inner diameter of the pipe.

[0030] Upon determining the inner diameter of the pipe, the microcontroller actuate the pulley arrangement 201 to expand to enable the brushes 106 to contact with the inner surface of the pipe. The expandable pulley arrangement 201 allows the rotatable circular plate to change the diameter without any physical effort. The expandable pulley arrangement 201 consists of two main components: an outer pulley shell and an inner core. The inner core is mounted on a shaft and is capable of moving axially within the outer shell. By changing the position of the inner core relative to the outer shell, the effective diameter of the rotatable extendable pulley arrangement 201 is increased/decreased. The expansion and retraction action are typically actuated by an external force or mechanism. When the pulley arrangement 201 expands, the diameter of the pulley arrangement 201 is increases, which enables the brush to contact with the inner surface of the pipe for scrubbing the determined rust, in order to remove the rust from the inner surface of the pipe.

[0031] Furthermore, plurality of nozzles 104 (range in 3-4) installed on circumferentially on the outer lateral surface of the housing 101 and connected to a tank that is installed on the surface of housing 101 for storing an anti-rust solution. Upon removing the rust from the inner surface of the housing 101, the microcontroller actuates the nozzles 104 to dispense solution on the inner surface of the pipe. Electronic controlled nozzle consists of a gate and a magnetic coil which is energized by the microcontroller, on energizing the magnetic coil force is generated which pushes the gate to open thus allowing the solution to flow out of the nozzle and dispense on the inner surface of the pipe for a prevention of corrosion.

[0032] Additionally, a wireless communication module linked with the microcontroller is configured on the housing 101 enables the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller by connecting with a computing unit, actuate imaging unit 103 to determine the presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe, actuate the ultrasonic sensor to detect the inner diameter of the pipe, actuate the expansion pulley arrangement 201 to expand to enable the brushes 106 to contact with the inner surface of the pipe, and actuate the sliding unit 202 to rotate the expansion pulley arrangement 201 with the brushes 106 for a scrubbing of the determined rust, for a removal of the rust.

[0033] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0034] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device may be comprises a tactile sensor is installed on the surface of the brush to detect the hardness of the determined rust on the surface of the pipe. The tactile sensor detects the hardness of the rust by measuring the force of contact between the sensor and the surface of rust. The sensor is typically a small, flat component that is placed against surface of the rust and then pressed down. As the force of contact increases, the sensor measures the amount of pressure being applied and sends a signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then interprets the signal and determines the hardness of the rust and according to which, the microcontroller regulate the movement of the brush in view of cleaning the rust from the inner surface of the pipe without any damage to the inner surface.

[0035] The present invention work well in the following manner, where the hollow cylindrical housing 101 as disclosed in the invention is having the pair of motorized wheels 102 attached at the front end of the housing 101 and the rear end of the housing 101 for the locomotion of the housing 101 on the inner surface of a pipe. Further, the microphone 105 for user input command regarding to remove the rust form the inner surface of the pipe. According to the user command, the microcontroller activate the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on the housing 101 to determine a presence and location of the rust in the inner surface of the pipe. Based on which, the microcontroller actuate the wheel to maneuver the housing 101 near to the determined rust position present on the inner surface of the pipe. Then, the sliding unit 202 actuated by the microcontroller to rotate the pulley arrangement 201 in a manner to provide movement to the brush for a scrubbing of the determined rust. Thereafter, the ultrasonic sensor for detecting an inner diameter of the pipe to trigger the microcontroller to actuate the expansion pulley arrangement 201 to expand to enable the brushes 106 to contact with the inner surface of the pipe in view of scrubbing of the determined rust in order to remove the rust from the inner surface to the pipe. Then, the nozzles 104 spray the solution on the inner surface of the pipe for a prevention of corrosion.

[0036] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A rust cleaning device for an inner surface of a pipe, comprising:

i) a hollow cylindrical housing 101 having a pair of motorized wheels 102 attached at a front end of said housing 101 and a rear end of said housing 101 for a locomotion of said housing 101 on an inner surface of a pipe;
ii) an expansion pulley arrangement 201 provided on an outer lateral surface of said housing 101, said expansion pulley arrangement 201 attached on a circular sliding unit 202, said sliding unit 202 attached on said outer lateral surface of said housing 101, said sliding unit 202 having plurality of brushes 106 for a cleaning of a rust on said inner surface of said pipe;
iii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 103 installed on said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for recording and processing images in a vicinity of said housing 101, to determine a presence and location of said rust in said inner surface of said pipe to trigger a microcontroller to actuate said wheels 102 to position said expansion pulley arrangement 201 adjacent to said determined rust actuate said sliding unit 202 to rotate said expansion pulley arrangement 201 with said brushes 106 for a scrubbing of said determined rust;
iv) an ultrasonic sensor provided on said housing 101 for detecting an inner diameter of said pipe to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said expansion pulley arrangement 201 to expand to enable said brushes 106 to contact with said inner surface of said pipe; and
v) plurality of nozzles 104 provided circumferentially on said outer lateral surface of said housing 101, said nozzles 104 connected to a tank with a pump, arranged within said housing 101, for storing an anti-rust solution, wherein said nozzles 104 spray said solution on said inner surface of said pipe for a prevention of corrosion.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microphone 105, linked with said microcontroller, provided on said housing 101 for receiving an audio command from a user regarding a removal of said rust on said inner surface of said pipe to trigger said microcontroller to actuate imaging unit 103 to determine said presence and location of said rust in said inner surface of said pipe, actuate said ultrasonic sensor to detect said inner diameter of said pipe, actuate said expansion pulley arrangement 201 to expand to enable said brushes 106 to contact with said inner surface of said pipe, and actuate said sliding unit 202 to rotate said expansion pulley arrangement 201 with said brushes 106 for a scrubbing of said determined rust.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wireless communication module, linked with said microcontroller, is provided on said housing 101 for enabling said user to remotely trigger said microcontroller, by connecting with a computing unit, to actuate imaging unit 103 to determine said presence and location of said rust in said inner surface of said pipe, actuate said ultrasonic sensor to detect said inner diameter of said pipe, actuate said expansion pulley arrangement 201 to expand to enable said brushes 106 to contact with said inner surface of said pipe, and actuate said sliding unit 202 to rotate said expansion pulley arrangement 201 with said brushes 106 for a scrubbing of said determined rust, for a removal of said rust.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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