IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,827,557
Granted Patent B1
US 11,827,557 · App. 18/063,356 · Granted Nov 28, 2023

Method for coating an interior surface of a pipe

Inventor: Feroz Shaik (Dhahran, SA)
Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
C03C17/004B01J35/004B01J37/0215B01J37/0236B05B5/085B05B13/005B05B13/0627B05C7/08
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,827,557
App. No.
18/063,356
Granted
Nov 28, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

The system includes a robot multi jet system having a spray section, a drier section, and a catalyst section. The drier section includes a warm air blower, the catalyst section includes a photocatalyst tank, and the spray section includes a plurality of jet extensions. A first jet extension connected to the photocatalyst tank sprays a uniform layer of a photocatalyst through a first set of jets, and a second jet extension that is mechanically connected to the drier section and in fluid communication with the warm air blower is configured to spray a gas onto an inner surface of the glass tube with a second set of jets. Both the drier section and the catalyst section are mounted on wheels to move the system on the inner surface of the glass tube. A motor is electrically connected to a battery mounted within the robot and mounted to the wheels.

Claims (29)

1. A method of coating an interior surface of a pipe, comprising:

spraying, with a robotic multi jet system present inside the pipe, a composition comprising a photocatalyst onto the interior surface of the pipe to form a sprayed interior surface, then

drying, with the robotic multi-jet system present inside the pipe, the sprayed interior surface to form a coated interior surface;

wherein the robotic multi jet system comprises:

a robot having a spray section, a drier section, and a catalyst section;

wherein the drier section comprises a warm air blower;

the catalyst section comprises a photocatalyst tank, and

the spray section comprises a plurality of jet extensions, wherein each jet extension terminates in one or more jets;

wherein the photocatalyst tank contains a submersible pump; and

wherein a first jet extension is fluidly connected to the photocatalyst tank through the submersible pump and is configured to spray a uniform layer of a photocatalyst contained in the photocatalyst tank through a first set of jets, and a second jet extension is mechanically connected to the drier section in fluid communication with the blower and is configured to blow a gas onto the interior surface of the pipe through a second set of jets;

wherein the first and second jet extensions are made of stainless steel;

wherein the drier section and the catalyst section are separate sections that are connected by a metal bend chain link;

wherein both the drier section and the catalyst section are separately mounted on wheels configured to support and move the robotic multi jet system on the interior surface of the pipe;

wherein the spray section, the drier section, and the catalyst section are laterally connected with the drier section at a first end, the spray section at a second end and the catalyst section in between the first and second ends;

wherein the first set of jets are located at a terminal end of the second end;

wherein the second set of jets are located in between the first set of jets and the catalyst section; and

a motor that is electrically connected to a battery mounted within the robot, wherein the motor is pivotally mounted to the wheels and configured to move the robotic multi jet system on the wheels across the interior surface of the pipe.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each jet extension of the plurality of jet extensions of the robotic multi jet system comprises at least 4 jets.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of jets of the robotic multi jet system comprises at least 2 jets.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second set of jets of the robotic multi jet system comprises at least 2 jets.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the submersible pump of the robotic multi jet system is completely disposed within the photocatalyst tank to supply the photocatalyst to the first set of jets.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each jet of the plurality of jets of the robotic multi jet system is in a shape of a disc.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein individual jets of the first set of jets of the robotic multi jet system are connected in parallel with neighboring jets.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein individual jets of the second set of jets of the robotic multi jet system are connected in parallel with neighboring jets.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual jets of the first and second set of the robotic multi-jet system are configured to oscillate 180°during spraying.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pipe is a cylindrical glass tube.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the uniform layer has a thickness of from 10 nm to 5 μm.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the blower is electrically connected to the battery and comprises a plurality of resistive heating elements electrically connected to the battery such that the blower blows warm air.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the blower is disposed perpendicular to the battery within the drier section.

Continuity (1)
Continuation 17852442 · Jun 29, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,420,308