Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
(OP)
I have recently invented and patented a device for computer aided remote manipulation of the flexible hose. If I put it as simple as possible, it is actually a computer controlled and remotely guided flying hose driven by many separately controlled water jets, in general pointing downwards, distributed along the whole length of the hose.
Idea for the device was initially created with firefighting in mind, but later some new usage possibilities were discovered (for example: remote maintenance of roofs and large solar panel surfaces).
Article with the description of the invention is published on the link.
YouTube video of first tests with a prototype of one unit.
I'm looking forward to receive expert opinions and hints about the feasibility and possible length of the device.
Any new usage ideas are also welcome.
Thanks in advance
Independent Innovator Davor Eberl
Idea for the device was initially created with firefighting in mind, but later some new usage possibilities were discovered (for example: remote maintenance of roofs and large solar panel surfaces).
Article with the description of the invention is published on the link.
YouTube video of first tests with a prototype of one unit.
I'm looking forward to receive expert opinions and hints about the feasibility and possible length of the device.
Any new usage ideas are also welcome.
Thanks in advance
Independent Innovator Davor Eberl





RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
Perhaps each nozzle could have a "self righting" mechanism to locally correct un-commanded rotations of the hose? As an example, model helicopters usually have gyros to correct un-commanded rotations of the helicopter without help from the pilot.
je suis charlie
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
There should be no torque around the axis of the hose if all of the units have their centers of gravity on the axis and if the jet is perpendicular to the axis. A small torque that is created when the nozzle is turned and when it is not perpendicular to the axis anymore, has no effect around the axis. With a very short handle (r), it only has a slight tendency to bend the hose, which is not very easy to do, when it is pressurized.
You correctly noticed that manual balancing and preventing the device from tipping over would probably be a difficult task for the operator. The flight controllers that I intend to install into every single unit are otherwise used for controlling the flight of multi-rotor drones and planes. They have the auto-level function and are supposed to take care of the balancing.
Most of the people (potential investors and future users) don't believe that this thing can fly high and in a stable and controlled manner - as if the distance to the ground would have any influence on the size of the thrust forces
For people like that, I have to build a more convincing prototype. Unfortunately, this task requires considerable funds that I currently don't have in my possession (unemployed).
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
Maybe not but the mass of hose and water to be lifted increases, the pressure at the nozzle decreases according to the "head" height and viscous losses increase with hose length.
je suis charlie
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
I'm also aware of the pressure drop caused by the friction between the water and the hose. Calculations are showing that the same thrust force of the jet can be achieved at a lower flow rate when we increase the pressure. This also means smaller nozzle diameters and slower flow of the water trough the hose. So, the pressure shouldn't drop drastically along the hose if the selected operating pressure of the system is sufficiently high.
My point with the distance to the ground is that the device will behave exactly the same hovering half a meter above the ground as if we extend it above the Grand Canyon abyss.
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
If it weren't for the video I would say we are being trolled. Even so the video shows the hose with lots of helping strings and it requires a lot of power. I don't think this is practical for just lifting hose.
However, the is a company called WorxAmerica that robotically cleans the insides of rail road tank cars. What they would like to due is clean the inside of the big storage tanks themselves using a robot spray cleaner. The problem is that there are obstacles for a ground based robot that make cleaning from the ground difficult.
The oil and other petrol products storage tanks must be cleaned periodically. It is dangerous work done by men in environmental suits with oxygen tanks. The temperature inside are hot in the Texas sun. There are OSHA limits to how long a person can be in hot areas. People die cleaning these tanks.
If your flying hose could fly a nozzle around the tank to clean it by remote control then you may have something the oil and gas companies would want to use.
Peter Nachtwey
Delta Computer Systems
http://www.deltamotion.com
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
Cleaning the interior of tanks and reservoirs was already considered as one of the usage possibilities (also mentioned in the article).
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
RE: Hovering and remote control of a flexible hose
If you are aware of a company that might be interested, please be so kind to let me know.