DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to system and method for cleaning. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle integrated manhole cleaning system and method.
BACKGROUND
Manhole cleaning is an important requirement for ensuring an efficient waste management system and healthy society. The units and methods employed for cleaning manholes require continuous intervention of humans. In other words, the conventional cleaning solutions are majorly based on manual scavenging by the human. Over the time, robotic cleaning solutions have been replacing the inhuman practice of manual manhole scavenging.
Robotic manhole cleaning solution is efficient and productive in the cleaning process, as compared to the manual cleaning methods. The current robotic cleaning solutions too require manual intervention to execute overall cleaning operation. For example, the current robotic solutions of cleaning manholes require inputs from an operator while cleaning the manhole. Also, current robotic solutions are very slow while cleaning the manhole. This requires the operator to stand nearby the cleaning machine till, the cleaning of the manhole is completely done.
Therefore, there exists a need for an efficient cleaning system for manhole cleaning that is capable of solving aforementioned problems of the conventional inspection systems.
SUMMARY
A manhole cleaning system is disclosed. The system includes a cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus include a manhole detection unit, a manhole cover opening unit, a position tracking unit, a manhole cleaning unit, and a data processing apparatus coupled to each other. The manhole detection unit is configured to detect one or more manholes based on data related to coordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes. The manhole cover opening unit is adapted to open the one or more manholes for cleaning. The position tracking unit is configured to determine a real-time location of the manhole cleaning unit. The data processing apparatus includes processing circuitry that is configured to compare the detected data related to coordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes and position the manhole cleaning unit above the one or more manholes. The processing circuitry is further configured to operate the manhole cover opening unit to open the one or more manholes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuitry is further configured to operate the manhole cleaning unit to clean the manhole in any one of, a manual mode and an automatic mode.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes an input unit that is configured to provide instructions to the processing circuitry to operate the manhole cleaning unit in manual mode.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the manhole detection unit includes a plurality of first sensors configured to sense signals representing one of, (i) a plurality of co-ordinates of the manhole and (ii) dimensions of the manhole.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the manhole cleaning unit further includes a water jetting unit adapted to direct a plurality of water jets to clean the one or more manholes, a rodding unit adapted to unclog the one or more manholes, a grabbing unit adapted to grab the waste (or debris) from the manholes, and a suction unit adapted to suck the waste from the one or more manholes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a frame that is adapted to support the cleaning unit.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the system further includes a vehicle that is coupled to the cleaning apparatus via the frame.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a plurality of linkages, a plurality of second sensors disposed on the plurality of linkages that are configured to sense positions of the plurality of linkages, and a plurality of actuators coupled to the plurality of linkages and the plurality of second sensors configured to move the plurality of linkages.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the system further includes a waste collection and disposal unit.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the waste collection and disposal unit further includes a tray and a dumper bucket that are adapted to collect and transfer waste respectively.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a manhole cleaning method is disclosed. The method includes the step of detecting, by way of a manhole detection unit of a cleaning apparatus, data related to coordinates and dimensions of one or more manholes. The method further includes the step of determining, by way of a position tracking unit coupled to the manhole detection unit and the manhole cleaning unit of the cleaning apparatus, a real time location of a manhole cleaning unit of the cleaning apparatus. The method further includes the step of comparing, by way of a processing circuitry of a data processing apparatus coupled to the cleaning apparatus, the data related to the coordinates and the dimensions of one or more manholes, and the real time location of the cleaning unit. The method further includes the step of positioning, by way of the processing circuitry, the cleaning apparatus above the one or more manholes. The method further includes operating by way of the processing circuitry, a manhole cover opening unit to open the one or more manholes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, furthermore, the method includes collecting and disposing, by way of a waste collection and disposal unit of the cleaning apparatus, waste from the one or more manholes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:
The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle integrated cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of a manhole cleaning system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates the data processing apparatus of the system of FIG.2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method for cleaning one or more manholes by the system of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible to designate like elements common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a vehicle integrated manhole cleaning system and method. The following description provides specific details of certain embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the present disclosure can be reflected in additional embodiments and the disclosure may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
The various embodiments including the example embodiments are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described specifically to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventor/inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the various embodiments including the example embodiments relate to a vehicle integrated manhole cleaning system and method.
As mentioned, there remains a need for an efficient cleaning system that is capable of solving the problems of conventional cleaning systems. Accordingly, the present disclosure, therefore, provides a vehicle integrated manhole cleaning system and method that is adapted to align a cleaning unit of a vehicle integrated cleaning apparatus with one or more manholes to facilitate smooth insertion of the cleaning unit in the manhole.
The aspects herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting aspects that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the aspects herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the aspects herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the aspects herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the aspects herein.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle integrated cleaning apparatus. (hereinafter referred to as “the cleaning apparatus 102”), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the cleaning apparatus 102 may be configured to clean one or more manholes of a sewer. The cleaning apparatus 102 may be operated in one of, a manual mode and an automatic mode to execute cleaning of the one or more manholes. Specifically, in the automatic mode, the cleaning apparatus 102 may automatically perform one or more cleaning operations within a manhole. In the manual mode, the system 100 may require an operator for performing the one or more cleaning operations within the manhole.
The cleaning apparatus 102 may include an X, Y, and Z axis (as shown in FIG. 1). The cleaning apparatus 102 may further include a manhole detection unit 104, a manhole cover opening unit 105, a position tracking unit 106, a waste collection and disposal unit 108 that includes a tray 124 and a dumper bucket 126, a manhole cleaning unit 110, a frame 112, a vehicle 114 integrated with the cleaning apparatus 102 via the frame 112, a plurality of actuators 116a-116n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the actuators 116”), a plurality of linkages 118a-118n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the linkages 118”), a first set of sensors 120a-120n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the first sensors 120”), a second set of sensors 122a-122n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the second sensors 122”), a control unit 125, a guiding unit 127, and a display unit 128. The manhole cleaning unit 110 may include a jetting unit 130, a grabbing unit 131, a rodding unit 132, a suction unit 134, and a clamp 136.
In some embodiments, the vehicle 114 may include, but not limited to, a lorry, a low duty truck, a van, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the vehicle 114, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 102 may be detachably mounted on a trailer that may be towed by the vehicle 114.
The vehicle 114 may be adapted to carry the cleaning apparatus 102 to a cleaning site i.e., near to the manhole for cleaning the manhole. The vehicle 114 may be parked or halted in vicinity of the cleaning apparatus 102 such that the cleaning unit 110 faces towards the manhole. The vehicle 114 may preferably be parked at a location near the manhole that may allow easy reachability of the cleaning unit 110 towards the manhole.
The cleaning apparatus 102 may be mounted or installed on the vehicle 114. Preferably, the cleaning apparatus 102 may be mounted on a loading area of the vehicle 114. The cleaning apparatus 102 may be adapted to clean the manhole of the sewer. Specifically, to clean the manhole of the sewer, the cleaning unit 110 may be adapted to extract the waste from the manhole.
The frame 112 may be mounted on the cleaning apparatus 102. The frame 112 may be adapted to support the cleaning apparatus 102 and facilitate movement of the manhole cleaning unit 110. Further the frame 112 may facilitate in coupling the vehicle 114 to the cleaning apparatus 102. Furthermore, the frame 112 may facilitate mounting of one or more components of the cleaning apparatus 102. For example, the frame 112 may facilitate mounting of the actuators 116 and the linkages 118. In other words, the actuators 116 and the linkages 118 may be disposed at different locations of the frame 112. The linkages 118 may be coupled to the actuators 116 such that the actuators 116, upon actuation, may be adapted to move the linkages 118. Specifically, the actuators 116, upon actuation, may be adapted to move the linkages 118 in one of the X, Y, and Z axis of the cleaning apparatus 102.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each actuator of the actuators 116 may include, but not limited to, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and an electric actuator. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of actuator, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The manhole detection unit 104 may be configured to detect data related to coordinates and characteristics of one or more manholes. The manhole detection unit 104 may include the first sensors 120.
The manhole cover opening unit 105 may be coupled to the manhole detection unit 104. The manhole cover opening unit 105 may be adapted to open the cover of the manhole. Specifically, the manhole cover opening unit 105 may be adapted to open the cover of the manhole by way of the one or more mechanical linkages.
In some embodiments, the manhole cover opening unit 105 may be operated to open the one or more manholes either automatically or manually.
In some embodiments, the one or more mechanical linkages may be magnetic-type mechanical linkages or hydraulic operated mechanical linkages.
In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 102 may be operated in either in the manual mode or an automatic mode. In the manual mode, the cleaning apparatus 102 may be controlled by way of joysticks, keyboards, switches etc. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include all the unit to control the operation of the cleaning apparatus 102, without deviating from the aspects of the present disclosure.
The first sensors 120 may be disposed on the cleaning unit 110. The first sensors 120 may be configured to sense first set of signals representing one of, (i) a plurality of co-ordinates of the manhole and (ii) dimensions of the manhole.
In some embodiments, the first sensors 120 may include, but not limited to, an image sensor, a proximity sensor, a level sensor, a position sensor, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the first sensors 120, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some embodiments, the first sensors 120 may be disposed on the manhole cleaning unit 110 to sense second set of signals representing the internal environment of the manhole.
The second sensors 122 may be disposed on the actuators 116 and on the linkages 118. The second sensors 122 may be configured to sense third set of signals representing position of the actuators 116 and the linkages 118. The position of the actuators 116 and the linkages 118 may facilitate the cleaning apparatus 102 to efficiently execute automatic cleaning of the manhole. In other words, the position of the actuators 116 and the linkages 118 may facilitate the cleaning apparatus 102 to perform the one or more cleaning operations in the automatic mode.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second sensors 122 may include, but not limited to, a mechanical limit switch, an ultrasonic proximity sensor, and an inductive proximity sensor. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the second sensors 122, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The position tracking unit 106 may be configured to locate a position of the cleaning apparatus 102 in real time. Specifically, the position tracking unit 106 may employ the second set of sensors 122 to locate the position of the manhole cleaning unit 110 in real time to compare with the detected position of one or more manholes. The position of the manhole cleaning unit 110 once detected may be compared with the position of the one or more manholes so that the cleaning unit 110 may facilitate the cleaning of the one or more manholes at an exact position of the one or more manholes.
The position tracking unit 106 may advantageously maintain track records. For example, the track records may include, but not limited to, location of manhole cleaned, and a number of manholes cleaned.
The control unit 125 may be configured to perform one or more operations, for example, an appropriate circuitry of the control unit 125 may be configured to, upon generation of the control signal, adjust the position of the cleaning unit 110 with respect to the plurality of co-ordinates of the manhole. The control unit 125 may adjust the position of the cleaning unit 110 such that the cleaning unit 110 may be positioned above the manhole. In other words, the cleaning unit 110 may be aligned with the manhole such that the cleaning unit 110 is easily inserted within the manhole. Specifically, the control unit 125 may be configured to automatically adjust the position of the cleaning unit 110 with respect to the manhole without any human intervention.
The cleaning unit 110 may be coupled to the linkages 118 such that the linkages 118 moves, translates, and rotates the cleaning unit 110 in one of the X, Y, and Z axis. The cleaning unit 110, upon insertion in the manhole, may be adapted to perform the one or more cleaning operations within the manhole. The clamp 136 may be adapted to collect the waste from the manhole. The waste may include, but not limited to, a liquid waste and a solid waste. The jetting unit 130 may be adapted to direct a water jet in the manhole to remove one of, dust, debris, mud, and the like from the manhole. The rodding unit 132 may be adapted to remove one or more chocks or blockages from the manhole. In other words, the rodding unit 132 may be adapted to unclog the manhole. The suction unit 134 may be adapted to suck the waste from the manhole. Upon performing the one or more cleaning operations within the manhole, the cleaning unit 110 may be raised out from the manhole.
In some embodiment, the manhole cleaning unit 110 may be operated in any one of, a X, Y and Z direction by way of the guiding unit 112.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the guiding unit 127 may include, but not limited to, the joystick, a switch, a keyboard and the like for operating the manhole cleaning unit 110 manually. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the guiding unit 127, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The tray 124 may be disposed at the side of the cleaning unit 110. The tray 124 may be coupled to the linkages 118 such that the linkages 118 moves, translates, and rotates the tray 124 in one of the X, Y, and Z axis. Specifically, the tray 124 may be moved near to the clamp 136 such that the tray 124 receives the waste from the clamp 136. The tray 124, upon receiving the waste, may be further moved towards the dumper bucket 126.
The dumper bucket 126 may be disposed below the tray 124. The dumper bucket 126 may be coupled to the linkages 118 such that the dumper bucket 126 may move in one of, the X, Y, and Z axis. The dumper bucket 126 may be a bucket that may be adapted to receive or hold the waste. The tray 124 may be adapted to dump or throw the waste into the dumper bucket 126. The cleaning unit 110 may continuously perform the one or more cleaning operations within the manhole such that the clamp 136 repeatedly collects the waste from the manhole. The tray 124 may therefore repeatedly dump or throw the waste into the dumper bucket 126. The dumper bucket 126 may be filled, upon continuous or repeated dumping of the waste into the dumper bucket 126 from the tray 12. The linkages 118, upon the dumper bucket 126 being completely filled by the waste, may be adapted to move the dumper bucket 126 in an upside-down position to eject the waste from the dumper bucket 126. Specifically, the waste from the dumper bucket 126 may be ejected at a location from where the waste may be easily disposed.
The guiding unit 127 may be adapted to guide the cleaning unit 110 when the cleaning apparatus operates manually. Specifically, the guiding unit 127 may be adapted to adjust the position of the cleaning unit 110 with respect to the plurality of co-ordinates of the manhole. The guiding unit 127 may therefore advantageously adjust the position of the cleaning unit 110 such that the cleaning unit 110 is positioned above the manhole. This may advantageously allow smooth insertion of the cleaning unit 110 in the manhole.
The display unit 128 may be mounted on the vehicle 114. The display unit 128 may be configured to display the co-ordinates of the manhole, the dimensions of the manhole, and the internal environment of the manhole to the operator. In other words, the display unit 128 may provide visualization feedback to the operator such that the visualization feedback may represent, one of, (i) the co-ordinates of the manhole, (ii) the dimensions of the manhole, and (iii) the internal environment of the manhole.
Fig. 2 represents block diagram of a manhole cleaning system 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The system 200 may include the cleaning apparatus 102 and a data processing apparatus 202. The data processing apparatus 202 may be communicatively coupled to the cleaning apparatus 102, by way of a communication network 208. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus 102 and the data processing apparatus 202 may be communicatively coupled through separate communication networks established therebetween that may be wired and/or wireless.
The communication network 208 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to provide a plurality of network ports and a plurality of communication channels for transmission and reception of data related to operations of various entities (such as the cleaning apparatus 102 and the data processing apparatus 202) of the system 200. Each network port may correspond to a virtual address (or a physical machine address) for transmission and reception of the communication data. For example, the virtual address may be an Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPV4) (or an IPV6 address) and the physical address may be a Media Access Control (MAC) address. The communication network 208 may be associated with an application layer for implementation of communication protocols based on one or more communication requests from the cleaning apparatus 102 and the data processing apparatus 202. The communication data may be transmitted or received, via the communication protocols. Examples of the communication protocols may include, but are not limited to, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Domain Network System (DNS) protocol, Common Management Interface Protocol (CMIP), Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication protocols, or any combination thereof.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the communication data may be transmitted or received via at least one communication channel of a plurality of communication channels in the communication network 208. The communication channels may include, but are not limited to, a wireless channel, a wired channel, a combination of wireless and wired channel thereof. The wireless or wired channel may be associated with a data standard which may be defined by one of a Local Area Network (LAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), Wireless Area Network (WAN), Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a satellite network, the Internet, a fiber optic network, a coaxial cable network, an infrared (IR) network, a radio frequency (RF) network, and a combination thereof. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of communication channel, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
The data processing apparatus 202 may be a network of computers, a framework, or a combination thereof, that may provide a generalized approach to create a server implementation. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the data processing apparatus 202 may be a server. Examples of the data processing apparatus 202 may include, but are not limited to, personal computers, laptops, mini-computers, mainframe computers, any non-transient and tangible machine that can execute a machine-readable code, cloud-based servers, distributed server networks, or a network of computer systems. The data processing apparatus 202 may be realized through various web-based technologies such as, but not limited to, a Java web-framework, a .NET framework, a personal home page (PHP) framework, or any other web-application framework. The data processing apparatus 202 may include one or more processing circuitries of which processing circuitry 204 is shown and a database 206.
The processing circuitry 204 may be configured to execute various operations associated with the system 200. The processing circuitry 204 may be coupled to the database 206 and configured to execute the one or more operations associated with the system 200 by communicating one or more commands and/or instructions over the communication network 208. Examples of the processing circuitry 204 may include, but are not limited to, an ASIC processor, a RISC processor, a CISC processor, a FPGA, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the processing circuitry 204 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
The database 206 may be configured to store the logic, instructions, circuitry, interfaces, and/or codes of the processing circuitry 204 for executing various operations. Examples of the database 206 may include but are not limited to, a Relational database, a NoSQL database, a Cloud database, an Object-oriented database, and the like. Further, the database 206 may include associated memories that may include, but is not limited to, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a removable storage drive, a HDD, a solid-state memory, a magnetic storage drive, a PROM, an EPROM, and/or an EEPROM. Embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the database 206 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
In operation, upon receiving the data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes via the manhole detection unit 104 and determining real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110 via the position tracking unit 106, the processing circuitry 204 may be configured to compare the detected data related to the coordinates and the dimensions of one or more manholes, and the real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110. Further, based on comparison, the processing circuitry 204 is configured to position the manhole cleaning unit 110 above the one or more manholes. Further, the processing circuitry 204 is configured to operate the manhole cover opening unit 105 to open the one or more manholes. Further, the processing circuitry 204 is configured to operate the manhole cleaning unit 110 to clean the manhole in any one of, a manual mode and an automatic mode. To operate the manhole cleaning unit 110 in manual mode, the processing circuitry 204 is configured to receive instructions from an input unit 109. Further, the waste collection and disposal unit may be adapted to collect and transfer the waste present in the one or more manholes.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus (102) may include a processing unit therein (not shown) that may be configured to receive the detected data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes via the manhole detection unit 104 and determine real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110 via the position tracking unit 106. The processing unit may further be configured to compare the detected data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes and the real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110 and thereby position the manhole cleaning unit 110 above the one or more manholes.
FIG. 3 illustrates the data processing apparatus 202 of the system 200 of FIG.2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The data processing apparatus 202 may include the processing circuitry 204, the database 206, a network interface 300, and an input-output (I/O) interface 302 communicatively coupled to one another by way of a communication bus 304.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuitry 204 may include a data collection engine 306, a processing engine 308, a display engine 310, a comparing engine 312 and a positioning engine 314. The data collection engine 306, the processing engine 308, the display engine 310, the comparing engine 312 and the positioning engine 314 may be coupled to each other by way of a second communication bus 316.
The data collection engine 306 may be configured to retrieve from the database 206, the data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes and real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110. Further, the data collection engine 306 may be configured to retrieve data representing the internal environment of the one or more manhole from the database 206.
The processing engine 308 may be configured to receive from the data representing the internal environment of the one or more manhole from the database 206 and generate an internal environment of the manhole.
The display engine 310 may be configured to receive the generated internal environment of the manhole and display the internal environment of the manhole to an operator via the display unit 128.
The comparing engine 312 may be configured to receive from the data collection engine 306, the data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes and real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110. Further, comparing engine 312 may be configured to compare the data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes and real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110.
The positioning engine 314 may be configured to receive from the comparing engine 312, the comparison results of the data related to co-ordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes and real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110 and based on that position the manhole cleaning unit 110 above the one or more manholes.
The network interface 300 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and interfaces that may be configured to establish and enable a communication between the data processing apparatus 202, and the cleaning apparatus 102 via the communication network 208. The network interface 300 may be implemented by use of various known technologies to support wired or wireless communication of the data processing apparatus 202 with the communication network 208. The network interface 300 may include, but is not limited to, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a coder-decoder (CODEC) chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, and a local buffer circuit.
The I/O interface 302 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be configured to receive inputs (e.g., orders) and transmit outputs via a plurality of data ports in the data processing apparatus 202. The I/O interface 302 may include various input and output data ports for different I/O units. Examples of such I/O units may include, but are not limited to, a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a projector audio output, a microphone, an image-capture unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and/or a speaker.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method 400 of cleaning one or more manholes, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
At step 402, the manhole detection unit 104 may be configured to detect one or more manholes based on the data that may related to the coordinates and the dimensions of the one or more manholes.
At step 404, the position tracking unit 106 may determine the real-time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110.
At step 406, data processing apparatus 202 may compare the detected data related to the coordinates and the dimensions of one or more manholes, and the real time location of the manhole cleaning unit 110.
At step 407, the system 200 may be adapted to open the one or more manholes. Specifically, the system 200 may be adapted to open the one or more manholes by way of the one or more mechanical linkages that may be magnetic type mechanical linkages or the one or more hydraulic operated mechanical linkages.
At step 408, the data processing apparatus 202 may position the manhole cleaning unit (110) above the one or more manholes.
At step 410, the waste collection and disposal unit 108 may collect and dispose waste from the one or more manholes.
Thus, the system 200 and the method 400 may provide following advantages that may be derived from the structural and functional aspects of the system 200 and the method 300: -
- The system 200 and the method 400 may allow the vehicle 114 to be parked near to the manhole for efficient cleaning of the manhole.
- The system 200 and the method 400 may facilitate alignment of the cleaning unit 110 with the manhole to efficiently clean the manhole.
- The system 200 and the method 400 may execute inspection of the manhole.
- The system 200 when operated in the automatic mode, may consume less time to perform the one or more cleaning operations in the manhole.
- The cleaning unit 110 may be properly aligned with the manhole, which may increase quality of cleaning the manhole.
The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate aspects, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each aspect. Rather, as the following aspects reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following aspects are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each aspect standing on its own as a separate aspect of the present disclosure.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more aspects, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those disclosed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the system 100 includes a number of functional blocks in the form of a number of units and/or engines. The functionality of each unit and/or engine goes beyond merely finding one or more computer algorithms to carry out one or more procedures and/or methods in the form of a predefined sequential manner, rather each engine explores adding up and/or obtaining one or more objectives contributing to an overall functionality of the system 100. Each unit and/or engine may not be limited to an algorithmic and/or coded form, rather may be implemented by way of one or more hardware elements operating together to achieve one or more objectives contributing to the overall functionality of the system 100. Further, as it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, all the steps, methods and/or procedures of the system 100 are generic and procedural in nature and are not specific and sequential.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and aspects to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. While various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these aspects only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. ,CLAIMS:1. A manhole cleaning system (200) comprising:
a cleaning apparatus (102) comprising:
a manhole detection unit (104) configured to detect one or more manholes based on data related to coordinates and dimensions of the one or more manholes;
a manhole cover opening unit (105) coupled to the manhole detection unit (104) and adapted to open the one or more manholes;
a manhole cleaning unit (110) coupled to the manhole detection unit (104) and the manhole cover opening unit (105), and configured to clean the one or more manholes;
a position tracking unit (106) coupled to the manhole detection unit (104), the manhole cover opening unit (105), and the manhole cleaning unit (110), and configured to determine a real-time location of the manhole cleaning unit (110);
a data processing apparatus (202) that is coupled to the cleaning apparatus (102) and comprising; and
processing circuitry (204) configured to:
compare the data related to the coordinates and the dimensions of the one or more manholes, and the real time location of the manhole cleaning unit (110);
position the manhole cleaning unit (110) above the one or more manholes based on the comparison of the data and the real time location; and
operate the manhole cover opening unit (105) to open the one or more manholes.
2. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry (204) is further configured to operate the manhole cleaning unit (110) to clean the manhole in any one of, a manual mode and an automatic mode.

3. The system (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cleaning apparatus (202) further comprising an input unit (109) that is configured to provide instructions to the processing circuitry (204) to operate the manhole cleaning unit (110) in manual mode.

4. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the manhole detection unit (104) comprising a plurality of first sensors (120) configured to sense signals representing one of, (i) a plurality of co-ordinates of the manhole and (ii) dimensions of the manhole.

5. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the manhole cleaning unit (110) further comprising a jetting unit (130) adapted to direct a plurality of water jets to clean the one or more manholes, a rodding unit (132), a grabbing unit (131) adapted to grab the waste (or debris) from the manhole, and a suction unit (134) adapted to suck the waste from the one or more manholes.

6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning apparatus (102) further comprising a frame (112) that is adapted to support the cleaning unit (110).

7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vehicle (114) that is coupled to the cleaning apparatus (102) via the frame (112).

8. The system (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cleaning apparatus (102) further comprising a plurality of linkages (118), a plurality of second sensors (122) disposed on the plurality of linkages (118) that are configured to sense positions of the plurality of linkages (118), and a plurality of actuators (116) coupled to the plurality of linkages (118) and the plurality of second sensors (122) configured to move the plurality of linkages (118).

9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning apparatus (102) further comprising a waste collection and disposal unit (108).

10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the waste collection and disposal unit (108) further comprising a tray (124) and a dumper bucket (126) that are adapted to collect and transfer waste respectively.

11. A manhole cleaning method (400) comprising:
detecting, by way of a manhole detection unit (104) of a cleaning apparatus (102), data related to coordinates and dimensions of one or more manholes;
determining, by way of a position tracking unit (106) coupled to a manhole cleaning unit (110) and the manhole detection unit (104) of the cleaning apparatus (102), a real time location of a manhole cleaning unit (110) of the cleaning apparatus (102) that is configured to clean the one or more manholes;
comparing, by way of a processing circuitry (204) of a data processing apparatus (202) coupled to the cleaning apparatus (102), the data related to the coordinates and the dimensions of one or more manholes, and the real time location of the cleaning unit (110);
positioning, by way of the processing circuitry (204), the manhole cleaning unit (110) above the one or more manholes; and
operating, by way of the processing circuitry (204), a manhole cover opening unit (105) to open the one or more manholes.

12. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, further comprising collecting and disposing, by way of a waste collection and disposal unit (108) of the cleaning apparatus (102), waste from the one or more manholes.