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Development of Cleaning Robot for Trench Drains

Kaushik, Adithya

Abstract Details

2019, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Mechanical Engineering.
The purpose of this thesis is to discuss the development of a novel method for the cleaning of trench drains. It deals with the design, conceptualization, analysis and testing of a device which fits into the drain and cleans it without needing to interfere with the surrounding traffic or the drain itself. The project was an effort to shift the cleaning process for the trench drains from manual to either semi-automated or automated methods. Due to the previous methods like manual cleaning and cleaning through water jets being slow and highly inefficient processes respectively, there was a need for an automated mechanism which was fast, reliable and did not waste resources. The transition was intended to ensure a safer process with lesser manpower required in addition to being easier to implement. Over the course of developing this mechanism, two complete prototypes were designed and implemented in the drains. The performance of both the models has been discussed in detail. The prototype developed has three main sections to implement these functionalities: 1. A drive system to make it move forwards and backwards in the drain. This system controls the overall feed of the robot and the suction hose inside the drain. 2. A suction hose with a hose attachment and a shovel. This is the main section involved with the cleaning inside the drain. 3. A cutting mechanism with rotating brushes due to which all the clogged and hardened dirt is loosened and falls to the drain bottom from where it can be sucked into the hose efficiently. This ensures easy removal of the dirt from the drain. Overall, the various tests were conducted on the prototypes at different stages of their development which proved the working concept of the design and their functions. The new cleaning mechanism was found to work and operate smoothly for a little more than four total sections (14.2 ft) of the drain with it being entirely inside the drain throughout the operation time. Ideally, the second prototype was found to work most efficiently when the average depth of sedimentation inside the drain was 2.5 inches. Also, as observed from various tests, the robot works best with twin vacuum system with a total power of 3.2 HP.
Janet Jiaxiang Dong, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Hazem Elzarka, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jing Shi, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
154 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kaushik, A. (2019). Development of Cleaning Robot for Trench Drains [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1573569385569481

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kaushik, Adithya. Development of Cleaning Robot for Trench Drains. 2019. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1573569385569481.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kaushik, Adithya. "Development of Cleaning Robot for Trench Drains." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1573569385569481

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)