Automatic Cleaning Research Articles

A new low-power, open-path instrument for measuring methane flux by eddy covariance

This paper describes a new low-power instrument for measuring methane flux by eddy covariance method at sites without grid power. Design and field performance of the LI-7700 Methane Analyzer (LI-COR Biosciences) are examined in this study. The instrument uses 8 W of power in steady-state operation and employs a tunable diode laser in an open Herriott cell configuration with 0.47 m base path and 30 m optical path length. Methane number density is measured using wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) with 2f detection. Typical signal noise is <5 ppb rms at 10 Hz. Corrections for variations in temperature, pressure and water vapor are described. Data losses due to mirror contamination and condensation are minimized by a radiation shield and automatic mirror cleaning system and are shown to be small. Measured spectra and co-spectra are shown to follow the Kaimal model at deployment sites meeting classical criteria, and to follow sensible heat flux co-spectra from the sonic anemometer in most other cases, including difficult ones. Measured fluxes are similar in magnitude to those expected from the literature, and zero flux was measured during both summer and winter at a site known to have fluxes at or very near zero.

Electrostatic Cleaning System for Removing Lunar Dust Adhering to Space Suits

Removing lunar dust adhering to astronaut space suits is critically important for long-term lunar exploration. We are developing an automatic cleaning system that uses electrostatic force. It employs an alternating electrostatic field that forms a barrier on the surface of fabrics. In this study, we applied single-phase rectangular voltage to parallel wire electrodes stitched into the insulating fabric of space suits. By applying mechanical vibration and operating the system in a vacuum, we realized high performance: the cleaning rate exceeded 80%. Flicking out particles smaller than 10 μm in diameter that were trapped between fibers was difficult, but this system can perform preliminary space suit cleaning and save precious time for astronauts on the moon.

Robotic cleaning system for glass facade of high‐rise airport control tower

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a robotic cleaning system for applying on the glass facade of the control tower at the Guangzhou Airport, in Guangzhou, China.Design/methodology/approachFour similar robotic cleaning systems are designed for a reversed cone‐shape glass facade at the top of the control tower. One system is composed of a robot moving along and cleaning the facade, and an automatic conveyer positioning, securing, supplying energy and water to, and recycling the dirty water from the robot. An on‐board controller enables the system to work in a remote control mode or a fully automated mode under the supervision of an operator.FindingsThis paper presents how to integrate the attaching, moving, cleaning and securing functions into one robotic system for the high rise glass facade, and focuses on the kinematics, the control and sensor system and the cleaning navigation. In particular, the real time control method of the vacuum in the cup is discussed to ensure high cleaning quality and security.Research limitations/implicationsSince the cleaning system proposed in this paper is a custom‐built one, the generalization of its design idea should be tested in other applications.Practical implicationsThe paper includes the implications for the development of automatic cleaning system for the high‐rise buildings with reversed inclining glass façade.Originality/valueThe robotic cleaning system described in this paper is the first fully automated cleaning machine for the reversed inclining glass facade in China. It works effectively and reliably on the control tower of the Guangzhou airport.

Computer-aided recording of automatic endoscope washing and disinfection processes as an integral part of medical documentation for quality assurance purposes.

BackgroundThe reprocessing of medical endoscopes is carried out using automatic cleaning and disinfection machines. The documentation and archiving of records of properly conducted reprocessing procedures is the last and increasingly important part of the reprocessing cycle for flexible endoscopes.MethodsThis report describes a new computer program designed to monitor and document the automatic reprocessing of flexible endoscopes and accessories in fully automatic washer-disinfectors; it does not contain nor compensate the manual cleaning step. The program implements national standards for the monitoring of hygiene in flexible endoscopes and the guidelines for the reprocessing of medical products. No FDA approval has been obtained up to now. The advantages of this newly developed computer program are firstly that it simplifies the documentation procedures of medical endoscopes and that it could be used universally with any washer-disinfector and that it is independent of the various interfaces and software products provided by the individual suppliers of washer-disinfectors.ResultsThe computer program presented here has been tested on a total of four washer-disinfectors in more than 6000 medical examinations within 9 months.ConclusionsWe present for the first time an electronic documentation system for automated washer-disinfectors for medical devices e.g. flexible endoscopes which can be used on any washer-disinfectors that documents the procedures involved in the automatic cleaning process and can be easily connected to most hospital documentation systems.

An automatic cleaning system for use with the silkworm multistage circulating rearing machine

An automatic cleaning system for use with the silkworm multistage circulating rearing machine

606 機器に付着したルナダストの単相交流電界による除去システム(OS-B ダイナミクス一般,ダイナミクスに関する新技術,総合テーマ「伝統を,未来へ!」)

Removal of lunar dust adhering to mechanical equipments is of critical importance for long-term lunar exploration. We are developing an automatic cleaning system that utilizes electrostatic force. It employs an alternating electrostatic field that forms a barrier on the surface of fabrics. In this study, single-phase rectangular voltage was applied to parallel wire electrodes stitched into the insulating fabric of spacesuits. It was observed that the cleaning rate exceeded 80%. High performance will be realized by applying mechanical vibration and operating the system in vacuum. Although it was difficult to flick out small particles of less than l0-pm diameter, this system can preliminary clean mechanical equipments on the Moon.

Performance of optimized TVOCs sensor

In this paper, an improved TVOCs (total volatile organic compounds) sensor construction was studied. Base on this new construction, the optimized flow rate, the responding character and the linear range of detector were studied. The effect of different electrode positions on the signal intensity was tested at different voltages. Compared with traditional PID — axial PID3, the construction of this perpendicular PID could make the sensitivity loss decreased by a factor of 40%. Especially, a newly adopted automatic cleaning technique was tested, which could decrease the drift greatly and make the signal of the detector almost unchanged after two weeks of continuous detection. Due to this new construction, the response time was decreased and the accuracy consequently was improved. When coupled with automatic cleaning technique, labor intensive daily calibration and frequent lamp cleaning were eliminated. The improvements in this new design made the detector more compatible with field uses.

Electrodeposition polymers as immobilization matrices in amperometric biosensors: improved polymer synthesis and biosensor fabrication

Electrodeposition polymers can be precipitated on electrode surfaces upon electrochemical-induced modulations of the pH value in the diffusion zone in front of the electrode. The formed polymer films can be used as immobilization matrices in amperometric biosensors. In order to rationally control the thus obtained biosensor properties, it is indispensable to develop strategies for the reproducible synthesis of electrodeposition polymers as well as methods for the non-manual and reproducible sensor fabrication. Based on instrumental developments such as a specifically designed parallel synthesizer with improved stirring and temperature control, an automatic pipetting robot for the preparation of the monomer mixtures and controlled removal of polymerization inhibitors, the reproducible synthesis of libraries of electrodeposition polymers was achieved. Moreover, the polymerization process could be monitored using in-line thermocouples, and it could be shown that the chosen strategies led to reproducible polymerization reactions. By adaptation of an electrochemical robotic system integrating a Au microtiter plate and automatic electrode cleaning by means of a polishing wheel reproducible biosensor fabrication using glucose oxidase as a model enzyme could be demonstrated. These results open the route for the rational development of biosensors and control of the sensor properties by choosing specifically designed electrodeposition polymers.

Automatic cleaning and segmentation of web images based on colors to build learning databases

This article proposes a method to segment Internet images, that is, a group of images corresponding to a specific object (the query) containing a significant amount of irrelevant images. The segmentation algorithm we propose is a combination of two distinct methods based on color. The first one considers all images to classify pixels into two sets: object pixels and background pixels. The second method segments images individually by trying to find a central object. The final segmentation is obtained by intersecting the results from both. The segmentation results are then used to re-rank images and display a clean set of images illustrating the query. The algorithm is tested on various queries for animals, natural and man-made objects, and results are discussed, showing that the obtained segmentation results are suitable for object learning.

Effective analysis on disinfection of pipe system of breathing machine for reduplicated use

Objective In comparison with effects hascd on disinfection of pipe system of breathing machine in three different kinds of methods, according to which an analysis is conducted in order to enhance the quality of disinfection of pipe system of breathing machine. Methods Reduplicated use pipe of breathing machine for 7 consecutive days shall be cleaned and disinfected with respective adoption of 5% effective chlorine cleaning disinfectant for soaking (Method A), full automatic cleaning disinfector P3 program (Method B) and full -automatic cleaning disinfector plus steam sterilizer disinfection P5 program (Method C), and samples shall be gathered before and after disinfection in order to culture bacteria and calculate the colony of bacteria. Results Before disinfection, positive rate of bacteria culture in all the samples is I00. 00%, the number of bacteria within the pipe of breathing machine exceeds 10 000 cfu/cm2, and that of humidified water in the humidifier reaches 290 000 ～ 690000 ofu/ml. After disinfection, the bacterial sterilization rate equally reaches the target, and three days later with them put in the treatment room, the bacterial positive rate in Mcthed C is zero. In comparison with Method A and Method B, the difference between them and Method C has been found to have remarkable significance (P 0. 05) . Conclusion the contamination of pipe of breathing machine and humidifier are quite serious. The preceding three disinfection methods are equally able to reach the high level disinfection;however full automatic cleaning disinfector P3 program plus steam sterilizer's disinfection P5 program can bring about the best disinfection effect for reduplicated pipe of breathing machine in ICU. Key words: Pipe system of breathing machine; Disinfection; Effect

Automatic cleaning

Automatic cleaning

Risk factors for toxoplasmosis in pigs bred in Sicily, Southern Italy

The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs raised and slaughtered in Sicily, Southern Italy, and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the infection. Samples were collected in seven slaughterhouses and on-site on 274 raising farms across Sicily, in the period from January 2006 until March 2007. For each sampled pig born and raised in Sicily, information was obtained on gender, age, origin, final destination of meat and farm management. Data on the farm included: farming type, presence of cats and dogs, rodent control by rodenticides, cleaning methods, water supply, altitude and herd size. T. gondii-specific antibodies were detected using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Institut Pourquier, France).Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 16.3% of Sicilian pigs. The lowest seroprevalence, 7%, was found in the age group 5–7 months (market pig) and the highest, 19%, in the age group >24 months. Risk factors for seropositivity were: age 11–24 months compared to younger (OR 5.62; CI 1.52–20.8); farrow-to-finish farming type (OR 6.85; CI 1.87–25.01) compared to finishing and farrow-to-breed type; less than 50 pigs on the farm (OR 6.8; CI 1.76–26.2); no use of rodenticides (OR 2.71; CI 1.10–6.64), use of water coming from private sources (especially wells; OR 2.8; CI 1.03–7.72).Pigs raised in Sicily shows a high prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii. Pre-harvesting interventions to lower the risk of locally produced meat consumption for consumers should point as soon as possible to increase hygienic condition on the farm, by carefully removing waste with automatic cleaning and reducing biohazard by rodent control. Consumers must receive information on the correct handling and cooking locally produced pork meat derivatives.

EEG windowed statistical wavelet scoring for evaluation and discrimination of muscular artifacts

EEG recordings are usually corrupted by spurious extra-cerebral artifacts, which should be rejected or cleaned up by the practitioner. Since manual screening of human EEGs is inherently error prone and might induce experimental bias, automatic artifact detection is an issue of importance. Automatic artifact detection is the best guarantee for objective and clean results. We present a new approach, based on the time–frequency shape of muscular artifacts, to achieve reliable and automatic scoring. The impact of muscular activity on the signal can be evaluated using this methodology by placing emphasis on the analysis of EEG activity. The method is used to discriminate evoked potentials from several types of recorded muscular artifacts—with a sensitivity of 98.8% and a specificity of 92.2%. Automatic cleaning of EEG data is then successfully realized using this method, combined with independent component analysis. The outcome of the automatic cleaning is then compared with the Slepian multitaper spectrum based technique introduced by Delorme et al (2007 Neuroimage 34 1443–9).

A series of pneumatic glass‐wall cleaning robots for high‐rise buildings

PurposeThis paper presents the design of climbing robots for glass‐wall cleaning.Design/methodology/approachA systemic analysis of the basic functions of a glass‐wall cleaning system is given based on the research of working targets. Then the constraints for designing a glass‐wall cleaning robot are discussed. The driving method, the attachment principle, mechanical structure and unique aspects of three pneumatic robots named Sky Cleaners follow. In the end a summary of the main special features is given. All three climbing robots are tested on site.FindingsOur groups spent several years in designing and developing a series of robots named Sky Cleaners which are totally actuated by pneumatic cylinders and sucked to the glass walls with vacuum grippers in mid‐air. It was found that they can meet the requirements of glass‐wall cleaning.Research limitation/implicationsThe air source, cleaning liquid and control signals should be provided by the supporting vehicle stationed on the ground. Even if the robots are intelligent, the suitable working height is below 50 m because the weight of the hoses has to be taken into account when the robots work in mid‐air.Practical implicationsThe cleaning robotic systems can avoid workers presence in a hazardous environment and realize an automatic cleaning, furthermore reduce operation costs and improve the technological level and productivity of the service industry in the building maintenance.Originality/valueSky Cleaner robots can move and do cleaning on the plane glass wall or the special curve wall with a small angle between the glasses. The first two prototypes are mainly used for research and the last one is a real product designing for cleaning the glass surface of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.

Decontamination of Siqveland matrix bands

Objectives This study investigated blood contamination of artificially and clinically contaminated Siqveland matrix bands and retainers. A modified version of the recognised Kastle-Meyer test for blood was used to compare the efficacy of enzymatic agents, a washer-disinfector and an instrument washer for pre-sterilisation cleaning of Siqveland matrix bands and retainers. Methods Assembled Siqveland matrix bands were contaminated either artificially with horse blood or clinically during dental treatment. Contaminated assembled matrix bands and retainers were subjected to immersion in an enzymatic agent, automated processing in a washer-disinfector or instrument washer, or a combination of pre-soaking and automatic cleaning. Residual blood contamination from each band and retainer was measured and compared to the volume of blood recovered from an unprocessed control group of contaminated assembled matrix bands or retainers. Results Residual blood was recovered from every clinically contaminated assembled Siqveland matrix band and retainer. The volume of blood recovered from assembled Siqveland matrix bands ranged from 0.13-7.1 μl and from retainers, following removal of the matrix band, from 0.001-1.523 μl. The most effective method of pre-sterilisation cleaning for artificially contaminated assembled matrix bands was processing in the washer-disinfector. Conversely, the most effective method for cleaning clinically contaminated assembled matrix bands and retainers was pre-soaking in an enzymatic agent followed by a heavy-duty cycle in an instrument washer. Conclusions It is not possible to clean assembled Siqveland matrix bands using any method currently available to dental practitioners. Matrix bands should be discarded after use on one patient. Once the band is removed, all detectable blood can be removed from the retainer by pre-soaking in an enzymatic detergent followed by processing in an instrument washer.

An investigation of the decontamination of Siqveland matrix bands

This study investigated blood contamination of artificially and clinically contaminated Siqveland matrix bands and retainers. A modified version of the recognised Kastle-Meyer test for blood was used to compare the efficacy of enzymatic agents, a washer-disinfector and an instrument washer for pre-sterilisation cleaning of Siqveland matrix bands and retainers. Assembled Siqveland matrix bands were contaminated either artificially with horse blood or clinically during dental treatment. Contaminated assembled matrix bands and retainers were subjected to immersion in an enzymatic agent, automated processing in a washer-disinfector or instrument washer, or a combination of pre-soaking and automatic cleaning. Residual blood contamination from each band and retainer was measured and compared to the volume of blood recovered from an unprocessed control group of contaminated assembled matrix bands or retainers. Residual blood was recovered from every clinically contaminated assembled Siqveland matrix band and retainer. The volume of blood recovered from assembled Siqveland matrix bands ranged from 0.13-7.1 microl and from retainers, following removal of the matrix band, from 0.001-1.523 microl. The most effective method of pre-sterilisation cleaning for artificially contaminated assembled matrix bands was processing in the washer-disinfector. Conversely, the most effective method for cleaning clinically contaminated assembled matrix bands and retainers was pre-soaking in an enzymatic agent followed by a heavy-duty cycle in an instrument washer. It is not possible to clean assembled Siqveland matrix bands using any method currently available to dental practitioners. Matrix bands should be discarded after use on one patient. Once the band is removed, all detectable blood can be removed from the retainer by pre-soaking in an enzymatic detergent followed by processing in an instrument washer.

Effect analyses of automatic cleaning sterilizer and ultrasonic cleaners

目的 探讨全自动清洗消毒器与超声波清洗机洗涤医疗器械的效果.方法A洗涤法:将被清洗器械直接放入全自动清洗消毒器内按程序进行清洗、消毒和干燥.B洗涤法:将器械放入超声波清洗机内按程序加酶清洗、冷水喷淋清洗、热水喷淋消毒、烘干.比较两法洗涤效果.结果A洗涤法洗涤后器械剩余残留物为0.33‰,B洗涤法为0.03‰,两法比较χ2=46.546,P=0.000;齿类器械A洗涤法洗涤后剩余残留物为0.52‰,B洗涤法为0.04‰(χ2=44.097,P=0.000);非齿类器械两法差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.667,P=0.102).结论超声波清洗机清洗齿类器械效果最佳;全自动清洗消毒器洗涤非齿类器械洗涤容量大,全自动清洗程序,工作效率高.因此对不同器具采用不同设备进行洗涤,可有效提高洗涤效果,确保灭菌物品质量安全。

Sky Cleaner 3: a real pneumatic climbing robot for glass-wall cleaning

There are large numbers of high-rise buildings with glass curtain walls that require constant cleaning and is carried out using permanent gondola systems. This is a laborious and dangerous work in midair. Due to a lack of uniform building structure, wall cleaning and maintenance of high-rise buildings is becoming one of the most appropriate fields for robotization. The development of walking and climbing offers a novel alternative solution to glass-wall cleaning. Application of a type of cleaning robotic system can free workers from this hazardous work and realize an automatic cleaning of high-rise buildings, thereby improving the technological level and productivity of the service industry.

3701 エアコン室内機のフィルタオートクリーナーの開発(G12 最適・協調設計とシステム,G12 設計工学・システム)

To maintain optimal air conditioner performance and good indoor air quality, periodic filter cleaning and maintenance is a prerequisite. This filter cleaning process has generated considerable dissatisfaction among consumers according to research carried out among users. Opinions received included "cleaning the filter is troublesome" and "too much trouble to detach the filter from the air conditioner" among others of a similar nature. To significantly upgrade usability in this product to receive feedback such as "did not take time permanently," "stays permanently clean and powerful" and "constantly saves energy," our concept was to constantly conserve energy, and this led to installing the first automatic filter cleaning and rejection dust mechanism in the world. This product was announced in November 2004 and the evaluations from the market have been favorable to date.

Emitter and filter tests for wastewater reuse by drip irrigation

Agriculture is the main user of water in Italy, as in most regions of the world. Particularly in Mediterranean regions, where it is more difficult to meet the agricultural water demand with conventional resources, wastewater reuse represents a viable option. Drip irrigation is particularly suitable for wastewater reuse because it minimises the health risks to farmers and product consumers due to contact with the wastewater. The performance of drip irrigation systems using wastewater is mainly limited by emitter clogging, and this discourages farmers from introducing it. The paper gives the results of experimental trials on the behaviour of six kinds of filters (gravel media, disk and screen) and four types of drip emitters (vortex and labyrinth) using five kinds of municipal wastewater that have not undergone previous advanced treatment. The performance of the emitters and filters tested depends on the quality of the wastewater: total suspended solids and organic matter content influence the percentage of totally clogged emitters, the mean discharge emitted, the emission uniformity coefficient, and the operating time of the filter between cleaning operations. Vortex emitters were more sensitive to clogging than labyrinth emitters. The gravel media filter guaranteed the best performance, but the disk filter, which is cheaper and simpler to manage, assured performance similar to that of the gavel media filter. The test showed the importance of the technology used in manufacturing disk filters. Screen filters were shown to be unsuitable for use with wastewater, with the exception of diluted and settled wastewater. The theoretical discharge of filters, suggested by the manufacturers for clean water, is not adequate for wastewater of the kind used in the trials (suspended solids greater than 78 mg/l and BOD 5 more than 25 mg/l of O 2). The operating times of the filters between cleaning operations, less than 1 h in most trials, suggest the use of automatic cleaning systems. The existing clogging risk classifications proposed for clean water can only be considered reliable for wastewater when labyrinth emitters and gravel or good quality disk filters (such as Arkal) are used; they are not adequate for vortex emitters or screen filters.