Adaptive Cleaning Systems for Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Publication ID: 24-11857382_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Cleaning Systems for Renewable Energy Infrastructure,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857382_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857382_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,382.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to develop novel cleaning systems for wind turbine blades, solar panels, and agricultural equipment, enabling efficient maintenance and increased productivity in the renewable energy sector.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's lens cleaning technology was designed for medical imaging devices. However, the same principles can be applied to other industries where cleaning is critical. Renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines and solar panels, require regular cleaning to maintain efficiency. Current cleaning methods are often manual, time-consuming, and costly. The inventive concept addresses these limitations by adapting the core technology to create automated, efficient, and effective cleaning systems for these industries.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new claims describe systems and methods for inspecting and cleaning wind turbine blades, solar panels, and agricultural equipment using robotic arms and sheath assemblies. The sheath assemblies comprise a blade or panel sheath, a cleaning member, and a coupling element, allowing for precise and controlled cleaning. The robotic arms are adapted for attachment to the respective infrastructure, enabling efficient navigation and cleaning. The inventive concept's components and operation are designed to overcome the specific challenges of each industry, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications of the core technology, expanding its scope to new industries and use cases. The inventive concept's adaptation of the original patent's principles to address the unique challenges of renewable energy infrastructure constitutes a non-obvious and innovative step.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include varying the design of the sheath assemblies, robotic arms, or cleaning members to accommodate different infrastructure types or sizes. Additionally, the systems could be integrated with sensors, drones, or other technologies to enhance efficiency and monitoring capabilities.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the renewable energy sector, where efficient maintenance and increased productivity are critical. Target industries include wind turbine manufacturers, solar panel installers, and agricultural equipment suppliers. The market for cleaning systems in these industries is substantial, with opportunities for partnerships, licensing, and product sales.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B90/70
A A61 A61B34/30

Field of Art

Robotic inspection and cleaning systems, with expertise in medical imaging devices, industrial maintenance technologies, and precision robotic manipulation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with advanced degrees in mechanical engineering or robotics, familiar with precision robotic systems, sheath-based cleaning mechanisms, and adaptable mechanical interfaces across different technical domains

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the core mechanical principles of the source patent's imaging element cleaning system can be readily translated to other inspection and cleaning contexts by substituting domain-specific sheaths and attachment mechanisms while maintaining the fundamental structural and functional relationships of the original invention.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Surgical system attachment body with motion control device
PTD Variation
Robotic arm adapted for attachment to wind turbine nacelle or solar panel frame
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that attachment mechanisms are fundamentally similar across technical domains, with predictable modifications to match specific infrastructure geometries
Source Patent Element
Scope sheath with coupling element and cleaning member
PTD Variation
Blade sheath, panel sheath, or equipment sheath with equivalent coupling and cleaning configurations
Obviousness Reasoning
The structural topology of the cleaning system remains consistent, with only surface-specific geometric adaptations that would be obvious design variations
Source Patent Element
Axial translation and rotational movement control
PTD Variation
Robotic arm navigation along wind turbine blade or solar panel surface
Obviousness Reasoning
Motion control principles are directly transferable, with a PHOSITA recognizing that precise positional control is a universal requirement across inspection and cleaning technologies
Source Patent Element
Imaging element cleaning methodology
PTD Variation
Cleaning systems for renewable energy infrastructure and agricultural equipment
Obviousness Reasoning
The fundamental problem of surface contamination and the need for precise, controlled cleaning is consistent across diverse technical domains
Source Patent Element
Modular sheath and coupling system
PTD Variation
Adaptable sheath assemblies for different infrastructure types and sizes
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize the inherent modularity of the original design and its potential for cross-domain adaptation as a predictable engineering solution
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857382, the present disclosure demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations of cleaning and inspection systems for renewable energy infrastructure obvious, as the fundamental mechanical principles, attachment mechanisms, and motion control strategies are directly translatable across technical domains with predictable and routine modifications.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,382
TitleDevices, apparatuses, systems and methods for facilitating cleaning of an imaging element of an imaging device
Assignee(s)ClearCam, Inc.