System for Electrochemical Treatment and Method Thereof

Abstract

A head unit for electrochemical treatment of a surface including a handle having an output tube and a vacuum tube. The output tube and the vacuum tube configured to couple the handle to a portable cart. The head unit including a body coupled to the handle and an electrode disposed within the body and coupled to the output tube and the vacuum tube. The electrode including a plurality of output channels for outputting an electrochemical solution and a plurality of vacuum channels for vacuuming the electrochemical solution outputted from the plurality of output channels. Each of the plurality of output channels is disposed proximate to at least one of the plurality of vacuum channels and the electrode is fluidly coupled to the output tube to receive the electrochemical solution from the output tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A head unit for electrochemical treatment of a surface, the head unit comprising:
 a handle including an output tube and a vacuum tube, the output tube and the vacuum tube configured to couple the handle to a portable cart;   a body coupled to the handle; and   an electrode disposed within the body and coupled to the output tube and the vacuum tube, the electrode including a plurality of output channels for outputting an electrochemical solution and a plurality of vacuum channels for vacuuming the electrochemical solution outputted from the plurality of output channels,   wherein each of the plurality of output channels is disposed proximate to at least one of the plurality of vacuum channels, and   wherein the electrode is fluidly coupled to the output tube to receive the electrochemical solution from the output tube.   
     
     
         2 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein the output tube is coupled to the plurality of output channels and the vacuum tube is coupled to the plurality of vacuum channels. 
     
     
         3 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein the body is integrally formed with the handle. 
     
     
         4 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is disposed in the body such that an outer perimeter of the electrode is flush with an inner perimeter the body. 
     
     
         5 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein the output tube and the vacuum tube are each coupled to the electrode and extend from the electrode through the body and the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of output channels are configured to output the electrochemical solution and the plurality of vacuum channels are configured to vacuum the outputted electrochemical solution. 
     
     
         7 . The head unit of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pad coupled to the electrode such that the pad is disposed within the body, the pad including a plurality of output apertures configured to align with the plurality of output channels. 
 
     
     
         8 . The head unit of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a button disposed on the handle such that activation of the button causes one or more of the electrochemical solution to flow through the plurality of output channels and ceasing flow of the electrochemical solution through the plurality of output channels. 
 
     
     
         9 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between one of the plurality of output channels and one of the plurality of vacuum channels is from approximately 0.01 cm to 2 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode includes an integrated cooling pathway configured to allow for flow of a fluid within the electrode to reduce a temperature of the electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The head unit of  claim 1  further comprising:
 one or more sensors configured to determine one or more of an orientation of the head unit, force applied to the head unit, angular rate of the head unit, a pressure between the electrode and the surface, and acceleration of the head unit. 
 
     
     
         12 . The head unit of  claim 1 , wherein each of the output tube and the vacuum tube include connectors coupling each of the output tube and the vacuum tube to the head unit, at least one connector having shut off valves. 
     
     
         13 . A head unit for electrochemical treatment of a surface, the head unit comprising:
 a handle including to an output tube and a vacuum tube, the output tube and vacuum tube configured to couple the handle to a portable cart;   a body coupled to the handle; and   a plurality of electrodes coupled together via one or more connectors, at least one of the plurality of electrodes configured to pivot relative to an adjacent electrode such that each electrode is substantially parallel to the surface,   wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is disposed within the body and each of the plurality of electrodes includes a plurality of output channels for outputting an electrochemical solution and a plurality of vacuum channels for vacuuming the electrochemical solution.   
     
     
         14 . The head unit of  claim 13 , wherein each of the output tube and the vacuum tube include quick connectors having shut off valves. 
     
     
         15 . The head unit of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a pad coupled to the plurality of electrodes such that the pad is configured to conform to a non-flat shape. 
 
     
     
         16 . The head unit of  claim 15 , wherein the pad includes a locking system removably coupling the pad to the head unit. 
     
     
         17 . A system for electrochemical treatment of a surface, the system comprising:
 a portable cart having a housing including a first container storing a first electrochemical solution and a second container storing a second electrochemical solution, and a solution control system disposed within the housing, the solution control system coupled to each of the first container and the second container, the solution control system having a purging system configured to purge the output tube of one or more of the first electrochemical solution and the second electrochemical solution; and   a head unit in fluid communication with the solution control system via an output tube, wherein the solution control system is configured to selectively control a flow of the first electrochemical solution from the first container to the head unit via the output tube and a flow of the second electrochemical solution from the second container to the head unit via the output tube.   
     
     
         18 . The portable cart of  claim 17 , wherein the solution control system includes a pump configured to control the flow of the first electrochemical solution from the first container and the flow of the second electrochemical solution from the second container. 
     
     
         19 . A method for electrochemical treatment, the method comprising:
 storing a first electrochemical solution in a first container and storing a second electrochemical solution in a second container, the first electrochemical solution and the second electrochemical solution configured for electrochemical treatment of a surface;   pumping the first electrochemical solution from the first container to a head unit through an output tube, the head unit being in fluid communication with the first container;   outputting the first electrochemical solution from the head unit to the surface and simultaneously vacuuming first excess solution into the head unit, the first excess solution being the first electrochemical solution not deposited on the surface;   rinsing the output tube with a cleaning solution to purge the first electrochemical solution from the output tube;   pumping the second electrochemical solution from the second container to the head unit via the output tube, the head unit being in fluid communication with the second container; and   outputting the second electrochemical solution from the head unit to the surface and simultaneously vacuuming second excess solution into the head unit, the second excess solution being the second electrochemical solution not deposited on the surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 detecting, using a sensor, a characteristic of the first excess solution and the second excess solution; and 
 separating the first excess solution and the second excess solution based on the characteristic.