CarbonMeta Technologies Inc (COWI)

[SPIN]

Wizard the AC robot works magic on judges
(published on 21/05/2007)

A robot created to patrol air conditioning systems and eliminate potential leaks has won an engineering award.

Known as 'Wizard' the remote operated DI (duct inspector) will police the highways and byways of ac systems to keep a watchful eye on them and where needed spray coat the insides of ducts and pipes to prevent leaks.

Wizard was awarded the Best Engineering Award in Britain in the Knowledge Transfer Partnership 2007 awards.

The robot is designed by Breval, the Glasgow-based specialist in the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Breval has spent the last three years developing a machine that will apply specialist coatings to the insides of ventilation ductwork.

The robot will also clean inside the ducts and comes equipped with eight wheels, lights and a camera.

"We are delighted that our Wizard concept has been recognised through this award, " said Patrick McBride, contracts director of Breval.

Breval's website states "Patents are pending in Europe and USA and we are working hard to refine our design whilst gaining valuable positive feedback from our clients.

"We feel sure that the investment we have made in this direction will in the near future offer many of our existing and new clients a probable solution to ventilation ductwork problems, be they bacterial contamination, refurbishment or poor efficiency, this could be the answer".

Wizard, which has completed its first phase of testing, was developed in partnership with the Bell College in Hamilton, as part of the Department for Trade and Industry's Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

Benefits of using Wizard include reduced system running costs, reduced maintenance costs and an extension in the lifetime of ducts.

http://www.acr-news.com/news/news_story.asp?id=305