Your task in this project involves the design and development of a mechanical device aimed at aiding fire hose advancement while preventing kinking, ensuring uninterrupted water flow, and improving the efficiency of firefighting operations. As the details are provided in the technical specifications, the device should be attachable to a fire hose, capable of holding and pulling the water$-$filled hose in the intended direction of the firefighter, and able to move back and forth along the hose autonomously to prevent kinks. The device should seamlessly integrate with standard fire hoses, be durable and lightweight and maintain hose flexibility across a range of operational conditions. The device must be intuitive and require minimal instruction to operate effectively.

The length of the concept report must not exceed two pages. It must comprise a number of illustrative drawings$/$sketches with appropriate annotations$/$labels$.$ Each illustrative drawing must be numbered and contain an appropriate caption. The concept report must not include any plain text.

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Technical specifications $($Essential$)$:

$1.$ The device must be able to work with the Heavy$-$Duty Layflat Type $3$ Fire Hose $($for the selected $45$mm and $64$mm inner diameters and $23$m length$).$ Wall thickness of the $45$mm and $64$mm hoses are $2\mathrm{.}10$mm and $2\mathrm{.}30$mm$,$ respectively.

$2.$ It must be capable of gripping and advancing the water$-$filled hose in the intended direction of the firefighter.

$3.$ The device must be able to move back and forth along the hose to straighten out the kinks.

$4.$ The device must be able to operate in the direct vicinity of wildfire.

$5.$ The device must be designed in a way that it does not damage itself or any of the firefighting equipment.

$6.$ The device must be powered by a rechargeable battery, offering a minimum of $1-$hour operational time to support typical firefighting operations.

$7.$ The battery must be easily replaceable or rechargeable in the field.

$8.$ The device must be intuitive and require minimal instruction to operate.

$9.$ The attachment process must be simple, allowing two firefighters $($semi$-$trained$)$ to install and remove it within $5$ minutes.

$10.$ The device must not require major servicing more than once a year. It must be designed in a way that after each use, it is operational again after no more than $6$ hours.

$11.$ The design must exhibit an appropriate level $($for $3$rd year mechanical engineering students$)$ of cost awareness.

$12.$ No special requirements in terms of the device$$s appearance.

$13.$ Design must comply with the relevant firefighting equipment standards including Health and Safety regulations.

$14.$ Ecodesign principles $($e$.$g$.,$ energy usage, material selection, recyclability, repairability$)$ must be used to demonstrate the environmental and sustainability awareness during the design process.

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Technical specifications $($Nice to have$)$:

$1.$ The device should be able to identify and straighten out the kinks autonomously.

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Mention these engineering terms in the annotations of key components: gears, assembly, rollers, rods, bearings, screws, rails, clamps, plates, tension, compression, clamps, shaft, disks, biaxial, uniaxial, load, forces, levers

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Highest marking criteria:

$1.$ A substantial concept was presented clearly as a set of labelled sketches$/$drawings and, where necessary, of important components. The concept was completely understandable from the sketches$/$drawings$.$ There was demonstration of novel and imaginative thinking. The concept demonstrates an exceptional understanding of engineering principles, and all aspects are technically feasible.

$2.$ The presentation and format of the concepts were exceptional. The concept was clearly described by the sketches$/$drawings which were of outstanding quality