Process and equipment for cleaning large electromechanical parts

Details Process and equipment for cleaning large electromechanical parts Process and equipment for cleaning large electromechanical parts

1985-03-05

1990-07-10

Stinson, Frankie L.

Cleaning and liquid contact with solids

Processes

Including application of electrical radiant or wave energy...

134 10, 134184, B08B 310

Patent

active

049404946

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns a process and equipment for cleaning large electrical or mechanical parts, such as rotors and stators of dynamoelectric machinery, or gas turbine rotors and automatic valves and for decontamination of electric motors in the nuclear power industry.
After a certain operating time, parts such as the rotors and stators of dynamoeletric machinery, become soiled with impurities such as carbon particles and greases and oils which accumulate on the part. This accumulation of impurities results in a reduction in the insulation value of the part and the machine must consequently be disassembled for cleaning of the part in order to restore its insulation level as far as possible and thus allow it to be re-used.
Several processes have in the past been used to clean this type of part.
One process consists in subjecting the soiled part to a jet of pressurized steam. Under the mechanical action of the steam, the soiling matter is unstuck and removed from the part. There are, however, many disadvantages inherent in this process. The action of the steam is often far from perfect and as it is not possible to determine the extent of the cleaning during the process itself, the effectiveness must be measured at the end of the cycle, which must then be repeated if the required level of cleanness is not reached. This kind of procedure is both time-consuming and expensive. In addition, as the steam humidifies the part treated, particularly the insulating material in the case of dynamo electric machine part, a 24-hour drying period, for example by oven-drying, must be included in the cleaning cycle. The insulation can then only be checked after this step of the operation. Drying, which represents an additional step in the process, is not only long and costly, but can also result in distortion of the part. For example, in the case of a dynamo-electric machine rotor, the action of heat can cause distortion of the slip-ring which must then be re-machined, thus adding still more to the time and the cost of the process.
Another process consists in using a pressurized solvent spray, such as a fluorocarbonated solvent which acts on the soiling matter both chemically and mechanically. This process also contains a significant number of disadvantages. As the solvent is under pressure, it is impossible constantly to monitor the degree of cleaning of the part. Consequently, the cleaning cycle must be completed, the part removed, the insulation checked and, if unsatisfactory, the cycle repeated. Furthermore, the absence of constant monitoring can mean that the cleaning process be run for an excessively long time, such that it may damage the parts, for example the insulators in the case of a dynamoelectric machine rotor. In addition, in the case of complex items, parts of which are not easily accessible, the pressurized solvent cannot effectively reach certain areas of the part, which are thus not cleaned, giving a part which is far from well cleaned.
The aim of the invention is thus to provide a fast, simple and effective process for cleaning soiled parts which avoids the previously mentioned drawbacks.
The aim of the invention is also to provide a fast, simple and effective process for cleaning soiled parts without the risk of damaging the part treated.
A further aim of the invention is to provide a fast, simple and effective process for cleaning soiled parts without the risk of damaging the part treated and which allows the cleaning to be halted at the required time, when the required level of cleaning has been reached.
The final aim of the invention is to provide the apparatus for implementing the process of the invention.
The invention provides a process for cleaning a soiled part which consists in submerging the part in a solvent and subjecting it to low-frequency ultrasounds. The simultaneous use of the solvent and the ultrasounds allows both dissolution of the materials which bond the soiling matter and mechanical removal of the latter without the risk of damaging any part of the item being cleaned.
The invention

REFERENCES:
patent: 3024138 (1962-03-01), Schlott
patent: 3105779 (1963-10-01), Bulat
patent: 3301535 (1967-01-01), Brown
patent: 3527607 (1970-09-01), Antonevich
patent: 3529998 (1970-09-01), Singer
patent: 3542592 (1970-11-01), Zweig
patent: 3596883 (1971-08-01), Brech
patent: 4071376 (1978-01-01), McNeer
patent: 4382824 (1983-05-01), Halleck
patent: 4409999 (1983-10-01), Pedziwiatr
European Search Report of EP 83 40 1390.
Preliminary Search Report of TS D 62079 FR 14644.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Process and equipment for cleaning large electromechanical parts does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Process and equipment for cleaning large electromechanical parts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process and equipment for cleaning large electromechanical parts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1719387