Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Apparatus – Sequential work treating receptacles or stations with means...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-07-31
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Apparatus
Sequential work treating receptacles or stations with means...
C134S111000, C134S126000, C134S127000, C134S130000, C134S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267124
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally directed to machines utilized in industry for cleaning mechanical parts and, more particularly, to an immersion parts cleaning system and method for cleaning mechanical parts utilizing a continuous conveyor for carrying the parts from a loading station to a discharge station. The conveyor system includes a plurality of vertical runs which pass through at least one wash or cleaning tank in which cleaning fluid is injected in a continuous manner to create turbulence for cleaning parts being conveyed therethrough. In some embodiments, a plurality of vertical runs of the conveyor system pass through a second cleaning tank which incorporates an ultrasonic insert for creating shock waves for cleaning parts to ensure complete removal of all oils, particles and other debris. In addition to the foregoing, the conveyor system may also include at least two vertical conveyor runs which pass through a tank in which parts which have been cleaned are thoroughly rinsed, after which, the parts are dried before being discharged from the system.
2. History of the Related Art
In the manufacturing industry, parts which are machined must be cleaned to remove particles of metal as well as oils, greases and other materials associated with a manufacturing process. In other industries, such as where parts are being recycled for further use, built up dirt, tars, greases and other particulates must also be removed before the parts can be effectively put to further use. In some parts cleaning systems, parts are conveyed by a conveyor through a spraying system where cleaning solutions or solvents are used to dislodge oils and particles. Unfortunately, the use of spray-type cleaning systems does not adequately remove all particles, oils or other debris from parts being cleaned. In addition, such cleaning systems usually require a great deal of floor space within a manufacturing or recycling facility thus increasing the initial installation costs of such systems. Further, the spraying of cleaning solvents creates environmental concerns.
An improvement over such spray cleaning systems are immersion systems wherein parts are loaded onto carriers or placed into baskets and are cleaned in a bath of cleaning solution. Each load of parts is immersed into a cleaning solution and the cleaning solution may be agitated to create turbulence to further facilitate the cleansing action of the cleaning agent in removing contaminants from the parts. A draw back associated with such batch-type cleaning processes is that they tend to increase the time required to clean parts. Increasing the time of cleaning increases man hours which also increases the cost of the cleaning processes. To overcome this, plants may install a plurality of wash tanks, all of which operate with bulk processes. Although providing a plurality of tanks increases the load capability of the washing system, the increased number of tanks requires additional floor space, and also increases installation and maintenance costs.
In view of the foregoing, there remains a need to provide a very compact immersion-type cleaning system which can be utilized in an environmentally compatible manner within substantially any manufacturing facility such that the system requires a minimum of floor space to be consumed but which functions to provide an efficient and generally continuous cleaning of parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a parts cleaning system and method for cleaning parts which includes a continuous conveyor system having a plurality of vertical conveyor runs within at least one wash tank. Each wash tank includes a cleaning solution through which at least two vertical runs of the conveyor pass. In a first wash tank, a cleaning solution is subjected to turbulent action to enhance the cleaning of the parts being carried therethrough. In some embodiments, a second wash tank is used which includes an ultrasonic insert for generating shock waves within a cleaning solution.
Also, in some embodiments, parts which have been carried through at least a turbulent wash tank or a combination of a turbulent wash tank and an ultrasonic wash tank are thereafter rinsed with the parts being carried along at least two vertical conveyor runs within a rinse tank. After rinsing, the parts are optionally dried as they are conveyed to a discharge station.
The turbulent flow wash or cleaning tank includes a fluid discharge header mounted generally centrally thereof. A turbo-charging pump assembly is mounted so as to provide a continuous recycling flow of cleaning solution within the wash tank so that cleaning solution is forced from the header and directed toward the at least two vertical runs of the conveyor which are situated on opposite sides of the header. The discharge header may include a plurality of nozzles or openings which are formed so as to create flow at different angles and orientations whereby a very turbulent washing action is created in the area of the vertical conveyor runs. In this manner, substantially all surfaces of parts being conveyed therethrough are subjected to the turbulent cleaning action.
The cleaning solutions within each of the turbulent flow wash tanks and the ultrasonic wash tanks are continuously recirculated through filtration systems to ensure removal of all contaminants from the solutions. Further, when a rinse tank is incorporated in the cleaning system, the solution within the rinse tank is also continuously recirculated and filtered to remove contaminants. When such contaminants include oils or greases, such oils and greases are removed from the cleaning solution by coalescing devices or other oil removing systems, such as skimmers.
In one embodiment, the conveyor is formed by at least two spaced chains which are supported by a plurality of sprocket assemblies. At least one of the sprocket assemblies is connected to a drive motor. A plurality of rods are mounted to the conveyor chains and support one or more parts retaining cradles, hooks or other carrier members which are pivotally secured either to the rods or are pivotal with the rods relative to the chains. The type of supporting hooks or other carrier members may be varied depending upon the type of parts to be cleaned. The system of the present invention can be utilized to wash parts from the size of small gears to parts as large as crankshafts and axles associated with automotive vehicles. Further, the carrier members may incorporate baskets for retaining a plurality of small parts with the baskets being suspended from two or more pins or hooks.
To facilitate the continuous operation of the wash system of the present invention, the system is preferably designed to be utilized with a parts feed conveyor and a parts discharge conveyor. In one embodiment, parts are conveyed to the wash system and the parts are retained on fork-like supports through which carrying hooks or other carrier members of the conveyor pass. The parts are thus retained on the supports and the conveyor moves relative thereto such that the carrier members engage the parts to be cleaned, lifting them from the supports. After parts have been cleaned, the conveyor descends to a discharge station which includes one or more discharge ramps or members. The discharge members are inclined vertically and extend between the carrier members of the conveyor. As parts descend, the discharge members engage the parts lifting them from their supported relationship with the carrier members and the parts are moved by gravity to a discharge conveyor which conveys the parts from the wash system.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a parts washing system and method for washing parts which includes a continuous vertical conveyor for conveying parts to be cleaned and wherein the parts are subject to the cleaning action of at least one of a turbulent cleaning solution within a turbo charged wash or cleaning tank and a cleaning solution within an ultrasonic wash or cleaning tank having an ultrasonic ins
Bowden Industries, Inc.
Coe Philip R.
Dowell & Dowell , P.C.
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