Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Apparatus – Sequential work treating receptacles or stations with means...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-06-12
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
06244279
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 a first washing or cleaning tank in which cleaning solution is injected in a continuous manner to create turbulence for cleaning parts being conveyed therethrough. In some embodiments a second cleaning tank is provided which incorporates an ultrasonic insert for creating shock waves for cleaning parts to ensure complete removal of all oils, particles and other debris. The cleaning systems may also include at least two vertical conveyor runs which pass through a tank in which parts which have been cleaned are thoroughly rinsed, and afterwhich, 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 material associated with a manufacturing process. In other industries, such as where parts are being recycled for further use, built up dirt, tars, grease and other particulate materials must also be removed before the parts can be used. 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 the parts. In addition, such cleaning systems usually require a great deal of floor space within a manufacturing or repair facility thus increasing the initial installation cost of such systems.
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 which are being manufactured or otherwise recycled for use. 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 a continuous cleaning of parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a parts cleaning system and method for cleaning mechanical parts which includes a continuous conveyor system having a plurality of vertical conveyer runs and wherein the conveyor system rotates parts 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 a second wash tank, an ultrasonic insert is provided for generating shock waves within a cleaning solution. The at least two vertical runs of the conveyor within each wash tank ensures that the parts are oriented such that opposite sides thereof are directly acted on by the shock waves in the cleaning tank.
In a preferred embodiment, parts which have been carried through at least 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 the parts are conveyed to a discharge area of the conveyor.
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 fluid is forced from the header and directed toward the at least two vertical runs of the continuous conveyor which are situated on opposite sides of the header. The discharge header may include a plurality of nozzles or openings which can be formed so as to create flow at different angles and orientations so that a very turbulent washing action is created in the area of the vertical conveyor runs. The rotation of the parts further facilitates removal of contaminants from the parts.
The cleaning solution within each of the turbulent flow wash tanks and the ultrasonic wash tanks is continuously recirculated through filtration systems to ensure removal of all contaminants from the solutions. When such contaminants include oils or greases, such oils and greases may be removed from the cleaning solution by coalescing devices or other oil removing systems, such as skimmers. Further, when a rinse tank is incorporated in the cleaning system, the fluid within the rinse tank is also continuously recirculated and filtered to remove contaminants.
The conveyor system of the present invention includes rotary racks which cooperate with guides in each tank to ensure that parts being conveyed through the wash tanks and the rinse tanks are rotated so that all surface areas of the parts are directly subjected to the turbulent jet streams created therein.
In the preferred embodiments, the parts are carried within baskets which are automatically or manually loaded onto the racks of the conveyor system which are spaced relative to one another. The baskets are automatically locked within the racks at a loading station and locks for retaining the baskets are automatically released at a discharge station.
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 rotated in carrier racks as the parts are subject to the cleaning action of at least one turbulent cleaning solution within a wash or cleaning tank. In some embodiments, the parts are also subjected to a cleaning solution within an ultrasonic wash or cleaning tank having an ultrasonic insert mounted therein.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a parts washing system which allows a substantially continuous feed and discharge of parts to and from the cleaning system such that a maximum number of parts may be cleaned utilizing minimal floor space and minimal manual labor.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a parts washing system which is environmentally compatible and which allows water-base cleaning solutions to be used and wherein the solutions are continuously recirculated and filtered thus assuring a complete removal of contaminates from the cleaning solutions during the operation of the cleaning system.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning system which is efficient in preserving the detergent within the cleaning solutions such that little make-up detergent is necessary during prolonged periods of operation, thus saving costs on detergent supplies and also reducing the environmental impact from loss of cleaning solutions from the system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a continuous conveyor parts washing and cleaning
Bowden Industries, Inc.
Coe Philip R.
Dowell & Dowell , P.C.
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