AU2011265391B2

AU2011265391B2 - Apparatus, system and method for cleaning

Info

Publication number: AU2011265391B2
Application number: AU2011265391A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Andrew Watson
Original assignee: Gnr Utility Man Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Gnr Utility Management Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-01-09
Filing date: 2011-12-20
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-20
Also published as: AU2011265391A1

Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for cleaning a pole, the apparatus including a body adapted for a substantially sealed fit with the pole so as to allow substantial containment of a cleaning substance applied in use to the pole.

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title Apparatus, system and method for cleaning The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: P/00/0 I I C\NRPo1\DCC\AZC06854_l DOC.2(2/20I I APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEANING Field of the Invention The invention generally relates to an apparatus, system and method for cleaning, more specifically, an apparatus, system and method for cleaning a pole. Background of the Invention Surfaces, such as the surfaces of poles, may become dirty, graffitied, contaminated or burnt. Accordingly, it is desirable to clean the surface. In some instances, material which is removed from the surface during cleaning may be contaminated or otherwise undesirable to release into the environment. Wooden power poles are generally treated with CCA (Copper - Chromium- Arsenic) to inhibit the wood from rotting. When wooden power poles become burnt, for example by a bush fire, the surface becomes charred. The charred surface contains toxic CCA which can become introduced into the surrounding environment. Accordingly, there is a need to remove the charred surface without the CCA becoming introduced into the surrounding environment. In some areas, power poles are in remote locations and as such a cleaning substance such as water needs to be transported to the power pole site. Due to the remote location, there is a limited supply of clean water at the site for cleaning the power pole. Accordingly, there is a need to minimise the loss of clean water on site. The invention described below seeks to address one or more of the abovementioned needs.

-2 Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, there is provided a pole cleaning apparatus for fixing to a pole, the apparatus including a body adapted for a substantially sealed fit with the pole so as to allow substantial containment of a cleaning fluid applied to the pole, wherein: the body includes a housing with an open front face that is fixed relative to the pole during a cleaning operation and a back face that faces away from the pole, wherein the back face includes an aperture that allows a hose to enter the housing and couple to a cleaning device that sprays the fluid through the front face and onto the pole; and the aperture is an elongate slot extending lengthwise of the housing so as to allow the device and attached hose to be moved up and down the pole during the cleaning operation. In one form, the aperture includes lateral slots connected to the elongate slot, to allow the device to be worked laterally across the pole. In one form, the apparatus includes an aperture seal to normally close the aperture, whilst still allowing the hose to pass through and travel along the aperture. In one form, the aperture seal is in the form of a slit seal. In one form, the housing includes a window in a side wall of the housing, to allow cleaning progress and positioning of the cleaning device to be monitored. In one form, the housing includes a door that provides access to the interior of the housing to allow the hose to be connected to the cleaning device. In one form, the apparatus further includes straps to pass around the pole and secure the body to the pole. In one form, the sealing assembly includes flaps that project from a front side of the body and the straps pass around an outside of the flaps in order to capture and hold the flaps against the pole when the apparatus is fitted thereto.

-3 In one form, the body includes a sump for collecting the washing fluid and contaminants from the pole and an outlet to allow drainage from the apparatus. In another aspect, there is provided a cleaning system including an apparatus, as described above, a cleaning device for spraying the cleaning fluid inside the housing, a tank for collecting drained fluid from the outlet of the apparatus and a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the cleaning device. In one form, the system includes a filter to remove the contaminants from the cleaning fluid, to allow the fluid to be recycled and pumped back to the cleaning device for further cleaning. In one form, the system further includes a hose to connect the pump to the cleaning device, wherein the aperture is dimensioned to allow passage of the hose into the housing but to prevent the cleaning device exiting the housing through the aperture such that the connection of the hose to the cleaning device anchors the hose in the housing. In another aspect, there is provided a method for cleaning a pole using the cleaning system described above, including fixing the apparatus to the pole with the straps, connecting the tank to the outlet, pumping pressurized fluid to the cleaning device and draining the fluid and contaminants from the apparatus. In one form, the method further includes filtering the contaminants from the fluid and returning the filtered cleaning fluid back to the cleaning device for further cleaning. In one form, the method further includes the step of lining at least one of the pole and ground around the pole with a plastic sheet prior to cleaning the pole. In one form, the method further includes the steps of excavating a trench around the pole and lining the trench with the plastic sheet.

-4 In one form, the method further includes the steps of opening an access point of the apparatus and flushing the body to remove contaminants. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure IA is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for cleaning a pole; Figure 1 B is another perspective view illustrating the apparatus connected to a pole; Figure 2A is another perspective view illustrating the apparatus for cleaning a pole; Figure 2B is another perspective view illustrating the apparatus connected to the pole; and C NRPombIlOCCW&CWf0,IS54-I DOC.21O ~JI -5 Figure 3 is a process flow diagram of a cleaning system utilising the apparatus. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to Figures IA to 2B, there is shown an apparatus 10 for cleaning a pole 12. The apparatus 10 includes a body 14 adapted for a substantially sealed fit with the pole 12 so as to allow substantial containment of a cleaning substance (not shown) between the body 14 and the pole 12. The body 14 includes a housing 16 and a seal assembly 18 which is arranged to seal the housing 16 with the pole 12. The seal assembly 18 includes rubber flaps 20 which extend from opposing sides of the housing 16. The rubber flaps 20 are dimensioned to extend at least partially around the pole 12. The housing 16 is provided in the form in a rectangular prism having opposing sides 22, opposing ends 24, a front face 26 which is located adjacent the pole in use and a back face 28 which faces away from the pole in use. Accordingly, the housing 16 generally has the shape of a cabinet. The housing 16 is formed from sheet metal. However, other suitable materials may also be used. The front face 26 is open so as to allow communication of the cleaning substance between the housing 16 and the pole 12. The flaps 20 extend along each side of the front face 26. Each of the opposing sides 22, opposing ends 24 and a back face 28 are substantially sealed such that in use when the front face 26 is located against the pole 12 and the flaps 20 substantially seal the housing 16 with the pole 12. Each of the opposing ends 24 include a curved section 30 adjacent to the front face 26 which is dimensioned to allow the front face 26 to at least partially receive the pole 12 and therefore fit with the pole 12. The back face 28 includes a slot arrangement 31 including an elongate lengthwise slot C \NRorbl\CC\AZC\4061854_ I DOC-20/12/201 -6 32 extending substantially along the lengthwise axis of the housing 16 and lateral slots 34 which extend laterally of the lengthwise slot across the back face 28. The slot arrangement 31 allows for a cleaning device (not shown), such as a high pressure water hose to be inserted through the slot arrangement 31 to direct the water under pressure against the pole 12. Therefore, in use, the slot arrangement 31 and associated cleaning device provide an inlet 29 into the housing 16. Moreover, the slot arrangement 31 allows the cleaning device to be moved along the slots 32, 34 between the opposing ends 24 and generally between the opposing sides 22 so as to allow the cleaning substance to be projected from the cleaning device substantially over a section of the pole which is covered in use by the housing 16. The slot arrangement 31 further includes seals in the form of rubber flaps 38 which extend along each side of the longitudinal and lateral slots 32, 34. In use, the flaps 38 generally close around the cleaning device, for example a hose of the cleaning device, so as to allow the cleaning device to be moved along the slots 32, 34 whilst to assisting to contain the cleaning substance within the housing 16. One of the opposing sides 22 includes a window 40 which is preferably made of Perspex to allow a user to inspect inside the housing 16. The window 40 allows the user to view the action of the cleaning device against the pole so that it can be determined which parts of the pole need to be cleaned and when the cleaning is complete. The other of the opposing sides 22 includes access points 41 which are covered in use by associated doors 42. The doors 42 are hinged to the housing 16 so as to be able to be opened to provide access into the housing 16. The doors 42 are secured to the housing 16 with toggle latches 45 when closed and a door seal 47 is provided between an inside rim of the doors and outer rims of the access points 41 to assist to contain the cleaning substance when the doors 42 are closed.

C :N rbl\CC\A2CWM1854I DOC-2(/1220I I -7 The doors 42 allow a relatively large nozzle of the cleaning device to be passed into the housing 16 and connected to a hose of the cleaning device which is passed through the slot arrangement 31. This allows the elongate slot arrangement 31 to be relatively thin and therefore better contain the cleaning substance in use. Furthermore, when the nozzle is connected, this also assists to retain the cleaning device within the slot arrangement 31 which can be advantageous when working at heights to prevent the cleaning device from being disconnected from the apparatus 10 and potentially falling. Alternatively, the elongate slot may include a larger diamond shaped aperture 43 generally intermediate the back face 28 which allows the cleaning device with the nozzle attached to be inserted within the housing 16. However, the remainder of the elongate slot arrangement 31 is narrower than the nozzle of the cleaning device and retains nozzle of the cleaning device within the housing 16, in use. The housing 16 includes a base 48 having a well 44 and an outlet 50. The well 44 provides a reservoir in which the cleaning substance is able to accumulate prior to being removed from the housing 16 via the outlet 50. Attachment points 52 are provided towards the opposing ends 24 of the housing 16 and straps 54 interconnect with the attachment points 52 to couple the apparatus 10 to the pole 12. The straps 54 are provided in the form of tension straps and are passed around the outside of the pole 12 so as to capture the opposing flaps 20 between straps 54 and the pole 12 and are tensioned in use to secure the apparatus 10 to the pole 12 thereby assisting to seal the apparatus 10 with the pole to substantially contain the cleaning substance within the housing 16 of the body 14. Handles 53 are provided between the Attachment points 52 to assist with transporting and positioning the apparatus 10. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a cleaning system 55 which includes a cleaning assembly 60 in fluid communication with the apparatus 10 for supplying and extracting the cleaning substance from apparatus 10.

C:N RPorb\DCC\AZC\406|S4_ LDOC-20/12/0 11 -8 The cleaning assembly 60 includes a tank 62 for supplying water to a pump 64 which inturn provides pressurized cleaning substance or water to the cleaning device which provides the inlet 29 for the apparatus 10. The cleaning assembly 60 further includes a wet vacuum 66 connected to the outlet 50 for drawing the cleaning substance and any waste material from the outlet 50 and a filter 68 which is connected between the vacuum and the tank 62. The filter 68 is configured to substantially remove the waste material from the cleaning substance so that the cleaning substance can be recycled by the cleaning assembly 60 and returned to the tank for reuse. Preferably, the cleaning assembly 60 is provided as a unit supported by a trailer to transport the cleaning assembly 60 to and from the site. Accordingly, the cleaning system 55 including the apparatus 10 and the cleaning assembly 60 work substantially as a closed loop system providing pressurized water to the apparatus 10 for cleaning the pole 12 and drawing the cleaning substance and associated waste material back into the cleaning assembly 60 to close the loop. Advantageously, the cleaning system 55 including the apparatus 10 and the cleaning assembly 60 substantially contain the cleaning substance and associated waste material form the external environment. Furthermore, the recycling of the cleaning substance is particularly advantageous in remote areas, for example, where there is no accessible water supply or sewage. The apparatus 10 and associated cleaning system 55 may be preferably used for water blasting a CCA (Copper - Chromium - Arsenic) contaminated power pole. In this application, the apparatus 10 is fitted over sections of the pole 12 which have been burnt or charred and the cleaning assembly 60 is attached to the apparatus 10. The high pressure cleaning substance, which is in this example is high pressure water, is then used to blast off the charred ash and the waste product is collected within the well 44 of the apparatus 10 before being evacuated by the vacuum 66 of the cleaning assembly 60 and then subsequently recycled. The apparatus 10 may be moved to different sections of the pole and by releasing and tensioning the straps 54 and sliding the C:NRPonbIl\DCC\AZC\40618541 DOC-2/212/2011 -9 apparatus 10 along or around the pole 12, accordingly. An example method for water blasting a CCA contaminated power pole is provided below and broadly includes the steps of site preparation, pole preparation for water blasting, water blasting the pole and cleaning up the site. The more specific steps of the method are provided below. I. Site preparation A. Safety management pre start check list (HAC) B. Wear all PPE, gloves, p2 mask, safety eye wear C. Wet down burnt area with fine mist water spray D. Hammer test pole where possible E. Below ground strength assessment II. Pole preparation for water blasting A. Excavate trench around pole 100mm deep, line with plastic ground sheet B. Connect apparatus to pole by strapping apparatus to the pole over the burnt section C. Connect the cleaning assembly to the apparatus to provide the cleaning system III. Water blasting on pole A. Clean pole by water blasting the pole with a high pressure hose connected to the cleaning assembly. When finished cleaning the burnt section move apparatus around pole if burnt section is wider than the housing of the apparatus. B. When all ash is removed open up access points by actuating the doors and wash down inside of the housing with fresh water C. Clean well by removing any additional waste material and remove apparatus from the pole C:\NRPonb\DCC\AZC\4061854.1 DOC.22VI20 I - 10 IV. Site clean up A. Remove plastic ground sheet and place in bin with double bags B. Strength assessment on cleaned burnt area C. Top soil around filled in trench D. Paint CN paint on cleaned section on pole E. Place disposable PPE in bin with ground sheets The above described apparatus 10 advantageously allows a pole 12 to be cleaned whilst the cleaning substance is substantially contained between the pole 12 and the body 14 of the apparatus 10. In particular, the user is able to releasable suspend the apparatus 10, which may be at a considerable height above the ground, to the pole 12 using the straps 54. A cleaning device may be connected to the apparatus 10 and moved along and across the apparatus 10 utilising the slot arrangement 31 to clean a section of the pole 12. The user is able to view the cleaning operation via the window 40 and inspect, clean and/or maintain the apparatus and/or the cleaning device by using the doors 42. Moreover, when the apparatus 10 is connected to the cleaning assembly 60 a closed loop cleaning system 55 is formed whereby the cleaning substance is supplied to the cleaning device, such as a high pressure hose which provides an inlet 29 to the apparatus 10, at a pressure which is sufficient to remove material from the pole 12. The cleaning substance and the waste material are then returned to the cleaning assembly 60 via the outlet 50 and the waste material is removed from the cleaning substance by the filter 68 and the cleaning substance is recycled into the tank 62for further use. Accordingly, in light of the above, it should be appreciated that the above invention advantageously allows the cleaning of poles in particular CCA contaminated power poles without the CCA escaping into the environment surrounding the power pole and generally allows the contaminated CCA material to be captured and entirely removed from the site.

C .\RPorbI\DCC\AZC\4 1854_1 DOC-20/12/20 I - 11 Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

C \NRPortbl\DCC\AZC\4061854_ I DOC-2(12/2M1I I - 12 List of Parts 10. Apparatus 12. Pole 14. Body 16. Housing 18. Seal Assembly 20. Flaps 22. Opposing sides 24. Opposing ends 26. Front face 28. Back face 30. Curved section 31. Slot arrangement 32. Elongate slot 33. Apparatus 34. Lateral slots 38. Flaps 40. Window 41. Access points 42. Door 43. Diamond shaped Aperture 44. Well 45. Toggle latch 47. Door seal 48. Base 50. Outlet 52. Attachment points 53. Handles 54. Straps 55. Cleaning system C :NRPnbl\DCC\AZCW061854_ I DOC-20/12/2)I I - 13 60. Cleaning Assembly 62. Tank 64. Pump 66. Vacuum 68. Filter

Claims

1. A pole cleaning apparatus for fixing to a pole, the apparatus including a body adapted for a substantially sealed fit with the pole so as to allow substantial containment of a cleaning fluid applied to the pole, wherein: the body includes a housing with an open front face that is fixed relative to the pole during a cleaning operation and a back face that faces away from the pole, wherein the back face includes an aperture that allows a hose to enter the housing and couple to a cleaning device that sprays the fluid through the front face and onto the pole; and the aperture is an elongate slot extending lengthwise of the housing so as to allow the device and attached hose to be moved up and down the pole during the cleaning operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aperture includes lateral slots connected to the elongate slot, to allow the device to be worked laterally across the pole.

3. The apparatus of claim I or 2, wherein the apparatus includes an aperture seal to normally close the aperture, whilst still allowing the hose to pass through and travel along the aperture.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the aperture seal is in the form of a slit seal.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 4, further including a window in a side wall of the housing, to allow cleaning progress and positioning of the cleaning device to be monitored.

6. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing includes a door that provides access to the interior of the housing to allow the hose to be connected to the cleaning device. - 15

7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further including straps to pass around the pole and secure the body to the pole.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sealing assembly includes flaps that project from a front side of the body and the straps pass around an outside of the flaps in order to capture and hold the flaps against the pole when the apparatus is fitted thereto.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims I to 8, wherein the body includes a sump for collecting the washing fluid and contaminants from the pole and an outlet to allow drainage from the apparatus.

10. A cleaning system including the apparatus of claim 9, a cleaning device for spraying the cleaning fluid inside the housing, a tank for collecting drained fluid from the outlet of the apparatus and a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the cleaning device.

11. The cleaning system of claim 10, further including a filter to remove the contaminants from the cleaning fluid, to allow the fluid to be recycled and pumped back to the cleaning device for further cleaning.

12. The cleaning system of claim 10 or 11, further including a hose to connect the pump to the cleaning device, wherein the aperture is dimensioned to allow passage of the hose into the housing but to prevent the cleaning device exiting the housing through the aperture such that the connection of the hose to the cleaning device anchors the hose in the housing.

13. A method for cleaning a pole using the cleaning system of claim 10, including fixing the apparatus to the pole with the straps, connecting the tank to the outlet, pumping pressurized fluid to the cleaning device and draining the fluid and contaminants from the apparatus. - 16

14. The method of claim 13, further including filtering the contaminants from the fluid and returning the filtered cleaning fluid back to the cleaning device for further cleaning.

15. The method of claim 13 or 14, further including the step of lining at least one of the pole and ground around the pole with a plastic sheet prior to cleaning the pole.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the steps of excavating a trench around the pole and lining the trench with the plastic sheet.

17. The method of claim 16, further including the steps of opening an access point of the apparatus and flushing the body to remove contaminants.