DE202019106302U1 - Cleaning device for rotor blades - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for cleaning a rotor blade (5) of an aircraft, characterized in that it has an opening (4) for the passage of the rotor blade (5) which has an edge, wherein
- At least one cleaning element (6, 7; 19, 20) is present on at least one side area of this edge, and
- A support element for restricting the rotation of the opening (4) about an axis of rotation (R) and for absorbing compressive forces is arranged on a further side area of the edge opposite this side area, and
- The opening (4) being arranged in a frame (1) which is tiltably connected to a bracket (9) via a joint (8) providing the axis of rotation (R), so that by rotating the frame (1) around the Axis of rotation (R) both the at least one cleaning element (6, 7; 19, 20) and the support element can be placed on the rotor blade (5), while the frame (1) is in position on the rotor blade (5) by means of the holder (9). holding forces are available.

Description

introduction

The invention relates to the field of cleaning devices. More precisely, the invention relates to a device for cleaning a rotor blade of an aircraft.

State of the art and disadvantages

Rotor blades are used to generate propulsion of a means of locomotion through its interaction with a gaseous medium. A rotor blade of the type in the foreground here is, for example, a propeller blade of a propeller or turboprop aircraft or the rotor blade of a helicopter or rotary wing aircraft.

Such rotor blades become soiled during operation, for example by dust or by insects, which stick to the essentially smooth surface of the rotor blades and can thus lead to undesired detachment of the air flowing around the rotor blade during operation. It is therefore necessary to regularly and thoroughly clean a rotor blade to maintain the best possible efficiency and a long service life.

Up to now, such cleaning has usually been done manually, i.e. one person cleans the surfaces of the rotor blade with a damp sponge, cloth or similar.

This is still relatively easy to handle with the propellers of smaller aircraft. If necessary, however, a propeller must be rotated a little after cleaning one of its rotor blades so that the person cleaning it can reach the next rotor blade of the propeller. Under certain circumstances, turning is only possible with great effort, since the propeller is usually directly connected to the motor and cannot be decoupled. Improper contact with the propeller can cause damage to the propeller or injuries to the person cleaning it.

Cleaning the rotor blades of a helicopter, for example, is more problematic. So that a person cleaning these rotor blades can reach a rotor blade, this person usually needs a platform or a stepladder. The construction of a platform is relatively complex. On the other hand, the rotor blade can only be cleaned over a relatively short section with a stepladder. The cleaning person must then get off their stepladder, move the stepladder, and then climb the stepladder again before they can clean the next short section.

This, too, is of course very complex and time-consuming. In addition, it is very strenuous for a person performing the cleaning to repeatedly climb up and down a ladder, move the ladder and, if necessary, move the cleaning utensils in each case.

Another problem with the purely manual cleaning of a rotor blade is the different cleaning result depending on the person cleaning it. Since every person has different strengths, different experiences in cleaning, and a different understanding of the cleaning result to be achieved, the cleaning results of different people can differ significantly from each other. This is undesirable in terms of a reproducible cleaning result.

The pamphlet DE 38 77 086 T2 discloses a device with which the surface of a wing can be cleaned partially automatically by the device comprising a lifting truck on which a large rotating roller, comparable to that of a washing installation for motor vehicles, is arranged.

Thus, such a device reduces the dependency on the cleaning result and relieves the user in a certain way. However, the device is only suitable for cleaning the underside of the wing; it is also very complex.

Object of the invention and solution

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which facilitates the arduous work described above and is operationally reliable at the same time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device with which a good cleaning result that is as independent as possible of the respective user can be achieved.

The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the following description and the figures.

description

The device according to the invention is first described. The use of the same according to the invention is described below.

The object is achieved by a device for cleaning a rotor blade of an aircraft which has an opening through which the rotor blade can pass. The opening can be closed all round, but preferably open on one side, similar to a “U”.

The opening has an (inner) edge, at least one cleaning element being present on at least one side area of this edge. The cleaning of the rotor blade (mechanical, achieved by relative movement, possibly assisted by liquid) takes place by means of this cleaning element, which is to be described in more detail below. According to the definition, the term “cleaning” also includes a polishing of the desired surface, accordingly the device according to all embodiments is also suitable for polishing or other surface treatment of a rotor blade.

A support element for restricting the rotation of the opening about an axis of rotation and for absorbing compressive forces is also arranged on a further side area of the edge opposite this side area. This support element therefore has the task of preventing an otherwise uncontrolled rotating movement of the opening by preventing said rotation by placing the support element on the rotor blade (more precisely: on the opposite side of the same).

The opening is arranged in a frame. This means that the frame is constructed in such a way that it provides the opening that is closed all the way around or is open on one side. It can consist of several components (e.g. screwed, welded, glued or plugged together struts or rods), or it can be constructed in one piece (e.g. pipe bent several times). A light but sufficiently stable (torsion-resistant) construction is preferred.

According to the invention, the frame is tiltably connected to a holder via a joint providing the axis of rotation. In the present case, the term “joint” is to be understood broadly and not limited to “swivel joints” (hinges, shaft bearings, etc.). It is only essential that the two components which are attached to the joint (frame on the one hand, holder on the other hand) are not completely rigidly connected to one another, but can at least (and preferably precisely) be tilted to one another about an axis of rotation. Accordingly, the term “tiltable” is not initially to be understood as being restricted to one direction of rotation; nevertheless, a joint which provides exactly one axis of rotation is preferred.

By rotating or tilting the frame about the axis of rotation, both the at least one cleaning element and the support element can be placed on the rotor blade; this means that - after the frame providing the opening has been initially pushed onto the rotor blade - the frame initially rotates about said axis of rotation, the same extending approximately in the normal plane of the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. The rotation comes to a standstill when both the cleaning element and the support element are in contact with (opposite) sides of the rotor blade. Reliable mechanical contact between the device and the rotor blade is only established in this position, so that cleaning is possible.

At the same time, forces holding the frame in position on the rotor blade can be provided by means of the holder. This means that the holder has the task of providing a counter-bearing which can absorb the forces generated by the rotation and the contact so that the device can be held in a certain position or can be guided along a certain path.

The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

The invention allows a rotor blade to be cleaned easily under manual guidance by means of the holder, since the user, provided the holder has a corresponding length, no longer has to climb a ladder or other elevation in order to clean the rotor blade in sections. The operation of the device is therefore also operationally safe, since the risk of an accident is significantly reduced.

In addition, the invention enables a good cleaning result to be achieved that is largely independent of the respective user, since the device can exert cleaning pressures on the rotor blade that can be predetermined by design (and thus essentially independent of the user). Due to the possibility of continuous cleaning of a rotor blade along its entire length, the presence of the otherwise differently positioned and varying degrees of overlap (or even gaps) between the cleaned individual sections is eliminated.

Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises two cleaning elements. This means that the support element is also designed as a cleaning element. The advantage of a device comprising two cleaning elements consists in the possibility of cleaning the rotor blade on both sides at the same time. Thus, such a device saves a considerable amount of time in cleaning the same.

The cleaning elements can be of the same or different types (for the types see below).

Each cleaning element can also be designed in several parts. This means that it can include subgroups, which, however, work as a unit.

The holder can be designed as a longer handle, which is optionally adjustable in length, for example telescopic. In principle, however, a working boom of a robot is also suitable as a holder.

According to one embodiment, seen in a side view, the joint can be arranged in the area of the extension of the central area connecting the two side areas. The distance to the closer side area can be a few centimeters to a meter or more.

According to another embodiment, the joint is arranged in the central area, that is to say the area between the two side areas. The axis of rotation is then also located between the side areas and thus within the opening.

In a front view, that is, looking in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, it is advantageous if the joint is arranged approximately centrally between the edges of the rotor blade. In particular, an arrangement such that the device is balanced and does not seek to tilt either to one or the other edge is to be preferred. If necessary, the position between the two edges can also be adjustable, or the balance can be adjusted by means of a displaceable or changeable weight.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the joint is set up to transmit torques. This means that the joint (or a device assigned to it) can transmit forces introduced via the holder, which lead to a rotation of the rest of the device. The advantage of such a design lies in the significantly improved support when reaching the above-mentioned contact of the cleaning element (s) on the rotor blade. It is possible, for example, for the joint to be set up in such a way that the aim is to align the holder and frame in an aligned manner (rest position). If the holder, made possible by the joint, is tilted relative to the frame by a user, the pressure forces which the cleaning element or elements exert on the rotor blade increase, since the force used for tilting is propagated via the joint. It is clear that this rest position, which is predetermined by pretensioning the joint, can also be adjusted to a different angle, for example to 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 30 degrees, or 120 degrees.

The joint is preferably pretensioned via a spring or a weight. It can thus be achieved that the frame is swiveled back and relieved when the holder is moved accordingly, and the device can thus be lifted off and removed from the rotor blade to be cleaned easily and without resistance.

The term “spring” is broadly defined and includes all devices that are used to store and re-release potential energy (“tension energy”). Such devices may consist of hard materials (e.g. spring steel), or of elastic materials (e.g. rubber), or comprise such materials.

To transmit torques, the joint can comprise a compression, tension or torsion spring.

The joint can also be designed as an elastic element, for example as a simple rod, which serves as a link between the holder and the frame, so that tilting is possible and the desired restoring forces are present at the same time.

According to a further embodiment, a compression, tension or torsion spring is arranged between the frame and the holder. This means that the device for storing and releasing potential energy is not arranged in or directly on the joint, but is located outside the joint; nevertheless, the unit of joint and device allows the desired transmission of torques.

Depending on the design of the spring, the transferability of the torque increases to a greater or lesser extent as the tilt angle increases. This means that it is possible to be able to transmit almost no torque in an initial position, whereby this also increases with increasing tilting.

According to another embodiment, the joint comprises at least one mechanical stop which prevents further relative tilting between the holder and the frame when a locking position is reached. This means that before the stop is reached, free tilting is possible (without the transmission of torque), but the full torque can be transmitted when the locking position is reached (rigid joint). The stop can be one or both sides; the latter means that there are two locking positions between which free tilting is possible.

It is also possible to combine the variants described above with one another (spring with one or two stops).

According to a further embodiment, the torque is transmitted by a motor. This means that there is a motor or drive in or on the joint, which applies a torque to the frame, provided the bracket is supported accordingly. The advantage of such an embodiment lies in the controllability of the torque by means of the controllability of the motor.

Any other device is also conceivable by means of which the strength of the transmitted or transmitted torque can be adjusted (e.g. setting the spring stiffness, adjusting a corresponding stop).

According to one embodiment, the cleaning element is designed as a cleaning roller (hereinafter also referred to as “roller” for short). The surface of the cleaning roller can be designed like a sponge, a brush or a gel pad. Such a roller has the advantage that it has a larger (circumferential) surface than a flat, non-rotatable cleaning element, which increases its dirt absorption capacity.

Such a role can also be adapted to the contour of the wing contour to be cleaned. Particularly when a gel cushion is present, there is the possibility that the surface can be optimally adapted to the (usually varying along the length) contour of the rotor blade due to the possibility of distributing the gel, which leads to an even distribution of force and thus cleaning performance.

It is optionally provided that the roll is (additionally) provided with a terry, fur or microfiber cover. It is also possible that the roller is equipped with an absorbent, contoured sponge and / or, as mentioned, with a gel pad.

The role can also be constructed as a multi-part role unit. This means that two or more rollers are arranged on one shaft and / or one behind the other on parallel shafts. The shafts are connected to one another via a frame, and the frame in turn is connected to the side leg of the frame.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning roller is mounted on the frame via a freewheel which blocks in one direction of rotation. This enables the roller to run along the surface of the rotor blade to be cleaned during a movement in a first direction in which the freewheel releases the rotation of the cleaning roller and, if necessary, moisten it, so that adhering dirt may already be soaked, and that the cleaning roller, when moving in the opposite direction, in which the freewheel prevents the rotation of the cleaning roller, is pulled over the surface of the rotor blade to be cleaned rather than rolling, and frees it of dirt adhering to it.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning roller is resiliently mounted in order to adapt to different rotor blade geometries and in particular rotor blade thicknesses. The corresponding suspension of the cleaning roller can for example be done by mounting it on one side on a swivel joint which is pretensioned via a spring or elastomer element. By setting the hardness of the pressure spring, the force exerted on the sides of the rotor blade can be adjusted.

According to another embodiment which can be combined with both of the aforementioned embodiments, the cleaning roller is driven by a motor or a drive unit. In this way, the cleaning effect can be increased even further; In particular, stubborn contamination can thus be cleaned by the user without manually moving the device back and forth. The direction of movement of the roller can optionally be switched manually or automatically.

According to another embodiment, the cleaning element is designed as a cleaning sponge. Such cleaning sponges are sufficiently elastic to be able to adapt to a curved rotor surface. In addition, they can easily be provided with a cleaning liquid and also have good dirt absorption capacity.

If necessary, a corresponding cleaning sponge can also be provided with a microfiber cover. This improves the cleaning power and the dirt absorption of the cleaning element accordingly.

Like the role described above, the sponge can also be constructed in several parts. Several sponges can be arranged next to and / or behind one another and combined by means of a frame, which in turn is then attached to the frame.

According to one embodiment, at least a section of the side area of the frame provided with the cleaning sponge is resiliently movable into the opening through which the rotor blade is passed. In the case of cleaning sponges, spring elements which support sections such as leaf springs or spring-supported support sections are particularly suitable.

As a result, a close adaptation of the cleaning element to the surface to be cleaned can be achieved, so that a uniform contact pressure can be achieved over the width of the surface to be cleaned. As already mentioned, it must be taken into account that the surface to be cleaned is curved in the case of rotor blades and this curvature can also change over the length of a rotor blade.

According to a further embodiment which can be combined with the above embodiment, the aforementioned section comprises pivot bearings on which the cleaning sponge is arranged. However, experiments have surprisingly shown that if such rotary bearings are provided, another resilient mounting can be dispensed with, since cleaning sponges typically have sufficient flexibility by themselves to enable the desired adaptability to the profile of the rotor blade.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning sponge comprises a gel pad. This also enables optimized adaptability to the profile of the rotor blade.

According to a further embodiment, a (essentially flat) gel pad is provided as the cleaning element. This is particularly preferably covered with a microfiber cloth or another absorbent, exchangeable aid.

As far as sensible and structurally possible, the aforementioned embodiments can also be combined with one another; this affects different sides of the device as well as the same side. For example, it may be desirable to have both a sponge and an adjacent gel pad on one side, or a roller, for example, of an interrupted configuration, with the resulting space being able to be cleaned by a sponge.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning element is supplied with a cleaning liquid via a liquid supply.

This liquid is preferably supplied through the holder, which enables a compact design. Said cleaning liquid can then be dispensed onto or into the cleaning element, e.g. via nozzles or drip openings on a humidifying hose or tube. In this way, sufficient moistening of the cleaning element and the surface to be cleaned, and thus a sufficient cleaning effect, can be ensured without the device having to be removed several times from a rotor blade to be cleaned and separately moistened.

Preferably, liquid is also dispensed onto the further cleaning element or elements, if such are present.

In a further embodiment, which can particularly preferably be combined with the embodiment described above, the cleaning element is designed as a cleaning roller and is driven by a hydraulic motor. The cleaning liquid serves - especially before it is applied to the cleaning element - as the drive fluid for this rotary drive of the cleaning roller.

In other alternative embodiments - in particular those without cleaning fluid - the cleaning rollers are driven by an electric or a pneumatic motor instead of the said hydraulic motor.

According to a further embodiment of the device, the distance between the two side regions can be influenced by means of kinematics that can be activated by tilting the holder.

The ability to change the distance has the advantage that rotor blades with even more different thicknesses can be safely cleaned with the device, and that - with thinner rotor blades - the rotation of the frame does not have to be so far in order to keep both side areas with the cleaning elements in contact with the rotor blade bring. The reason is that with a smaller distance the application by successive rotation takes place earlier than with a larger distance; the plane spanned by the frame runs more perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, or the rotation, which typically begins in a perpendicular orientation, comes to a standstill more quickly. This also enables the actual cleaning process to be prepared more quickly.

The kinematics can be provided, for example, by a toothed wheel arranged at the end of the holder, which cooperates with a toothed rack arranged on the center leg of the frame. The gear is also fixed to the joint. If the tilt angle changes, the gear wheel pulls the rack in the corresponding direction, so that the center leg is shortened, which reduces the distance between the two side areas.

Another example of kinematics uses a cam arranged at the proximal end of the holder. By rotating the same, this presses more or less far on a driver, which in turn is arranged on the middle limb, and pushes it together. In order to allow an opposite (restoring) movement in a simple manner, the driver can work against a spring.

Another example comprises a cable section, one end of which is wound around a pin, which in turn is arranged collinear with the axis of rotation of the joint at the proximal end of the holder. If the bracket rotates around the axis of rotation, the rope section winds up or down. At its other end, the cable section is attached to the spring-assisted driver in such a way that the latter brings the two side legs closer together when shortened (wound up) and apart from one another when lengthened (unwound).

Of course, other measures with the same effect are also conceivable, which lead to a change in the distance between the two side areas.

The aforementioned gear or cam kinematics can also be activated by a cable pull or the like arranged in the area of the holder. In this case it is possible to activate the kinematics without tilting as described.

The activation can also be done by motor; the associated switch is then preferably to be arranged in the area of the distal end of the holder. It is also conceivable that sensors (pressure sensors, optical distance-measuring sensors) are available in the area of the frame at a suitable point, which automatically regulate said approach, that is, that the frame initially has the largest possible opening, and this is then gradually reduced in size until the both side legs are positioned sufficiently close to the rotor blade.

Another embodiment relates to a (semi-) automatic device. Accordingly, it has two cleaning rollers, or one cleaning roller and a roller-shaped support element. A “support unit” (not to be confused with the “support element” mentioned above) for low-friction mounting of this end on the rotor blade is provided at a distal end of the holder, which is then not primarily intended to be held in the hand. "Low-friction" means that when this end slides along the rotor blade, it must not be damaged. The end can be equipped with a sliding surface, or with one or more rollers. Optionally, depending on the specific embodiment of the same, the support unit can additionally or additionally also have a cleaning effect on the rotor blade.

Furthermore, the cleaning roller and support element can be driven and / or designed in such a way by means of a drive unit that the device can be moved in a preferred direction with them.

The drive unit can consist, for example, of two motors, which each drive a roller, or it comprises a gear unit which transmits the rotation of the motor to both rollers. With essentially identical rollers, different circumferential speeds can thus be achieved at the roller / rotor blade surface contact surface. To achieve different circumferential speeds, the rollers can also have different diameters, or the gear unit takes on this task in a known manner. If there are two motors, they can work at different speeds.

However, the rollers can also be designed in some other way so that the desired effect of moving the device in a certain direction results. In particular, by varying the coefficient of sliding friction between the roller and the rotor blade, otherwise (geometrically) essentially identical rollers at the same peripheral speed can lead to different resulting propulsion forces, the sum of which determines the direction and speed of the device.

The resulting force can also be varied by varying the roller surface. However, it must be ensured that the entire width of the rotor blade is still cleaned. If necessary, multi-part roles are to be provided here (see above).

The advantage of this embodiment is that the device can automatically move along the rotor blade. The different circumferential speeds result in a relative speed between the roller resting on the top and bottom of the rotor blade, which leads to a linear movement of the device. The bracket with support unit, together with the joint, ensures that the frame is properly guided and pretensioned.

The device can be activated and / or deactivated by means of a remote control, or it comprises a sensor which detects the reaching of a stop position (proximal or distal end of a rotor blade) so that the device neither damages the aircraft nor itself (by falling ) is damaged.

The advantage of such an embodiment is that the cleaning result is completely independent of the user, since the user is only responsible for initially placing the device on the rotor blade and starting the cleaning process. Highly reproducible cleaning results can therefore be achieved.

According to another embodiment as well, in which the holder is provided at a distal end for manual guidance by the user, the device can comprise said motorization. The rollers can optionally have the same or different peripheral speeds. At the same circumferential speeds, the propulsion is carried out by the user. At different circumferential speeds, the user holds the device, which, however, moves essentially automatically along the rotor blade. The user can start, stop, regulate and optionally also reverse the rotation by means of a switch located at the distal end of the holder. It is clear that the resulting preferred direction of the frame with the rollers can also be achieved in other ways described above.

The advantage of this embodiment lies in the improved cleaning result, since the rotating rollers ensure better dirt removal. In addition, the user is largely relieved of the task of actively moving the device.

1. (a) Zunächst wird das Rotorblatt durch eine in einem Rahmen angeordnete Öffnung hindurchgeführt, die einen (zum Rotorblatt weisenden) Rand aufweist, wobei an wenigstens einem Seitenbereich dieses Randes wenigstens ein Reinigungselement vorhanden ist. Somit ist die Vorrichtung am Rotorblatt derart positioniert, dass sich letzteres in der Öffnung der Vorrichtung befindet.
2. (b) Alsdann wird durch Kippen des Rahmens mittels einer Halterung, die mittels eines Gelenks am Rahmen angeordnet ist, das wenigstens eine Reinigungselement an einer Seite des Rotorblattes angelegt. Hält der Benutzer die Halterung in der Hand, bewegt er diese derart (typischerweise mit dem distalen Ende der Halterung nach oben), dass sich (beim Beispiel eines horizontal ausgerichteten Rotorblattes) der mit der Halterung verbundene Rahmen von einer zunächst eher „stehenden“ Position, in welcher der Rahmen besonders leicht auf das Rotorblatt gebracht werden kann, in eine eher „liegende“ Position gebracht wird (Kippen der gesamten Vorrichtung), in welcher die Seitenbereiche näher am Rotorblatt liegen. Somit nähern sich die beiden Seitenbereiche des Rahmens immer mehr an die Seiten des Rotorblattes an, bis einer derselben (bzw. das daran angeordnete Reinigungs- oder Stützelement, s.u.) in unmittelbaren Kontakt mit dem Rotorblatt kommt.
3. (c) Schließlich wird das weitere Kippen des Rahmens mittels eines Stützelements, das an einem dem Seitenbereich gegenüberliegenden weiteren Seitenbereich des Randes angeordnet ist, beschränkt, indem besagtes Stützelement an einer gegenüberliegenden Seite des Rotorblattes anliegt, wobei es auch Druckkräfte aufnimmt. Anders ausgedrückt, durch weiteres Kippen der Vorrichtung (und somit auch des Rahmens) gelangt schließlich auch das andere Reinigungs- oder Stützelement in Kontakt mit der gegenüberliegenden Seite des Rotorblattes. Eine weiteres Kippen des Rahmen ist dann nicht mehr möglich, da sich beide Seitenschenkel desselben nicht weiter in Richtung des Rotorblattes bewegen können.
4. (d) Weiterhin möglich ist hingegen ein Kippen der Halterung, da diese mittels des Gelenks „kippbar“ (rotierbar) mit dem Rahmen verbunden ist. Das bedeutet, dass der Rahmen um das Gelenk rotier- oder kippbar ist, also die Ausrichtung von Halterung und Rahmen änderbar ist, so dass sich der Winkel zwischen beiden Komponenten ändert, und zwar insbesondere verkleinert. Mittels eines Kippens der Halterung um eine durch das Gelenk vorgegebene Rotationsachse wird nunmehr der Winkel zwischen Halterung und Rahmen verkleinert, so dass Druckkräfte sowohl auf das mindestens eine Reinigungselement, als auch das Stützelement ausgeübt werden, welche diese Komponenten gegen die Seiten des Rotorblattes pressen. Diese Druckkräfte sind insofern relevant, als dass nur durch Ausübung gewisser Reibungskräfte zwischen Reinigungselement und zu reinigender Fläche auch ein Schmutzabtrag erfolgen kann. Je höher die Druckkräfte, desto stärker die Reibung, und desto höher die Reinigungswirkung. Allerdings ist zu beachten, dass zu hohe Druckkräfte zu einer Beschädigung der Vorrichtung und/oder der zu reinigenden Oberfläche führen können. Demnach ist es besonders vorteilhaft, wenn die Druckkräfte in einem festlegbaren Bereich liegen, der nach Möglichkeit nicht verlassen wird. Auch dies ist mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung möglich, wie nachfolgend noch gezeigt wird.
5. (e) Weiterhin werden nun mittels der Halterung den Rahmen in Position am Rotorblatt haltende Kräfte bereitgestellt. Anders ausgedrückt, der Benutzer hält die Vorrichtung so, dass ein gewisser Kippwinkel vorhanden ist, so dass reinigende Druckkräfte auf die Rotorblattseiten ausgeübt werden. Er kann - je nach Ausführungsform - die Vorrichtung manuell vor- und zurückbewegen, so dass das Rotorblatt entsprechend gründlich gereinigt werden kann.

The use according to the invention of the device for cleaning a rotor blade of an aircraft will now be described.

1. (a) First, the rotor blade is passed through an opening arranged in a frame which has an edge (pointing towards the rotor blade), with at least one cleaning element being present on at least one side area of this edge. The device is thus positioned on the rotor blade in such a way that the latter is located in the opening of the device.
2. (b) The at least one cleaning element is then applied to one side of the rotor blade by tilting the frame by means of a holder which is arranged on the frame by means of a joint. If the user holds the holder in his hand, he moves it in such a way (typically with the distal end of the holder upwards) that (in the example of a horizontally aligned rotor blade) the frame connected to the holder moves from an initially rather "standing" position, in which the frame can be brought onto the rotor blade particularly easily, is brought into a more “lying” position (tilting of the entire device), in which the side areas are closer to the rotor blade. Thus, the two side areas of the frame come closer and closer to the sides of the rotor blade until one of them (or the cleaning or support element arranged thereon, see below) comes into direct contact with the rotor blade.
3. (c) Finally, the further tilting of the frame is restricted by means of a support element which is arranged on a further side region of the edge opposite the side region, in that said support element rests against an opposite side of the rotor blade, whereby it also absorbs compressive forces. In other words, by further tilting the device (and thus also the frame), the other cleaning or support element finally also comes into contact with the opposite side of the rotor blade. A further tilting of the frame is then no longer possible, since both side legs of the same cannot move any further in the direction of the rotor blade.
4. (d) On the other hand, it is still possible to tilt the bracket, since it is “tiltable” (rotatable) connected to the frame by means of the joint. This means that the frame can be rotated or tilted around the joint, that is to say the alignment of the holder and frame can be changed, so that the angle between the two components changes, and in particular is reduced. By tilting the bracket about an axis of rotation specified by the joint, the angle between bracket and frame is now reduced, so that compressive forces are exerted on both the at least one cleaning element and the support element, which press these components against the sides of the rotor blade. These pressure forces are relevant insofar as dirt can only be removed by exerting certain frictional forces between the cleaning element and the surface to be cleaned. The higher the pressure, the stronger the friction and the higher the cleaning effect. However, it should be noted that excessive pressure forces can damage the device and / or the surface to be cleaned. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous if the Pressure forces lie in a definable range, which is not left if possible. This is also possible with the device according to the invention, as will be shown below.
5. (e) Furthermore, forces holding the frame in position on the rotor blade are now provided by means of the holder. In other words, the user holds the device in such a way that there is a certain tilt angle so that cleaning pressure forces are exerted on the rotor blade sides. He can - depending on the embodiment - manually move the device back and forth so that the rotor blade can be thoroughly cleaned accordingly.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a torque is also transmitted by means of the joint. This torque assists the at least one cleaning element and the support element in contact with the opposite sides of the rotor blade. Increasing the above-mentioned tilt angle between bracket and frame now generates a torque around the joint, which leads to increased contact between the two side areas of the frame. The compressive forces can be varied by changing the angle (a smaller angle leads to higher compressive forces). If the torque is now transferred from the bracket to the frame via a spring that is not too hard (e.g. torsion spring), changing the horizontal positioning of the bracket only leads to a slight change in the compressive forces; the cleaning result is then relatively independent of the holding height by different users, for example.

If, on the other hand, the holding height is largely constant, the pressure forces can also be adjusted by adjusting the hardness of the spring. In this way, too, you can achieve a largely uniform cleaning effect that is independent of the user, because this is determined by the spring hardness. If the holder is held in a defined position, for example horizontally, the compressive forces are only determined by the hardness of the spring.

It is also possible to design the device as a largely automatically operating device. A support unit, which is arranged at a distal end of the bracket, is supported on the rotor blade with little friction, while roller-shaped cleaning elements, or a roller-shaped cleaning element and a roller-shaped supporting element, which are driven to different circumferential speeds by means of a drive unit, are arranged on the side areas.

The support unit here takes on the task that was fulfilled by the user in the previous embodiments, namely the provision of a “holding force” with which the device is held in position. In this case, too, there is a joint which is arranged between the bracket and the frame; preferably this also transmits a torque.

The two rollers (preferably both cleaning elements) are driven and have different peripheral speeds; To avoid repetition, reference is made to the explanations for the correspondingly configured device above.

As a result, a device configured in this way can move automatically along the rotor blade. Particularly preferably, the drive direction and thus the direction of movement is reversible, so that it is possible, for example, for the user to attach the device to the distal end of a rotor blade and switch it on, whereupon it automatically moves to the proximal end, which it detects when it is reached, whereupon the drive direction is reversed so that the device eventually drives back to the user, who then turns it off.

Figure list

• 1 die Prinzipskizze einer Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung in der Vorderansicht;
• 2 die Prinzipskizze der Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung gem. 1 in der Seitenansicht;
• 3 die Prinzipskizze einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung in der Vorderansicht;
• 4 die Prinzipskizze einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung in der Vorderansicht;
• 5 die Prinzipskizze einer Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung mit Reinigungsrollen in der Vorderansicht;
• 6 die Prinzipskizze der Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung gem. 5 in der Seitenansicht;
• 7 die Prinzipskizze einer anderen alternativen Ausführungsform der Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung in der Vorderansicht;
• 8 die Prinzipskizze der Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung gem. 7 in der Seitenansicht;
• 9 die Prinzipskizze eines Details einer weiteren alternativen Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung in der Vorderansicht;
• 10 die Prinzipskizze der Rotorblatt-Reinigungsvorrichtung gem. 9 in der Seitenansicht.

The invention is explained by way of example below with reference to figures. It shows

• 1 the schematic diagram of a rotor blade cleaning device in the front view;
• 2 the schematic diagram of the rotor blade cleaning device according to. 1 in side view;
• 3 the schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a rotor blade cleaning device in the front view;
• 4th the schematic diagram of a further alternative embodiment of a rotor blade cleaning device in the front view;
• 5 the schematic diagram of a rotor blade cleaning device with cleaning rollers in the front view;
• 6th the schematic diagram of the rotor blade cleaning device according to. 5 in side view;
• 7th the schematic diagram of another alternative embodiment of the rotor blade cleaning device in the front view;
• 8th the schematic diagram of the rotor blade cleaning device according to. 7th in side view;
• 9 the schematic diagram of a detail of a further alternative rotor blade cleaning device in the front view;
• 10 the schematic diagram of the rotor blade cleaning device according to. 9 in side view.

In the 1 the schematic diagram of a rotor blade cleaning device is shown in the front view. You can see an essentially U-shaped frame 1 , where between two side legs 2 , 3 an opening 4th is present through which a rotor blade to be cleaned 5 protrudes. The side thighs 2 , 3 are therefore located on the two side areas of the frame 1 .

On the side thighs 2 or. 3 are cleaning elements in the form of cleaning sponges in the example shown here 6th , 7th attached to the side area of the opening 4th form their edge.

In the example shown here is the opening 4th in two opposite side areas with appropriate cleaning sponges 6th or. 7th Mistake. According to an embodiment not shown, however, it is also possible if only one of these two side areas is occupied by a corresponding cleaning element and the other, opposite side area of the edge is provided, for example, with a support element (support rollers, not shown).

It is also possible that, according to an embodiment not shown, not only the side areas of the edge of the opening 4th are provided with appropriate cleaning elements, but also the face of the opening 4th is provided with a corresponding cleaning element. All areas are then particularly preferably designed to be contiguous, so that at least the leading edge of the rotor blade can also be cleaned.

The Indian 1 illustrated frame 1 is about a joint 8th with a particular in the 2 bracket to be recognized 9 connected, where in the 2 as in all other figures, identical elements are provided with identical reference symbols.

The bracket 9 is a handle, shown here only in sections, which (also not shown) can also be designed telescopically if necessary.

When moving as a bracket 9 trained handle parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade 5 (to the right in the example shown here) the frame tilts 1 (counterclockwise in the example shown here) around the joint 8th so that the cleaning sponge 6th at the top of the rotor blade 5 is pressed on its surface. At the same time is also on the underside of the rotor blade 5 the cleaning sponge 7th against the surface of the rotor blade 5 pressed. With a continuation of the movement of the handle (further to the right) the cleaning sponges are then 6th , 7th moves along the surfaces mentioned and can clean them.

It should also be mentioned that preferably the joint 8th is biased by a spring or a (not shown here) weight. This can be achieved that the frame 1 with a corresponding movement of the bracket 9 (in the example shown here to the left) is not swiveled back, but rather that the two cleaning elements rest securely on the rotor blade 5 is guaranteed.

So that the cleaning sponges 6th , 7th in the above-mentioned cleaning process close to the typically curved surfaces of the rotor blade 5 adjust are the cleaning sponges 6th , 7th in the present example via leaf spring elements 10 , 11 with the interposition of pivot bearings 12th , 13th on the side thighs 2 , 3 of the frame 1 attached.

In 3 and 4th alternative embodiments are shown. So you can see in the 3 that the cleaning sponges shown there 6th , 7th via support sections 14, 15, 16, 17 supporting them in sections with the interposition of pivot bearings 12th or. 13th on the side thighs 2 or. 3 are coupled. This works as the cleaning sponges 6th , 7th are typically stretchable and bendable in their extension.

In the 4th it is also shown that the corresponding cleaning sponges 6th or. 7th also via corresponding rigid connection pieces 18th with the side thighs 2 , 3 can be connected if they are designed as leaf springs, as in the embodiment shown here.

In the 5 an embodiment is shown in which the cleaning elements as cleaning rollers 19th , 20th are trained. These cleaning roles 19th , 20th are over waves 21 , 22nd in freewheels 23 , 24 stored over them with the frame 1 are connected. The waves 21 , 22nd form the side legs for the opening between them 4th . The pressure spring indicated schematically 25th allows the two cleaning rollers to yield or follow-up when the thickness of the rotor blade changes.

In this embodiment, too, it is important that the frame 1 about the joint 8th tiltable with the bracket 9 connected (angle W. ). Again, as in the 6th can be seen when the handle moves parallel to the extension of the rotor blade 5 (to the right in the drawing) the frame 1 around the joint 8th Tilt (counterclockwise) while holding the cleaning roller 19th on the top and the cleaning roller 20th to the underside of the rotor blade 5 to press. Through the freewheels 23 or. 24 ensures that the bracket 9 in the 6th without much effort in the opposite direction (i.e. in the 6th to the left), with the rollers 19th and 20th over the surfaces of the rotor blade 5 roll. In doing so, they moisten these surfaces, which leads to a softening of the dirt adhering there. When the bracket moves 9 again to the right lock the freewheels 23 or. 24 , and the cleaning rollers 19th and 20th are in this blocked state over the previously moistened surfaces of the rotor blade 5 moves and cleans them intensively.

It should be mentioned at this point that in this embodiment within the joint 8th generates a spring preload (not shown) and thus a torque from the bracket 9 on the frame 1 can be transferred, whereby when rolling the cleaning rollers 19th and 20th over the surfaces of the rotor blade 5 a contact force is generated so that the cleaning rollers 19th , 20th do not stand out from the respective surfaces. The smaller the angle W. the greater the investment force. It should also be noted that the advantage of avoiding undesired lifting by providing said preload also exists in all other embodiments.

According to an embodiment not shown, it is basically also possible to use the two cleaning rollers 19th or. 20th via a drive unit 26th , comprising, for example, a gear drive or a V-belt or toothed belt drive, set in rotation in order to actively clean surfaces of the rotor blade 5 to reach.

7th and 8th show in a front and side view an embodiment, according to which the device a largely automatic cleaning of the rotor blade 5 can perform. This is where the distal end (on the right in 8th ) the bracket 9 by means of a wheel 27 comprehensive support unit 28 Low friction on the top of the rotor blade 5 from. The two cleaning rollers 19th , 20th are on the frame 1 arranged and are again on both sides of the rotor blade 5 . By means of a drive unit 26th become both cleaning roles 19th , 20th driven. The drive unit is preferably 26th designed so that the cleaning rollers 19th , 20th can be driven at different peripheral speeds. Thus, a relative speed is generated, which leads to a movement of the device along the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade 5 he follows. The directions of rotation of both rollers are identical. For example, if both rollers rotate clockwise (dashed arrows in 8th ), the device moves to the left when the top cleaning roller 19th in the contact area with the top of the rotor blade 5 has a higher peripheral speed than the lower cleaning roller 20th . This can be done by a gearbox of the drive unit 26th , or through different roller diameters or the use of two separately controllable motors (not shown in each case).

In the 9 and 10 is an embodiment with a variable distance between the two side legs 2 , 3 of the frame 1 shown. The 9 shows the front view looking in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade (not shown) 10 the corresponding side view, with only a relevant section of the frame there 1 around the joint 8th is shown around.

The bracket 9 therefore opens into one in the housing at the proximal end 32 housed cam 29 which by tilting the bracket 9 in rotation around the joint 8th can be brought (change of angle W. ), which in this case is a fixed bearing 33 and a floating bearing 34 includes. The bracket moves 9 with the distal end (bottom right in 10 ) up, pushes the cam 29 more or less far to a driver 30th , which in turn at the vertical in the picture with the plain bearing 31 mounted sliding half of the middle leg is arranged, and this pushes together (the other, fixed half is with the housing 32 connected). The driver works in order to allow an opposite (restoring) movement in a simple manner 30th against a spring (without reference number). In this way it is easy to change the distance between the two side legs 2 , 3 allows so the opening 4th can be flexibly adapted to rotor blades of different thicknesses.

List of reference symbols

1

frame

2.3

Side thighs

4th

opening

5

Rotor blade

6.7

Cleaning sponge

8th

joint

9

bracket

10.11

Leaf spring element

12.13

Pivot bearing

14-17

Support section

18th

rigid connector

19.20

Cleaning roller

21.22

wave

23.24

Freewheel

25th

Pressure spring

26th

Drive unit

27

wheel

28

Support unit

29

Cam

30th

Carrier

31

bearings

32

casing

33

Fixed bearing

34

Floating bearing

R.

Axis of rotation

W.

Tilt angle, angle

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 3877086 T2 [0009]

Claims (11)

Device for cleaning a rotor blade (5) of an aircraft, characterized in that it has an opening (4) for the passage of the rotor blade (5) which has an edge, wherein - at least one cleaning element (6, 7 ; 19, 20) is present, and - on a further side area of the edge opposite this side area, a support element for restricting the rotation of the opening (4) about an axis of rotation (R) and for absorbing compressive forces is arranged, and - the opening ( 4) is arranged in a frame (1) which is tiltably connected to a bracket (9) via a joint (8) providing the axis of rotation (R), so that by rotating the frame (1) about the axis of rotation (R) both the at least one cleaning element (6, 7; 19, 20) and the support element can be placed on the rotor blade (5), while forces holding the frame (1) in position on the rotor blade (5) by means of the holder (9) e can be provided. Device according to Claim 1 , wherein the joint (8) is set up for the transmission of torques. Device according to Claim 2 , wherein for the transmission of torques - the joint (8) comprises a compression, tension or torsion spring, or - is designed as an elastic element, or - a compression, tension or torsion spring between the frame (1) and the holder (9) is arranged, - comprises at least one stop which prevents further tilting. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , wherein the cleaning element is designed as a cleaning roller (19, 20). Device according to Claim 4 wherein the cleaning roller (19, 20) is mounted on the frame (1) via a freewheel (23, 24) blocking in one direction of rotation, and / or is driven via a motor (25). Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , wherein the cleaning element is designed as a cleaning sponge (6, 7). Device according to Claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the side area (2, 3) of the frame (1) provided with the cleaning sponge (6, 7) is resiliently movable into the opening (4) through which the rotor blade (5) is passed, and / or wherein the section comprises pivot bearings (12) on which the cleaning sponge (6, 7) is arranged, and / or the cleaning sponge (6, 7) comprises a gel pad. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , wherein the cleaning element is designed as a gel pad. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning element (6, 7; 19, 20) is supplied with a cleaning liquid via a liquid supply. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the distance between the two side areas can be influenced by means of kinematics which can be activated by tilting the holder (9). Device according to one of the Claims 4 , 5 , 9 or 10 with two cleaning rollers (19, 20) or with one cleaning roller (19; 20) and a roller-shaped support element, characterized in that - at a distal end of the holder (9) a support unit (28) for low-friction mounting of this end on the rotor blade ( 5) is provided, or that - the holder (9) is provided at a distal end for manual guidance by the user, the cleaning rollers (19, 20) or the one cleaning roller (19; 20) and the roller-shaped supporting element by means of a Drive unit (26) can be driven and / or designed in such a way that the device can be moved in a preferred direction with them.

Images