EP0187799A1 - Liquid powered cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Liquid powered cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number
EP0187799A1
EP0187799A1 EP85903316A EP85903316A EP0187799A1 EP 0187799 A1 EP0187799 A1 EP 0187799A1 EP 85903316 A EP85903316 A EP 85903316A EP 85903316 A EP85903316 A EP 85903316A EP 0187799 A1 EP0187799 A1 EP 0187799A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flow
brush
pig
brushes
liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP85903316A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Mario Vigna
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS Ltd
Original Assignee
INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB848416317A external-priority patent/GB8416317D0/en
Priority claimed from GB848428648A external-priority patent/GB8428648D0/en
Application filed by INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS Ltd filed Critical INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS Ltd
Publication of EP0187799A1 publication Critical patent/EP0187799A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/055—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B08B9/0553—Cylindrically shaped pigs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
    • A46B13/02—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers
    • A46B13/04—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers with reservoir or other means for supplying substances
    • A46B13/06—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers with reservoir or other means for supplying substances with brush driven by the supplied medium
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B1/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
    • B08B1/30—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools by movement of cleaning members over a surface
    • B08B1/32—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools by movement of cleaning members over a surface using rotary cleaning members
    • B08B1/34—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools by movement of cleaning members over a surface using rotary cleaning members rotating about an axis parallel to the surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/055—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B08B9/0558—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles with additional jet means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S3/00—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles
    • B60S3/04—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles
    • B60S3/045—Other hand-held cleaning arrangements, e.g. with sponges, brushes, scrapers or the like
    • B60S3/048—Other hand-held cleaning arrangements, e.g. with sponges, brushes, scrapers or the like with rotary or vibratory bodies contacting the vehicle

Definitions

  • This invention relates to liquid powered cleaning apparatus.
  • liquid powered cleaning apparatus comprising a freely rotatable disc-shaped brush and means for directing a flow of liquid . such that the flow impinges tangentially upon the circum ⁇ ferential edge of the brush to cause it to rotate.
  • the invention may be embodied as a hand-held cleaning tool wherein the flow directing means is con- trollable and the brush is attached to the means.
  • the invention may be embodied as a remotely controlled vehicle or indpendent robot vehicle for use under water or on dry land.
  • the invention may be embodied as a pig for cleaning the internal surface of a pipeline, the pig having an axial bore therethrough constituting the flow- directing means, and accommodating a plurality of the brushes arranged around the axial bore, the brushes being arranged to be driven by the single flow through the axial bore and projecting from the outer surface of the pig.
  • Fig. 1 is a side view of a hand-held cleaning tool
  • Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of a pig within a pipeline.
  • a high pressure capability water pistol (1) is connected through a swivel coupling (2), with ducting (3) for directing a jet of water.
  • a freely rotatable die-shaped wire brush (4) is located at one end of the ducting (3) in a position where a water jet issuing from the ducting (3) impinges tangentially upon the circumference of the brush (4) causing said brush to rotate at high speed.
  • a shielded support bracket (5) for the brush also houses the jet nozzle which is not illustrated.
  • a handle (6) incorporating a knuckle guard (8) is provided for controlling the angle at which the bursh (4) is used.
  • a coupling (7) is provided on the pistol (1) for connecting a water supply hose (not shown) .
  • the main advantage of this embodiment lies in its thin profile which allows access to the narrow crotch of the joint of two or more structural members in oil plat ⁇ form jackets where existing brushes cannot reach. Re ⁇ moval of contamination is very easily accomplished due to the surprising cleaning power of this brush.
  • a venturi may be included to alter the flow charac ⁇ teristics of the jet but is not essential for operation of the tool.
  • This invention can be used either underwater or on shore.
  • the functional part of the tool in Fig. 1 can be attached to a remotely controlled vehicle or robot vehicle.
  • an underwater vehicle which is remotely operated from the surface through an umbilical is equipped with a controllable arm having at one end thereof a freely rotatable disc-shaped wire brush and a nozzle located such that a water jet issuing from the nozzle impinges upon the circumferential edge of the disc-shaped brush causing same to rotate at high speed.
  • the apparatus includes a compressor having ducting whereby the ambient water can be drawn in and pumped to the nozzle to form a high pressure water jet.
  • remotely operated or remotely controlled vehicles frequently referred to as ROV or RCVs are well known in this field and their means of control are well understood. Therefore an operator of such a vehicle can easily operate the apparatus of this invention without detailed or lengthy instruction.
  • the apparatus is primarily intended for use under water where an operational platform is located it can also be used on dry land by simply feeding a suitable water supply into the apparatus.
  • a pig (9) has an axial bore (10) therethrough and accommodates a plurality of freely-rotat- able disc-shaped brushes (11) arranged around the bore (10).
  • the brushes (11) are arranged to be driven by the single flow of water through the bore (10) and project at (12) from the outer surface of the pig (9).
  • the pig (9) is shown within a pipeline (13) through which it is pushed from left to right the pressure of water or other liquid within the pipeline (13).
  • the pig (9) may be fitted with fixed brushes on its outer surfaces, the fixed brushes being arranged in a helical pattern to cause the pig to rotate as it is pushed along the pipeline and thus secure even scouring of the inner surface of the pipeline. Only two rotary brushes (12) are shown in Fig. 2 but more may be- accommodated within the pig (9). Instead of arranging the brushes (12) for rotation in planes radially of the pig (9) they may be arranged in planes arranged helically. Where fixed brushes are arranged in a helical pattern to one hand the rotary brushes may be arranged in a helical pattern to the other hand in order to improve the surface coverage of the cleaning action.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)

Abstract

L'appareil de nettoyage à entraînement par liquide comporte une brosse discoïdale tournant librement (4) et un mécanisme pour diriger un flux de liquide de façon à faire tomber tangentiellement ce flux sur le bord circonférentiel de la brosse (4) afin de provoquer la rotation de celle-ci. Dans un mode de réalisation illustré dans la Fig. 1, l'appareil est un outil à main comportant un pistolet à eau (1) connecté par un couplage orientable (2) au conduit (3). Une console de soutien protégée (5) soutient la brosse (4) sur le conduit (3).The liquid driven cleaning apparatus has a freely rotating discoidal brush (4) and a mechanism for directing a flow of liquid so as to tangentially drop this flow on the circumferential edge of the brush (4) to cause the rotation. of it. In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus is a hand tool comprising a water gun (1) connected by an orientable coupling (2) to the conduit (3). A protected support bracket (5) supports the brush (4) on the duct (3).

Description

LIQUID POWERED CLEANING APPARATUS
Description
This invention relates to liquid powered cleaning apparatus.
According to the invention there is provided liquid powered cleaning apparatus comprising a freely rotatable disc-shaped brush and means for directing a flow of liquid . such that the flow impinges tangentially upon the circum¬ ferential edge of the brush to cause it to rotate. The invention may be embodied as a hand-held cleaning tool wherein the flow directing means is con- trollable and the brush is attached to the means.
Also, the invention may be embodied as a remotely controlled vehicle or indpendent robot vehicle for use under water or on dry land.
Furthermore, the invention may be embodied as a pig for cleaning the internal surface of a pipeline, the pig having an axial bore therethrough constituting the flow- directing means, and accommodating a plurality of the brushes arranged around the axial bore, the brushes being arranged to be driven by the single flow through the axial bore and projecting from the outer surface of the pig.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a side view of a hand-held cleaning tool; and
Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of a pig within a pipeline.
Referring to Fig. 1, a high pressure capability water pistol (1) is connected through a swivel coupling (2), with ducting (3) for directing a jet of water. A freely rotatable die-shaped wire brush (4) is located at one end of the ducting (3) in a position where a water jet issuing from the ducting (3) impinges tangentially upon the circumference of the brush (4) causing said brush to rotate at high speed. A shielded support bracket (5) for the brush also houses the jet nozzle which is not illustrated. A handle (6) incorporating a knuckle guard (8) is provided for controlling the angle at which the bursh (4) is used. A coupling (7) is provided on the pistol (1) for connecting a water supply hose (not shown) . The main advantage of this embodiment lies in its thin profile which allows access to the narrow crotch of the joint of two or more structural members in oil plat¬ form jackets where existing brushes cannot reach. Re¬ moval of contamination is very easily accomplished due to the surprising cleaning power of this brush. A venturi may be included to alter the flow charac¬ teristics of the jet but is not essential for operation of the tool.
This invention can be used either underwater or on shore. The functional part of the tool in Fig. 1 can be attached to a remotely controlled vehicle or robot vehicle. Thus, in another embodiment of the invention an underwater vehicle which is remotely operated from the surface through an umbilical is equipped with a controllable arm having at one end thereof a freely rotatable disc-shaped wire brush and a nozzle located such that a water jet issuing from the nozzle impinges upon the circumferential edge of the disc-shaped brush causing same to rotate at high speed. The apparatus includes a compressor having ducting whereby the ambient water can be drawn in and pumped to the nozzle to form a high pressure water jet. remotely operated or remotely controlled vehicles, frequently referred to as ROV or RCVs are well known in this field and their means of control are well understood. Therefore an operator of such a vehicle can easily operate the apparatus of this invention without detailed or lengthy instruction.
Whereas the apparatus is primarily intended for use under water where an operational platform is located it can also be used on dry land by simply feeding a suitable water supply into the apparatus.
Referring to Fig. 2, a pig (9) has an axial bore (10) therethrough and accommodates a plurality of freely-rotat- able disc-shaped brushes (11) arranged around the bore (10). The brushes (11) are arranged to be driven by the single flow of water through the bore (10) and project at (12) from the outer surface of the pig (9). The pig (9) is shown within a pipeline (13) through which it is pushed from left to right the pressure of water or other liquid within the pipeline (13).
The pig (9) may be fitted with fixed brushes on its outer surfaces, the fixed brushes being arranged in a helical pattern to cause the pig to rotate as it is pushed along the pipeline and thus secure even scouring of the inner surface of the pipeline. Only two rotary brushes (12) are shown in Fig. 2 but more may be- accommodated within the pig (9). Instead of arranging the brushes (12) for rotation in planes radially of the pig (9) they may be arranged in planes arranged helically. Where fixed brushes are arranged in a helical pattern to one hand the rotary brushes may be arranged in a helical pattern to the other hand in order to improve the surface coverage of the cleaning action.

Claims

1. Liquid powered cleaning apparatus comprising a freely rotatable disc-shaped brush (4/11) and means (1,2,3/10) for directing a flow of liquid such that the flow impinges tangentially upon the circumferential edge of the brush (4/11) to cause it to rotate.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a hand-held cleaning tool wherein the flow directing means (1,2,3) is controllable and the brush (4) is attached (at 5) to the means (1/2,3-).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a remotely controlled vehicle or independent robot vehicle.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a pig (9) for cleaning the internal surface of a pipe- line (13), the pig (9) having an axial bore (10) there¬ through constituting the flow-directing means, and accommo¬ dating a plurality of the brushes (11) arranged around the axial bore (10), the brushes (11) being arranged to be driven by the single flow through the axial bore (10) and projecting from the outer surface of the pig (9).
EP85903316A 1984-06-27 1985-06-26 Liquid powered cleaning apparatus Withdrawn EP0187799A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8416317 1984-06-27
GB848416317A GB8416317D0 (en) 1984-06-27 1984-06-27 Waterjet powered cleaning tool
GB8428648 1984-11-13
GB848428648A GB8428648D0 (en) 1984-11-13 1984-11-13 Waterjet powered cleaning tool

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0187799A1 true EP0187799A1 (en) 1986-07-23

Family

ID=26287922

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85903316A Withdrawn EP0187799A1 (en) 1984-06-27 1985-06-26 Liquid powered cleaning apparatus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0187799A1 (en)
AU (1) AU4543685A (en)
WO (1) WO1986000245A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3622487A1 (en) * 1986-07-02 1988-01-14 Schering Ag MEDICINAL PRODUCTS WITH DELAYED DELIVERY OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCES
US5074004A (en) * 1990-06-21 1991-12-24 Patton Everil E Swimming pool tile cleaning apparatus
CN104647370B (en) * 2015-01-05 2016-06-01 邓奎 A kind of sprinkling irrigation water storage type robot arm

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE221294C (en) *
US2576197A (en) * 1944-10-26 1951-11-27 Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co Fluid medium propelled and rotated apparatus for cleaning the inside of pipes
US2723407A (en) * 1955-07-01 1955-11-15 Bardon Aubrey Clyde Water driven rotary brush
US3748678A (en) * 1971-12-30 1973-07-31 Knight Oil Corp Rotary brush

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8600245A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1986000245A1 (en) 1986-01-16
AU4543685A (en) 1986-01-24

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19860415

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GB

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19870402

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19870813

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: VIGNA, MARIO