EP0917914A1 - Method, device and autonomous assembly for collecting dirt from a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The procedure consists of introducing a fluid (L) into an enclosed chamber (V) adjacent to the surface (S) being monitored, subjecting the fluid to ultrasound and recovering it. The ultrasound is emitted in a first direction (X-X') and then turned in a second direction (Y-Y') perpendicular to the first when close to the surface. The apparatus used for the procedure comprises an ultrasound emitter (3) and a system (10-13) for delivering the fluid and collecting it from the chamber (V). The emitter, which has a right-angled bend (3a) at one end, is covered for the greater part of its length by a sleeve (4), with a detachable cap (5) covering its tip and forming the enclosed chamber. The other end of the sleeve is connected to an ultrasound generator (1), and the middle of the sleeve has a handle (6) holding a vessel (9) containing the fluid.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for collection of impurities from a surface to be analyzed. The invention also relates to an autonomous set of collection of impurities comprising such a device.

In the food industry, as in any other industrial sector, it is necessary to carry out operations for contamination control of surfaces, elements of piping / fittings, equipment or buildings.

By document FR-A-2 680 988, it is known to collect impurities from a generally flat surface thanks to the circulation of a sampling fluid directed inside a section in which a transmitter is also placed ultrasound. This device is complex, heavy and particularly bulky, so it can only be used by highly qualified personnel and mainly on flat surfaces. In particular, given the positioning of the ultrasonic transmitter with respect to the surface whose impurities must be collected, this device cannot be used to make measurements in a low volume, for example inside a tube or a mold. Furthermore, this known device is only difficult to adapt to uneven surfaces.

The invention aims to remedy these problems and to propose a method and a device for collecting impurities which can be used in tight spaces and on non-planar surfaces. The invention also relates to a device forming a unitary unit which can be put in place and handled by a single operator. The invention relates to in addition to an adaptable autonomous collection of impurities to the different surfaces on which there may be impurities.

In this spirit, the invention relates to a method of collection of impurities from a surface by introduction of a fluid in a closed volume in the vicinity of this surface, emission of ultrasound towards this surface and collection of this fluid, characterized in that it consists in emitting the ultrasound in a first direction and deflect the ultrasound in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction near this surface.

Thanks to the process of the invention, as ultrasound is deviated near the sampling surface, the volume closed temporarily containing the sampling fluid can be of relatively small transverse dimensions, which allows measurements to be taken in tight spaces and regardless of the planar or non-planar nature of the surface in question.

The invention also relates to a device for implement the method described above and, more specifically, a device for collecting impurities from a surface comprising means for introducing a fluid into a closed volume bordered by this surface, an ultrasound generator and means for withdrawing this fluid from this volume closed, characterized in that an elongated ultrasonic transmitter and bent at its end is associated with the ultrasonic generator, a sleeve, being arranged around this transmitter on the most most of its length, the end of this sleeve being designed to receive a removable cap capable of surrounding the angled end of the transmitter and to be defined, by contact with the sampling surface, the closed volume.

The device of the invention has a shape overall elongated, allowing the introduction of its end, formed by the cap arranged around the bent end of the transmitter, inside small spaces such as a mold or tube. We understand that the headdress can be chosen according to the geometry of the surface so as to flatten the as efficiently as possible on this surface.

• l'orientation de la coiffe autour de la direction principale de l'émetteur est réglable ;
• il comprend une poignée montée sur le manchon et pourvue de moyens de commande du dispositif, notamment du générateur d'ultrasons ;
• la poignée comprend un logement de réception d'un réservoir de stockage et de soutirage du fluide et/ou d'un réservoir de fluide de nettoyage de la coiffe ;
• le réservoir est monté de façon amovible dans le logement, ce réservoir pouvant être installé et retiré du logement sur le lieu de collecte d'impuretés ;
• la poignée supporte une pompe de circulation du fluide entre le réservoir et le volume fermé et des moyens de commande de cette pompe ;
• la coiffe comprend un orifice central de passage de la partie terminale de l'émetteur et une ouverture radiale adaptée à la géométrie de la surface.

According to advantageous aspects of the device of the invention:

• the orientation of the cap around the main direction of the transmitter is adjustable;
• it includes a handle mounted on the sleeve and provided with means for controlling the device, in particular the ultrasound generator;
• the handle comprises a housing for receiving a reservoir for storing and withdrawing the fluid and / or a reservoir for cleaning fluid of the cover;
• the reservoir is removably mounted in the housing, this reservoir can be installed and removed from the housing at the place of collection of impurities;
• the handle supports a fluid circulation pump between the reservoir and the closed volume and means for controlling this pump;
• the cap comprises a central orifice for passage of the terminal part of the transmitter and a radial opening adapted to the geometry of the surface.

The invention also relates to an autonomous assembly of collection of impurities on flat or non-flat surfaces, characterized in that it comprises a collection device such as previously described, several caps adapted to several surface geometries and at least one storage tank and for withdrawing the fluid intended to be mounted on this device. This autonomous set, which can be transported in a box, can easily be moved on site, for example when health checks. Thanks to the multiplicity of headdresses that it understands, it is easily adapted to the geometry, and in particular to the radius of curvature, of the surface on which must be a direct debit.

• la figure 1 est une coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif de collecte d'impuretés conforme à l'invention et
• la figure 2 est une coupe selon la ligne II-II à la figure 1.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages of it will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a device for collecting impurities in accordance with its principle and of its process. of implementation, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a device for collecting impurities according to the invention and
• Figure 2 is a section along line II-II in Figure 1.

The device according to the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises an ultrasonic generator 1 supplied with electrical energy by a cord 2 connected to a power source not shown. On a threaded stud 1 is disposed on the front face of the generator 1, is mounted an elongate transmitter 3 forming antenna. The transmitter 3 mainly extends in a direction XX 'parallel to the axis of the stud 1 a .

The free end 3 a of the transmitter 3 is bent, so that the terminal part 3 b of the transmitter 3 is oriented in a direction YY 'substantially perpendicular to the direction XX'. Thus, the ultrasound emitted by the generator 1 propagates in the direction XX 'in most of the emitter 3 and is deflected in the direction YY' at the bent end 3 a of this emitter.

Around the transmitter 3 is disposed a sleeve 4 screwed onto the outside of the body of the generator 1. The inside diameter of the sleeve 4 is provided large enough so that the sleeve can slide around the end 3 a of the transmitter 3 Around the end 4 a of the sleeve 4 furthest from the generator 1 is disposed a cap 5 provided to surround the end 3 a of the transmitter 3. The cap 5 comprises a socket 5 a , intended to be fitted around the end 4 a of the sleeve 4, and allowing the passage of the end 3 a of the transmitter 3.

The cap 5 also includes a radial opening 5b. The opening 5b is intended to be pressed against an inner surface S of a tube T in order to carry out measurements. In fact, when the edges 5 c of the opening 5 b are pressed against the surface S, the cap 5 defines a closed volume V inside which a fluid such as sterile distilled water can be poured.

The cap 5 also includes a vent hole 5 d for balancing the pressures prevailing in the volume V and outside the cap.

Around the sleeve 4 is also arranged a handle 6 provided with a switch 7 for controlling the generator 1. A housing 8 is provided in the handle 6 for receiving a reservoir 9 in the form of a test tube containing a liquid sampling L. A vacuum pump 10 is also mounted on the handle 6 while a multi-position switch 11 allows control the operation of pump 10. Pump 10 is connected with the interior of the housing 8 and of the tank 9 thanks to a first conduit 12. A second conduit 13 connects the interior of the reservoir 9 with the interior volume V of the cover 5.

The operation is as follows:

When it is necessary to collect impurities on a surface S as visible in Figures 1 and 2, the operator assesses the radius of curvature R of this surface and chooses a cap 5 whose edges 5 c of l 'radial opening 5b have substantially the same radius of curvature.

The operator then cleans and disinfects the cover. When the cap is clean and sterile, it is fitted around the end 4 a of the sleeve 4 so as to surround the angled end 3 a of the transmitter 3, the opening 5 b being arranged on the side of the terminal part 3 b of the transmitter 3. The end 13 a of the conduit 13 is then inserted into a bore in the cover 5 substantially parallel to the direction XX '. A grease or silicone nut is distributed around the edges of the opening 5 b in order to seal it with the surface S. It is also possible to provide that the edges 5 c carry a seal, possibly with lips. .

A tube 9 containing a predetermined quantity of a L sample fluid, such as sterile distilled water, is then placed in the housing 8. The tube 9 is pressed into the housing 8.

When these preparation operations are completed, the cap 5, and possibly the front part of the device, are introduced inside the tube T and the edges 5 c of the cap 5 are pressed against the surface S. The operator exerts a pressure tending to apply the cap 5 to the surface S throughout the rest of the operations.

By actuating the switch 11 in a first position, the operator controls the pump 10 to circulate the amount of liquid L, for example 3 ml, from the test tube 9 towards volume V.

When the liquid is transferred to volume V, the operator actuates the switch 7 so as to generate ultrasound according to a predefined sequence, for example twice 5 seconds.

This operation being carried out, the operator commands, thanks to switch 11 in a second position, the pump 10 to suck up the liquid in volume V in order to re-introduce it into the reservoir tube 9.

When this operation is carried out, the entire device is removed from tube T and reservoir 9 is removed of housing 8 in order to be directed to a system for measuring the composition of the liquid L it contains by ATP-metry or any detection method appropriate to the different areas where the sampling device can be applied: industries agro-food, chemical industries, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals or nuclear.

The measurement carried out using the device of the invention can be repeated at several points on the surface to be analyzed.

It will be understood that the orientation of the cap 5 around the direction XX ′ is adjustable so that the opening 5 b is directed in an appropriate manner relative to the terminal part 3 b of the transmitter 3.

When the measurement operations are performed, you can clean the cover 5 in place on the sleeve 4, without removing it, by introducing into the housing 8 a new reservoir containing a cap cleaning liquid. When this tank is in place, the cap is pressed against a substantially equivalent radius of curvature and the pump 10 is actuated to circulate the liquid from cleaning of the tank towards the interior volume V of the cover. The cleaning liquid is then re-aspirated to the tank. This can be done multiple times to obtain a complete cleaning of the interior of the cap.

An autonomous collection of impurities on site industrial can be formed of a device comprising the elements 1 to 4 and 6, while several caps are provided depending on the geometry of the surfaces to be analyzed. Many tubes can be successively used with the device of the invention for carrying out several measurements, liquids contained in this tube then being directed to a unit of measurement located on site or in the laboratory, away from the site of measurement.

A particularly advantageous application of the invention consists in measuring the cleanliness of surfaces not flat, in particular piping elements, molds, manufacturing tanks or the like in various fields techniques.

Claims (9)

Method for collecting impurities from a surface (S) by introduction of a fluid (L) into a closed volume (V) at vicinity of said surface, emission of ultrasound towards of said surface and collection of said fluid, characterized in what it consists of emitting said ultrasound in a first direction (XX ') and deflect said ultrasound in a second direction (YY ') generally perpendicular to said first direction, near said surface. Device for collecting impurities from a surface (S) comprising means (10-13) for introducing a fluid (L) into a closed volume (V), an ultrasound generator (1) and means (10-13) for withdrawing said fluid from said closed volume, characterized in that an ultrasonic transmitter (3) elongated and bent at its end (3 a ) is associated with said ultrasonic generator, a sleeve (4) being disposed around said transmitter over the greater part of its length, the end (4a) of said sleeve being adapted to receive a removable cap (5) adapted to surround the bent end of said transmitter and to define, in contact with said surface , said volume closed. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that that the orientation of said cap (5) around the direction main (XX ') of said transmitter (3) is adjustable. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that that it comprises a handle (6) mounted on said sleeve (4) and provided with control means (7, 11) of said device, in particular of said ultrasonic generator (1). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that that said handle (6) comprises a housing (8) for receiving a reservoir (9) for storing and withdrawing said fluid (L) and / or a reservoir for cleaning fluid of said cap (5). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that that said tank (9) is removably mounted in said housing (8), said tank being able to be installed in and removed from said housing at the dirt collection point. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that that said handle (6) supports a circulation pump (10) of said fluid between said reservoir (9) and said closed volume (V) and means (11) for controlling said pump. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said cap (5) comprises a central orifice (5 a ) for passage the end (3 a ) of said transmitter (3) and an opening (5 b ) radial adapted to the geometry of said surface (5). Autonomous collection of impurities collection on planar or non-planar surfaces (5), characterized in that it comprises a collection device according to one of claims 2 to 8, several caps (5) adapted to several geometries of surfaces and at least one tank (9) for storing and withdrawal of said fluid (L) intended to be mounted on said device.

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