EP1038597B1 - Method for cleaning or decoring of a casting piece - Google Patents

Method for cleaning or decoring of a casting piece Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1038597B1
EP1038597B1 EP00400636A EP00400636A EP1038597B1 EP 1038597 B1 EP1038597 B1 EP 1038597B1 EP 00400636 A EP00400636 A EP 00400636A EP 00400636 A EP00400636 A EP 00400636A EP 1038597 B1 EP1038597 B1 EP 1038597B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piece
frequency
sonotrodes
hammering
residues
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00400636A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1038597A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Scotto
Jean Louis Janin
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.)
Forward Technology Industries SA
Original Assignee
Forward Technology Industries SA
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
Application filed by Forward Technology Industries SA filed Critical Forward Technology Industries SA
Publication of EP1038597A1 publication Critical patent/EP1038597A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1038597B1 publication Critical patent/EP1038597B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D29/00—Removing castings from moulds, not restricted to casting processes covered by a single main group; Removing cores; Handling ingots
    • B22D29/001—Removing cores
    • B22D29/005—Removing cores by vibrating or hammering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B5/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B7/00—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
    • B08B7/02—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
    • B08B7/026—Using sound waves
    • B08B7/028—Using ultrasounds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22C—FOUNDRY MOULDING
    • B22C9/00—Moulds or cores; Moulding processes
    • B22C9/18—Finishing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaning method for extracting foreign bodies (dust, sand, residue of material ”) and dirt from the interior of rigid rigid enclosures whose complex and sinuous shape does not does not allow easy access to the areas to be cleaned. It aims more particularly a method of cleaning metal parts intended advantageously to the automotive or aeronautical industry, such as for example gearbox casings, cylinder heads, engine blocks, manifolds, pump bodies or any other part.
  • a known technique which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, consists in using the method excitation of a part according to the provisions of patent FR-2 755 038, this part having been previously placed in a liquid enclosure.
  • Another technique known from WO-A-96 244 62, consists in exciting a part in dry environment by a source vibratory at a frequency of the order of 40 to 80 Hz.
  • shot blasting techniques may deteriorate the piece and furthermore the shot cannot reach the ends of the small cross-section, which are numerous in a cylinder head by example.
  • the present invention therefore aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a industrial process which offers excellent cleaning performance, even within Infractions of a massive piece of foundry which aims to take off, to fluidify and extract any conglomerate trapped in the internal conduits of the part to be cleaned such as in particular a part made in foundry from nuclei or lost models, guaranteeing the undeniable advantages of dry cleaning.
  • the method of cleaning or cleaning a foundry piece according to which said part is excited by an ultrasonic vibration source, making it possible to take off residues of material in contact with the walls of said part, the latter being supported on a plurality of anvils placed on vibrating means supporting the workpiece and in contact with a plurality of sonotrodes is characterized in that said excitation is carried out in dry environment.
  • the method will include a step consisting in hammering the part very low frequency to cause cracking of large internal residues dimensions such as in particular a sand-based core.
  • the method will include a step consisting in printing the part, by through the vibrating means, a linear vibration at low frequency, so as to disintegrate and thin the cracked pieces.
  • the method will comprise a step consisting in extracting the materials from said part using a stream of gaseous fluid.
  • the excitement of the workpiece by a sinusoidal vibrating source of frequency ultrasound is performed in a medium frequency range of the order for example from 10 to 30 kHz, preferably 15 to 20 kHz, in order to remove the residues of material in contact with the internal walls of the part, the latter having been obtained by a molding process from a core based on sand or ceramic, or lost model (“Lost Foam”), this piece is particularly placed on vibrating means such as in particular a plate.
  • the sources of ultrasonic excitation are made from sonotrodes of ⁇ 10 to 60 mm in titanium or steel, tuned to a frequency of 10 to 30 kHz for an amplitude of 40 to 150 ⁇ m peak / peak, fixed on assemblies boosters - piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducers and animated in movement by ultrasonic frequency generators.
  • metal anvils With a small contact surface, in opposition to the impact point of the ultrasonic source and this, with the smallest possible air gap in order to guarantee an excitation punctual while retaining most of the walls, of the room to be made vibrate, free from any vibratory movement.
  • these anvils In order not to transmit the vibration to the structure of the machine and in order to maintain this character of freedom of vibration, these anvils must be isolated from the chassis using an element slightly elastic such as a polyurethane part or a pneumatic cylinder, just like the sonotrode / booster / transducer acoustic assembly.
  • the sources of low frequency excitation necessary for the cracking of large nucleus masses are made from a very low pneumatic hammering system frequency of the order of 0.1 to 5 Hz.
  • the result in this case essentially depends on the shock wave provided piece by piece which therefore involves defining the conditions of contact between the hammer and workpiece, such as collision speed and mass on-board, this on-board mass being defined in proportion to the clean mass of the part to be cleaned with its core or core residue.
  • the hammering can be printed by the piece by at least one of the sonotrodes or by at least one of the anvils supporting said part.
  • a judicious realization to generate this movement necessary for cracking is to use the pneumatic assemblies of the ultrasonic sources or their anvil to obtain the desired hammering by alternative control of the pneumatic valve (s) control with adjustment of pressure and flow regulators.
  • the vibration source necessary for the decay of residues to a fluidization allowing the extraction is carried out from a linear vibration of frequency between 100 and 250 Hz, amplitude 1 to 4 mm peak / peak, obtained using a mechanical system tuned to the chosen frequency and alternately excited by two electromagnets through a low generator frequency.
  • This linear vibration can be oriented along a horizontal axis or an axis vertical depending on the shape of the part and the flow of the conduits.
  • the part must therefore be fixed integrally to the vibrating element from above or by one of the side faces in order to promote flow by gravity, that is to say from below.
  • the frequency generator With the sometimes very large mass of the nucleus, especially for sand-based cores, it is essential to provide the frequency generator with automatic frequency control allowing in firstly a tuning of the latter on the mechanical frequency of the vibrating assembly with the mass of the part to be vibrated and, in a second time, to follow in real time the increase in this frequency in proportion to the loss of mass due to the flow of the material gradually released, and this in order to optimize the yield linked to transfer of electromagnetic energy into mechanical energy.
  • the material conveyance flow of the disintegrated core residues is obtained at using a combined blowing and suction system guaranteeing the type desired flow.
  • a central suction ensuring a higher flow speed for example than 20 m / s, and in particular included in the range of 20 to 80 m / s, for a flow corresponding to the sections of the ducts to be cleaned, which will be completed so judicious by a blowing system supplied with compressed air by installing calibrated nozzles at the inlet of each orifice opposite the outlet (s) connected to the suction.
  • suction and blowing systems must be installed as close as possible to duct openings to minimize intermediate volumes for guarantee a minimum pressure drop and are for example located in a enclosure enveloping the room alone or with the means of vibration, the sources ultrasonic, hammering means, in particular pneumatic or mechanical, the vibrating plate.
  • This enclosure maintained under an atmosphere under vacuum, guarantees the evacuation of residues from the workpiece foundry.
  • it is necessary to reduce the volume subjected to depression, limiting the passage of the flow to a space of a few millimeters covering the entire three-dimensional external envelope of the room.
  • the present invention offers multiple advantages because, by combining phases, ultrasonic excitation, hammering, of vibration and evacuation of residues by a fluid, it guarantees obtaining an optimal cleaning or cleaning of the part, while reconciling the imperatives linked to medium and large industrial production series.
  • This process is also applicable as a control process allowing to check the quality of cleaning obtained from conventional techniques.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)

Abstract

Cast piece is subjected to ultrasonic vibrations to dislodge material residues on its surfaces while being supported on anvils situated on vibrators supporting the piece and in contact with sonotrodes, hammering at very low frequency to split large internal residues, and applying a low frequency linear vibration to disintegrate and fluidize the fissured residues which are removed by a gas flow. The ultrasonic vibrations used to dislodge material residues from the surface of the cast piece are produced by an ultrasonic frequency sinusoidal or pulse vibration source of frequency 10-30 Hz, preferably 15-20 kHz. Hammering is effected at a frequency of 0.1-5 Hz and is assured by at least one sonotrode or at least one anvil. The frequency of the linear vibration applied to the piece is 100-250 Hz.

Description

La présente invention est relative à un procédé de nettoyage permettant d'extraire des corps étrangers (poussière, sable, résidu de matière...) et salissures de l'intérieur d'enceintes rigides creuses dont la forme complexe et sinueuse ne permet pas d'accéder aisément aux zones à nettoyer. Elle vise plus particulièrement un procédé de nettoyage de pièces métalliques destinées avantageusement à l'industrie automobile ou aéronautique, comme par exemple des carters de boíte de vitesse, des culasses, des blocs moteurs, des collecteurs, des corps de pompe ou toute autre pièce.The present invention relates to a cleaning method for extracting foreign bodies (dust, sand, residue of material ...) and dirt from the interior of rigid rigid enclosures whose complex and sinuous shape does not does not allow easy access to the areas to be cleaned. It aims more particularly a method of cleaning metal parts intended advantageously to the automotive or aeronautical industry, such as for example gearbox casings, cylinder heads, engine blocks, manifolds, pump bodies or any other part.

Ces pièces sont généralement obtenues par fonderie et elles nécessitent dans la majorité des cas l'utilisation de noyaux.These parts are generally obtained by foundry and they require in the majority of cases the use of nuclei.

L'évolution technique de ces procédés de fonderie tend à utiliser des pièces de formes de plus en plus fines et complexes nécessitant alors l'augmentation de la densité des noyaux à base de sable, de céramique ou de verre, ou d'utiliser des modèles fusibles tels que notamment le polystyrène.The technical evolution of these foundry processes tends to use parts of increasingly fine and complex forms then requiring the increase of the density of cores based on sand, ceramic or glass, or using fusible models such as in particular polystyrene.

Que ce soit à base de noyau ou de modèle perdu, après la phase de démoulage de l'extérieur de la pièce, la complexité des conduits internes entraíne une solidarité du noyau dans son intégralité ou des résidus de ce modèle, dans les cavités de cette pièce.Whether based on a core or a lost model, after the mold release phase from the outside of the room, the complexity of the internal conduits leads to solidarity of the whole nucleus or of the residues of this model, in the cavities in this room.

Etant donné que ces pièces sont issues de fonderie, il demeure des résidus de noyaux ou de modèles perdus, des scories ou encore des copeaux d'usinage à l'intérieur des conduits de lubrification ou de refroidissement, qui sont extrêmement difficiles à éliminer, même par des techniques de vibrations à basse fréquence ou par cavitation de liquide dans une cuve à ultrasons, particulièrement du fait que le liquide n'est plus en cavitation au sein des petits conduits.Since these parts come from foundry, there are residues of cores or lost models, slag or machining chips to inside the lubrication or cooling ducts, which are extremely difficult to remove, even by low vibration techniques frequency or by cavitation of liquid in an ultrasonic tank, particularly the liquid is no longer cavitation in the small conduits.

Les procédés traditionnels de nettoyage de pièce utilisent diverses techniques, comme par exemple les vibrations à basse fréquence, le débourrage par secouage à partir de moteur à balourd ou par martelage pneumatique, hydraulique et même mécanique, ou encore la circulation de fluides à haute pression, la cavitation d'un liquide par cuves à ultrasons (la pièce ayant été préalablement déposée dans la cuve), le grenaillage par des billes d'acier ou de glace, ou par des médias plastiques, ou encore une méthode manuelle à l'aide d'un écouvillon ou d'une brosse.Traditional room cleaning processes use various techniques, such as low frequency vibrations, cleaning by shaking from an unbalanced motor or by pneumatic hammering, hydraulic and even mechanical, or the circulation of fluids at high pressure, the cavitation of a liquid by ultrasonic tanks (the part having been previously deposited in the tank), blasting with steel balls or ice, or by plastic media, or a manual method using a swab or brush.

Ainsi, une technique connue, qui correspond au préambule de la revendication 1, consiste à utiliser le procédé d'excitation d'une pièce selon les dispositions du brevet FR-2 755 038, cette pièce ayant été au préalable placée dans une enceinte de liquide.Thus, a known technique, which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, consists in using the method excitation of a part according to the provisions of patent FR-2 755 038, this part having been previously placed in a liquid enclosure.

Une autre technique, connue de WO-A-96 244 62, consiste à exciter une pièce en milieu sec par une source vibratoire à une fréquence de l'ordre de 40 à 80 Hz.Another technique, known from WO-A-96 244 62, consists in exciting a part in dry environment by a source vibratory at a frequency of the order of 40 to 80 Hz.

Dans le cas du nettoyage de pièces métalliques massives à base essentiellement d'aluminium ou d'alliages d'aluminium et ne présentant pas une dureté similaire à celle de la fonte ou de l'acier, les techniques de grenaillage risquent de détériorer la pièce et de plus la grenaille ne peut atteindre les extrémités des conduits de faible section, qui sont en nombre conséquent dans une culasse de moteur par exemple.In the case of cleaning of massive metal parts based essentially of aluminum or aluminum alloys and not having a hardness similar to that of cast iron or steel, shot blasting techniques may deteriorate the piece and furthermore the shot cannot reach the ends of the small cross-section, which are numerous in a cylinder head by example.

On comprend facilement que les techniques manuelles ne sont pas industriellement transférables pour une production de pièces en série.It is easy to understand that manual techniques are not industrially transferable for mass production of parts.

La présente invention vise donc à pallier ces inconvénients en proposant un procédé industriel qui offre un excellent rendement de nettoyage, même au sein des infractuosités d'une pièce massive de fonderie et qui a pour but de décoller, de fluidifier et d'extraire tout agglomérat prisonnier dans les conduits internes de la pièce à nettoyer telle que notamment une pièce réalisée en fonderie à partir de noyaux ou de modèles perdus, garantissant les avantages indéniables d'un nettoyage à sec.The present invention therefore aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a industrial process which offers excellent cleaning performance, even within Infractions of a massive piece of foundry which aims to take off, to fluidify and extract any conglomerate trapped in the internal conduits of the part to be cleaned such as in particular a part made in foundry from nuclei or lost models, guaranteeing the undeniable advantages of dry cleaning.

A cet effet, le procédé de nettoyage ou de débourrage d'une pièce de fonderie selon lequel on excite ladite pièce par une source vibratoire ultrasonore, permettant de décoller des résidus de matière en contact des parois de ladite pièce, cette dernière étant en appui sur une pluralité d'enclumes placées sur des moyens vibrants supportant la pièce et en contact avec une pluralité de sonotrodes se caractérise en ce que ladite excitation est réalisée en milieu sec.To this end, the method of cleaning or cleaning a foundry piece according to which said part is excited by an ultrasonic vibration source, making it possible to take off residues of material in contact with the walls of said part, the latter being supported on a plurality of anvils placed on vibrating means supporting the workpiece and in contact with a plurality of sonotrodes is characterized in that said excitation is carried out in dry environment.

Préférentiellement, le procédé comprendra une étape consistant à marteler la pièce à très basse fréquence afin de provoquer une fissuration des résidus internes de grosses dimensions tels que notamment un noyau à base de sable.Preferably, the method will include a step consisting in hammering the part very low frequency to cause cracking of large internal residues dimensions such as in particular a sand-based core.

Plus particulièrement, le procédé comprendra une étape consistant à imprimer la pièce, par l'intermédiaire des moyens vibrants, une vibration linéaire à basse fréquence, de manière à désintégrer et fluidifier les morceaux fissurés.More particularly, the method will include a step consisting in printing the part, by through the vibrating means, a linear vibration at low frequency, so as to disintegrate and thin the cracked pieces.

Plus particulièrement encore, le procédé comprendra une étape consistant à extraire les matériaux issus de ladite pièce à l'aide d'un courant de fluide gazeux.More particularly still, the method will comprise a step consisting in extracting the materials from said part using a stream of gaseous fluid.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description faite ci-après.Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description made below.

Selon un mode préféré de réalisation du procédé objet de l'invention, l'excitation de la pièce par une source vibratoire sinusoïdale de fréquence ultrasonore est réalisée dans une gamme de fréquence moyenne de l'ordre par exemple de 10 à 30 kHz, préférentiellement 15 à 20 kHz, afin de décoller les résidus de matière en contact des parois internes de la pièce, celle-ci ayant été obtenue par un procédé de moulage à partir de noyau à base de sable ou de céramique, ou modèle perdu (« Lost Foam »), cette pièce est notamment placée sur des moyens vibrants tels que notamment un plateau. According to a preferred embodiment of the process which is the subject of the invention, the excitement of the workpiece by a sinusoidal vibrating source of frequency ultrasound is performed in a medium frequency range of the order for example from 10 to 30 kHz, preferably 15 to 20 kHz, in order to remove the residues of material in contact with the internal walls of the part, the latter having been obtained by a molding process from a core based on sand or ceramic, or lost model (“Lost Foam”), this piece is particularly placed on vibrating means such as in particular a plate.

De plus, une ou plusieurs des étapes suivantes peuvent s'ajouter à l'étape d'excitation par une source vibratoire ultrasonore en milieu sec :

  • on frappe la pièce par des moyens de martelage pneumatiques ou mécaniques à très basse fréquence de l'ordre par exemple de 0,1 à 5 Hz pour provoquer une fissuration des résidus internes de grosses dimensions tels que notamment un noyau à base de sable,
  • on fait vibrer la pièce à l'aide d'une source électromagnétique dans une gamme de fréquences moyennes de l'ordre par exemple de 100 à 250 Hz permettant de désintégrer et de fluidifier les morceaux fissurés,
  • on extrait les résidus fluides à l'aide d'un flux, tel que par exemple de l'air, par convoyage maítrisé à l'intérieur des conduits.
In addition, one or more of the following stages can be added to the stage of excitation by an ultrasonic vibration source in a dry environment:
  • the part is struck by pneumatic or mechanical hammering means at very low frequency of the order of, for example, 0.1 to 5 Hz to cause cracking of large internal residues such as in particular a sand-based core,
  • the part is vibrated using an electromagnetic source in a range of medium frequencies of the order of, for example, 100 to 250 Hz making it possible to disintegrate and fluidize the cracked pieces,
  • fluid residues are extracted using a flow, such as for example air, by controlled conveying inside the conduits.

Les sources d'excitation ultrasonore sont réalisées à partir de sonotrodes de ⊘ 10 à 60 mm en titane ou en acier, accordées à une fréquence de 10 à 30 kHz pour une amplitude de 40 à 150 µm crête/crête, fixées sur des ensembles boosters - transducteurs piezo-électriques ou magnétostrictifs et animées en mouvement par des générateurs de fréquence ultrasonore.The sources of ultrasonic excitation are made from sonotrodes of ⊘ 10 to 60 mm in titanium or steel, tuned to a frequency of 10 to 30 kHz for an amplitude of 40 to 150 µm peak / peak, fixed on assemblies boosters - piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducers and animated in movement by ultrasonic frequency generators.

De plus, afin d'optimiser la transmission du mouvement vibratoire au travers de la pièce, et étant donné que celle-ci dépend essentiellement de la nature du contact établi entre chacune des sonotrodes et la pièce à nettoyer, il est nécessaire de piloter le couplage sonotrode-pièce à travers une variation de l'effort de pression ainsi qu'à travers une variation d'amplitude du mouvement vibratoire ultrasonore. Ce balayage de pression et d'amplitude garantit entre autres d'obtenir périodiquement le passage par une mise en vibration optimale de la pièce malgré les différences de comportement vibratoire d'une série de pièces, liées aux écarts de fabrication. In addition, in order to optimize the transmission of the vibratory movement through the part, and since this depends essentially on the nature of the contact established between each of the sonotrodes and the part to be cleaned, it is necessary to pilot the sonotrode-part coupling through a variation of the pressure force as well as through a variation in amplitude of the ultrasonic vibratory movement. This pressure and amplitude sweep guarantees, among other things, that periodically the passage by an optimal vibration of the part despite differences in the vibrational behavior of a series of parts, linked to deviations Manufacturing.

On peut ainsi piloter les sonotrodes au contact de la pièce, en imprimant à celles-ci une oscillation ou une pulsation à fréquence inférieure à la source ultrasonore de l'amplitude de vibration de ces sonotrodes.It is thus possible to control the sonotrodes in contact with the workpiece, by printing them oscillation or pulsation at a frequency lower than the ultrasonic source the amplitude of vibration of these sonotrodes.

A titre d'exemple, on a obtenu d'excellents résultats en pilotant les sonotrodes au contact de la pièce, en imprimant à celles-ci une oscillation à basse fréquence de l'ordre de 0,5 Hz de l'effort de pression entre deux seuils compris entre 100 à 1000 N préalablement établis par tests de capacité d'énergie vibratoire de la pièce. Cette transmission de mouvement vibratoire de la pièce sur la fréquence ultrasonore d'excitation et sur ces fréquences propres de vibration, nécessite de plus des excitations ponctuelles judicieusement placées.For example, excellent results have been obtained by controlling the sonotrodes at contact with the workpiece, imparting to them a low frequency oscillation of the order of 0.5 Hz of the pressure force between two thresholds between 100 to 1000 N previously established by vibration energy capacity tests of the room. This transmission of vibratory movement of the part on the frequency ultrasonic excitation and on these natural frequencies of vibration, requires plus carefully placed point excitations.

Pour cela, il est indispensable de placer des enclumes métalliques, avec une faible surface de contact, en opposition au point d'impact de la source ultrasonore et ce, avec un entrefer le plus faible possible afin de garantir une excitation ponctuelle tout en conservant la majeure partie des parois, de la pièce à faire vibrer, libre de tout mouvement vibratoire. Afin de ne pas transmettre la vibration à la structure de la machine et afin de conserver ce caractère de liberté de vibration, ces enclumes doivent être isolées du chassis à l'aide d'un élément légèrement élastique tel qu'une pièce en polyuréthane ou un vérin pneumatique, au même titre que l'ensemble acoustique sonotrode/booster/ transducteur.For this, it is essential to place metal anvils, with a small contact surface, in opposition to the impact point of the ultrasonic source and this, with the smallest possible air gap in order to guarantee an excitation punctual while retaining most of the walls, of the room to be made vibrate, free from any vibratory movement. In order not to transmit the vibration to the structure of the machine and in order to maintain this character of freedom of vibration, these anvils must be isolated from the chassis using an element slightly elastic such as a polyurethane part or a pneumatic cylinder, just like the sonotrode / booster / transducer acoustic assembly.

En variante, on peut également piloter la variation de pression nécessaire au couplage en fréquences de la pièce, en imprimant une oscillation aux enclumes.As a variant, it is also possible to control the pressure variation necessary for the frequency coupling of the part, by oscillating the anvils.

Toutes les conditions évoquées ci-dessus sont nécessaires à l'obtention d'une parfaite désolidarisation du noyau dans sa globalité ou sous forme de résidus, par une mise en mouvement vibratoire des parois de la pièce à nettoyer.All the conditions mentioned above are necessary to obtain a perfect separation of the nucleus in its entirety or in the form of residues, by vibratory movement of the walls of the part to be cleaned.

Les sources d'excitation à basse fréquence nécessaires à la fissuration des masses importantes de noyau, telles que notamment dans le cas des noyaux en sable, sont réalisées à partir de système de martelage pneumatique de très basse fréquence de l'ordre de 0,1 à 5 Hz. The sources of low frequency excitation necessary for the cracking of large nucleus masses, such as in particular in the case of nuclei in sand, are made from a very low pneumatic hammering system frequency of the order of 0.1 to 5 Hz.

Le résultat dans le cas présent dépend essentiellement de l'onde de choc fournie à la pièce ce qui implique donc de définir les conditions du contact entre le marteau et la pièce, telles que notamment la vitesse de collision et la masse embarquée, cette masse embarquée étant définie de façon proportionnelle à la masse propre de la pièce à nettoyer avec son noyau ou ses résidus de noyau.The result in this case essentially depends on the shock wave provided piece by piece which therefore involves defining the conditions of contact between the hammer and workpiece, such as collision speed and mass on-board, this on-board mass being defined in proportion to the clean mass of the part to be cleaned with its core or core residue.

Le martelage peut être imprimé à la pièce par au moins une des sonotrodes ou au moins une des enclumes supportant ladite pièce.The hammering can be printed by the piece by at least one of the sonotrodes or by at least one of the anvils supporting said part.

Une réalisation judicieuse pour générer ce mouvement nécessaire à la fissuration est d'utiliser les ensembles pneumatiques des sources ultrasonores ou de leurs enclumes pour obtenir le martelage souhaité par pilotage alternatif de la commande du ou des distributeurs pneumatiques avec ajustement des régulateurs de pression et de débit.A judicious realization to generate this movement necessary for cracking is to use the pneumatic assemblies of the ultrasonic sources or their anvil to obtain the desired hammering by alternative control of the pneumatic valve (s) control with adjustment of pressure and flow regulators.

La source de vibration nécessaire à la désintégration des résidus jusqu'à une fluidification autorisant l'extraction est réalisée à partir d'une vibration linéaire de fréquence comprise entre 100 et 250 Hz, d'amplitude 1 à 4 mm crête/crête, obtenue à l'aide d'un système mécanique accordé sur la fréquence choisie et excité alternativement par deux électroaimants à travers un générateur basse fréquence.The vibration source necessary for the decay of residues to a fluidization allowing the extraction is carried out from a linear vibration of frequency between 100 and 250 Hz, amplitude 1 to 4 mm peak / peak, obtained using a mechanical system tuned to the chosen frequency and alternately excited by two electromagnets through a low generator frequency.

Cette vibration linéaire, peut être orientée suivant un axe horizontal ou un axe vertical en fonction de la forme de la pièce et de l'écoulement des conduits.This linear vibration can be oriented along a horizontal axis or an axis vertical depending on the shape of the part and the flow of the conduits.

La pièce doit donc être fixée de façon solidaire à l'élément vibrant par le dessus ou par une des faces latérales afin de favoriser un écoulement par gravité, c'est-à-dire par le dessous. Compte tenu de la masse parfois très importante du noyau, notamment pour les noyaux à base de sable, il est indispensable de doter le générateur de fréquence d'un contrôle automatique de fréquence permettant dans un premier temps une syntonisation de ce dernier sur la fréquence mécanique de l'ensemble vibrant avec la masse de la pièce à vibrer et, dans un deuxième temps, de suivre en temps réel l'augmentation de cette fréquence proportionnellement à la perte de masse due à l'écoulement du matériau progressivement libéré, et cela dans le but d'optimiser le rendement lié au transfert de l'énergie électromagnétique en énergie mécanique.The part must therefore be fixed integrally to the vibrating element from above or by one of the side faces in order to promote flow by gravity, that is to say from below. Given the sometimes very large mass of the nucleus, especially for sand-based cores, it is essential to provide the frequency generator with automatic frequency control allowing in firstly a tuning of the latter on the mechanical frequency of the vibrating assembly with the mass of the part to be vibrated and, in a second time, to follow in real time the increase in this frequency in proportion to the loss of mass due to the flow of the material gradually released, and this in order to optimize the yield linked to transfer of electromagnetic energy into mechanical energy.

Le flux de convoyage du matériau des résidus de noyau désintégrés est obtenu à l'aide d'un système combiné de soufflage et d'aspiration garantissant le type d'écoulement désiré. Pour cela, il convient par exemple d'utiliser une centrale d'aspiration garantissant une vitesse d'écoulement supérieure par exemple à 20 m/s, et notamment comprise dans la fourchette de 20 à 80 m/s, pour un débit correspondant aux sections des conduits à nettoyer, que l'on complétera de façon judicieuse par un système de soufflage alimenté en air comprimé en installant des buses calibrées à l'entrée de chaque orifice opposé à la ou aux sorties connectées à l'aspiration.The material conveyance flow of the disintegrated core residues is obtained at using a combined blowing and suction system guaranteeing the type desired flow. For this, it is for example necessary to use a central suction ensuring a higher flow speed for example than 20 m / s, and in particular included in the range of 20 to 80 m / s, for a flow corresponding to the sections of the ducts to be cleaned, which will be completed so judicious by a blowing system supplied with compressed air by installing calibrated nozzles at the inlet of each orifice opposite the outlet (s) connected to the suction.

Cet apport d'air comprimé a pour rôle de compenser les pertes de harges liées aux trajectoires parfois tortueuses des conduits et doit être contrôlé en amont en pression et en section de passage afin d'être équivalent au débit d'extraction par aspiration pour éviter tout refoulement.The purpose of this supply of compressed air is to compensate for the losses of harges linked the sometimes tortuous paths of the conduits and must be checked upstream pressure and cross section in order to be equivalent to the extraction flow rate by suction to avoid backflow.

Ces systèmes d'aspiration et de soufflage doivent être installés au plus près des orifices des conduits afin de limiter au maximum les volumes intermédiaires pour garantir un minimum de perte de charge et sont par exemple situés dans une enceinte enveloppant la pièce seule ou avec les moyens de vibration, les sources ultrasonores, les moyens de martelage, notamment pneumatiques ou mécaniques, le plateau vibrant. Cette enceinte maintenue sous une atmosphère en dépression, garantit l'évacuation des résidus provenant de la pièce de fonderie. Dans le cas de pièce volumineuse, il est nécessaire de réduire le volume soumis à la dépression, en limitant le passage du flux à un espace de quelques millimètres recouvrant toute l'enveloppe tridimensionnelle externe de la pièce.These suction and blowing systems must be installed as close as possible to duct openings to minimize intermediate volumes for guarantee a minimum pressure drop and are for example located in a enclosure enveloping the room alone or with the means of vibration, the sources ultrasonic, hammering means, in particular pneumatic or mechanical, the vibrating plate. This enclosure maintained under an atmosphere under vacuum, guarantees the evacuation of residues from the workpiece foundry. In the case of a large piece, it is necessary to reduce the volume subjected to depression, limiting the passage of the flow to a space of a few millimeters covering the entire three-dimensional external envelope of the room.

A noter qu'il peut être très utile d'augmenter la température de l'air en circulation, proche d'une température comprise dans un intervalle de 50°C à 200°C, préférentiellement voisine de 80°C, dans le cas où les résidus seraient encore dans un état humide en fonction des différents traitement préventifs, afin d'optimiser la qualité de l'écoulement de ces résidus.Note that it can be very useful to increase the temperature of the air in circulation, close to a temperature in the range of 50 ° C to 200 ° C, preferably around 80 ° C, if the residues are still in a wet state according to the different preventive treatments, so to optimize the quality of the flow of these residues.

La présente invention telle que décrite précédemment offre de multiples avantages car, en associant des phases,d'excitation par ultrasons, de martelage, de mise en vibration et d'évacuation des résidus par un fluide, elle garantit l'obtention d'un nettoyage ou d'un débourrage optimal de la pièce, tout en conciliant les impératifs liés à une production industrielle de moyenne et grande série.The present invention as described above offers multiple advantages because, by combining phases, ultrasonic excitation, hammering, of vibration and evacuation of residues by a fluid, it guarantees obtaining an optimal cleaning or cleaning of the part, while reconciling the imperatives linked to medium and large industrial production series.

Ce procédé est de même applicable en tant que procédé de contrôle permettant de vérifier la qualité de nettoyage obtenue à partir de techniques classiques.This process is also applicable as a control process allowing to check the quality of cleaning obtained from conventional techniques.

Il demeure bien entendu que la présente invention n'est pas limitée aux exemples de réalisation décrits et représentés ci-dessus, mais qu'elle en englobe toutes les variantes couvertes par les revendications.It remains to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the examples described and represented above, but that it includes all of the variants covered by the claims.

Claims (16)

  1. Method for cleaning or decoring a casting piece according to which said piece is excited by a source of ultrasonic vibration, making it possible to remove residues of material in contact with the walls of said piece, the latter being on the one hand supported on a plurality of anvils placed on vibrating means supporting the piece, and on the other hand in contact with a plurality of sonotrodes, characterized in that said excitation is carried out in dry medium.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a stage consisting of hammering the piece at a very low frequency in order to cause fissuring of the internal residues with large dimensions, such as in particular a sand-based core.
  3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a stage consisting of imparting to the piece, via vibrating means, a low-frequency linear vibration, in order to disintegrate and fluidize the fissured pieces.
  4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a stage consisting of extracting the materials resulting from said piece using a stream of gaseous fluid.
  5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the piece is excited by a source of vibration, in particular of sinusoidal or pulsed type at ultrasonic frequency.
  6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ultrasonic frequency is chosen in the range 10 to 30 kHz.
  7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the ultrasonic frequency is chosen in the range 15 to 20 kHz.
  8. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the hammering is carried out at a frequency comprised between 0.1 and 5 Hz.
  9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the hammering is carried out by means of a sonotrode.
  10. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the hammering is carried out by means of an anvil.
  11. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the frequency of the linear vibration applied to the piece is comprised within the range from 100 to 250 Hz.
  12. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sonotrodes in contact with the piece are driven by imparting to said sonotrodes a low-frequency oscillation of the order of 0.5 Hz pressure force between two thresholds comprised between approximately 100 and 1000 N.
  13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the anvils in contact with the piece are driven by imparting to said anvils a low-frequency oscillation of the order of 0.5 Hz pressure force between two thresholds comprised between approximately 100 and 1000 N.
  14. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sonotrodes in contact with the piece are driven by imparting to said sonotrodes an oscillation or pulsation with lower frequency than the ultrasound source of the amplitude of vibration of these sonotrodes.
  15. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the extraction of the residues from the piece by the fluid stream is obtained using a combined system of blowing and aspiration, the flow rate of which is comprised within the range 20 m/s to 80 m/s.
  16. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the fluid stream is heated to a temperature comprised between 50 and 200°C, in order to dry the materials to be extracted from the piece.
EP00400636A 1999-03-23 2000-03-08 Method for cleaning or decoring of a casting piece Expired - Lifetime EP1038597B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9903610A FR2791282B1 (en) 1999-03-23 1999-03-23 METHOD FOR CLEANING OR STORING A FOUNDRY PIECE
FR9903610 1999-03-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1038597A1 EP1038597A1 (en) 2000-09-27
EP1038597B1 true EP1038597B1 (en) 2003-10-08

Family

ID=9543537

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00400636A Expired - Lifetime EP1038597B1 (en) 1999-03-23 2000-03-08 Method for cleaning or decoring of a casting piece

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US6361610B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1038597B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE251506T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2300504A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60005729T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2211467T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2791282B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015206376A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2016-10-13 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Methods and devices for non-contact coring of castings

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10001041C1 (en) * 2000-01-13 2001-07-19 Sieverts Christof Method and device for freeing metallic workpieces from clamped sliding grinding bodies or the like
US20040096573A1 (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-05-20 Davis Larrie A. System and method for vibration-assisted flow of encapsulating material in ignition coils
US7798159B2 (en) * 2002-12-19 2010-09-21 Valerie Palfy At-home integrated cleaning and disinfection system and method for dental hardware
DE102006003350A1 (en) * 2006-01-24 2007-07-26 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Method of non-contact cleaning of articles involves feeding articles into gas filled chamber subjected to noise at set frequency
DE102006011530A1 (en) * 2006-03-10 2007-09-13 Minelco Gmbh Mold or molding, foundry-molding material mixture and process for its preparation
WO2009065449A2 (en) * 2007-11-23 2009-05-28 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for cleaning a large-size high-temperature part
WO2015010680A2 (en) * 2013-07-22 2015-01-29 Zs-Handling Gmbh Device for treating or machining a surface
DE102015004889A1 (en) * 2015-04-16 2016-10-20 Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg Process for coring castings with subsequent regeneration of the core salt

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3989537A (en) * 1975-07-11 1976-11-02 General Motors Corporation Method and apparatus for vibration cleaning of workpieces such as engine blocks
US4082566A (en) * 1977-03-09 1978-04-04 General Electric Company Molten salt leach for removal of inorganic cores from directionally solidified eutectic alloy structures
US4381577A (en) * 1981-09-17 1983-05-03 United Technologies Corporation Vibrator for removing particulate material from the cavity of an article
US4823513A (en) * 1987-10-13 1989-04-25 Mermark, Inc. Apparatus and process for vibratory finishing of parts
US5071487A (en) * 1990-02-16 1991-12-10 Cmi International, Inc. Method and apparatus for cleaning passageways in metal castings
GB9502584D0 (en) * 1995-02-10 1995-03-29 Western Atlas Uk Ltd Improvements in and relating to wwarf removal
FR2755038B1 (en) * 1996-10-28 1998-12-24 Forward Technology Ind METHOD FOR CLEANING METAL PARTS

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015206376A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2016-10-13 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Methods and devices for non-contact coring of castings
DE102015206376B4 (en) * 2015-04-09 2019-03-28 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Methods and devices for non-contact coring of castings

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2791282B1 (en) 2001-05-11
US6361610B1 (en) 2002-03-26
DE60005729T2 (en) 2004-08-05
ES2211467T3 (en) 2004-07-16
CA2300504A1 (en) 2000-09-23
EP1038597A1 (en) 2000-09-27
DE60005729D1 (en) 2003-11-13
FR2791282A1 (en) 2000-09-29
ATE251506T1 (en) 2003-10-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1038597B1 (en) Method for cleaning or decoring of a casting piece
EP0951951B1 (en) Method of cleaning a metallic workpiece
CN102528005B (en) Device and method for cleaning iron mold in sand faced iron mold casting production
US8186419B2 (en) Method and system for internal cleaning of complex castings
RU2608488C2 (en) Device to create fluid medium pulsating jet subjected to action of pressure
TWI669186B (en) Device and method for deburring components by means of ultrasound
CN109311230B (en) Method, component and apparatus for treating a surface for additive manufacturing
RU2005103594A (en) METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC SHOCK MECHANICAL PROCESSING OF HOUSING SURFACES FOR CORRECTION OF DEFECTS AND STRENGTHENING OF WORKING SURFACES
EP2838679A2 (en) Method for the production of a hollow metal part by means of casting
US4823513A (en) Apparatus and process for vibratory finishing of parts
US5460219A (en) Method and devices for decoring castings
EP0652063A1 (en) Knock-out device for casting cores
US7458881B2 (en) Surface treated product, surface treatment method, and surface treatment apparatus
EP3302853B1 (en) Method for knocking out a foundry core, and method for manufacturing by moulding including such a method
JP2002144155A (en) Method of removing residual tensile stress by application of ultrasonic vibration in liquid
US5071487A (en) Method and apparatus for cleaning passageways in metal castings
FR2850890A1 (en) Blast cleaning device for hollow casting unit e.g. engine block, of automobile, has elastic suspension system to supply mechanical power necessary to vibrate one vibrating shell, when shell is excited to resonance frequency
JP2808501B2 (en) Removal method of damaged layer by electric discharge machining
CN1321271C (en) Surface processed part, surface processing method and its device
EP3513883B1 (en) Cleaning device for jet engines and cleaning method
WO2007132101A1 (en) Hammering method, hammering device operable by a vibrator system and use of the device in a de-coring machine
SU566716A1 (en) Method of vibration working in a closed volume
FR2730436A1 (en) Removing sand from foundry components
CN104772354B (en) Method for drawing metal section in inclined composite high-frequency vibration manner
CN115135471A (en) Vibratory cutting apparatus and method including fluid bearing

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

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010314

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20020513

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031008

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031008

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031008

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031008

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20031008

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20031008

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: FRENCH

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60005729

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20031113

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040108

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040108

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20040108

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040308

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2211467

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

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

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20040709

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: S.A. *FORWARD TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES

Effective date: 20040331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041130

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040308

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20090324

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090325

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20090323

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090320

Year of fee payment: 10

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100308

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20101001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100308

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100308

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20110415

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110404

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20100309