EP1099488A1 - Machine for cleaning pipelines - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine comprises a communication assembly (30) with three-way valves (31,32) to make washing liquid or water circulate in two pipes (53,54) linked to the pipe to be treated. The washing liquid is supplied from a container and goes through diffusion pipes (51,52) driven by a pump. The water is supplied by the public network (55) and is rejected in the main sewer (56).

Description

The present invention relates to the design and production of pipe cleaning equipment, specifically targeting mobile machines including must have cleaning companies when they have to deal with the pipes of heating systems central with hot water circulation. Without wanting to be limiting, so we will take as an example of application typical of the invention, the case of domestic installations of existing heating in houses or apartments and other accommodation, with private individuals or communities.

After several years of operation, and above all when they are old and not equipped with special protection, these installations see their performance decrease considerably, the water passage section is finding it narrowed, and its circulation speed slowed down all the more, because the pipes are cluttered with scale, oxidation residues of the metal constituting them and sludge various, which should be removed to find the original nominal operating conditions.

The procedure used for this is classic for a long time already. In general, it basically includes three successive operations, which are carried out once the boiler has been disconnected from the hot water circuit, first successively know a step of washing with water clear, consisting of the simplest to circulate in the piping of running water coming under pressure from public network, rejecting it through the wastewater circuit, a sludge removal step which then consists in doing circulate an appropriate treatment solution, in circuit closed from a tank carried by the machine, to finish with a rinsing step which again uses clear water such as running water from the public network.

Currently available machines present many disadvantages. In particular, when a team of cleaning takes place in occupied accommodation, it is not rare that it causes damage. These affect in particular walls and floors, which receive splashes of dirty water when we go from one operation to another, and especially after the processing step, when the operator must disconnect the machine from the treated pipe and go to the rinsing step. In general, even with care and by having additional basins, which already in itself is very inconvenient, he cannot avoid splashes from used treatment solution that stays in the pipes that it uses as fittings flexible between machine and pipeline, outward and when the treatment solution tank returns. The damage is all the more important as often we have to clean small central heating systems by apartment, in which the radiators fitted to the different living rooms are powered from a wall-mounted boiler located in a living room in inside the apartment.

In order to resolve the problem thus posed, the present invention provides to equip the machine with means allowing the same connection pipes to be used, fixed on the machine, to ensure washing and / or rinse the pipe and to circulate the treatment solution. Not only does the user no longer have to fear causing the previous damage, but besides the operations are found considerably simplified, since these connection pipes no longer have to be disconnected from the pipeline between the possible step rinse and the treatment step, nor especially between the processing step and the rinsing step. It is moreover the same between the different stages if the overall procedure is more complex and involves the repeating some of these steps.

In its preferred embodiments, the machine according to the invention has characteristics which are in themselves known. Among them is in particular the fact that it comprises, advantageously removably mounted on a mobile cart, a treatment liquid tank, associated with a pump for circulating said liquid between two ends of pipes, advantageously in the form of flexible hoses, constructed to allow ensure the connection of the tank in closed circuit with the pipe to be cleaned, respectively in the direction of pump discharge, to supply said pipe in an upstream section, and back to the suction of the pump, to collect the liquid leaving a section downstream of said pipeline.

But the machine according to the invention is characterized further in that it has two other flexible hoses connection, advantageously provided respectively, one to be connectable to a water intake pipe current, the other to pour into a circuit sewage disposal system, as well as a set of switching allowing, alternately, either to connect the pipe to be cleaned at the tank via the pump as it is known, either to connect it, by the same upstream and downstream sections, to these two flexible pipes additional, advantageously equipped to facilitate for one its connection to any termination of the public pressurized water supply network (city water), for the other the discharge of water leaving the pipe to the sewer.

The machine according to the invention also has various features that come advantageously complete the previous ones and which apply separately or in any technically effective combination between them. In particular, the above switch set is from preferably based on two valves each three channels, which are coupled to be controlled simultaneously. Preferred coupling means are entirely of the type mechanical, because the usual conditions of use of the machine require great robustness, while in addition, it is desirable that the operating controls be simple and convenient. The valves are advantageously of the rotating plug type, which facilitates the adoption of particularly simple mechanical coupling means, which may in particular include a control lever common to both valves which also acts as a lever coupling between two drive levers respective bushels of the two valves.

In operation, the two-way switch assembly three-way valves is associated with six pipes which took two to two form three sets of two pipes. So each set of pipes includes a first pipe connected to one of valves, and a second pipe connected to the other valve, of so that when one of the valves plays a role for the circulation of a liquid, the other ensures a exit role, the liquid being able to be a liquid of cleaning, running water or the dirty liquid contained in the pipes to be cleaned. At each of the two valves are connected three pipes plugging into the different exit tappings, forming three or three entry ways outlet channels for the circulation of a liquid. Each channels for the circulation of a liquid being formed by a set of two pipes, a first pipe is connected to one valves and a second is connected to the other valve. A first track is therefore formed of two pipes whose free ends are immersed in the tank of liquid. A second track is formed by two pipes, the free ends can be connected to opposite ends a pipe to be cleaned. Finally, a third way is formed of two pipes, one of the free ends of which is connectable to a running water intake pipe and the other to a wastewater evacuation circuit.

It is also often useful that the machine according to the invention is equipped with means for reversing the direction of circulation of the treatment liquid conveyed by the pump through the pipe to be cleaned, which is obtained in particular by a manual control lever valve. Also, but here also in a manner known per se, it is advantageously planned to evacuate from the tank the gases which can be released during cleaning operations at using this liquid.

To better highlight the characteristics that have just been defined as well as others which advantageously complement, invention will now be more fully described as part of features and their advantages, referring to a particular embodiment of the cleaning machine which is the object, following an example where it is designed for the treatment of installation pipes domestic central heating.

• la figure 1 représente schématiquement la machine décrite, vue de l'extérieur et de face ;
• la figure 2 montre la même machine vue de côté ;
• la figure 3 illustre schématiquement l'ensemble de commutation qu'elle comporte, vu en coupe longitudinale, le plan de coupe apparaissant en B sur la figure 4 ;
• la figure 4 représente l'ensemble de commutation, vu en coupe partielle suivant A de la figure 3, la position de ses différents organes étant, comme sur la figure 3, celle qui convient lorsque la machine est utilisée en traitement à partir de son réservoir propre ;
• la figure 5 est l'homologue de la figure 3, en considérant le cas de la position de rinçage, le plan de coupe étant suivant B de la figure 6 ;
• et la figure 6 montre également l'ensemble de commutation dans la position de rinçage, dans une vue latérale en coupe partielle suivant le plan schématisé en A sur la figure 5.

Naturally, this example is in no way limitative of the various variants of implementation of the invention, no more than of its applications. Its description is illustrated and supplemented if necessary by the figures of the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 schematically represents the machine described, seen from the outside and from the front;
• Figure 2 shows the same machine seen from the side;
• FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the switching assembly which it comprises, seen in longitudinal section, the section plane appearing at B in FIG. 4;
• 4 shows the switching assembly, seen in partial section along A of Figure 3, the position of its various members being, as in Figure 3, that suitable when the machine is used in treatment from its tank clean ;
• Figure 5 is the counterpart of Figure 3, considering the case of the rinsing position, the cutting plane being along B of Figure 6;
• and FIG. 6 also shows the switching assembly in the rinsing position, in a side view in partial section along the plane shown diagrammatically at A in FIG. 5.

The example considered here concerns a cleaning of pipes intended for what is agreed to call the sludge removal of small installations of central heating, such as those located in apartment accommodation. It is a machine mobile, the different components of which are mounted on a cart maneuverable by hand by the user.

This carriage 10 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 by its frame 11, its wheels 12, located at the rear of the machine, its stabilizing foot 13, located on the contrary at the front, and two bent arms 14 and 15 used for its maneuver. The front and rear layouts are defined in relation to Figure 1, where the machine is viewed from face when it is immobilized in its position functional in use, foot 13 resting on the ground.

The carriage 10 supports a reservoir of liquid treatment, carried out in the form of a tank 2, which can be seen the filling orifice 3, accessible at the front of the machine. In Figure 2, the screw cap that closes normally the tank was assumed to be removed. Tank 2 is removably mounted on the carriage 10. It is fixed retainer on the latter by means of reinforcements metal integral with the frame 11 which have not been shown, insofar as such reinforcements are perfectly classic in themselves. They ensure if necessary a stiffening of the walls of the tank, these the latter being generally made of plastic.

The tank 2 has sufficient capacity to receive the required amount of processing fluid cleaning of a heating installation. The liquid used is usually an aqueous solution of a detergent product added with a descaling acid. The tank 2 has, in its upper part, a vent valve which has not been shown in the figures, in order to release any overpressure from the gases produced during the operation, in particular the carbon dioxide released during cleaning of a pipe scaled by means of such a solution acid.

In tank 2, the machine described comprises a submersible pump 20 (Figure 2), driven by a motor electric 21. The latter is external to the tank 2. It is mounted on the upper wall thereof by through a rigid base 22 to which is also suspended the pump 20. Figure 2 shows one of the bolts 24 which secure the three rooms. The drive transmission between the motor 21 and the pump 20 is carried out through the wall of the tank 2 at inside a column 23, the pump proper being placed near the bottom of the tank.

The motor housing 21 serves as a support for a switching assembly 30 produced according to the invention. In external dimensions, it essentially comprises two valves 31 and 32 each with three ways, which are arranged symmetrically on either side of a control lever 33 common to them, by means of which they ensure their order simulated. To these three-way control valves simultaneous, are associated six pipes connecting to the different outlet taps, three plugging into one valves and three others plugging into the other valve, the six pipes coming together, working in pairs, by three sets of each two connecting pipes. Each game combines a first pipe connected to one of the two valves, and a second connected to the other valve, so that one of the valves providing an input role, and the other a role of outlet for circulation of a liquid. The two pipes of each game works together, two by two. The precise constitution and functioning of this set of two valves will be described later.

The mounting of the two valves 31 and 32 on the machine involves a steel support 41, itself integral with a lug 42 for fixing to the motor casing (Figure 2). The Figures 3 to 6, which are on a larger scale, complete Figures 1 and 2 from this point of view, by doing better highlight how this support is made. It has two angle pieces 43 and 44, one for each valve, on the and on the other side of a median space occupied by the displacements of the lever 33. Each valve body is fixed by bolts 45 on the vertical branch of the square piece corresponding, on each side of a notch provided for allow passage to the horizontal connection of the valve. Both angle pieces are secured to a bottom plate 46 on which they are welded and which secures the support on leg 42.

To return to general figures 1 and 2, more exactly in Figure 1, we see there appear how different connecting pipes are associated, in extension of the valve outlet tappings, in a arrangement which presents a plane of symmetry along the plane vertical median between the two valves. The beginning of different pipes, starting from each valve, is also mentioned in Figures 3 and 5, where however it is only symbolized in mixed lines.

Downwards leave the two pipes 51 and 52 of a first set, the pipe 51 being connected to the valve 31 and the pipe 52 to valve 32. They are permanently connected to through the base 22, with two pipes 26 and 27, located in the tank 2, which close the circuit passing through the pump 20 to through this tank. To this end, line 27, made basically a flexible hose, is connected to the discharge outlet of the pump, while the pipe 26, which is generally rigid, is open in the tank 2.

In reality, the circuit in question, which carries the treatment liquid contained in the tank when the pump is driven, further includes a valve for reversing the direction of circulation of the transported liquid. This valve is visible by its housing 28 in Figure 2, which is fixed under the base 22 through the upper wall of the tank. The direction of traffic is determined by maneuvering a control lever 25, which can be seen accessible above of the tank 2. Depending on its position, which directs a valve internal (not shown), it is either the pipe 51 or the pipe 52 which pours into tank 2 via line 26, while simultaneously, the pump 20 delivers the liquid by line 27 to either pipe 52 or pipe 51.

Laterally on each side of the machine, horizontal direction from the valves, there are two pipes 53 and 54, from valve 31 and from valve 32 respectively, which are intended to be connected, indifferently, one to an upstream section of the pipeline to clean, the other to a downstream section of this same pipeline. In this way, assuming that the pump is in functioning and that the valves are correctly positioned to establish the relationship through them between the pipe and the tank, we can circulate the treatment liquid contained in tank 2, in circuit closed, through the pipe to be cleaned, respectively in the direction go to the pump discharge to supply the pipeline in its upstream section, and back to the suction of the pump to collect the liquid in exit from the downstream section.

The third set of connecting pipes appears in Figure 2 at 55 and 56, respectively above the valves 31 and 32. These are two pipes which are fitted, at their free end opposite the machine, one 55 a city water supply nozzle, produced by example in the form of a sleeve of deformable material and with a progressively variable diameter. This solution has the advantage of leaving great freedom for the choice of the pipe to which the pipe is connected. he this is generally a pipe belonging to the network public pressurized water supply. In counterpart on the other pipe 56 of the same pair, there is a nozzle dumping, for example in a sink, for discharge to taste. This tip has also not been shown.

It should be noted that the two end caps from which it comes to be question don't need to constitute means of tight connection, although this is preferable for that of the public water supply hose 55, in order to fully maintain the pressure which ensures water circulation through the pipeline to clean. On the other hand, the connectors (not shown) which equip the free ends of the connection pipes to the pipeline itself (53 and 54) are chosen so to provide a connection delimiting a sealed circuit, avoiding thus any leakage of treatment liquid and any leakage dirty water except in the sewer. It is quite naturally the same for the different connection connections of the valves 31 and 32, as well as connections to the input and output of the valve 25.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 5 (and incidentally to Figures 4 and 6), we see that each valve is a three-way ball valve of usual construction. The bushel, of general shape spherical, bears the reference 61 or the following reference 62 that it is that of the valve 31 or that of the valve 32. It is housed in a spherical cavity of the valve body, 34 or 35 respectively, into which three ducts as an extension of the three outlet taps respectively. These conduits are clearly represented, as well as the nozzles which are accessible outside the valve body, horizontal side connections symmetrically opposite 63 and 64 for connection to the pipes connection to pipeline 53 and 54, tappings parallel downwards 67 and 68 for connection to the pipes closing of the treatment liquid circuit 51 and 52, and vertical connections up 65 and 66 for connection to the clear water supply and discharge pipes to sewer 55 and 56.

In correspondence with the orientation of the conduits internal and nozzles, bushels 61 and 62 have each two perpendicular channels, one of which is horizontal to always stay in communication with the side nozzle 63 or 64 respectively. Indeed, the rotation of the plug is ensured around the horizontal axis. It is controlled by external joysticks to valve bodies, which are shown in 36 and 37 respectively. These controllers are arranged symmetrically in opposite, on the internal side, opposite the side taps 63 and 64.

The control lever of the valves 33 is engaged on the two levers 36 and 37. It therefore serves as a means coupling between the two valves, ensuring rotation simultaneous of their bushels. It is arranged so that ability to tilt 180 degrees between a high position and a low position, by action on the handle 38 which it offers to the user for manual entry. Figures 4 and 6 show, better than FIGS. 3 and 5, that this handle 38 is completed by two symmetrical plates 71 and 72, which are have on both sides of the set of two joysticks 36 and 37, which they enclose firmly. For that, they are tightened to each other by bolts 73, which pass between the two levers, so as to trap these and thus constitute a means of coupling mechanics of both.

The solidity of this coupling is remarkable, thanks in particular to the curved shape given to plates 71 and 72, which matches that of the levers on their two opposite faces.

The operation of the machine as a whole is already clear from the foregoing description of its different constituents. We can however come back to this here, in referring to the two functional provisions of the switching assembly consisting mainly of two valves 31 and 32 and the lever 33, as they emerge from Figures e3 and 4 on the one hand, from Figures 5 and 6 on the other.

It is assumed that upon arriving at the scene, the cleaning operators started by performing the different connections between the elements located on the carriage 10 and the pipe to be cleaned, the pipe chosen for the city water supply and the discharge to the sewer. If the procedure involves washing with water clear first, we start with the situation illustrated by FIG. 5. The pump 20 remaining stopped and the lever 33 being tilted in the high position, the tap of the public water system. The water flows through the valves as shown by the arrows shown, the washing water supply line being placed in communication with the upstream section of the pipe to be cleaned at one of the valves (by example valve 31 located on the left in the figure), and the other valve connecting the downstream section of this same pipe with the symmetrical flexible pipe ensuring discharge to the sewer.

After stopping the circulation of city water, we tilt the lever 33 to its low position, then put the pump 20 on the go. We are in the situation illustrated by Figure 3. Those of the bushel channels 61 and 62 which are parallel to lever 33 (in particular to its handle maneuver 38) being also oriented downwards, they put the pipe to be cleaned on the liquid circuit treatment.

The arrows shown in this figure assume that the treatment liquid, chosen for example for ensure descaling and sludge removal, enters the pipeline through the left valve 31 to return to the tank tank by the right valve 32, but it is useful, to improve the efficiency of the operation, to renew it reversing the direction of circulation by means of the valve reversal 25.

The last step is important in practice. She consists of rinsing the pipe with clear water, which is carried out, after having stopped the pump 20, to return to the situation of FIG. 5 already described in connection with a preliminary washing step, by tilting lever 33 towards the top, so as to put the pipe in series with the city water circuit, passing through hose 55 of connection to the public network by the discharge pipe to sewer 54.

The above description clearly explains how the invention achieves the objectives it settled down. It should however be remembered that the invention is not limited to the modes of implementation of its characteristics which have been specifically described and shown in the figures.

Claims (11)

Pipe cleaning machine, intended in particular for cleaning heating installations central, characterized in that it comprises a set switch (30) with two three-way valves (31, 32) with simultaneous control to circulate by two pipes (53, 54) for connection to a pipe to be cleaned, in alternation, i.e. a treatment liquid contained in a tank tank (2) and circulated by a pump immersed through two pipes (51, 52) connecting with said valves, either clear water flowing from a pipe (55) connection to the public network to a pipe discharge to sewer (56). Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the two valves (31, 32) the assembly of commutation (30) has three sets of two pipes, a first is connected to one of the valves and a second is connected to the other valve, so that when one of the valves provides an input role for the circulation of a liquid, the other ensures a role of exit. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two valves (31, 32) are coupled by a lever (33) which allows their control simultaneous. Machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a reversing valve (25) for reversing the direction circulation of said treatment liquid in said pipe to be cleaned. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that both valves (31, 32) are of the rotary plug type and provided facing levers (36, 37) which are enclosed in a control and coupling lever (33). Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said switching means (30) include a lever (33) coupling and simultaneous control of the two valves (31, 32) which is mounted rocking between them between a high position and a low position. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said switching means (30) are mounted on a support attachment to a motor (21) for driving said pump (20). Machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises flexible pipes for constituting said pipes (53, 54) for connection to said pipe to be cleaned and pipes (55, 56) for connection to a water circuit of city supplying clean water and discharging taste. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said pump (20) and an electric motor (21) ensuring its drive are fixed to a base (22) on the wall upper of said treatment liquid tank (2). Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said tank (2) has a vent valve for evacuation gases released during cleaning of said pipe. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is arranged on a mobile carriage (10).

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