EP1493982B1 - Device for the suction of liquid out a of room air treating equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An air-conditioning system or air de-humidifier system (30) accumulates water in trays, that is removed by a pump (3). The presence of water in the trays is registered by a detector that activates the pump. Each tray has a suction head (5) linked by pipe (4) to the pump (3). The suction head has a flat lower face that leaves a narrow gap to the water surface allowing water to move towards the detector and pipe.

Description

The invention relates to a device for aspirating liquid in ventilation systems with a suction pump, at least one suction pump connected to the suction for sucking the liquid and detection means, which are set up to turn on the suction pump as a result of detection of the liquid.

The invention further relates to a ventilation system with such a device.

Such a device and such a ventilation system are from the EP 0 552 913 A2 known. The device disclosed therein is set up for the automatic removal of condensate from a cooler condensate pan of the ventilation and air conditioning system, which has no drainage option due to gravity via a drain pipe. In the described device, the condensed water is sucked by means of a suction pump via a suction point at a point from the condensate pan. The control of the suction pump is carried out by detection means which monitor the liquid level in the Kühlerkondensatwanne. When the liquid exceeds a predetermined level, the detection means generates a trigger signal for starting the suction pump.

Other ventilation systems, which are also referred to as ventilation systems, air conditioning or the like, with devices for the extraction of water, for example, in the DE 197 10 398 C2 , of the JP-A-09033091 A or the DE 3903665 A1 disclosed.

Furthermore, devices in ventilation systems are known, which have a flow through which liquid drains off due to gravity without Pumpeninwirkung.

The prior art devices have the disadvantage that regularly remain considerable residual amounts of water.

The technical reasons for the remaining of residual water puddles in those tubs, in which a drain is provided for the independent flow of water by gravity, for example, lies in a too low inclination of the condensate tub surface (≤ 0.7 °) towards the process. Due to the surface tension of the water, the residual water does not flow from such tubs or insufficiently. Further causes for the residual water puddle formation are production-related curvatures of the mostly metallic tray bottoms, a negative gradient to the outlet, local depressions, for example as a result of deformations due to mechanical loads on the troughs or welds on discharge nozzles or the like.

The technical causes for the retention of residual water puddles in those tubs, in which suction devices are provided for the extraction of the accumulated water, are that the operation of the suction pump is controlled in each case by means of mechanical or electronic level switching. The activation of the suction pumps takes place when a maximum trigger level is reached (> 0 mm). The extraction takes place up to a minimum level height of 0 mm, at which point the suction pump shuts off. In the case of the filling level height 0 mm, however, areal residual water puddles still remain, which due to the only selective extraction at only one point can not or only insufficiently be extracted by means of a device according to the prior art. This is shown for clarity in Figures 15 and 16. As can be seen there, according to the prior art, a large number of conventional suction heads would be required in a correspondingly tight arrangement. However, this procedure is complicated and is not carried out in practice for lack of space and cost reasons.

Examples, however, that especially in these puddles puddles a massive increase of microorganisms with germ counts of up to 10 ⁸ germs per milliliter can occur, are by the dissertation at the Technical University of Berlin by Möritz, from the year 1996 or the research report from 1998 in the field of air and drying technology by M. Möritz or by publication in health engineer by M. Möritz et al. made famous in 2001.

In order to avoid these unwanted microbial propagation processes in the residual water puddles in the future, it is also required in current regulations such as the VDI guideline 6022, sheet 1, 1998 and sheet 3, 2002 as well as other publications, that in condensate trays, humidifier trays or other areas of ventilation systems accumulating residual water is removed to the inevitable surface wetting.

The regular manual removal of residual water puddles is associated with a disproportionate amount of personnel. A subsequent conversion of the condensate trays to produce a downgrade for automatic and complete drainage of the water from the tubs represents a very high design effort.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device of the type mentioned, with which it is possible in a simple and cost-effective manner to achieve a complete extraction of surface residual puddles occurring areally.

The invention achieves this object by virtue of the fact that each suction part is a suction head, which is connected to the suction pump by means of a suction hose and has a flat underside, which is designed such that a gap for guiding the liquid is provided between the surface to be suctioned off and the underside of the suction head can be formed to the detection means and the suction tube. This gap can be arbitrarily shaped be, z. B. extensively extended or single or multiple groove-shaped. In the following, the term "gap" is summarized.

According to the invention, liquids distributed in a planar manner on solid surfaces can be substantially completely sucked off. In contrast to the previously known rigid pipe systems, which have a single pipette-shaped suction, according to the invention, one or more suction heads are used, which can be flexibly placed in existing facilities due to a hose connection. In this case, each suction head on a flat bottom, which generates a gap as described above. If the Absaugköpfe rest on the surface to be sucked, the liquid is displaced from the flush-mounted areas in the gap and performed without pumping effect by a convenient shaping of the gap to the detection means. This bundling of the residual water leads to reliable triggering of the pump by the detection means, even with very small amounts of water. After the suction pump is started, the liquid is sucked off the surface to be sucked off. The term flat underside is to be understood in the sense of the invention that the underside of the suction head when resting on the surface to be sucked covers an area which is greater than, for example, over four times as large as, the cross-sectional area of the suction tube connected to the suction head is.

The device according to the invention can be used in any room ventilation systems. Advantageously, however, the ventilation system in those areas where water may be incurred, a drain on the larger amounts of water can flow due to the gravity of the water. Such a sequence is arranged for example laterally or on the underside of a condensate tray of the ventilation system.

According to an expedient development of the invention, a capillary effect can be generated by the gap. In other words, the gap is dimensioned so that it produces a capillary effect. When the suction head rests on the surface to be suctioned, a capillary-effective intermediate space is formed through the gap. Residual water is therefore accelerated due to the surface tension of the water in the gap and sucked towards the detection means. To generate the capillary effect, an arbitrarily shaped gap can be delimited between the underside of the suction head and the surface to be suctioned off, which has a gap width of 0.01 mm to 4 mm in any spatial direction. However, the capillary effect enhances the concentration of residual water, especially in the case of suction heads with groove-shaped gaps.

The design of the underside of the suction head according to the invention in principle arbitrary, as long as a gap is created by the support of the suction and thus ensures a leadership of the liquid to the detection means and the suction hose. The underside may be formed, for example, as a continuous surface, are formed on the raised areas. As soon as the suction head rests on the surface to be suctioned, a gap thus forms, the gap width of which depends on the increase in the raised areas relative to the remaining boundary surface of the underside of the suction head.

Deviating from this, indentations are made in the flat underside. The indentations can have any shape as such.

Conveniently, however, the indentations are furrows or channels. With the help of the channels or furrows an even stronger bundling and management of the residual water amounts to the detection means is possible.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the detection means are arranged on the suction heads. By positioning the detection means on the Absaugköpfen or in other words in the range of Absaugköpfe the sensitivity of the detection increases considerably, so that even the smallest amounts of residual water can be effectively recognized and sucked.

According to an expedient further development, the detection means are arranged on the underside of the suction head and project at least partially into the gap, wherein a venting channel is provided. Due to the direct arrangement on the underside, the detection means limit the gap with their liquid-sensitive sensor areas, whereby the accuracy of the detection is increased. In this case, the venting channel ensures that the air that is displaced by the water transported to the detection means, can slide past the sensor. This is particularly important in the generation or utilization of a capillary effect of importance.

Appropriately, the suction heads are designed so that the flow rate of liquid at each suction head is limited so that in each suction sufficient suction is ensured, so that at least at a suction liquid is sucked. This is particularly important when several suction heads are used and air is sucked in at one or more suction heads, the suction power of the suction pump is then no longer sufficient to still suck liquid on the or the remaining suction heads.

According to a related expedient further development of the invention, control valves arranged between the suction heads and the suction pump and a control unit for regulating the control valves are provided, wherein the control unit is connected to the detection means. The control unit receives, for example, at regular intervals measurement signals from the Detection means. The control unit is equipped with a control logic, for example in the form of suitable software. The control logic compares the received measurement signals with predetermined on / off scenarios and, in the presence of such a switching scenario, switches a suction process through the suction pump on or off.

Advantageously, the control unit opens the control valves in succession, whereby only one control valve is always open. In this way, it is ensured that, on the one hand, the suction power of the pump is always present at each suction head and, on the other hand, a sufficiently high flow resistance is provided even when suction pumps with low pumping speeds are used, in particular even when the pumping power is due to the intake of air would not be sufficient on one or more Absaugköpfen to entrain also the amounts of residual water at one or more other Absaugköpfen / suck.

Furthermore, it may be expedient that the suction heads for fixing in the ventilation system have magnets and / or weights. By the magnets and weights a simple fixation of the suction heads is possible.

Notwithstanding this, the Absaugköpfe are made of a magnetic material. A fixation by separate components, which can often be lost, thus eliminated.

According to a further expedient embodiment of the invention, the suction heads are made of an elastic, adapting to the shape of a surface material. Due to the elastic configuration, the device according to the invention can also be used, for example, on spherically shaped, for example, uneven or curved surfaces of condensate trays.

Advantageously, the Absaugköpfe to prevent microbial growth of an antimicrobial or made of microbially inert material. The antimicrobial material supports the device according to the invention in that the biological contamination of ventilation systems is avoided not only by the removal of residual water puddles, but also by the antimicrobial material of the suction head.

Advantageously, at least one solids filter is connected in front of the suction pump. Due to the solid filter, the suction of small solid particles in the suction pump is avoided.

If the suction pump is not safe to run dry, at least one water separator is expediently connected in front of the suction pump. The water separator helps prevent damage to the non-dry-running suction pump. Water drawn in by the suction pump is effectively removed by the water separator.

Appropriately, the suction hoses are connected via a provided with a disinfection control valve inlet hose with a container which is filled with a disinfecting liquid, wherein a control unit is provided for opening and closing the disinfection control valve. The control unit triggers the disinfection via the disinfection control valve, for example at fixed intervals.

Furthermore, it may be expedient in the context of the invention, when the suction hoses are connected via a provided with a ventilation control valve ventilation hose with the outlet of an aerator, wherein a control unit is provided for opening and closing the ventilation control valve and for controlling the aerator. Also in this case, the control unit can trigger the ventilation via the disinfection control valve at fixed intervals.

According to an expedient further development of the invention, the aerator has a heating device. By heating the blown from the aerator on the Absaugköpfe in the air conditioning system air residual water is more effectively removed and dried the suction and / or the air conditioning system itself in its interior. This inhibits the multiplication of microorganisms.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the suction heads are connected to each other via connecting arms, so that a network structure is formed. The Absaugköpfe and the connecting arms may also be integrally formed. The network structure enables a more even and more efficient extraction of the residual water from ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Advantageously, the suction hoses are vacuum-resistant.

Appropriately, the ventilation system, which is equipped with the device according to the invention, on a surface to be vacuumed, which is covered with an insulating protective film. The protective film avoids any possible corrosion of the pasted surface. The thickness of the film is basically arbitrary. Advantages in terms of unhindered and complete suction of the water or the cost, however, arise when the protective film is as thin as possible.

Advantageously, the insulating protective film has markings for arranging the suction heads. It is by no means necessary to cover the entire surface with a protective film. By marking the protective film whose finding is facilitated in the often difficult to access areas of the ventilation system.

According to a further advantageous development, the markings contain a fluorescent material. The fluorescence makes it easier to find the protective film in the dark.

Figur 1a

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Figur 1b

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in schematischer Darstellung,

Figur 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Absaugkopfes mit mehreren Einkerbungen in einer Querschnittsansicht,

Figuren 3 - 4

Ausführungsbeispiele des Absaugkopfes der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Aufsicht auf die Unterseite,

Figuren 5 - 6

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Absaugkopfes in einer Querschnittsansicht und in einer Aufsicht auf die Unterseite,

Figuren 7 - 9

weitere Ausführungsbeispiele von Absaugköpfen in einer Querschnittsansicht,

Figur 10

die Fixierung eines Absaugkopfes mittels einer Stütze in einer raumlufttechnischen Anlage,

Figur 11

einen durch Magnete fixierten Absaugkopf, der auf einer gewölbten Oberfläche aufliegt,

Figur 11a

den Absaugkopf gemäß Figur 11 in einer Aufsicht auf die Unterseite,

Figur 12

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel von miteinander verbundenen Absaugköpfen in einer Aufsicht auf die Unterseite,

Figur 12a

die Absaugköpfe gemäß Figur 12 in einer vergrößerten Ansicht,

Figuren 13-14

eine raumlufttechnische Anlage mit Ausführungsbeispielen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und

Figuren 15-16

Absaugköpfe gemäß dem Stand der Technik zeigen.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description of embodiments with reference to the figures of the drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components. Show it

FIG. 1a

An embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic representation,

FIG. 1b

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention in a schematic representation,

FIG. 2

An embodiment of a suction head with a plurality of indentations in a cross-sectional view,

FIGS. 3 to 4

Embodiments of the suction head of the device according to the invention in a plan view of the underside,

FIGS. 5 to 6

a further embodiment of a suction head in a cross-sectional view and in a plan view of the underside,

FIGS. 7 to 9

further embodiments of suction heads in a cross-sectional view,

FIG. 10

the fixation of a suction head by means of a support in a ventilation system,

FIG. 11

a suction head fixed by magnets, which rests on a curved surface,

FIG. 11a

the suction head according to FIG 11 in a plan view of the underside,

FIG. 12

Another embodiment of interconnected Absaugköpfen in a plan view of the bottom,

FIG. 12a

the suction heads according to FIG. 12 in an enlarged view,

Figures 13-14

an air conditioning system with embodiments of the device according to the invention and

FIGS. 15-16

Suction heads according to the prior art show.

FIG. 1 a shows an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for extracting water or other liquids 2 as completely as possible from a (optionally dry-running) suction pump 3 and vacuum-resistant suction hoses 4 which extend between a suction head 5 and the suction pump 3. Furthermore, an attached to the suction pump 3 drain hose 6 for discharging the sucked liquid 2 can be seen. The device 1 can be positioned in a tub and / or on other surfaces 7 to aspirate liquids 2. By switching on the suction pump 3, the liquid 2 located on the surface 7 in the region of each suction head 5 is sucked off via the suction heads 5 and the suction hoses 4 to the suction pump 3. From there, the extracted liquid 2 is disposed of via the drain hose 6 or can be recycled.

In order to not only suck in air via the remaining suction heads 5 even when using suction pumps 3 with low suction power and in the presence of liquid 2 on only one suction head 5, in each suction head 5 is a figuratively not shown detection means or in other words a sensor for detection provided by liquid 2. The sensor is connected via data lines 8 to a control unit 9, which is set up for switching on and off the suction pump 3 via a connecting line 10. The control unit 9 is further connected via connecting lines 10 with control valves 11. If a sensor of a suction head 5 no longer detects any liquid 2 on the suction head 5 assigned to it, it changes Measurement signal. The control unit 9 then instructs the control valve 11 associated with this suction head 11 to move into its closed position or at least to increase the flow resistance in the suction hose 4 to such an extent that no or only via the suction head 5, where there is no longer liquid 2 limited air is sucked. The flow resistance of the remaining suction heads remains sufficiently large in this way, so that further liquid 2, which is present at the other Absaugköpfen 5, is transported to the suction pump 3. In order to avoid damage, the control valves 11 and the suction pump are preceded by solid filter 12.

Notwithstanding this, the control valves 11 are implemented as solenoid control valves and are opened one after the other by means of the control unit 9, so that only a single control valve is always open, via which is sucked.

In a different figuratively not shown embodiment of the device 1, instead of the variable and controllable by the controller 9 control valves 11 rigid, immovable flow resistances are provided, for. Nozzles with a bore of 0.7 mm. This ensures that water is sucked off at all suction heads, even if water is still present at only one suction head and water is drawn in at all other suction heads. In this variant, however, reduces the suction of the pump used on all suction heads.

FIG. 1b shows a further exemplary embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, which substantially corresponds to the device 1 according to FIG. 1a. As can be seen in FIG. 1b, however, the device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment has a central sensor 13. The central sensor 13 is between a collection point of the suction hoses 4 and the suction pump 3 in a common all suction hoses 4 section arranged. In this way, separate detection means can be saved in the Absaugköpfen.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the suction head 5 in the cross-sectional view shown in a substantially square shape. According to the outer contour of the suction head 5, with the exception of the flat bottom 16 but arbitrary. The suction head 5 shown has a central suction channel 14, an upwardly protruding from the suction suction 15 for connecting the suction hose 4 and a flat bottom 16 with notches 17, which the gap formation and thus the suction of the liquid 2 from the environment of the suction 5 enable. The suction head 5 is further equipped with a sensor 19 as detection means for detecting water or liquid 2. The sensor 19 has liquid-sensitive electrode sensors 20, which is connected by means of an electrode cable 21 with the control unit, not shown here.

Figures 3 and 4 each show a plan view of the bottom 16 of an embodiment of a suction head 5. The course of the notches 17 is different pronounced. The shape and the course of the notches 17 is basically arbitrary, but must ensure that the resulting from the notches 17 multipart gap parts of the gap communicate with each other such that the liquid 2 from each point in the notches 17 to the detection means 19 and the suction 4 can get. In FIG. 3, the notches 17 extend quadratically and in FIG. 4 radially in the flat underside 16. Furthermore, it can be seen that the electrode sensors 20 are arranged on the underside 16 of the suction head 5 and protrude into the notches 17. In this way the sensitivity of the system is increased. In order to allow air displaced by liquid 2 to flow past, venting channels 22 are introduced into the measuring sensor 20.

FIG. 5 shows a different embodiment of the suction head 5. The suction head 5 shown here has a flat lower surface with a flat surface section 23, from which spacer feet 24 protrude as raised areas. If the suction head 5 rests on the surface 7 to be suctioned off, a capillary-effective intermediate space is formed between it and the surface portion 23 so that the liquid 2 first reaches the electrode sensors 20 without pumping action, whereby the suction pump 3 is set in motion.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the flat underside 16 of the suction head 5 according to FIG. 5. It can be seen that the spacer feet 24 span an angle of 60 degrees with respect to the central spacer channel 14. This uniform distribution of the spacer feet 24 provides high stability.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show further exemplary embodiments of a suction head 5 according to the invention. FIG. 7 shows a simple, flat design of a suction head 5 which has notches 17 on the underside 16 for forming the gap. Liquids 2 are sucked through the notches 17 in the central intake passage 14 and from there via the suction hose 4 which has been attached to the hose connection 15 at the top. A weight 25 serves to fix the suction head 5. Figure 8 shows a suction head 5, in which the hose nozzle 15 is mounted laterally for the connection of the suction hose 4. In this way, the suction head 5 can be inserted into low areas of a ventilation system. The suction head 5 according to FIG. 9 differs from that shown in FIG. 8 only by the weight 25 located on the upper side.

Figure 10 shows a suction head 5 according to Figure 8, which is clamped by means of a support 26 against an abutment 27 and is fixed in a ventilation system.

In Figure 11, a suction head 5 is shown, which is adapted to the surface 7 in its shape and fixed by magnets 28 at this. The suction head 5 can optionally be made of a solid, the shape of the respective substrate adapted material or a flexible, elastic material. Between the magnets 28, the notches 17, through which the liquids 2 are sucked into the central suction channel 14 and the attached to the hose nozzle 15 suction hose 4.

11a shows the top view of the underside of the suction head 5 according to FIG. 11, which is fixed by means of magnets 28 to the surface 7 to be suctioned off. The central intake passage 14 and the hose nozzle 15 are arranged in the middle of the round suction head 5.

FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary embodiment of suction heads 5 of the device 1 according to the invention in a plan view of the underside 16. In this view, it can be seen that the suction heads 5 are cross-shaped and connected to one another via connecting arms 29, so that a network structure is formed.

FIG. 12a shows an enlarged view of the suction head 5 according to FIG. 12. It can be seen that notches 17, which are the same size as those of the suction heads 5, are also introduced into the connecting arms 29. The notches 17 of the suction heads 5 and the connecting arms 29 are arranged in alignment with each other. If the surface 7 to be suctioned is covered with this suction network, even larger areas can be effectively prepared from residual liquid.

FIG. 13 shows a ventilation system 30 with a device 1 according to the present invention. The ventilation system 30 has a cooling register 31 which is placed in the way indicated by arrows air flow. The resulting condensation in the cooling of the air flow is collected in a condensate tray 32, which has a lateral sequence features. Due to gravity, the condensate flows through the lateral drain. At the same time, the drain hose 6 of the suction pump 3 is guided by the lateral drain 33. The device 1 essentially corresponds to the device 1 described in connection with FIG. 1. According to FIG. 13, however, the device 1 additionally has a container 34 filled with disinfectant, which communicates with the suction hoses 4 of the device 1 via a supply hose 35. The inlet hose is provided with a disinfection control valve 36, which is also adjustable by the control unit 9. If necessary, the control unit 9 opens the disinfection control valve, so that due to gravity disinfectant via the suction heads 5 flows into the condensate pan 32.

FIG. 14 shows the ventilation system 30 according to FIG. 13 with a further exemplary embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 according to FIG. 14 comprises an aerator 37 with a heating coil 38 instead of a container filled with disinfectant. The suction hoses 4 communicate with a ventilation hose 39. in which a ventilation control valve 40 is arranged. If necessary, the control unit 9 opens the aeration control valve 40 and sets the aerator 37 and the heater 38 in motion, so that intake air 41 is heated and passes through the suction heads 5 in the condensate pan 32. In this way, the entire suction device and parts of the ventilation system dried and proliferation of microorganisms are effectively inhibited. To respond to the aerator 37 this is connected via a control line 42 to the control unit 9.

Claims (23)

1. Apparatus (1) for sucking out liquid (2) in air conditioning plants (30), having a suction pump (3), at least one suction member connected to the suction pump (3) for sucking in the liquid, and detecting means (13, 19) which are designed to switch on the suction pump (3) following the detection of liquid (2), characterised in that each suction member is a suction head (5) which is connected to the suction pump (3) by a suction hose (4) and has a flat underside (16) which is constructed so that a gap (17) can be formed between the surface (7) which is to be exposed to suction and the underside (16) of the suction head (5), this gap (17) being designed to guide the liquid (2) to the detecting means (13, 19) and to the suction hose (4).
2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a capillary effect can be produced by the gap (17).
3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that notches (17) are formed in the flat underside (16).
4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the notches (17) are furrows or channels.
5. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detecting means (19) are mounted on the suction heads (5).
6. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detecting means (19) are arranged on the underside (16) of each suction head (5) and project at least partly into the gap (17), a ventilating channel (22) being provided.
7. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction heads (5) are constructed such that the amount of liquid (2) flowing through at each suction head (5) is restricted so that a sufficient suction force is guaranteed at all the suction heads (5), in order that liquid (2) can be sucked in at least at one suction head (5).
8. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction heads (5) comprise magnets (28) and/or weights (25) for fixing them in the air conditioning plant (30).
9. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction heads (5) are made of a magnetic material.
10. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction heads (5) are made of an elastic material that conforms to the shape of a surface (7).
11. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction heads (5) are made from an antimicrobially active or microbially inert material in order to prevent microbial growth.
12. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one solids filter (12) is provided in front of the suction pump (3).
13. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction pump (3) is not protected from running dry and at least one water separator is provided in front of the suction pump (3).
14. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that regulating valves (11) arranged between the suction heads (5) and the suction pump (3) and a control unit (9) are provided, the control unit (9) being connected to the detecting means (13, 19).
15. Apparatus (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that the control unit (9) opens the regulating valves (11) one after another, there being one regulating valve (11) open at all times.
16. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction hoses (4) are connected, via a feed hose (35) provided with a disinfection regulating valve (36), to a container (34) which is filled with a disinfectant liquid, a control unit (9) being provided for opening and closing a disinfection regulating valve (36).
17. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction hoses (4) are connected to the outlet of a ventilator (37) through a ventilating hose (39) fitted with a ventilating regulator valve (40), a control unit (9) being provided for opening and closing the ventilation regulating valve (40) and for actuating the ventilator (37).
18. Apparatus (1) according to claim 17, characterised in that the ventilator (37) comprises a heating device (38).
19. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction heads (5) are joined together by means of connection arms (28) so as to form a network structure.
20. Apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction hoses (4) are vacuum-resistant.
21. Air conditioning plant (30) having an apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a surface (7) which is to be exposed to suction by the apparatus (1) is adhesively bonded to an insulating protective film.
22. Air conditioning plant (30) according to claim 21, characterised in that the insulating protective film has markers for placing the suction heads (5).
23. Air conditioning plant (30) according to claim 22, characterised in that the markers contain a fluorescent material.

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