EP2458281A2 - Cleaning device for flue pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (10) has control unit (22) that controls movement of cleaning unit (34) within a chimney (12) by a drive unit (24). A housing (16) for receiving the drive unit is provided at the upper side of exhaust gas outlet end (14) of chimney. The housing is provided with a closing element (56) that separates the cleaning unit from remaining components within the housing. An independent claim is included for exhaust system.

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for fireplaces. The term chimney is used in the present application as a synonym for exhaust systems, especially for chimneys.

It is well known that in firing in combustion plants, such as e.g. Furnaces, burners, etc., due to incomplete combustion soot particles are formed. This is especially true in the burning of solid fuels such as wood, fuel pellets u. Likewise, while for the fine soot particles (particulate matter), due to the health risks emanating from them, separating devices are provided in the exhaust laxative lines, usually no further measures are taken against the macroscopic soot particles, so that these either via the fireplace connected to the fireplace in Free access or settle on the fireplace internal walls. In addition, the deposited fine soot particles on the separator also form macroscopic soot particles, which also get into the open or can be deposited inside the chimney. On the one hand, the soot particle deposits impair the exhaust gas extraction effect of the chimney and, on the other hand, can even trigger a chimney fire so that these deposits can be removed on a regular basis.

The WO 94/11676 relates to a chimney cleaning device which can be placed on the top of a chimney and in which a dome under an electric motor with a winch is arranged. The winch winds a rope to clean the chimney, at the end of which a weight is attached with a brush to clean the chimney. The motor and winch are protected by a temperature switch 90 located under the dome near the engine and, in the event of overheating via a cable, a signal to a remotely located controller gives. The movement of the brush from its starting position into the chimney is achieved by activation of the electric motor effected by the control means. Reversing the brush at a lowest point in the chimney is accomplished by causing a stop attached to the cable in the lowermost position of the brush to start against a T-shaped switching element 96, which in turn actuates a switch 100 which reverses the direction of travel of the motor. The brush is then retracted back to its starting position.

In the GB 1905/26 184 A a chimney cleaning device is described, which is discharged from the upper end in the chimney. It consists of two via a tension cable g coupled elements, namely a cleaning brush arranged at the top and a collecting funnel c arranged at the bottom. The lower end of the collecting funnel c is connected via a hose s with a water filter t, is withdrawn through the dust-laden air from the collecting funnel. The air is sucked out of the water filter with a vacuum generator so that eventually the dissolved soot is removed from the stack in the water bath by vacuum.

The European patent application 0 433 152 A1 relates to a cleaning device for an electrostatic filter. In the FIG. 2 It can be seen that a rope 32 is unwound from a motor driven drum 31 to thereby move a cleaning device 40 having a core and a brush within the electrostatic filter. The electrostatic filter consists of a tensioned as a center electrode cable 35 and a surrounding tube 21. To ensure that dangerous dusts that have been deposited by the filter can not get into the exhaust air, a closure sleeve 41 is provided on the cleaning device 40, the is placed around the rope 32 and rests in the starting position of the cleaning device on this. When the cleaning device is drained into the filter, the sleeve 41 engages the funnel wall at a funnel-shaped constriction in the electrostatic filter to seal the filter in Close the direction of the gas outlet 4. During the return movement into the starting position, the cleaning device 40 takes the sleeve 41 accordingly again.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device for chimneys, by means of which the aforementioned soot deposits in chimneys are easy and reliable to remove. It is also an object of the invention to protect parts of the cleaning device from exhaust gases or environmental influences.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a cleaning device for chimneys with a cleaning unit which is movable within a chimney, a drive device and a control device which is set up to control the movement of the cleaning unit within the chimney by means of the drive device. In such a cleaning device, a cleaning unit, which may be configured, for example, as a brush adapted in its outer periphery to the inner circumference of the chimney, is moved inside the chimney in order to remove soot deposits. The control device controlling the movement of the cleaning unit may be, for example, an electric switch or a timer, which may cause the cleaning of the chimney at predetermined time intervals. In particular, an electrically operated device which can be controlled by the control device in a simple manner is suitable as the drive device.

For example, the structure may be such that the control device is configured to automatically control the movement of the cleaning unit within the chimney in accordance with predetermined or determined parameters. In this case, a programmable control device based on a microcontroller can be provided, which can automatically initiate a cleaning process at certain predetermined time intervals. In addition, the movement of the cleaning unit can be controlled in accordance with additional information transmitted to the control device.

In this case, in a preferred embodiment it can be provided that at least one sensor device is provided, which is set up to provide relevant parameters for the control device for controlling the movement of the cleaning unit within the chimney. Such sensor devices can be designed, for example, as temperature or smoke sensors which detect a firing operation of the hearth connected to the fireplace based on the associated increase in temperature or on the basis of increased exhaust gas development, which can be prevented that in the firing operation, a cleaning process is performed. In this way, on the one hand the exhaust gas removal is not hindered by the cleaning unit and on the other hand any damage to the cleaning device is avoided by the exhaust gases or the elevated temperature.

It can further be provided that the drive device comprises a motor and a device which can be extended by the motor along the chimney and which is set up to move the cleaning unit within the chimney. Here, it is particularly advantageous to use an electric motor, wherein in a preferred embodiment, the extendable device comprises a cleaning unit leading and wound on a winch rope, the winch for winding and unwinding of the rope by means of the motor is rotatable. The use of a wound on a winch rope in particular allows a space-saving design with a large radius of action of the cleaning device.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cable may be designed in the form of a flat band, which preferably consists at least partially of a metallic material. Additionally or alternatively, plastics, in particular temperature-resistant plastics, rubber, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers or natural fibers such as cotton, coconut fiber, in particular with a heat-protective impregnation, are used. The winch is in this embodiment for receiving of the flat band. An advantage of an embodiment with a flat band is that the band can be wound on a corresponding cable winch or drum in a particularly space-saving manner. In addition, due to the broad and flat distribution of the material, smaller bending radii are possible with a bend over the small dimension of the band. At the same bending radii of a rope and a flat band result in the flat band lower bending stresses, which acts verschieißmindernd. In the context of the description of this invention, the embodiment with a flat band is to be regarded as equal or superior alternative to a design with a rope. All features in which a cable or a device acting in connection with a cable is disclosed should accordingly be understood as a disclosure for a flat belt. In an alternative embodiment, the rope is replaced by a chain. A chain has the advantage that the chain links do not have to absorb bending stresses. For the disclosure, the above applies accordingly.

In this context, a control device for monitoring the cleaning unit is particularly advantageous for disturbances in its course of movement. Here, for example, a sensitive to the rope tension pressure sensor on the cable winch may be provided, which can transmit a corresponding signal to the control device at the rope tension reducing obstacles in the fireplace to prevent the extension process, so that jamming of the cleaning unit is prevented in the fireplace.

With regard to an automatically operating cleaning device, it proves to be particularly advantageous to provide an autonomous power supply device which is adapted to supply the control device and / or the drive device with energy. In this case, such an autonomous power supply device can be designed, for example, as a photovoltaic system. It is particularly advantageous in addition to a rechargeable by the photovoltaic system accumulator device for Provide power supply to the control device and / or the drive device, whereby the cleaning device can make cleaning operations automatically at any time.

In order to protect the cleaning device both against environmental influences and against exhaust gases, the structure according to the invention is designed such that on the chimney at the upper exhaust gas outlet end a housing for receiving at least the drive device is provided, wherein the housing has a closure device. The closure device preferably opens the housing only during cleaning operations.

In order to protect the cleaning device against whirling cleaning residues during a cleaning process, an embodiment is particularly advantageous in which the closure device is adapted to close the upper exhaust outlet end of the fireplace during a cleaning operation, wherein in a preferred embodiment, the closure device is actuated by the cleaning unit , In this case, for example, during an extension operation of the cleaning unit, the closure device from a closing the housing in an upper exhaust outlet end of the fireplace closing position are transferred, so that during a retraction of the cleaning unit, the closure device from the upper exhaust outlet end of the fireplace in the housing closing position by the cleaning unit is transferred again.

According to the invention, the closure device is configured to receive the cleaning unit separately from the remaining components of the cleaning device within the housing. As a result, on the one hand, the cleaning unit is protected from exhaust gases or environmental influences, on the other hand it is prevented that adhering to the cleaning unit cleaning residues come into contact with the drive device and / or the control unit.

In order to be able to easily remove the cleaning residues arising during the cleaning of a chimney from the chimney, the structure can be such that a container device is provided for receiving cleaning residues. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, it can be thought that an exhaust device connected to the chimney is provided for the suction of cleaning residues, whereby the resulting cleaning residues can be removed from the chimney in a particularly simple and clean manner.

The invention is also an exhaust system, in particular for solid fuel, with a fireplace and a cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1-14.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer auf einem Kamin angebrachten Reinigungsvorrichtung mit ausgefahrener Reinigungseinheit.

Fig. 2

die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Reinigungsvorrichtung mit eingefahrener Reinigungseinheit.

Fig. 3

eine Abgasanlage mit einem Verbrennungsofen, einem Kamin und einer auf dem Kamin angebrachten Reinigungsvorrichtung, bei der die Reinigungseinheit zu Beginn des Ausfahrvorgangs ist.

Fig. 4

die in Fig. 3 gezeigte Abgasanlage mit ausgefahrener, in dem Kamin befindlicher Reinigungseinheit.

Fig. 5

den im Kreis V in Fig. 4 dargestellten Teilbereich vergrößert.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a mounted on a chimney cleaning device with extended cleaning unit.

Fig. 2

in the Fig. 1 shown cleaning device with retracted cleaning unit.

Fig. 3

an exhaust system with a combustion furnace, a chimney and a cleaning device mounted on the chimney, where the cleaning unit is at the beginning of the extension process.

Fig. 4

in the Fig. 3 shown exhaust system with extended, located in the chimney cleaning unit.

Fig. 5

in the circle V in Fig. 4 shown partial area enlarged.

Fig. 1 FIG. 10 illustrates a cleaning device, generally designated 10, which is mounted on a chimney or chimney 12 at the upper exhaust exit end 14 thereof. The cleaning device is accommodated in a housing 16, which comprises a housing chamber 18 and is seated on the chimney closure 20. In the housing chamber 18, a control device 22, a drive device 24 and an accumulator device 26 are added. The drive device 24 comprises an electric motor 28 and a winch 30, on which a cable 32 is wound, wherein a cleaning unit 34 designed as a brush is fastened to the cable 32. As a result, the cable 32 can be wound up and unwound by rotation of the cable winch 30, whereby the brush 34 can be moved in the chimney 12 for cleaning purposes within the chimney. In order to ensure a uniform downward movement of the brush 34, a weight 36 is additionally attached to the brush, whereby the rope 32 remains taut during the entire cleaning process. For monitoring the cable tension, a control device 38 designed as a pressure sensor is additionally provided on the cable winch. As an autonomous power supply device 40 here a photovoltaic system is mounted above the housing 16, which is adapted to charge the accumulator 26, so that for cleaning the chimney 12 always enough energy is available, regardless of, for example, the lighting conditions.

In the chimney closure 20, a bottom opening 44 is provided, which on the one hand allows the entry of the brush 34 into the chimney 12 and on the other hand allowed in the firing operation, the exit of exhaust gases from the chimney 12, which are then passed through provided in side panels 46 outlet openings 48 to the outside. In order to monitor the firing state of the furnace, 20 sensor devices 50, which are designed here as temperature sensors, are provided in the chimney closure. This can be signaled on the basis of a measured increase in temperature in the chimney closure 20 of the sensor device to refrain the initiation of a cleaning process in the firing operation. Sensors indicating the firing state of the firing system connected to the fireplace can also be provided elsewhere in the exhaust path or the furnace.

In the intermediate wall 52 between the chimney closure 20 and the housing chamber 18, an intermediate opening 54 is provided for the passage of the brush 34.

The housing 16 further comprises a hood-shaped closure device 56, which can be moved by entrainment by the brush 34. For a precise guidance of the closure device 56 along the rope 32, a corresponding passage 58 is provided in the upper region of the closure device 56. The closure device 56 is positioned at the beginning of a cleaning operation by the extending brush 34 above the bottom opening 44. This is to prevent swirling cleaning residues penetrate into the chimney closure 20 during the cleaning process.

After completion of the cleaning operation, the closure device 56 is taken by the retracting brush 34 in the direction of the upper housing chamber 18, whereby the bottom opening 44 is released again. In the fully retracted position of the brush 34, the hood-shaped closure device 56 partially penetrates into the upper housing chamber 18.

The cleaning device with fully retracted brush 34 is in Fig. 2 shown. By means of the cap-shaped closure device 56, it is possible to accommodate the brush 34 in the upper housing chamber 18, but nevertheless separate from the components of the cleaning device 10 permanently installed there, such as the control device 22 or the drive device 24. This is to prevent that still adhering to the brush 34 cleaning residues come into contact with other components of the cleaning device 10, whereby their functionality could be impaired. Furthermore, by the hood-shaped closure device 56 and the brush 34 at least partially protected from external environmental influences or exiting exhaust gases 60.

In the Fig. 2 Through the shared bottom opening 44 can now exhaust gases 60 from the chimney 12 via the chimney closure 20 and the outlet openings 48 provided thereon reach the outside, here with the intermediate opening 54 occluding Closure device 56 is prevented that exhaust gases 60 can penetrate into the housing chamber 18.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an exhaust system 61 comprising a combustion furnace 62 which is connected via a furnace pipe 64 with a chimney 12. To capture the resulting during combustion fine soot particles (fine dust) is in the furnace tube, a separation device 66, which can bind fine soot particles, for example by electrical charging provided. At the upper exhaust gas outlet end of the chimney 12 is a cleaning device 10 according to the invention with a located at the beginning of the extension process in the chimney cap 20 brush 34, wherein released by entrainment of the closure device 56 in the phase of the extension process shown here, both the intermediate opening 54 and the bottom opening 44 are. For collecting cleaning residues resulting from the cleaning, a suction device 68 is provided in the lower area of the chimney 12.

Fig. 4 shows the exhaust system Fig. 3 with extended, located within the chimney 12 brush 34, such as during a cleaning process. In this case, a high rope tension is achieved by the attached to the brush 34 weight 36, wherein the rope tension by means of the in Fig. 5 enlarged control device 38 is monitored. The control device 38 is configured here as a pressure sensor, which is attached to a cable winch shaft end 70 and essentially comprises a spring 72 and a probe 74. Leaves the cleaning operation in the Rope tension due to an existing obstacle in the fireplace, the spring changes the position of the cable winch shaft end 70, which is registered by the probe 74. In this way, the control unit 22 can be signaled to end the extension of the brush 34, for example, to prevent jamming of the brush 34. The control device 38 can also be used for automatic calibration of the chimney height.

In the illustrated embodiments, the cleaning device 10 is mounted on top of the chimney 12. According to variants of the invention, not shown, components 24, 28, 30, etc. of the cleaning device according to the invention may also be provided elsewhere, such as laterally outside the chimney, the cable 32 is guided over a guide roller or the like. Such a solution may be due to optical reasons or for reasons of space requirements for another device on the fireplace, z. As Rauchabsaugvorrichtung, be interesting.

Claims (13)

Cleaning device (10) for fireplaces with a cleaning unit (34) which is movable within a chimney (12), a drive device (24) and a control device (22) which is adapted to control the movement of the cleaning unit (34) within the chimney (12). by means of the drive device (24), wherein a housing (16) for receiving at least the drive device (24) is provided on the chimney at its upper exhaust exit end (14), the housing (16) having a closure device (56),
characterized,
that the closing device (56) is eingerichet to receive the cleaning unit (34) separately from the other components of the cleaning device (10) within the housing (16). Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the control device (22) is designed to automatically control the movement of the cleaning unit (34) within the chimney (12) in accordance with predetermined or determined parameters. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one sensor means (50) is provided which is adapted to provide relevant parameters to the control means (22) for controlling the movement of the cleaning unit (34) within the chimney (12). Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device (24) comprises a motor (28) and a device which can be extended by the motor (28) along the chimney (12) and which is adapted to move the cleaning unit (34) inside the chimney (34). 12) to move. Cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the extendable device comprises a cable (32) guiding the cleaning unit (34) and wound on a cable winch (30), the cable winch (30) being used for winding and unwinding the cable (32) by means of the motor ( 28) is rotatable. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a control device (38) for monitoring the cleaning unit (34) is provided for disturbances in their movement sequence. Cleaning device according to claim 5 and 6, wherein the control device (38) is adapted to monitor the cable tension. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an autonomous, in particular photovoltaic energy supply device (26, 40) is provided, which is adapted to supply the control device (22) and / or the drive device (24) with energy. Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the closure device (56) is adapted to close the upper flue outlet end (14) of the chimney (12) during a cleaning operation. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 9, wherein the closure device (56) of the cleaning unit (34) is actuated. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a container device is provided for receiving cleaning residues. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a suction device (68) connected to the chimney (12) is provided for the suction of cleaning residues. Exhaust system (61), in particular for solid fuel stoves (62), with a chimney (12) and a cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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