EP2884065A1 - Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé - Google Patents

Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2884065A1
EP2884065A1 EP13196680.6A EP13196680A EP2884065A1 EP 2884065 A1 EP2884065 A1 EP 2884065A1 EP 13196680 A EP13196680 A EP 13196680A EP 2884065 A1 EP2884065 A1 EP 2884065A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning
filter
quality
article
gas
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP13196680.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2884065B1 (fr
Inventor
Hanspeter Mayer
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.)
Hirtenberger Holding GmbH
Original Assignee
Hirtenberger AG
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 Hirtenberger AG filed Critical Hirtenberger AG
Priority to EP13196680.6A priority Critical patent/EP2884065B1/fr
Publication of EP2884065A1 publication Critical patent/EP2884065A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2884065B1 publication Critical patent/EP2884065B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/02—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust
    • F01N3/021—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters
    • F01N3/023—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles
    • F01N3/0233—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles periodically cleaning filter by blowing a gas through the filter in a direction opposite to exhaust flow, e.g. exposing filter to engine air intake
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N3/00—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust
    • F01N3/02—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust
    • F01N3/021—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters
    • F01N3/023—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles
    • F01N3/0237—Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles for regenerating ex situ
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2550/00—Monitoring or diagnosing the deterioration of exhaust systems
    • F01N2550/02—Catalytic activity of catalytic converters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01N—GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01N2550/00—Monitoring or diagnosing the deterioration of exhaust systems
    • F01N2550/04—Filtering activity of particulate filters

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the automated reprocessing of a contaminated object such as a filter or a catalyst, which can be traversed by a gas, in particular a particle filter or catalyst used in an exhaust tract of a motor vehicle, wherein the object is cleaned in an automated process.
  • the invention relates to a device for automated reprocessing of a contaminated object such as a filter or a catalyst which can be traversed by a gas, in particular a particulate filter or catalyst used in an exhaust tract of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one cleaning device and at least one diagnostic device with which a Quality of the object is measurable, are provided.
  • a contaminated object such as a filter or a catalyst which can be traversed by a gas, in particular a particulate filter or catalyst used in an exhaust tract of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one cleaning device and at least one diagnostic device with which a Quality of the object is measurable, are provided.
  • the prior art has disclosed methods and apparatus for recycling filters and catalysts.
  • a disadvantage of prior art methods and apparatus is a high expense in a reprocessing and reintegration process from removing contaminated filters to reuse in a vehicle, where cleaning quality may vary.
  • the object of the invention is therefore to provide a method of the type mentioned, with which contaminated items such as filters or catalysts can be reprocessed with a high degree of automation, low staff work and a low error rate and prepared for reuse.
  • the first object is achieved according to the invention by measuring a quality of the article in a method of the type mentioned above or during a cleaning, after which the article is classified by comparison of the measured quality with at least one reference value for further use after the reprocessing.
  • the quality of the article may include one or more qualitatively or quantitatively measured values or different forms of quality.
  • Advantageous forms of the quality or shapes of a state of the article which are used for classification and preferably also for process control, in particular a degree of purification, a weight, a back pressure, a catalytic reactivity of a coating, a particle retention, mechanical stability of a Substrate in a Canning, a freedom from damage, a cell depth, the presence of certain substances such as fuel or oil, measured main dimensions, dimensions of a sealing seat and the like. Measurements corresponding to these individual forms of quality are also used for classification. For classification, for example, a subdivision into new, usable for lower requirements and unusable filter or catalysts can be carried out. Likewise, a subdivision is possible according to an exhaust gas standard achievable with the filter or catalytic converter.
  • a quality is also measured during cleaning and used to control the cleaning process. This ensures efficient cleaning because, for example, the cleaning can be stopped exactly when no further improvement in quality can be achieved despite further purification or no further cleaning success occurs.
  • a cleaning is usually carried out until a termination criterion is reached.
  • An abort criterion may be reaching a predetermined degree of purification, detecting a defective condition such that the item is not recyclable, or detecting impermissible contamination in the filter or catalyst.
  • a measured quality or a measured change in quality triggers a change in a cleaning strategy, for example, a change from a mechanical cleaning device to a thermal cleaning device.
  • a process control is provided, which is designed as a closed loop.
  • optimizations for future cleaning processes of similar objects are derived from measured data, so that process control is also self-learning.
  • measured quality-related data allow a projected process end to be calculated by extrapolating a cleaning gradient.
  • it can be determined when a change of a cleaning parameter or a change of a cleaning medium is required.
  • a quality can also be determined indirectly from measured data, for example by calculating a quality.
  • a quality of partial areas of the object is determined.
  • the process of the invention is preferably used in the purification of wall-flow filters or wall-flow filters or similarly constructed honeycomb catalysts are used.
  • Such filters and catalysts have a plurality of channels which may be contaminated in different ways.
  • a cleaning can be done in a variety of ways.
  • the object can be cleaned, for example, thermally and / or mechanically, in particular pneumatically or hydraulically.
  • the object is cleaned with a gaseous medium, in particular compressed air, preferably with an overpressure of 0.5 bar to 20 bar, advantageously 4 bar to 10 bar.
  • a gaseous medium in particular compressed air
  • cleaning with compressed air is a first cleaning step to clean the article of coarse contaminants, such as mechanically removable ash deposits.
  • the compressed air is usually used at room temperature.
  • a high pressure of the compressed air is converted by a nozzle, from which the air exits at high speed, into a high momentum of the air.
  • the cleaning is then carried out by moving at a suitable speed air.
  • the nozzle can also be designed as a Laval nozzle, so that a supersonic speed can be achieved.
  • the compressed air can also be applied pulsed with changing pressure or changing speed, preferably at a pulse frequency of 1 Hz to 200 Hz. It can be used to achieve be provided a particularly good cleaning effect that a pressure surge is applied to the air at each pulse, which accelerates the air as in a pulsed engine to supersonic speed. A cleaning success can be done in this cleaning step by measuring a quality, for example by measuring a back pressure or by measuring a volume flow transported through the filter or catalyst. Instead of air, of course, another usually gaseous medium such as carbon monoxide or nitrogen can be used for cleaning.
  • a temperature of the compressed air or a cleaning air stream can be varied as desired or in discrete steps from 0 ° C to 800 ° C. It can further be provided that a volumetric flow of compressed air is infinitely variable or can be set in discrete steps from 1 dm 3 / min to 10,000 dm 3 / min or 10 dm 3 / min to 80000 dm 3 / min in the standard state of compressed air.
  • aerosols consisting of at least one gas and one or more liquids, dry or wet steam, liquids such as aqueous solutions on an alkaline or acidic basis or concentrated solvents such as sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide solution or the like can be used for cleaning as a cleaning medium. It is also possible to use several cleaning media at the same time.
  • the cleaning medium is applied through a nozzle on the object, through which also compressed air can be applied.
  • a cleaning with a variable volume flow in particular with a volume flow of less than 10,000 dm 3 / min, preferably less than 5000 dm 3 / min, takes place.
  • This can be accomplished by changing a pressure of a medium to which the article is exposed, usually air. It has been found that this achieves a particularly gentle cleaning of the article, because through the use of a pressurized fluid, usually a gas, no mechanical damage occurs. At the same time a good cleaning success is achieved.
  • the cleaning is carried out at a pressure of 7.5 bar to 10 bar, which is converted over a high speed into a corresponding pulse, and a volume flow of more than 3500 dm 3 / min.
  • the cleaning takes place with a pulsed volume flow, preferably at a pulse frequency of less than 200 Hz, preferably less than 100 Hz, in particular 0.5 Hz to 50 Hz.
  • a thermal cleaning takes place by applying the object with a hot gas at a temperature of 200 ° C to 700 ° C. This causes soot residues in the filter to ignite in a controlled manner and burn off.
  • oxygen or air can be controlled fed or throttled as an oxidation aid.
  • nitrogen or carbon dioxide can be deliberately introduced as an oxidation brake in order to control and regulate the temperature during the thermal cleaning.
  • a volume flow of less than 1000 dm 3 / min is selected at an overpressure of 500 mbar in order to achieve a good cleaning result. Even with a cleaning of the article with a hot gas, a quality can be measured by measuring the backpressure of the filter.
  • the article is loaded with a gas containing particles and a number of particles passing through the article are measured to determine a shape of the quality by means of a particle sensor downstream of the article in the flow direction.
  • a form of a quality of the filter can be determined in a simple manner, which is also called particle retention capacity and indicates a physical function of the filter. Also this form of quality can be used to classify the cleaned object.
  • a catalytic reactivity is determined to assess the quality of the article, wherein the catalytic reactivity in particular by subjecting the article with a test gas, preferably carbon monoxide, methane gas, nitrogen monoxide or propane gas, and measuring converted gases such as hydrocarbons or nitrogen dioxide at one of the object in a flow direction determined downstream position. Furthermore, soot can also be measured. This allows a particularly accurate statement about a chemical function of the catalyst, and thus a statement about more Uses of the same. In addition, a statement about achievable exhaust emission limits when used in a vehicle can be given.
  • a test gas preferably carbon monoxide, methane gas, nitrogen monoxide or propane gas
  • a particularly accurate analysis of the catalytic converter with regard to achievable exhaust gas limit values when used in a vehicle is possible if a test gas corresponding to an exhaust gas of a diesel engine is used. This simulates a deployment in a vehicle.
  • a test gas corresponding to an exhaust gas of a diesel engine is used for a test of the function of the article.
  • an amount of exhaust gas at a similar temperature and speed to a diesel engine is used for a test of the function of the article.
  • such a test is carried out sectionally with a diesel engine corresponding exhaust gas, wherein only a portion of the article is subjected to the test gas.
  • the object is exposed to a test gas and optionally to a cleaning gas in a flow direction, which is opposite to a flow direction in which the object is exposed to exhaust gases in a mounting situation in a vehicle.
  • the measurement of converted gases is of course carried out on a downstream position of the object in the flow direction in which the test gas is applied. Because the exposure to the test gas and the cleaning gas takes place counter to the direction of flow, in which the object is exposed to exhaust gas during installation in a vehicle, a discharge of dirt present in the object takes place during testing and cleaning. This is advantageously separated via a dust filter from the test gas or the cleaning gas and transported into a collection container.
  • test gas at a temperature of 0 ° C to 1000 ° C, in particular 10 ° C to 600 ° C, is passed into the article.
  • a test gas is used at a temperature of more than 200 ° C.
  • the catalytic reactivity or a conversion rate in various operating states of a catalytic coating-coated article such as a catalyst or a correspondingly coated wall-flow filter is easily determined, so that a precise classification for a further Use and / or a derivative of another cleaning strategy can be done.
  • a light-off curve can be determined, which indicates a profile of a chemical conversion rate of a gas or gas component above a gas temperature.
  • a statement can be made about a 50% light-off point of the item.
  • this can be used to determine a profile of a chemical conversion rate of a gas or of a gas component over a temperature and / or over a time at constant temperature.
  • a so-called balance point can be determined, in which there is an equilibrium between a formed exhaust gas constituent or soot and a chemical conversion to a reaction product at certain ambient conditions, in particular a certain exhaust gas temperature.
  • a measurement of the catalytic reactivity is usually carried out by a process air is heated to about 400 ° C, after which the object is heated with the process air to about 300 ° C. Subsequently, the test gas is heated and added to the process air, wherein a resulting gas mixture has a temperature of about 300 ° C in front of the object.
  • a hydrocarbon concentration in the flow direction behind and, if necessary, in front of the object, temperature in front of and behind the object, pressure loss over the object and particle quantity are measured.
  • a test gas of 0.1 kg / h is increased to about 1 kg / h.
  • a test gas quantity which corresponds to an exhaust gas quantity occurring in a real engine in the respective subarea. If the object is measured in a full flow, it is advantageous to use a test gas quantity which corresponds to an amount of exhaust gas applied to the object in a vehicle in order to be able to infer the behavior of the object in the vehicle. Because the chemical reactivity also depends on a space velocity, ie a ratio of a volume flow transported through the catalyst to a volume of the catalyst, it is also possible to determine a chemical reactivity as a function of the space velocity in order to assess the quality. For this purpose, the object is exposed to a test gas at different speeds.
  • mass, number or degree of blackening are usually measured.
  • an ash or a filtrate itself is analyzed, for example, by means of spectral analysis, neutron microtomography and / or with respect to a natural vibration behavior, an acoustic damping behavior and the like in order to determine a function of the object with particular accuracy.
  • a device is used with which the test gas can be selectively introduced into different subregions of the object, so that the catalytic reactivity can be determined for individual subregions.
  • the temperature is incrementally increased and the measurement is made again to obtain another higher temperature measurement point. This is repeated until the article has been measured for a desired temperature range.
  • a type of contamination of the object is measured by means of a sensor, in particular a hydrocarbon sensor.
  • the cleaning strategy can be adapted accordingly. If, for example, fuel or engine oil is detected, the process can be changed by the process control so that these substances do not endanger persons or equipment.
  • due to the determined contamination can be concluded on a fault in the vehicle in which the filter or catalyst was installed for exhaust gas purification, so that this measurement can also be used for error analysis of the vehicle. For example, due to the presence of engine oil in the filter, damage to a turbocharger of the vehicle may be inferred.
  • a sensor with which nitrogen oxides, nitrogen monoxide and / or nitrogen dioxide can be measured a lambda probe or the like can furthermore be provided. Further, in particular a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a volumetric flow sensor may be provided to obtain a particularly accurate measurement result.
  • a geometry of the object is determined. This is usually done before cleaning the article. As part of a quality test can then be determined how large geometric deviations of the object from a desired state, so that, for example, a mechanically severely damaged filter or catalyst can be eliminated automatically at the beginning. In this way, an unnecessary cleaning effort is avoided.
  • the geometry can also be used for process control and certification as a form of quality.
  • a measurement of the quality of the object takes place by analyzing an image of the object produced by a camera, in particular a digital camera. This can be used on the one hand to detect mechanical damage and thus to control the cleaning process.
  • a complete documentation of the reprocessing process is possible if an optical appearance of the object is recorded at the beginning, at several points in time during the process and after its completion.
  • a quality is measured by measuring a weight of the article.
  • an ash charge of the article can be easily determined by comparing a weight of the contaminated article with a weight of a new article.
  • the weight of the article may also be measured continuously during cleaning with a cleaning medium such as compressed air or a hot gas. Because an additional force resulting from the pressure with which the cleaning medium is applied to the article would falsify the measurement result, it is favorable if a measurement signal of a balance or the like is statistically processed over time and, in particular, smoothed, so that the measured value is simply this additional power can be corrected.
  • an uninterrupted closed loop process or a closed loop is possible, with a detection of the cleaning success occurs simultaneously with the cleaning.
  • a measurement of the quality is carried out by a fully automatic measurement of a sealing seat of a filter substrate compressed in a canning of the object.
  • a bearing mat is provided between the canning and the substrate to ensure a tight fit, which is checked.
  • a detection of this form of quality is beneficial to eliminate appropriate damage and to ensure proper functioning.
  • this form of quality is measured after completion of the cleaning process before the article is sent for further use.
  • a measurement of the sealing seat can be determined by applying the object with a test gas and measuring leakage gases, optically or by mechanical test methods.
  • All of the above-mentioned forms of the quality of the article can be determined individually or simultaneously, before, during or after the cleaning process in order to regulate the process and finally classify the article. It is advantageous if, prior to a first cleaning, a classification of the object takes place on the basis of a measured quality and, depending on this classification, a cleaning strategy for the object is selected.
  • the article may also be treated with another cleaning method. For example, sand grain blasting, granular blasting, especially plastic granular blasting, dry ice blasting, vibratory grinding or tumbling, brushing or the like.
  • a high logistical utilization of a plant on which the process is implemented can be achieved if contaminated objects are removed from a buffer store and cleaned objects are transported to a buffer store. At the same time, cleaned items are always available in the respective warehouses, so that for customers who deliver contaminated items and pick up remanufactured items, there are always remanufactured items for further use.
  • a movement of the objects or a storage in the buffer storage and removal from the buffer storage can be done automatically, for example by a robot or manually.
  • a high process reliability of the process is achieved if the article is packaged in a single package after completion of the reprocessing process. Thereby, on the one hand, contamination of the article after completing the reprocessing process can be easily prevented. On the other hand, it can be ensured that the article can remain in a package until it is used for further use, for example, until the article is re-installed in a vehicle.
  • a particularly environmentally friendly process is achieved when a fully recyclable single packaging is used.
  • the individual packaging is used as a circulation packaging.
  • contaminated objects are usually delivered in the same reusable individual packaging in which recycled articles are sent for further use.
  • the individual packaging is used as a one-time packaging in order to reduce logistics costs.
  • the further object is achieved in that in a device of the type mentioned a classification device is provided, by means of which the object can be classified by comparing the measured quality with at least one reference value for further use after reprocessing.
  • the classification device may comprise a data processing system which is connected to the diagnostic device and in which objects may be stored digitally. In the classification, measured data concerning the quality is compared with corresponding reference data, after which the object is preferably assigned a class in a database. It can also be provided a labeling device to label a classified object accordingly.
  • a mechanical cleaning device and / or a thermal cleaning device are provided for cleaning the object, with which in particular individual portions of the article can be cleaned separately and in successive steps.
  • individual channels of a filter or a catalyst can be cleaned in a time-optimized manner.
  • the filter is usually arranged on a gas- and / or translucent base, so that introduced at an opposite end test and diagnostic media can emerge again.
  • the thermal cleaning device for cleaning the article with a hot gas having a temperature of more than 100 ° C, in particular 250 ° C to 650 ° C is formed. It can also be determined during cleaning with a hot gas, a quality of the object by measuring a back pressure of the object and a volume flow of the hot gas is increased until a back pressure of 0.001 bar to 1 bar sets. With increasing degree of purification, a higher volume flow is required to achieve a corresponding back pressure, so that the quality can be determined by the volume flow.
  • a scale is provided for measuring a weight of the article during a cleaning.
  • This can be arranged, for example, in a housing in which the cleaning takes place, such that during a cleaning a weight measurement, and thus a measurement of the degree of cleaning, is possible.
  • a device for detecting geometric properties such as height or diameter of the object.
  • a 3D scanner or a digital camera can be provided in order to measure the geometry of the object with particular accuracy.
  • a device for detecting a catalytic reactivity of the object comprises a device for acting on the object with a test gas such as carbon monoxide or propane gas, in particular at different temperatures, and a sensor with which converted gases such as hydrocarbons or nitrogen dioxide are measurable.
  • a test gas such as carbon monoxide or propane gas
  • a sensor with which converted gases such as hydrocarbons or nitrogen dioxide are measurable.
  • Sensors may be provided to detect burned soot and / or burnt liquid hydrocarbons.
  • the device may be formed in one piece or in several parts in order to place the sensor at a position downstream of the object in the flow direction.
  • This device usually has a probe, with which the test gas can be fed to the article, which is usually designed as a catalyst.
  • the probe may include a gas sensor and / or a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature rise due to a chemical reaction.
  • a volumetric flow sensor and / or a pressure sensor may be provided in the probe to detect an increase in volume due to a chemical reaction.
  • an elastomer seal or a resilient seal made of a solid, for example, a metal ring with an elastic contour, a fiber material such as ceramic fiber, rock wool, asbestos or the like is provided, which with a force of preferably 20 N to 70 N approximately orthogonally placed on the one surface of the article to introduce the test gas into the article.
  • a force with which the seal is pressed onto a surface of the object results from a contact surface of the seal with the catalyst and an internal pressure due to a pressurized gas, so also a pulsating pressure in the device no lifting of the test probe or the device from the object takes place.
  • a contact pressure in a circular seal is about 50 N to 100 N.
  • the probe is normally formed with a smaller cross-section than the object, so that it can be attached to different parts of the article and thus a catalytic reactivity can be measured for different parts.
  • All facilities for detecting a quality can be implemented individually or as a combined device. It has proved to be advantageous if the device for measuring one or more forms of quality combined with a cleaning device is designed as an integrated cleaning and diagnostic device in order to carry out a corresponding cleaning directly depending on the measured quality.
  • the device has a device on which the object can be moved along a conveying direction. It is favorable if this is a Rotary indexing machine or a station operation is provided in a linear sequence, with which an object can be transported from a thermal cleaning to a mechanical cleaning.
  • a Rotary indexing machine or a station operation is provided in a linear sequence, with which an object can be transported from a thermal cleaning to a mechanical cleaning.
  • one or more articles may be rotated on a rotatable rotary table about an axis of rotation to transport an article from delivery to a mechanical cleaning station in which mechanical cleaning occurs and to a thermal cleaning station in which thermal cleaning he follows.
  • a mechanical cleaning may optionally be carried out following a thermal cleaning.
  • a simple change of a cleaning strategy depending on the measured cleaning success is possible.
  • a quality check, a data acquisition, a functional test as well as a classification can be carried out if appropriate facilities are provided and preferably connected to a data processing system.
  • all processes such as cleaning and testing can be carried out with a wide variety of media in each station. Because a process time is variable and depending on a degree of contamination as well as a state of the object, thereby a high system utilization and a high throughput rate can be achieved.
  • the device can also be designed as a linearly linked system group.
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a process diagram of a method according to the invention for the recycling of a contaminated object such as a filter 26 or a catalyst.
  • a reprocessing of a contaminated, catalytic-coated filter 26, which is dismantled from a vehicle As in Fig. 1 can be seen, the filter 26 is subjected to a delivery 1 an entrance inspection 2, which is examined by measuring a quality, whether the filter 26 can be fed to a reprocessing or can not be reprocessed, for example, due to mechanical damage.
  • the filter 26 is transported to a buffer store or directly to a delivery zone, in which the filter 26 is preferably automatically identified and forwarded to an unpacking station 4. Data from the filter 26 is fed into an ERP system so that full traceability is provided. For example, if the filter 26 is not recyclable due to excessive damage, it will be transported to a return 3 or to a disposal so that a reconditioning of a damaged filter 26 is avoided. Usually, a PLC control is used to automate the process.
  • the filter 26 is separated from a package which may be cleaned and reused or disposed of. If the packaging is reused, this is a packaging logistics 5 fed. Otherwise, the packaging is transported to a packaging disposal 6. In order to prevent pollution of an environment, the unpacking station 4 is vented, wherein an exhaust air is filtered in a dust separator 34.
  • a camera or a preferably mechanical 3D geometry detection can be provided.
  • the filter 26 is analyzed in a quality inspection 8, wherein various forms of a quality of the filter 26 are determined.
  • a quality inspection 8 it may be provided, inter alia, that mechanical damage, a weight of the filter 26, contaminations, a material of a substrate, a catalytic coating, a flow resistance to a fluid flowing through the filter 26 and / or a catalytic reactivity be measured.
  • This reworking process 9 may include, for example, disassembling a housing, removing screws or sandblasting the filter 26. Furthermore, within the framework of the quality test 8 or during the reworking process 9, it may also turn out that the filter 26 can not be reprocessed because it is too heavily damaged. In this case, the filter 26 is discharged from the reprocessing process and fed to a waste disposal 10.
  • Filters 26, which may be ready for cleaning, optionally after a reworking process 9, are supplied for cleaning in a next step.
  • the cleaning is preferably carried out taking into account the data determined in the context of the quality inspection 8, so that an optimal cleaning strategy is selected depending on the respective contamination or a measured quality in a closed control loop.
  • the system is adapted to learn, so that on the basis of measurement results of similar filters 26 is closed with appropriate cleaning process on an optimal cleaning strategy.
  • the filter 26 is supplied in a first step of a mechanical cleaning 11, in which it is cleaned manually or automatically with a fluid with or without solid constituents.
  • a mechanical cleaning 11 in which it is cleaned manually or automatically with a fluid with or without solid constituents.
  • This can be, for example, a wire grain blasting, a sand blasting or a granular blasting.
  • the substrate is cleaned on one end face, compressed air having a pressure of less than 10 bar being preferably used in order to free the filter 26 from impurities.
  • compressed air having a pressure of less than 10 bar being preferably used in order to free the filter 26 from impurities.
  • a pulsating compressed air in particular at a pulse frequency of 0.5 Hz to 50 Hz and / or compressed air with a variable volume flow are used to achieve a particularly good cleaning. It is favorable if a quality measurement takes place during the cleaning, so that a cleaning success is continuously traceable.
  • a regular interruption of the compressed air cleaning can take place, wherein a pressure loss via the filter 26 is determined during pauses between compressed air cleaning phases.
  • a weight of the filter 26 can also be measured continuously.
  • a mechanical cleaning device 24 is used, which is designed as a cleaning and diagnostic device, so that with the same object on the one hand can be cleaned by means of compressed air and on the other hand, a pressure drop over the object can be measured simultaneously.
  • cleaning and diagnosis of the filter 26 are performed separately for individual subregions of the filter 26, so that individual subregions or channels can be specifically cleaned depending on an impurity level or a measured pressure loss thereof.
  • a thermal cleaning 12 wherein the filter 26 is cleaned by means of a hot gas.
  • a change from the mechanical cleaning 11 to the thermal cleaning 12, is advantageously carried out when no further cleaning success can be achieved by the mechanical cleaning 11.
  • a thermal cleaning 12 by means of a hot gas in the filter 26 located soot is burned.
  • a catalytic reactivity of the catalyst is preferably measured.
  • the catalyst is normally subjected to a test gas such as carbon monoxide or propane gas and measured by means of a sensor arranged in the flow direction behind the filter 26, a conversion rate.
  • the conversion rate is usually determined by measuring converted gases such as hydrocarbons or nitrogen dioxide.
  • the test gas is usually fed to the catalyst at different temperatures of 100 ° C to 1000 ° C, so that by measuring the conversion rate at the corresponding temperatures Statement about the behavior of a catalyst can be made in an exhaust tract of a vehicle.
  • the filter 26 can be re-supplied to a mechanical cleaning 11 after a thermal cleaning 12. It may also be alternatively or additionally provided that the filter 26 is cleaned with electromagnetic waves, by impacts on the substrate, vibrations, brushes or needles penetrating into cells. Further, a sandblasting process 13 or a cleaning process may be provided wherein solvents are used to dissolve substances with which the filter 26 is contaminated.
  • a cleaning of the filter 26 is terminated by a process control, if an abort criterion is met.
  • a termination criterion may be that a predetermined degree of purification is achieved, that a defective condition of the filter 26 is detected, that further purification does not result in any further cleaning success, or that unacceptable contaminants such as oil or fuel are discovered, which constitute a safety risk for the cleaning process ,
  • a functional test 14 in which various forms of the quality of the filter 26 are measured.
  • the chemical and physical effectiveness of the filter 26 are checked.
  • a permeability of the filter 26 with respect to gases and dusts and a presence of soot in the substrate are measured.
  • a permeability is usually measured by pressurizing the filter 26 with a particle-containing gas and detecting particles at a position downstream of the filter 26.
  • the presence of soot in the filter 26 can be measured by electromagnetic waves or by probing a cell depth.
  • a flow resistance of the filter 26 to a fluid under certain conditions, a chemical reactivity, a homogeneity, the weight of the filter 26, a tightness of mechanical connections and the like can be measured and for a Quality assessment.
  • the filter 26 is supplied either to a special process 15 for quality improvement or directly to a documentation.
  • the special process 15 usually includes further purification steps.
  • the filter 26 can be supplied to a sandblasting process 13 on the basis of the data determined during the functional test 14. After completion of the special process 15, a functional test 14 is again carried out until the filter 26 fulfills defined criteria regarding a quality to be achieved or no further quality improvement can be achieved.
  • the filter 26 can be fed to the mechanical cleaning 11 and / or the thermal cleaning 12 again after the functional test 14. If a desired state can not be achieved, the filter 26 of the waste disposal 10 is supplied.
  • the filter 26 is supplied to a documentation in which the data relating to the filter 26 are stored, in particular measured forms of the quality. This can be done in the same facility in which the functional test 14 is performed, however, data obtained is stored permanently. In this case, an estimated service life of the filter 26 can be stored in a system until a new cleaning. Usually, a state of the filter 26 is detected here also by means of a camera, wherein images are also stored in the system.
  • a sub-process of the documentation may also include a labeling of the filter 26, wherein, for example, a caption by means of color on a Canning of the filter 26 can take place.
  • the filter 26 is classified by comparing a measured quality with at least one reference value and correspondingly certified upon reaching corresponding quality criteria. Normally, a quality of the filter 26 is thereby automatically confirmed in a document or electronically and stored, in particular a classification as new.
  • This document may also constitute a guarantee certificate with which a vehicle manufacturer can, for example, extend an extension of a guarantee of a filter function to customers.
  • the filter 26 is fed to a packaging process 17 in which the filter 26 is preferably packaged in a single package to avoid contamination during transport. Subsequently, the filter 26 is transported to a dispatch 18 for reprocessed filters 26, from which it can be retrieved and supplied for further use according to the classification.
  • Fig. 2 to 4 show an apparatus for performing a method as described above.
  • the device comprises a rotary indexing machine 20, wherein a rotatable about an axis of rotation 31 rotary indexing table 21 is provided, on which the filters 26 or catalysts can be arranged.
  • the filter 26 is movable in the illustrated device between four stations 23, 30, 35, 36, which are advantageously arranged in a closable housing to prevent contamination of an environment.
  • the individual stations 23, 30, 35, 36 can also be arranged in separate housings.
  • a filter 26 removed from a vehicle For cleaning a filter 26 removed from a vehicle, it is positioned after delivery 1 in a first station 35 on the rotary indexing table 21 and optionally fixed. In this case, the filter 26 is usually positioned such that channels of the filter 26 are aligned in the vertical direction.
  • a lifting device 22 is provided with which the filter 26 can be lifted with little effort and prepared for cleaning.
  • the filter 26 positioned at the rotary indexing table 21 is transported to a mechanical cleaning station 36, in which a mechanical cleaning 11 takes place by means of compressed air, as described above.
  • a mechanical cleaning device 24 is provided, which is movable in the horizontal and vertical directions, so that it can be brought to any position of the filter 26 in order to purify individual sections targeted.
  • the compressed air is the mechanical cleaning station 36 as shown, usually supplied by a compressed air line 28.
  • the filter 26 is transported to a thermal cleaning station 23, in which a thermal cleaning 12 by means of a hot gas at a temperature of preferably more than 650 ° C takes place, which is also a movable in several directions thermal cleaning device 25 is supplied through a hot gas line 29.
  • a treatment of the hot gas is advantageously carried out by means of a heat exchanger, in particular a waste heat is used.
  • the mechanical cleaning device 24 and the thermal cleaning device 25 are designed as integrated cleaning and diagnostic devices, so that both a cleaning performed as well as one or more forms of quality can be measured with the same.
  • diagnostic devices may also be arranged in or on the rotary indexing table 21 in order to determine, for example, a flow or, for measuring a catalytic reactivity, a hydrocarbon concentration in a gas which has passed through the filter 26.
  • a test gas line is generally provided in order to pressurize the filter 26 with a test gas such as carbon monoxide or propane gas.
  • a test gas such as carbon monoxide or propane gas.
  • This can be integrated into the mechanical cleaning device 24 and / or the thermal cleaning device 25.
  • the thermal cleaning device 25 is then designed, for example, for dispensing both a hot gas and for dispensing the test gas in order to be able to perform a rapid change from a thermal cleaning 12 to a quality test 8 or to a functional test 14.
  • the filter 26 can be transported by the thermal cleaning station 23 back to the mechanical cleaning station 36 by rotation opposite to the marked direction of rotation 32. It can also be provided that the filter 26 is supplied to a sandblasting process 13 after the thermal cleaning 12 as a function of a measured quality. If it is detected by the above-described process control that an abort criterion has been reached, the filter 26 becomes classified, optionally certified and moved to a finished part removal 30, at which the filter 26 can be removed from the rotary transfer machine 20.
  • the process steps data acquisition 7, quality inspection 8, functional test 14 and certification 16 can also be performed automatically in the device, wherein a change of the mechanical cleaning device 24 can be made to the thermal cleaning device 25 automatically depending on the measured quality.
  • a hand-held measuring device and a manual workstation may be provided for quality measurement in order to manually measure one or more of the above-mentioned forms of quality on the object.
  • a dust collector 34 is supplied, in which the contaminated air is purified, so that a clean exhaust air can be discharged through an exhaust duct 19 to an environment.
  • Fig. 5 shows an apparatus designed as a linearly linked system for carrying out a method according to the invention.
  • a cartesian robot designed as a gantry crane 43 is provided for transporting a developed filter 26 or catalysts, with which the filters 26 are movable in each direction.
  • This gantry crane 43 and the other devices of the device are advantageously controlled by a PLC control.
  • a workstation can be used as a host computer.
  • a contaminated filter 26 is moved from a delivery 1 to an unpacking station 4, which is air extracted and in which the filter 26 is manually separated from a package. Subsequently, the filter 26 is placed in a transport container, after which a further transport of the filter 26 in the transport container is fully automatic up to a package.
  • the filter 26 is moved by a conveyor belt, which serves as an input buffer 38, to a measuring cell 44.
  • various forms of the quality of the filter 26, such as a time profile of a volume flow or a pressure loss when exposed to a test medium such as air are measured.
  • the filter 26 is moved to a cleaning cell 37, in which a mechanical cleaning 11 and / or a thermal cleaning 12 take place.
  • a cleaning cell 37 In the cleaning cell 37, one or more mechanical and / or thermal cleaning device 25 may be arranged.
  • a heating chamber 42 is provided, in which gas heaters are usually arranged for gas heating.
  • the cleaning cell 37 is connected to an air exhaust, with which contaminated air is transported to a dust separator 34.
  • a suction unit and a compressor for this purpose are usually noisy, which is why they are preferably separated by a lightweight wall of other parts of the system.
  • the filter 26 is transported to a functional test cell 40 in which various forms of the quality of the filter 26 are measured. As a rule, a particle retention capacity, a weight and main dimensions of the filter 26 are measured here. Subsequently, a classification of the filter 26 is based on at least one measured form of the quality. Subsequently, the classified filter 26 is labeled and transported to a packaging station 41 in which the filter 26 is packaged by hand. As a rule, this packaging is used for this, in which the filter 26 was delivered.
  • the filter 26 is transported via a conveyor belt, which acts as an output buffer 39, to a buffer store for a goods issue. From this, the recycled, classified and packaged filter 26 is picked up by customers or sent to them.
  • a filter 26 is wire-grain blasted as required or damaged parts of the cannings are welded for repair.
  • a station may be provided for cleaning the package before the filter 26 is packaged.
  • a flatness of sealing surfaces checked and these are optionally directed.
  • a device for measuring the catalytic reactivity may also be provided.
  • a classification of the reprocessed article takes place, wherein for a classification at least one form of a quality of the article is measured and compared with at least one reference value.
  • a device according to the invention allows the partially or fully automated implementation of the method with little design effort, since several process steps can be performed in parallel and at the same location or in the same station.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas After Treatment (AREA)
EP13196680.6A 2013-12-11 2013-12-11 Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé Not-in-force EP2884065B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13196680.6A EP2884065B1 (fr) 2013-12-11 2013-12-11 Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13196680.6A EP2884065B1 (fr) 2013-12-11 2013-12-11 Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2884065A1 true EP2884065A1 (fr) 2015-06-17
EP2884065B1 EP2884065B1 (fr) 2019-09-11

Family

ID=49766932

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13196680.6A Not-in-force EP2884065B1 (fr) 2013-12-11 2013-12-11 Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2884065B1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3092378A1 (fr) * 2014-01-07 2016-11-16 Puri Tech Gmbh Dispositif et procédé de nettoyage de filtres, en particulier de filtres à particules
EP3296533A1 (fr) 2016-09-16 2018-03-21 Hirtenberger Aktiengesellschaft Procédé d'amélioration de la qualité d'un objet perméable au gaz développé à partir des gaz d'échappement d'une machine à combustion interne et dispositif associé
WO2018050553A1 (fr) * 2016-09-15 2018-03-22 Hartridge Limited Procédé et machine de nettoyage de filtre à particules d'échappement
EP3640445A1 (fr) * 2018-10-16 2020-04-22 Ceramex Ltd Procédé de mesure d'une fonction catalytique d'un objet approprié au nettoyage des gaz d'échappement d'un moteur à combustion interne

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4408504A1 (de) * 1994-03-14 1995-09-21 Bosch Gmbh Robert Sensor zur Bestimmung der Konzentration von Gaskomponenten in Gasgemischen
DE19847874A1 (de) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-20 Volkswagen Ag Verfahren zur Stickoxidreduzierung im Abgas einer mager betriebenen Brennkraftmaschine
EP1403479A1 (fr) * 2002-09-25 2004-03-31 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Catalyseur pour la purification de gaz d'échappement pour un moteur à combustion interne
EP1698765A1 (fr) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-06 Donaldson Company, Inc. Appareil de nettoyage de dispositifs de traitement de gaz d'échappement et méthodes
US20100307339A1 (en) * 2009-06-08 2010-12-09 Tadrous Ted N Apparatus and method for regenerating a carbon filter
WO2011142718A1 (fr) * 2010-05-11 2011-11-17 Stockforsa Invest Ab Procédé de nettoyage de filtres à particules
EP2446952A1 (fr) * 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Hanspeter Mayer Dispositif de nettoyage d'un filtre ou d'un catalyseur
EP2543836A1 (fr) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-09 Hanspeter Mayer Method and device for cleaning filters and catalytic converters
WO2013102468A1 (fr) * 2012-01-03 2013-07-11 Volvo Lastvagnar Ab Procédé et dispositif de nettoyage d'un filtre à particules

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4408504A1 (de) * 1994-03-14 1995-09-21 Bosch Gmbh Robert Sensor zur Bestimmung der Konzentration von Gaskomponenten in Gasgemischen
DE19847874A1 (de) * 1998-10-16 2000-04-20 Volkswagen Ag Verfahren zur Stickoxidreduzierung im Abgas einer mager betriebenen Brennkraftmaschine
EP1403479A1 (fr) * 2002-09-25 2004-03-31 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Catalyseur pour la purification de gaz d'échappement pour un moteur à combustion interne
EP1698765A1 (fr) * 2005-03-04 2006-09-06 Donaldson Company, Inc. Appareil de nettoyage de dispositifs de traitement de gaz d'échappement et méthodes
US20100307339A1 (en) * 2009-06-08 2010-12-09 Tadrous Ted N Apparatus and method for regenerating a carbon filter
WO2011142718A1 (fr) * 2010-05-11 2011-11-17 Stockforsa Invest Ab Procédé de nettoyage de filtres à particules
EP2446952A1 (fr) * 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Hanspeter Mayer Dispositif de nettoyage d'un filtre ou d'un catalyseur
EP2543836A1 (fr) * 2011-07-08 2013-01-09 Hanspeter Mayer Method and device for cleaning filters and catalytic converters
WO2013102468A1 (fr) * 2012-01-03 2013-07-11 Volvo Lastvagnar Ab Procédé et dispositif de nettoyage d'un filtre à particules

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3092378A1 (fr) * 2014-01-07 2016-11-16 Puri Tech Gmbh Dispositif et procédé de nettoyage de filtres, en particulier de filtres à particules
US10358959B2 (en) 2014-01-07 2019-07-23 Puri Tech Gmbh Device and method for cleaning filters, in particular particulate filters
WO2018050553A1 (fr) * 2016-09-15 2018-03-22 Hartridge Limited Procédé et machine de nettoyage de filtre à particules d'échappement
EP3296533A1 (fr) 2016-09-16 2018-03-21 Hirtenberger Aktiengesellschaft Procédé d'amélioration de la qualité d'un objet perméable au gaz développé à partir des gaz d'échappement d'une machine à combustion interne et dispositif associé
EP3640445A1 (fr) * 2018-10-16 2020-04-22 Ceramex Ltd Procédé de mesure d'une fonction catalytique d'un objet approprié au nettoyage des gaz d'échappement d'un moteur à combustion interne
WO2020079095A1 (fr) * 2018-10-16 2020-04-23 Ceramex Ltd Mesure de fonction catalytique d'objet de nettoyage de gaz d'échappement de moteur à combustion interne

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2884065B1 (fr) 2019-09-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2884065B1 (fr) Procédé de réhabilitation automatisée d'un objet contaminé et dispositif permettant de mettre en oeuvre ce procédé
US4494403A (en) Filter testing apparatus and method
Montazeri et al. In-process monitoring of material cross-contamination defects in laser powder bed fusion
EP2884066B1 (fr) Procédé de diagnostic d'un objet et dispositif correspondant
WO2012159721A1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour le contrôle des fissures d'une pièce structurale d'avion ou de turbine à gaz
CN212041552U (zh) 一种垫片表面缺陷及厚度自动化检测装置
EP2446952B1 (fr) Dispositif de nettoyage d'un filtre ou d'un catalyseur
WO2014057009A1 (fr) Détermination de l'encrassement d'une pièce
EP2884067B1 (fr) Procédé de diagnostic et de nettoyage d'un objet et dispositif correspondant
EP3289338A1 (fr) Procédé et système d'inspection pour déterminer et contrôler le degré de pureté de surface de pièces usinées ou de pièces mécaniques nettoyées par un processus industriel
CN106999820A (zh) 过滤器渗余物去除系统和方法
EP2543836B1 (fr) Method and device for cleaning filters and catalytic converters
CN109963681A (zh) 用于制造锅炉管的系统、方法以及设备
EP3296533B1 (fr) Procédé d'amélioration de la qualité d'un objet perméable au gaz développé à partir des gaz d'échappement d'une machine à combustion interne et dispositif associé
DE20023491U1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Prüfen von Kernreaktor-Brennelementen
CN108318505B (zh) 一种uo2芯块自动检测装置
DE102015006161A1 (de) Applikationsvorrichtung, Beschichtungsanlage und Verfahren zum Beschichten von Gegenständen
EP2675545B1 (fr) Dispositif de contrôle de filtres
DE102020102514A1 (de) Anlage und Verfahren zur teil- oder vollautomatisierten Demontage von Geräten
CN214437490U (zh) 一种炭黑滤袋泄漏快速排查装置
CN216718168U (zh) 一种电梯导轨紫外探伤装置
DE102021120269A1 (de) Verfahren zum Durchführen einer Dichtheitsprüfung, Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Bauteils sowie Vorrichtung zur Dichtheitsprüfung
CN211741030U (zh) 一种快速测试深冷快线储罐油污的装置
EP4416480A1 (fr) Dispositif de mesure des émissions pour inspection technique périodique
MEURER et al. Inspection of Technical Cleanliness

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

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20131211

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

R17P Request for examination filed (corrected)

Effective date: 20151214

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

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

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20170220

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

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

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190416

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: HIRTENBERGER HOLDING GMBH

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

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

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1178731

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190915

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502013013561

Country of ref document: DE

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: KELLER AND PARTNER PATENTANWAELTE AG, CH

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20190911

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

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

Ref country code: BG

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: 20191211

Ref country code: HR

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: 20190911

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: 20190911

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: 20190911

Ref country code: NO

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: 20191211

Ref country code: LT

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: 20190911

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

Ref country code: LV

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: 20190911

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: 20191212

Ref country code: RS

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: 20190911

Ref country code: AL

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: 20190911

Ref country code: ES

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: 20190911

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

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20191219

Year of fee payment: 7

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200113

Ref country code: PL

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: 20190911

Ref country code: IT

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: 20190911

Ref country code: EE

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: 20190911

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: 20190911

Ref country code: RO

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: 20190911

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

Ref country code: SM

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: 20190911

Ref country code: CZ

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: 20190911

Ref country code: IS

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: 20200224

Ref country code: SK

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: 20190911

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502013013561

Country of ref document: DE

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

PG2D Information on lapse in contracting state deleted

Ref country code: IS

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: 20190911

Ref country code: IS

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: 20200112

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200615

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20191231

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

Ref country code: MC

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: 20190911

Ref country code: SI

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: 20190911

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PFA

Owner name: HIRTENBERGER HOLDING GMBH, AT

Free format text: FORMER OWNER: HIRTENBERGER HOLDING GMBH, AT

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: 20191211

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20191211

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: 20191231

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

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20201130

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20201211

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20201223

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20201223

Year of fee payment: 8

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

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: 20190911

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

Ref country code: MT

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: 20190911

Ref country code: HU

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

Effective date: 20131211

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: LI

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

Effective date: 20201231

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20201231

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

Ref country code: TR

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: 20190911

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

Ref country code: MK

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: 20190911

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 502013013561

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 1178731

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20211211

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

Effective date: 20211211

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: 20211211

Ref country code: DE

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

Effective date: 20220701

Ref country code: AT

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

Effective date: 20211211

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: 20211231