EP3041616A1

EP3041616A1 - System for cleaning a surface

Info

Publication number: EP3041616A1
Application number: EP14771212.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Behzad Vahida
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-03
Filing date: 2014-09-02
Publication date: 2016-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-02
Also published as: US20160193632A1; EP3041616C0; FR3009976A1; EP3041616B1; CN105682810B; WO2015032768A1; CN105682810A

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (4) for cleaning a surface, comprising: - a surface to be cleaned (10) that extends in perpendicular axial (X) and transverse (Y) directions; - a scraping net (12) that is guided with respect to the surface and comprises: · first filamentary elements (20) which extend in a first direction that is collinear with the axial direction and which are spaced apart from one another in a second direction different from the first direction, · second filamentary elements (22) which extend in the second direction and are spaced apart from one another in the first direction, these second elements being fixed to the first elements so as to form a mesh; - a moving device (14) configured to move the net in a reciprocating movement in the axial direction and with an amplitude at least equal to the average distance between the second elements.

Description

SYSTEM FOR CLEANING A SURFACE

The invention relates to a system for cleaning a surface. Different equipment or works may be subject to deposits of various natures on their external or internal surfaces. These deposits can affect their proper functioning or performance, or at least their visual and aesthetic appearance.

Cleaning systems are known to limit the fouling of a surface by soiling. By soiling of a surface, here is meant the deposition of foreign bodies on this surface, these foreign bodies being able, by their presence on this surface, to impair the operation or the durability of this surface or the structure to which she belongs to. For example, frost formation on surfaces such as aircraft wings or wind turbine blades, or on cables such as electrical cables, bridge stays or power cables transport systems such as cable cars. It can also be a deposit of biofouling in immersed surfaces such as hulls of ships, underwater pipes or marine oil extraction platforms. Other types of surface soiling are related to the deposition of scale or other minerals in the tubes, or the formation of hydrates in the hydrocarbon transfer pipelines.

It is desirable to clean such a surface frequently, or even continuously, because it is easier to clean a recent deposit, of smaller thickness, than an older deposit, having an adhesion and / or a greater thickness. In many cases, the cleaning of a surface having too much soil thickness is difficult and requires heavy means of cleaning or even a decommissioning of the surface or structure to which it belongs. This is for example the case of ships that must be put in dry dock to clean the hull. This leads to significant costs.

In general, existing solutions can be classified into two categories:

- Category 1: curative solutions;

- Category 2: preventive solutions.

While in the first category, the thickness of the deposit increases before the implementation of the solution, in the second category, the proposed solutions are intended to prevent the initiation of the deposit itself.

To pick up ice and ice deposits from overhead cables, machines traveling the full length of these cables have been proposed. More recently, solutions using electromagnetic pulses to unhook the ice sleeves have been proposed (WO2013091651 A1). These solutions, for the most part of a complex implementation, offer imperfect results and may present risks for users passing underneath the cables. In addition, the equipment of which the cable or cables are part must most often be taken out of service during the cleaning of the ice, which generates significant economic losses.

To protect the hulls of ships against marine biofouling, anti-fouling paints or anti-fouling coatings are often used. These, mostly copper-based, prevent to a certain extent the clinging of marine organisms. But the result is not satisfactory, especially when the navigation speed of the boat is not high enough (less than 15 knots).

The use of biocidal coatings has also been proposed, but progressively abandoned because of their environmental impact.

Some coatings operate mechanically; thus, silicone-based coatings can limit the accretion of marine organisms because of their low coefficient of adhesion. These coatings are of a high cost and again a cruising speed greater than 15 knots is required to obtain a satisfactory efficiency.

There are also solutions dealing with coatings that recreate particular surface textures, making it possible to prevent or even deter marine organisms from settling on the hulls of ships or other immersed surfaces in the marine environment. These solutions are expensive and the result obtained is not always guaranteed in the long term. Finally, we can also mention the use of ultrasound to repel marine organisms.

The device described in patent application WO 2013/006023 A1 is also known. This device is used to clean the pillars of an oil platform by means of rolls driven by the swell which are able to crush marine biofouling formed on these piles.

This device has disadvantages. In particular, the area of the cleaned surface is limited to areas at sea level. In addition, this device does not clean imperfectly the circumference of the pillar. The shape that can present this surface is also limited to the case of cylindrical surfaces. Thus, this device can not be used effectively on all surfaces. For pipes and pipelines, existing solutions consist of the use of very expensive special coatings, or otherwise the cleaning periodical by circulating special machines inside them. Here again, a shutdown is necessary, with an economic impact. In addition, before the intervention, the operating performance deteriorates over time.

The invention aims to solve one or more of the disadvantages listed above.

The invention thus relates to a cleaning system of a surface according to claim 1.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more features of claims 2 to 25.

Thus, compared to curative solutions (Category 1), the invention has a much better operational performance. By allowing an almost continuous cleaning of surfaces during operation, not only the performance of the equipment or work is maintained over time, but also the operational shutdowns necessary when implementing existing methods are avoided.

In addition, the almost continuous cleaning guarantees a much better result than cleaning spaced over time.

In addition, the proposed solution is simple and robust, ensuring superior operational reliability over time compared to existing solutions.

Finally, the costs associated with manufacturing, installation, operation, maintenance and removal of the proposed system are much lower than those of existing preventative solutions (Category 2). Although theoretically inhibiting the actual initiation of deposition on surfaces, these high-tech solutions are not yet mature and remain as a whole an extremely high cost of production and maintenance.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a cable-stayed bridge including a stay is equipped with a cleaning system of a surface;

- Figure 2 illustrates schematically, in a side profile view, the stay including the cleaning system of a surface of Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the cleaning system of a surface of FIG. 2; - Figure 4 schematically illustrates a boat with another embodiment of the cleaning system of Figures 1 to 3 to clean the hull of this boat;

- Figure 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a net of the cleaning system of Figure 4;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a device for moving the cleaning system of FIG. 2;

- Figure 7 schematically illustrates a pipe, in a side view, the inside of which comprises another embodiment of the cleaning system of Figures 1 to 3 to clean the surface of the inner wall of this pipe;

- Figure 8 schematically illustrates an actuator of the system of Figure 5;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates, in a sectional view, an element of the system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of cleaning a surface by means of a cleaning system of one of FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIG. 1 represents a cable-stayed bridge 2. The bridge 2 here comprises a plurality of stays, the respective outer faces of which must be cleaned in order to limit the formation of ice or frost on this stay during winter weather conditions. For this purpose, each of these stays is equipped with a cleaning system of a surface. For simplicity, only the cleaning system 4 of a surface of a stay 5 will be described in detail. This stay 5 has a homogeneous cylindrical shape and here extends longitudinally substantially rectilinear between its two ends 6 and 8. This stay 5 is biased in traction.

Figures 2 and 3 show in more detail the system 4. This system 4 comprises:

a surface 1 0 to be cleaned,

a net 1 2 scraping the surface 1 0, and

- A device 14 for moving the scraping net 1 2, configured to move the net 1 2.

The surface 10 extends in axial and transverse directions perpendicular to each other. Here, the surface 1 0 is the outer face of the stay 5. The axial direction here is the direction X. The surface 1 0 thus has the outer face of a cylindrical shape. The transverse direction here forms an arc of the same curvature as the surface 1 0 and is denoted Y. The net 1 2 extends over the surface 10. The net 1 2 is able to move relative to the surface 1 0 and is guided relative to this surface 1 0 in the direction X, for example by the surface 10 it -even. The net 12 comprises here:

wire elements 20, and

wire elements 22, pressed against the surface 1 0 and fixed to the elements 20 to form a mesh.

The elements 20 extend in a first direction collinear with the direction X and are spaced from each other in a second direction distinct from the first direction. These elements 20 are here identical and have the same length.

The elements 22 are particularly capable of cleaning the surface 1 0 by scraping when these elements 22 are moved in the direction X relative to the surface 1 0. The elements 22 each have a shape complementary to that of the surface 1 0. The elements 22 extend in the second direction and are spaced from each other in the first direction.

Here, the first and second directions respectively correspond to the directions X and Y. Here, each element 22 extends in the direction Y and therefore has a non-zero curvature. Each element 22 therefore has a circular shape.

Due to this spatial configuration of the net 1 2, the elements 22 play mainly the role of scraping elements, while the elements 20 mainly act as traction elements of the elements 22. The cleaning of the surface 1 0 is thus produced here by scraping this surface with the elements 22.

In this example, the mesh of the net 1 2 further has a homogeneous distribution and a regular spacing of the elements 20 and elements 22. Note d1 the distance between two elements 20, measured along the Y direction and along the element 22. Similarly, d2 is the distance between two elements 22, measured in the direction X. Here, the distance d1 is chosen according to the dimensions of the stay 5 and in particular the diameter D of the stay 5. This distance d1 is here chosen so that the number N of elements 20 of the net 1 2 is between two and twenty. Preferably, this number N is between four and eight. Here, the stay has a length ranging from 20m to a few hundred meters and a diameter greater than or equal to 1 0cm or 20cm or 50cm. The distance d2 and the number M of elements 22 are also chosen according to the dimensions of the stay 5. The distance d2 is for example between D / 2 and 10 * D. Preferably, this distance is between 2 * D and 5 * D. Thus, for a stay of 20cm in diameter, the distance d2 is between 40cm and 1m.

The net 1 2 is configured to withstand tensile forces greater than 10kN. In this example, the net 1 2 is made of metal material. The elements 20 and 22 are here steel cables, for example monotoron cables. The diameter of these cables is here greater than or equal to 2mm or 5mm.

The radius of curvature of each element 22 when it is at rest is preferably less than the radius of curvature of the surface 1 0. An element 22 is said to be at rest when it is not pressed against a surface such that the In addition, each element 22 is elastically deformed during its plating against the surface 1 0. Thus, the plating pressure against the surface 1 0 is increased, which increases the efficiency of cleaning. However, the plating pressure is optimized to ensure a good guidance of the net on the surface, while generating a minimum of resistance to movements of the net on the surface to be cleaned.

Due to the use of a mesh, the scraping surface is much smaller than the surface to be cleaned, which reduces the effort required for the device 14 to cause the net 1 2. areas of the surface 10 that are in contact with the elements 22 is less than 3% or 1% of the total area of the surface 10.

Advantageously, the total area of the orthogonal projection of the net 12 on the surface 1 0 is less than 5% or 3% or 1% of the total area of the surface 1 0, this projection being carried out in a direction normal to the surface 1 0.

In addition, traction is facilitated by the lightness of the net 1 2. This net 1 2 has indeed a reduced mass compared to that of the stay 5 and with respect to known cleaning structures. This reduces the power required by the actuator 14.

The use of a mesh also limits the propensity for deposit accumulation on the net itself.

Advantageously, the outer face portion of the elements 22 in contact with the surface 1 0 is covered with a protective coating. This protective coating serves to limit the abrasion of the element 22 or the surface 1 0 without limiting the ability of the elements 22 to scrape the surface 1 0. This protective coating comprises for example Teflon or of high density polyethylene.

The net 1 2 thus extends between so-called axial ends and here joined to the device 14. For example, the ends are here each formed by a metal ring 24a, 26a rigid encircling the stay 5 and being able to move relative to this stay 5 along the direction X. The ends of each of the elements 20 are attached to these axial ends. These rings are here respectively attached to the device 14 by drive cables 24b, 26b. The size of these rings 24a, 26a is reduced with respect to the length of the stay. The width of these rings 24a, 26a, measured along the X direction, is here less than 20cm. In the event of the existence of equipment or lines hooked on the stay, such as dynamic dampers or spacers for example, the net 12 has openings dedicated to the right of these protuberances. Thus, the net 12 will be able to move back and forth without hindrance, the dedicated openings moving around the protuberances while encircling them.

The device 14 is configured to move the net 1 2 with a movement back and forth in the direction X and with a displacement amplitude at least equal to the average distance between the second wire elements.

Here, the device 14 is configured to periodically move the net along the direction X by a distance d greater than or equal to the distance d2. Advantageously, the distance d is less than or equal to 3 times the distance d2.

Thus, the entire surface 10 is scraped by the various elements 22 by moving the net 1 2 with an amplitude d which is reduced relative to the total dimensions of the surface 1 0. This reduces the power and / or the size of the device 14.

The device 14 comprises here:

two actuators 30, 32 respectively fixed at the axial ends 24, 26 of the thread 8,

drive cables 24b and 26b,

a control module 34.

Each of these actuators 30, 32 is configured to exert a traction movement in the X direction in a particular direction of movement, the respective directions of movement of these actuators 30 and 32 being opposite.

The module 34 is programmed to actuate, successively and alternately, one or other of the two actuators 30 and 32. For example, the module 34 is programmed to:

- Output a control signal of the actuator 30 so that the actuator 30 moves the net 1 2 by a distance d in a first direction in the direction X;

- Then, when the net 1 2 has been moved by the distance d in this first direction, stop the actuator 30 and then deliver a control signal of the actuator 32 so that the actuator 32 moves the net 1 2 of a distance d in the X direction and in the opposite direction to the first direction.

The frequency of the movements is programmed in the module 34 so that the thickness of ice forming on the stay between two successive passages is low. In this way, the amount of energy consumed by the cleaning device will be optimized and the stresses induced in the device will remain in acceptable values.

The actuators 30 and 32 are here identical. These actuators 30 and 32 here each comprise an integral winch without degree of freedom of the surface 10. Here, the actuators 30, 32 are respectively placed at both ends of the stay 5. The winch of each of the actuators 30 and 32 actuates here respectively the drive cables 24b and 26b.

Advantageously, the system 4 is removable, that is to say it can be removed and then reassembled on the stay 5. To this end, the net 1 2 has a longitudinal opening (not shown in the figures). This opening is for example formed by two contiguous elements 20 adapted to be selectively kept in direct contact with each other over their entire length, for example by means of a latch or an adhesive material. Thus, the net 1 2 can be formed from a piece of rectangular metal wire that is wrapped longitudinally around the stay 5. Similarly, the device 14 is able to be detached from the net 12 and to be removed from the deck 2.

To further facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the system 4 on the stay, its construction can advantageously be modular. For example, sections, or modules, of length 20 * D may be constructed with ends having connectors. This allows to connect the successive sections together once they are mounted on the stay.

This also simplifies the repairs in the event of any damage to a section or module during the service life of the system 4. Indeed, it is easier to disconnect a faulty module and replace it with a new module, than to repair a module. device of a holding.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the device for cleaning a surface. More specifically, Figure 4 shows a boat 50 having a hull 52. The portion of the hull 52 that is immersed in water must be cleaned to limit the formation of a layer of marine biofouling. For this purpose, the boat 50 comprises a system 54 for cleaning a surface.

This system 54 comprises:

a surface 60 to be cleaned,

a net 62 for scraping the surface 60, and

a device 64 for moving the thread 62, configured to move the thread 62.

The surface 60 is here the outer face of the lower part of the hull 52. This surface 60 is able to be completely immersed during the navigation of the boat 50. This surface 60 here has a complex shape, comprising a combination of flat surfaces and curves (convex or concave).

The net 62 extends over the surface 60 and is able to move relative to the surface 60 while being guided with respect to this surface 60. The net 62 is here delimited at its ends by a border 66 which forms the periphery of the hull 52 of the ship. Net 62 comprises here: wire elements 70, and

wire elements 72, pressed against the surface 60 and fixed to the elements 70 to form a mesh.

These wire elements 70 and 72 are for example identical to the elements respectively 20 and 22, except that they may have different dimensions and be made of different materials.

As previously, we note d1 the distance between two elements 70, measured in the direction Y and along the element 72. Similarly, d2 is the distance between two elements 72, measured in the direction X. The direction X s extends forward and backward of the boat 50 and is tangential to the surface 60. The Y direction (not shown in FIG. 4) is perpendicular to the X direction and is tangent to the surface 60. The characteristic dimension d1 of a mesh of the net is for example between T / 2 and T / 50, T being the draft of the ship. Preferably, this dimension d1 is between T / 5 and T / 20. The characteristic dimension d2 of a mesh of the net is for example between L / 10 and L / 1000, L being the length of the ship. Preferably, this dimension d2 is between L / 50 and L / 200.

The diameter of the wire elements 70, 72 is for example between 5mm and 50mm.

The net 62 and the device 64 have the same function as, respectively, the net 1 2 and the device 14. Similarly, their constituents have the same functions as those of the net 1 2 and the device 14. Also, what has been said with reference to the role and functions of the net 1 2 and the device 14 applies here and will not be repeated here.

In this example, elements 70 and 72 are made in two different ways. Indeed, here, the thread 62 has preformed zones 74.

Such preformed zones 74 make it possible to adapt the curvature of the thread 62 to the local curvature of the surface 60, in particular in portions of the surface 60 which have a complex topology. For example, portions of this surface 60 have a concave concave form locally.

Thus, it is not necessary to use anchoring elements to press the thread 62 against the shell so that the elements 72 are held in contact with the surface 60, as these anchors could damage the hull 60.

In each zone 74, the elements 70, 72 are made of a material having increased rigidity. Thus, these zones 74 may be preformed so as to have a shape complementary to that of the surface portion 60 on which they must be positioned.

Outside these zones, the elements 70 and 72 are made of a flexible material and able to withstand the tensile force exerted by the device 64. This material is for example formed of high-density synthetic polymer fibers. performance ("Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene" in English) such as the material known as "Dyneema".

Joining elements ensure the integral retention of the preformed zones 74 to the rest of the net 62.

Fig. 5 shows a detail of another embodiment of the net 62, in which the areas 74 are omitted. Here, each zone 74 is replaced by a secondary anchor point 80 configured to hold the thread 62 pressed against the surface to be cleaned.

For example, this secondary anchoring point 80 comprises a wire element 91 extending between two ends 92 and 94. This element 91 is fixed by its end 92 to the surface to be cleaned and by the end 94 to the thread 62. for example, the end 94 comprises a loop enclosing an element 70 and an element 72 at their junction point. The anchoring point may be mechanical, magnetic or gluing.

This makes it possible to ensure a plating of the thread 62 when the surface 60 has a large curvature and it is possible to create anchoring points by drilling or gluing on the surface 60.

In the two previous embodiments, magnetic attraction forces can be used to better guide the net relative to the surface to be cleaned. For example, by affixing a magnetic net on the steel hull of the boat 50 whose hull comprises a magnetic metallic material, the magnetic attraction forces will help maintain the plated net on the surface and guide it during its movements.

Note that this magnetic guidance function is different in nature with that of magnetic anchor mentioned above; in the case of magnetic anchoring, the aim is to prevent any movement or displacement of the anchor point via a sufficiently strong magnetic attraction, whereas in the case of magnetic guidance the magnetic attraction forces hold the net on the surface without preventing relative movement relative to the surface.

In cases where the geometry of the hull is very simple, the magnetic guidance may be sufficient alone as a means of holding and guiding the net on the surface of the hull.

This magnetic guidance solution can also be used in the case of non-metallic shells, such as composite shells, for example:

- Applying a paint containing iron / steel particles on the hull;

- By integrating iron / steel particles in the composition of the composite in the manufacture of the composite shell; - Applying a thin film of steel on the inner or outer surface of the composite shell.

As for the system 4, in the case of existence of protuberances on the shell such as hydrodynamic appendages, for example, the thread 62 has appropriate openings to the right of these protuberances. Thus, the net 62 will be able to move back and forth without hindrance, the dedicated openings moving around the protuberances while encircling them.

FIG. 6 represents in more detail the device 64. The device 64 comprises here:

an actuator 76 fixed to a front end 67 of the thread 62,

a drive cable 84,

an anchor line 86,

a control module 88.

This actuator 76 is configured to exert a traction movement in the X direction in a particular direction of travel.

The device 64 is here attached, on the one hand, to the end 67 of the thread 62 and, on the other hand, to the boat 50. For this purpose, each actuator 76 of the device 64 is here placed on the extended line 86 and anchored at the deck of the boat 50. This line 86 here follows the contour of the surface 60. This actuator 76 is for example an actuator identical to the actuator 30, except that its motorization characteristics are adapted to move the net 62.

Here too, as for the system 4, to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the device 64 on the hull of the boat, the construction of the net 62 may advantageously be modular. For example, net sub-surfaces may be constructed with ends having connectors. This makes it possible to connect them to each other during a stepwise installation of the device 64 on the surface 60. Temporary attachment means make it possible to hold the sub-surfaces of the net on the shell, before hooking the assembly and putting in traction.

This also simplifies the repairs in the event of damage to a sub-surface of the net during the service life of the device 64.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the surface cleaning device. More specifically, Figure 6 shows a pipe 100 for transporting a fluid, such as hydrocarbons. For example, this line 100 is a pipeline used for the extraction of hydrocarbons. This pipe 100 has an inner surface 102 which must be cleaned to limit the formation of a deposit (such as hydrate crystals). For this purpose, this pipe 100 comprises a system 104 for cleaning the surface 102.

This system 104 comprises: the surface 102 to be cleaned,

a scraping net 1 10 of the surface 102, and

a device 1 14 for moving the net 1 10, configured to move the net 1 10.

The surface 102 here has the inner face of a hollow cylindrical shape.

Here, the pipe 100 extends longitudinally along a line X 'having straight segments as well as possibly curves. The net 1 10 extends here on the surface 102 and is able to move relative to this surface 102 while being guided relative to the surface 102 along this direction X '.

The net 1 10 comprises here:

wire elements 120, and

- Wired elements 122, pressed against the surface 102 and attached to the elements 120 to form a mesh.

To simplify FIG. 5, elements 120 and 122 are drawn in broken lines. In addition, only two elements 120 are shown.

Again, the net 1 10 and the device 1 12 play the same role as, respectively, the net 12 and the device 14. Similarly, their constituents have the same role as those of the net 12 and the device 14. Also, this which has been said with reference to the role of the net 12 and the device 14 applies here and will not be repeated.

The elements 120 are configured to withstand the tensile forces of the elements 122. These elements 120 are for example identical to the elements 20.

Here, the elements 122 are identical to the elements 22. The elements 122 have a larger diameter than the inside diameter of the pipe 100 when they are at rest. An element 122 is said to be at rest when not pressed against a surface such as the surface 102. Here, in addition, each element 122 is elastically deformed when it is pressed against the surface 102. Plating against the surface 102 is increased, which increases the cleaning efficiency. However, the plating pressure is optimized to ensure a good guidance of the net on the surface, while generating a minimum of resistance to movements of the net on the surface to be cleaned.

This plating preloading feature allows the thread 1 10 to match the geometry of the pipe, especially in the curved portions of the pipe (portions having a longitudinal curvature).

The minimum distance separating two consecutive elements 122 is, for example, between D / 2 and 10 ^* D, where D is the inside diameter of the pipe 100. Here, the pipe 100 has a circular cross-section of internal diameter greater than or equal to 0.2 m or 1 m. The elements 122 are here distributed so uniformly along the line 100 and are separated from each other by a distance d2 '. This distance d2 'is for example here greater than twenty meters.

The device 1 14 comprises here:

a plurality of movable elements 130 configured to move the net 1 10 in the X 'direction with the reciprocating motion;

a control module 132 configured to control the actuators 130.

FIG. 8 shows in more detail an example of element 130. The elements 130 are connected to the elements 120 so that the displacement of this element 130 in the direction X 'causes the elements 122 to move in this same direction X' . For this purpose, the elements 130 are preferably plated on the inner surface of the pipe 100, in order to be able to produce a scraping force in the longitudinal direction X. In other words, the elements 130 also play the role of anchors mobile for the net 1 10.

Here, the device 1 14 comprises two elements 130, each placed at one of the two opposite ends of the net 1 10. The distance, measured along the direction X ', separating two consecutive elements 130 is here between 10 ^* D and 1000 ^* D , D being the inside diameter of the pipe 100. Preferably, this distance is between 50 ^* D and 500 ^* D.

These elements 130 are here rigid rings made of metallic material and have a width, measured in the direction X ', greater than or equal to 5cm or 50cm. The outer diameter of the elements 130 is here equal to that of the elements 122. As indicated above, the element 130 is preferably plated on the surface 102 in order to be able to generate the internal forces required in the net 1 10. For this purpose, the element 130 may be prestressed via circumferential actuators plating it on the surface 102 with a given radial pressure.

Each element 130 here comprises a plurality of actuators 134, which are here integrated inside the elements 130. These actuators 134 may be rollers or flexible rollers. For example, each actuator 134 is able to move in translation relative to the inner wall of the pipe 100 in response to a control signal emitted by the module 132 and received by the actuator 134. The actuators 134 are here configured to causing a displacement of the element 130 in either direction along the direction X '.

The actuators 134 of each element 130 are here synchronized with each other so that the element 130 progresses uniformly when it is displaced by the actuators 134. Similarly, here, the respective actuators 134 of the elements 130 are also synchronized. between them so that the net 1 10 and therefore the second elements 122 move uniformly the along the direction X 'inside the pipe 100 when the elements 130 move. In addition, this synchronization is performed so as to generate sufficient traction in the net 1 10 and the elements 122, in order to allow a sufficiently powerful scraping of the inner surface of the pipe 100. For this purpose, each actuator 134 is here configured to transmit to the module 132 information on the position of the element 130 to which it belongs and on the value of the traction in the net 1 10 at its level.

The system 104 comprises at least three elements 120. However, for the sake of clarity, only two elements 120 are illustrated in FIG. 6. These elements 120 are preferably uniformly distributed around the elements 122 and 130. Advantageously, one of the elements 120 comprises an actuator supply line 134, configured to power the actuators 134. The system 1 14 also comprises a data bus configured to transport the control signals emitted by the module 132 to the actuators 134. For example, these control signals are able to be delivered on the supply line by means of line carrier current techniques. For this purpose, the element 120 comprising the supply line is electrically connected to the module 1 32. The module 132 is here located outside the pipe 100.

Here, the element 130 also acts as scraping element for cleaning the surface 102.

In this example, the element 130 has a hydrodynamic shape configured to minimize the flow resistance of a fluid within the conduit 100. Figure 9 shows in more detail an example of this form. For example, the section of the element 130 has a lenticular shape and comprises:

a plane face 150, able to be kept in contact with the surface 102 to scrape this surface 102, and

a rounded face 152 having a convex shape, located opposite the face 150. This face 152 is here turned towards the inside of the pipe 100 so as to be in contact with the fluid circulating inside the Conduit 100. The convex shape thus facilitates the flow of fluid. The system 104 is here removable, that is to say it can be installed in the pipe 100 and removed from the pipe 100 so as to be reused thereafter. For example, the system 104 is installed as follows: first by attaching the net 1 10 to the elements 130, then, by inserting an element 130 located at one end of the net 1 10, and then actuating the actuators 134 of this element 130 so that it moves inside the pipe 100 while being in contact with the surface 102. Then, the operation is repeated in turn for the other elements 130 and nets 1 10 of the system 104.

An example of using the system 4 to clean the surface 10 will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and FIGS. 1 to 3.

During a step 200, the net 12 is affixed to the surface 10.

Then, during a step 202, the thread 12 is stretched and positioned on the surface 10. Preferably, the thread 12 is pressed against the surface 10.

Then, during a step 204, the net 12 is moved relative to the surface

10, in a back and forth motion, to scrape the surface 10 to clean it.

Many other embodiments are possible.

For example, the system 4 can be used to clean the outer surface of a carrying cable or motor of a cable air transport system, such as a cable car, chairlift or gondola. In this case the net 12 can be modified, in particular by replacing the elements 22 by rigid metal rings.

The system 4 can also be used to clean the outer surface of a power line, to limit frost formation on this power line. In this case, the rings 24a, 26a and the cables 24b, 26b may comprise electrical insulators.

The system 4 can also be used to clean the tubular structure of an oil platform or the outer surface of a marine cable such as seismic flutes, to prevent the accretion of marine organisms such as thumbs-feet for example.

The net 12 may be made of another material, for example of textile material.

The device 14 may be different. For example, the actuator 30 is able to move the net 12 intermittently in a movement direction X in a direction of movement. The actuator 32 is then replaced by an elastic anchor line, able to exert on the thread 12 a restoring force in a direction opposite to the direction of movement exerted by the actuator 30. The module 34 is then modified accordingly.

Alternatively, to ensure the displacement in the X direction, the actuators 30 and / or 32 comprise a rack, or hydraulic cylinders, or a worm rotation mechanism. The elements 20 and 22 may extend in directions other than the X and Y directions.

Meshes of the net may have another shape. For example, the elements 20 and 22 are arranged so that the meshes of the net have a shape of triangle, rhombus or polygon with 5 or 6 sides.

Alternatively, the device 14 is further configured to initiate the movement of the net 12 when weather conditions conducive to the formation of a soil deposit on the surface 10 are detected. For this purpose, the device 14 comprises an analysis unit configured to:

- measure physical data of the system environment 4, such as weather conditions, and

calculate the probability of depositing soils on the surface 10 from the measured physical data.

The device 14 is then configured to control the start-up or shutdown of the system 4 as well as the speed and / or the frequency of movement of the net 12 as a function of the calculated deposit probability. For example, the analysis unit comprises a meteorological station, included in the module 34, configured to measure atmospheric conditions and to deliver a control signal when the probability of frost formation, determined according to the measured atmospheric conditions, exceeds a predefined threshold value. This meteorological station here comprises, for this purpose, sensors for temperature, wind speed and / or humidity.

The device 14 may also comprise a unit for measuring the thickness of the dirt covering the surface 10, for example included in the module 34. The device 14 is then configured to control the start-up or shutdown of the system 4 and to adapting the speed and / or the movement frequency of the thread 12 according to the data measured by said measurement unit. For example, if the thickness of said stains, measured after a certain time after the thread 12 has traveled the entire surface 10, exceeds a predefined thickness, then the movement frequency of the thread 12 is increased. Thus, the measurement result of this unit makes it possible to modify the actuation program of the scraping system to adapt it to the soil deposition speed, with the aim of limiting the thickness of the dirt between each passage of the second wired elements. . This measurement unit comprises for example optical sensors.

Alternatively, the system 54 may be used to clean one or more external surfaces of a work, equipment, machine or vehicle, which may be subject to deposits. These deposits may be snow and / or ice, dust or other dirt, rust, or come biological organisms (biofouling) or minerals such as tartar or salt, for example.

Thus, the system 54 can be used to clean a wind turbine blade or the fuselage and wings of an aircraft to limit the formation of snow, frost or ice deposits. The system 54 can also be used to facilitate the clearing of snow accumulated on a surface such as the roof of a building, a hangar or a sports stadium. In these cases, the thread 62 may be made differently, in particular with another material.

The system 54 can also be used for continuous cleaning of solar panels, solar thermal collectors or solar mirrors. Here, additional means, such as foams or fine brushes, may be attached or connected to the scraping net (62) to improve the cleaning of the surface to be cleaned by it.

Similarly, the device 64 may be different, for example comprising an arrangement of actuators around the entire periphery of the system 54 to create movements of the scraping net 62 with kinematics more complex than the back and forth.

The actuators can be located in the surface of the net and not on its periphery. In addition, the actuators may be in place permanently or reported from time to time in order to act temporarily.

In addition, internal differential movements can be induced in the scraping net. This can be useful in the case of resistant deposits, such as ice for example. The differential movements induced between the filamentary elements of the net make it possible to generate shear forces helping to break more easily the resistant deposit layer.

Advantageously, the system 54 comprises a passive actuator with hydrodynamic energy recovery. For example, the net 62 is shaped so that it can be moved only by a flow of fluid along the surface 60, even when the device 64 is not activated. Thus, the surface 60 is cleaned more frequently.

The elements 70, 72 may be made of a different material, such as carbon fibers.

The preformed areas 74 may be omitted. These zones 74 may be replaced by anchor points fixed on the surface 60.

The module 64 may comprise more than one actuator 76. The module 64 may also include one or more additional actuators, identical to the actuator 76 but arranged at the rear of the boat. These additional actuators are thus configured to exert a movement movement of the thread 62 in the direction X but in a direction of displacement opposite to that of the actuator 76 so as to be able to operate alternating with the actuator 76 so as to generate the reciprocating movement of the thread 62.

Several copies of the system 104 can be placed at different positions of the pipe 100. These copies of the system 104 can then operate independently.

The device 1 14 can be made differently. The data bus of the device 1 14 may comprise a radio link such as a WiFi type connection.

The elements 120 and / or 1 22 may be made of another material.

The elements 1 may be made differently. For example, the actuators 1 34 are replaced by winches able to move the elements 1 in translation in order to move the net 1 1 0. In this case, the elements 1 can be anchored to the pipe 1 00, for example in sections specially provided for this purpose along the pipe.

The elements 1 30 may be devoid of the actuators 1 34. These actuators 1 34 may then be located on the outer periphery of the pipe 1 00. In this case, these actuators 1 34 are configured to move the elements 1 30, for example by exerting an electromagnetic force through the pipe 1 00. In one embodiment, each actuator 1 34 comprises an armature and an inductor. The armature is located inside and the inductor outside the pipe 1 00.

As a variant, for short conduits, the cleaning kinematics may be of rotation type. The elements 1 have in this case actuators producing a circumferential rotation of the net 1 10. In this case, the elements 1 are scrapers and the entire net is plated on the inner wall of the tube to be cleaned.

The system 54 can also be used to clean one or more internal surfaces of a structure, equipment, machine or machine, which may be subject to deposits. These internal surfaces may be walls or the surface of internal elements of these systems. Deposits can come from, among other things, biological organisms (biofouling), organic matter, minerals such as tartar or salt, hydrates or paraffins, soot, ash, slag or carbonaceous residues, or rust.

For example, the corrugated surfaces of plate heat exchangers, subject to deposits of various natures, may be cleaned by means of an integrated net on the surface of each plate. The programmed movements and vibrations of the net make it possible to suppress the initial deposits and thus prevent the initiation and accumulation of deposits on the plates. Alternatively, in cases where the distance between the successive plates of the heat exchanger is small, a single thread can be installed between each of the two successive plates. This net can thus clean the two closely spaced surfaces between which flows the fluid or the gas via vibratory movements.

The system 54 can also be used for cleaning internal surfaces of industrial boilers, such as coal boilers, subject to deposits of soot, ash, slag or carbonaceous residues.

The system 54 can also be used for cleaning internal surfaces of combustion engines. An example is the cleaning of exhaust gas recirculation circuits in diesel engines, which are subject to soot deposits.

Steps 200, 202 and 204 may also be applied with systems 54 or 104.

Claims

1. Cleaning system (4) of a surface, characterized in that it comprises:

- a surface to be cleaned (10) extending in axial directions (X) and transverse (Y) perpendicular to each other;

- a scraping net (12), guided relative to the surface to be cleaned and comprising:

• first wire elements (20) extending in a first direction collinear to the axial direction and being spaced from each other in a second direction distinct from the first direction,

Second wire elements (22) extending in the second direction and spaced from each other in the first direction, these second wire elements being fixed to the first wire elements to form a mesh;

- A displacement device (14) configured to move the scraping net with a back and forth movement in the axial direction and with a displacement amplitude at least equal to the average distance between the second wire elements.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is collinear with the transverse direction of the surface to be cleaned.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement device (14) is configured to move the scraper net (12) with a displacement amplitude less than or equal to three times the average distance between the second wire elements.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement device (14) comprises an actuator (30) adapted to move the scraping net (12) in response to a control signal.

5. System according to claim 4, wherein the displacement device comprises:

the actuator (30), fixed at one of the axial ends of the scraping net, this actuator being configured to exert a traction movement in the axial direction in a first direction of movement;

- An elastic anchoring, fixing the other of the axial ends of the scraping net relative to the surface to be cleaned, urging the scraping net by a return force in a second direction of displacement opposite to the first; - A control module (34), programmed to successively actuate the actuator (30) to move the scraping net according to said reciprocating movement.

6. System according to claim 4, wherein the displacement device comprises:

said actuator (30), said first actuator, fixed to one of the axial ends of the scraping net, this actuator being furthermore configured to exert a traction movement in the axial direction in a first direction of displacement;

a second actuator (32) fixed to the other of the axial ends of the scraping net, this actuator being furthermore configured to exert a traction movement in the axial direction in a second direction of displacement;

- A control module (34), programmed to actuate, successively and alternately, one or other of the first and second actuators for moving the scraping net according to said reciprocating movement.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement device (14):

- includes a measuring unit configured to measure the thickness of deposited dirt, on the surface to be cleaned;

- is configured to control the start or stop of the cleaning system (4) as well as the speed and / or the movement frequency of the scraping net (12) as a function of data measured by said measuring unit.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement device (14):

- includes an analysis unit configured for:

• measure physical data of the environment of the cleaning system (4), and

• calculate the probability of deposition of dirt on the surface to be cleaned (10) from the measured physical data;

- is configured to control the start or stop of the cleaning system (4) as well as the speed and / or the movement frequency of the scraper net (12) as a function of the calculated deposit probability.

9. System according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein at least one actuator (30) comprises a winch.

System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement device (14) further comprises an actuator passive energy recovery device configured to move the scraping net in response to a fluid flow along the surface to be cleaned.

1 1. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second wire element comprises an elastic stiffness and a rest geometry such that it is able to be deformed by pulling and then released in order to come to rest on the surface to be cleaned , so that the guiding of the scraping net with respect to the surface to be cleaned is effected by means of elastic contact forces resulting from this plating.

12. System according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second wire element comprises an elastic stiffness and a geometry at rest such that it is able to be deformed by compression and released to press against the surface to clean, so that the guiding of the scraping net relative to the surface to be cleaned is effected by means of elastic contact forces resulting from this plating.

A system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a secondary anchor point (90) configured to guide the scraper net by pressing it against the surface to be cleaned, the secondary anchor point comprising a third wired element (91) fixed at one end to the scraping net and at the other end to the surface to be cleaned.

System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping net (12) is pressed against the surface to be cleaned (10) via magnetic or electromagnetic attraction forces, so that the scraping net guidance on the surface to be cleaned is effected by means of these attractive forces.

The system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein:

- The surface to be cleaned (10) is the outer face of a solid or hollow elongated member, such as a cable biased in tension or a tube;

the second direction is collinear with the transverse direction;

- The second wire element has a curved shape contact conforming to the surface to be cleaned.

The system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein:

the surface to be cleaned (10) is the inner face of a hollow elongate element, such as a tube or a pipe for transferring fluids or gases;

the second direction is collinear with the transverse direction; - The second wire element has a curved shape contact conforming to the surface to be cleaned.

17. System according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein:

the surface to be cleaned (10) is any surface comprising plane, convex or concave zones or a combination of these three types of surface;

the second direction is collinear with the transverse direction;

each of the second wire elements is in contact with the surface to be cleaned along a curve extending between two transverse edges of the surface to be cleaned.

18. System according to claim 17, wherein the surface to be cleaned (10) is the hull of a ship or other immersed surface may be subject to marine biofouling.

19. System according to claim 17, wherein the surface to be cleaned (10) is the external surface of an equipment, building, structure, machine or vehicle, which may be subject to deposit of snow and / or ice, dust and other dirt, rust, soot, minerals such as tartar and salt, or biological organisms.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the surface to be cleaned (10) is an internal surface of a structure, equipment, machine or machine, which may be subject to biological fouling. , particulate, by precipitation or scaling, by chemical reaction, solidification, corrosion, or a combination of such fouling.

21. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the surface to be cleaned comprises locally protuberances;

- The scraping net has dedicated openings traversed by these protuberances.

22. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second wire elements of the scraping net (12) are interconnected via mechanical connection means.

23. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping net (12) is of modular construction, the different modules being fixed to each other by mechanical connection means.

24. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein additional means are attached or connected to the scraping net (12) to facilitate the scraping and cleaning of the surface to be cleaned (10) by it.

25. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total area of the areas of the surface to be cleaned (10) which are in contact with the second wire elements (22) is less than or equal to 5% of the total area. of the surface to be cleaned.