EP3445471A1

EP3445471A1 - A cleaning device for cleaning an exit gas cleaning bag of a smoke purification device for use in domestic furnace systems

Info

Publication number: EP3445471A1
Application number: EP17717077.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tonny Sander Holm
Original assignee: Sander Larsen Kompagniet Aps
Current assignee: PROCES SANDER APS
Priority date: 2016-04-18
Filing date: 2017-04-10
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Also published as: WO2017182042A1

Abstract

A cleaning device adapted for cleaning an exit gas cleaning bag (10) while the exit gas cleaning bag is mounted in an exit gas chamber of a smoke purification device adapted for use in connection with smaller furnace systems, the cleaning device comprising a slide element (14), the slide element comprising at least one ring-shaped element (13),at least one cleaning element (12) being provided on the ring-shaped element (13) in such a way that the at least one cleaning element (12) extends from the ring- shaped element (13) towards a center axis (A) of the cleaning device, the center axis (A) extending in parallel with a longitudinal direction(L) of the cleaning device, the at least one cleaning element (12) being adapted to remove residues from the exit gas cleaning bag (10), and a pulling system (1), the pulling system comprising at least two pulling lines (15, 15'), the pulling lines being connected to the slide element (14) at two points (P, Q) being diametrically opposite one another, at least two pulling mechanisms(5, 8), one for each pulling line, and a drive axle (4) for driving the at least two pulling mechanisms, the at least two pulling mechanisms(5, 8) being in engagement with the pulling lines (15, 15') such as to enable moving the pulling lines and thereby also the slide element in the longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device.

Description

A cleaning device for cleaning an exit gas cleaning bag of a smoke purification device for use in domestic furnace systems The present invention relates to a cleaning device adapted for cleaning an exit gas cleaning bag, such as a filter bag, while the exit gas cleaning bag is mounted in an exit gas chamber of a smoke purification device, the smoke purification device being adapted for use in connection with for instance wood burners, wood burning stoves, open fireplaces, furnaces, stoves or heaths for burning wood, smaller furnaces or boilers for biomass fuel or wood pellets and like furnace systems.

A smoke purification device of the above-mentioned type is described in the applicant's EP 2881664 A1 . During use of such a smoke purification device, unpleasant particles, which are otherwise emitted to our sur- roundings, and which cause respiratory diseases including lung cancer and other lung diseases, are caught in the exit gas cleaning bag, which consequently becomes dirtier with time.

Eventually, the exit gas cleaning bag must be replaced with a new one in order to maintain the effect of the smoke purification device. This is a costly and cumbersome process. Alternatively, the exit gas cleaning bag may be cleaned by conventional means such as suction or blowing air onto the exit gas cleaning bag or by shaking the exit gas cleaning bag as suggested in EP 2881664 A1 . In any event, with the conventional methods the unpleasant particles thus dislodged from the exit gas cleaning bag may fairly easily be released into the surroundings during cleaning, thus again posing the above- mentioned risks, above all to the person taking care of the replacement or cleaning of the exit gas cleaning bag.

Therefore, there is a desire for providing a cleaning device for cleaning such an exit gas cleaning bag in such a way that release of the unpleas- ant particles caught in the exit gas cleaning bag and dislodged by the cleaning device is limited as much as possible or even altogether avoided. Thus, the object of the invention is to provide such a cleaning device. A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device and associated mechanical improvements by use of which the performance of the smoke purification device is kept high or even optimal at all times. A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device and associated mechanical improvements by use of which the time span between replacements of the exit gas cleaning bag may be prolonged and which thus allows for the associated smoke purification device to work for many hours of combustion, such as for several months or even the duration of a heating season, using one and the same exit gas cleaning bag.

These and other objects are solved by means of a cleaning device comprising the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 .

Particularly, the distinctive part of the invention is a cleaning device comprising a slide element, the slide element comprising at least one ring- shaped element, at least one cleaning element being provided on the ring- shaped element in such a way that the at least one cleaning element extends from the ring-shaped element towards a center axis A of the cleaning device, the center axis A extending in parallel with a longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device, the at least one cleaning element being adapted to remove particles, ashes, filter cake and other residues caught by the exit gas cleaning bag from the exit gas cleaning bag, and a pulling system, the pulling system comprising at least two pulling lines, the pulling lines being connected to the slide element at two points P, Q being diametrically opposite one another, at least two pulling mechanisms, one for each pulling line, and a drive axle for driving the at least two pulling mechanisms, the at least two pulling mechanisms being in engagement with the pulling lines such as to enable moving the pulling lines and thereby also the slide element in a longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device.

Thereby, and in particular by providing the above-mentioned distinc- tive features, a cleaning device is provided with which an exit gas cleaning bag may be cleaned in such a way that release of the unpleasant particles caught in the exit gas cleaning bag and dislodged by the cleaning device is limited as much as possible or even altogether avoided. This in turn provides a cleaning device with which the time span between necessary replacements of the exit gas cleaning bag may be prolonged and which thus allows for the associated smoke purification device to work for many hours of combustion, such as for several months or even the duration of a heating season, using one and the same exit gas cleaning bag.

In fact, it has been shown that the life time of an exit gas cleaning bag may be as high as one half year when using a cleaning device according to the invention. Variations may, however, occur depending on the type of fuel combusted in the furnace system as some fuel types generate larger amounts of residue during combustion than other.

Furthermore, and in particular by providing a cleaning device with a distinctive pulling system as described above, a cleaning device is provided with which the above-mentioned advantages may be obtained while requiring very little work from an operator and in particular without exposing the operator or for that matter the surroundings to the harmful particles dislodged from the exit gas cleaning bag.

Furthermore, and in particular by providing a cleaning device with a distinctive slide element as described above, a cleaning device is provided with which a very efficient cleaning of an exit gas filter bag may be obtained. In particular it has been shown experimentally that residual particles stemming from both primary and secondary combustion processes are removed from the filter. It has furthermore been shown experimentally that the cleaning device according to the invention is capable of removing at least 80 % of all residual particles from an exit gas cleaning bag. Some variations may, however, occur depending on the size of the pores or masks of the exit gas cleaning bag.

Furthermore, a cleaning device with a distinctive slide element as described above has also been shown experimentally to prove its worth in efficiently cleaning even an exit gas filter bag for filter cakes caused by using the exit gas cleaning bag in a furnace system adapted for using e.g. lime or activated carbon for removal of harmful gases such as dioxins. Using such a cleaning device thus enables keeping the performance of the smoke purification device is high or even optimal at all times, and further lowers the amount of times that the exit gas cleaning bag must be exchanged and thus the associated expenses.

In an embodiment the slide element comprises at least two supporting elements, and a respective one of the at least two pulling lines are attached to a respective one of the at least two supporting elements.

Thereby a more robust and sturdy construction is provided for.

In an embodiment the slide element comprises at least two support- ing elements, and a plurality of ring-shaped elements is provided along and attached to the at least two supporting elements, at least one cleaning element being provided on each of the plurality of the ring-shaped elements in such a way that the at least one cleaning element extends from the ring- shaped element towards a center axis A of the cleaning device, the center axis A extending in parallel with a longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device, the at least one cleaning element being adapted to remove particles, ashes, filter cake and other residues caught by the exit gas cleaning bag from the exit gas cleaning bag.

Thereby a more robust and sturdy cleaning device, which further- more enables more efficient and thorough cleaning in virtue of the plurality of cleaning elements, is provided for.

In an embodiment the slide element comprises at least one further supporting element provided and connected to the at least one ring-shaped element at a point F on the ring-shaped element being equally spaced from the two supporting elements.

Thereby an even more robust and sturdy cleaning device is provided for.

In an embodiment the at least one cleaning element is provided extending along the full extension of an inner periphery of the ring-shaped ele- ment.

This provides for a cleaning device with which efficient cleaning of the whole periphery of the exit gas cleaning bag may be obtained in one movement of the cleaning device in the longitudinal direction L along the exit gas cleaning bag. Needless to say more than one such movement may also be performed for an even more efficient and thorough cleaning of the exit gas cleaning bag.

In an embodiment at least a part of the at least one cleaning element is inclined with respect to a radial direction R of the cleaning device.

This provides for a cleaning device with which a very efficient cleaning of the exit gas cleaning bag may be obtained while simultaneously reducing risk of damaging the exit gas cleaning bag in the process.

In an embodiment the at least one cleaning element is pre-tensioned in a direction towards the center axis A of the cleaning device. This provides for a better and more robust contact between cleaning element and exit gas cleaning bag during operation, and thus for a more efficient cleaning, especially when filter cakes are present on the exit gas cleaning bag, without damaging the exit gas cleaning bag.

In an embodiment the pulling system further comprises at least two pulling elements, one for each pulling line, the at least two pulling elements being arranged at an end of the cleaning device opposite to the drive axle with respect to the slide element.

Thereby a cleaning device is provided with which it is ensured that the movement of both pulling lines and slide element along the longitudinal direction L is particularly stable and straight, and with which the distance between the ring-shaped element and the exit gas gleaning bag may be kept constant throughout the said movement. This in turn provides for a particular- ly efficient cleaning of the exit gas cleaning bag as well as for eliminating any risk of damaging the exit gas cleaning bag in the process.

In an embodiment the cleaning device further comprises a unit adapted for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag by shaking the exit gas filter bag such as to shake off particles deposited on the exit gas cleaning bag, the unit being mounted on the drive axle by means of a nut and bolt connection optionally including a locking or retaining washer, and/or the unit comprising a piping or plates with a square or rectangular cross section. Thereby an additional or alternative option for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag is provided for.

In an embodiment the drive axle is locked by means of locking rings passed through one or more bushings in such a way that the axle may be rotated manually by means of a handle or electrically by means of a driving means such as a motor. Optionally, the one or more bushings are fitted with one or more spring elements and/or one or more O-rings.

This provides for a simple and robust structure for driving the cleaning device up and down along the exit gas cleaning bag to be cleaned. Bush- ings fitted with one or more spring elements enables driving the cleaning device with less force requiring to be applied. Bushings fitted with one or more O-rings provides for a structure in which it is avoided that dirt, particles and other impurities may be introduced into the bushings and thereby restrict the rotation of the drive axle.

In an embodiment the at least one cleaning element is a brush, a scraping device, made of brass, made of a silicone, made of Teflon® and any combination thereof.

In an embodiment the supporting elements and/or the further supporting element and/or the ring-shaped element and/or the pulling mecha- nisms and/or the pulling elements and/or the drive axle is made of stainless steel.

Advantages of the two above-mentioned embodiments appear from the detailed description.

In an embodiment the pulling lines are any one of chains adapted for engagement with a gear wheel and belts or wires adapted for engagement with a pulley.

In an embodiment the pulling mechanisms are any one of gear wheels and pulleys.

In an embodiment the pulling elements are any one of gear wheels and pulleys arranged in a clevis pin or forked bolt.

Any of the three above-mentioned embodiments provides for a cleaning device with a simple structure requiring very little maintenance and being inexpensive to produce.

The invention will be described in more detail below by means of a non-limiting example of a presently preferred embodiment and with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

Fig. 1A shows a smoke purification device comprising an exit gas filter bag and being mounted on an existing or new furnace of the wood burner type.

Fig 1 B shows a cross sectional view along the line A-A shown in Fig. 1 A of the smoke purification device according to Fig. 1 A,

Fig. 1 C shows a cross sectional view along the line B-B shown in Fig.

1 A of the smoke purification device according to Fig. 1 A,

Fig. 2 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention, and further featuring an exit gas filter bag of a smoke purification device such as that of Fig. 1 to illustrate the cleaning de- vice during use for cleaning the exit gas filter bag.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of the detail III on Fig.

2.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a slide element of the cleaning device according to Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of the detail V on Fig.

2.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of the detail VI on Fig.

2.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of the detail VII on Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged cross sectional view of the detail VIII on

Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 shows the detail VIII according to Fig. 8 in a view from a direction perpendicular to that of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention.

As mentioned by way of introduction, cleaning devices according to the present invention are adapted for cleaning an exit gas cleaning bag, such as a filter bag, in an exit gas chamber of a smoke purification device. Turning first to Figs. 1A to 1 C, an embodiment of such a smoke purification device mounted on an existing or new furnace system comprising a furnace 200 and an associated outflow pipe or chimney for leading exit gases away from the furnace 200 to the surroundings is therefore illustrated. In this embodiment, the furnace system is of the wood burner type.

Generally, and irrespective of the embodiment, such a smoke purification device G comprises the following:

A housing 100 for collecting or accommodating residual or waste products resulting from the burning of fuels, particularly wood, in the furnace 200. The housing 100 comprising a unit for removing the residual products from the furnace 200 to an air bleeding device 700 arranged at an end of the housing 100 opposite to the furnace 200.

A ventilator or blower 400 mounted at or on the housing 100 for providing the combustion air to the furnace 200.

An exit gas chamber generally denoted 1200, which in this embodiment comprises a secondary chamber 1200' and thus two chambers in total, for the exit gases and an exit gas cleaning bag 10, such as a filter bag, ar- ranged in a filter basket, filter net or the like in the exit gas chamber 1200 such as to filter and thereby clean the exit gases.

The secondary chamber 1200', and thus the two chambers in total of the exit gas chamber 1200, is provided as furnace systems of the wood burner type are gas tight constructions with a low internal oxygen content. In this case the exit gases are therefore introduced in a transverse direction into the exit gas chamber such that the exit gases and particles are forced downwards towards the construction 600 at the bottom of the exit gas cleaning bag 10 before rising towards the top of the exit gas cleaning bag 10. Thereby the whole length of the exit gas cleaning bag 10 is utilized, which in turn enhanc- es the efficiency of the smoke purification device.

Access openings, slots or the like denoted 1300 arranged at an end of the exit gas chamber 1200 opposite to the housing 100, and thus the fur- nace 200, for intake of the combustion air.

A valve 1400 arranged above the access openings 1300 for opening and/or closing off the emission of exit gases in case of power failure or in case a differential pressure measured across the exit gas cleaning bag 10 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

An air bleeding device 1500 arranged above the valve 1400 for removal of the combustion gases through the exit gas cleaning bag 10.

A construction or device 600 for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag 10 by shaking the exit gas filter bag 10 such as to shake off the filter cake or residual products deposited on the exit gas cleaning bag 10 during filtering of the exit gases when using the smoke purification device G according to the invention. The construction or device 600 may in principle form part of a cleaning device according to the invention.

An access device 700, such as a valve or a connector, arranged on the housing 100 for opening and/or closing the housing 100 for residual or waste products.

A door, hatch or the like denoted 900 through which it is possible to remove residual products, the exit gas cleaning bag 10 or the like from the interior of the smoke purification device G.

It is noted that the exit gas chamber 1200 and the exit gas cleaning bag 10 extend along a part of or the whole length of the smoke purification system G and thus the outflow pipe or chimney pipe of the furnace system.

The smoke purification device G according to the invention generally works as follows. Combustion air is, by means of the ventilator or blower 400, drawn or sucked through the access openings 1300 and the outer air chamber 2500 (cf. Fig. 1 B) into the furnace 200 in which the combustion of fuel takes place. Exit gases are, by means of the air bleeding device 1500, drawn or sucked into the exit gas chamber 1200, and thereby through the exit gas cleaning bag 10 thus filtering the exit gases, and are expelled to the exterior through the valve 1400 for opening and/or closing off the emission of exit gases. The air bleeding device 1500 thus provides suction creating a pressure drop over the exit gas cleaning bag 10 drawing the exit gases through the exit gas cleaning bag 10.

Generally, and irrespective of the embodiment, such a smoke purification device G may further comprise the following optional elements:

A control unit or panel 300 for electronically monitoring, controlling and/or operating the smoke purification device G. The control unit 300 may be connected to electrical equipment for controlling the smoke purification device G, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), a programmable controller (PC) or the like.

A device, such as a motor, denoted 800 for producing a force urging residual products from the furnace 200 and the smoke purification device G towards the access device 700, such as a valve or connector, at which removal of the residual products for safe disposal may be performed, e.g. by suction exerted by a vacuum cleaner-like device.

An insulating cover or casing 1 100 made of an insulating material and being arranged enclosing at least a part of an outer piping A (Fig. 1 C) of the smoke purification system G.

A gas tight connection 500 arranged between the furnace 200 and the exit gas chamber 1200 of the smoke purification device. The gas tight connection 500 may be variably arranged on the smoke purification device. It is noted that in other embodiments the gas tight connection 500 may be omitted and the furnace 200 be directly connected to the exit gas chamber 1200 of the smoke purification device.

As mentioned above the exit gas cleaning bag 10 may be cleaned by shaking the filter bag 10 by means of the construction or device 6 such as to shake off the filter cake or residual products deposited on the exit gas cleaning bag 10 over time. Alternatively or additionally, the exit gas cleaning bag 10 may be removed and replaced through the door 900, through which the housing 100 may also be cleaned or emptied for residual products for safe disposal.

Another alternative is to provide a cleaning device according to the invention and as described herein, and to use the cleaning device according to the invention for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag 10. An embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention is shown in Fig. 2 with further details of different parts thereof being shown in Figs. 3-9. A cleaning device according to the invention generally comprises a total height corresponding to that of the smoke purification device with which it is to be used. Thus, cleaning device according to the invention generally comprises a height of 4 - 6 meters, but could be higher or lower.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the cleaning device comprises two main components, namely a slide element 14 comprising at least one ring-shaped element 12 with at least one cleaning element 13, and a pulling system 1 com- prising at least two pulling lines 15. The pulling system 1 is connected to the slide element 14 and is adapted for pulling the slide element 14 along a longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device.

In more detail and referring also to Figs. 3, 4 and 7 the slide element 14 comprises the following elements:

At least one ring-shaped element 13 adapted for extending at least partially, and in a particular embodiment fully, around a circumference of the exit gas cleaning bag 10 in the mounted condition of the cleaning device. The shape of the ring-shaped element 13 is adapted to fit the cross sectional shape of the exit gas cleaning bag 10. Therefore, the ring-shaped element 13 is most often and in the embodiment shown a circular ring-shaped element 13. However, the ring-shaped element 13 may also have other shapes than circular, such as but not limited to a hexagonal and a quadrilateral ring- shaped element.

At least one cleaning element 12 provided on the ring-shaped ele- ment 13 and being adapted to remove particles caught by the exit gas cleaning bag 10 from the exit gas cleaning bag 10. The at least one cleaning element 12 is provided on or attached to the ring-shaped element 13 in such a way as to generally extend in a direction towards the center axis A of the cleaning device, and in one particular embodiment in a radial direction R to- wards the center axis A or towards a center C of the ring-shaped element 13, - cf. Fig. 4. The at least one cleaning element 12 is provided extending along the full extension of an inner periphery of the ring-shaped element 13. Alter- natively, the at least one cleaning element 12 may in principle be provided extending along a major part of an inner periphery of the ring-shaped element 13. At least a part of the at least one cleaning element 12, and in particular a part extending opposite to the ring-shaped element 13, may optionally further be inclined with respect to the radial direction R - cf. Fig. 7. The at least one cleaning element 12 may be connected to the ring-shaped element 13 by any suitable attachment means, non-limiting examples being by means of bolts or the like or by casting or molding or welding. Additionally, the at least one cleaning element 12 may be pre-tensioned in a direction towards the center axis A of the cleaning device, or in other words, in the mounted position of the cleaning device, towards the exit gas cleaning bag 10. This may be obtained by at least a part of the cleaning element 12 itself being resilient, and/or in that a spring element is arranged between and connecting the at least one cleaning element 12 and the ring-shaped element 13. In this connection it is noted that as the exit gas cleaning bag 10 may have different thicknesses according to type, it would be advantageous to provide the at least one pre- tensioned cleaning element 12 with a pre-tensioning force chosen in dependence of the thickness of the exit gas cleaning device 10.

The at least one cleaning element 12 may be but is not limited to a brush and a scraping device. The at least one cleaning element 12 may but is not limited to be made of brass, silicone, Teflon®, amides and/or polyamides (especially Mexican nylon) having a high resistance to heat, or a combination thereof. Brass elements, and especially brass brushes, have the advantage of avoiding the appearance of sparks during cleaning. Silicone or Teflon®- elements, and especially Teflon®-scrapers, have the advantage of easily staying clean, even over a long period of time.

In a further embodiment, the at least one cleaning element 12 may be provided on the ring-shaped element 13 in such a way as to be rotatable, especially rotatable with respect to the ring-shaped element 13, such as to provide an improved cleaning effect.

At least two supporting elements 14" being connected to and supporting the at least one ring-shaped element 13 and further being connected fixedly to the at least two pulling lines 15 of the pulling system 1 . As shown on the figures, cf. in particular Fig. 4, two supporting elements 14" are provided and connected to the at least one ring-shaped element 13 at diametrically opposite points P, Q on the ring-shaped elements, i.e. with an angle of 180° between the two supporting elements 14".

An optional further supporting element 14' may be connected to and supporting the at least one ring-shaped element 13. As shown on the figures, cf. in particular Fig. 4, one further supporting element 14' is provided and connected to the at least one ring-shaped element 13 at a point F on the ring- shaped element 13 equally spaced from the points of connection P, Q with the two supporting elements 14", i.e. with an angle of 90° between the further supporting element 14' and each of the two supporting elements 14". Other positions of the further supporting element 14' may also be chosen.

The at least one ring-shaped element 13, the at least two supporting elements 14" and where provided the further supporting element 14" may be made in a suitable type of steel or like materials capable of withstanding the torque caused by the pulling system 1 , elevated temperatures such as those prevailing in connection with a furnace system and the chemical environment and/or chemical compositions present in the air flow chambers of an outflow pipe of a furnace system as described above. The ring-shaped element 13 may in particular be made of stainless steel and the supporting elements 14", 14' may be made of stainless steel wire of a suitable thickness.

The at least two supporting elements 14" and where provided the further supporting element 14" may be attached or connected to the at least one ring-shaped element 13 by any suitable attachment means, non-limiting examples being by casting or molding or welding or even by means of bolts or like attachment means.

In more detail and referring also to Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9 the pulling system 1 comprises the following elements:

At least two pulling lines 15, 15'. The pulling lines 15, 15' may be but are not limited to wires, chains and belts. The pulling lines 15, 15' may be endless pulling lines. Alternatively, the pulling lines 15, 15' may be pulling lines with two opposite ends attached as described further below. The pulling lines 15, 15' may be but are not limited to chains adapted for engagement with a gear wheel and belts or wires adapted for engagement with a pulley.

A drive axle 4 (cf. also Fig. 6) connected to the respective pulling lines 15, 15' is furthermore provided. The drive axle 4 forms an end of the pulling system 1 opposite to at least two pulling elements 2 to be described below. The drive axle 4 may form an end stop for the slide 14.

At least two pulling mechanisms 5 and 8, one for each pulling line 15, adapted for engaging and moving the pulling lines 15 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L are provided. The least two pulling mechanisms 5 and 8 are connected to the drive axle 4. The pulling mechanisms 5 and 8 may be but are not limited to gear wheels and pulleys.

At least two pulling elements 2, one for each pulling line 15', adapted for engaging and redirecting the pulling lines 15' are also provided. The pull- ing elements 2 may be but are not limited to gear wheels and pulleys. Referring particularly to Figs. 8 and 9, in the embodiment shown the pulling elements 2 are gear wheels 22 or the like arranged in a clevis pin or forked bolt 21 , and the pulling system 1 may be tensioned to a desired torque (Nm) in a direction 16 shown on Fig. 8 by means of a suitable tool such as a torque wrench.

The pulling system 1 and the slide 14 are generally connected in such a way that the slide 14 is movable along the longitudinal direction L. More particularly, the pulling lines 15, 15' and the slide 14, especially the supporting elements 14" of the slide 14, are attached to one another in such a way that the slide 14 is movable along the longitudinal direction L.

Each of the at least two pulling lines 15, 15' may be a pulling line extending in one piece between the pulling mechanisms 5 and 8, respectively, and the pulling elements 2, respectively, and extending through the supporting elements 14" of the slide 14. In this case the supporting elements 14" of the slide 14 are hollow elements adapted for attachment to the pulling lines 15, 15', for instance by being squeezed or otherwise attached to the pulling lines 15, 15'. Alternatively, the pulling lines 15 and 15' may be separate pull- ing lines attached to opposite ends of the slide 14, and the supporting elements 14" of the slide 14 may be massive, filled or hollow elements.

The pulling mechanisms 5 and 8, the pulling elements 2 as well as the drive axle 4 may be made in a suitable type of steel or stainless steel or like materials capable of withstanding the torque caused by the pulling system 1 and elevated temperatures such as those prevailing in connection with a furnace system.

The pulling system 1 , and thus the cleaning device according to the invention, is adapted for being electrically controlled and driven, for instance by being adapted for electrical connection to a control unit 300, e.g. a PLC or a PC, of a smoke purification device G as described above.

The cleaning device according to the invention is furthermore adapted to ensure, that in the mounted position, and irrespective of its exact position in the outflow pipe, it will not be able to block holes provided in the outflow pipe and being adapted for ensuring that smoke may exit the outflow pipe even in case of outage of power.

In an alternative to electrical control of the cleaning device, the pulling system 1 may be adapted for being manually controlled, e.g. by means of a handle which may conveniently be arranged in connection with the drive axle 4 and be adapted for turning the drive axle 4.

The drive axle 4 may also form a basis on which a unit 6 for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag 10 by shaking the exit gas filter bag 10 such as to shake off the filter cake or residual products deposited on the exit gas cleaning bag 10 may be mounted if provided. The shaking of the exit gas filter bag may for example take place by beating, spring effect or by means of vibrations. In this case the unit 6 may comprise a nut and bolt connection 7, optionally with a locking or retaining washer, or the like. The unit 6 may then be connected to the exit gas cleaning bag 10 or alternatively to a filter basket, filter net or the like in which the exit gas cleaning bag is arranged, by means of the nut and bolt connection 7 or the like. For instance, the nut and where provided the locking washer of the nut and bolt connection 7 may be arranged inside the filter basket, filter net or the like in which the exit gas cleaning bag is arranged, and the bolt of the nut and bolt connection 7 may be attached to the drive axle 4.

The unit 6 for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag 10 comprises in an embodiment a piping or plates with a square or rectangular cross section and being attached to the drive axle 4. The drive axle 4 is locked by means of locking rings passed through bushings 9, slide bushings or the like such that the axle may be rotated manually by means of a handle or by means of a driving means such as a motor. One or more O-rings adapted for withstanding elevated temperatures and wear caused by ashes may be provided in the bushings 9. Likewise, one or more spring elements, e.g. pressure springs, adapted for withstanding elevated temperatures and wear caused by ashes may be provided in the bushings 9.

Furthermore, and referring in particular to Fig. 5, an attachment rim 1 1 may be provided for attachment of the exit gas cleaning bag 10 and, where provided, the filter basket, filter net or the like in which the exit gas cleaning bag 10 is arranged. The attachment rim 1 1 forms part of the smoke purification device G, or in the alternative of the furnace system.

The cleaning device according to the invention is generally mounted and working as follows.

The pulling elements 2 may, in the mounted condition of the cleaning device, be attached to for instance the insulating cover or casing 1 100 or the outer piping A of the smoke purification device G at an end opposite to the housing 100. Alternatively, the pulling elements 2 may, in the mounted condition of the cleaning device, be attached to the outflow pipe or chimney of the furnace system at an end opposite to the furnace 200.

The drive axle 4 is mounted adjacent to or in the housing 100 and the pulling lines 15', which are suspended from the slide 14, are brought into engagement with the pulling mechanisms 5 and 8, respectively, arranged on the drive axle 4. Thereby a straight and even movement of the slide 14 along the longitudinal direction L is ensured.

The pulling lines 15, are suspended from and in engagement with the pulling elements 2 and are brought into engagement with the pulling mecha- nisms 5 and 8, such as to be brought to extend in the longitudinal direction L inside the exit gas chamber 1200, especially and where present the secondary chamber 1200', of the smoke purification device. Thereby the slide 14, which is suspended from the pulling lines 15, is likewise arranged inside the exit gas chamber 1200, especially and where present the secondary chamber 1200', of the smoke purification device.

The ring-shaped element 13 is thereby brought to extend around the exit gas cleaning bag, and the cleaning elements 12 are thereby arranged such as to be in contact or abutment with the exit gas cleaning bag 10. The supporting elements 14" and where provided the further supporting elements 14' thereby extend in the longitudinal direction L inside the exit gas chamber 1200, especially and where present the secondary chamber 1200', of the smoke purification device.

By operating the pulling system 1 such as to rotate the drive axle 4 and move the pulling lines 15, 15' in the longitudinal direction L, the cleaning elements 12 may thereby be brought to brush or scrape along the surface of the exit gas cleaning bag 10 such as to remove the particles caught by the exit gas filter bag 10. The particles are thereby brought to fall down through the exit gas chamber 1200 and into the housing 100. The particles may then be safely removed from the housing 100 by means of a closed system, for instance the device 800 and access device 700 as described above in relation to Fig. 1 , without emission to the surroundings.

In an alternative feasible embodiment, the drive axle 4 and associated components as described above is in the mounted condition arranged at an end of the exit gas cleaning bag 10 opposite to the housing 100 (i.e. where the pulling elements 2 are arranged in the embodiment described above and shown in particular in Fig. 2) Thereby the pulling elements 2 may be omitted. Also, the pulling lines 15, 15' may be limited to comprise the part extending between the drive axle 4 and the slide 14 (i.e. the part of the pulling lines cor- responding to the part 15' in Fig. 2). The slide 14 is constructed as described above. In this way the slide 14 would, in the mounted condition, hang freely suspended from the drive axle 4. This provides for a simpler construction with less components being necessary.

In another alternative or additional feasible embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10 a further cleaning element 17, for instance being of the same type as the cleaning element 12 described above, may be provided on the ring- shaped element 13 in such a way as to generally extend in a direction away from the center axis A of the cleaning device, and in one particular embodiment in a radial direction R away from the center axis A or a center C of the ring-shaped element 13. Typically, such a further cleaning element 17 would be provided on an outer periphery of the ring-shaped element 13 opposite to the cleaning element 12. Thereby, a cleaning device is provided with which an exit gas cleaning bag and an inner surface of the outflow pipe may be cleaned simultaneously in one workflow.

In yet another alternative or additional feasible embodiment also illustrated in Fig. 10 a weight or counter weight 18 may be provided such as to stabilize the cleaning device, particularly during movement thereof. Such a weight or counter weight 18 is particularly advantageous in embodiments where the pulling elements 2 are omitted and the pulling lines 15' limited to comprise the part extending between the drive axle 4 and the slide 14. The weight or counter weight 18 may be connected to the slide 14 or alternatively to the pulling lines 15'. Furthermore, in case of a counter weight 18, the cleaning device may be inserted or lowered into the outflow pipe to clean the exit gas cleaning bag 10 and the counter weight 18 may the act to stabilize the cleaning device when lowering it into the outflow pipe and when moving it up and down inside the outflow pipe. It is noted that the cleaning device accord- ing to any of the above embodiments, and especially in embodiments where a weight or counter weight 18 is provided for, may also be used for cleaning in outflow pipes in which several exit gas cleaning bags 10 are mounted, such as in extension of one another, in series or in a circular or curved configuration.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S

1 . A cleaning device adapted for cleaning an exit gas cleaning bag, such as a filter bag, while the exit gas cleaning bag is mounted in an exit gas chamber of a smoke purification device, the smoke purification device being adapted for use in connection with for instance wood burners, wood burning stoves, open fireplaces, furnaces, stoves or heaths for burning wood, smaller furnaces or boilers for biomass fuel or wood pellets and like furnace systems, the cleaning device comprising:

a slide element, the slide element comprising at least one ring- shaped element, at least one cleaning element being provided on the ring- shaped element in such a way that the at least one cleaning element extends from the ring-shaped element towards a center axis A of the cleaning device, the center axis A extending in parallel with a longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device, the at least one cleaning element being adapted to remove particles, ashes, filter cake and other residues caught by the exit gas cleaning bag from the exit gas cleaning bag, and

a pulling system, the pulling system comprising at least two pulling lines, the pulling lines being connected to the slide element at two points being diametrically opposite one another, at least two pulling mechanisms, one for each pulling line, and a drive axle for driving the at least two pulling mechanisms, the at least two pulling mechanisms being in engagement with the pulling lines such as to enable moving the pulling lines and thereby also the slide element in the longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device.

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the slide element comprises at least two supporting elements, and wherein a respective one of the at least two pulling lines is attached to a respective one of the at least two supporting elements.

3. A cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slide element comprises at least two supporting elements, and wherein a plurality of ring-shaped elements is provided along and attached to the at least two supporting elements, at least one cleaning element being provided on each of the plurality of the ring-shaped elements in such a way that the at least one cleaning element extends from the ring-shaped element towards a center axis A of the cleaning device, the center axis A extending in parallel with a longitudinal direction L of the cleaning device, the at least one cleaning element being adapted to remove particles, ashes, filter cake and other residues caught by the exit gas cleaning bag.

4. A cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the slide element comprises at least one further supporting element provided and connected to the at least one ring-shaped element at a point on the ring-shaped element being equally spaced from the two supporting elements.

5. A cleaning device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the at least one cleaning element is provided extending along at least a part of an inner periphery of the ring-shaped element or along the full extension of an inner periphery of the ring-shaped element.

6. A cleaning device according to any one of the above claims, wherein at least a part of the at least one cleaning element is inclined with respect to a radial direction R of the cleaning device and/or

wherein the at least one cleaning element is pre-tensioned in a direction towards the center axis A of the cleaning device.

7. A cleaning device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the pulling system further comprises at least two pulling elements, one for each pulling line, the at least two pulling elements being arranged at an end of the cleaning device opposite to the drive axle with respect to the slide element.

8. A cleaning device according to any one of the above claims, and further comprising a unit adapted for cleaning the exit gas cleaning bag by shaking the exit gas filter bag such as to shake off particles deposited on the exit gas cleaning bag, the unit being mounted on the drive axle by means of a nut and bolt connection optionally including a locking or retaining washer, and/or the unit comprising a piping or plates with a square or rectangular cross section.

9. A cleaning device according to any one of the above claims, wherein the drive axle is locked by means of locking rings passed through one or more bushings in such a way that the axle may be rotated manually by means of a handle or electrically by means of a driving means such as a motor, and wherein the one or more bushings optionally is fitted with one or more spring elements and/or one or more O-rings.

10. A cleaning device according to any one of the above claims, wherein:

the at least one cleaning element is a brush, a scraping device, made of brass, made of a silicone, made of Teflon® and any combination thereof, and/or

the ring-shaped element and/or the supporting elements, and/or the further supporting element and/or the ring-shaped element and/or the pulling mechanisms and/or the pulling elements and/or the drive axle is made of stainless steel, and/or

the pulling lines are any one of chains adapted for engagement with a gear wheel and belts or wires adapted for engagement with a pulley, and/or the pulling mechanisms are any one of gear wheels and pulleys, and/or

the pulling elements are any one of gear wheels and pulleys arranged in a clevis pin or forked bolt.