FR2753643A1 - DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A CLEANING INSTALLATION FOR CONTAMINATED SURFACES - Google Patents

Abstract

The control, for equipment which uses compressed air or water at pressure with a fine grained abrasive material to clean contaminated surfaces, is mounted on a single hand held pistol with trigger (2) which incorporates a mixer and nozzle (3). Water at high pressure is delivered to the pistol (2) through a pump (1) and pipe (E1). An air compressor (4) supplies air to a material tank (6) and sends an air/material mixture to the mixer (3) by Venturi effect. Water is controlled by the pistol trigger and a lever on the same pistol controls the flow of material using a tank valve (V1) and pipe (A7).

Description

Control device for a cleaning installation

contaminated surfaces.

  The present invention relates to a device for controlling an installation for cleaning contaminated surfaces by means of a jet composed of air, a fine-grained spraying material and a liquid, said installation comprising a compressor. air, a reservoir containing the projection material pressurized by said compressor, an apparatus for supplying and pressurizing said liquid, said control device being a handle provided with a trigger controlling the arrival or stop of the liquid under pressure in a device fitted with a nozzle and also supplied with the projection material

mixed with compressed air.

  It has been known for several years the use of facilities for cleaning surfaces, in particular of the facades of buildings or monuments voluntarily contaminated (graffiti) or involuntarily by atmospheric pollution, or even the passage of time. Such installations essentially include the use of a pressurized air jet comprising a fine-grained spraying material and the use of a liquid.

  which is mostly clear water.

  The installation therefore includes an air compressor supplying a reservoir in which the material to be sprayed is located and a water booster, the liquid and the compressed air with the spraying material arriving in a device comprising a nozzle for spraying a jet against the surface to be decontaminated. One of the advantages of this process is the fact that it does not use chemical materials whose elimination

  poses additional problems.

  Improvements have been made in the construction of the nozzle in order to give the jet mechanical properties improving the decontamination of surfaces, as well as to the various processes determining the optimal pressure and the refrigerant mixture of air and spraying material. It is obvious that when it comes to cleaning surfaces that extend over several meters in height, relatively heavy devices such as the compressor, the water booster, the tank are on the ground or on a vehicle that moves, while a person holds a projection device which is in the form of a handle through which the water supply is essentially controlled. The arrival of air with the projection material is controlled by a so-called "dead man" safety control actuated permanently by the user to allow the arrival of the pressurized air to stop. This dual control for the liquid and compressed air that is found in several installations of this type is relatively bulky and makes work difficult, especially when you are on scaffolding. The pneumatic circuit pressure and the flow rate of the material to be sprayed are adjusted by an operator

of the tank.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a control device for such an installation making it possible to improve working conditions without reducing the effectiveness of the safety measures and

  reduce the costs of using the installation.

  The control device according to the present invention is characterized in that said control device is provided with a control member controlling the device for supplying and purging compressed air from said reservoir, said member comprising a conditioner of operation of said member and an actuation device controlled by said trigger. The advantage of the control device according to the present invention is the fact that the pneumatic circuit control, more precisely the pressurization and the draining of the tank is remotely controlled directly by the same trigger which controls the

liquid.

  To make it possible to neutralize the air intake and to keep only the projection of the liquid, the device firstly comprises an element for putting the organ in working condition and a contactor which comes in second position to allow the setting in

organ action.

  According to an alternative embodiment, said member is purely pneumatic and according to a preferred alternative embodiment, it comprises two pneumatic distributors, the first of which is provided with a switch of the rocker type and the second of a

  contactor in the form of a ball.

  The control unit could also be purely electrical and, in this case, it would suffice to have an electrical switch followed by a contactor.

trigger operated.

  In this type of installation, the pneumatic control circuit is more readily used, avoiding the power supply for obvious reasons of

  safety, especially because of the presence of liquid.

  The present invention also proposes other improvements making it easier to control the installation and less expensive, at least in terms of

of use.

  Indeed, depending on the state of contamination of the surface, it is sometimes necessary to adjust the pressure of the pneumatic circuit and, in this case, a person must be near the tank to perform this work according to the indications given by the person who performs the treatment of the surface to be decontaminated. This procedure has the disadvantage of having to call on a second person or to arrange for the person carrying out the treatment to stop working to go

make these settings and return.

  Using either an electric or preferably pneumatic circuit, a pressure regulator is also installed on the control device, which allows the user to know the pressure of the

  pneumatic circuit and modify it at will.

  Another element which can also be, according to an alternative embodiment, incorporated into the control device is a control of the device regulating the flow of the projection material. This control can be electric, but it is preferably

  pneumatic for the same reasons as above.

  The invention will now be described in more detail at

using the attached drawing.

  Figure 1 is a completely schematic view of an installation using the control according to the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the

  control device according to the present invention.

  Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the

control device.

  Figure 4 is a plan view of the bottom

  of the control device according to the present invention.

  In Figure 1, there is shown quite schematically the main elements of a surface decontamination installation provided with the device

  control according to the present invention.

  A water supply E passes through a pressure relief device 1 and through a pipe El feeds the control device 2, which by means of a trigger controls the passage or stopping of water to a

mixing device 3.

  An air compressor 4 feeds an air dryer 5 through a pipe Ai. Through a pipe A2, the air thus dried passes first through an air pressure regulating device Ri and thereafter it is directed by a pipe A5 in a pressure tank 6 through a filling valve V1. The reservoir 6 contains a spray product having fine grains used for cleaning the surfaces. Another pipe A3 leads the dried air to the outlet of the tank 6 provided with a valve V2 through which the spray product is pushed thanks to the pressure remaining in the tank, and the suction (Venturi effect) in the pipe A4. Thus, through an A4 pipe, the product to be sprayed is mixed with the compressed air and arrives at the mixing device 3 provided with a nozzle, through

  which is projected against the surface to be decontaminated.

  Another pipe A6 supplies the dried air to the control device 2. The air thus arrived is used to control through a suitable member and a pipe A7, the valve Vi for pressurizing the tank 6, or for purging. The valve V1 is arranged to either put under

  pressure the tank, or purge it.

  According to a preferred alternative embodiment, the control 2 is provided with a device for measuring and regulating the pressure of the pneumatic circuit remotely. For this purpose, one acts on the pressure regulator Ri (through a pipe A9) by means of a regulator R2 whose

  is equipped with the control device 2.

  According to another alternative embodiment, provision is made to be able to control the flow of the projection material through the valve V2. For this purpose, through a double pipe A8 and an appropriate member located on the control device 2, the product flow is adjusted

passing through valve V2.

  We will now deal in more detail with the part of installation 2, as well as the various

pneumatic controls.

  In Figure 2, we have shown a side view of the control device 2 schematically. It is a handle 201 provided with a trigger 202 which controls by means of a conventional spring or piston switch of known type, the output of the

  liquid through the opening 203 of the control 2.

  The liquid is supplied through the line El. The orifice 203 is usually connected to a T-shaped bypass device 204. The other two ends of the T are connected to a tap T1, respectively T2. The tap Tl makes it possible to control the supply with the liquid of the mixing device 3. This mixing device 3 is supplied by compressed air through the air pipe A4. The second valve T2 is connected to an elbow fitting 205 provided with a nozzle 206. The use of the valve T2 and the nozzle 206 is of course optional, nevertheless useful when it is desired to squirt only with the liquid the surface without passing through the mixing device 3. The control elements described so far are all

  completely conventional and known to those skilled in the art.

  Starting from this conventional order, the inventor has made a certain number of modifications making it possible to carry out the present invention. Initially, there were disposed on either side of the handle 201, two pneumatic distributors 207, 208. The pneumatic distributor 207 is provided with a lever control 209, while the pneumatic distributor 208 is provided with a ball switch which will be actuated by the trigger 202 by means of a member 210. The functions of these pneumatic distributors 207 and 208 will be explained later in relation to the entire control. Distributor 207 could have been a simple valve

  as will also be explained later.

  On the lower part of the handle 201, a plate 211 has been fixed on which five pneumatic connections 212 to 215b are fixed. These connections have been shown schematically and their purpose is to ensure that the various compressed air supply pipes used to control the various elements from a distance end at a fixed part of a handle to facilitate work and prevent what is

  different pipes may get tangled.

  On one side of the plate is fixed a pressure regulator R2 having an inlet 216 and an outlet 217. On the connector 212 leads to the pipe A6. On the other end of the connector 212 is mounted a T-connector or in five branches (1 inlet, 4 outlets) 219. The choice of a T-piece or in five branches depends on the number of functions that one wants to control at distance as will be explained later. The connecting piece 219 is connected by means of a pipe not shown to the inlet 207a of the distributor 207, while its outlet 207b is connected by a hose to the inlet 208a of the dispenser 208. The outlet 208b is connected by a flexible 'to the fitting 214, which in turn is connected to a pipe A7 leading to the control of the valve Vl of the tank 6. Thus, when the rocker switch 209 lets the compressed air pass through the distributor 207, the distributor 208 is supplied and a pressure on the ball 208 through the trigger 202 and the member 210 lets air pass through the pipe A7 controlling the opening of the supply valve Vi of the tank 6, which makes it possible to control the arrival of the jet with the projection material in the device 3 through the pipe A4. By releasing the trigger 202 or by flipping the switch 209, the valve V1 moves to the position of

drain the tank.

  If the valve T1 is open, the liquid also passes through the device 3 and the jet comprises the air, the liquid and the material to be sprayed. If one wishes to stop the projection, it suffices to release the handle, which prevents the passage of compressed air through the outlet 208b and the valve Vl is closed, which stops the supply with the material to be sprayed, as well as the liquid. If you want to use the handle for only a jet of liquid, simply close the pneumatic distributor 207 by means of the lever 209 and press the trigger, which will allow through either the device 3 or the nozzle 206, the outlet some cash. By releasing trigger 202, the supply of liquid and air is simultaneously interrupted,

as well as the material to be projected.

  The trigger 202 advantageously replaces under the pressure of water or a spring the "dead man" command because said pressure pushes the trigger into the rest position preventing pneumatic passages

and hydraulic to the nozzle.

  It is obvious that the pneumatic distributor 209 could also be replaced by a simple tap which is closed or opened. However, such a tap or valve is relatively bulky and if one is satisfied with a small tap it is difficult to handle by the user who often wears thick work gloves. A rocker switch is easier to handle and the switch 207 is small. This pneumatic control could also have been replaced by a purely electric control, the distributors 207 and 208 being a conventional electric switch followed by a contactor which would also be actuated by the trigger 202. The disadvantage of this solution is that it is not not always easy to bring electricity to the workplace and, on the other hand, the presence of liquid requires the implementation of safety measures

  important to avoid accidents.

  The second improvement brought by the present invention is the remote control and command of the pressure of the pneumatic circuit. Thus, from the second branch of the part 219 by means of a hose, the air is led into the inlet 216 of the pressure regulator R2 provided with a display 218 and it exits through the outlet 217 to be by the following leads by means of a hose to the connector 213, which in turn is connected to the air pipe A9 controlling the regulating device R1. The R2 regulator is an existing element in trade and does not represent

  no specific features for this application.

  This device therefore makes it possible, on the one hand, to control the pressure of the pneumatic circuit and, on the other hand, to adjust it as a function of the work and the result obtained by the user. It is an interactive control facilitating the work of the user, who until now must either be assisted by a second person who regulates the pressure according to the indications directly on the device Ri, or move him - even to make this adjustment and start again. Finally, a final improvement that could be introduced is the adjustment of the flow rate of the material to be sprayed. If this remote control of the valve V2 is desired, in this case the part 219 is not a T-shaped connector, but a connector in five branches, the fourth and the fifth branches being connected to a device not shown allowing to control the flow of valve V2. The outputs of this device which could be fixed like the regulator R2 on the other side of the plate 211 are connected to the connections 215a to 215b of the plate 211, which is in turn connected through the double line A8 to the control of valve V2. The valve V2 control device can advantageously comprise a double-acting cylinder actuated by two ball distributors like the distributor 208. Thus, depending on the desired modification of the flow rate, one or other of these distributors is actuated to move the piston opening or closing the valve V2. Instead of two pneumatic distributors, two could be used

taps or valves.

  In order not to load the figures, the hoses connecting the fittings 212 to 215b to the various elements are not shown. Likewise, in FIG. 2, only the plate has been represented.

211 without fittings.

  It is obvious that a modification of the handle 201 of the origin will make it possible to integrate inside several

  of these elements making the control more ergonomic.

Claims (9)

  1. Control device (2) of an installation for cleaning contaminated surfaces by means of a jet composed of air, a fine-grained projection material and a liquid, said installation comprising a compressor air (4), a reservoir (6) containing the spraying material pressurized by said compressor (4), an apparatus (1) for supplying and pressurizing said liquid, said control device (2) being a handle (201) provided with a trigger (202) controlling the arrival or the stopping of the pressurized liquid in a device (3) provided with a nozzle and also supplied with the projection material mixed with the compressed air, characterized by the fact that said control device (2, 201) is provided with a control member (207, 208) controlling the device (V1) for pressurizing and purging compressed air from said tank (6), said member comprising an element (207) for putting said device into working condition and a device (208) actuation commanded by said trigger (202).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said member is pneumatic and comprises a first pneumatic distributor (207) provided with a manual control (209) for setting in working condition collaborating with a second pneumatic distributor (208) arranged to be actuated by the trigger (202).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second pneumatic distributor is a pneumatic ball valve.   4. Device according to claims 2 or 3,   characterized by the fact that said pneumatic member is a pneumatic valve.   5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said member is electric and comprises a switch for placing in operating state, thus   than an electric switch actuated by the trigger.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the control device (2, 201) is furthermore provided with a member (R2) arranged to   measure and modify the pressure of compressed air.   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that said control device is provided with a control member of a device (V2) regulating the flow rate of the projection material.   8. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7,   characterized by the fact that said organs are pneumatic organs.   9. Device according to one of claims 6 or 7,   characterized by the fact that said organs are electrical organs.