FR2776542A1 - ULTRASONIC CLEANING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

Ultrasonic cleaning device characterized in that it comprises: - a rotary supply means (1) for transferring the parts to be cleaned into a cleaning solvent, these parts being introduced into the rotary supply means (1) at its first end (inlet side) to be transferred to its second end (outlet end) located in a position higher than the first end, while the parts are rotated irregularly, - a means of ultrasonic cleaning (6) to ultrasonically clean the parts transferred by the rotary supply means (1) through the cleaning solvent and, - a jet cleaning mechanism (31) at the outlet side to apply the cleaning solvent in the form of a jet to the parts which are raised above the surface of the cleaning solvent.

Description

STATE OF THE ART The present invention relates to an apparatus for

  ultrasonic cleaning as well as an ultrasonic cleaning system and in particular the ultrasonic cleaning of a part which is not fixed but is transferred from one position to another.

Description of the Prior Art

  In known manner, different types of ultrasonic cleaning devices are used. Known ultrasonic cleaning devices can be schematically

  divided into three types of process.

  Method A consists of cleaning the parts

  toyer in a basket, randomly or in the em-

  pounded to subject them to ultrasonic cleaning in a water environment or to water jet cleaning; Method B described in Japanese patent publication (unexamined) A-8-299926, in which the objects to be cleaned are placed in order in a basket (drum)

  going up and down in water while undergoing the net-

ultrasonic cleaning.

  Method C according to which the objects to be cleaned arrive by one end and leave by the other end of a cylindrical drum of horizontal axis, with application of an ultrasonic cleaning in water of a water jet of

cleaning.

  Method A described above presents the diffi-

  know that the parts to be cleaned remain in place and some

  parts of the parts cannot be cleaned sufficiently.

  Method B has the difficulty of requiring

  a large bowl (solvent bowl of net-

  toyage) to receive the basket containing the parts to be cleaned

  toyer. This increases the size of the entire device and

  consumption of cleaning solvent.

  According to methods A and B, the cleaned parts are removed from the basket (drum) before other parts to be cleaned are placed there. This operation interrupts the

cleaning process.

  The process C mentioned above is characterized by

  that the parts to be cleaned are placed in a ro-

  rotary drum with a helical ribbon on the side

  inner king; this drum is placed in a horizontal position in a bowl of water (bowl of cleaning solvent) and rotates with the parts inside which are transferred along the helical ribbon. This allows to continue

  the cleaning operation without interruption. However the ground-

  The cleaning front contains dust and other materials which cause it to become dirty when removing cleaned parts; this

  solvent passes from one end to the other of the drum. The ma-

  that have been removed from the parts to be cleaned may

  again hang on the pieces. This deteriorates considerably.

the quality of cleaning.

  Method B presents the difficulty that the ob-

  jets subjected to jet cleaning drip water which

  contains the materials removed, in the water bowl and con-

  thus taminate this water. Therefore, it is not possible to

  ble to keep the water in the bowl clean for a period of time

prolonged.

  Method C designed for a cleaning device

  assumes that the position of the parts to be cleaned is di-

  directly below the center line of the drum and a

  ultrasonic or a water jet nozzle were provided in a po-

  sition corresponding to that defined above.

  In fact, the objects to be cleaned are introduced

  during rotation, towards the downstream side with respect to the di-

  rotation rection. It was thus found that the cleaning by ultrasound or by a water jet carried out by this device was

insufficient.

Summary of the invention

  The present invention therefore aims to develop

  lopper an ultrasonic cleaning device and an ultrasonic cleaning system allowing continuous work with high cleaning quality, high reliability and

  also to obtain a great longevity and facilitate the inter-

maintenance servings.

  The invention also aims to develop an ultrasonic cleaning device allowing the

  cleaning bowl in a clean state for a long time

  riod of use, and to clean the parts more efficiently than known means. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: - a rotary supply means for transferring the parts to be cleaned into a cleaning solvent, these parts being introduced into the supply means rotatable at its first end (inlet side) to be transferred to its second end (outlet end) located in a position higher than the first end,

  while the parts are driven in rotation by ma-

irregular irregular,

  - ultrasonic cleaning means for cleaning by ultrasonic

  we cut the parts transferred by the rotary supply means through the cleaning solvent and,

  - a jet cleaning mechanism at the exit side

  tie to apply cleaning solvent in the form

  of a jet to the parts which are raised above the over-

face of the cleaning solvent.

  More specifically, the net-

  ultrasonic cleaning is characterized in that it comprises: - a cylindrical drum with through holes on

  all of its peripheral surface and an equal helical ribbon

  pant the inner wall of the drum to transfer the parts to be cleaned from a first end constituting the inlet side to a second end constituting the outlet side, - a drum drive mechanism for rotating the cylindrical drum ,

  - a rotating support mechanism to support the drum

  cylindrical bour so that it can rotate around a

  axis at a certain angle to the horizontal plane-

  tal, so that the inlet side is in a position outside the outlet side, - an ultrasonic cleaning bowl filled with solvent

  cleaner to drown the lower part of the drum

  lindrique where are the parts to be cleaned,

  - an ultrasonic oscillator provided in the bowl of net-

  ultrasonic toy for cleaning objects by ultrasound in the cylindrical drum and, - a jet cleaning mechanism having a nozzle part

  jet provided at the opening of the second end

  mite from the cylindrical drum to apply a certain spray

  of predetermined liquid on, the parts to be cleaned.

  The cylindrical drum is held so that the opening on the first side is partly submerged in the cleaning solvent contained in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl and the opening in the second end is

  located completely above the surface of the net solvent

  toy contained in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl.

  Preferably, the helical ribbon projects in a predetermined manner over its entire surface. The

  protruding or protruding part is formed by a circle

  a number of circular projections or a continuous cable or

  a continuous net, for example a metallic net.

  The cylindrical drum is preferably covered by a main cover with an opening on the inlet side and an opening on the outlet side of the cylindrical drum.25 The ultrasonic cleaning device preferably includes an air blowing mechanism with an air nozzle part provided at the opening on the outlet side to apply a flow of air to the parts which have just undergone jet cleaning. The apparatus preferably also has an outlet opening for cleaning solvent provided for the first

  end of the cylindrical drum for the solvent to clean

  cleaning of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl can overflow

  der by entraining oil and contamination products.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus preferably comprises an air-blowing bowl in a position which corresponds to the air nozzle part, in the vicinity of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl which arrives in a position corresponding to the part solvent jet nozzles

  of cleaning. It is preferable, however, that the ultrasonic cleaning bowl and the air blowing bowl form

  a composite bowl from the first to the second

  ends of the cylindrical drum with a partition for dividing

  ser the bowl composed of a main part serving as an ultrasonic cleaning bowl and an auxiliary part

  serving as an air blowing bowl.

  The ultrasonic cleaning bowl has preferably

  rence a curved bottom in the middle in the transfer direction to form a first part and a second part making an angle less than 180 degrees and the ultrasonic oscillation

is in the first part.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus preferably comprises a means for detecting the level of liquid provided between the curved part and the partition of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl. According to a preferred characteristic, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus further comprises a main cover for covering the cylindrical drum excluding the lower part facing the ultrasonic cleaning bowl, a cover for a drive mechanism for covering the mechanism the drum drive means and a cleaning solvent recovery means for recovering the solvent from the cover of the drive mechanism to lead it into the air blowing bowl. The helical ribbon equipping the inner wall of the cylindrical drum preferably has a certain number of through orifices distributed over its entire surface. The ultrasonic oscillator is preferably provided in a

  position slightly offset from the downstream side of rotation of the cylindrical drum relative to the position which is directly below the central axis of rotation of the cylindrical drum.

  The jet cleaning mechanism preferably has a jet nozzle part supplying a liquid directed not to a central position directly under the central axis of

  rotation of the cylindrical drum, but towards a light position

  relatively offset from the downstream side vis-à-vis the posi-

  central tion. The jet nozzle part is located at

  near the central axis of the cylindrical drum and the di-

  jet direction is not vertical, but makes a certain angle with respect to the vertical direction, towards the downstream side

of rotation of the cylindrical drum.

  The air blowing mechanism has an air blowing part arranged to protrude slightly from the second end of the cylindrical drum, but always remain inside the main cover. The air nozzle part comprises a set of air nozzles distributed in a network whose direction is fixed, but is not parallel to the inclined direction of the helical ribbon, but

cut this one.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus further includes a cleaning solvent tank and the jet cleaning mechanism includes a connecting line connecting the cleaning solvent tank and the nozzle portion to

  jet, a pump fitted to this line to supply the soil-

  Before cleaning, a bypass line connecting the side

  downstream of the pump and the tank as well as a control valve

  flow rate equipping the bypass line.

  The invention also relates to a net-

  ultrasonic cleaning characterized in that it includes: * a first ultrasonic cleaning device to ensure

  mainly cleaning, a second net-

  ultrasonic cleaning to ensure rinsing and mechanical

  guide mechanism between the first ultrasonic cleaning device and the second ultrasonic cleaning device,

  each of the two ultrasonic cleaning devices

  taking: - a rotary supply means for transferring through a cleaning solvent, parts to be cleaned, introduced into the rotary supply means by its first end (inlet side) to transfer the parts to the second end (outlet side) located

  higher than the first end, the parts being

  trails in irregular rotation during their transfer,

  - ultrasonic cleaning means for cleaning by ultrasonic

  we cut the parts transferred by the rotating feed means through the cleaning solvent, - a jet cleaning mechanism provided on the outlet side to apply a jet of cleaning solvent to the

  parts which are raised above the ground surface-

  cleaning valve and, - a cleaning solvent outlet on the inlet side, allowing the cleaning solvent to overflow, - the second ultrasonic cleaning device for rinsing further comprising an air blowing mechanism with an air nozzle part provided on the outlet side of the cylindrical drum for blowing air to

  parts that have been rinsed by the cleaning mechanism

jet spraying.

Summary description of the drawings

  The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of the structure of a

  ultrasonic cleaning device corresponding to a pre-

  mier embodiment of the invention, - Figure 2 is a side view of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a plan view of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the FIG. 2, certain parts of which have been deleted, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical drum according to FIG. 1,

  - Figure 5 shows a positional relationship between the tam-

  cylindrical bour and an ultrasonic cleaning bowl according to FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a front view of the cylindrical drum and

  of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl seen according to the di-

  section A-A of figure 5, some parts having been

  - Figure 7 is a front view of the cylindrical drum and

  of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl seen in the direction

  tion of the arrows BB in FIG. 5, certain parts having been deleted, - FIG. 8 is a front view of the drum seen in the direction of the arrow AA in FIG. 4, certain parts having been deleted, - FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the drum along the arrow CC in FIG. 8, certain parts having been removed,

  - Figure 10 shows variant examples of drums

  in FIG. 9, thus: - FIG. 10A shows a drum having two cables as protruding parts, - FIG. 0lB shows a drum having three cables as protruding parts,

  FIG. 10C shows a drum having a thread as a part

protruding ties,

  - Figure 11 is a front view of the drum along the arrow-

  che B-B of figure 4, some parts having been deleted

mées,

  - Figure 12 is a detailed view of a net mechanism

  liquid jet cleaning as well as the drum represented in FIG. 1, FIG. 13 is a front view of the cleaning mechanism by liquid jet as well as of the drum according to the direction of view QQ of FIG. 12, certain parts having been deleted, - Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid jet cleaning mechanism as well as the drum seen

  in the direction of the arrow R-R in Figure 2, cer-

  all parts having been deleted, - Figure 15 shows the entire configuration of an ultrasonic cleaning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, - Figure 16 is an external view of the ultrasonic cleaning system of Figure 15 with the covers, - Figure 17 a plan view of an ultrasonic cleaning device according to Figure 6 of which some parts have been removed, Figure 18 is a block diagram of the entire installation of an ultrasonic washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, - Figure 19 is a block diagram of the entire configuration of an ultrasonic washing machine system

  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention

tion.

  Description of the different embodiments

preferential

  The description given below relates to different

  rent preferential embodiments of the present in-

vention relating to the drawings.

  First embodiment: The explanations will be given below for an ultrasonic washing machine corresponding to a first embodiment of the present invention with reference to

Figures 1 to 14.

  The ultrasonic washing machine 50 consists of a rotary supply means 1 for circulating through a cleaning solvent, objects to be cleaned such as

  than screws, nuts and washers of a given size.

  The objects to be cleaned are placed in the medium

  rotary feeder 1, at its input (left side of the

  gure 1) and they are directed towards the exit side (right side of figure 1) with an irregular rotation. The input side is in a lower position than the side

Release.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus comprises: an ultrasonic cleaning means for cleaning the objects supplied using a cleaning solvent, a cleaning solvent outlet 10 on the upstream side (side

  input) of the feed direction allowing the ground-

  before cleaning to overflow; the apparatus also includes a jet cleaning mechanism 31 on the downstream side (outlet side) for applying the cleaning solvent in the form of a jet on the objects which arrive above the surface of the cleaning solvent. The rotary supply means 1 comprises: a cylindrical drum 2 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 4) provided with through orifices 2a over its entire peripheral wall to allow the passage of the liquid; it also includes a drum support mechanism 3 (Figure 7) for rotationally supporting the drum at a predetermined angle of inclination o0 (c0 = 15 degrees in Figure 5) relative to the axis

  of rotation of the drum 2 so that the outlet side is slightly raised relative to the inlet side as well as a

  drive mechanism 4 for rotating the drum 2. The angle of inclination (ao) can be different from 15 degrees.

  The through holes 2a are only pre-

  felt in Figures 4 and 5; these holes have been removed

  in the other drawings. A ribbon-shaped element

  5 of given width is fixed along the inner wall

  of the cylindrical drum 2 (see Figures 1 and 4).

  The objects introduced into the drum 2 to be cleaned pass from the entry towards the exit of the drum while being progressively raised by the helical ribbon 5 fixed

to the rotating cylindrical drum 2.

  The cylindrical drum 2 as described above

  has through holes 2a over its entire perimeter wall

  spherical. The cleaning solvent can arrive and leave the cylindrical drum 2 through the orifices 2a. Some holes

  2a are also provided to reduce the weight of the cy-

lindrique 2.

  The size of each through hole 2a is in-

  smaller than the size of the objects to be cleaned. More precisely in the case of a cylindrical drum with a diameter of 600 mm intended for cleaning screws, nuts and washers, the through orifice 2a generally has a diameter of 6 to 10 mm. These dimensions are given by way of example. The

  size of the orifices 2a is not limited to such dimensions.

  sions. t! The ultrasonic cleaning means 6 comprises an ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 and an ultrasonic generator oscillator 8 in the main body 100. The ultrasonic washing bowl 7 is placed under the cylindrical drum 2 so that the lower part of the cylindrical drum arrives below the level of cleaning solvent contained in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7. The ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 has a bottom formed by a first part (on the left of FIG. 1)

  arranged at an angle of about 2 to 3 degrees and a se-

  this part (right part of Figure 1) at an angle

  about 15 degrees from the horizontal plane.

  The cleaning solvent is thus collected on the side

  left of Figure 1 at the location of the outlet 10.

  Along with that, the configuration described above

  increases the strength and reliability of the net bowl

ultrasonic cleaning 7.

  According to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the cylindrical drum

  that 2 is arranged so that its opening on the inlet side has a lower part immersed under the level of cleaning solvent of the cleaning bowl 7 while its orifice on the outlet side is above the level S of solvent of cleaning. In Figure 3, a broken line

  SO corresponds to level S and to cylindrical drum 2.

  The parts introduced into the cylindrical drum

  that 2 by its entry side are subjected to ultrasonic cleaning in the cleaning solvent at the same time as these parts are lifted by the helical ribbon 5 until they appear above the surface of the solvent cleaning. The ultrasonic oscillator 8 is provided at the bottom of

  the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7. More pre-

  cise, the oscillator 8 is in a position which is not directly under the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2, but slightly offset in the direction of rotation of the drum 2

(see figure 3).

  In addition, the parts inside the cylindrical drum 2 descend along the inner wall to come into a position directly below the central axis of rotation when the parts are driven (lift-5 vee) relative to the position which is directly under the central axis of rotation. So objects to

  the inside of the cylindrical drum 2 are raised progressively

  by the helical ribbon 5 and fall in a re-

  stuck under the effect of their own weight; during this

  movement, a predetermined ultrasonic wave for the net-

  toyage is continuously generated by the ultrasonic oscillator 8. In addition, the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 has an outlet 10 to allow

  the exhaust, i.e. the overflow of the net solvent

  toyage used for this operation. As stated above,

  this outlet 10 is on the inlet side of the drum.

  cylindrical bour 2 (at the left end of figure 1).

  The cleaning solvent, used, loaded with oil and other contamination products overflows from this outlet 10 with the contamination products. Thus according to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 7, the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 comprises an element 7A forming a partition, placed inside and in the vicinity of the outlet of the cylindrical drum 2 to divide the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 into a main part 7a (on the left of FIG. 1) filled with cleaning solvent and a part of bowl 7b (on the right according to FIG. 1) to recover the

  air cleaning solvent blown at this level.

  The drum support mechanism 3 presented in FIGS. 5 and 7 comprises three pairs of support rollers

  in this embodiment.

  The first pair of support rollers 21A, 21B according to FIGS. 5 and 7 is fixed to the inner wall of the main part of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 to hold the entry side of the cylindrical drum 2 by

a circular partition 2E.

  The support rollers 21A, 21B are arranged respectively at 30 degrees relative to the perpendicular not

  health through the center of rotation of the cylindrical drum 2. The weight of the drum 2 is thus optionally applied to the support ga-5 lets 21A, 21B.

  The second pair of support rollers 22A, 22B (FIG. 7) is fixed to the interior wall of the main part of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 for

  keep rotating at the peripheral surface of the cylinder drum

drique 2.

  The support rollers 22A, 22B are distributed res-

  pectively at 60 degrees from the perpendicular line

  the air passing through the center of rotation of the cylindrical drum 2. The weight of the cylindrical drum 2 is thus

  if applicable applied to the support rollers 22A, 22B.

  The third pair of rollers 23A, 23B according to FIG. 6 is fixed to the main body 100 of the housing in a

  position corresponding to the recovery section of the cu-

  ultrasonic cleaning vette 7 to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical drum. The

  first, second and third pair of support rollers

  port provide overall support for the cylindrical drum 2

  so that this drum 2 can rotate.

  The support rollers 23A, 23B are respective-

  arranged at an angle, for example equal to 60 degrees with respect to

  port at the perpendicular line passing through the center of

  rotation of the cylindrical drum 2. The weight of the cylindrical drum

  drique 2 is if necessary applied to the support rollers

22A, 22B.

  The cylindrical drum 2 can be placed simple-

  from above on the support rollers 21A, 21B, 22A,

  22B, 23A, 23B. This allows for easy installation and disassembly-

  the cylindrical drum 2 considerably simplifying

maintenance work.

* Figures 5 and 6 show a drum drive mechanism 4 for driving in rotation

  the cylindrical drum 2. The drum drive mechanism

  bour is provided in the vicinity of the third pair of support rollers 23A, 23B. The drum drive mechanism comprises the following means: an endless chain 25 fixed around the cylindrical drum 2, a toothed wheel 26 meshing with the

  endless chain 25, a drive motor 27A for driving

  ner the gear 26 and a reducer 27B.

  The rotation speed of the drive motor

  27A is adjusted from a 100E control panel

pant the main frame 100.

  The combination of the endless chain 25 and the toothed wheel can also be replaced by a gear mechanism, a belt mechanism or any other drive mechanism. The helical ribbon 5 described above equipping the inner wall of the cylindrical drum 2 according to the present embodiment is a stainless steel ribbon with a thickness of 2 mm and a width of 40 mm for a cylindrical drum 2 of a diameter of 600 mm; the drum itself

  is made of 2 mm thick stainless steel.

  The helical strip 5 (as shown in Figure 8) has a number of through holes 5a of a

  diameter between 6 and 10 mm; these orifices are repaired

  woven over the entire surface or only a part. It is

  note that the through holes 5a are not pre-

  felt in figures other than figure 8.

  The helical tape 5 with through orifices 5a can pick up and transport the objects to be cleaned in order to lift them from the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7, leaving the cleaning solvent dirty with the various products.

it contains.

  The helical strip 5 has a number of predetermined projections on its surface F to lift the

  objects to be cleaned. Figure 9 shows one of the protrusions

  read in the form of a circular projection 5b surrounding the through hole 5a of this embodiment. The

  protrusions can also be made irregularly.

link to other locations.

  The projections prevent sticking of flat objects such as washers against the surface of the helical tape 5. The projections can also be produced as shown in FIGS. 10A, 0lB and 10C. Figure 10A shows two protrusions in the form of

  cables 5c fixed to the surface F of the helical ribbon 5. The fi

  gure lOB shows three cables fixed to form the projections c on the surface F of the helical ribbon 5. The protrusions 5c formed by the cables can be distributed along a sinusoidal curve on the surface F of the helical ribbon 5. FIG. C shows a 5d continuous projection in the form of a net or grid. The protrusion can have any other shape as long as it prevents a part to be cleaned from becoming caught; this form also includes

  protruding parts made with the press.

  According to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 12 to 14, the ultrasonic cleaning device has a cover 30

  which is removably attached to the main frame 100.

  The cover 30 has a first opening 30A on the inlet side and a second opening 30B on the outlet side allowing the insertion of the parts to be cleaned through the first opening 30A in the cylindrical drum 2 and the outlet of the drum parts cylindrical 2 through

the second opening 30B.

  According to FIG. 3, the cover comprises inspection windows 30a, 30b provided symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2 and which can be

  open for maintenance work.

  According to Figures 1 and 2, a first conveyor to

  strip ensures the supply of parts to be cleaned in the drum

  cylindrical bour 2. The parts transported by the first belt conveyor 101 are guided by a feed guide 10OA to fall into the cylindrical drum 2. The feed guide 100A is provided at

  of the first opening 30A of the cover 30.

  A second belt conveyor 102 is provided on the outlet side to evacuate the parts after cleaning for the

  exit the cylindrical drum 2. The parts which have been cleaned

  toys fall from the second opening 30B of the cylinder drum

  drique 2 on an output guide 100B so as to guide the

  parts on the second belt conveyor 102.

  The 0lB outlet guide is fixed at the end

  bottom of the second opening 30B of the cover 30.

  The jet cleaning mechanism 31 is provided at

  level of the outlet opening of the cylindrical drum 2 (fig.

  gures 12 to 14). Parts that have been cleaned by ultra-

  sections and which appear on the surface of the cleaning solvent of the main part of the bowl 7 undergo

  then cleaning with a jet of cleaning solvent applied

  from above by the jet cleaning mechanism 31.

  According to Figure 12, the cleaning mechanism by

  jet 31 consists of a nozzle assembly 32 having one or more

  several nozzles 32a and an internal pipe part 33 for

  wear the nozzle assembly 32 and supply the cleaning solvent

  toying under a predetermined pressure.

  The internal pipe part 33 is connected to a pipe 31A provided on the outlet side and arriving in the

  cylindrical drum 2 along its central axis, along the di-

  opposite direction to the feeding direction of the parts.

  The nozzle assembly 32 is provided at the end of the internal pipe section 33, substantially in the middle of the length of the cylindrical drum 2 to supply the cleaning solvent (at

  clean state) as a spray and apply it to the ob-

  jets that just come out of the cleaning solvent (in the dirty state) from the bowl 7. The nozzles (in this mode of

  realization, there are three nozzles) are available

  seized at a predetermined interval in the direction

  longitudinal of the cylindrical drum 2.

  So even if parts with foreign bodies -

  gers on their surface, the jet of cleaning solvent removes

effectively these foreign bodies.

  The jet nozzles 32 have an independent jet direction

  inclined with respect to the perpendicular direction according to a

  predetermined angle (approximately 22.5 degrees in this mode of

  to the downstream side of rotation of the cylindrical drum

than 2 (Figure 13).

  This allows the cleaning solvent (in the clean state) to be applied in the form of a spray on objects that come out of the cleaning solvent level (in the dirty state)

in bowl 7.

  The jet nozzle assembly 32 has its center offset from the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2 by a predetermined distance (f); in this embodiment, we have f = 40 mm; the offset is towards the rising side of the cylindrical drum 2 according to its direction of rotation This allows

  to apply the spray effectively on the objects to be cleaned.

  In addition, the objects exposed to the jet of cleaning solvent are then subjected to a jet of dry cleaning air supplied by an air blowing mechanism 35 supplied by a

compressor 38 in Figure 1.

  The air blowing mechanism 35 includes the

  following means: an air nozzle assembly 36 in a position

  predetermined tion inside the cylindrical drum 2 with one or more air outlet nozzles for blowing air towards the parts so as to evacuate (recover) the cleaning solvent from the objects which have just been cleaned by the cleaning solvent spray; there is a section

  line 37 to supply air under predetermined pressure-

  mined to the air nozzle assembly 36. The air nozzles 36a are

  arranged in a predetermined interval in the direction

  vertical section intersecting the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2.

  According to Figure 13, the air nozzles are available

  so as to apply an air jet in a direction making a predetermined angle (P1 = 30 degrees) taken as

  example, towards the downstream side of rotation of the cylindrical drum

  than 2 with respect to the perpendicular line. The air nozzles are arranged to direct the air jet at a predetermined angle (y1 = 20 degrees) (angle taken as an example) towards the inlet side; this angle is measured with respect to a

  vertical plane of the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2.

  According to Figure 14, all of the air nozzles

  is arranged in a direction which is not parallel to the ru-

  helical ban 5, but turned clockwise by an angle equal in this embodiment to (72 = 20 degrees); this angle is measured relative to a vertical plane along the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2. This avoids the return of the air blown by the helical tape 5. The air is thus blown efficiently towards the objects to be cleaned .10 The arrangement of the air nozzles 36a creates an air curtain which effectively blows the cleaning solvent of the objects which have just been cleaned and minimizes the amount of cleaning solvent which is discharged to

outside and is lost.

  The air nozzle assembly 36 present in a po-

  central position slightly offset from a vertical plane

  tical passing through the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2 towards

  the rising side of the cylindrical drum 2 during its rotation

  tion. This also allows you to completely take parts

such as screws and nuts.

  According to Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning bowl

  by ultrasound 7 is connected to a pipe arriving at a

  cleaning solvent 40. This solvent tank

  is connected to a first recovery line

  tion 41 which collects the cleaning solvent from the main part of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 during

  that the solvent must be renewed; a second recovery line 42 collects the cleaning solvent which has flowed through the cleaning solvent outlet 10 provided near the main part (on the left of the figures) of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 2; he is also

  provided a third recovery line 43 for recovery

  rer the cleaning solvent from the recovery section (to the right of the figures) of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 2. This cleaning solvent tank 40 is connected to a supply line for cleaning solvent 44,

  an outlet line for distributing the net solvent

  cleaning of the reservoir 40 when necessary, for example

  ple when replacing liquid as well as a line leading to the jet cleaning mechanism 31. The jet cleaning mechanism 31 comprises the jet nozzle assembly 32 mentioned above, a supply line cleaning solvent supply 31A, a pressurizing pump 31B provided on the supply line 31A, a filter 31C and valves 31E, 31F, 31G. The pressurizing pump 31B is controlled to operate and stop by a control device (not shown) so that the cleaning solvent which has been

  can be supplied continuously to the cleaning mechanism

jet spraying 31.

  The cleaning solvent tank 40 comprises a partition 40A which divides the upper part of the solvent tank 40 into two parts: a part is provided for the cleaning solvent collected by the outlet orifice 10 of the main part; the other part corresponds to the solvent

  of cleaning recovered from the recovery section of the

  7 ultrasonic cleaning vette to allow the product

  in suspension (contamination product) contained in the soil-

  before cleaning from the outlet 10, to be

  easily removed using an oil skimmer or the like

  ford. The cleaning solvent tank 40 includes a heating means (not shown) controlled by the control means described above to maintain a possibility of

  very high cleaning with cleaning solvent.

  The description given below relates to the function

  operation of the first embodiment described above.

  First, we introduce the parts to be cleaned

  tyer such as screws, nuts or washers using the belt conveyor 101 in the cylindrical drum 2. More specifically, the parts of the belt conveyor are guided by the 0lA guide mechanism fixed to the

  main frame 100 through the first opening 30A of the

  pot 30 in the entry side (left side in Figures 1 and 2)

of the cylindrical drum 2.

  This cylindrical drum 2 constitutes the main part of the rotary supply means 1. The parts

  troduits in this cylindrical drum 2 are moved and driven in rotation by the rotation of the cylindrical drum 2; the parts are supplied to the outlet end of the cylindrical drum 2 by the helical ribbon 5 while being

  exposed to ultrasonic washing of the cleaning solvent contained in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7. The cylindrical drum 2 and the helical ribbon 5 are traversed by a certain number of orifices to allow the cleaning solvent to enter and get out easily through these holes

  these. The parts contained in the cylindrical drum

  2 are lifted and transported during rotation of the drum.

  cylindrical bour 2, up to a certain height then they fall under the effect of their own weight while being

  gradually led to the outlet end (out-

  right half of Figure 1 and Figure 2) of the cy-

  lindrique 2 fitted with helical ribbon 5.

  During this feeding or transfer, the objects are transported from a lower part on the entry side to an upper part on the exit side. Objects can be cleaned as they pass through

  cleaning solvent, not by direct transfer

  horizontal but at a certain angle which varies pro-

  gressively as a function of the distance from the ultrasonic oscillator of the ultrasonic cleaning. This eliminates the traces that remain, by ultrasonic washing if the distance between the oscillator and the objects to be cleaned is unchanged. Thus, the

  ultrasonic according to the present invention allows to clean ef-

  objects uniformly over their entire surface

face.

  After the parts have been lifted

  above the level of cleaning solvent in the cuvette

  ultrasonic cleaning 7, these objects are subject to

  jet cleaning performed by the jet cleaning mechanism 31. The cleaning solvent which remains attached to the parts and comes from the cleaning jet is then removed by air blown by the air blowing mechanism 35 to be incorporated product in the recovery part of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7.5 The ultrasonic cleaning step, the jet cleaning step and the air blowing step are carried out

  while the parts to be cleaned are transferred from the inlet side in the lower position to the outlet side in the upper position inside the cylindrical drum 2.10 At the end of the air blowing step, the parts

  these of the cylindrical drum 2 are pushed by the helical ribbon

  5 from the drum 2 through the second opening 30B of the cover 30; the pieces arrive in an exit guide 100lB and thus on the second belt conveyor 102 to be

evacuated.

  The ultrasonic cleaning step described below

  above, the jet cleaning step and the blowing step

  air are continuously carried out without interruption. This improves

  significantly improves cleaning efficiency.

  During the execution of the ultrasonic cleaning, jet cleaning, air blowing steps, then the cleaning solvent of the main part of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7 is discharged by the overflow in

  the opposite direction of the feeding direction of the parts

these to clean up.

  This allows to continuously remove dirt and oil particles suspended in the cleaning solvent avoiding their new attachment to the parts that come

to be cleaned.

Second example of realization:

  The description given below relates to a system

  ultrasonic cleaning corresponding to a second mode of

  embodiment of the present invention with reference to the fig-

res 15 and 17.

  According to Figures 15 to 17, the net-

  ultrasonic toy according to the second embodiment of

  the invention consists of two cleaning devices per

  trasons; each device has practically the same shape. The first ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the second

  ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 60 have substantially the same configuration as the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 of the first embodiment described above with reference to

  Reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. Thus each of the two ultrasonic cleaning apparatuses 50, 60 comprises the following elements: an ultrasonic cleaning bowl 56, 57, a rotary supply means 51, 61 for introducing the parts to be cleaned into a cleaning solvent placed in an ultrasonic cleaning bowl 56, 57, an ultrasonic cleaning means 56, 66,

  for cleaning the parts by ultrasound with the cleaning solvent, a jet cleaning mechanism 31, 71 for cleaning the objects using a jet cleaning solvent15 applied to the parts which come out of the solvent level of net-

  cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 56, 57 as well

  if a cleaning solvent outlet port 10, 70 allowing the cleaning solvent of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl to overflow. Numerical references 32, 72

  relate to a liquid jet nozzle assembly.

  In this embodiment, the first ultrasonic cleaning device allows cleaning and the second

  ultrasonic cleaning device ensures rinsing.

  According to Figures 15 and 16, a first conveyor

  belt 101 is provided on the entry side of the cylinder drum

  plate 2 of the first ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

  The parts to be cleaned are introduced by this conveyor and fall into the cylindrical drum 2 passing over a guide

  100A power supply provided on the main chassis 100.

  The 10OA feed guide is provided at level

  of the first opening 30A of the cover 30. The parts to be cleaned

  toyer are introduced by the 10OA feeding guide at

  level of the lower inner wall of the cylindrical drum

that 2.

  According to FIGS. 15 and 16, a second conveyor belt 102 is provided on the outlet side of the second ultrasonic cleaning device 60. During this operation, the parts which have been cleaned and rinsed fall off naturally.

  of the cylindrical drum 2 on an outlet guide 100B for ar-

  river on the second belt conveyor 102 which evacuates them. The outlet guide 100B is provided at the lower end of the second opening 30B of the cover 30 of the second ultrasonic cleaning device 60 (for rinsing). The washed and cleaned parts are pushed towards the exit through the second opening 30B to fall under the effect of their own weight on the exit guide 0lB which ends on the second belt conveyor 102.10 A connection guide 100C is provided between the

  output of the cylindrical drum 2 of the first cleaning device

  ultrasonic cleaning 50 and the inlet side of the cylinder drum

  drique 2 of the second ultrasonic cleaning device 60 which

ensures rinsing.

  The parts which have been cleaned in the first ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 are thus provided

  automatically by the 100C connection guide on the second call

  similar ultrasonic cleaning 60 which ensures the rinsing

  cage. In the same way as in the first embodiment, the air nozzle assembly 36 of the

  air supply 35 is provided at the second opening

  ture of the cylindrical drum 2 of the first and second apparatus

  ultrasonic cleaning eyes 50, 60 for directing an air jet on the parts which have just been washed and which have not

not yet rinsed.

  The first and second cleaning apparatus by

  ultrasound 50, 60 have an identical configuration and trans-

  work in the same way as the

  ultrasound 50 of the first embodiment described in reference

Refer to Figures 1 to 14.

  The ultrasonic cleaning system consists of

  a first and a second ultra-cleaning device

  sounds 50, 60 making it possible to significantly improve the cleaning effect without noticeably increasing the cleaning time. The ultrasonic cleaning system is reliable and easy to maintain; it provides excellent

cleaning quality.

  It should be noted that the air blowing mechanism 35 of the first ultrasonic cleaning device 50

  can be deleted if necessary.

Third embodiment:

  The description below relates to a third

  embodiment of the present invention. For this three

  fifth embodiment, reference is again made to the figures

  gures 1 to 14. The explanation of the components and functions common to those of the first and second mode of

  achievement will not be resumed.

  First, the ultrasonic cleaner

  sections 50 according to Figures 1 to 3 comprises a rotational supply means 1 for circulating through a cleaning solvent, parts to be cleaned such as screws, nuts or washers of a predetermined size. These parts to be cleaned are placed in the rotary supply means 1 at its inlet side (side of FIG. 1) to be transferred to the outlet side (right side

  in Figure 1) while being driven in rotation by ma-

  irregular. The entry side is in a posi-

  tion lower than the outlet side.

  The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 comprises the following means: an ultrasonic cleaning means 6 for cleaning the parts by ultrasound using a

  cleaning solvent, a net solvent outlet

  cleaning 10 provided on the upstream side in the direction of transfer, where the cleaning solvent can overflow, a jet cleaning mechanism 31 on the outlet side to apply a spray of cleaning solvent to the objects which have been pushed and lifted from below the cleaning solvent for the main part 7a of the composite bowl 7 (which corresponds to the

  ultrasonic cleaning bowl of the first embodiment

  station) and an air blowing mechanism 35 for applying an air jet to objects which have been exposed to the solvent jet

of cleaning.

  The parts introduced into the cylindrical drum

  that 2 are gradually pushed upwards by the ribbon

  helical 5 fitted to the inside of the cylindrical drum

  that 2 while the pieces are turning irregularly by interaction between their own weight and the force that lifts them. The ultrasonic cleaning means 6 comprises a composite bowl 7 (which corresponds to the ultrasonic cleaning bowl of the first embodiment) formed of the main part 7a of ultrasonic cleaning and of a sub-part 7b constituting a bowl air blowing; these two bowls form blocks and are held in the upper part of the main frame 100; an ultrasonic oscillator 8 is provided at the bottom of the main part 7a of

  the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7. The composite bowl 7 has an open upper end for receiving the cylindrical drum 2 so as to immerse a lower part

  of the cylindrical drum 2 in a cleaning solvent filling the main part of the cleaning bowl

  by ultrasound 7 and forming the immersion zone S0 (FIG. 3).

  The compound bowl 7 extends approximately over the entire length of the cylindrical drum 2 where there is the jet nozzle assembly 32 spraying the cleaning solvent and the air nozzle assemblies 36, arranged in

  this order in the transfer direction. The panel forming a wall

  its 7A between the main part and the recovery part

  tion is in a place between the position of the jet of

  cleaning solvent and air blowing position.

  The air from the air blowing mechanism 35 is received by the recovery part. This means that the cleaning solvent used for ultrasonic cleaning is not likely to be disturbed by the air blown by the air blowing mechanism 35 and which would risk creating bubbles in the cleaning solvent. On the contrary, it ensures

  effective ultrasonic cleaning.

  The partition panel 7A also constitutes a rib reinforcing the composite bowl 74. This improves the maintenance efficiency and the reliability of the composite bowl 7. In addition, the partition panel 7A minimizes the

  amount of solvent required for ultrasonic cleaning.

* According to Figure 12, the compound bowl 7 pre-

  feels a bottom with a curved portion 74 in a position corresponding to that of the jet of cleaning solvent emitted by the nozzle assembly 32. More precisely, the bottom of the compound bowl 7 is formed by a first bottom making a angle of 2 to 3 degrees (to the left of the curved part 74 of FIG. 12) and a second bottom making an angle of 15 degrees (to the right of the curved part 74 of FIG. 12) relative to

horizontally.

  The ultrasonic oscillator 8 is provided on the first

  mier bottom of the compound bowl 7. This collects the cleaning solvent always on the left side (side of the outlet 10) and increases the resistance of the

  compound bowl 7. Ultrasonic waves will not be conducted

  your easily beyond the curved part 75.

  A float switch 76 constitutes a means for detecting the level of liquid in an included position

  between the curved part 75 and the partition panel 7A.

  The float switch 76 closes when the liquid surface of the main ultrasonic cleaning part 7a

  descends below a predetermined height due to the

  lining of the cleaning solvent towards the blowing part

  7b or the like. The float switch 76 transmits a

  general indicating that the surface of the liquid has lowered and sends this signal to the controller 103 (see FIG. 2) provided in the main frame 100. The controller 103 after reception of the

  signal controls stop of operation of motor 27A.

  When the surface of the liquid exceeds a predetermined height due to the cleaning solvent of the jet cleaning mechanism 31, the float switch 76 stops the transmission of the signal mentioned above and the controller 103 controls the resumption of engine operation

drive 27A.

  The float switch 76 avoids insufficient cleaning due to an insufficient quantity of cleaning solvent by making it possible to maintain a high quality of cleaning. The float switch 76 is fixed with a screw and a nut to the wall of the main part 7a between the curved part 75 and the partition 7A as described above. For this positioning of the float switch 57, the vibrations of the ultrasounds emitted by the oscillator 8 are sufficiently attenuated to prevent the nut from becoming

  loosens and produces a beat noise. Thus, the arrangement described above improves the characteristics of

  reliability and maintenance and reliability of the

ultrasonic cleaning.

  According to Figures 2, 3, 5, the cylindrical drum 2 is placed above the compound bowl 7 so that the first end 28 has a first opening half immersed in the cleaning solvent of the main part 7a of the compound bowl 7 and that the second end 29 has a second opening situated above the surface S of cleaning solvent for ultrasonic cleaning, in

  forming the SO immersion surface (see Figure 3).

  Thus the exhibits introduced by the first or

  in the cylindrical drum 2 are first subjected to ultrasonic cleaning in the cleaning solvent of the main part 7a while they are pushed upwards by the helical ribbon 5 during the rotation of the cylindrical drum 2 until what these pieces are getting above

  the surface S of cleaning solvent.

  The cylindrical drum 2 is rotatably supported by the drum support mechanism 3 composed of three pairs of support rollers in the same manner as the first

  embodiment. The cylindrical drum 2 has a ru-

  helical ban 5 having the configuration described in the first

mier embodiment.

  According to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 12 to 14, the ultrasonic cleaning device has a cover 30

  which is removably mounted on the main frame 100.

  The cover 30 has a first opening 30A on the inlet side and a second opening 30B on the outlet side to allow the introduction of the parts to be cleaned

  through the first opening 30A in the cylindrical drum

  2 and the output of the parts of the cylindrical drum 2 through

  to the second open 30B. According to FIG. 3, the cover 30 is provided with maintenance windows 30a, 30b arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2; these

  windows can be opened for maintenance work.

  According to FIG. 13, a box-shaped drive mechanism cover 24 surrounds the toothed wheel 26 of the drive mechanism 4 of the drum. The cover 24 of the drive mechanism and the cover 30 are made in one

single piece.

  The cover of the drive mechanism 24 has a lower part through which passes a

  connection 24A arriving at the air blowing section 7b15 to recover the cleaning solvent from the interior of the compartment of the drive mechanism 24.

  Thus, the cleaning solvent which has arrived in the cover of the drive mechanism 24 and is contaminated

  by the lubricant of the toothed wheel 26 and the particles

  metal falling from the drive mechanism. If soil-

  before cleaning goes into main part 7a of

  ultrasonic cleaning, this deteriorates the quality of the net-

  toyage. To avoid this, the cleaning solvent which comes from the cover of the drive mechanism 24 is evacuated via this connecting pipe 24A in the air blowing section 7b. It should be noted that a pump can be provided for transferring the cleaning solvent from the cover of the drive mechanism 24 into the air blowing section 7b. The

  air supply section may be at higher pressure

  due to the air jet supplied by the air blowing mechanism 35 that the pressure prevailing in the cover of the driving mechanism 24. The pump makes it possible to efficiently transfer

  the cleaning solvent in the air blowing part 7a.

  In addition, the connection line 24A can also be re-

  linked directly to a cleaning solvent tank 40

  as will be described later.

  The belt conveyor 101 and the belt conveyor

  102 are the same as in the first embodiment.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus having the structure described above operates in the same manner as the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The float switch 76 ensures the function-

  normal operation of the device and increases the reliability of the

quality of cleaning.

  24A connection line prevents contamination

  tion of the cleaning solvent of the main part 7a by oil particles and metallic dust from

of the drive motor.

Fourth embodiment:

  The description given below relates to a system

  ultrasonic cleaning device according to a fourth mode of

  realization of the invention. This description will be made in

  reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. In this description,

  will use the same references to designate the components

  already described and their description will not be repeated.

  According to Figures 15 to 17, the net-

  ultrasonic toy 90 according to the fourth embodiment

  tion of the invention consists of a first apparatus for

  ultrasonic cleaning 50 and a second cleaning device

  ultrasonic cleaning 60 having the same configuration as the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 of the third embodiment. The first ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is connected by its outlet side to the input side of the second ultrasonic cleaning device 60. The first ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is used to provide the main cleaning and the second cleaning device by

  ultrasound 60 is used for rinsing.

  In the first ultra-cleaning device

  sounds 50, the ultrasonic cleaning is done with a cleaning solvent which flows through the composite bowl (which corresponds to the ultrasonic cleaning bowl of the first embodiment) 7, the cleaning solvent tank and the cleaning mechanism by jet 31 to evacuate dirt, including oil, from parts such as screws,

nuts and washers.

  In the second ultra-cleaning device

  sounds 60, the cleaning solvent is removed from the parts by the jet cleaning mechanism 31 using a

  rinse (such as water or pure water) flowing through

  to the compound bowl 7, the net-

  toyage 40 and the jet mechanism 31.

  This system has the same effect as that of the second embodiment while improving the reliability and the

  quality of cleaning thanks to float switch 76.

Fifth embodiment:

  The description given below relates to an apparatus

  reil ultrasonic cleaning according to a fifth embodiment with reference to Figure 18 and Figures 2 and

  14. In the description and in the figures, the

  same references to designate the same components including the

description will not be repeated.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 250 according to the fifth embodiment comprises a rotary supply means 1 for circulating parts to be cleaned such as screws, nuts and washers of predetermined size through a cleaning solvent. The parts to be cleaned are pushed into the rotary supply means 1 between its inlet side (on the left of FIG. 1) as far as the outlet side (right side of FIG. 1) while turning irregularly. The entry side is

  located in a lower position than the outlet side.

  The 250 ultrasonic cleaner

  takes the following means: a means of cleaning by ultra-

  sounds 6 for ultrasonic cleaning of the parts introduced using a cleaning solvent; the appliance also has a cleaning solvent outlet 10 for the

  upstream side (inlet side) depending on the direction of transfer, per-

  putting the cleaning solvent overflow, a jet cleaning mechanism 31 provided on the downstream side (outlet side) for applying a cleaning solvent jet to the parts which have appeared above the cleaning solvent surface as well as an air blowing mechanism 35 for applying an air jet to the parts which have just been subjected to jet cleaning. 5 The ultrasonic cleaning means 6 comprises the following means: a compound bowl 7 (corresponding to

  the ultrasonic cleaning bowl of the first embodiment); this bowl comprises a main part 7a for cleaning by ultrasound and an auxiliary part 7b10 for blowing the air and finally an oscillator generating the ultrasound 8.

  The ultrasonic oscillator 8 is provided at the bottom of the main part 7a. More precisely, the ultrasonic oscillator 8 is in a position which is not directly below the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2, but slightly offset upstream in the direction

  of rotation of the cylindrical drum 2 (see FIG. 3). This shift is of the order of 10 to 45 degrees in the direction of rotation of the cylindrical drum 2; it is preferably equal to 20 20 degrees.

  Thus the ultrasonic oscillator 8 is in a position shifted downstream in the direction of rotation of the cylindrical drum 2, where most of the parts to be cleaned are concentrated, rather than immediately above the center of rotation. Ultrasonic cleaning can thus be done

effectively on objects.

  The jet cleaning mechanism 31 is provided at the outlet of the cylindrical drum 2 (see FIGS. 12 to 14). Parts have been cleaned

  by ultrasound and appear on the surface of the net solvent

  toyage in the main part of the bowl 7 to then be subjected to cleaning by the cleaning solvent under

  jet form applied from above by the net mechanism

jet spraying 31.

  According to Figure 12, the jet cleaning mechanism 31 includes a nozzle assembly 32 having one or more nozzles 32a and an internal pipe portion 33 for holding the nozzle assembly 32 and conducting the cleaning solvent

under a predetermined pressure.

  The internal pipe part 33 is connected to a pipe 31A provided on the outlet side and arriving in the cylindrical drum 2 along its central axis in the direction

  opposite to the feeding direction. The set to drink-

  ses 32 provided at the end of the internal pipe part 33 is located approximately in the middle of the length of the cylindrical drum 2 to allow the application of the cleaning solvent (in a less dirty state) in the form of a jet on the parts which Just cleaning solvent (in a dirtier state) appears in the bowl 7. The nozzles (in

  the present embodiment, there are three nozzles) are

  parts following a predetermined interval in the direction

  longitudinal of the cylindrical drum 2.

  Even if the parts have foreign bodies on their surface, these foreign bodies are effectively evacuated by the

cleaning solvent spray.

  The jet nozzles 32 have an independent jet direction

  inclined with respect to the perpendicular direction at a predetermined angle which is of the order of 15 to 45 degrees and preferably of the order of 22.5 degrees; this angle

  is directed towards the downstream side of rotation of the cylindrical drum

than 2 (Figure 13).

  The jet nozzle assembly 32 has its center offset from the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2 by a predetermined distance (f); in this embodiment, this distance is f = 40 mm; the shift is towards the

  rising side of the cylindrical drum 2 in its direction of ro-

  tation. This effectively applies the spray to objects

jets to clean.

  Thus, the objects or parts which have just appeared on the surface of the cleaning solvent in the main part 7a effectively undergo jet cleaning. In addition, the parts which have undergone this jet cleaning

  solvent are then exposed to an air jet to be clean

  toyed and dried; this jet is provided by an air blowing mechanism 35 driven by a power source 38a at the

figure 18.

  The air blowing mechanism 35 comprises the following means: an air nozzle element 36 provided in a predetermined position inside the cylindrical drum 2 and having one or more nozzles for blowing air towards the objects of so as to remove (recover) cleaning solvent from the objects which have just been washed with the jet of cleaning solvent; a pipe 37 supplies supply air under a predetermined pressure to the air nozzle assembly 36. The actual air nozzles 36a according to

  arranged at a predetermined interval in the direction pas-

  by the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2.

  This air nozzle assembly 36 is provided at the outer end 29 of the cylindrical drum 2, slightly projecting from the end surface of the cover 30. The air nozzle assembly 36 includes nozzles of air 36a to supply air taken from the environment of the nozzles when a pump is driven by the source

supply 38a.

  This air nozzle assembly 36 is preferably remote from the liquid jet nozzle part 32 of the cleaning mechanism 31. The reason is that if the air nozzle assembly 36 is located in the vicinity of the cleaning mechanism of

  jet of liquid 31, there is a risk that the cleaning solvent will

  tributed in the form of a jet does not mix with the air taken by

  the air nozzle assembly 32 and mixes with the solvent.

  The air nozzle assembly 36 is provided in the above location, outside the cylindrical drum 2 so as not to create significant pressure fluctuations inside the cylindrical drum 2 or to interfere with the cleaning solvent spray. It is thus possible to carry out a jet of cleaning solvent in preference to a

air blowing.

  According to FIG. 13, the blowing direction of

  the air through the air nozzles of the assembly 36 is not equal

  lele to a vertical plane passing through the median line of the tam-

  cylindrical bour 2 but at an angle (Pl = 30 degrees) to the vertical plane, so as to apply the air flow

  downstream in the direction of rotation of the cylindrical drum 2.

  According to Figure 12, relative to the end surface of the cylindrical drum 2, the air blowing direction makes a predetermined angle (Y1) for example equal to 20 degrees so as to effectively apply the blown air

  on the parts that have just been cleaned.

  The arrangement described above of the air nozzle assembly 36 makes it possible to effectively apply a breath of air to the parts and to remove the cleaning solvent just as effectively from the parts which come from the jet cleaning. According to FIG. 14, the set of air nozzles is distributed in a direction which is not parallel to a helical ribbon 15 5, but turned clockwise by a

  angle (72 = 20 degrees) in this embodiment, compared

  port to the vertical plane and the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2. This suppresses the return of the blast of air from the element

  vertical plate 5 and allows effective cleaning of the sou-

air flow to the rooms.

  The arrangement of the air nozzles 36a creates a curtain

  air that effectively removes the blast of solvent from net-

  cleaning by objects which have been cleaned and to minimize the amount of cleaning solvent entrained towards

  the outside and instead increase the amount of cleaning solvent recovered. Contaminated cleaning solvent

  born must be removed from any part that has just been cleaned. The air nozzle assembly 36 has a central position

  trale slightly offset from a vertical plane

  health through the central axis of the cylindrical drum 2 towards the ascending side of the cylindrical drum 2 during its rotation. This also allows you to take parts such as screws and

  nuts, in their entirety.

  According to Figures 18 and 2, the compound bowl 7

  is connected to a pipe arriving in a soil tank

  cleaning solvent 40. This cleaning solvent tank

  is first connected to a recovery line 41 for re-

  collecting the cleaning solvent from the main part of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 7, if necessary

  for a replacement; a second recovery line 42 collects the cleaning solvent which has protruded from the cleaning solvent outlet 10 provided

  sinage of the main part (left according to the figures)

  of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 2 as well as three

  fifth recovery line 43 to recover the solvent

  cleaning the recovery section (to the right of the

  gures) of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl 2.

  The cleaning solvent tank 40 is connected to a supply line for cleaning solvent 44, to an outlet pipe for discharging the cleaning solvent

  of the cleaning solvent tank 40 when necessary

  replace the liquid and a pipe connected to the

jet cleaning system 31.

  The jet cleaning mechanism 31 comprises the jet nozzle assembly 32 described above, a cleaning solvent supply line 31A, a pressurizing pump 31B provided on the supply line 31A;

  a filter 31C and valves 31E, 31F, 31G.

  In addition, the jet cleaning mechanism 31 comprises a bypass line 91 connected between the downstream side of the pressurizing pump 31B and the cleaning solvent tank 40 as well as a control valve for

  flow 92 provided on the bypass line 91.

  The pressurizing pump 31B is controlled to work and stop by a controller (not shown)

  so that the cleaning solvent that has been cleaned is supplied

  continuously minted to the jet cleaning mechanism 31.

  In the jet cleaning mechanism 31, the

  pressurizing pump is driven to supply the soil-

  before cleaning the solvent tank 40 under pressure at

  the jet nozzle assembly 32. The amount of solvent

  toyage released in the form of a jet is regulated by opening

  the flow control valve 92 of the bypass line

  tion 91 to conduct a part of the cleaning solvent through the bypass line 91. This makes it possible to regulate the quantity of cleaning solvent discharged in the form of a jet in the main part (ultrasonic bowl) 7a in a

  range not disturbed by the ultrasonic waves generated by the oscillator 8. In addition, if the jet nozzle assembly 32 is blocked

  Checked out, the cleaning solvent can return via the bypass line 91 to the cleaning solvent tank 40. This protects the pressurizing pump 31B and improves the maintenance characteristics of the entire apparatus. It should be noted that the bypass line 91 may include a solenoid valve controlled by an external input signal supplied by a controller which may be dedicated

  to control the solenoid valve and drive the ultrasonic oscillator 8. This controller can control the solenoid valve and the ultrasonic oscillator 8 so that if the solenoid valve is open, the ultra-oscillator

  sounds 8 be trained to operate; when the solenoid valve is closed, the operation of the ultrasonic oscillator 8 is blocked. This allows switching between ultrasonic cleaning and jet cleaning, depending on the condition

parts to be cleaned.

  The ultrasonic cleaning step, the

  jet cleaning and the air blowing step are performed

  tees while the parts to be cleaned run from the inlet side in the low position to the outlet side in the

high of cylindrical drum 2.

  After the air blowing step, the parts of the cylindrical drum 2 are pushed by the helical ribbon 8 of the cylindrical drum 2 through the second opening 30B of the cover 30 to pass through the outlet guide means 100B and arrive at the second belt conveyor 102 for

be evacuated.

  The ultrasonic cleaning step described below

  above, the jet cleaning step and the blowing step

  air are continuously carried out without interruption. This improves

  significantly improves cleaning performance.

  When all the ultrasonic cleaning, jet cleaning and air blowing operations are working, the cleaning solvent for the main part 7a of the compound bowl 7 is discharged when it overflows in the direction opposite to the direction feeding objects

to clean.

  This allows the continuous removal of dirt and oil particles suspended in the cleaned solvent, which

  prevents adhesion of dirt and oil particles which could return to the parts just cleaned.

Sixth embodiment:

  The description given below relates to a system

  ultrasonic cleaning device according to a sixth mode of reaction

  reading of the invention with reference to FIG. 19. In

  this description, we will use the same references to

  sign the same components as above and their description

will not be resumed.

  According to Figure 19, the ultrasonic cleaning system 290 corresponding to the sixth embodiment comprises a first ultrasonic cleaning device 250 and a second ultrasonic cleaning device 260; these two devices have the same configuration as the

  ultrasonic cleaning 250 of the third embodiment.

  The third ultrasonic cleaning device

  250 has its outlet side connected to the inlet side of the second app-

  similar ultrasonic cleaning 260. The first device of

  ultrasonic cleaning 250 is used to effectively clean

  cement and the second ultrasonic cleaning device 260

is used to rinse.

  In the first ultra-cleaning device

  sounds 250, cleaning is done with a cleaning solvent circulating through the compound bowl (corresponding to the

  ultrasonic cleaning bowl of the first embodiment

  sation) 7, the cleaning solvent tank 40 and the met

  jet cleaning mechanism 31 to allow the removal of dirt including oil from objects such as

bolts, nuts and washers.

  In the second ultra-cleaning device

  sound 260, the cleaning solvent is removed from the objects by a jet cleaning mechanism 31 using a

  rinse (such as water or pure water) flowing through

  to the compound bowl 7, the net-

  toyage 40 and the jet mechanism 31. This system gives the same effects as the qua-

  third embodiment while improving the reliability of the washing quality thanks to the air blowing assembly 36

  as described in the apparatus of the first embodiment

  tion. As indicated above, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the present invention comprises a drum

  cylindrical with through holes over its entire surface

  peripheral face as well as a helical ribbon installed on the inner wall of the drum to feed the parts to be cleaned by a first end constituting the inlet side and arriving at a second end or outlet side, a drive mechanism to drum for rotating the cylindrical drum, a support mechanism for supporting the cylindrical drum so as to allow it

  to rotate around an axis making an angle relative to

  port in the horizontal plane, so that the entry side is in a position lower than the exit side; it also includes an ultrasonic cleaning bowl intended to be filled with cleaning solvent to immerse the lower part of the cylindrical drum, where the objects to be cleaned are located; it also includes an ultrasonic oscillator fitted to the ultrasonic cleaning bowl for ultrasonic cleaning of the parts of the cylindrical drum and finally a jet cleaning mechanism having a part to

  jet nozzles provided on the opening side of the second ex-

  end of the cylindrical drum to apply a jet of li-

  what predetermined to the objects to be cleaned.

  The ultrasonic cleaning device are the

* present invention performs ultrasonic cleaning in combination

hoeing with a jet cleaning.

  This significantly increases the possibilities

  cleaning abilities to obtain with an aqueous cleaning solvent, a very high cleaning quality like that which is obtained using an organic solvent

  fluorinated or chlorinated or a hydrocarbon solvent,

  for the health of the operators and for the environment.

  The present invention makes it possible to avoid

  the use of such hazardous cleaning solvents.

  In the ultrasonic cleaning device, the cylindrical drum is held so that the opening in the first side is partly submerged in the cleaning solvent placed in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl.

  and that the opening at the second end is completely

  above the surface of the cleaning solvent in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl. So the pieces

  introduced into the cylindrical drum are subjected per-

  lack of ultrasonic cleaning and jet cleaning.

  This configuration minimizes the consumption of cleaning solvent and reduces the

overall size of the device.

  This configuration also allows rooms to

  clean, roll efficiently inside the drum cy-

  lindric to avoid strip-like traces that ultrasonic cleaning can leave on parts when

these remain in place.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes a

  cleaning solvent outlet at first ex-

  end of the cylindrical drum to allow the solvent to

  cleaning to overflow into the cleaning bowl by ultra-

sounds.

  Like oil and other contamina-

  tion can thus be discharged by this overflow from the outlet, it is possible to maintain the cleaning solvent in a relatively clean state during operation. It also increases the possibilities of

cleaning the appliance.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus further comprises an air blowing bowl in a position which

  corresponds to the part with air nozzles, near the ultrasonic cleaning bowl reaching into a po-

  sition corresponding to the nozzle part emitting the jet of

cleaning solvent.

  This effectively recovers the cleaning solvent from the parts that have been cleaned. This reduces the consumption of cleaning solvent accordingly. The ultrasonic cleaning device comprises a means for detecting the level of liquid between the curved part and the partition in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl.

  sounds. This means of liquid level detection main-

  holds a predetermined amount of cleaning solvent, this

  which increases the reliability of the device.

  The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus further comprises a main cover, a mechanism cover

  cleaning solvent recovery means for recovering the solvent which arrives in the cover of the drive mechanism towards the air blowing bowl.

  This results in additional recovery of

  cleaning solvent to minimize contamination

summation of cleaning solvent.

  The helical ribbon installed on the inner wall

  cylindrical drum has a number

  through holes throughout its surface.

  The air blowing mechanism has a

  air supply tie designed to come slightly

  protruding from the second end of the cy-

  lindrique, but still inside the main cover.

  The supply air arrives at a sufficient distance from the jet cleaning space, so that this jet cleaning is not

  not disturbed by the pressure variation generated by the mete

air blowing mechanism.

  Finally, you can use two net-

  ultrasonic cleaning such as those described above to form an ultrasonic cleaning system, so that the

  first cleaning device basically ensures the net-

  toyage and that the second ultrasonic cleaning device

  ensures rinsing. The second ultra-cleaning device

  sounds for rinsing may include a blowing mechanism

  air with an air nozzle part provided on the outlet side

  tie of the cylindrical drum to blow air on the parts which have been rinsed by the jet cleaning mechanism.

  The ultrasonic cleaning system can increase

  significantly lie the cleaning effect without

increase working time.

  The invention can be implemented in different other forms without departing from the general characteristics. The present embodiments must be taken into account

  as nonlimiting examples of the invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS ON) Ultrasonic cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises: - a rotary supply means (1) for transferring the parts to be cleaned into a cleaning solvent, these parts being introduced into the means of rotary feed (1) at its first end (inlet side) to be transferred to its second end (outlet end) located in a position higher than the first end, while the workpieces are driven irregularly rotating, - an ultrasonic cleaning means for ultrasonic cleaning of the parts transferred by the rotary feeding means (1) through the cleaning solvent and, - a jet cleaning mechanism ( 31) at the outlet side to apply the cleaning solvent in the form of a jet (31) to the parts which are raised above the surface of the cleaning solvent.   2) Ultrasonic cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises: - a cylindrical drum (2) with through orifices   (2a) over its entire peripheral surface and a helical ribbon   dal (5) fitted to the inner wall of the drum for trans-   refer to the parts to be cleaned from a first end constituting the inlet side to a second end constituting the outlet side, - a drum drive mechanism (25, 26, 27A, 27B) for rotating the cylindrical drum (2), - a rotating support mechanism (3) to support the cylindrical drum so that it can rotate around   an axis at a certain angle to the horizontal plane   zontal, so that the entry side is in a posi- tion outside the exit side,   - an ultrasonic cleaning bowl (7) filled with soil -   cleaning front to drown the bottom of the drum   cylindrical nozzle (2) where the parts to be cleaned are located, - an ultrasonic oscillator (8) provided in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl (7) for cleaning objects by ultrasound in the cylindrical drum (2) and, - a mechanism jet cleaning (31) having a jet nozzle portion provided at the opening of the second end of the cylindrical drum for applying a certain   predetermined liquid jet on the parts to be cleaned.   3) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim   tion 2, characterized in that the cylindrical drum (2) is held so that the opening on the first side is partly immersed in the cleaning solvent contained in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl   (8) and that the opening of the second end is complete-   above the surface (S) of the cleaning solvent   held in the ultrasonic cleaning bowl (8).   4) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one as claims 2 and 3,   characterized in that the helical strip (5) has a predetermined projection over its entire surface.    ) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that the projecting part is formed by a number of circular projections (5b).   6) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim tion 4, characterized in that   the projecting part is formed by a continuous cable (5c).   7) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim tion 4, characterized in that   the projecting part is formed by a thread element,   continuous, such as a metallic net (5d).   8) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one   that claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,   characterized in that the cylindrical drum is covered by a cover (30) having an opening on the inlet side (30A) and on the outlet side (30B) of the cylindrical drum.   ) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one   that claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,   characterized in that it comprises an air blowing mechanism (35) with an air nozzle part (36) provided at the opening on the outlet side to apply a flow of air to the parts which   have just undergone jet cleaning.    ) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim   tion 2, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises a cleaning solvent outlet (10) provided at the first end of the drum   cylindrical to allow the solvent to overflow   toying to the ultrasonic cleaning bowl.   11) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim   tion 9, characterized in that it comprises an air blowing bowl (35) provided in a position corresponding to the part of the air nozzle (36),   in the vicinity of the ultrasonic cleaning bowl which   goes up to a position corresponding to the nozzle part   (32) jet of cleaning solvent.   ) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim   tion 11, characterized in that the ultrasonic cleaning bowl (7) and the air blowing bowl (35) form a bowl extension composed between the first end and the second end of the   cylindrical drum with a partition dividing the bowl   laid in a main part constituting the bowl of net-   ultrasonic toy (7) and an auxiliary part constituting the air blowing bowl.   13) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim   tion 12, characterized in that the ultrasonic cleaning bowl (7) has a bottom curved in the middle in the direction of transfer to form a first part and a second part, the latter making an angle of less than 180 degrees with the first and   the ultrasonic oscillator (8) is provided in the first part tie.   14) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim tion 13, characterized in that   the apparatus includes a level detection means   that (76) between the curved part and the partition of the cu- vette of ultrasonic cleaning.    ) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one   that of claims 11, 12, 13, 14 comprising:   - a main cover (30) to cover the cylindrical drum   with the lower part facing the net bowl ultrasonic cleaning (7),   - a drive mechanism cover to cover the mechanism hood drive gear, and   - a means of recovering cleaning solvent for waste   absorb the solvent arriving in the mechanism cover   drive to the air blowing bowl (35).   16) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one as claims 1 to 15, characterized in that   the helical ribbon (5) provided on the inner wall of the drum   cylindrical bour has a certain number of openings slopes throughout its surface.   17) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim tion 13, characterized in that   the ultrasonic oscillator is in a light position -   offset from the downstream side of rotation of the cylindrical drum from the position directly below   from the central axis of rotation of the cylindrical drum.   18) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one that of claims 1 to 17,   characterized in that the jet cleaning mechanism (31) has a part to   jet nozzles applying liquid not to a central position   directly below the central axis of rotation of the cylindrical drum (2), but towards a slightly   offset to the downstream side from the central position.   19) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim tion 18, characterized in that   the part of jet nozzles is located near the central axis   tral of the cylindrical drum (2) and gives a non-vertical jet direction but making an angle with respect to the vertical direction, towards the downstream side of rotation of the drum cylindrical (2).    ) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one that of claims 9 to 19,   characterized in that the air nozzle part (36) of the air blowing mechanism (35) is designed to protrude slightly relative to   at the second end of the cylindrical drum.   21) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 20, characterized in that the main cover (100) has an opening at the first   and at the second end and a cover for the main nozzle air blade   22) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to the claim   tion 21, characterized in that the air nozzle part of the air blowing mechanism (35)   comprises a set of nozzles (36) distributed in a direction   bucket whose direction is not parallel, but cuts the di-   inclined rection of the helical ribbon.   23) Ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one that of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that   it comprises a reservoir (40) containing the solvent for net- toyage,   - the jet cleaning mechanism (31) comprises a   connection tube connecting the tank containing the soil   cleaning nozzle and the part of jet nozzles,   - a pump fitted to the connection line (31A) for   rer the supply of cleaning solvent, - a bypass line connected to the downstream side of the pump and to the tank (40) of cleaning solvent,   - a flow control valve in the bypass line   vation. 24) Ultrasonic cleaning system, characterized by   a first ultrasonic cleaning device (50) for   rer mainly cleaning, a second cleaning device   ultrasonic cleaning (60) to ensure rinsing and mechanical   guide mechanism between the first ultrasonic cleaning device and the second ultrasonic cleaning device,   each of the two ultrasonic cleaning devices nant:   - a rotary supply means (51, 61) for transferring   rer through cleaning solvent, clean parts   toyer, introduced into the rotating feed means (51, 61) through its first end (inlet side) to transfer the parts to the second end (outlet side) located higher than the first end, the parts being driven in irregular rotation during their transfer, - an ultrasonic cleaning means (50, 60) for ultrasonic cleaning of the parts transferred by the rotary supply means (51, 61) through the cleaning solvent,   - a jet cleaning mechanism (31, 71) provided on the side   outlet tee for applying a spray of cleaning solvent to the parts which are raised above the surface of the cleaning solvent and, - a cleaning solvent outlet port (10, 70) of the   side of the inlet, allowing cleaning solvent to de-   border, - the second ultrasonic cleaning device (60) for rinsing further comprising an air blowing mechanism (35) with an air nozzle part (36) provided on the outlet side of the cylindrical drum for blow the air towards   parts that have been rinsed by the cleaning mechanism jet spraying (71).