GB2532047A

GB2532047A - Ovens for industrial processes

Info

Publication number: GB2532047A
Application number: GB1419804.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Williams Michael
Original assignee: Spraybooth Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Spraybooth Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-06
Filing date: 2014-11-06
Publication date: 2016-05-11
Also published as: GB201419804D0

Abstract

An oven (4, fig. 1) for use in an industrial process, having two zones 41, 42 internally, maintained at different temperatures, and a rotatable door 43 for closing an aperture of the first zone 42, wherein a support portion 44 for supporting a workpiece 11 to be dried extends from the door, so that when the door is closed the workpiece is inside the oven, whereas when the door is opened to remove the workpiece, the aperture is occluded by the support portion. Preferably the first zone 42 is a lower temperature, curing zone and the second zone 41 is a higher temperature, baking zone. The baking zone or chamber is preferably located above the curing zone. A workpiece processing arrangement (1, fig. 1) is also claimed, which has a spray booth (2, fig. 1), two ovens (4, 5, fig. 1) arranged on either side of the spray booth, and a transport rail 6 extending through the spray booth and the ovens, for transporting a workpiece 10 between the booth and one of the two ovens.

Description

OVENS FOR INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES

The present invention relates to ovens for industrial processes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many industrial processes in which work pieces (components or parts) are surface treated, for example painted or powder coated. Such processing often requires the use of high temperature baking and lower temperature (but above ambient temperature) curing of the surface treatment. Such baking and curing is typically carried out in separate heated ovens which can be inefficient in terms of energy, processing time and materials handling. It is, therefore, desirable to provide an oven for an industrial process that can improve efficiency.

Such ovens are commonly used in combination with spray booths. A spray booth is a structure that provides a ventilated, air filtered and temperature controlled environment in which spraying activities such as painting and powder coating can take place. A spray booth is necessary for the safe execution of such activities, since the sprayed materials include solvents and particulate material that must not enter the atmosphere in large quantities. The particulate material that does not stick to the article being sprayed must be removed from the spraying area to ensure safe working conditions, and to manage environmental impact.

A spray booth also provides a controlled supply of filtered air that aids the spraying process and leads to higher quality finishes. In addition, it is necessary to heat sprayed materials in order to dry them (in a process known as baking), and a spray booth typically provides a controlled temperature environment in which such baking can be undertaken.

In the automotive sector, a body shop which repairs and repaints cars and other vehicles may have the need to prepare and spray small components, such as wheels. Using a spray booth designed for spraying of whole vehicles is wasteful in several respects; the energy requirements for the booth are high, relative to the objects being sprayed, the size of the booth significantly exceeds that required for the smaller objects, and the use of a full booth for smaller jobs creates organisational issues for the spray booth operator.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a processing arrangement which includes a spray booth tailored for smaller objects, in order to enable higher efficiency in processing of those smaller objects, whilst providing the required controlled environment for spraying and finishing at a reasonable cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an oven for use in an industrial process, the oven comprising an internal volume defining first and second zones, heating means operable to maintain the first zone of the internal volume at a first temperature and to maintain the second zone at a second temperature, an aperture contiguous with the first zone, and a closure member arranged for selective closing of the aperture, wherein the closure member comprises a closure portion, and a support portion which extends from the closure portion, the closure member having a first configuration in which the first aperture is substantially closed by the closure portion, and a second configuration in which the first aperture is substantially closed by the support portion, the closure member being rotatable between the first and second configurations, and the support portion of the closure member being adapted for supporting a workpiece in the first zone of the oven when the closure member is in the first configuration.

In one example, the first zone is a curing zone and the second zone is a baking zone, the first temperature being a curing temperature, and the second temperature being a baking temperature, the baking temperature being higher than the curing temperature. In one example of such an oven, the baking zone is located above the curing zone.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a workpiece processing arrangement comprising a spray booth defining a work space, and operable to provide a controlled environment for spraying of material, a first oven defining an internal volume and located adjacent a first end of the spray booth, a second oven defining an internal volume and located adjacent a second end of the spray booth, and a transport rail which extends from the internal volume of the first oven, through the work space of the spray booth into the internal volume of the second oven, the transport rail being adapted for transport of a workpiece between the work space of the spray booth to the internal volume of the first or second oven,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a spray booth arrangement including an industrial oven embodying aspects of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spray booth arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the spray booth arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of an oven embodying one aspect of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the oven of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the oven of Figures 4 and 5 in a closed configuration; Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the part of the oven of Figures 4 and 5 in an open configuration; and Figures 8 to 14 are schematic views illustrating use of an oven embodying the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a spray booth arrangement that includes an industrial oven embodying the present invention. The arrangement 1 comprises a centrally located spraying zone 2, with first and second ovens 4 and 5 to respective sides of the spraying zone 2. Air handling plant 3 provides clean air input into, and air extraction out of, the spray booth zone 2. A workpiece transfer rail 6 extends between the spray booth zone 2 and the first and second ovens 4 and 5, and is used to transfer a workpiece 10 between those areas, as will be described in more detail below.

The air handling plant 3 comprises an air inlet region 31, which provides air 35 into the spray booth zone 2, and an air extraction filter 32 through which air 36 is extracted from the spray booth zone 2.

The ovens 4 and 5 each incorporate a high temperature baking zone 41, 51, and a lower temperature curing zone 42, 52. Each oven 4, 5 is provided with a door 43, 53 to enable access to the curing zone 42, 52.

Figure 2 is a schematic side cross sectional view of the spray booth zone 2 of the spray booth arrangement of Figure 1. The spray booth zone 2 has two regions -a work zone 21 (which extends in front of the two ovens 4 and 5), in which an operative is located during use of the booth, and a spraying region 22, in which a workpiece 10 is located during spraying thereof.

The spray booth zone 2 is provided with air handling plant 3 which is operable to provide clean air input into the zone 2, and to extract contaminated air from the zone 2, and in particular from the spraying region 22.

The air handling plant 3 comprises an inlet fan 34 which draws clean air in from outside of the spray booth and passes this clean air into an inlet plenum 31 which extends across the ceiling area of the spray booth work zone 21. The inlet fan 34 preferably includes an air filter or filters in order that the ait input into the spray booth zone 2 is cleaned to a required standard.

An air extraction port 32 is provided in a rear wall of the spraying region 22. An air extraction fan 37 draws air 36 through the extraction port 32, through ducting 38, and causes the air to be expelled from the spray booth arrangement 1 via a chimney 33. The extraction port 32, the extraction fan 37 and/or the ducting 38 preferably includes one or more filter elements for removal of contaminants from the extracted ait before release from the arrangement 1. In many installations it is required that the air being expelled from the arrangement has a significantly reduced level of contamination, and so suitable filtration may be provided in the extraction part of the air handling plant 3.

The transfer rail 6 extends through the spraying region 22, such that a workpiece 10 can be sprayed and worked on in a filtered controlled air environment. A worker (not shown for clarity) is able to spray the workpiece 10 as it is suspended from the transfer rail 6 in the spraying region 22. Any appropriate spraying process may be carried out in the spraying area, for example spraying of water or other liquid based paints, or powder coating in which dry particulate material is sprayed onto the workpiece 10.

Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the spray booth arrangement 2 of Figures 1 and 2. As can be seen more clearly from Figure 3, the spray booth arrangement 1 is bounded by end walls 23 and 24, and by a side wall 25. A roof portion extends over the arrangement 1. The spray booth zone is located in a central region of the arrangement 1. As described above, the spray booth zone 2 is bounded at each end by an oven 4, 5. Each oven defines a self-contained volume, separated from rest of the spray booth arrangement 1 by way of insulated walls. Each oven includes a sliding door to enable a workpiece to be moved into and out of the oven from the spraying region 22 of the spray booth zone 2 using the rail 6. In Figure 3, the work piece 10 is shown in a spraying positon (A), and can be moved to the first oven 4 (position B) or to the second oven 5 (position C). More detailed description of the ovens and the overall operation of the arrangement is set out below.

The spray booth arrangement shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 has an open side opposite to the spray booth zone 2 and ovens 4 and 5. This open side enables work pieces to be transferred into and out of the spray booth arrangement 2 with ease and high efficiency. However, having such an open side may cause problems with the cleanliness of the air within the spray booth zone 2.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, the flow rate of clean air input to the spray booth zone 2 is higher than the rate of extraction of air from that zone. In one preferred example, the flow of air into the zone 2 is approximately twice the flow rate of air extracted through the extraction port. For example, the input flow rate may be approximately 30000m3/hr with the extraction rate of approximately 15000m3/hr. This difference in flow rates results in a flow of clean air out of the open side of the spray booth arrangement, which provides an air curtain 23. This air curtain 23 provides a barrier that serves to prevent ingress of contaminants from outside of the spray booth arrangement 2 through the open side thereof. The extraction flow rate is chosen such that all, or substantially all, of the contaminated air from the spraying region 22 is removed from the spray booth zone 2, without reaching the work region 21. In this way, any release of contaminated air can be closely controlled.

Figures 4 and 5 are schematic cross sectional plan and end views respectively of the first oven 4. It will be readily appreciated that the second oven 5 is preferably identical in construction and arrangement to the first oven 4.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the oven 4 defines a high temperature baking zone 41, and a lower temperature curing zone 42. The baking zone 41 is arranged above the curing zone, and operates at a temperature higher than that of the curing zone. The transport rail 6 extends into the baking zone 41. An opening in a side wall of the baking zone 41 is provided, and is positioned such that a workpiece 10 can be moved into and out of the baking zone 41 using the transport rail 6. A sliding door 50 is used to selectively close the opening into the baking zone 41 of the oven 4.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the oven 4 is provided with a lower door 43 to enable access thereto from the work space 21. The lower door 43 is combined with a workpiece support 44, which is attached to the lower door 43, and which extends into the curing zone 42 when the lower door 43 is closed. The workpiece support 44 may be provided with an upstand 45 on which a workpiece 11 is supported. Operation of the lower door 43 and workpiece support 44 will described below with reference to Figures 6 and 7.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the curing zone of the oven 4, 5 in closed and open configurations respectively. The lower door 43 is rotatably attached to the oven structure by way of a pivotable hinge 46. The workpiece support 44 is attached to the lower door 43 and extends into the curing zone 42 from the lower door 43.

The lower door is movable between the closed (Figure 6) configuration, and open (Figure 7) configuration by rotating the lower door 43 about the hinge 46, as shown by arrow 47 in Figures 6 and 7.

When the oven door is in the open positon as shown in Figure 7, the curing zone of the oven is closed, thereby reducing heat loss from the oven. In addition, the workpiece support 44 and upstand 45 are available to the operator for location or removal of the workpiece (not shown for clarity in Figure 7).

Processing of workpieces will now be described with reference to the schematic views of Figures 8 to 14. At a first stage of the process, a number of workpieces 10, 10A are delivered to the workspace, preferably on a wheeled trolley (Figure 8). In the present example, the workpieces are vehicle wheels, which are process in pairs. An important application of the arrangement and process described herein is to the refurbishment of wheels for cars, which are most commonly processed in two pairs. It will be readily appreciated that the principles of operation described herein are applicable to any type and number of workpieces.

A first pair of wheels 10 is loaded onto a frame on the transport rail 6 in the spraying zone 2 (Figure 9). The frame may be provided as a removable part of the trolley on which the wheels 10 are delivered, or may be separate from the trolley. The trolley carrying the second pair of wheels 10A is not shown in Figure 9 for the sake of clarity. The operator is then able to undertake a spraying operation, be that paint spraying or powder coating, while the wheels are in the spraying zone 2. During this operation, the air handling equipment described above is providing a clean air environment in the spraying zone 2.

Once the first pair of wheels 10 have been sprayed, they are moved into the baking zone of one of the ovens, in this case the first oven 4 (Figure 10). The upper door of the first oven 4 is opened and the frame carrying the wheels 10 is moved along the transport rail 6 so that the wheels 10 are located within the baking zone of the first oven 4. The upper door is then closed and the first oven can be operated to bake the wheels 10 at the appropriate temperature for the appropriate time.

Now that the spraying zone is free, a second pair of wheels 10A is loaded onto the transport rail 6 (Figure 11) in the spraying zone 2 for spraying and processing by the operator. During this processing, the first pair of wheels 10 is being baked in the first oven 4. As such, the arrangement described enables different operations to be carried out in parallel with one another, thereby contributing to increased throughput and efficiency. Following completion of the spraying operation on the second pair of wheels 10A, those wheels are moved along the transport rail 6 into the baking zone of the second oven 5. The spraying zone 2 is then free, and the first pair of wheels 10 can be moved into that zone 2 when the baking operation in the first oven 4 is completed (Figure 12).

Some finishing operations require a second spraying stage, and that can now be completed in the spraying zone 2 for the first pair of wheels 10. The first pair of wheels may then be returned to the oven 4 for a further baking stage. Alternatively, the first pair of wheels 10 may require curing in the curing zone of the first oven 4 (the curing zone of the second oven 5 may be used), and so this first pair of wheels 10 is moved by the operator to that curing zone.

Once the first pair of wheels 10 has been moved out of the spraying zone into the curing zone of the first oven 4, then the spraying zone 2 is again free for use. A third pair of wheels 10B may then be placed in the spraying zone 2 for processing while the second pair of wheels 10A are baked in the second oven 5. Such a situation is illustrated in Figure 13.

Following spraying, the third pair of wheels 10B are moved into the first oven for baking.

The second pair of wheels 10A can be removed from the second oven 5, and then handled appropriately, for example being placed in the curing zone, thereby enabling a further pair of wheels to be processed and baked.

As will be readily appreciated, the arrangement described above enables increases in efficiency in the processing of workpieces, such as wheels, by enabling the workpieces to be transported between processing locations easily, using the transport rail, and by enabling processing to be carried out in parallel. That is the baking and curing ovens are separate to the spraying zone, thereby enabling baking and curing to carry on in parallel with one another and with a spraying process on another workpiece.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An oven for use in an industrial process, the oven comprising: an internal volume defining first and second zones; heating means operable to maintain the first zone of the internal volume at a first temperature and to maintain the second zone at a second temperature; an aperture contiguous with the first zone; a closure member arranged for selective closing of the aperture; wherein the closure member comprises a closure portion, and a support portion which extends from the closure portion, the closure member having a first configuration in which the first aperture is substantially closed by the closure portion, and a second configuration in which the first aperture is substantially closed by the support portion, the closure member being rotatable between the first and second configurations, and the support portion of the closure member being adapted for supporting a workpiece in the first zone of the oven when the closure member is in the first configuration.
2. An oven as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first zone is a curing zone and the second zone is a baking zone, the first temperature being a curing temperature, and the second temperature being a baking temperature, the baking temperature being higher than the curing temperature.
3. An oven as claimed in claim 2, wherein the baking zone is located above the curing zone.
4. A workpiece processing arrangement comprising: a spray booth defining a work space, and operable to provide a controlled environment for spraying of material; a first oven defining an internal volume and located adjacent a first end of the spray booth: a second oven defining an internal volume and located adjacent a second end of the spray booth; and a transport rail which extends from the internal volume of the first oven, through the work space of the spray booth into the internal volume of the second oven, the transport rail being adapted for transport of a workpiece between the work space of the spray booth to the internal volume of the first or second oven, wherein at least one of the first and second ovens is an oven as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. An oven for use in an industrial process substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 4 to 14 of the accompanying drawings.