IES20130268A2 - A cylinder handling and cleaning system - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus 1 is described for cleaning a plurality of cylindrical workpieces 2 such as the barrels of pneumatic or hydraulic rams having an open first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end is closed by an end-cap 3. The apparatus comprises a receiver 56 for receiving a plurality of the cylindrical workpieces 2. The receiver 56 is movable from a loading orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces 2 are substantially horizontal to a cleaning orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces 2 are located in a cleaning chamber 61 in a substantially vertical orientation such that cleaning is achieved by a cascading action around the surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces 2. Cleaning fluid is pumped at high volume into, and around, all surfaces of the cylinders 2. the cleaning liquid is delivered through nozzles 59 in high volume and with considerable force upwards through the open cylinders 2 and crashed against the closed end caps 3. The released liquid cascades down around all surfaces, inside and outside as well as through the pipes 5 and cavities of the cylinders 2, and returns to the holding reservoir 50 underneath where it is filtered before being re-pumped upwards again.

Description

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AKD RUIE 23 This invention relates to the handling and cleaning of cylindrical wonqweccsr Cylindrical parts of varying lengths and diameters require cleaning on the inside and outside surfaces. For example hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are produced in a wide range of sizes and configurations and may weigh anything from l or 2 kilos up to several hundred kilos. The lengths may vary from 1 or 2 hundred mm up to 6000 mm or even more. It is quite common that such a wide range may be produced in a single production facility.

Particularly where hydraulic cylinders are concerned, it is quite common that one end of the cylinder barrel is closed and the other is left open until the piston rod assembly is inserted and secured at the other end. Apart from the end cap, the cylinder barrels frequently have valve blocks and feed pipes with a variety of enclosed cavities within them. These various parts are frequently attached together by a welding process.

All of these parts will normally have a variety of preservatives and or contamination, including greases and metal or non-metallic particles, attaching to the surfaces from various earlier processes.

In the final assembled state, the cylinder assembly must be free of all contamination and be clean to the level laid down in ISO Standard 18-16-13 (ASTM NAS 7).

Even if the parts have been pre-washed prior to fabrication, it is still necessary to clean the complete fabrication immediately before doing the final assembly so that there is no opportunity for re-contamination.

It is very difficult to efficiently and completely clean a range of items of different size and weight, at the point of assembly.

Several manual as well as mechanised systems already exist for cleaning of various industrial parts such as stationary and or rotary scrubbing and brushing combined with dipping or spraying including ultrasonic immersion. However, while some of these processes are suitable for Η Ο 2 6 δ Β YR 101/C/IES individual parts and within a certain range, none of them is suitabie for cleaning a range of cylindrical workpieces.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for cleaning a plurality of cylindrical workpieces, the workpieces having a first open end and a second end which is opposite to the first end and is closed by an end cap and a plurality of ancillary openings and/or cavities therein, the apparatus comprising:10 a receiver for receiving a plurality of the cylindrical workpieces, and a cleaning chamber having a plurality of first nozzles for applying a cleaning fluid to at least the inside surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces, the receiver being movable from a loading orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces are substantially horizontal to a cleaning orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces are located in the cleaning chamber in a substantially vertical orientation such that cleaning is achieved by a cascading action around the surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces.

In one embodiment a first nozzle is located within each of the cylindrical workpieces. In one case the first nozzles direct cleaning fluid against the upper closed end of the cylindrical workpieces.

In one embodiment apparatus comprises a plurality of second nozzles which are arranged to direct cleaning fluid to the outer surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces.

In one embodiment the receiver comprises a plurality of recesses which are sized and/or shaped to receive a plurality of different sized and/or shaped cylindrical workpieces.

The chamber may comprise upper and lower doors which are independently movable for loading and unloading cylindrical workpieces.

Preferably the receiver defines the lower door.

In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a reservoir for cleaning fluid and a fluid circuit for delivering fluid from the reservoir to the nozzles and for collecting fluid after cleaning. The iE 1 3 Ο 2 6 β BYRIOl/C/IES fluid circuit may comprise a filter for filtering the fluid and a pump for delivering cleaning fluid to the nozzles.

In one case the apparatus comprises heating means for heating the cleaning fluid.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the cylindrical workpieces comprise barrels of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.

The invention also provides a method for cleaning a plurality of cylindrical workpieces 10 comprising:providing a plurality of cylindrical workpieces having a first open end and a second end opposite to the first end which is closed by an end cap, the workpieces having a plurality of ancillary openings and/or cavities therein; providing a receiver for receiving the plurality of cylindrical workpieces, the receiver being movable between a receiving orientation and a cleaning orientation; providing a cleaning chamber for cleaning the cylindrical workpieces; loading a plurality of cylindrical workpieces to be cleaned onto the receiver in a substantially horizontal orientation; moving the receiver with the cylindrical workpieces in situ into the cleaning chamber so 25 that the cylindrical workpieces are in a substantially vertical orientation; delivering cleaning fluid in a cascading action to surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces; returning the receiver with the cleansed cylindrical workpieces to the horizontal 30 orientation; and unloading the cleaned workpieces from the receiver.

IE 1 3 Ο 2 6 8 BYR1OI/C/IES In one embodiment the method comprises delivering cleaning fluid to the inside and outside surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces during cleaning.

The method may comprise heating the cleaning fluid prior to delivering to the cylindrical 5 workpieces.

A method for cleaning a plurality of cylindrical workpieces substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the invention, cleaning action is achieved by the downward cascading action of the liquid while the workpieces are in a vertical attitude, thus eliminating the need for any form of mechanical brushing or scrubbing action.

Fluid is delivered up through the injectors to a vertical location within the cylindrical workpieces where it becomes an effective cleaning medium, without the need of any form of axial traversing of the injector.

In the invention a convenient horizontal work platform is transferred to become a sealed door creating a closed washing chamber, Workpieces of varying sizes, lengths and weights are readily introduced into an enciosed washing chamber in a single movement from a convenient horizontal working position into a vertical cleaning position.

The system of the invention provides total flexibility over a wide range of workpiece design, size, length and weight in a compact package suitable for cleaning cylindrical components at a stage immediately prior to assembly Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of exampie only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, irt which: 02 6 8 BYRIOl/C/IES Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for cleaning cylindrical workpieces according to the invention; Fig. 2 is another view of the apparatus of Fig. I with the workpieces in a loading 5 orientation; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a receiver of the apparatus; Figs 4 and 6 are perspective views of the apparatus with the workpieces being moved into a cleaning orientation; Figs, 5 and 7 are side views of the apparatus in the configuration of Figs. 4 and 6 respectively but omitting the cylindrical workpieces; Fig. 8 is a view of the workpieces in a cleaning orientation; Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of detail A of Fig, 8; Fig. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating the cleaning action in the cleaning orientation; and Fig. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating the cleaning of the external surfaces of the workpieces.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an apparatus I for cleaning a plurality of cylindrical workpieces 2. The cylindrical workpieces have an open first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end is closed by an end-cap 3. In a particularly preferred embodiment the workpieces comprise the barrels of pneumatic or hydraulic rams and have a plurality of ancillary opening and/or cavities for various pipes and the like, such as for connection to an hydraulic or pneumatic fluid circuit. Two such openings/pipes 5 are illustrated by way of example in Fig. 10.

BYR101/C/IES The apparatus comprises a receiver 56 for receiving a plurality of the cylindrical workpieces 2. There are a plurality of first nozzles 59 for applying a cleaning fluid to at least the inside surfaces of the workpieces 2. The receiver 56 is movable from a loading orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces 2 are substantially horizontal to a cleaning orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces are located in a cleaning chamber 61 in a substantially vertical orientation such that cleaning is achieved by a cascading action around the surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces 2.

In the invention hot water dosed with an environmentally friendly detergent is pumped at high 10 volume into, and around, ail surfaces of the cylinders 2 for a predetermined length of time. While this is happening, several cylinders 2 are inside the closed chamber 61 in a vertical attitude with their closed ends 3 uppermost and the open ends facing downwards. The cleaning liquid is delivered through nozzles 59 in high volume and with considerable force upwards through the open cylinder and crashed against the closed end cap 3. The released liquid cascades down around all surfaces, inside and outside as well as through the pipes 5 and cavities of the cylinders 2, and returns to the holding reservoir 50 underneath where it is filtered before being re-pumped upwards again. The cleaning effect is a combination of the chemical action together with the mechanical action of the liquid, as it cascades down around the surfaces of the cylinders 2. No brushes or other tools are required and therefore no setting-up is required when moving between workpieces of varying size and weight. Several cylinders 2 can be cleaned in a single batch over a pre-set period of time.

The cleaning process may take place on one batch of cylinders while the assembly operation takes place on the previous batch and is therefore not additional to the assembly time from a labour viewpoint.

In the invention the cylinders are introduced into the sealed vertical washing chamber.

List of principle elements. 50. Fluid Reservoir 51. Heating Elements 52. Fluid Motor and Pump 53. Fluid Filter BYRIOl/C/IES IE 1 3 ο 2 6 54. Oil Skimmer 55. Bottom Door 56. Work Platform 57. Fluid Injection Manifold 5 58. Fluid injectors 59. Internal Fluid Jets/Nozzels 60. Flexible Feed Hose 61. Washing Chamber 62. Top Door 63. External fluid jets 64. Top Door Cylinders 65. Bottom Door Cylinders 66. Jib Crane 67. Long workpiece (4.5M shown) 68. Short Workpiece (1.5M shown) 69. Door Seal All elements ofthe system are connected to a power system in advance and loaded with water and the appropriate amount of detergent. The heating system is programmed lo keep the cleaning fluid at a constant temperature of approximately 60°C. The process of operation involves the following steps. a. The bottom door 55, 56 is lowered into the horizontal position by means ofthe bottom door cylinders 65. The bottom door becomes a work platform 56 and is now at a convenient height and attitude for the operator. In some of the drawings the doors 55,62 are shown in a number of different positions. b. The operator positions the workpieces 2 on the work platform 56 while at the same time taking care to feed the open end of the cylindrical workpiece 2 lengthwise over an individual fluid injector 58. This process is continued until all the injectors 58 are covered or until all parts available for cleaning are used up: whichever comes first. Should the workpieces 2 be small and lightweight the operator may do the positioning by hand. Should they be larger and heavier, jib crane 66 is used as an aid. Workpieces 2 of varying sizes, lengths and weights may be loaded in a single batch if desired. Numeral •El 3 02 6 BYRIOl/C/IES indicates a relatively long workpiece while numeral 68 indicates a relatively short workpiece. It is not necessary to have all of the fluid injectors 58 covered before moving to the next stage. c. In the event of the workpieces 2 being longer than the length of the work platform 56, the operator opens the top door 62 to expose the lull height of the washing chamber 61 with the aid of the top door cylinders 64. d. With the aid of the bottom door cylinders 65 the operator raise the work platform 56 to 10 the vertical position. At this stage the work platform becomes a door 55. This bottom door 55 closes and is retained against a seal 69. The top door 62 is also closed and retained in position against the seal 69. The workpieces 2 are now enclosed inside the sealed chamber 61. e. The workpieces 2 are in a vertical attitude with a fluid injector 58 projecting upwards inside each cylindrical workpiece 2. Each injector 58 is fitted with jets or nozzles 59. f. Situated high above and outside the workpieces 2 is a boom fitted with external spray jets 63. g. The cleaning process is initiated by starting the pump 52. h. The fluid motor / pump unit 52 draws liquid from the reservoir 50 and forces it through a filter 59 and delivers it via a flexible feed hose 60 into the manifold 57 and then onwards to each fluid injector 58. i. The cleaning fluid is ejected with force and velocity from each internal fluid jet 59. The volume and force is sufficient to crash the cleaning fluid against the internal surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces 2 and associated attachments as illustrated in Fig, 10. j. The cleaning fluid cascades downwards and returns to the fluid reservoir 50. k. This “scrubbing” action cleans the internal surfaces of all areas of the workpieces 2, BYRIOl/C/IES IE13O268 l. The external fluid jets 63 are simultaneously activated and the spray from these cleans all outside surfaces of the various parts as illustrated in Fig. 11. m. During the cleaning cycle, the complete washing chamber 61 is filled with hot vapour as a result of the turbulence created by the pumping. This vapour permeates all areas and further enhances the cleaning activity. n. After a pre-set time, the cleaning action ceases. This is followed by a short time to allow the vapour to condense back into the reservoir 50. o. During this end-of-cycle period the cleaned surfaces dry-off rapidly due to the retained heat within the metal workpieces. p. The doors 55, 62 are opened by the operator for example, at the push of a button, q. As the bottom door 55 is opened it returns back to become a horizontal work platform 56 at a convenient height for the operator. r. The workpieces 2 can now be transferred from the work platform 56 for immediate assembly at an assembly machine, which may be conveniently located adjacent to the cleaning system.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning a plurality of cylindrical workpieces, the workpieces having a first open end and a second end which is opposite to the first end and is closed by an end cap 5 and a plurality of ancillary openings and/or cavities therein, the apparatus comprising:a receiver for receiving a plurality of the cylindrical workpieces, and a cleaning chamber having a plurality of first nozzles for applying a cleaning fluid to at least the inside surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces, the receiver being movable from 10 a loading orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces are substantially horizontal to a cleaning orientation in which the cylindrical workpieces are located in the cleaning chamber in a substantially vertical orientation such that cleaning is achieved by a cascading action around the surfaces of the cylindrical workpieces.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first nozzle is located within each of the. cylindrical workpieces, the first nozzles may direct cleaning fluid against the upper closed end of the cylindrical workpieces, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of second nozzles which are arranged to direct cleaning fluid lo the outer surfaces of the 20 cylindrical workpieces.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the receiver comprises a plurality of recesses which are sized and/or shaped to receive a plurality of different sized and/or shaped cylindrical workpieces, the chamber may comprise upper and lower doors which 25 are independently movable for loading and unloading cyiindrical workpieces, the receiver may define the lower door.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 comprising a reservoir for cleaning fluid and a fluid circuit for delivering fluid from the reservoir to the nozzles and for collecting fluid 30 after cleaning, the fluid circuit may comprise a filter for filtering the fluid and a pump for delivering cleaning fluid to the nozzles, the apparatus may also comprise heating means for heating the cleaning fluid. IE 1 3 Ο 2 6 θ BYRIOI/C/IES

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cylindrical workpieces comprise the barrels of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders.