NL2016433B1 - Apparatus for Treating a Surface of a Pile. - Google Patents

Apparatus for Treating a Surface of a Pile. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2016433B1
NL2016433B1 NL2016433A NL2016433A NL2016433B1 NL 2016433 B1 NL2016433 B1 NL 2016433B1 NL 2016433 A NL2016433 A NL 2016433A NL 2016433 A NL2016433 A NL 2016433A NL 2016433 B1 NL2016433 B1 NL 2016433B1
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
housing
tube
pole
pile
treatment
Prior art date
Application number
NL2016433A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Adrianus Schellenbach Marius
Original Assignee
Boskalis Offshore Subsea Services (Europe) B V
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Boskalis Offshore Subsea Services (Europe) B V filed Critical Boskalis Offshore Subsea Services (Europe) B V
Priority to NL2016433A priority Critical patent/NL2016433B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2016433B1 publication Critical patent/NL2016433B1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/023—Cleaning the external surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B3/024—Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/0034—Maintenance, repair or inspection of offshore constructions

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for treating a pile (12), comprising a housing (20) with a void (38) inside for enclosing a portion of the pile, and an opening (32, 36) that allows the pile to extend from the void through the opening to a region outside the housing; a treatment mechanism (70) inside the housing and configured for treating a surface (14) of the enclosed portion of the pile, and a positioning mechanism (40) coupled to the housing and including an engagement member (42, 58) for releasably fixing the housing with respect to the pile during treatment of the pile surface. The engagement member includes at least one expandable collar (44, 60) provided along the opening and adapted to expand inwardly to engage the pile surface and fix the housing relative to the pile in a sealing manner.

Description

Apparatus for Treating a Surface of a Pile
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a surface of a pile or tube. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for treating a surface of a pile or tube with such an apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Patent document NL2010621 describes a device for cleaning a surface of a pipe. The device comprises a main frame and an auxiliary frame, which form semicircular arcs that define concave inner regions for accommodating the pipe. The auxiliary frame carries two fluid discharge nozzles on opposite distal ends of the semicircular arc, and is rotatably coupled to the main frame to allow the nozzles to revolve around the pipe surface. The known device is held fixed with respect to the pipe by means of a carrier with wheels for engaging the pipe surface. The wheels are driven by an actuator to allow moving of the device along the pile. Additional magnets may be provided by the carrier to hold the device with its wheels fixed with respect to the pipe.
[0003] It would be desirable to provide a device for treating a pipe surface, which can be fixed to and repositioned along a pipe (or similar structure) in a robust and reliable manner. Alternatively or in addition, it would be desirable to provide a device for treating a pipe surface, which is able to reduce or even eliminate contamination of the environment during treatment operations.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] Therefore, according to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for treating a pile or tube. The apparatus , comprises: - a housing which defines a void inside for enclosing a portion of the pile or tube, and at least one opening that allows the pile or tube to extend from the void through the opening to a region outside the housing; - a treatment mechanism, arranged inside the housing and configured for treating a surface of the enclosed portion or the pile or tube, and - a positioning mechanism coupled to the housing, and including an engagement member for releasably fixing the housing with respect to the pile or tube during treatment of the pile/tube surface. The engagement member includes at least one expandable collar provided along the opening, this collar being adapted to expand inwardly to engage the pile/tube surface and fix the housing relative to the pile or tube in a sealing manner.
[0005] The term “pile” is used herein to generally refer to a solid elongated structure that is sufficiently rigid to support at least its own weight without buckling, breaking, or permanently deforming (e.g. plastically bending). Similarly, the term “tube” is used herein to generally refer to a hollow elongated structure that is sufficiently rigid to support at least its own weight without buckling, breaking, or permanently deforming.
[0006] The proposed apparatus allows efficient treatment of a pile or tube surface, while reducing or possibly even eliminating contamination of the environment by treatment waste products. The housing around the treatment mechanism helps to confine treatment waste (e.g. cleaning fluid, removed deposits, etc.) and keep it separated from the environment. The collar of the engagement member can be expanded to engage the pile/tube surface, so as to hold the housing fixed with respect to the pile or tube and to establish a seal between the void inside the housing and a region outside the housing. The treatment mechanism may then be operated in a treatment mode, wherein the pile/tube surface is treated while the housing is held fixed relative to the pile/tube. The housing with expandable collar thus provides a robust holding and sealing mechanism for engaging the surface of the pile or tube and sealing the inside of the housing from the environment during treatment operations.
[0007] The expandable collar may have an inner boundary surface that can be expanded until it abuts the pile/tube surface. The collar may for example be an inflatable collar that can be filled with a suitable fluid (e.g. gas and/or liquid) to cause inward expansion of the inner boundary surface. The expandable collar allows the apparatus to temporarily fix its housing to piles and tubes with various diameters.
[0008] According to an embodiment, the housing defines a further opening, and the void extends through the housing between the opening and the further opening.
This void is adapted for enclosing a portion of the pile or tube along an apparatus axis. The opening and further opening jointly allow the pile or tube portion to extend through the void inside the housing. The apparatus comprises a further engagement member with a further expandable collar that is provided along the further opening.
This collar is also adapted to expand inwardly and engage the pile/tube surface. The two collars cooperate to fix the housing relative to the pile or tube in a sealing manner.
[0009] According to an embodiment, the engagement member is provided at or near an angular edge defined along the opening and/or wherein the further engagement member is provided at or near a further angular edge defined along the further opening.
[0010] According to an embodiment, the treatment mechanism is arranged in the void inside the housing. This treatment mechanism comprises a plurality of treatment members, which are distributed through at least a portion of the void inside the housing, to enable simultaneous treatment of multiple portions of the pile surface. Preferably, the treatment members are distributed along an angular direction through at least part of the void inside the housing.
[0011] According to a further embodiment, the treatment mechanism comprises a movable frame part including the treatment members, wherein the movable frame part is rotatably coupled to the housing to allow rotation of the treatment members with respect to the housing and around at least part of the pile/tube surface. Rotation of the movable frame part during treatment allows the treatment members to cover a larger portion of the pile/tube surface.
[0012] According to a further embodiment, the treatment members are cleaning nozzles for discharging cleaning fluid towards the pile/tube surface.
[0013] The engagement member and/or the further engagement member may be configured to create a fluid tight seal at the corresponding opening or further opening between the void inside the housing and a region outside the housing. Contamination of the surroundings by cleaning fluids and/or waste fluids during treatment may thus be reduced or even prevented. The fluid tight seal(s) may for example be attained by the expandable collar(s) in the expanded (e.g. inflated) state.
[0014] The housing may be provided with a fluid supply coupling, which is adapted for supplying cleaning fluid to the treatment members.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part that are releasably coupled to allow the apparatus to transition between a closed state and an opened state. In the closed state, the first and second housing parts are joined to allow accommodation of the pile or tube inside the void for treatment. In the opened state, the first and second housing parts are separated to create a transverse opening between the housing parts to allow removal of the pile or tube from the void.
[0016] According to a further embodiment, the expandable collar comprises a first annular portion fixed to the first housing part, and a second annular portion fixed to the second housing part. The first and second annular portions are releasably coupled to allow joining into a closed annular shape for directly enclosing the pile or tube in the closed state of the apparatus, and to allow separation to create a transverse opening in the opened state of the apparatus.
[0017] According to an embodiment, the positioning mechanism comprises: - a gripping member, movably connected to the housing and adapted for releasably engaging the pile/tube surface, and - an actuator configured for translating the gripping member relative to the housing, to move the housing along the pile or tube in a longitudinal direction when the gripping member and the pile/tube surface are coupled.
[0018] When the engagement member is coupled to the pile/tube surface, the gripping member may be decoupled from the pile/tube surface. The actuator may then be energized to translate the gripping member relative to the housing as well as the pile or tube. After translation, the gripping member may be coupled to the pile/tube surface, followed by decoupling of the engagement member from the pile/tube surface. The actuator may then again be energized to translate the gripping member relative to the housing in a reverse direction, which in this case causes the housing to move along the pile or tube. The apparatus may thus operate in a repositioning mode, wherein the housing and treatment mechanism are moved to a new position of the pile/tube.
[0019] According to a further embodiment, the gripping member comprises a collar and a collar base. The collar is positionable around the pile or tube, and adapted to expand inwardly to engage the pile/tube surface, and to contract outwardly to disengage from the pile/tube surface. The collar base serves to delimit an outward expansion of the second collar. This collar and collar base may be jointly translatable by the actuator and relative to housing along the longitudinal direction.
[0020] According to yet a further embodiment, the gripping member is accommodated in the void inside housing, and is translatable by the actuator through the void and relative to the housing. The resulting treatment apparatus is more compact.
[0021] According to embodiments, the apparatus comprises a control unit that is configured to control one or more selected from: - the actuator, to translate or fix the gripping member relative to the housing; - the engagement member and/or further engagement member, to couple/decouple the selected engagement member to/from the pile/tube surface and fix or release the housing with respect to the pile or tube; - the gripping member, to couple/decouple the gripping member to/from the pile/tube surface, and - the treatment mechanism, to treat the surface of the pile or tube.
[0022] In embodiments wherein the housing comprises first and second housing parts, a locking mechanism may be provided for releasably coupling the housing parts. The control unit may then additionally be configured to control the locking mechanism, to ensure that the housing is automatically transitioned into the closed state before the apparatus is activated in either one of its treatment or repositioning modes.
[0023] According to a second aspect, and in accordance with advantages and effects discussed herein above with reference to the first aspect, there is provided a method for operating an apparatus including a housing, a treatment mechanism, and a positioning mechanism with an engagement member in accordance with the first aspect. The method comprises: - providing the apparatus around a portion of a pile or tube; - expanding a collar of the engagement member inwardly to engage the pile or tube and to fix the housing relative to the pile or tube, and - operating the apparatus in a treatment mode, including energizing the treatment mechanism to treat the pile or tube.
[0024] According to an embodiment, the treatment mechanism of the apparatus includes a movable frame part with cleaning nozzles, and wherein operating the apparatus in the treatment mode comprises: - rotating the movable frame part with treatment members with respect to the housing and around at least part of the pile/tube surface, while discharging cleaning fluid towards the pile/tube surface.
[0025] Preferably, treatment of the pile or tube comprises cleaning of the pile/tube surface by discharging cleaning fluid with the nozzles under high pressures towards the pile/tube surface.
[0026] According to a further embodiment, the positioning mechanism of the apparatus comprises a gripping member and an actuator, and the method comprises operating the apparatus in a repositioning mode, including: - energizing the actuator while keeping the gripping member decoupled from the pile/tube surface, thereby moving the gripping member relative to the housing and to the pile or tube; - coupling the gripping member to the pile/tube surface after moving the gripping member; -decoupling the engagement member from the pile/tube surface after coupling the gripping member, and - again energizing the actuator to move the gripping member relative to the housing in a reverse direction, thereby moving the housing along the pile or tube.
[0027] The apparatus may thus be operated to alternate between the repositioning mode and the treatment mode, to intermittently perform cleaning and repositioning operations along the pile or tube. The apparatus may alternate between the repositioning and treatment modes and execute the cleaning and repositioning operations in an autonomous manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts. In the drawings, like numerals designate like elements. Furthermore, multiple instances of an element may each include separate letters appended to the element number. For example two instances of a particular element “20” may be labeled as “20a” and “20b”. In that case, the element label may be used with an index i or j (e.g. “20i”) to refer to an unspecified instance of the element, while the element label will include an appended letter (e.g. “20a”) to refer to a specific instance of the element.
[0029] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an apparatus for treating a pile according to an embodiment; [0030] Figure 2 presents a cross-sectional view of the apparatus from figure 1; [0031 ] Figures 3a and 3b present perspective views of the apparatus from figure 1, in an opened state and an almost closed state respectively; [0032] Figure 4a presents a schematic cross-sectional view of the apparatus from figure 1 in a treatment mode, and [0033] Figures 4b-4d present schematic cross-sectional views of the apparatus from figure 4a in various stages of a repositioning mode.
[0034] The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the figures. In the description of the exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the treatment of a pile. It should, however, be understood that the apparatus according to the invention is equally applicable in combination with other types of rigid elongated structures.
[0036] In the next figures, cylindrical coordinates will be used to describe spatial characteristics and relations for exemplary embodiments of the treatment apparatus.
[0037] The “longitudinal direction” Z is used herein to refer to the local direction of elongation of the pile. The “pile axis” Ap refers herein to the a line along the longitudinal direction Z and through the center of the pile. In the exemplary embodiments, the pile is generally cylindrical and oriented with the longitudinal direction Z substantially vertical (i.e. opposite to the direction of gravity). In these examples, the longitudinal direction Z may be referred to as an axial direction Z of the pile, and the terms “upwards” and “downwards” may correspond to the positive axial direction +Z and the negative axial direction -Z respectively [0038] In this convention, the term “radial direction” R refers to the directions that point radially away from the pile axis Ap (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Z). Furthermore, the “angular direction” Φ (also called “azimuthal direction”) corresponds to a unit-vector that initiates at a local radial position, and which points anti-clock-wise along an (infinitesimal) angle of rotation about the pile axis Ap, and perpendicular to both the (local) radial direction R and longitudinal direction Z.
[0039] The directional definitions and preferred orientations presented herein merely serve to elucidate geometrical relations for specific embodiments. The concepts of the invention discussed herein are not limited to these directional definitions and preferred orientations. Similarly, directional terms in the specification and claims, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “proximal,” “distal” and the like, are used herein solely to indicate relative directions and are not otherwise intended to limit the scope of the invention or claims. Furthermore, the piles may be curved in other embodiments. In such embodiments, the axial direction may vary as a function of position along trajectory of elongation of the pile or tube.
[0040] Figures 1 and 2 schematically show an embodiment of an apparatus 10 for treating a pile 12. Figure 1 shows a perspective view and figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of this embodiment. In this example, the pile 12 has a cylindrical shape with a cylinder axis Ap that defines the longitudinal or axial direction Z. In a radial direction R, the pile 12 is bounded by a pile surface 14. This pile surface 14 extends in the angular direction Φ and the axial direction Z. The pile 12 may for example represent a support leg of an offshore structure that is positioned in a body of water (e.g. sea water, or fresh water). Such a support leg is typically situated partially above and partially below the water line.
[0041] The treatment apparatus 10 comprises a housing 20, a repositioning mechanism 40, and a treatment mechanism 70. The treatment apparatus 10 is configured to operate in a treatment mode and a repositioning mode, which are explained below with reference to figures 4a-4d.
[0042] The housing 20 shown in figures 1 and 2 is predominantly formed by a cylindrical shell that defines a void 38 on an inner side. This void 38 is suitable for enclosing a portion of the pile 12. In this example, the housing 20 consists essentially of sea-grade aluminum. The housing 20 defines a first opening 32 and a second opening 36. In this embodiment, the openings 32, 36 are located on opposite sides of the housing 20, as viewed along the longitudinal direction Z. The void 38 extends through the housing 20, from the first opening 32 to the second opening 36, in a direction that defines an apparatus axis Aa. When the pile 12 is partially accommodated in the void 38 inside the housing 20, the pile axis Ap and the apparatus axis Aa essentially coincide.
[0043] The housing 20 comprises a first housing part 20a and a second housing part 20b. Each of the housing parts 20a, 20b defines one half of a cylindrical shell.
Each housing part 20i is bounded in the angular direction Φ by longitudinal edges 28i and further longitudinal edges (not shown), and bounded in the axial direction Z by angular edges 30i, 34i.
[0044] In this example, the housing parts 20i are releasably coupled to each other along the two further longitudinal edges by pivotable couplings 22i (e.g. hinges). The housing parts 20i may be releasably coupled by means of locking members 24i (e.g. latches) provided along the longitudinal edges 28i. The pivotable couplings 22i and locking members 24i to allow the apparatus 10 to transition between a closed state and an opened state (see figures 3a-3b).
[0045] The repositioning mechanism 40 comprises a first engagement member 42, a gripping member 46, a longitudinal actuator 54, and a second engagement member 58. The first engagement member 42 is attached to the housing 20 and adapted for releasably fixing the housing 20 with respect to the pile 12. The first engagement member 42 is provided at or near the first annular edge 30 defined along the first longitudinal opening 32 in the housing 20. The first engagement member 42 comprises a first collar 44 that is positionable directly around the pile 12. The first collar 44 defines an inner boundary surface, which faces inwards along the negative radial direction -R. The first collar 44 is temporarily inflatable with a suitable fluid (e.g. gas or liquid), to allow the first collar 44 to expand its inner boundary surface inwardly along the negative radial direction -R to engage the pile surface 14, so that the housing 20 becomes temporarily fixed relative to the pile 12. The first collar 44 is also configured to selectively contract its inner boundary surface outwardly along the positive radial direction +R, to let the first collar 44 disengage from the pile surface 14, and release the housing 20 from the pile 12.
[0046] The first collar 44 comprises a first annular portion 44a that is fixed to the first housing part 20a, and a second annular portion 44b that fixed to the second housing part 20b. The first and second annular portions 44a-b are releasably coupled, and allow mutual separation to create a transverse opening in the opened state of the apparatus 10. The annular portions 44i may be joined again into a closed annular shape, to directly enclose the pile 12 in the closed state of the apparatus 10.
[0047] The second engagement member 58 is also attached to the housing 20 and adapted for releasably fixing the housing 20 with respect to the pile 12. The second engagement member 58 is provided at or near the second annular edge 34 defined along the second longitudinal opening 36 in the housing 20. The second engagement member 58 comprises a second collar 60 that is positionable directly around the pile 12. The second collar 60 also defines an inner boundary surface, which faces inwards along the negative radial direction -R. Similarly, the second collar 60 is temporarily inflatable with a suitable fluid (e.g. gas or liquid), to allow its inner boundary surface to expand inwardly along the negative radial direction -R to engage the pile surface 14, so that the housing 20 becomes temporarily fixed relative to the pile 12. The second collar 60 is also configured to selectively contract its inner boundary surface outwardly along the positive radial direction +R, to let the second collar 60 disengage from the pile surface 14 and release the housing 20 from the pile 12.
[0048] Similarly, the second collar 60 comprises a first annular portion 60a that is fixed to the first housing part 20a, and a second annular portion 60b that fixed to the second housing part 20b. The first and second annular portions 60a-b are also releasably coupled, and are mutually separable to create a transverse opening in the opened state of the apparatus 10. The annular portions 60i may be joined again into a closed annular shape, to directly enclosing the pile 12 in the closed state of the apparatus 10.
[0049] In the treatment mode of the apparatus 10, the first engagement member 42 and the second engagement member 58 directly surround and are coupled to the pile surface 14, to create temporary fluid tight seals at the first opening 32 and the second opening 36 respectively. These seals form fluid-tight boundaries between the void 38 inside the housing 20 on the one hand and the region outside the housing 20 on the other hand.
[0050] The gripping member 46 is movably coupled to the housing 20, and is adapted for releasably holding the pile 12. The gripping member 46 is accommodated in the void 38 inside the housing 20. This gripping member 46 is translatable through the void 38 relative to the housing 20 along the positive and negative longitudinal directions ±Z. The longitudinal actuator 54 is configured for translating the gripping member 46 relative to the housing 20 along the longitudinal directions ±Z. Longitudinal guiding members 56 may be provided on the gripping member 46 and/or on an inside surface of the housing 20. These longitudinal guiding members 56 may cooperate to facilitate longitudinal motion of the gripping member 46 in the longitudinal directions ±Z relative to the housing 20, and possibly to restrict motional freedom of the gripping member 46 in other directions (e.g. the angular and radial directions ±R, ±Φ). In this example, the longitudinal guiding members 56 are formed by bracket tracks provided on a radially inwards facing surface of the housing 20, and by wheels provided on radially outwards facing sides of the gripping member 46.
[0051] The gripping member 46 comprises a further collar 48 and a base 50. The further collar 48 is positionable directly around the pile 12, and adapted to expand its inner boundary surface inwardly along the negative radial direction -R to engage the pile surface 14, and contract its inner boundary surface outwardly along the positive radial direction +R to disengage from the pile surface 14. The collar base 50 forms a rigid circular frame that prevents outward expansion of the further collar 48. The further collar 48 and the base 50 are jointly translatable relative to the housing 20 along the longitudinal directions ±Z by the longitudinal actuator 54, to allow translational movement of the apparatus 10 along the pile 12 in an autonomous step-wise manner.
[0052] The treatment mechanism 70 is configured for treating the pile surface 14. The treatment mechanism 70 comprises a movable frame part 72 that is rotatably coupled to the housing 20, to allow rotation of the movable frame part 72 in the angular directions ±Φ with respect to the housing 20, and around at least part of the pile surface 14. The movable frame part 72 is formed by a rigid arc with a finite radial extent that covers approximately half a circle (i.e. 180°). The treatment mechanism 70 comprises a plurality of treatment members 76 that are distributed in the angular direction Φ along the moveable frame part 72, thus extending along at least a portion of the void 38 inside the housing 20, to enable simultaneous treatment of multiple portions of the pile surface 14 in the treatment mode of the apparatus 10. The minimum radial extent Rf of the treatment members 76 and the moveable frame part 72 should be larger than the outer pile radius Rp, to prevent jamming of the treatment mechanism 70.
[0053] In this exemplary embodiment, the treatment members 76 are formed by cleaning nozzles for discharging jets of cleaning fluid 92 towards the pile surface 14 in the treatment mode. Each cleaning nozzle 76 is rotatably coupled to movable frame part 72, to allow independent rotation of each nozzle 76 about a local rotation axis that points inwards along the negative radial direction -R. Cleaning fluid may be supplied by a fluid source 90 and fluid supply conduit (not shown), via a fluid supply coupling 86 located on/in the housing 20, to the nozzles 76. Cleaning fluid may thus be supplied to the nozzles 76 with a high flow rate and under high pressure, for example with a fluid supply rate of about 60 liters per minute and a pressure in a range of 100 bars to 3 kilobars. Waste products from cleaning operations may be discharged via a fluid discharge coupling 88 located on/in the housing 20, and via a fluid discharge conduit (not indicated).
[0054] In this example, the rotatable coupling between the movable frame part 72 and the housing 20 is achieved by means of angular transmission and guiding members 80, 82. The transmission members 80 comprise a rail, which extends in a semi-circular arc along the angular direction Φ through the void 38 on the inside of first housing part 20a. The angular guiding members 82 comprise wheels that are rotatably coupled to the moveable frame part 72, to allow rolling and/or sliding in a circular trajectory along the rail, so that the movable frame part 72 is rotatable in the angular direction Φ about the apparatus axis Aa. Figures 1 and 2 depict the moveable frame part 72 in a slightly rotated position. The treatment mechanism 70 comprises a frame actuator 78 (not indicated), for rotating the movable frame part 72 with respect to housing 20 over two quarters of an arc in both positive and negative angular directions ±Φ (i.e. ±90°). In this example, the frame actuator 78 comprises a motor, which drives a wheel that engages the rail 80. The rotatability of movable frame part 72 allows the treatment members 76 to be repositioned along a complete circular trajectory (i.e. 360°) in the angular direction Φ, while maintaining sufficient positioning stability between the movable frame part 72 and the first housing part 20a. The movable frame part 72 may thus cover (a local axial portion of) the entire circumference of the pile surface 14.
[0055] The apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 94. This control unit 94 is in signal communication with the repositioning mechanism 40, to control and selectively activate inward expansion and outward contraction of the inner boundary surfaces of the respective engagement members 42, 46, 58. The control unit 94 is also in signal communication with the actuator 54, to allow motion control of the gripping member 46 relative to the housing 20 and effectuate autonomous movement of the apparatus 10 along the pile 12 in the repositioning mode of the apparatus 10. Furthermore, the control unit 94 is in signal communication with the treatment mechanism 70, to control the supply and discharge of cleaning fluid and the position of the treatment members 76 with respect to the pile surface 14 in the treatment mode.
[0056] Figures 3 a and 3b present perspective views of the treatment apparatus 10 from figure 1. Figure 3a is a partial reproduction of figure 1, and depicts the apparatus 10 in an opened state. Figure 3b reflects the apparatus 10 in an almost closed state.
[0057] In the closed state, the first and second housing parts 20a-b are joined to bound the void 38 along the radial direction R. This void 38 allows accommodation of the pile 12 inside the housing 20 for treatment purposes. In the opened state, the first and second housing parts 20a, 20b can be separated to create a transverse opening 26 between the housing parts to allow insertion or removal of the pile 12 into/from the apparatus 10, which a portion of the pile 12 accommodated in the void 38.
[0058] Figures 4a-4d present schematic cross-sectional views of the apparatus according to the embodiment in figures 1-3. Figure 4a depicts the apparatus 10 in the treatment mode, and figures 4b-4d depict the apparatus 10 in three subsequent configurations of the repositioning mode.
[0059] In the treatment mode of the apparatus 10 (figure 4a), the treatment mechanism 70 can be activated to treat the pile surface 14. In this treatment mode, the first and second expandable collars 44, 60 are expanded (e.g. inflated) to engage the pile surface 14, to fix and keep the housing 20 steady with respect to the pile 12. The expanded first and second collars 44, 60 also close and seal the annular spaces between the pile surface 14 and the first and second angular edges 30, 34 of the housing 20 (i.e. at the positions of the first and second axial openings 32, 36 respectively). In this way, the inner void 38 remains substantially isolated from the ambient fluid 16 surrounding the housing 20 (e.g. air, water, or both). In this treatment mode, the treatment mechanism 70 with multiple treatment members 76 (e.g. rotatable fluid discharge nozzles) can be activated. A fluid supply pump 90 conveys cleaning fluid 92 to the cleaning nozzles 76, and the cleaning fluid 92 may be projected by the treatment members 76 under high pressures onto the pile surface 14. During cleaning fluid ejection, the movable frame part 72 is rotated along a semi-circular arc (of approximately 180°) around the apparatus axis Aa, to clean a local portion of the pile surface 14. The sealing engagement with the pile surface 14 by the first and second collars 44, 60 ensures that waste products generated during cleaning (e.g. cleaning fluid residue, removed deposits, algae, etc.) can be kept separately discharged and disposed of, while avoiding contamination of the ambient fluid 16.
[0060] In the repositioning mode and directly after treatment (figure 4b), the base 50 and the further collar 48 of the gripping member 46 may be moved upwards (or downwards; not shown) with respect to the housing 20 and the pile 12 along the axial direction Z, while the first and second expandable collars 44, 60 remain in an expanded and engaged state with the pile surface 14. The gripping member 46 may be moved with respect to the housing 20 over a maximum longitudinal distance ΔΖΐ.
[0061 ] In a subsequent stage of the repositioning mode (figure 4c), the further collar 48 of the gripping member 46 is expanded (e.g. inflated with gas or liquid) to engage the pile surface 14, to fix and keep the housing 20 steady with respect to the pile 12. The longitudinal actuator 54 and/or longitudinal guiding members 56 are then blocked to avoid relative movement between the gripping member 46 and the housing 20. Subsequently, the first and second expandable collars 44, 60 are reduced (e.g. deflated), so that their inner boundary surfaces disengage from the pile surface 14.
[0062] In yet a subsequent stage of the repositioning mode (figure 4d), the longitudinal actuator 54 is again energized to translate the gripping member 46 relative to the housing 20, now in a reverse longitudinal direction -Z. As the gripping member 46 is temporarily fixed to the pile 12, the operation of the longitudinal actuator 54 causes the apparatus 10 to move autonomously along the pile 12 in the positive longitudinal direction +Z. The housing 20 may thus be lifted over a finite distance ΔΖο along the pile 12. The finite distance ΔΖο preferably equals the maximum longitudinal distance ΔΖΐ traversed by the gripping member 46 relative to the housing 20 in a previous stage (see figure 4b).
[0063] After longitudinal repositioning, the treatment apparatus 10 may transition back to the treatment mode (figure 4a). The above treatment and repositioning process may be repeated for any number of times (limited by the available length of the pile 12). The treatment apparatus 10 may be moved in a single direction, back-and-forth, or any combination of such motions. For example, by repeating the treatment and repositioning process a discrete number of times N in a single direction, a distance along the pile 12 equal to Ν ΔΖο may be covered.
[0064] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
[0065] Those skilled in the art and informed by the teachings herein will realize that the invention may be applicable to any treatment apparatus for cleaning elongated structures with a certain degree of shape symmetry along the direction of elongation, e.g. for cleaning pipes, poles, tubes, etc.
[0066] The apparatus may comprise only one engagement member or a plurality of engagement members for temporarily holding the housing fixed with respect to the pile/pipe/tube/etc. in the treatment state of the apparatus. Two engagement members at distal ends of the housing are, however, preferred.
[0067] It should also be understood that the gripping member for holding the pile/pipe/tube/etc. in the repositioning state of the apparatus may be implemented differently, provided that the gripping member is sufficiently powerful to locally clamp the pile/pipe/tube/etc. and fix the housing thereto. The gripping member may for example comprise separate gripping members that are located at distinct positions in the angular direction Φ along the housing.
[0068] Also, the housing of the apparatus should not be considered limited to substantially cylindrical barrel shapes. Instead, housings with other shapes would be possible, provided that the void that is defined inside the housing as well as the repositioning mechanism and treatment mechanism define a suitable space for accommodating the pile/pipe/tube/etc. during repositioning and treatment. Exemplary alternatives are housings with a discrete rotational symmetry (e.g. box), or with more general polygonal or curved cross-sectional shapes (e.g. elliptical).
[0069] The locking members provided on the housing of the apparatus may also be implemented by actively controllable devices instead of passive mechanical devices. The active lock devices may be configured to be remotely controllable by a distant operator and/or the control unit may be configured to operate the active lock devices to guarantee that the parts of the housing are firmly interlocked before treatment or repositioning commences.
[0070] The rigid arc forming the movable frame part may alternatively extend over a different angle (i.e. larger or smaller than 180°), provided that the overall transverse opening defined by the apparatus in the opened state will still allow lateral insertion or removal of the pile into/from the inner region of the housing. Also, the angular actuator for repositioning the movable frame part may alternatively comprise a motor and a curved rack cooperating with a pinion that is driven by the motor.
[0071 ] The (re)positioning mechanism may also include a further angular actuator that is configured to rotate the gripping member relative to the housing, at least if the gripping member has engaged the pile surface in the repositioning mode of the apparatus. Such a further angular actuator allows the apparatus to be repositioned with respect to the pile along the angular direction Φ. Such a further angular actuator allows the apparatus to better target specific portions of the pile surface that may be difficult to reach. Furthermore, in embodiments wherein the gripping member is formed by separate gripping parts that are located at distinct positions along the angular direction, such an angular actuator allows the apparatus to move around local protrusions on the pile surface during repositioning.
[0072] Finally, the apparatus with repositioning mechanism that allows step-wise repositioning and treatment may be implemented as an improvement in and of its own, and its various embodiments may be subject of a divisional application. A set of clauses is presented directly below, which defines aspects and embodiments that may be subject of a divisional application.
Clauses cl. An apparatus (10) for treating a pile or tube (12), comprising: a support structure (20); a treatment mechanism (70) for treating a surface (14) of the pile or tube, and a repositioning mechanism (40) provided with: a first engagement member (42) adapted for releasably coupling to the pile/tube surface to releasably fix the support structure with respect to the pile or tube and allow the treatment mechanism to treat the pile/tube surface; a gripping member (46) movably coupled to the support structure and adapted for releasably coupling to the pile/tube surface, and an actuator (54) configured for translating the gripping member relative to the support structure, to move the support structure along the pile or tube in a longitudinal direction when the gripping member is coupled to the pile/tube surface. c2. The apparatus (10) according to clause cl, wherein the first engagement member (42) comprises a first collar (44) that is positionable directly around the pile or tube (12), and is inwardly expandable to engage with the pile/tube surface (14) and fix the support structure (20) relative to the pile or tube. c3. The apparatus (10) according to clause cl or c2, wherein the gripping member (46) comprises: a second collar (48) that is positionable directly around the pile or tube (12), and adapted to expand inwardly to engage with the pile/tube surface (14), and contract outwardly to disengage from the pile/tube surface, and a collar base (50) for limiting an outward expansion of the second collar; wherein the second collar and the collar base are jointly translatable relative to housing along the longitudinal direction (Z) by the actuator (54). c4. The apparatus (10) according to any one of clauses cl-c3, wherein the support structure (20) is formed as a housing that defines a void (38) inside that accommodates the treatment mechanism (70) and is adapted for enclosing a portion of the pile or tube (12) along an apparatus axis (Aa), wherein the housing defines a first opening (32) and a second opening (36) that jointly allow the pile or tube portion to extend via the openings and the void through the housing. c5. The apparatus (10) according to clause c4, comprising a third engagement member (58) adapted for releasably coupling to the pile/tube surface (14) in cooperation with the first engagement member (42), to releasably fix the support structure (20) with respect to the pile or tube (12). c6. The apparatus (10) according to any one of clauses c4-c5, wherein the first engagement member (42) is provided along the first opening (32) and/or wherein the third engagement member (58) is provided along the second opening (36), wherein the first engagement member (42) and/or the third engagement member (58) is/are configured to create a fluid tight seal at the respective first opening (32) and/or second opening (36) between the void (38) inside the housing (20) and a region outside the housing. cl. The apparatus (10) according to any one of clauses c4-c6, wherein the gripping member (46) is accommodated in the void (38) inside housing (20), and is translatable by the actuator (54) through the void and relative to the housing. c8. The apparatus (10) according to any one of clauses c4-c7, wherein the treatment mechanism (70) is arranged in the void (38) inside the housing (20), wherein the treatment mechanism (70) comprises a plurality of treatment members (76) that are distributed along an angular direction through at least a portion of the void (38) inside the housing (20), to enable simultaneous treatment of multiple portions of the pile surface (14) in the treatment mode of the apparatus. c9. The apparatus (10) according to clause c8, wherein treatment mechanism (70) comprises an angular actuation mechanism (72-82) with a movable frame part (72) with the treatment members (76), which is rotatably coupled to the housing (20) to allow rotation of the treatment members (76) with respect to the housing (20) and around at least part of the pile/tube surface (14). clO. The apparatus (10) according to clause c8 or c9, wherein the treatment members (76) are cleaning nozzles for discharging cleaning fluid (92) towards the pile/tube surface (14) in the treatment mode of the apparatus. cl 1. The apparatus (10) according to any one of clauses c4-cl0, wherein the housing (20) comprises a first housing part (20a) and a second housing part (20b), which are releasably coupled to allow the apparatus to assume: a closed state, wherein the first and second housing parts are joined to allow accommodation of the pile or tube (12) inside the void (38) for treatment, and an opened state, wherein the first and second housing parts are separated to create a transverse opening (26) between the housing parts to allow removal of the pile or tube from the void. cl2. The apparatus (10) according to clause ell and c2, wherein the first collar (44) comprises a first annular portion (44a) fixed to the first housing part (20a), and a second annular portion (44b) fixed to the second housing part (20b), wherein the first and second annular portions are releasably coupled to allow joining of the annular portions into a closed annular shape for directly enclosing the pile or tube (12) in the closed state of the apparatus, and to allow separation of the annular portions to create transverse opening in the opened state of the apparatus. cl3. The apparatus (10) according to any one of clauses cl-cl2, comprising a control unit (90) that is configured to control one or more selected from: the actuator (54), to translate or fix the gripping member (46) relative to the support structure (20); the first engagement member (42) and/or third engagement member (48), to selectively couple or decouple the first and/or third engagement member to the pile/tube surface and fix or release the support structure with respect to the pile or tube; the gripping member (46), to couple or decouple the gripping member to the pile/tube surface; the treatment mechanism (70), to treat the surface (14) of the pile or tube (12). cl4. A method for operating an apparatus (10) including a support structure (20), a treatment mechanism (70), and a repositioning mechanism (40) with first engagement members (42), a gripping member (46), and an actuator (54) in accordance with any one of clauses cl-cl3, wherein the method comprises: providing the apparatus around a portion of a pile or tube (12); operating the apparatus in a treatment mode, including: coupling the first engagement member (42) to the pile or tube, to fix the support structure relative to the pile or tube; energizing the treatment mechanism to treat the pile or tube; operating the apparatus in a repositioning mode, including: energizing the actuator while keeping the gripping member decoupled from the pile/tube surface, thereby moving the gripping member relative to the support structure and to the pile or tube; coupling the gripping member to the pile/tube surface after moving the gripping member; decoupling the first engagement member from the pile/tube surface after coupling the gripping member; again energizing the actuator to move the gripping member relative to the support structure in a reverse direction, thereby moving the support structure along the pile or tube. cl5. The method according to clause cl4, wherein the treatment mechanism (70) of the apparatus (10) comprises an angular actuation mechanism (72-82) with a movable frame part (72) and treatment members (76) in accordance with clause c9, wherein the method comprises: rotating the moveable frame part with the treatment members with respect to the support structure (20) and around at least part of the pile/tube surface (14) while treating the pile or tube.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
Similar reference numbers that have been used in the description to indicate similar elements (but differing only in the hundreds) have been omitted from the list below, but should be considered implicitly included. 10 treatment apparatus 12 pile 14 pile surface 16 ambient fluid (e.g. water or air) 20 housing (part) 22 hinge 24 locking member (e.g. latch) 26 transverse opening (e.g. radial opening) 28 longitudinal edge 30 first angular edge 32 first longitudinal opening (e.g. first axial opening) 34 second angular edge 36 second longitudinal opening (e.g. second axial opening) 38 void 40 repositioning mechanism 42 first engagement member 44 first expandable collar (e.g. first inflatable band) 46 gripping member 48 further collar (e.g. further inflatable band) 50 base (e.g. rigid annular frame) 52 base locking member 54 longitudinal actuator (e.g. axial spindle) 56 longitudinal guiding member (e.g. axial rails and wheels) 58 second engagement member 60 second expandable collar (e.g. second inflatable band) 70 treatment mechanism (e.g. fluid-based cleaning mechanism) 72 movable frame part 74 further frame part 76 treatment member (e.g. clean fluid discharge nozzle) 78 angular actuator (e.g. motor) 80 angular transmission (e.g. driven wheel and rails) 82 angular guiding member (e.g. passive wheels) 84 collar seal (e.g. rubber gasket) 86 fluid supply coupling 88 fluid discharge coupling 90 fluid supply source (e.g. fluid pump) 92 fluid jet 94 controller 96 attachment member (e.g. hoisting eye)
Ap pile axis
Aa apparatus axis Z longitudinal direction (e.g. axial direction) R radial direction Φ angular direction (azimuthal direction) ΔΖ height 0p pile diameter 0o opening diameter 0v void diameter
Rf inner frame radius
Rp pile radius

Claims (16)

1. Een inrichting (10) voor het behandelen van een paal of buis (12), omvattende: - een behuizing (20) die binnenin een ruimte (38) definieert voor het omsluiten van een deel van de paal of buis, en ten minste een opening (32, 36) die toestaat dat de paal of buis zich uitstrekt vanuit de ruimte door de opening heen naar een gebied buiten de behuizing; - een behandelmechaniek (70), geplaatst binnen de behuizing en ingericht voor het behandelen van een oppervlak (14) van het omsloten deel van de paal of buis; een positioneermechaniek (40) gekoppeld aan de behuizing, en omvattende een aangrijporgaan (42, 58) voor het losmaakbaar vastzetten van de behuizing ten opzichte van de paal of buis tijdens behandeling van het paal/buisoppervlak; waarbij het aangrijporgaan ten minste een uitzetbare kraag (44, 60) omvat die voorzien is langs de opening, waarbij de kraag is ingericht om binnenwaarts uit te zetten om aan te grijpen met het paal/buisoppervlak en om de behuizing ten opzichte van de paal of buis op een verzegelende wijze vast te zetten.A device (10) for treating a pole or tube (12), comprising: - a housing (20) defining within a space (38) for enclosing a part of the pole or tube, and at least an opening (32, 36) allowing the pole or tube to extend from the space through the opening to an area outside the housing; - a treatment mechanism (70) disposed within the housing and adapted to treat a surface (14) of the enclosed part of the pole or tube; a positioning mechanism (40) coupled to the housing, and comprising an engaging member (42, 58) for releasably securing the housing relative to the pole or tube during treatment of the pole / tube surface; wherein the engaging member comprises at least one expandable collar (44, 60) provided along the opening, the collar being adapted to expand inwardly to engage with the pole / tube surface and around the housing with respect to the pole or to secure the tube in a sealing manner. 2. De inrichting (10) volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de behuizing (20) een verdere opening (36, 32) definieert, waarbij de ruimte (38) zich tussen de opening en de verdere opening door de behuizing heen uitstrekt en ingericht is voor het omsluiten van het deel van de paal of buis (12) langs een apparaat-as (Aa), waarbij de opening en de verdere opening gezamenlijk toestaan dat het paal- of buisdeel zich via de openingen en de ruimte door de behuizing heen uitstrekt; waarbij de inrichting een verder aangrijporgaan (58, 42) omvat met een verdere uitzetbare kraag (60, 44) die voorzien is langs de verdere opening, en welke is ingericht om binnenwaarts uit te zetten om aan te grijpen met het paal/buisoppervlak en om samen te werken met het aangrijporgaan (42, 58) om de behuizing ten opzichte van de paal of buis op een verzegelende wijze vast te zetten.The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the housing (20) defines a further opening (36, 32), the space (38) extending through the housing between the opening and the further opening and being adapted for enclosing the portion of the pole or tube (12) along an apparatus axis (Aa), wherein the opening and the further opening jointly allow the pole or tube part to extend through the openings and the space through the housing; the device comprising a further engagement member (58, 42) with a further expandable collar (60, 44) provided along the further opening, and which is adapted to expand inwardly to engage with the pole / tube surface and to cooperate with the engaging member (42, 58) to seal the housing relative to the post or tube. 3. De inrichting (10) volgens een van de conclusies 1-2, waarbij het aangrijporgaan (42, 58) en/of het verdere aangrijporgaan (58, 42) ingericht is/zijn om een vloeistofdichte verzegeling te realiseren bij de corresponderende opening (32, 36) of verdere opening (36, 32) tussen de ruimte (38) binnen de behuizing (20) en een gebied buiten de behuizing.The device (10) according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the engaging member (42, 58) and / or the further engaging member (58, 42) is / are arranged to realize a liquid-tight seal at the corresponding opening ( 32, 36) or further opening (36, 32) between the space (38) within the housing (20) and an area outside the housing. 4. De inrichting (10) volgens een van de conclusies 1-3, waarbij het aangrijporgaan (42, 58) voorzien is aan of nabij een tangentiële rand (30, 34) gedefinieerd langs de opening (32, 36) en/of waarbij het verdere aangrijporgaan (58, 42) voorzien is aan of nabij een verdere tangentiële rand (34, 30) gedefinieerd langs de verdere opening (36, 32).The device (10) of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the engaging member (42, 58) is provided at or near a tangential edge (30, 34) defined along the opening (32, 36) and / or the further engagement member (58, 42) is provided at or near a further tangential edge (34, 30) defined along the further opening (36, 32). 5. De inrichting (10) volgens een van de conclusies 1-4, waarbij het behandelmechaniek (70) geplaatst is in de ruimte (38) binnen de behuizing (20), waarbij het behandelmechaniek (70) een veelvoud van behandelorganen (76) omvat die verspreid zijn door ten minste een deel van de ruimte (38) binnen de behuizing (20), om gelijktijdige behandeling van meerdere delen van het paaloppervlak (14) mogelijk te maken.The device (10) of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the treatment mechanism (70) is disposed in the space (38) within the housing (20), the treatment mechanism (70) a plurality of treatment members (76) comprises scattered through at least a portion of the space (38) within the housing (20), to allow simultaneous treatment of multiple parts of the pole surface (14). 6. De inrichting (10) volgens conclusie 5, waarbij het behandelmechaniek (70) een beweegbaar framedeel (72) met de behandelorganen (76) omvat, waarbij het beweegbare framedeel roteerbaar aan de behuizing (20) is gekoppeld om rotatie van de behandelorganen (76) ten opzichte van de behuizing en rondom ten minste een deel van het paal/buisoppervlak (14) mogelijk te maken.The device (10) of claim 5, wherein the treatment mechanism (70) comprises a movable frame member (72) with the treatment members (76), the movable frame member rotatably coupled to the housing (20) to rotate the treatment members ( 76) relative to the housing and around at least a portion of the pole / tube surface (14). 7. De inrichting (10) volgens conclusie 5 of 6, waarbij de behandelorganen (76) reinigingsspuitmonden zijn voor het doen uitstromen van reinigingsvloeistof (92) richting het paal/buisoppervlak (14).The device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the treatment members (76) are cleaning nozzles for discharging cleaning fluid (92) toward the pole / tube surface (14). 8. De inrichting (10) volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 7, waarbij de behuizing (20) een eerste behuizingdeel (20a) en een tweede behuizingdeel (20b) omvat die losmaakbaar gekoppeld zijn en het de inrichting mogelijk maken om over te gaan tussen: - een gesloten toestand, waarbij de eerste en tweede behuizingdelen zijn samengevoegd om het mogelijk te maken om de paal of buis (12) op te nemen binnen de ruimte (38) voor behandeling, en - een geopende toestand, waarbij de eerste en tweede behuizingdelen gescheiden zijn om een transversale opening (26) tussen de behuizingdelen te creëren om verwijdering van de paal of buis uit de ruimte mogelijk te maken.The device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing (20) comprises a first housing part (20a) and a second housing part (20b) that are releasably coupled and allow the device to pass between: - a closed state, wherein the first and second housing parts are joined together to make it possible to receive the pole or tube (12) within the treatment room (38), and - an opened state, wherein the first and second second housing parts are separated to create a transverse opening (26) between the housing parts to allow removal of the pole or tube from the space. 9. De inrichting (10) volgens conclusie 8, waarbij de uitzetbare kraag (44, 60) een eerste ringvormig deel (44a, 60a) omvat die vastgezet is aan het eerste behuizingdeel (20a), en een tweede ringvormig deel (44b, 60b) omvat die vastgezet is aan het tweede behuizingdeel (20b), waarbij de eerste en tweede ringvormige delen losmaakbaar gekoppeld zijn om samenvoeging tot een gesloten te ringvorm mogelijk te maken voor het direct omsluiten van de paal of buis (12) in de gesloten toestand van de inrichting, en om scheiding mogelijk te maken voor het creëren van een transversale opening in de geopende toestand van de inrichting.The device (10) of claim 8, wherein the expandable collar (44, 60) comprises a first annular member (44a, 60a) secured to the first housing member (20a), and a second annular member (44b, 60b) ) secured to the second housing part (20b), the first and second annular parts being releasably coupled to allow assembly into a closed ring shape for directly enclosing the pole or tube (12) in the closed state of the device, and to allow separation to create a transverse opening in the open state of the device. 10. De inrichting (10) volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 9, waarbij het positioneermechaniek (40) omvat: - een grijporgaan (46), die beweegbaar verbonden is met de behuizing (20) en ingericht is voor het losmaakbaar aangrijpen van het paal/buisoppervlak (14), en - een actuator (54) die is ingericht voor het transleren van het grijporgaan ten opzichte van de behuizing, om de behuizing langs de paal of buis (12) in een longitudinale richting te bewegen indien het grijporgaan en het paal/buisoppervlak onderling gekoppeld zijn.The device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the positioning mechanism (40) comprises: - a gripping member (46) movably connected to the housing (20) and adapted to releasably engage the pole / tube surface (14), and - an actuator (54) adapted to translate the gripping member relative to the housing, to move the housing along the pole or tube (12) in a longitudinal direction if the gripping member and the pole / tube surface are mutually coupled. 11. De inrichting (10) volgens conclusie 10, waarbij het grijporgaan (46) omvat: - een kraag (48) die positioneerbaar is rond de paal of buis (12), en ingericht is om binnenwaarts uit te zetten om aan te grijpen met het paal/buisoppervlak (14), en buitenwaarts samen te trekken om te ontkoppelen van het paal/buisoppervlak, en - een kraagbasis (50) voor het beperken van een buitenwaartse uitzetting van de tweede kraag; waarbij de tweede kraag en de kraagbasis gezamenlijk door de actuator (54) langs de longitudinale richting (Z) transleerbaar zijn ten opzichte van de behuizing.The device (10) of claim 10, wherein the gripping member (46) comprises: - a collar (48) that is positionable around the pole or tube (12) and is adapted to expand inwardly to engage with the pole / tube surface (14), and contracting outward to disengage from the pole / tube surface, and - a collar base (50) for restricting an outward expansion of the second collar; wherein the second collar and the collar base are jointly translatable by the actuator (54) along the longitudinal direction (Z) relative to the housing. 12. De inrichting volgens conclusie 10 of 11, waarbij het grijporgaan (46) is opgenomen in de ruimte (38) binnen de behuizing, en transleerbaar is door de actuator (54) door de ruimte heen en ten opzichte van de behuizing.The device of claim 10 or 11, wherein the gripping member (46) is received in the space (38) within the housing, and is translatable through the space through the space and relative to the housing. 13. De inrichting (10) volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 12, omvattende een besturingseenheid (90) die geconfigureerd is om ten minste een te besturen gekozen uit: - de actuator (54), om het grijporgaan (46) te transleren of vast te zetten ten opzichte van de behuizing (20); - het aangrij por gaan (42, 58) en/of het verdere aangrijporgaan (58, 42), om het respectieve aangrijporgaan te koppelen met of ontkoppelen van het paal/buisoppervlak (14) en het vastzetten of losmaken van de behuizing ten opzichte van de paal of buis (12); - het aangrijporgaan (46), om het aangrijporgaan te koppelen met of ontkoppelen van het paal/buisoppervlak; - het behandelmechaniek (70), om het oppervlak van de paal of buis te behandelen.The device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a control unit (90) configured to control at least one selected from: - the actuator (54) to translate the gripping member (46) or to be fixed with respect to the housing (20); - engaging the engagement (42, 58) and / or the further engagement member (58, 42) to couple or disengage the respective engagement member from the pole / tube surface (14) and to secure or detach the housing from the pole or tube (12); - the engaging member (46) for coupling or uncoupling the engaging member from the pole / tube surface; - the treatment mechanism (70), to treat the surface of the pole or tube. 14. Een werkwijze voor het bedrijven van een inrichting (10) met een behuizing (20), een behandelmechaniek (70), en een positioneermechaniek (40) met een aangrijporgaan (42, 58), volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 13, waarbij de werkwijze omvat: - het verschaffen van de inrichting rond een deel van de paal of buis (12); het binnenwaarts doen uitzetten van een kraag (44, 60) van het aangrijporgaan (42, 58) om aan te grijpen met de paal of buis en om de behuizing ten opzichte van de paal of buis vast te zetten; - het bedrijven van de inrichting in een behandelmodus, omvattende het activeren van het behandelmechaniek om de paal of buis te behandelen.A method of operating a device (10) with a housing (20), a treatment mechanism (70), and a positioning mechanism (40) with an engaging member (42, 58), according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the method comprises: - providing the device around a part of the pole or tube (12); causing a collar (44, 60) of the engaging member (42, 58) to expand inwardly to engage with the post or tube and to secure the housing relative to the post or tube; - operating the device in a treatment mode, comprising activating the treatment mechanism to treat the pole or tube. 15. De werkwijze volgens conclusie 14, waarbij het behandelmechaniek (70) van de inrichting (10) een beweegbaar framedeel (72) met reinigingsspuitmonden (76) volgens conclusies 6 en 7 omvat, en waarbij het bedrijven van de inrichting in de behandelmodus omvat: - het roteren van het beweegbare framedeel met reinigingsspuitmonden (76) ten opzichte van de behuizing (20) en een rondom ten minste een deel van het paal/buisoppervlak (14), en ondertussen het doen uitstromen van reinigingsvloeistof (92) richting het paal/buisoppervlak (14).The method of claim 14, wherein the treatment mechanism (70) of the device (10) comprises a movable frame member (72) with cleaning nozzles (76) according to claims 6 and 7, and wherein operating the device in the treatment mode comprises: - rotating the movable frame part with cleaning nozzles (76) relative to the housing (20) and around at least a part of the pole / tube surface (14), and in the meantime causing cleaning fluid (92) to flow out towards the pole / tube surface (14). 16. De werkwijze volgens conclusie 14 of 15, waarbij het positioneermechaniek (40) van de inrichting (10) een grijporgaan (46) en een actuator (54) volgens conclusie 10 omvat, en waarbij de werkwijze omvat: - het bedrijven van de inrichting (10) in een herpositioneermodus, omvattende: - het activeren van de actuator en ondertussen het grijporgaan (46) ontkoppeld houden van het paal/buisoppervlak (14), om het grijporgaan ten opzichte van de behuizing (20) en de paal of buis te bewegen; - het koppelen van het aangrijporgaan met het paal/buisoppervlak na het bewegen; - het ontkoppelen van het aangrijporgaan (42, 58) van het paal/buisoppervlak na het koppelen van het grijporgaan; het opnieuw activeren van de actuator om het grijporgaan ten opzichte van de behuizing in een tegengestelde richting te bewegen, en daarbij de behuizing langs de paal of buis te bewegen.The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the positioning mechanism (40) of the device (10) comprises a gripping member (46) and an actuator (54) according to claim 10, and wherein the method comprises: - operating the device (10) in a repositioning mode, comprising: - activating the actuator and in the meantime keeping the gripping member (46) uncoupled from the pole / tube surface (14), in order to align the gripping member with respect to the housing (20) and the pole or tube to move; - coupling the engaging member with the pole / tube surface after moving; - disengaging the engaging member (42, 58) from the pole / tube surface after coupling the gripping member; reactivating the actuator to move the gripping member in an opposite direction relative to the housing, thereby moving the housing along the pole or tube.
NL2016433A 2016-03-15 2016-03-15 Apparatus for Treating a Surface of a Pile. NL2016433B1 (en)

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