US1739695A - Cleaning tank - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1929. c. H. SLAUTER 3 CLEANING TANK Q Filed Nov. 12, 1925 z'sneets-sheet 1 j 4 & 2 74 m INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 17, 1929.

c. H. SLAUTER CLEANING TANK Filed Nov. 12. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

ZLM

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 Parser CHARLES H. SLAUTER, F COLUMBUS, OHIO CLEANING TANK 7 Application filed November 12, 1925. Serial N0. 68,645.

1o bolts, et cetera and clean them thoroughly.

These parts are usually covered with dirt and grease which is dificult to fully remove.

Also, in the salvaging of old castings, gears,

and the like, from discarded machinery, ineluding automobiles, it is customary to thoroughly clean the salvaged parts before they are sold or used in any other connection. These salvaged parts include various castings, bolts and gears.

Heretofore, in the cleaning of grease and dirt from castings, gears, et cetera, taken from machinery, including automobile-s and the like, it has been customary to employ a comparatively large tank or vat adapted to contain a chemical cleaning solution which,

when heated and agitated, attacks and removes the grease and dirt from such parts.

It has been customary to heat the chemical solution in the tank either by applying heat directly to the bottom of the tank or by the use of a heating unit located at a point remote from the tank.

The cleaning tanks above referred to are objectionable because they require considerable space for installation which is not always found in buildings, including garages and the like, where cleaning of old castings, gears, et cetera, is ordinarily done. Furthermore, these former cleaning tanks constitute a serious fire hazard and require considerable attention at all times. Still further, in the cleaning of old castings, gears, and the like, much difiiculty has been experienced in cleaning out the tanks when it becomes necessary. Also, with the heating unit placed outside of and remote from the tank, much heat is required for properly heating and circulating the solution in the tank, the greater portion of this heat being ineffective and lost.

One of the objects of my invention is to adds to the compactness of my construction provide a cleaning tank adapted to conserve space, the limits of the tank itself being the factor which determines the entire space to be occupied. My cleaning tank is compact and is'of simple construction and cheap to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provlde means located within the tank for heat mg and agitating the solution therein. This and, at the same time, serves to conserve and ,to render effective for heating purposes substantially all of the heat applied to the heating unit. The heating unit is thus rendered of maximum efficiency.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means located within the tank for controlling the level of the solution therein and forcarrying away oil, scum, and the like which rises to the surface of the solution in the tank. j Another object isto provide means for facilitating removal of sludge and sediment from the bottom of the tank, this means being adapted to permit such removal without the danger of clogging the drains. A further'object is to provide means for heating the fluid in the tank to a higher degree without increasing the number of heating units applied, at the same time, creating an increased agitation of the'solution in the tank.

Other and further objects will appear hereinafter and by reference to the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my cleaning tank, showing a portion of the tank walls being cut away to show the interior construction of the tank. Also, in this figure, a portion of the heater casing is cut away in order to show the interior thereof.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the tank shown in Figure 1.

WVith reference to the drawings, my cleaning tank may comprise a tank 1 which may 95 be of any suitable size and shape dependent upon the space available. This tank 1 may be made of any desired construction and is adapted to hold a liquid, such as a chemical solution for cleaning grease and the-like from we old castings and gears, et cetera, without leakage. This tank 1 is carried by a plurality of legs 2 so that the bottom of the tank is spaced from the floor. The tank 1 is not shown with a cover over the top thereof but such a cover may be used if desired. Furthermore, each of the side walls of the tank 1 are provided with an outwardly extending flange 1. If desired, the outer surface of my tank may be covered with an insulating material (not shown), such as slabs of asbestos or the like. In that case the flanges 1 extend out over the insulating material and prevent the chemical solution in the tank from coming in contact with it. These flanges also prevent wearing away of the top portion of the insulating material.

Disposed within the tank 1 is a heater which may comprise a casing 3. The heater casing 3 is arranged in the interior of the tank 1 in such a way that its lower portion extends through and beneath the floor of the tank as shown in Figure 2. A leak-proof joint is provided between the casing 3 and the bottom of the tank 1 in any suitable man ner.

The heater casing 3 is adapted to enclose a plurality of coil units. Eight coil units are shown in the drawings but it is obvious that as many coil units may be used as the particular conditions of use may require. I may employ two rows of these coil units, as shown in the drawings, each row containing four or more units as desired. One rowof coil units is disposed above the other sothat the coil units are arranged in pairs in vertical alignment with each other, as shown in Figure 1. However, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to two rows of coils and that one or more rows of coils may be used as desired.

Each of the coil units comprises an outer coil 4 and an inner coil'5. Boththe inner and outer coils of each coil unit are connected to a common inlet 6 and a common outlet 7. Disposed beneath and in vertical alignment with each pair of vetrically disposed coil units is a. burner 8, there being, in this instance, four of such burners employed. Each of these burners 8 is connected to a common fuel supply pipe 9 which is, in turn, connected to any desired fuel supply not shown. By applying heat to two concentrically located coils in the manner shown in the drawings, a greatly increased heating, circulation and agitation is brought about in a minimum length of time with the application of a minimum amount of heat.

The casing 3 is spaced on all sides, except at the bottom, from the walls of the tank 1. This permits circulation of the solution in the tank on all sides of the heater casing 3. Furthermore, by spacing the heater from the walls of the tank the solution between the heater and such walls serves as an insulating medium, further reducing fire hazards. Also, the casing 3 encloses the coil units on all sidesthereof except at the bottom thereof, which is open to permit the flames from the burners to enter the casing and contact with each of the coils 4; and 5 (see Figure 2). Although I preferably provide the casing 8 with an open bottom, yet it is obvious that the bottom may be closed except for opening immediately below the burners 8 topermit the flames from such burners to contact with their respective coil units. In some instances it may be found desirable to place a wire gauze screen (not shown) across the otherwise open bottom of the casing 3. In that case the burners 8 are located above the screen. Such an ar rangement as this would positively prevent explosion and the due to a combustible mixture or some object coming in contact with the flames from the burners. As an addi tional lire precaution, particularly inbuildings where wooden floors are used, a slab of asbestos or other insulating material may be suspended at a point spaced beneath the burners 8. This prevents charring or setting fire to the floor. It is to be understood that this precaution is not necessary and is to be employed only in accordance with the desires of the particular users.

The products of combustion are carried away from the casing 3 and the proper heating effects are obtained therein by the provision of the flue 10 in the top of the casing 3 as shown in the drawings. This flue 10 is preferably connected to a chimney or stack or some other means whereby the products of combustion may be carried outside the building, thereby eliminating the possibility of fire which might otherwise result if it opened directly to the inside of the building.

In the use of the construction just described, the tank 1, being filled to the desired extent with a proper solution, and the burners 8 lighted, the flame and heat from each of the burners 8 contact with the inner coils 5 and the outer coils 1 of each vertically disposed pair of coil units. In this manner, the fluid which is in the coils t and 5 is heated Very quickly. As the fluid in the coils 4; and 5 becomes heated, the tendency is, as is well known, for such heated fluid to rise. As the hot fluid in the lower coils of each coil unit rises, cooler fluid from the main body of the fluid in the tank enters each of the coil units 6 and is in turn heated. This action causes a circulation of fluid through the coils of each coil unit in the well-known manner, causing, in turn, a circulation of the fluid from the tank through each inlet 6, each of the coils l and 5, and each outlet 7. Thus, all of the fluid in the tank 1 is caused to circulate by the provision of a plurality of coil inlets and outlets at different horizontal and different vertical positions beneath the level of the liquid. The circulation of the fluid in the manner just described also agitates such fluid so that the chemical solution used will do its work and function in the manner intended. It is obvious that by employing a a great number of coil units, such as shown in Figure 1, all of the fluid in tank 1 is in constant circulation and, at the same time, all of such fluid is agitated to the required extent.

When it is desired to clean any castings and the like, all that need be done is to fill the tank to the desired level with a suitable chemical solution, light the burners 8 and place the articles to be treated in the tank in the body of the solution.

After a certain number of such articles have been cleaned, the solution in the tank may become very dirty and it may become desirable to drain the solution from the tank and clean the tank before cleaning other articles. In order to accomplish this cleaning most efiectively, I provide a drain pipe 11 which is connected to a drain valve 13 which is, in turn, connected to a drain coupling 12. The coupling 12 connects to an opening in the bottom of the tank 1. Then the tank 1 is filled with the cleaning solution and during cleaning, the drain pipe 11 is cut off from the drain coupling 12 by the drain valve 13 which, at that time, is in closed position. When it is desired to drain the cleaning solution from the tank 1, the drain valve 13 is opened and the solution is drained through the drain coupling 12 and the dram pipe 11. I

During the cleaning of grease, dlrt, et cetera, from castings, gears, and the l1ke, part of the dirt, et cetera, settles to the bottom of the tank. It is highly desirable that this sludge or sediment be prevented from entering the drain pipe 11 during the draming of the tank. To provide for thls, the coupling 12 is internally theaded and adapted to receive a nipple 14 which is screwed into the coupling 12 so that it projects a suitable distance above the bottom of the tank and also above the sludge and sediment lying on the bottom of the tank (see Figure 2). With this arrangement, when the tank 1 is drained, the cleaning solution may be drained ofi without such sludge or sediment entering the drain coupling 12 and the drain pipe 11.

After the solution has been drained from the tank, the sludge on the bottom of the tank may be removed in any desired manner. Then, in order that the interior of the tank may be flushed out and thoroughly cleaned, I preferably remove the nipple 14 so that, after the tank 1 is flushed, the flushing fluid may all drain through the drain coupling 12 and the drain pipe 11.

My cleaning tank is also provided with an over-flow trough .15. This over-flow trough insures and determines the maximum level 'of the cleaning fluid in the tank .1. 'Also, while the cleaning action is taking place, scum and oil rises tothe surface of the solution. It is desirable that this scum, oil,- and the like be removed. Since this scum and oil rises to the surface o'fthe solution, a greater portion of it will find its way, during the circulation and agitation of the cleaning I solution at a uniform temperature in order that the solution may be most efl'ective in cleaning. To accomplish this, when desired, I may employ a thermostatic control apparatus .(not shown), which may operate to reduce or increase the heat units applied as the operating conditions may require.

It is obvious that my invention is efficient in the heating of liquids. It is not limited solely to cleaning since it is obvious it may be used for the purpose of heating water or other liquids where the rapid heating of large quantities is required, as in laundries, creameries, and the like.

From the foregoing, it is seen that I have provided a cleaning tank which is of simple construction, yet of maximum eiiiciency. Only a very small amount of space is required for the installation of my tank. The limits of the tank itself determines the entire space to be occupied by my apparatus. The means which I provide for heating the solution in the tank is so arranged as to conserve and utilize all or substantially all of the heat supplied by the heat producing means. I employ a coil construction which insures maximum efiiciency from the heating means. Furthermore, I have provided apparatus which is simple to operate and which is easily cleaned after operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

In a cleaningapparatus, a tank adapted to contain a. cleaning solution, supports for said tank, said supports serving to elevate the bottom wall of said tank above the floor level, a casing disposed within said tank, the sides for one end of said casing being spaced from the sides and top of said tank and the open end of said casing extending through the bottom wall of said tank, a plurality of independent coil units arranged in vertically aligned separated pairs within said casing,

I each of said coils having separate inlet and outlet in communication with the interior of said tank and at various positions both vertically and laterally, a flue extending from the top of said casing and means for heating each pair of coil units.

In testimony whereof I hereby a-fiix my signature.

CHARLES H. 'SLAUTER.

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