US2604895A - Hollow device cleaning apparatus employing air impulse-generated surges of flowing liquids - Google Patents

Description

y 29, 1952 H. B. FECHTER 2,604,895

HOLLOW DEVICE CLEANING APPARATUS EMPLOYING AIR v IMPULSED-GENERATED SURGES OF FLOWING' LIQUIDS Filed May 19, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 FIGJ.

INVENTOR.

Ho rry B. Fech'rer ATTORN EYS.

y 1952 H. B. FECHTER 2,604,895

' HOLLOW DEVICE CLEANING APPARATUS EMPLOYING AIR IMPULSED-GENERATED SURGES OF FLOWING LIQUIDS Filed May 19, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 5 77'78 A FIG. 3. 64

60 6| T|M|;R

FLUID F H PRESSURE &

PRESSURE e2 FLU") REGUILATOR INVENTOR.

Harry B. Fechier ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 29, 1952 OFFICE; 1

HOLLOW Device. CLEANING, AP ARATUS;

EMPLOYING AIR IMPULSE-GENERATED'" SURGES- F FLOW-INGLIQUI-DS Harry B; Fechter, MinneapolispMinn.

Application Mayl9', 1948, Serialhlm.2?;334-

This invention relates-to cleaning: apparatus; and more specifically to-apparatus for recycling a cleaning fluid thru 'a' device for cleaning the latten-An example of such an; apparatus-isone which may beemployedto clean automobile radiators; heater cores, oil filters, oil coolers, gasoline tanks and the like! An' important object of' theinventionis-tcr provide an apparatus 'of' this kind which combinesheating, recirculating: and agitating thecleaningfiuid, wherebythe' fluid has the maximum opportunity to rid the device of'foreign matter."

Another important object is to "provide, in.an apparatus for cleaning purposes, a': cleaning or washing action upon the device to be cleaned, augmented bythe provision of means to be able to'impart sudden, automatically controlled and timed air jet impulse shocks'to-the cleaningfiui'd.

Still another important; obj 'ectis to provideian apparatus"which'isspeedy, with a continuous cleaningaction so that; from the time the device to be cleaned is introducedto the cleaning fluid, to the time it isreadyfor removal, the cleaning action is continuous.

A further important obj ect is to. provide means to cause numerous momentary changes in the i directionof flow of'cleaning fluid'thru the device.

tobe cleaned, as the fluid is surged, and this is accomplished without the use of means to mechanically rockior' agitate the device.

Another major object is to' combine with liquid cleaning, aeration of the' device to be' cleaned, all without the formation of air pockets within the device, which might" prevent-the entrance of cleaning liquid toall accessible parts. of the interior of the device:

Because of the varying-capacity of'the devices being cleaned, a further-majorobject isto'provide the operator with a widerange of-selectivity of control of the" volume oficleaning fluid flowing thru each device being'cleaned as well as selective control of the-force of-the jetimpulses.

Other objects and advantages'of the invention will be-appa-rent-duringthe course of the following' detailed description of-the-invention; taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

forming apart of this-disclosure; and in which drawings:

Fig." l 'is' alongitudinal section thru the novel cleaning apparatus of the invention.

Fig. =2 is a transverse section substantially on the" line 2'-2- of Fig; 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic viewof the novel. cleaning system, employing the apparatus of Figs; 1'- and 2;

Fig; 4-is anenlarged'view"partly"insection; of acoupling means between the "newapparatus anda device to be cleaned thereby;

Fig. 5 is anenlarged view mostly-in section-mithat portion ofthe novel apparatusrwhere airand cleaning fluid meet; I

In the drawings, wherein-"for; the purpose-of illustration is showna preferred embodiment of the: invention andwherein similar reference characters" designate: corresponding parts thrm out the several views, theiletter'A'designates the novel cleaning-system as: a; whole, including the new cleaning apparatus" *3; source of pressure fluid C, fluid pressure regulator mnlter means E, electrically operated shut -oifvalve, structure F, conduitsystem ,G, in which the various; ele.- ments B'to Finclusi'vte are interposed; and. which extends. to the apparatus Bhelecitric,v timer for valve. electric conductors. K; heating ,means L and cleaning fluidlMi There are also, shown. devices. Njior cleaning, v i I The. new cleaning, apparatus B ccmprisesa hous g l ,v mounting. a main clean n fluid supply conduit lv provided ,with special. conduit means, It and rcoupling means l3 to the, devices N, pump 1 4;-w ith. operating. means;- J5, and; pres.- sure fluid conduitsection L6,. 1

Theahousing, 10 may be provided with; vertical end walls- 25, vertical side-walls 26,. a bottom-wall, 231 having; an upwardly-stepped. central portion 28 providing a support-m ter the devices Nzbeing, cleaned and-a recess 30, fiXtGIiOIIYOf-1thfij 110.115: ing,. .foraccommodating portion of: the heating means: L. There is; alsma; partial 'top' waiter and hinged. closure: 321 for-thea-mouth ;33'iot the housing Ill. which. ciosurefl 3 2; with thezpartiali top wall it, close; the upper end ofthe housing and these:several walls and closure-32define a compartment or chamber 34. Becausethe-bottom" wall 21 is-stepped, there are portions-of tlie chamber 34 below the horizontal plane of the support '29 for purposes later detailed. The housing 'isprovided with suitable legs-"3 5.

Themain, cleaning fluid, supply conduit H extends longitudinally of and within the housing [0 and its chamber 34; preferablyadjacentthe top wall3'l and closure 32; bjeing near the rearmostsidewall 26, and has an intak e-section-- or. lateral 40 1 extending from intermediate its ends. to the bottom of the chamber 34. where itfiis. operatively" connected with the pump. l4." 011e end i l; of'the conduit H mayybs Welded to an end? wall :25 and' its opposite endimay be q qsed' by a suitable removable closure ,42; to provide. for clean out; This-conduit ll may beprovided'witn a conventional pressure gauge 43' exteriorly ojf the housing III, a relief. valve 44' Within the chamber 34, and a'by pass valve 44" openin 'into the chamber 34 and having a valve-handle ex: tending to exteriorly of thehousing' l0, whereby the operator may open the valve to avoid splash and provide the operator with means to adjust the fluid pressure in the conduit l I.

There may be a plurality of special conduit means 12 extending from the main conduit H in spaced-apartrelationship. Each includes a plurality of small conduit sections 45, 48, 41 and 48, with the section 45 opening into the conduit H and into a check valve 49; the section 45 extends from the check valve to a shut-off valve 50; the section 4'! from the valve 50 to an elbow 5|; and the section 48 from the elbow to a connecting means 52 with one end of a flexible conduit 53. At the lower end of the conduit 53 is a connecting means 54 to connect the flexible conduit 53 to one section of a coupling means l3, such as a conventional bayonet slot device, with the other section thereof provided with means 55 to attach -it to a convenient portion of the device N. The conduit means 12 preferably extends downwardly and toward the front side wall of the housing [0.

Opening into the elbow 5!, as shown in Fig. 5, is one end of the pressure fluid conduit section I6. This end has a restricted outlet 51 preferably disposed intermediate the ends of the elbow and. with its axis substantially coincident with the axis of the discharge end opening of the elbow and, since the axis of this opening is also preferably coincident with the axes of the portions 48, 53 and 55 of the means l2, the axis of the outlet 51 is also coincident with these axes. Any, suitable pressure fluid may be provided, suchas air or other suitable gas under pressure which may exit from the source C, thru section 60 of conduit system G, in which is interposed a shut-01f valve BI and the section 60 is operatively connected,.beyond the valve 6 I with laterals, each having a conventional fluid pressure regulator D. Beyondeach regulator D is a lateral conduit section 62,'with which a regulator D is operatively connected, and in which section 62 are interposed a filter means E and electricallyoperated shut-off valve structure F including a flap valve 63 operated by a suitable means, as solenoid '64 having wiring B5 and armature 66 with the latter connected with the valve of the shut-off valve as is well known in the art. Each lateral conduit'62, beyond the valve 63 is provided with a check valve 61, extends to and opens into'and is connected with a section l6.

Operatively connected with the solenoid 64- is an electric timer H. The electric wiring or conductors K may comprise, a lead Ill operatively connected with the motor I 5, and operatively connected with one of the main heavy-duty (such as 220 volts) conductors H, a lead 12 operatively connected with the motor i5 and the other main heavy-duty conductor 73 and in which lead 12 is interposed a manually-operated electric switch 14. A lead extends from a llO-volt (or like) conductor 8! to one terminal of the switch H, a leadlfi from the other terminal thereof extends to a conventional electric timer H with which it is operatively connected as is common in the art. From the 110-volt (or like) conductor 82 a lead H extends to the timer H and is also operatively connected therewith, with an electric switch 18 interposed in the lead H. From the timer H a lead '19 extends to one end of the wiring 65 of the solenoid E4 and from the other end of this wiring, a lead 86 extends to the timer H.

The heating means L may be a battery of suitable burners 85, disposed in spaced-apart relationship in the recess so that they will heat the support 29.

In use, after one or more devices N are disposed upon the support 29 (if more than one, they may be disposed side-by-side) a suitable volume of cleaning fluid -M may "beyintroduced into the chamber 34 thru the mouth 337120 a suitable level depending upon the size and shape of the devices N to be treated. For example, if the devices N are conventional automobile radiators, the level may be approximately that shown in Fig. 2.

The heating means L may then be ignited and the pump l4 started by closing the switch 14, recycling of the cleaning fluid M will then commence. By opening the valve 6! which may then remain open at all times except for shutting oil the pressure fluid when making repairs and the like, and closing the switch 18 the flow of pressure fluid will commence and continue, in timed intervals (depending upon the setting of the timer-a conventional timer feature). As a result of the introduction of the air jets into the elbow 5!, and in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the downwardly-extending portion of the means I2, the cleaning fluid M will not only flow thru the device N but will be rendered exceedingly turbulent and reach every reachable part of theinterior of the device. Moreover, the

turbulent fluid will be ejected from the device N under pressure so that it will create a momentary vacuum, causing the cleaning fluid exteriorly of the device N to pass over and around the device with some violence and dislodge foreign matter upon the exterior portions of the device. (The device N is ordinarily raised slightly above the supporting surface, in any approved way). Not only does the air cause this turbulence and vac-, uum, but the air also assists in aerating the interior of the device N and the cleaning fluid. The turbulence is also of major value-in agitating the cleaning fluid so that any undissolved cleaning powder thereinwill be more apt to become dissolved.

Of course, before introducing the device N into the apparatus B, the coupling means I3 may be separated at the bayonet slot and the lower portion of the means attached to the inlet port 90 (as in Fig. 4) whereupon the device is disposed upon the support and the coupling means [3 connected. Shown too, are ports 91 and 92 which, in this case, are the exhaust ports for the cleaning fluid. Y

The air regulator valves D permit the operator to individually select a desirable velocity for the jet impulse for each device N.

The switch H is so positioned with reference to the hinged side of the closure, that the switch will open when the closure 32 is raised thus causing opening of the circuit to the solenoids 64 and closing of the shut-off valve 63. This closes the latter at once, so that the hazard to the operator of rapidly expanding air is obviated. The closure 32 and switch 11 are operatively connected by the arcuate arm 58. This feature permits insertion and removal. of the various devices N by merely closing the valve 50 and reopening it after exhausting selected devices N, while permitting washing in any other devices N without interruption. I 7

From the foregoing. it is clear that there is more than a mere flow of cleaning fluid thru the device N, and even more than a recycling of the fluid, since the fluid is introduced under pressure and with turbulence, and is associated with air (so as to take advantage of the oxygen therein) under pressure. The air is not introduced in a steady flow, but in jets, and this tends to cause numerous momentary changes in the direction of flow of the fluid thru the device N as the fiuid is surged thus causing the dislodgment of scale, rust and similar adhering matter. This is, of course, accomplished without the use of mechanical means to rock or agitate the device N and the device is, at all times, flat and immovable during cleaning. If the device were inclined during cleaning, air pockets would be apt to develop, preventing thorough cleaning.

As may be seen, particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, the air jets are not impeded as they leave the opening 51 because of the coinciding axes mentioned, and the full force of the jet is utilized to urge the fluid forward. In fact, the air jets blow the cleaning fluid clear of the interior of the devices N momentarily at each jet impulse.

By providing for the cleaning of a plurality of devices at the same time, there is an economy of time effected and, since there is a wide selectivity of control of the volumes of cleaning fluid and force of the jet impulse to any selected device, devices of various capacities may be accommodated at the same time within the same apparatus.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cleaning system for a hollow device having intake and exhaust ports, an openmouthed housing constructed and arranged to contain a body of cleaning liquid partly filling the chamber of said housing; a hinged closure for the mouth of said housing; means for supporting said device within said housing in a substantially horizontal position; means for cycling and recycling a cleaning liquid thru said device while Within said housing and within said liquid and While said closure is open or closed, including a cleaning liquid conduit wholly within said housing and opening into one of said ports; means for injecting a pressure fluid into said conduit at a location within said housing and in the direction of the normal flow of cleaning liquid therethru; means for discontinuing operation of said means for cycling and recycling; electromechanical means for intermittently stopping and starting the flow of pressure fluid into said conduit; and electro-mechanical means responsive to the opening of said closure to stop the flow of pressure fluid into said conduit upon opening said closure and while said closure is open.

2. In apparatus for simultaneously cleaning a, plurality of hollow devices, each having an intake port and an exhaust port, a housing defining an open-mouthed chamber constructed and arranged to contain a body of cleaning liquid, said housing having a pivoted closure for the mouth of said chamber, said housing including a bottom wall, said bottom wall being provided with means to support a plurality of said devices in a row; means for cycling and recycling said body of cleaning liquid thru said devices while said closure is open or closed, including a horizontallydisposed main liquid supply conduit below said closure, a pump, a lateral extending from the ex,- haust side of said pump and opening into said conduit and a plurality of spacedapart, downwardly-extending conduits opening into said main conduit and extending downwardly to said hollow devices; means carried by each of said downwardly-extending conduits to detachably secure a hollow device to its adjacent downwardly-extending conduit; an air-jet nipple for each downwardly-extending conduit, with the discharge mouth of said nipple within its downwardly-extending conduit; an air-pressure conduit extending from the intake end of each nipple; means to inject pressure fluid into said air pressure conduit; means responsive to the opening of said closure to place said last named means out of operation when said closure is being opened or is open; and selective means to render said means for cycling and recycling inoperative, whereby cleaning liquid ceases to flow through a selected device within said apparatus.

3. Apparatus for simultaneously cleaning a plurality of hollow devices, each having an intake port and an exhaust port, a housing defining an open-mouthed chamber constructed and arranged to contain a body of cleaning liquid, said housing having a pivoted closure for the mouth of said chamber, said housing including a bottom wall, said bottom wall being provided with means to support a plurality of said devices in a row; means for cycling and recycling said body of cleaning liquid thru said devices while said closure is open or closed, including a horizontally-disposed main liquid supply conduit below said closure, a pump, a lateral extending from the exhaust side of said pump and opening into said conduit and a plurality of spaced-apart, downwardly-extending conduits opening into said main conduit and extending downwardly to said hollow devices; means carried by each of said downwardly-extending conduits to detachably secure a hollow device to its adjacent downwardlyextending conduit; an air-jet nipple for each downwardly-extending conduit, with the discharge mouth of said nipple within its downwardly-extending conduit; an air-pressure conduit extending from the intake end of each nipple; means to inject pressure fluid into said air pressure conduit; means responsive to the opening of said closure to place said last named means out of operation when said closure is being opened or is open; and means to selectively open and close the passageway through each of said downwardly-extending conduits, whereby cleaning liquid ceases to flow through a selected device within said apparatus.

HARRY B. FECHTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 993,602 Johnston May 30, 1911 1,625,300 Davis Apr. 19, 1927 1,865,289 Trowbridge June 28. 1932 1,908,955 Carmin May 16, 1933 1,939,836 Tolfree Dec. 19, 1933 1,983,084 Janus Dec. 4, 1934 2,033,812 Brewer Mar. 10, 1936 2,089,317 Wilder Aug. 10, 1937 2,170,730 Rodieck Aug. 22, 1939 2,222,516 Powell et a1 Nov. 19, 1940 2,352,356 Albertson June 27, 1944 2,418,366 Powers Apr. 1, 1947 2,429,090 Burt-Wells Oct. 14, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 154,438 Germany Nov. 2, 1904

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