US3011500A

US3011500A - Cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3011500A
Application number: US827321A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rand Burton
Original assignee: Autosonics Inc
Current assignee: Autosonics Inc
Priority date: 1959-07-15
Filing date: 1959-07-15
Publication date: 1961-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1978-12-05

Description

Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND 3,011,500

CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a INVENTOR. 44 BURTON RAND ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND CLEANING APPARATUS Filed July 15, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

IN V EN TOR. eumou RAND BY ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND CLEANING APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet s Filed July 15, 1959 m R m ATTORNEY 3,011,500 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 ice j 3,011,500 CLEANING APPARATUS Burton Rand, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., assignor to Autosonics Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 15, 1959, Ser. No. 827,321

16 Claims. (Cl. 134- 69) The present invention relates to cleaning apparatus, and more particularly to cleaning apparatus for removing grease and hydrocarbon deposits plus associated dirt or soil from machine parts by treatment with solvents such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as trichlorethylene or the like. Y

The satisfactory and rapid cleaning of small machined parts, as for example small machined parts which have been buffed, lapped, ground, or the like presents a most difficult problem. Experience has shown that notwithstanding repeated submergence in solvents effected by conventional cleaning equipment, an appreciable amount of contaminate in the nature of adhering dirt or the like remains with the machined parts, particularly in the hollows of interstices thereof. This, of course, is most undesirable, since the presence of contaminate adversely alfects the machined parts. In particular, if such machined parts are utilized where close tolerances are required, the presence of adhering contaminate constitutes a most serious problem.

Heretofore, such small machined parts have been generally cleaned by a batch process. That is, the machined parts are discharged from the processing machine into a container. When the container is filled, it is manually carried to a centrally located cleaning machine. This batch method of cleaning small machined parts not only requires additional handling of the machined parts,'but is also time consuming. Therefore, it would be most desirable to have a cleaning apparatus which would receive the machined parts directly. from the processing machine, and will continuously clean the machined parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel cleaning apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus which-is capable of achieving a high degree of cleaning at a high cleaning rate with small machined parts.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a light, easily transportable cleaning apparatus for small machined parts of high efiiciency, and yet of relatively low cost to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus for small machined parts which can receive the machined parts directly from a processing machine, and will continuously clean the machined parts.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a 'form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this'inventionis not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters referto like parts:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1. I j

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the overflow tube of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

1 The cleaning apparatus of the present invention is generally designated as 10. Cleaning apparatus comprises an upright housing 12 which includes a cleaning section 14, and a solvent distillation section 16.

Referring initially to the cleaning section 14, the inlet 18 for the cleaning section 14 comprises a chute into which the machined parts having adhering contaminate are fed, such machined parts descending through such inlet 18 by gravity.

The inlet chute 18 passes through the wall 20 of housing 12. Within the cleaning section 14, the inlet chute 18 extends downwardly and angularly away from the wall 20 to a point within and adjacent to the innerv periphery of the conveyor Wheel 22. The end portion 18a of the inlet chute 18 extends substantially verticallydownwardly through the main bath of chlorinated hydrocarbon (designated B) to the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 22. A layer of water (designated W) is superposed above the portion of the main bath B within the end portion 18a of the inlet chute 18. The layer of water W provides a water seal and reduces the .loss of wall 26 is spaced radially inwardly from the outer edges of the side walls 24. A plurality of circumferentially spaced bafiles 28 are secured between the side walls 24 within the outer wall 26(see FIGURE 2). Bafiles 28 extend inwardly from the outer wall 26 at an angle to the radius of the conveyor Wheel 22 in the direction of the direction of rotation of the conveyor wheel 22. Thus, upon rotation of the conveyor wheel 22, as the baflles 28 reach the outlet end of the inlet chute 18, the bafiles 28 are at an angle to catch the machined parts dropping from the chute 18 and direct the machined parts outwardly to the outer wall 26. The outerwall 26 is preferably formed of wire mesh. The side walls 24 may be also formed of wire mesh or of sheet metal.

Conveyor wheel 22 is supported in an upright position for rotation about a horizontal axis by an endless belt 30 which extends around the outer surface of t e outer wall 26 between the side walls 24. Endless belt 30 extends upwardly from the conveyor wheel 22, and passes over a pulley 32 mounted on a shaft 34. Shaft 34 extends across the housing 12 adjacent the top wall 36 of the housing 12, and is rotatably supported in bear--

ings

38 and 40 mounted on the

walls

20 and 42 respectively of the housing 12. Thus, the conveyor wheel 22 is supported from the shaft 34 by the endless belt 30 Endless belt 30 is of a length so that slightly less than one-half of the conveyor wheel 22 is immersed in the main bath B. The main bath B extends down to the basal floor 44 of the cleaning section 14 of housing 12, the entire bottom of the cleaning section 14 being occupied by the bath B for maximum solvent inventory.

The conveyor wheel 22 is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 46. Each pair of guide rollers 46 is mountedon a shaft 48. Each shaft 48 is rotatably supported in

bearings

50 and 52 which are mounted on the wall 20 and wall 54 respectively. Each of the rollers 46 has an annular groove 56 in its outer pheriphery in which the outer peripheral edge of a side wall 24 of the conveyorwheel 22 is guided. Thus, the rollers 46 guide the conveyor wheel 22 during the rotation of the conveyor wheel 22, and prevent axial movement of the conveyor wheel 22.

As shown in FIGURE 2, means for introducing vibration of ultrasonic frequency, designated 58, is disposed within the main bath B and adjacent the conveyor wheel 22. The vibration inducing means 58 is mounted on a channel bracket 60 which is secured between the wall 20 and the wall 54. Such means 58 may comprise piezoceramic transducers of conventional construction. For

example, such piezoceramic transducers may be molded or otherwise fashioned from ceramic material, such as barium titanate or the like, having piezoelectric properties. Such piezoelectric transducers are preferably provided with silver coatings in the form of electrodes. As illustrative of suitable piezoceramic transducers may be mentioned transducers of the type disclosed in Kearney Patent 2,802,476, issued August 13, 1957. However, it is to be understood that in place of the piezoceramic transducers above-mentioned, other means for generating or inducing high frequency ultrasonic vibrations with the bath, whose construction is well known to those skilled in the art, may be used for the means designated 58.

A U-shaped trough 62 is secured between the

walls

64 and 66 of the housing 12. The trough 62 extends parallel to the conveyor wheel 22, and is positioned between the conveyor wheel 22 and the solvent distillation section 16 of the housing 12. The trough 62 comprises a floor 68, which is spaced above the floor 44 of the cleaning section 14 of the housing 12, the upright wall 54, and upright wall 70. The uprightwalls 54 and 70 of the trough 62 extend vertically above the level of the main bath B, and the upright wall 70 is higher than the upright Wall 54. The trough 62 contains the rinse bath R which comprises the identical chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent used in the main bath B. However, the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent Within rinse bath R is appreciably cleaner than the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which forms the main bath B.

A conveyor wheel 72 is supported within the trough 62 for rotation about a horizontal axis by an endless belt 74. Conveyor Wheel 72 is identical in construction to the conveyor wheel 22. Endless belt 74 extends around the outer surface of the outer wall 76 of the conveyor wheel 72 between the side walls 78 of the conveyor wheel 72. Endless belt 74 extends upwardly from the conveyor wheel 72, and extends around a pulley 88 mounted on the shaft 34. Thus, the conveyor wheel 72 is supported from the shaft 34 by the endless belt 74 for rotation simultaneously with the conveyor wheel 22. Endless belt 74 is of a length so that less than half of the conveyor wheel 72 is emersed in the rinse bath R. Since, as shown in FIGURE 1, the liquid level of the rinse bath R is higherthan the liquid level of the main bath B, the axis of rotation of the conveyor Wheel 72 is vertically higher than the axis of rotation of the conveyor'wheel 22.

Conveyor wheel 72 is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 82. Each pair of the guide rollers 82 are mounted on a shaft 84. Each of the shafts 84 is rotatably supported in bearings 86 and 88 which are mounted on the walls 54 and 70 respectively of the trough 62. Each of the rollers 82 has an annular groove 90* in its outer periphery in which the outer peripheral edge of a side wall 78 of the conveyor wheel 72 is guided. Thus, the guide rollers 82 guide the conveyor wheel 72 during the rotation of the conveyor wheel 72, and prevent axial movement of the conveyor wheel 72.

A transfer chute 92 extends downwardly from the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 22 to the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 72 to transfer the cleaned machined parts from the conveyor wheel 22 to the conveyor wheel 72. The inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 22 at a point substantially diametrically opposite to the outlet end of the inlet chute 18. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 2, upon the rotation of the conveyor wheel 22, as the baflles 28 of the conveyor wheel 22 reach the inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92, the baflles 28 are angled downwardly to permit the machined parts to fall from the conveyor wheel 22 onto the transfer chute 92. The outlet end 92b of the transfer chute 92 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 72 at a' point corresponding to the position of the outlet end of the inlet chute 18 with respect to the conveyor wheel 22.

Thus, upon the rotation of the conveyor wheel 72, as the baffles, not shown, of the conveyor wheel 72 reach the outlet end 92b of the transfer chute 92, the baffles of the conveyor wheel 72 are angled upwardly to catch the machined parts descending the transfer chute 92, and guide the machined parts to the outer wall 76 of the conveyor wheel 72. j g

A floor 94 extends horizontally between the

walls

64 and 66 of the housing 12, and between the wall 70 of the trough 62 and the Wall 96. Floor 94 is spaced vertically above the floor 68 of the trough 62. The trough formed by the wall 70, floor 94, and wall 96 forms a drying chamber, designated as D.

A conveyor wheel 98 is supported in the drying chamber D for rotation about a horizontal axis by an endless belt 108. Conveyor Wheel 98 is of a construction identical to the

conveyor wheels

22 and 72. Endless belt 100 extends around the outer surface of the outer wall 102 of the conveyor wheel 98 between the side walls 104 of the conveyor wheel 98. The endless belt 100 extends upwardly from the conveyor Wheel 98, and extends around a pulley 106 mounted on the shaft 34. Thus, the conveyor wheel '98 is supported from the shaft 3 4 by the endless belt 100 for rotation simultaneously with the

conveyor wheels

22 and 72. The axis of rotation of the conveyor wheel 98 is vertically higher than the axis of rotation of the conveyor wheel 72.

Conveyor wheel 98 .is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 108. Each pair of the guide rollers 108 is mounted on a shaft 110. Each of the shafts 110 is rotatably supported in bearings i112 and 114 which are mounted on the

walls

78 and 96 respectively. Each of the guide rollers 108 has an annular groove 116 in its outer periphery in which the outer peripheral edge of a side wall 104 of the conveyor wheel 98 is guided. Thus, the guide rollers 108 guide the conveyor wheel 98 during the rotation of the conveyor wheel 98, and prevent axial movement of the conveyor wheel 98.

A transfer chute 118 extends downwardly from the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 72 to the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 98. The inlet end 118a of the transfer chute 118 is positoned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 72 at a point diametrically opposite to the outlet end 92b of the transfer chute 92. Thus, the inlet end 118a of the transfer chute 118 is in a position to receive the machined parts discharged from the conveyor wheel 72. The outlet end 11% of the transfer chute 118 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 98 at a point corresponding to the position of the outlet end of inlet chute 118 with respect to the conveyor wheel 22. Thus, the outlet end 11% of the transfer chute 118 is in a position to discharge the machined parts descending through the transfer chute 118 onto the battles, not shown, of the conveyor wheel 98.

The solvent distillation section 16 of the housing 12 comprises a vapor generator chamber 120, and a second drying chamber 122.

The second drying chamber 122 is formed intermediate the

walls

42 and 124, the floor 126, andthe top wall 36 of the housing 12. The wall 124 of the drying chamber 122 is spaced from the wall 96 of the solvent distillation section 16, and the floor 126 of the drying chamber 122 is spaced above the basal floor 128 of the solvent distillation section 16. A conveyor wheel 130 is sup-.

ported within the second drying chamber 122 for rotation about a horizontal axis by an endless belt 132. Conveyor wheel 130 is of a construction identical to the

conveyor wheels

22, 72, and 98. Endless belt 132 extends around the outer surface of the outer wall 134 of the conveyor wheel 130 between the side walls 136 of the conveyor wheel 130. Endless belt 132 extends upwardly from the conveyor wheel 130, and extends around a pulley 138 mounted on the shaft 34. Thus, the conveyor wheel 138 issupported from the shaft 34 by the endless belt 132 for rotation simultaneously with the

conveyor wheels

22, 72, and 98.

The conveyor wheel 130 is seated on two pairs of guide rollers 140. Each pair of the guide rollers 140 is mounted on a shaft 142. Each of the shafts 142 is rotatably supported in

bearings

144 and 146 which are mounted on the wall 124 and a wall 148 respectively. Each of the guide rollers 140 has an annular groove 150 in its outer periphery in which the outer peripheral edge of a side wall 136 of the conveyor wheel 130 is guided. Thus, the guide rollers 140 guide the conveyor wheel 130 during the rotation of the conveyor wheel 130, and prevent axial movement of the conveyor wheel 130. A wire mesh screen 152 is secured between the wall 124 and the wall 148 beneath the conveyor Wheel 130.

A transfer chute 154 extends downwardly from the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 98 through the vapor generator chamber 120 to the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130. The inlet end 154a of the transfer chute 154 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 98 diametrically opposite the outlet end 118b of the transfer chute 118. Thus, the inlet end 154a of the transfer chute 154 is positioned to receive the machined parts discharged from the conveyor wheel 98. The outlet end 154b of the transfer chute 154 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130 at a point corresponding to the position of the outlet end of the inlet chute 18 with respect to the conveyor wheel 22. Thus, the outlet end 154b of the transfer chute 154 is positioned to discharge the machined parts descending through the transfer chute 154 onto the baffies, not. shown, of the conveyor wheel 130.

An outlet chute 156 for the cleaning apparatus extends downwardly from the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130 through the'wall 148 and wall 42 of the housing 12. The inlet end 156a of the outlet chute 156 is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of the conveyor wheel 130 diametrically opposite the outlet end 154b of the transfer chute 154. Thus, the inlet end 156a of the outlet chute 156 is positioned to receive the machined par-ts discharged from the conveyor wheel 130.

The vapor generator chamber 120 is formed intermediate the

walls

96, 124, and 42, the

floors

128 and 126, and the top wall 36 of the housing 12. A pressure relief port 158 extends intermediate the vapor generating chamber 120 and the cleaning section 14 through the upper portion of the wall 96. Heater means 160 is provided at the bottom of the vapor generator chamber 120. .Such heater means 160 comprises conventional means for disseminating heat, and serves to heat the liquid inventory of the vapor generator chamber 120.

Refrigeration means comprising a standard coolant gas compressor 162, a motor 164 for operating the compressor 162, and an evaporator 166 is mounted on the wall 66 of the casing 12. A wide variety of refrigeration means may be utilized including those which deliver aqueous brinecoolant, and those which deliver coolant gases. Alternatively, cold tap water may be used for refrigeration draining to a sewer.

Therefrigerant fluid from the evaporator 166 is passed therefrom through duct 168 into the coil 170 which extends along opposite sides of the wall 96. The'coil 170'serves to cool the wall 96, whereby such wall 96 serves as a condenser onto which ,volatized liquid may be condensed. In addition, the cool wall 96 serves to cool the drying chamber portion of the cleaning apparatus 10 which is adjacent the wall 96. The return end of the coil 170 is connected to the condenser 162 through a duct 172. g

A condensate collecting trough l74extends along the side of the wall 96 within the vapor generator chamber 120 beneath the cooling coil 170. The condensate collecting trough 174 is tilted to provide a low point. A duct 176 extends downwardly from the lowpoint of the condensate collecting trough 174 across the drying chamber D, through the wall 70 of the rinse trough 62, and into the rinse bath R.

The level of liquid within the rinse bath R in the rinse trough 62 is controlled by an overflow pipe 178, which also controls the pipe of the main bath B. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the inlet end of the overflow pipe 178 extends through the wall 54 of the rinse trough 62 at the level of the liquid of the rinse bath R. The overflow pipe 178 extends downwardly along the outer side of the Wall 54 to the level of the liquid of the main bath B. At the point of the level of the liquid of the main bath B, the overflow pipe 178 has an aperture v180 therethrough by which the level of themain bath B is controlled. The overflow pipe 178 then extends back through the wall 54, and downwardly across the rinse trough 62, across the bottom of the drying chamber D, and through the Wall 96 into the vapor generator chamber 120. The outlet end of the overflow pipe 178, which is within the vapor generator chamber 120, is provided with a U-shaped trap 182 to prevent the vapors within the vapor generator chamber 120 from passing up through the overflow pipe 178.

A drain pipe 184 extends downwardly from the bottom of the second drying chamber 122 into the vapor generator chamber 120. Drain pipe 184 is provided with a U-shaped trap 186 to prevent the vapors in the vapor generator chamber 120 from passing through the drain pipe 184 into the drying chamber 122. A similar drain pipe, not shown, is provided from the bottom of the drying chamber D into the vapor generator chamber 120.

The shaft 34 is driven by an electric motor 188 mounted on the top wall 36 of the housing 12. A gear 190 mount ed on the motor shaft 192, meshes with a gear 194 mounted on the shaft 34 to drivingly connect the motor 188 to the shaft 34.

The cleaning section 14 of the housing 12 includes a vertical wall 196 extending between the floor 44 and the floor 94 of the drying chamber D. The wall 196 is spaced from the wall 96, and forms one wall of the reservoir for the main bath B. The air space between the wall 196 and the wall 96 thermally insulates the main bath B from the vapor generator chamber 120 whereby flashing of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent is prevented.

The operation of the cleaning apparatus 10 of the present invention is as follows: I

The electric motor 188 is turned on to rotate the shaft 34, and thereby rotate the

conveyor wheels

22, 72, 98, and 130. Machined parts bearing an adhering contaminant are introduced into the cleaning apparatus 10 through the inlet chute 18. The machined parts descend the inlet chute 18 to the conveyor wheel 22. During the descent the machined parts pass through the water seal W, which is the water level on top of the main bath B of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the inlet chute 18, and which water seal serves to prevent the volatilization of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent from the main bath B. As used hereinafter, the term solvent inventory should be interpreted as meaning the quantity of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the main bath B.

The machined parts are fed from the inlet chute 18 onto the bafiles 28 of the rotating conveyor wheel 22. Since the baffles 28 are inclined downwardly when they are adjacent the outlet end of the inlet chute 18, the baffles 28 guide the machined parts to the outer wall 26 of the conveyor wheel 22. The machined parts are then carried by the conveyor wheel 22through the main bath B. Since at least the outer wall 26 of the conveyor wheel 22 is formed of wire mesh, the liquid of the main bath B fills the chambers of the conveyor wheel 22 between the baffles 28 so that the machined parts are completely immersed in the main bath B.

As the machined parts are carried by-the conveyor wheel 22 past the means for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency 58, such parts are subjected to ultrasonic cleaning and the conveyor wheel 22 and its belt 30 are likewise kept free of sludge and carbon. This facilitates in the removal of adhering contaminant which is disposed within interstices, and voids within the machined parts. The conveyor arrangement shown in the drawings effects cleaning and draining of blind holes on the rotation of the conveyor wheel 22.

After being ultrasonically cleaned, the machined parts are carried by the conveyor wheel 22 out of the main bath B to the inlet end 92:: of the transfer chute 92. When the baflles 28 of the conveyor wheel 22reach a position above the inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92, the baflles 28 are angled downwardly away from the outer wall 26 of the conveyor wheel 22 so that the machined parts fall from the conveyor wheel 22 onto the inlet end 92a of the transfer chute 92. The machined parts then descend the transfer chute 92 to the conveyor wheel 72.

The machined parts are fed from the transfer chute 92 into the conveyor wheel 72 in the same manner as the machined parts were fed from the inlet chute 18 into the conveyor wheel 22. The conveyor wheel 72 carries the machined parts through the rinse bath R. The rinse bath R comprises chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which is considerably cleaner than the solvent inventory of the main bath B so that rinsing of the cleaned parts is effected within the rinse bath R. The conveyor wheel 72 carries the machined parts from the rinse bath R to the inlet end 118a of the transfer chute 118 where the machined parts are transferred from the conveyor wheel 72 to the transfer chute 118.

The machined parts descend the transfer chute 118 to the conveyor wheel 98 where the machined parts are fed into the conveyor wheel 98. Conveyor wheel 98 carries the machined parts through the drying chamber D where the solvent is drained and evaporated from the machined parts. The solvent drained from the machined parts in the conveyor wheel 98 passes through the wire mesh outer wall 182 of the conveyor wheel 98, and is collected on the floor 94 of the drying chamber D. The solvent collected on the floor 94 of the drying chamber D passes from the drying chamber into the vapor generator chamber 120 through the drain pipe, not shown.

After passing through-the drying chamber D, the machined parts are transferred from the conveyor wheel 98 to the transfer chute 154. The machined parts descend the transfer chute 154 to the conveyor wheel 130. The conveyor wheel 130 carries the machined parts through the second drying chamber 122 to obtain a complete drying of the machined parts. Any solvent which may drain from the machined parts in the conveyor wheel 136 passes through the wire mesh outer wall 134 of the conveyor wheel 130, and is collected on the floor 126 of the second drying chamber 122. The solvent collected on the floor 126 is drained from the second drying chamber 122 to the vapor generator chamber 120 through the drain pipe 184.

After passing through the second drying chamber 122, the machined parts are transferred from the conveyor wheel 130 onto the outlet chute 156 which carries the machined parts from the cleaning machine 10.

Within the vapor generator chamber 120, chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent is distilled off from the bottom of the chamber by heater 160. The vaporized chlorinated hydrocarbon condenses on the wall 96 which is cooled by the cooling coil 170. The-condensate flows down the wall 96 and is collected in the condensate collecting trough 174. The collected condensate leaves the trough 174 as cooled liquid through the duct 176. The duct 176 carries the condensate to the rinse bath R within the trough 62.

The level of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the rinse bath R is maintained at a constant height by the overflow pipe 178. Thus, overflow from the rinse bath R leaves through the overflow pipe 178 and is carried back into the vapor generator chamber 120. The overflow pipe 178 also maintains the level of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the main bath B at a constant height. If the level of the solvent of the main bath B drops below the level of the opening in the overflow pipe 178, the overflow from the rinse bath R passing through the overflow pipe 178 flows through the opening 180 to raise the level of the main bath B back to the level of the opening 186. If the level of the main bath B becomes higher than the level of the opening 180, the excess solvent of the main bath B will flow through the opening 180 into the overflow pipe 178, and will be carried back to the vapor generator chamber 120.

Gradually as the cleaning apparatus 10 is utilized, there is a build-up of contaminant within the main bath B, and it will become necessary to close the cleaning apparatus down and drain away the solvent inventory. The solvent may be drained from the main bath B through a door 198. 1

Since the cleaning apparatus 10 of the present inven tion is compact, and relatively small in size, the cleaning apparatus 10 can be placed next to a processing machine so that the small machined parts can be discharged from the processing machine directly into the inlet chute 18 of the cleaning apparatus 10. Thus, the cleaning apparatus 10 of the presentinvention can continuously clean the small machined parts as they are received directly from the processing machine.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 705,876, filed on December 30, 1957.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts including a cleaning section and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a rinse trough extending across said cleaning section adjacent said bath I sump, a drying chamber extending across said cleaning section adjacent said rinse trough, a plurality of annular conveyor wheels supported in parallel relation within said cleaning section for rotation about horizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bath sump, a second of said conveyor wheels passing through said rinse trough, the third of said conveyor wheels passing through said drying chamber, an inlet means for feeding machined parts to said one conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said one conveyor wheel to said second conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said second conveyor wheel to said third conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from the third conveyor wheel through said party wall and depositing said machined parts on a support in said distillation section, means for transferring said parts from said support and delivering the parts to an outlet means, a rotatable shaft extending across the top of the cleaning section above the conveyor wheels and parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyor wheels, and means for individually supporting each of said conveyor wheels from said shaft so that rotationof said shaft simultaneously rotates all of said conveyor wheels.

2. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the means individually supporting each of the conveyor wheels from the shaft comprises a separate endless belt extending around a conveyor wheel and said shaft.

3. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts including a cleaning section and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a rinse trough extending across said cleaning section adjacent said bath sump, a drying chamber extending across said cleaning section adjacent said rinse trough, a plurality of annular conveyor wheels supported in parallel relation within said cleaning section for rotation about horizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bath sump, a second of said conveyor wheels passing through said rinse trough, a third of said conveyor wheels passing through said drying chamber, an inlet means for feeding machined parts to said one conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said one conveyor Wheel to said second conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said second conveyor wheel to said third conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from the conveyor wheel through said party wall and depositing said machined parts on a support in said distillation section, means for transferring said parts from said support and delivering the parts to an outlet means, eaeh of the conveyor wheels comprises a pair of flat annular side walls in spaced parallel relation, a cylindrical outer wall connected between said side walls adjacent the outer peripheries of said side walls, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced baffles connected between said side walls and extending inwardly from said outer wall.

4. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the bafiies of each of the conveyor wheels extend inwardly from the outer wall at an angle to the radius of the conveyor wheel in the direction of the direction of rotation of the conveyor wheel.

5. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the outer wall of each of the conveyor wheels is formed of wire mesh.

6. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a rotatable shaft extending across the top of the cleaning section above the conveyor wheels and parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyor wheels, and a separate endless belt extending around the outer surface of the outer wall of each said conveyor wheels, each of said endless belts extending around said shaft to support said conveyor wheels from said shaft for rotation with said shaft.

7. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which each of the conveyor wheels is seated on rotatably supported guide rollers, said guide rollers preventing axial movement of said conveyor wheels.

8; Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the inlet means for feeding the machined parts to said one conveyor wheel comprises a chute extending downwardly into the cleaning section to the inner periphery of said one conveyor wheel, the means for transferring the machined parts from said one conveyor wheel to the second conveyor wheel comprises a chute extending downwardly from the inner periphery of said one conveyor wheel to the inner periphery of said second conveyor wheel, the means for transferring the machined parts from the second conveyor wheel to the third conveyor wheel comprises a chute extending downwardly from the inner periphery of said second conveyor wheel to the inner periphery of said third conveyor wheel, and the outlet means for transferring the machined parts from the third conveyor wheel comprises a chute extending downwardly out of the cleaning section from the inner periphery of said third conveyor wheel.

9. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the lowermost end of the inlet chute and each of the transverse chutes is positioned adjacent the inner periphery of its respective conveyor wheel at a point where the bafiies of the conveyor wheels are angled downwardly away from the chutes so that the machined parts descending the chutes are fed onto the baffles, and the uppermost end of each of the transverse chutes and the outlet chute are positioned adjacent the inner periphery of its respective conveyor wheel substantially diametrically opposite to the end of the chaute feeding the machined parts to its respective conveyor wheel.

10. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the bath sump includes means for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency spaced from the one conveyor wheel. i

11. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts including a cleaning section and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a rinse trough extending across said cleaning section adjacent said bath sump, a drying chamber extending across said cleaning section adjacent said rinse trough, a plurality of annular conveyor wheels supported in parallel relation within said cleaning section for rotation about horizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bath sump, a second of saidconveyor wheels passing through said rinse trough, a third of said conveyor wheels passing through said drying chamber, an inlet means for feeding machinedpa-rts to said one conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said one conveyor wheel to said second conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said second conveyor wheel to said third conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from the conveyor wheel through said party wall and depositing said machined parts on a support in said distillation section, means for transferring said parts from said support and delivering the parts to an outlet means, means at the base of the solvent distillation section for volatilizing solvent, means within the solvent distillation section for condensing solvent, and means for carrying the condensed solvent to the rinse trough.

12. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which the means for condensing the solvent comprises a cooling coil on the party wall intermediate the cleaning section and the solvent distillation section, and the means for carrying the condensed solvent to the rinse trough comprises a collecting trough extending across said party wall beneath said cooling coil, and a duct extending between said collecting trough and said rinse trough.

13. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 12 in I which an overflow pipe extends downwardly from said rinse trough into the bath sump and then to the solvent distillation section, said overflow pipe including an opening within said bath sump whereby the level of liquid in said bath sump is maintained below the level of liquid in said rinse trough.

14. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machined parts comprising a housing having a cleaning section, a solvent distillation section and a party wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a rinse trough extending across said cleaning section adjacent said bath sump, a drying chamber extending across said cleaning section adjacent said rinse trough, three annular conveyor wheels supported in parallel relation within said cleaning section for rotation about horizontal axes, one of said conveyor wheels passing through said bath sump, the second of said conveyor wheels passing through said rinse trough, the third of said conveyor wheels passing through said drying chamber, a vapor generator chamber in said solvent distillation section adjacent said party wall, a second drying chamber in said solvent distillation section spaced from said party wall by said vapor generator chamber, a conveyor wheel rotatably supported in said second drying chamber parallel to said three conveyor wheels, an inlet means for feeding machined parts to the bath sump conveyor Wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from said bath sump conveyor wheel to the rinse through conveyor wheel, means i for transferring the machined parts from the rinse trough conveyor wheel to the first drying chamber conveyor wheel, means for transferring the machined parts from the first drying chamber conveyor wheel through said party 11 the vapor generator chamber for condensing solvent, means for carrying the condensed solvent to the rinse trough, and outlet means for transferring the machined parts from the second drying chamber conveyor wheel.

15. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 14 in which each of the conveyor wheels comprises a pair of flat annular side walls in spaced parallel relation, a cylindrical outer wall connected between said said walls adjacent the outer peripheries of said side walls, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced bafiles connected between said side walls and extending inwardly from said outer Wall.

16. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 15 including a rotatable shaft extending across the top of the housing above the conveyor wheels and parallel to the axes of rotation of the conveyor wheels, and a separate endless belt extending around the outer surface of the outer wall of each of said conveyor wheels, each of said endless belts extending around said shaft to support said conveyor wheels from said shaft for rotation with said shaft.

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