US3011924A

US3011924A - Cleaning apparatus and process

Info

Publication number: US3011924A
Application number: US705876A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rand Burton
Original assignee: Autosonics Inc
Current assignee: Autosonics Inc
Priority date: 1957-12-30
Filing date: 1957-12-30
Publication date: 1961-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1978-12-05

Description

Dec. 5, 1961 E. RAND CLEANING APPARATUS AND PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 50, 1957 INVENT OR. BURTON RAND MR. W

ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1961 B. RAND CLEANING APPARATUS AND PROCESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. SC 1957 F 2 INVENT OR. BURTON RAND ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,011,924 CLEANING APPARATUS AND PROCESS Burton Rand, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., assignor to Autosonics, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 30, 1957, Ser. No. 705,876 13 Claims. (Cl. 134-12) This invention relates to cleaning apparatus and process, and more particularly to cleaning apparatus for removing grease and hydrocarbon deposits plus associated dirt or soil from machine part by treatment with solvents such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as trichlorethylene or the like.

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 diflicult problem. Experience has shown that notwithstanding repeated submergence in solvents efiected by conventional cleaning equipment, an appreciable amount of contaminant 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 contaminant adversely affects the machined parts. In particular, if such machined parts are utilized where close tolerances are required, the presence of adhering contaminant constitutes a most serious problem.

This invention has a an object the provision of novel cleaning apparatus.

This invention has as another object the provision of cleaning apparatus which is capable of achieving a high degree of cleaning at a high cleaning rate With small machined parts.

This invention has as yet another object the provision of light, easily transportable cleaning apparatus for small machine parts of high efficiency, and yet of relatively low cost to manufacture.

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 thisinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention, with parts being broken away to reveal the structure thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG- URE l. I

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG- URE 2.

The cleaning apparatus of the present invention is designated generally 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 contaminant are fed, such machine parts descending through such inlet 18 by gravity.

The inlet 18 passes through the wall 20 of housing 12.

Within the cleaning section 14 and behind the wall 20,

the inlet 18 is flared into a funnel 22 which discharges into the water seal chamber 24. The water seal chamber 24 is formed by the housing 12 and the back plate 26. Within the water seal chamber 24 thereis a layer of water (W in FIGURE 2) superposed over the main bath of chlorinated hydrocarbon (designated B in FIGURE 2). The layer of water W provides a water seal and reduces the loss of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon from the main bath B,

Below the water seal chamber 24 is the conveyor belt 28. The conveyor belt 28 comprises a web'30- of sheet metal onto which is welded the perpendicular flap 32. This is best accomplished by providing flap 32 with a pair of tongues 34 extending outwardly at one side and a tongue 36 extending outwardly at the other side, and welding the

tongues

34 and 36 to the surface of the web 30. The conveyor belt 28 passes beneath the water seal chamber 24 because it is directed to such position within 'the bath by virtue of the curved guides 38 which are teeth or the like, and that positive driving of the Web 30: may be effected. From idler roller 42 the endless web 30 passes over idler roller 44 and thence over idler roller 46. Between the idler roller 42 and the idler roller 44 the web 30 is downwardly directed, so that the flaps 32 depend from the web 30. A perforated curved floor 48 formed of sheet metal or wire mesh is secured

intermediate Walls

20 and 40. The bath B extends down to the basal floor 49, the entire bottom of cleaning apparatus 10 being occupied by the bath B for maximum solvent inventory, As used hereinafter, solvent inventory is to be interpreted as meaning the amount of cleaning solvent within the apparatus 10. The spacing of the: curved floor 48 from the Web 30 is such that a clearanceof the parts being cleaned is achieved by-the use of wire'

mesh screens

52 and 54 on either side of the flaps 32.

Such wire mesh screens not only permit the machined parts undergoing cleaning to be engaged by the liquid comprising the bath, but also function as guides preventing the dislodgernent of the machined parts being cleaned from the flaps 32 carried by the web 30. The

wire mesh screens

52 and 54 are disposed on either side of the flaps 32 along the length of web 30.

Beneath the floor 48 and intermediate the idler rollers 44 and 46 is disposed the means for inducing vibration of ultrasonic frequency designated 56. Such means 56 coatings in the form of electrodes.

electric transducers are preferably provided with silver 7 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 whose construction is well known to those skilled in the art; may be used for the means designated 56.

From idler roller 46 the web 30 angularly changes its direction so that the flaps 32 are disposed above the web 30. The web'30 passes under the curved guides 58,

'which like curved guides 38 are carried by the

walls

20 and 40.

The web 30 passes from the main bath designated B which is disposed appreciably below the idler roller 46 to the rinse bath designated R which is carried intermediate the

walls

20 and 40 on the divider member 60. The divider member 60 is formed from sheet metal and extends from a point adjacent idler roller 46 to a point generally on the same line as the lowermost edge of back plate 26 and then upwardly and then angularly away from back plate 26 forming a vapor-tight barrier. As seen particularly in FIGURE 2 the divider member 60 forms a trough spaced above the larger trough formed by the fioor 49. The trough formed by the divider member60 contains the rinse bath R which comprises the identical chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent used in the main bath B. However, the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within time bath R is appreciably cleaner than the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which forms the main bath B. I

' A second divider member 62 formed of sheet metal is secured intermediate the

walls

20 and 40, such second divider member 62 forming a vapor-tight barrier and extending from the housing wall 64 to withinthe enclosure formed by the upper portion of the dividermember 60. The lowest portion of the second divider member 62 above the divider member 60 is provided with a drainage aperture 66, which opens into the rinse bath R.

The endless web 30 passes from the rinse bath R and is supported by the inside surface of divider member 60 for a vertical distance. The web 30 parts company with the divider member 60 when it reaches curved guides 68. The curved guides 68 are carried on the

walls

20 and 40 and are disposed intermediate the divider member 60 and the second divider member 62. Such curved guides 68 comprise an are forming the major portion of a circle high frequency ultrasonic vibrations within the bath,

and sinuously deflect the web 30. From its engagement with curved guides 68 the web 30 passes over idler roller It willbe seen from an examination of FIGURE 2 that 'theifiaps. 32 serve as dividers with the machine parts beingcleaned being carried on the Web'30 when the web 30 .is passing through the rinse bath R. When the web 30 leaves the rinse-bath Rthe machine parts are carried on the flaps 32. Then as the web 30 travels over the curved guides 68 the machine parts are pushed along the uppermost surface of second divider member 62. After the web 30 leaves curved guides 68 the machine parts are carried on the web, 30, and after the web 30 passes over idler roller 70 the machine parts are carried on the uppermost surface of second divider member 62. From idler roller 70 the web30 passes to idler roller 72, and thence vertically to the driver roller .74. Between the idler roller 72 and the driver roller 74 the cleaned machine parts are carried on the flaps 32, the free ends of the'flaps 32 being spaced a short distance from the inside surface of the 7 housing wall 64.

.The driver roller 74 is journaled 'by trunnionsintermediate the

Walls

20 and 40 and is driven by motor 76 and gear reducers 78 which reduce the speed of rotation of the spindle of motor 76 to the speed assumed by driver roller74. The driver roller 74 may be surfaced with a high friction type material which secures engagement between such roller 74 and the juxtaposed surface of the web 30, or alternatively, the driver roller 74 may comprise sprockets mating with apertures in the web 30.

From driver roller 74 the web 30 passes along the uppermost surface of divider member 60 to the idler roller 80. Between the driver roller 74 and the idler roller 80 the cleaned machine parts are carried on the uppermost surface of web 30.

The web passes vertically downwardly from idler roller 80 to idler roller 82, with the cleaned machine parts being carried on the flaps 32. The free ends of the flaps 32 intermediate the

idler rollers

80 and 82 are spaced a short distance from the inside surface of the housing 7 wall 84.

The outlet 86 for cleaning apparatus 10 extends through the housing wall 84, with the mouth of such outlet 86 extending into the .housing 12 of cleaning apparatus 10 to a point approximately beneath the idler roller 82. 7

secured to the inside surfaces of'the

walls

20 and 40 and project inwardly providing a-support for the web 30.

The drastic inward veering of the web 30 above the mouth of the outlet 86 results in the dislodgement of the cleaned machine parts which fall ofi of the flaps 32 as they round the idler roller 82, and into the mouth of outlet 86. A storage bin, or conveyor belt, or other means may be provided beneath outlet 86 to receive machine parts discharged from such outlet 86.

From curved guides 88 the web 30 extends vertically downwardly along the divider member 60. At a spaced distance from curved guides 88 the web 30 passes adjacent the back plate 26'and thence into the main bath B. After passing over the curved guides 38, the conveyor belt 28 receives machine parts which have entered cleaning apparatus 10 through inlet 18, funnel 22, and water seal chamber 24.

The solvent distillation section 16 comprises the vapor generator chamber 92.

The vapor generator chamber 92 is formed intermediate the

walls

94, 96, and 98, and the floor 100. The ceiling 162 for vapor generator chamber 92 may be removed therefrom, and may be secured in position by means of clasps 103 which extend intermediate the ceiling 102 and the wall 96.

The

walls

94, 96, and 98, and the floor and the ceiling 102 are preferably formed from materials which serve as non-conductors for heat. Thus, they may be formed of sheet metal coated with insulation materials, or may be formed of other suitable.non-conductorsfor heat. Since ceiling 102 is separate fromthe remainder of the vapor generator chamber 92, access maybe had to the interior of vapor generator chamber 92 for cleaning by removing ceiling 102.

The remaining wall of vapor generator chamber 92 includes the wall 104, preferably formed of a non-conductor for heat, which extends upwardly for about half the height of vapor generator chamber 92. The remainder of this wall of vapor generator chamber 92 comprises a sheet metal wall 106 which extends intermediate the ceiling 102 and the condensate trough 108 which is carried on the uppermost surface of wall 104.. A plurality ports 110 connecting the uppermost portion of vapor generator chamber 92 and the drying chamber formed in the uppermost portion of cleaning section 14, such drying chamber being isolated by the barrier-forming second divider member 62.

The condensate trough is tilted, its end adjacent the wall 94 of vapor generator chamber 92 being lower than its end adjacent the wall 98 of vapor generator chamber 92. At its lower end adjacent its floor, the condensate trough is provided with a passageway 112 which extends from the condensate trough 108 into the cleaning section 14, and specifically to a point within the rinse bath R contained in the rinse sump formed by the lower portion of divider member 60. i

Refrigeration means 114 comprising a standard coolant gas compressor is disposed on top of solvent distillation section 16. A wide variety of refrigeration means 114 may be utilized including those which deliver an aqueous brine coolant, and those which deliver coolant gases. Alternatively, cold tap water may be used for refrigeration draining to a sewer.

The refrigerant fluid from refrigeration means 114 is passed therefrom through duct 116 into the coil 118 which is formed intermediate the wall 40 and the wall 106. The coil 118 serves to cool the Wall 106, whereby such wall 106 serves as a condenser onto which volatilized liquid may be condensed. Furthermore, the wall 40 is cooled, which serves to cool the drying chamber portion of the cleaning apparatus above the divider member 60.

From the

walls

40 and 106, the coil 118 extends as the duct 120 into the bath B within the cleaning section 14. The duct 120 serves to cool the bath B whereby flashing of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent is prevented.

The duct 120 re-enters the vapor generator chamber 92 by passing through the

walls

40 and 106. This portion of the duct 120 designated 122 extends vertically upwardly within the vapor generator chamber 92 and thence into the refrigeration means 114.

Heater means 124 is provided at the bottom of solvent distillation section 16, such heater means comprising conventional means for disseminating heat including the coil 125 which extends from the wall 94 into the vapor generator chamber 92 and serves to heat the liquid inventory of vapor generator chamber 92.

The level of liquid within the rinse bath R in the rinse sump formed by the bottom portion of divider member 60 is controlled by overflow pipe 126, which also controls the height of the bath B. Thus, overflow pipe 126 extends through the divider member 60 and then through

the'walls

40 and 104, discharging into the vapor generator chamber 92. The portion of overflow pipe 126 intermediate the divider member 60 and the

walls

40 and 104 includes the aperture 128 by which the level of the bath B is controlled.

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

Machine parts bearing an adhering contaminant are introduced into the cleaning apparatus 10 through inlet 18 and funnel 22 descending onto the conveyor belt 28 adjacent the idler roller 42. During the descent from the funnel 22 the machine parts pass through the water seal W, on top of the bath B of chlorinated hydrocarbon'solvent, and which water seal serves to prevent the volatilization of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent from the bath B.

The machine parts are urged along the floor 48 by the flaps 32 of the conveyor belt 28. The motion of the machine parts through the bath B effects cleaning of the machine parts. The bath B is maintained cool to prevent fiashing and volatilization by the coolant passing through the duct 120 which is in heat-exchange with the bath B.

1 As the machine parts pass over the means for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency 56, such parts are subjected to ultrasonic cleaning, which facilitates in the removal of adhering contaminant which is disposed within interstices, and voids Within the machine parts.

After being ultrasonically cleaned, the machine parts are impelled out of the bath B, and over the idler roller 46, and into the rinse bath R maintained within the rinse sump formed in the lower portion of divider member 60. .The divider member forms a barrier separating the rinse bath R from the main bath B. 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 machine parts may be effected within the rinse bath R. The tortuous path assumed by the conveyor belt 28 assures tumbling of the machine parts, facilitating their cleaning in both the main bath' B and the rinse bath R, and also the drainage of solvent and contaminant from the machine parts, and drying of the machine parts.

From the rinse sump containing the rise bath R the machine parts are conveyed on the conveyor belt 28 upwardly into the drying chamber formed above the rinse sump and separated therefrom and fromthe bath B by the divider member 60 and the second divider member 62,

such divider members

60 and 62 serving as barriers preventing the machine parts carried by the conveyor belt 28 from coming into contact with the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent. The drying chamber above the rinse sump is maintained cool by heat-exchange with the cooled wall 40. This prevents loss of the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent to the atmosphere, and also serves as an added protection against the possibility of vaporization of the solvent through the water seal W. Any chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent which iscarried over from the rinse bath R is returned to the rinse bath R through drainage aperture 66. In the illustrated embodiment the drainage aperture 66 is shown on second divider member 62 beneath the web 30 of conveyor belt 28. In such case the drainage aperture may be covered by wire mesh in order to prevent jamming of machine parts therein. However, it is feasible to position the drainage aperture 66 to one side of the second divider member 62 in order that such drainage aperture would not interfere with machine parts being conveyed along the second divider member 62 by the flaps 32 of conveyor belt 28.

The labyn'nthian construction of the upper portion of cleaning section 14, utilized as a drying chamber, permits the optimum use to be made of the available space Within the drying chamber. Moreover, this construction permits the length of travel through the drying chamber to be extended so that facile drying of the cleaned machine parts may be accomplished.

Within the vapor generator chamber 92 chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent is distilled off from the bottom of the chamber by heater 125. The vaporized chlorinated hydrocarbon condenses on the Wall 106 of vapor generator chamber 92, and the condensate is collected in the condensate trough 108. The collected condensate which flows downwardly by gravity in the condensate trough 108 leaves such trough as cooled liquid through passageway 112. From passageway 112 the condensate enters the rinse bath R within the rinse sump in the bottom portion of divider member 60. The level of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the rinse bath R is maintained at a constant height by the duct 126. Thus, overflow from rinse bath R leaves through the duct 126 into the vapor generator chamber 92. Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent within the main bath B passes into the duct 126 through the opening 128, and from the duct 126 into the vapor generator chamber 92.

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 outlet plug 50. If desired, it may also be drained from the rinse bath R through the drain pipe 130 and- '7 plug 132. 1 The solvent inventory may be drained from the vapor generator chamber 92 through the plug 134, The heretofore-indicated mode of construction renders the cleaning apparatus of the present invention readily available for major'repairs and overhauling. Thus, the cleaning apparatus 10 may be built in such manner that going specification as indicating the scope of the inven-.

tion.

I claim:

'l.' Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machine parts including a cleaning section and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, cooling means disposed within said party wall for cooling both said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, means at the base of said solvent distillation section for volatilizing solvent, a condensate trough carred on said party Wall within said solvent distillation section and spaced above the floor of said solvent distillation section for capturing condensed solvent from said party. wall, and a passageway extending from said condensate trough to said cleaning section.

2. Cleaning apparatus for .degreasing machine parts including a cleaning section and a solvent distillation section, a party wall intermediate said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, cooling means. disposed within said party wall for cooling both said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of saidcleaning section, a bar- 'rier above said bath sump, a rinse sump disposed in said cleaning section above said barrier, means atthe base of said solvent distillation section for volatilizing solvent, a condensate trough carried on said party wall Within said solvent distillation section and spaced above the fioor of said solvent distillation section for'capturing condensed solvent from said party wall, and a passageway extending from said condensate trough to said rinse sump.

3. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machine 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 barrier above said bath sump, a rinse sump disposedin said cleaning section above said barrier, a second. barrier disposed in said cleaning section above said rinse sump, a drying chamber disposed in' said cleaning section above said second barrier, an outlet from said drying chamber for the 'machined parts adapted to be cleaned, an inlet into said bath sump for the machined parts adapted to be cleaned, an endless conveyor for transferring the machine'parts within said cleaning section through said bath sump, rinse sump, and drying chamber, means at the base of said solvent distillation section for volatilizing solvent, means within said solvent distillation secton for condensing solvent, and a passageway through said party wall joining said last-mentioned means and said cleaning section.

4. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the bath sump includes means for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency spaced from said endless conveyor.

5. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in it is possible to remove the entire wall; 20. In this ernbod ment the curved guides and divider members mayher having a downwardly extending bafile, and in whichv overflow pipe which extends from said rinse sump through v the party wall into said solvent distillation section.

7. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which said overflow pipe passes downwardly from said rinse sump into said bathsump and includes an opening within saidbath sump whereby the level of liquid in said 1 bath sump is maintained below the level of liquid in sai rinse sump.

8. Cleaning apparatus for degreasing machine parts including a cleaning section and a solvent distillation sec.- tion, a party wall intermediate saidcleaning section and said solvent distillation section, a bath sump disposed at the bottom of said cleaning section, a barrierabove said.

bath sump, a rinse sump disposed in said cleaning section above said barrier, a second barrier disposed in said cleaning section above said rinse sump, a drying chamber in said cleaning section above said second barrier, an outlet from said drying chamber for the machined parts adapted to be cleaned, an inlet into said bath sump for the machined parts adapted to "be cleaned, an endless conveyor for transferring the machine parts within said cleaning'section through said bath sump, rinse sump, and drying chamber, cooling means disposed within said party wall for cooling both said cleaning section and said solvent distillation section, means at the base of said solvent ldistillation section for volatilizing solvent, a condensate trough carried on said party wall within said solvent distillation section and spaced above the floor of said solvent distillation section for capturing condensed solvent from said party wall, and a passageway extending from said I condensation trough to said rinse sump.

9. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the bath sump includes means for inducing vibrations of ultrasonic frequency spaced from said endless conveyor.

10. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which the inlet into said bath sump enters into a chamber having a downwardly extending baflle, and in which the endless conveyor passes into the bath sump from the opposite side of said baffle from said inlet, and in which said endless conveyor moves beneath said baflle into a position below said inlet. a

11. Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 8 in which said second barrier includes an aperture through which solvent may be drained from said drying chamber into said rinse sump,'and'said rinse sump includes an over.-.

flow pipe which extends from said rinse sump through the party wall into said solvent distillation section.

12.v Cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which said overflow pipe passes downwardly from said rinse sump into said bath sump and includes 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 sump.

13. A process for degreasing machine parts which com-'- ferring said machine parts from said rinse bath to a drying zone in which solvent from the rinse bath is drained from the machine parts, volatilizing solvent from said rinse.

bath in a separate zone, condensing said volatilized solvent by contact with a cooled surface, adding said condensed solvent to said rinse bath, maintaining said rinse bath and; solvent bath at a temperature below ambient tempera- 9 1 3 cures, and withdrawing solvent from said rinse bath to said 2,107,890 Frank Feb. 8, 1938 solvent :bath and to said separate zone where the solvent 2,118,480 Somes May 24, 1938 is volatilized for said rinse bath. 2,153,577 Levine Apr. 11, 1939 2,248,662 Edhofer -iuly 8, 1941 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 2,280,811 Edhofer Apr. 28, 1942 H 6 2,554,701 Hackett May 29, 1951 1077 270 J PATENTSN A 1913 2,802,758 Kearney Aug. 13, 1957 me an FOREIGN PATENTS 2,104,991 Hollerer Jan. 11, 1938 2,107,369 Dinley Feb. 8, 1938 10 115,836 Sweden Feb. 12, 1946

Claims

1. CLEANING APPARATUS FOR DEGREASING MACHINE PARTS INCLUDING A CLEANING SECTION AND A SOLVENT DISTILATION SECTION, A PARTY WALL INTERMEDIATE SAID CLEANING SECTION AND SAID SOLVENT DISTILLATION SECTION, COOLING MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID PARTY WALL FOR COOLING BOTH SAID CLEANING SECTION AND SAID SOLVENT DISTTILLATION SECTION, MEANS AT THE BASE OF SAID SOLVENT DISTILLATION SECTION FOR VOLATILIZING SOLVENT, A CONDENSATE TROUGH CARRED ON SAID PARTY WALL WITHIN SAID SOLVENT DISTILLATION SECTION AND SPACED ABOVE THE FLOOR OF SAID SOLVENT DISTILLATION SECTION FOR CAPTURING CONDENSED SOLVENT FROM SAID PARTY WALL, AND A PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING FROM SAID CONDENSATE TROUGH TO SAID CLEANING SECTION.

13. A PROCESS FOR DEGREASING MACHINE PARTS WHICH COMPRISES MOVING SAID MACHINE PARTS THROUGH A SOLVENT BATH, WITHDRAWING SAID MACHINE PARTS FROM SAID SOLVENT BATH AND TRANSFERRING SAID MACHINE PARTS TO A RINSE BATH, TRANSFERRING SAID MACHINE PARTS FROM SAID RINSE BATH TO A DRYING ZONE IN WHICH SOLVENT FROMTHE RINSE BATH IS DRAINED FROM THE MACHINE PARTS, VOLATILIZING SOLVENT FROM SAID RINSE BATH IN A SEPARATE ZONE, CONDENSING SAID VOLTALIZED SOLVENT BY CONTACT WITH A COOLED SURFACE, ADDING SAID CONDENSED SOLVENT TO SAID RINSE, BATH, MAINTAINING SAID RINSE BATH AND SOLVENT BATH AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, AND WITHDRAWING SOLVENT FROM SAID RINSE BATH TO SAID SOLVENT BATH AND TO SAID SEPARATE ZONE WHERE THE SOLVENT IS VOLATILIZED FOR SAID RINSE BATH.