WO2011020911A1

WO2011020911A1 - System for securing a self-climbing treatment device to a surface and method for treating said surface

Info

Publication number: WO2011020911A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/062165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Straus; Heinrich Pfeifer
Original assignee: Lobbe Industrieservice Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2009-08-21
Filing date: 2010-08-20
Publication date: 2011-02-24
Also published as: DE102009028812A8; DE102009028812A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for securing a treatment device (11) for treating a surface to be treated of a magnetizable object, comprising at least one treatment device (11) and at least one securing device (70) for securing the treatment device (11). The invention further relates to a corresponding method for treating a surface (82) of a magnetizable object.

Description

SYSTEM FOR SECURING A SELF-CLIPPING TREATMENT DEVICE ON A SURFACE AND METHOD FOR TREATING THIS SURFACE

description

The present invention relates to a system for securing an object to a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls, comprising or consisting of an object and a securing device for securing the object. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for treating a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls. The objects to be secured can be of any kind, which can be designed to be movable or stationary. It is also conceivable to secure persons with the aid of the system according to the invention, which must move over the surface, for example for inspection purposes.

The field of application of systems of the type mentioned above relates to surfaces of hard-to-reach objects such as ship walls or objects that form spaces in which toxic or explosive gases can form and accumulate, such as in tanks of chemical plants. The objects to be secured are often treatment devices for treating the surfaces. By a treatment of surfaces, for example, the cleaning, the paint stripping or the painting of the surface can be understood. These surfaces are usually processed manually. However, in ships as well as in chemical plants there is an acute danger that the person performing the treatment of the surfaces will be exposed to a serious health hazard, which should be avoided in any case. However, the treatment of the surfaces of both ship and tank walls as a maintenance measure is required by law. For example, large-scale storage tanks for storing fossil fuels are subject to stringent safety requirements and emission control regulations (TA Luft 2002, keyword "remission rate of 70%") .These regulations apply to the cleaning of the outer skin and regulations for painting the outer skin, if the outer skin is not regularly cleaned , after certain conditions and times the complete tank must be unpainted and repainted In order to comply with regulations and reduce emissions, impurities and thus dark spots on the outer skin of the tank must be reduced to avoid unnecessary local heating of the tanks.

For example, manually treating the surface of, for example, tanks in chemical plants requires that it be completely emptied and thoroughly vented for an extended period of time to prevent the accumulation of hazardous or explosive gases. On the other hand, the construction of a scaffolding is essential, as these tanks often have vertical walls up to 30 m high. The manual paint stripping and repainting the surface are extremely time consuming and expensive.

A reduction of the time required for the treatment of the surfaces can be achieved by treatment devices of the type mentioned. Such treatment devices, also called climbing robots or crawlers, are disclosed for example in EP 1 886 904 A2. This is suitable for cleaning metallic surfaces and includes a cleaning unit, inspection cameras and an electrical control unit, which is connected via cables to a console, from which the operation of the climbing robot is controlled. Further, the climbing robot comprises high-performance magnets arranged close to the surface to be treated to move the climbing robot during the To be able to hold the operation safely on the surface. Furthermore, the climbing robot has four driven wheels.

However, this climbing robot can not be used in potentially explosive areas such as tanks, because, for example, the inspection cameras and the console carry electrical components which can cause a sparking effect and thus an explosion. Furthermore, the height of this climbing robot is relatively large, so that it can not be used in niches and under pipes, stairs or ladders that run just above the surface to be treated. Furthermore, due to the structures and the high construction, the distance between the center of gravity of the riveting robot and the surface to be treated increases. The weight force therefore generates a higher torque, which detaches the climbing robot from a vertical surface and can cause a crash. The magnets must therefore be designed correspondingly stronger, which in turn entails an increased weight and an increased energy requirement for the operation of the climbing robot.

DE 2 023 683 shows a climbing robot with magnetic traction, which is driven by remote control electrically or pneumatically. It comprises a vehicle frame with two endless drive belts and with magnets that keep the vehicle magnetic on a surface to be traveled. One magnet is located in the center of the climbing robot, the others are arranged in the area of the drive belts. Since the climbing robot can be severely damaged by a crash and therefore represents a danger to the operating personnel, it must be secured. This is usually done so that the climbing robot is connected to a first end of a safety rope, wherein the second end of the safety rope is fixed at a fixed point, the surface to be treated. The position of the fixed point is chosen so that the climbing robot for the Case of its detachment from the surface to be treated only falls slightly down and then from the safety egg! is intercepted. He does not fall to the ground and does not endanger the operating personnel. To ensure safe fall protection, however, the position of the fixed point must always be changed as soon as the rider robot has worked on a section of the surface to be treated. The background is that, in the event that the distance between the climbing robot and the fixed point becomes too large, in particular greater than the height of the fixed point above the ground, collision of the climbing robot on the ground by the safety rope is no longer prevented can be. Therefore, the position of the fixed point must be adjusted again and again. If a vertical wall is to be treated, the position of the fixed point is at least half the height of the wall. The adaptation of the position of the fixed point is therefore very expensive, since it does not come around the use of a scaffold. The resulting costs and the time required are very high.

In many cases, so far treatment devices are secured, for example with a rope, which at a suspension point, for example on a

Ladder or on a hook, hung or otherwise secured in a suitable manner. However, such suspension points are not available so that the

Use of treatment devices alone is therefore not everywhere possible. In particular, this difficulty occurs on the inner surfaces of large tanks, where suspension points are almost never present.

The object of the present invention is therefore to at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and to make treatment of the surface simpler, faster and more cost-effective, without the operational reliability being reduced. The object is achieved by a system for securing an object to a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls, comprising at least one object and at least one securing device for securing the object with a magnet unit for holding the securing device on the surface, a holding device for securing the object, a pneumatically or hydraulically operated drive unit for moving the safety device on the surface, at least a first unwinding unit and a second unwinding unit for unrolling the safety device on the surface, and an operating unit for remotely operating the safety device,

In the simplest embodiment of the system, a safety device and an object are provided. In order to improve the security of the object, preferably two security devices can be connected to an object.

In contrast to known from the prior art systems for securing objects, the security device can be remotely brought into the desired position. This can be done from a safe distance from the ground. There is no need to provide a scaffolding, which was therefore necessary to manually bring the safety device in a new position. This alone can already save costs for assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, the position can be changed faster and adjusted to new boundary conditions. This makes it more flexible and the associated work can be done in less time, so that also the costs are reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnet unit of the securing device according to the invention comprises an adjusting device for adjusting the magnet position of a magnet. To secure objects sufficiently or to be able to safely intercept crashes, for example, of the treatment device according to the invention, the force of attraction exerted by the magnet unit must be correspondingly large. However, depending on the size of the required attraction, the problem arises that it makes it difficult or even impossible to move the security device to a new position. Since the security device as well as the treatment device should be used in potentially explosive environments, the attraction of the magnet can not be changed electronically. Using a pneumatic or hydraulic drive but the distance of the magnet can be changed to the surface to be treated and thus the attraction. Thereby, the securing device can be brought into a holding state by minimizing the distance of the magnet to the surface to be treated and thus the attraction is maximized. In the hold state, the object is then saved.

Now, if the securing device is to be moved to a different position, it is brought into a movable state by the distance of the magnet increases to the surface to be treated and thus its attraction is reduced. The distance is chosen so that the attraction is sufficiently large that it still carries the security device itself safe. The securing device can then be brought into the new position by means of the drive unit. In the movable state, however, the object can not be secured. Once the new position is reached, the magnet is lowered again, so that the attraction is again so great that the object is secured.

The system according to the invention, in which the magnet unit of the

Safety device comprises a number of magnets is preferably further developed in that the magnets are arranged distributed over the securing device. Depending on the nature of the object, its surface can be treated, the case may arise that the attraction that must apply the magnet to secure the object is so high that the object deforms where the attraction acts. This can occur in particular when at least parts of the surface are made thin-walled, which in the worst case can lead to damage and failure of the functionality of the object in question. In order to avoid this, it is expedient, instead of a strong magnet, to distribute a plurality of weaker magnets distributed over the securing device and to offset them so that the respectively acting force of attraction is less and does not attack punctually in only one area of the object.

Preferably, the holding device comprises a Verbindungsetnrichtung with which the securing device with an object is detachably connectable. The detachable connection makes it possible to quickly connect the objects to be secured with the safety device and disconnect again. The operation of the security device can therefore be made very flexible. One is not limited to securing a particular object.

In a preferred embodiment of the present securing device, the connecting device is designed as a rope and the holding device comprises a cable retraction device. A rope ensures freedom of movement, in particular in the event that the treatment device according to the invention is secured by means of the securing device, but at the same time can transmit the necessary tensile forces in order to be able to intercept a crash of the object to be secured.

A cable retraction device serves to hold the rope in a taut state. For this purpose, the rope is slightly biased by suitable means, for example by means of a spring-loaded drum, wherein the biasing force is dimensioned so that the freedom of movement, for example, a movable Object on the surface is not limited. The portion of the rope located outside the holding device during the treatment of the surface is thus largely minimized. It is thus prevented that the rope forms loops, which could get caught in pipes or ladders, for example, which would restrict the freedom of movement of the object. A then becoming necessary clearing the rope would unnecessarily prolong the treatment time.

Furthermore, it is ensured by the Seüeinzugsvorπchtung that the object is caught as quickly as possible in the event of a crash. If the rope were unbiased and formed a loop, the object would first have to drop a corresponding distance to tighten the rope, which is a prerequisite for the rope to transmit tensile forces. The fall of the object would manifest itself in a sudden and, compared to the movements during the treatment of the surface, a significantly greater load on the rope. When using a drum, the unwinding of the rope can be stopped by appropriate centrifugal couplings, which act from a certain speed of the drum, and thus the object to be intercepted.

The system according to the invention is further developed in that the securing device has a first unwinding unit with a first center point and a second unwinding unit with a second center point, which are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the securing device at a distance from each other. Under Abrolleinheit can be understood, for example, a wheel, a belt or a chain. With the staggered arrangement of Abrollinheiten ensures that when driving over a weld or other obstacle only one Abrolleänheit is raised and not both at once, so that the securing device as a whole less strongly from the treated surface is removed. This ensures that the distance between the magnet unit and the surface is kept low, so that the attraction of the magnet when passing over an obstacle is not reduced so as to cause the safety device to crash.

The distance can be selected to greatly reduce the likelihood that both roll-off units will simultaneously negotiate an obstacle. For this purpose, the securing device may comprise means with which the distance can be easily changed, for example a telescopic component. Further, the securing device may comprise a number of hinges, which intercept the lifting of a part of the Sicherungsvorrichtuπg when passing over an obstacle and not transferred to other parts, so that the latter are not removed from the surface. Furthermore, the distance can be dimensioned so that a plurality of pneumatic or hydraulic drive motors can be arranged overlapping in a plane and with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the width of the securing device and thus the weight can be kept low. The system is preferably further developed in that the object is designed as a treatment device for treating a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls. By a treatment of surfaces, for example, the cleaning, the paint stripping or the painting of the surface can be understood. Such treatment devices are always used where the manual treatment of surfaces is too expensive, too dangerous or impossible to realize. Especially in confined spaces, it is often not possible to use people. Furthermore, the danger to persons is particularly great when explosive or toxic gases can accumulate in these rooms. Preferably, the treatment unit comprises a magnet unit for holding the treatment apparatus on the surface, a processing unit for treating the surface, a pneumatically or hydraulically operated drive unit for moving the treatment apparatus on the surface, and at least a first unwind unit and a second unwind unit for unrolling the treatment apparatus on the surface Surface. In this case, the first unwinding unit has a first center point and the second unwinding unit has a second center point, which are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the device at a distance from each other. Under Abrolleinheit can be understood, for example, a wheel, a belt or a chain. With the staggered arrangement of the unwinding units ensures that when crossing a weld or other obstacle only one Abrolleinheit is raised and not both at once, so that the treatment device is removed as a whole less strongly from the surface to be treated. This ensures that the distance between the magnet unit and the surface is kept low, so that the attraction force of the magnet when passing over an obstacle is not reduced in such a way that the treatment device crashes. The distance can be selected to greatly reduce the likelihood that both roll-off units will simultaneously negotiate an obstacle. For this purpose, the treatment device may comprise means with which the distance can be easily changed, for example a telescopic component. Further, the treatment unit may comprise a number of joints that intercept the lifting of a part of the treatment unit when passing over an obstacle and not transferred to other parts, so that the latter are not removed from the surface. Furthermore, the distance can be dimensioned so that a plurality of pneumatic or hydraulic drive motors can be arranged overlapping in a plane and with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the width of the treatment device and thus the weight can be kept low. In particular, walls of ships and tanks sometimes have up to 1 cm high welds that are not removed for cost reasons by grinding. When driving over such welds, the distance between the magnet and the surface increases, whereby the attraction decreases, so that it can come when used on vertically extending walls to a crash of the treatment device.

A preferred embodiment of the treatment device according to the invention, in which the magnet unit comprises a number of magnets, the magnets are arranged distributed over the device. The arrangement is chosen such that there is no central magnet or that the magnets are not centered in the area of the unwinding units. The distribution according to the invention causes the treatment device to be held on the surface to be treated at various, spaced-apart locations by means of the attraction force applied by the magnets, so that not all magnets are at one and the same time removed from the surface when passing over an obstacle. Thus, the probability of a crash of the treatment device is significantly reduced.

Preferably, the magnets are designed as flat magnets. Flat magnets are characterized by a low height, so that the center of gravity of the treatment device is kept close to the surface. A small distance of the center of gravity from the surface to be treated reduces the torque generated by the weight of the treatment device, thereby reducing the risk of falling off the surface to be treated.

Even in the event of a fall, the small distance of the center of gravity from the surface to be treated has the following advantages: Compared to a Climbing robot, whose center of gravity has a greater distance from the surface to be treated, the treatment device according to the invention would not turn so fast on a crash from a vertical wall due to the lower torque around a horizontal axis. As a result, the treatment device as a whole would fall closer to the surface to be treated, so that the magnets still have an attractive effect and may possibly catch the treatment device. The consequences of the crash are therefore reduced and the treatment device can continue its work without major interruptions.

The flat design enabled by the use of Fiachmagneten also has the advantage that the treatment device can be used in confined spaces. These include, for example, pipes, stairs or ladders, which run at a small distance above the surface to be treated.

Preferably, the processing unit comprises one or more magnets. For cleaning the surface to be treated, the processing unit can be equipped, for example, with high-pressure nozzles, through which a cleaning liquid is dispensed. If this hits the surface, a recoil, which can lead to the lifting of the treatment device. This in turn can reduce the attraction of the magnets, which can result in a crash. The provision of magnets in the processing unit prevents this. In particular, this is advantageous in that the recoil is counteracted directly at the place of its emergence, an attraction that acts very effectively.

In an advantageous embodiment of the treatment device according to the invention, the processing unit comprises a dispensing device for dispensing treatment medium, the mithiife a drive device is movable within the processing unit. For example, if the processing unit is equipped with a plurality of dispensing nozzles, this increases the weight of the processing unit and thus of the treatment device. A higher weight must be absorbed by stronger magnets, which in turn contribute to the weight increase. Also, the drive unit must be designed accordingly, so that the energy required to operate the treatment device increases. In this embodiment, the surface can be treated with only one dispenser, which is movable within the processing unit. A weight reduction is achieved which has a positive effect on the energy requirement and thus the operating costs of the treatment device.

Preferably, the treatment device comprises an operating unit for the remote-controlled operation of the treatment device. By means of the control unit, the treatment device can be operated from the ground at a safe distance without the operating personnel having to climb onto a scaffold. Since according to the invention the treatment device is actuated pneumatically or hydraulically, the operating unit is connected via corresponding lines to the treatment device, without current-carrying lines being used or electrically operated devices being actuated. The operation of the treatment device in potentially explosive environments is thus possible without hesitation.

The system comprising the securing device according to the invention and the treatment device according to the invention has the particular advantage that both devices can be optimally matched to one another. Thus, both devices can be operated either hydraulically or pneumatically, so that for example a compressed air source can be used for both devices. Furthermore, it is possible to use an operating unit with which both the treatment device and the safety device are operated can be. Switching from one to another operating unit can thus be prevented, which in turn saves time.

Furthermore, the manufacturing costs of the system according to the invention are reduced, since the basic structure of both devices can be the same and a plurality of identical components such as the drive unit, the operating unit and the unwinding unit can be used in both devices. Furthermore, it is possible to combine the operation of the two devices in just one operating unit.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for securing an object to a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls, comprising the following steps:

Attaching an object in a first position on the surface,

Attaching at least one securing device for securing the object in a second position on the surface,

Securing the object by means of the holding device of the securing device,

- Method of the securing device in a third position, and

- Optional method of securing device in a fourth position of the surface.

The inventive method is preferably carried out in the order given, but other sequences are also conceivable and included in the scope.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls, comprising the following steps: Attaching a treatment device for treating a surface of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls at a first position of the surface,

Attaching at least one securing device for securing the treatment device in a second position on the surface,

Securing the treatment device by means of the holding device of the securing device,

The method of the securing device in a third position,

Treating a first portion of the surface by means of the treatment device,

- Method of the securing device in a fourth position of the surface after completion of the treatment of the first portion of the surface, and

Treating a second portion of the surface by means of the treatment device.

The inventive method is preferably carried out in the order given, but other sequences are also conceivable and included in the scope. The inventive method does not require that the surface is treated with a treatment device according to the invention. Rather, any suitable treatment device can be operated according to the method according to the invention, as soon as a safety device according to the invention or a function equivalent to it or equivalent is used.

With the aid of the method according to the invention, the securing device can be remotely brought from a first to a second position as required, without the operating personnel having to intervene manually for this purpose. On a scaffolding can be omitted, which alone the resulting costs are saved. Furthermore, the treatment time is reduced because the position of the securing device can be changed in a shorter time than what would be the case with Manueilen offset. In addition, the position can be quickly corrected in case the originally chosen one does not turn out to be optimal. In addition, the physical strain and the safety of the operator are improved, since the climbing of the scaffold and the handling on the scaffold are eliminated.

The process according to the invention is developed by the following steps:

- Adjusting the magnet position of a magnet from a first magnetic position with a first distance to the surface to be treated in a second

Magnetpositon with a second distance to the surface to be treated, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and wherein the securing device is in a first position,

- Method of the securing device in a second position, and

- Adjusting the magnet position from the second magnet position to the first magnet position.

By adjusting the distance of the magnet to be treated surface and its attraction is changed. In this way it is possible to change the attraction with purely mechanical means, for example with pneumatic or hydraulic motors. No electronic means are required for this, so that the safety device can also be used in potentially explosive environments. The invention will now be described in detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. Show it

FIGS. 1-3 show a front view of a surface to be treated of a magnetizable object to illustrate the method according to the invention for treating this surface;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a surface to be treated, which is treated according to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a treatment device according to the invention with a processing unit according to a first embodiment, Figure 6 is a plan view of the processing unit according to a second

Embodiment,

Figure 7 is a plan view of the processing unit according to a third

Ausführungsbeispieϊ,

Figure 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of a securing device according to the invention, and

9a, 9b shows a cross section through the section plane A-A defined in FIG.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a front view of a surface 82 of a magnetizable object to be treated for illustrating the system according to the invention and illustrating the method according to the invention, the system comprising a securing device 70 and an object 10, in particular a treatment device 11. The object 10, in particular the Treatment device 11 is intended to be secured to the surface 82 by means of the securing device 70. The surface 82 extends perpendicularly and is divided into a first section 84 and a second section 86. The area of the sections 84, 86 is measured according to which maximum horizontal distance the treatment device 11 may have from the securing device 70, so that a crash can be safely intercepted. The surface 82 is traversed by substantially horizontally and vertically extending welds 88. In the steps of the method according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, first of all the treatment apparatus 11 shown in simplified form is attached to the surface 82 in an arbitrary first position Xi in the vicinity of a floor 83. Subsequently, the securing device 70, also shown in a simplified manner, is attached to the surface 82 at any second position X ₂ . Of course, these two steps can be performed simultaneously or in reverse order. Expediently but not necessarily are the first and the second position Xi, X ₂ within the first section. Subsequently, the treatment device 11 is connected to the securing device 70 by means of a connecting device, designed as a cable 78.

In a further step, the securing device 70 is moved into a suitable third position X ₃ , which is preferably centered horizontally on the upper edge of the first section (see FIG. In the process of the securing device 70, the rope 78 is pulled out, but held in a streamlined state, so that form no loops. Subsequently, the surface 82 is treated in the desired manner with the treatment device 11. In this case, the treatment device 11 can descend the surface 82 in substantially perpendicular, horizontal or diagonal paths, as indicated by the dashed lines. At the beginning of the treatment, the treatment device 11 need not be in the first position X ₁ , but may start the treatment in another position. A criterion for this may be whether treatment liquid is used or not. If treatment liquid is used, it must be taken into account that it runs down the surface 82, so that it is advisable to treat the surface 82 from top to bottom, so that the contaminated treatment liquid does not run over and clean the surface of the surface 82 that has already been cleaned ,

If the first section 84 has been completely treated, the securing device 70 is moved into a suitable fourth position X ₄ (see FIG. In the present case, the securing device 70 is moved in the horizontal direction approximately by the width of the sections 84, 86.

Ideally, at the end of the treatment of the first section 84, the treatment device 11 is in a position from which the treatment of the second section 86 can be started. Otherwise, the treatment device 11 must first be brought into a corresponding position before the treatment of the second section 86 can be started. It should be noted in this case that during the process of the securing device 70, these for the reasons mentioned above do not apply the full holding force and may not intercept a crash of the treatment device 11. It must therefore be ensured that only one device is moved and never both at the same time.

FIG. 4 shows a further possibility, such as the invention

Procedure can be developed. In this case, the object 10, in particular the treatment unit 11, is secured with two securing devices 70 'and 70 ", each with a connecting device 76' and 76", in turn, each rope 78 'and 78 "are connected to the object 10. In this case, it is always ensured that the object 10 is secured by at least one of the two securing devices 70' and 70". In particular, when one of the security devices 70 'or 70 "is moved to a new position, it can not fully secure the object 10. However, with the use of two security devices 70' and 70", one of the security devices 70 'or 70 "in their Hold position and secure the object 10 while the other securing device 70 'or 70 "is moved to its new position.

Furthermore, redundancy is provided by the provision of two security devices 70 'and 70 "because the likelihood that a security device 70 will fail to operate the surface 82 for a reason is greater than the probability that the two security devices 70' and 70 "fail at the same time during the treatment of the surface 82. The use of two security devices 70 'and 70 "thus increases the security in the treatment of the surface 82.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the object 10 to be secured, designed as the treatment device 11 according to the invention. The treatment device 11 has a first unwinding unit 12 and a second unrolling unit 14, with which it can unroll on the surface 82, which is not shown here.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Abrolleinheiten 12, 14 as two

Belt 16 executed by a drive unit 18, designed as two hydraulic or pneumatic motors 20, driven. A drive of the two belts 16 by means of only one motor 20 and with the interposition of a

Transmission would also be conceivable. The belts 16 may have a specially designed surface structure, not shown here, in order to provide the necessary traction to the surface 82 to be treated and to be able to transmit the driving forces. The two Abrolleinheiten 12, 14 are mounted with two webs 22. The first unwinding unit 12 has a first center 24 and the second unwinding unit 14 has a second center 26, which have a distance Ai with respect to a longitudinal axis Li of the treatment device 11. The rolling units 12, 14 may alternatively be embodied as wheels or chains, which may also have special surface structures to increase traction. Due to the distance A ₁ , the two motors 20 can also be arranged offset with respect to the longitudinal axis Li, so that they can overlap at least partially. The treatment apparatus 11 further has a magnet unit 28 for holding the treatment device 11 on the surface 82 to be treated, which in the example illustrated comprises eight magnets 30, which are designed as flat magnets 32. The flat magnets 32 are distributed over the entire treatment device 11 and arranged offset, so that the attraction force applied by them at different, spaced-apart locations of the treatment device 11 acts and thus holds them evenly on the surface to be treated 82. It has been found that the distributed and staggered arrangement of the magnets 30 makes an important contribution to keeping the treatment device 11 securely against the surface 82 to be treated. As already mentioned, the surfaces 82 to be treated often have obstacles, such as the weld seams 88. In conventional treatment devices, there is a risk that driving over these obstacles leads to a reduction in the attractive force. This reduction can occur to the extent that, in addition to the risk of the treatment apparatus 11 falling, there is the further danger that the traction of the unwinding units 12, 14 with the surface 82 will be reduced to such an extent that the treatment apparatus 11 will stop and be painfully restarted must become. This is particularly tedious and time consuming if the treatment device 11 stops at a location that is difficult to access. The distributed and staggered arrangement of the magnets 30 within the Treatment device 11 according to the invention effectively counteracts these dangers. This also applies to the securing device 70.

Furthermore, the treatment apparatus 11 has a processing unit 34i with which the surface 82 can be treated and processed in any conceivable manner. The processing unit 34i is releasably secured to the treatment device 11 via holding portions 36 so that it can be quickly and easily exchanged for another processing unit 34.

In the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the processing unit 34i has a supply line 38, with which, for example, a cleaning liquid can be supplied. This can be distributed over one or more distribution channels, not shown, over the entire width of the processing unit 34- and evenly applied to the surface 82 to be treated. Furthermore, the processing unit 34i has two magnets 30, so that an attraction force directed towards the surface 82 can also be generated there. Further, the treatment device 11 has a stripping device 40, which is attached via a frame 42 to the webs 22 and may include a rubber lip 44 which is in contact with the surface 82 to be treated. If the treatment device 11 is moved in the direction of the arrow Pi and a cleaning liquid is applied to the surface 82 with the processing unit 34 ₁ , it can be removed with the stripping device 40 in order to avoid an uncontrolled distribution of the cleaning liquid over the surface 82 and to prevent the formation of streaks ,

Furthermore, the treatment device 11 comprises an operating unit 46 with which it can be actuated remotely. The operating unit 46 is via a Connection 48 is connected to a reservoir 50 in which compressed air or hydraulic fluid is kept. Further, it has a plurality of outputs 52, to which corresponding lines 54 can be connected to supply the motors 20 with compressed air or hydraulic fluid. With appropriate buttons or levers 56, the motors 20 can be activated.

In Figure 6 is a second Ausführungsbeispie! the machining unit 34 ₂ according to the invention, which has a rotatably mounted brush 58, which is driven by a motor 20. In the brush 58 magnets 30 are arranged. The processing unit 34 ₂ has holding sections 36, via which it can be connected to the treatment device 11. The processing unit 34 ₂ has a multiplicity of nozzles 60, via which a cleaning liquid, which is supplied to the nozzles 60 via the feed line 38 and a distributor channel 62, is applied to the surface 82 to be treated. The brush 58 is in contact with the surface 82, so that in addition to the chemical action of the cleaning liquid and a mechanical cleaning of the surface 82 is made. A dry cleaning without the aid of a cleaning fluid, such as the removal of rust, is also possible.

FIG. 7 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the processing unit 34 ₃ according to the invention. It has a movable in the direction indicated by the arrow P ₂ directions mounted dispenser 64, which can be moved with a drive device 66, for example comprising a toothed belt 68 and the motor 20 in the corresponding directions. The supply line 38 is designed so that it can follow the movements of the dispenser 64. Also in this embodiment, the processing unit 34 _{3 can be} connected via the holding portions 36 with the treatment device 11 and optionally replaced. 8 shows the securing device 70 according to the invention for securing an object 10 to a surface 82 of a magnetizable object (see FIGS. 1 to 3). Since the securing device 70 is largely constructed in the same way as the processing device 11, the same terms are used for the same parts. For distinction, the reference numbers for the same parts are added with 100.

The securing device 70 has a first unrolling unit 112 and a second unrolling unit 114 with which it can roll on the surface 82 to be treated. In the illustrated embodiment, the unwind units 112 and 114 are configured as two belts 116 which are driven by a drive unit 118 configured as two hydraulic or pneumatic motors 120. A drive of the two belts 116 using only one motor 120 and with the interposition of a transmission would also be conceivable. The belts 116 may have a specially designed surface structure to provide the necessary traction to the surface 82 to be treated and transmit the driving forces. The two Abrolleinheiten 112 and 114 are mounted with two webs 122. The first unwinding unit 112 has a first center 124 and the second unwinding unit 114 has a second center 126, which have a distance A ₂ relative to a longitudinal axis L _{2 of} the securing device 70.

In contrast to the treatment device 11, the securing device 70 has a magnet unit 128, which comprises only one magnet 130. This can be adjusted via an adjusting device 72 in its position to change the force applied by him attraction. The adjusting device 72 is activated with the motors 120. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 does not exclude the use of further magnets, in particular also of flat magnets (see FIG. 5). Depending on the nature of the object whose surface 82 is to be treated and the object 10 to be secured, it may be the case that the force of attraction which the magnet 130 must provide for securing the object 10 must be high enough for the object to be in deformed the area in which the attraction acts. This can occur in particular if at least parts of the surface 82 are thin-walled. The provision of a number of magnets 130, which are distributed over the securing device 70, reduces this problem. Furthermore, the securing device 70 has a holding device 74, which in turn has the connecting device 76, with which an object to be secured can be connected to the securing device 70, in the illustrated example, the connecting device 76 is designed as the cable 78, which with a cable retraction device 80, for example can be wound on a drum, not shown (see Figures 1 to 3). The cable pull-in device 80 can also be activated by the motors 120.

Furthermore, the securing device 70 comprises an operating unit 146, with which it can be operated remotely. The operating unit 146 is connected via a connection 148 to a reservoir 150, in which compressed air or hydraulic fluid is kept. Furthermore, the operating unit 146 has a plurality of outputs 152, to which corresponding lines 154 can be connected in order to supply the motors 120 with compressed air or hydraulic fluid. With appropriate buttons or levers 156, the motors 120 can be activated.

In FIGS. 9a) and 9b), the magnet unit 128 and the adjusting device 72 are shown along the sectional plane AA defined in FIG. 7; in FIG. 8a), the magnet 130 is in a first magnet position MPi in which it has a first distance D ₁ a surface 82 to be treated. For example, by rotating the adjusting device 72, which engages in a spindle-shaped manner in the magnet 130, the magnet 130 can be brought into a second magnet position MP ₂ , as shown in FIG. 8b). In the second magnet position MP ₂ , the magnet 130 has a second distance D ₂ to the surface 82 that is greater than the first distance Di. As a result, the attractive force of the magnet 130 is changed. The adjusting device 72 can be activated by means of one of the motors 120 (see FIG.

The invention has been explained in detail with reference to preferred Ausführuπgsbeispielen. Modifications and additions obvious to one skilled in the art from the description do not depart from the inventive idea and are included within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 object

11 treatment device

12, 112 first unwinding unit

14, 114 second unwinding unit

16, 116 straps

18, 118 drive unit

20, 120 engine

22, 122 bridge

24, 124 first center

26, 126 second center

28, 128 magnet unit

30, 130 magnet

32 flat magnet

341, 34 ₂ , 34 ₃ processing unit 36 holding section

38 supply line

40 peeling device

42 frames

44 rubber lip

46, 146 Control unit

48, 148 connection

50, 150 reservoir

52, 152 output

54, 154 line 56, 156 button, lever

58 brush

60 nozzles

62 distribution channel

64 dispenser

66 drive device

68 Timing belt 70, 70 ', 70 "safety device

72 adjusting device

74 holding device

76 connection device

78 rope

80 Seiiezugvorrichtung

82 surface

83 ground

84 first section

86 second section

88 weld

A ₁ first distance

A ₂ second distance

The first distance

D ₂ second distance

Li first longitudinal axis

L ₂ second longitudinal axis

MP ₁ first magnet position

MP ₂ second magnet position Xi first position

X ₂ second position

X ₃ third position

X ₄ fourth position

Claims

claims

A system for securing a treatment device (11) for treating a surface of a magnetizable object to be treated, comprising at least one treatment device (11)

a magnet unit (28) for holding the treatment device (11) on the surface (82),

a processing unit (34) for treating the surface (82),

- A pneumatically or hydraulically operated drive unit (18) for moving the treatment device (11) on the surface (82), and

at least one first unwinding unit (12) and a second unwinding unit (14) for unrolling the treatment device (10) on the surface (82),

and at least one securing device (70) for securing the treatment unit (11)

a magnet unit (128) for holding the securing device (70) on the surface (82),

a holding device (74) for securing the object (10),

a pneumatically or hydraulically operated drive unit (118) for moving the securing device (70) on the surface (82),

- At least a first unwinding unit (112) and a second Abroiieinheit (114) for unrolling the securing device (70) on the surface (82), and

- An operating unit (146) for remote controlled operation of the securing device (70).

2. System according to claim 1,

characterized in that the magnet unit (128) comprises an adjusting device (72) for adjusting the magnet position of one or more magnets (130).

A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnet unit (128) of the securing device (70) comprises a number of magnets (130), characterized in that the magnets (130) are distributed over the securing device (70).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the holding device (74) comprises a connecting device (76), with which the securing device (70) with the object (10) is releasably connectable.

5. System according to claim 4,

characterized in that the connecting device (76) is designed as a cable (78) and that the Haiteeinrichtung (74) comprises a cable retraction device (80).

6. System according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the first unwinding unit (112) has a first center (124) and the second unwinding unit (114) has a second center (126) along a longitudinal axis (L ₂ ) of the

Securing device (70) at a distance (A ₂ ) are arranged to each other.

7. System according to claim 6,

characterized in that the first unwinding unit (12) has a first

Center (24) and the second unwinding unit (14) have a second center (26), which along a longitudinal axis (Li) of the treatment device (10) at a distance (Ai) are arranged to each other.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the magnet unit (28) of the Behandlungsvorrichtuπg (11) comprises a number of magnets (30), characterized in that the magnets (30) are arranged distributed over the treatment device (11).

9. System according to claim 8,

characterized in that the magnets (30) of the treatment device (11) are designed as flat magnets (32).

10. System according to one of claims 7 to 9,

characterized in that the processing unit (34) comprises one or more magnets (30).

11. System according to one of claims 7 to 10,

characterized in that the processing unit (34) has a

Dispensing device (64) for dispensing treatment medium, which is movable by means of an Aπtriebsvorrichtung (66) within the processing unit (34).

12. System according to any one of claims 7 to 11,

characterized by an operating unit (46) for the remote-controlled operation of the treatment device (11).

13. A method for treating a surface (82) of a magnetizable object, in particular of tank and ship walls, comprising the following steps:

Attaching a treatment device (10) for treating a surface (82) of a magnetizable object in a first position (Xi) on the surface (82), Attaching at least one securing device (70) for securing the treatment device (10) in a second position (X ₂ ) on the surface (82),

Securing the treatment device (10) by means of the holding device (74) of the securing device (70),

- method of the securing device (70) in a third position (X ₃ ),

Treating a first portion (84) of the surface (82) by means of the treatment device (10),

- Moving the securing device (70) in a fourth position (X ₄ ) of the surface (82) after completion of the treatment of the first section

(84) of the surface (82), and

- Treating a second portion (86) of the surface (82) by means of the treatment device (10).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of the method of the security device (70) further comprises the steps of:

- Adjusting the magnet position of a magnet (130) from a first magnetic position (MP ₁ ) with a first distance (Di) to be treated surface (82) in a second magnetic position (MP ₂ ) with a second distance (D ₂ ) to be treated Surface (82), the second

Distance (D ₂ ) is greater than the first distance (D ₁ ) and wherein the securing device (70) is in a first position,

- Method of the securing device (70) in a second position, and

- Adjusting the magnetic position of the second magnetic position (MP ₂ ) in the first magnetic position (MP ₁ ).