WO2014108242A1

WO2014108242A1 - Cylinder painting system

Info

Publication number: WO2014108242A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/074805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mehmet Fevzi CITIL; Semih KARAGOZ; Caner CEKIC; Levent EVCIMEN
Original assignee: Aygaz Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2013-01-08
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2014-07-17
Also published as: EP2943286B1; EP2943286A1; DK2943286T3; IL239358A0

Abstract

The cylinder painting system made in accordance with the present invention and directed at painting at least one cylinder (T) located on a movable conveyor (M) comprises at least one displacement unit (H) that grips at least one cylinder (T) moving on the movable conveyor (M), displaces the said gripped cylinder (T) in the vertical direction away from the movable conveyor (M) and rotates the cylinder (T) in a vertical axis after it is moved away from the movable conveyor (M); at least one injector (2) for injection of paint on the outer surface of the cylinder (T) while it is being rotated in the vertical axis; and at least one controlling unit (3) that controls the operation of the said displacement unit (H) and injector (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION

CYLINDER PAINTING SYSTEM Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cylinder painting system developed for painting the outer surfaces of the cylinders containing liquefied gas fuel. Prior Art

The outer surfaces of the liquefied gas fuel (for example, fuels like LPG, LNG) cylinders must be painted either in the manufacturing stage or during the re-fuelling thereof. A cylinder's coat of paint not only makes it visually more presentable, but also enables that cylinders for different purposes are identified in an easier manner. In prior art, various methods are used for painting cylinders. One of these methods is to have the cylinder painted by an employee, for example with the aid of a spray paint. However, in this method, the process for cylinder painting takes a great deal of time, and a uniform painting on all surfaces of the cylinder cannot be obtained.

In another method, exemplified in Document TW586455U, the cylinders to be painted are attached to a rotary mechanism by means of a hook. In this method, thanks to the said rotary mechanism, the cylinders are rotated in a vertical axis. And during this rotating process, the cylinders are painted with a spray paint which is also moved in the vertical axis. Although in this method all surfaces of the cylinder are painted uniformly, as a result of the fact that the cylinders are hanged by an employee, the process for cylinder painting takes a long time.

Brief Description of the Invention

The cylinder painting system made in accordance with the invention and directed at painting at least one cylinder located on a movable conveyor comprises at least one displacement unit that grips at least one cylinder moving on the movable conveyor, displaces the said gripped cylinder in the vertical direction away from the movable conveyor and rotates the cylinder in a vertical axis after it is moved away from the movable conveyor; at least one injector for injection of paint on the outer surface of the cylinder while it is being rotated in the vertical axis; and at least one controlling unit that controls the operation of the said displacement unit and injector.

Thanks to the inventive cylinder painting system, the outer surfaces of the cylinders are painted uniformly. Additionally, since the cylinders are moved by mechanical systems in a fully automatic manner during the painting process and multiple cylinders can be painted at a time, the painting process is completed in a short time. Moreover, as the cylinder painting system includes those components that move linearly in the vertical direction only and rotate in the vertical axis, the cylinder painting system takes up a small room.

Object of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a system for painting the outer surfaces of the cylinders containing liquefied gas fuel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for painting the outer surfaces of the cylinders in a uniform manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for painting the outer surfaces of the cylinders, which is fast and reliable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for painting the outer surfaces of the cylinders, which takes up a small room.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system which is able to adjust all relevant parameters for painting through a user screen and record all relevant data for this operation.

Description of the Drawings

The exemplary embodiments of the cylinder painting system according to the invention are illustrated in the enclosed drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a cylinder painting system.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a displacement unit used in the cylinder painting system.

The components shown in the drawings are numbered individually, which numbers correspond to the following:

Cylinder painting system (S)

Cylinder (T)

Handle (T1 )

Displacement unit (H)

Movable conveyor (M)

Arm (1 )

Injector (2)

Controlling unit (3)

Display unit (4)

First sensor (5a)

Second sensor (5b)

First stopper (6a)

Second stopper (6b)

Gripping member (7)

First displacement member (8a)

Second displacement member (8b)

Movement transfer member (9)

Description of the Invention

The outer surfaces of the liquefied gas fuel (for example, fuels like LPG, LNG) cylinders are painted either in the manufacturing process of the cylinders or during the re-fuelling thereof. If such a painting process is performed by a user, it takes too much time and the surfaces of the cylinder are not painted uniformly. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a cylinder painting system directed at painting cylinders. The cylinder painting system (S) made in accordance with the present invention, an exemplary view of which is shown in Figure 1 , and directed at painting at least one cylinder (T) located on a movable conveyor (M) (which can be part of cylinder filling system) comprises at least one displacement unit (H) that grips at least one cylinder (T) moving on the movable conveyor (M), displaces the said gripped cylinder (T) in the vertical direction away from the movable conveyor (M) and rotates the cylinder (T) in a vertical axis (for example, in the vertical central axis of the cylinder (T)) after it is moved away from the movable conveyor (M); at least one injector (2) for injection of paint on the outer surface of the cylinder (T) while it is being rotated in the vertical axis; and at least one controlling unit (3) that controls the operation of the said displacement unit (H) and injector (2). The said controlling unit (3) may be a PLC (programmable logic controller) or a computer.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the displacement unit (H), which is shown in Figure 2 in detail, comprises at least one arm (1 ) which gets close to or moves away from the movable conveyor (M) in the vertical direction and grips the cylinder (T). The said arm (1 ) comprises at least one gripping member (7) in order to grip the cylinder (T) (for example, via the handle (T1 ) of the cylinder (T)). The said displacement unit (H) also comprises at least a first displacement member (8a) (for example, a motor) so as to allow vertical movement of the arm (1 ). In this embodiment, the displacement unit (H) also comprises at least a second displacement member (8b) (for example, a motor) which rotates the said arm (1 ) in the vertical axis in such a way that the cylinder (T) that is gripped by the gripping member (7) of the arm (1 ) is rotated in the vertical axis. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least one cylinder (T) (for example, a cylinder which is retrieved from a different unit (such as a filling unit) by moving it on the movable conveyor (M)) located on the movable conveyor (M) is gripped by the gripping member (7) of the said arm (1 ). Thereafter, the cylinder (T) which is gripped by the arm (1 ) and the gripping member (7) of the arm (1 ) is moved by the said first displacement member (8a) in the vertical direction so that it is moved away from the conveyor. When the cylinder (T) is raised to a certain level, the cylinder (T) is rotated by the said second displacement member (8b) in the vertical axis. During this rotating process, the outer surface of the cylinder (T) is injected with paint through the said injector (2). Thus, all the outer surfaces of the cylinder (T) rotating in the vertical axis are painted in a uniform manner. The painted cylinder (T) is released over the movable conveyor (M) by moving the arm (1 ) towards the movable conveyor (M). Then, the gripping member (7) ceases gripping the cylinder (T), and the arm (1 ) is moved away from the movable conveyor (M) (and also from the cylinder (T) located on the movable conveyor (M)). The cylinder (T) is then moved on the movable conveyor (M) and sent to a different unit (for example shipping, storage or filling unit). Therefore, all surfaces of the cylinders (T) are painted uniformly in a short time.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said gripping member (7) comprises at least one movable lug (not shown). The said lug moves underside of the handle (T1 ) of the cylinder (T) when the latter is about to be gripped. Hence, the cylinder (T) is gripped via its handle (T1 ). If the cylinder (T) is to be released, then the said lug is moved away from the handle (T1 ). In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the said injector (2) comprises at least a further displacement member (not shown) in order to move in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the said injector (2) is moved in the vertical direction (for example, top to bottom) during the painting of the cylinder (T). Thus, all surfaces (particularly top and bottom portion thereof) of the cylinder (T) are painted with the aid of a single injector (2).

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the said displacement unit (H) comprises at least two arms (1 ) for painting multiple cylinders (T) at a time. In this embodiment, each arm (1 ) grips at least one cylinder (T) and moves it away from the movable conveyor (M) in the vertical direction. The displacement unit (H) also comprises at least one movement transfer member (9) (for example, a gear) which transfers the rotational movement of the arm (1 ) to at least a further arm (1 ) in order to rotate all of the cylinders (T) in the vertical axis by a single second displacement member (8b) and to perform this rotating operations simultaneously (synchronized). Thanks to this embodiment, multiple cylinders (T) are painted at a time and the process for cylinder painting takes shorter time.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cylinder painting system (S) comprises at least a first stopper (6a) which is controlled by the controlling unit (3) for alignment of at least one cylinder (T) located on the movable conveyor (M) with respect to the said displacement unit (H). The said first stopper (6a) contacts to the cylinder (T) to be gripped by the displacement unit (H), thereby allowing the cylinder (T) to be aligned with respect to the displacement unit (H). Therefore, the cylinder (T) is gripped by the displacement unit (H) in a reliable manner and then painted. Once the painted cylinder (T) is released over the movable conveyor (M), the first stopper member (6a) is moved and split from the cylinder (T). Thus, the cylinder (T) continues to move on the movable conveyor (M). In this embodiment, the cylinder painting system (S) also comprises at least a first sensor (5a) which controls whether the painted cylinder (T) (or cylinders (T)) has passed the first stopper (6a) or not, and transmits data (for example, the number of cylinders (T) that have passed) to the said controlling unit (3). Thus, after the painted cylinder (T) (or cylinders (T)) has passed the first stopper (6a), the first stopper (6a) restores its original position and stops the first unpainted cylinder (T), thereby aligning it with respect to the displacement unit (H). In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the said cylinder painting system (S) comprises at least a second stopper (6b) which is controlled by the controlling unit (3) for preventing the movement of a further cylinder (T), once at least a cylinder (T) is gripped by the displacement unit (H), located on the movable conveyor (M) towards the cylinder (T) that has been gripped. The said second stopper (6b) prevents movement of the remaining cylinders (T) once a sufficient number of cylinders (T) to be gripped by the displacement unit (H) are allowed to pass. Therefore, when at least one cylinder (T) is being painted, the remaining unpainted cylinders (T) are prevented from contacting the painted cylinders (T) or moving underside of the painted cylinders (T), thus blocking the cylinder painting system (S). In this embodiment, the cylinder painting system (S) also comprises at least a second sensor (5b) which transmits data (for example, the number of cylinders (T) that have passed) to the controlling unit (3) in order to count the cylinders (T) to be gripped by the displacement unit (H) and to control the second stopper (6b) .

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the cylinder painting system (S) comprises at least one display unit (4) (for example, a screen) that allows the user to monitor the state of operation. Thanks to the display of the state of operation on the said display unit (4), any possible failures of the cylinder painting system (S) (for example, the case in which the paint injected by the injector (2) is exhausted) can be monitored by the user, and thus the cylinder painting system (S) is operated in a more reliable manner. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the said display unit (4) comprises at least one control panel (not shown) associated with the said controlling unit (3) in order to enable the user to control the operation of the cylinder painting system (S). The said control panel may be in the form of a keypad having physical keys or in the form of a virtual keypad (or a virtual key board) displayed on the said display unit (4). Thanks to the said control panel, a user can control the operation (for example, the duration of painting, the amount of paint, paint color etc.) of the cylinder painting system (S) and record the relevant data of the said operations. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the said injector (2) may inject a cleaning fluid instead of paint. Therefore, the cylinder painting system (S) may also be used as a cleaning system. In another alternative embodiment, a cleaning unit (for example, a movable brush) may be utilized instead of an injector (2). Therefore, it is also possible to clean the outer surfaces of the cylinders (T) by using the cylinder painting system (S).

Thanks to the inventive cylinder painting system (S), a uniform painting on the outer surfaces of the cylinders (T) is obtained. Additionally, since the cylinders (T) are moved by fully mechanical systems (without a need for a user) during the painting process and multiple cylinders (T) can be painted at a time, the painting process is completed in a short time (for example, in an embodiment in which three cylinders (T) are painted simultaneously, the duration for painting a cylinder is 2 seconds). Moreover, as the cylinder painting system (S) includes those components that move linearly in the vertical direction only and rotate in the vertical axis, the cylinder painting system takes up a small room.

Claims

1. A cylinder painting system (S) directed at painting at least one cylinder (T) located on a movable conveyor (M), characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one displacement unit (H) that grips at least one cylinder (T) moving on the movable conveyor (M), displaces the said gripped cylinder (T) in the vertical direction away from the movable conveyor (M) and rotates the cylinder (T) in a vertical axis after it is moved away from the movable conveyor (M);

- at least one injector (2) for injection of paint on the outer surface of the cylinder (T) while it is being rotated in the vertical axis;

- at least one controlling unit (3) that controls the operation of the said displacement unit (H) and injector (2).

2. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said controlling unit (3) is a PLC.

3. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said controlling unit (3) is a computer.

4. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the said displacement unit (H) comprises at least one arm (1 ) which gets close to and moves away from the movable conveyor (M) in the vertical direction and grips the cylinder (T).

5. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 4, characterized in that the said arm (1 ) comprises at least one gripping member (7) in order to grip the cylinder (T).

6. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 4, characterized in that the said displacement unit (H) comprises at least a first displacement member (8a) so as to allow movement of the arm (1 ) in the said vertical direction.

7. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 4, characterized in that the displacement unit (H) comprises at least a second displacement member (8b) which rotates the said arm (1 ) in the vertical axis.

8. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 5, characterized in that the said gripping member (7) comprises at least one movable lug.

9. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said injector (2) comprises at least a further displacement member so as to allow vertical movement thereof.

10. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 4, characterized in that the said displacement unit (H) comprises at least two arms (1 ) for painting multiple cylinders (T) at a time.

11. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claims 7 and 10, characterized in that the displacement unit (H) comprises at least one movement transfer member (9) which transfers the rotational movement of the arm (1 ) to at least a further arm (1 ).

12. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least a first stopper (6a) which is controlled by the controlling unit (3) for alignment of at least one cylinder (T) located on the movable conveyor (M) with respect to the said displacement unit (H).

13. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least a first sensor (5a) which controls whether at least a painted cylinder (T) has passed the first stopper (6a) or not, and transmits data to the said controlling unit (3).

14. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least a second stopper (6b) which is controlled by the controlling unit (3) for preventing the movement of a further cylinder (T), once at least a cylinder (T) is gripped by the displacement unit (H), located on the movable conveyor (M) towards the cylinder (T) that has been gripped.

15. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least a second sensor (5b) which counts the cylinders (T) to be gripped by the displacement unit (H) and transmits data to the controlling unit (3).

16. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one display unit (4) that allows the user to monitor the state of operation of the system.

17. A cylinder painting system (S) according to claim 16, characterized in that the said display unit (4) comprises at least one control panel which controls the operation of the cylinder painting system (S) and is associated with the said controlling unit (3).