WO2015026238A1

WO2015026238A1 - Cleaning device for cleaning a lengthy object and method for use of the cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2015026238A1
Application number: PCT/NO2014/050114
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hallgeir SOLBERG
Original assignee: Solberg Hallgeir
Priority date: 2013-06-28
Filing date: 2014-06-25
Publication date: 2015-02-26
Also published as: NO335906B1; NO20140573A1

Abstract

A cleaning device (1, 1') for a lengthy object (9), the cleaning device (1, 1') including : - a housing (6, 6') surrounding a portion of the lengthy object (9); and - at least one nozzle (26) which is arranged to be supplied with liquid under pressure and to form a liquid jet (30) directed at the portion of the lengthy object (9) inside the housing (6, 6'), the cleaning device (1, 1') further including a guiding portion (8, 8') to facilitate a vertical displacement of the lengthy object (9) through the housing (6, 6'). A method of cleaning the lengthy object (9) is described as well.

Description

CLEANING DEVICE FOR CLEANING A LENGTHY OBJECT AND METHOD FOR USE OF THE CLEANING DEVICE

This invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a lengthy object and a method of using the cleaning device. More particularly, it concerns a cleaning device for cleaning a lengthy object such as a wrasse hide, wherein the cleaning device includes at least one nozzle which is arranged to be supplied with liquid under pressure and to form a liquid jet that is directed at a hanging lengthy object. The invention also includes a method of using the cleaning device.

In what follows, the cleaning device and the application of the method are explained with reference to a so-called wrasse hide. The cleaning device and the method are also well suited for cleaning other lengthy objects, such as ropes.

Wrasse are used in the farming of salmonoids, such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), to fight external crustacean parasites, such as salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). In this case, wrasse function as so-called cleaner fish. The wrasse needs a hide to live in a net pen. A wrasse hide may include a rope, and the rope is provided with a large number of plastic strips along the circumference of the rope and in the longitudinal direction of the rope. Several ropes like that, for example four or six ropes, are positioned side by side and connected at their end portions. When submerged, the wrasse hide appears as an imitation of a kelp forest. It is usual to arrange four to eight such wrasse hides in a net pen for farming fish. Over time, the wrasse hides typically becomes fouled with growth. The wrasse also eats growth. Keeping the wrasse hides clean is therefore important to ensure that the wrasse will, to the greatest possible extent, eat salmon louse off the skin of the sal- monoid.

According to the prior art, the wrasse hides are transported ashore relatively often, where they are treated with chemicals or mechanical washing processes before they are reinstalled in the net pen. From the patent document N0332467 it is known to arrange a carriage on the floating body of a net pen and provide the carriage with cleaning nozzles. The device according to N0332467 is unsuitable for cleaning hanging lengthy objects.

According to the prior art, several apparatuses for cleaning ropes and wires are known. The patent document JP 2002059090 discloses a two-part housing which is moved longitudinally along the rope that is to be cleaned. The two parts of the housing are connected to each other around the rope. The rope is washed with hot water at high pressure from nozzles slanted in the longitudinal direction of the rope. The water is collected and the rope is dried by air being blown at it at high pressure from air nozzles. The housing tightly encloses the rope at the at least one end of the housing. The patent document WO2012/097402 discloses an apparatus for cleaning especially anchor chains. The apparatus shows a bipartite housing whose parts are attached by hinges. The apparatus is moved over the chain with the housing in an open position and the hinged parts are then brought together to enclose the chain. The apparatus is moved along the chain under water. Water at high pressure cleans the anchor chain of rust among other things. The patent document JP 2007130594 discloses an apparatus for removing the surface treatment of the supporting cables of a suspension bridge before these are to be surface-treated anew. Cleaning liquid is applied to the cable through nozzles positioned on rotating heads. The apparatus is arranged to be moved along the supporting cable while this is being cleaned. The apparatus includes a two- part housing in which the parts are connected to each other around the supporting cable. The patent document NO 145681 discloses an apparatus for cleaning and lubricating a cable. The apparatus is moved along the cable. The cleaning liquid, which may consist of a lubricant, is applied through nozzles which are slanted relative to the longitudinal direction of the cable. The cleaning agent is applied at a pressure in the order of 280-350 kgf/cm² (275-345 bars). At either end, the apparatus is provided with elastic seals against the cable. The apparatus includes a two-part housing, the parts being connected to each other around the cable.

The invention has for its object to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

The object is achieved according to the invention through the features that are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

In what follows, by a low water pressure is meant a pressure of between 1 bar and 10 bars. By a medium water pressure is meant a pressure of between 10 and 50 bars. By a high pressure is meant a pressure above 100 bars. The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define favourable embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for a lengthy object is provided, the cleaning device including :

- a housing surrounding a portion of the lengthy object; and

- at least one nozzle arranged to be supplied with liquid under pressure and to form a liquid jet directed at the portion of the lengthy object inside the housing, the cleaning device further including a guiding portion to facilitate a vertical displacement of the lengthy object through the housing.

The at least one nozzle may be positioned on the inside of the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one nozzle may be positioned on the outside of the housing. In this embodiment, the housing may be provided with smooth surfaces on its inside.

The guiding portion may be provided with slanted surfaces. In an alternative embodiment, the guiding portion may be formed with guide rollers. In a further alternative embodiment, the guiding portion may be formed with a guide funnel.

A cleaning device for a lengthy object is described as well, wherein the cleaning device may include at least one nozzle which is arranged to be supplied with liquid under pressure and to form a liquid jet, wherein the cleaning device may further include a housing, and the housing may be provided with a number of nozzles which are positioned inside the housing along the wall of the housing, and the liquid jets of the nozzles may have centre axes that, in the main, are oriented towards the centre axis of the housing.

At least one nozzle may have a centre axis that has a centre angle different from 90 degrees relative to the centre axis of the housing. The nozzles may be arranged in at least one mam plane relative to the centre axis of the housing.

In one of the main planes, at least one nozzle may have a centre axis which has a centre angle different from 90 degrees relative to the centre axis of the housing. The flat liquid jet of at least one nozzle may have been rotated around its centre axis relative to a plane perpendicular to the centre axis of the housing. The flat liquid jet of at least one nozzle may have been rotated around its centre axis relative to a plane in which the centre axis lies and which is at 90 degrees to the plane defined by the centre axis of the housing and the centre axis of the nozzle. The flat liquid jet of at least one nozzle may have been rotated around its centre axis relative to a plane perpendicular to the centre axis of the housing.

At least one nozzle may consist of a flat-jet nozzle. At least one nozzle may consist of a roto-jet nozzle.

The housing may be provided with attachment hooks. The housing may be provided with a guide funnel at its upper portion. The housing may be provided with a guide ring at its lower portion.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning a lengthy object, the method including the steps:

a) providing a cleaning device as described in the above;

b) pumping liquid through the nozzles of the cleaning device;

c) moving a portion of the lengthy object into a housing above the guide funnel of the cleaning device;

d) displacing the lengthy object axially relative to the nozzles in a downward displacement; and

e) moving the lengthy object out of the housing of the cleaning device.

The method may further include the step of: dl) moving the lengthy object axially relative to the nozzles in an upward displacement. The method may further include repeating steps d) and d l) before step e).

The method may further, in step b), include pumping liquid at a medium pressure through the nozzles. Step b) may more particularly include pumping liquid at a pressure of between 10 and 30 bars through the nozzles. Step b) may even more particularly include pumping liquid at a pressure of between 15 and 25 bars through the nozzles. Step b) may include pumping liquid at a rate of between 30 and 50 litres of water per minute through the nozzles.

The method may further include hanging up the cleaning device by means of attachment hooks with which the cleaning device may be provided.

The cleaning device is characterized by a number of nozzles encircling the lengthy object, the liquid jets of the nozzles together covering the circumference of the lengthy object, the lengthy object being axially displaceable relative to the nozzles.

The nozzles may with advantage be so-called flat nozzles. Under normal conditions of operation, in which the lengthy object is hanging from a crane during cleaning, the main planes of the nozzles are approximately horizontal. Relative to a horizontal main plane, the nozzles may then be directed somewhat upwards or downwards.

At least one nozzle may have been rotated around its centre axis relative to its main plane. A flat liquid jet from the nozzle is then somewhat slanted relative to the main plane in that the flat liquid jet is above the main plane on one side of the centre axis of the nozzle and is below the main plane on the other side of the centre axis of the nozzle.

The cleaning device may, for example, be hung on the gunwale of a vessel in order for the lengthy object in the form of a wrasse hide to be cleaned in the same lifting operation that lifts the wrasse hide out of the net pen. The guide funnel together with a possible guide ring at the lower portion of the housing helps to keep the lengthy object centred in the cleaning device during the cleaning operation.

Trials show that by means of the method and the device according to the invention, up to four wrasse hides can be cleaned in one hour, which is a considerable improvement in relation to known solutions.

In what follows, examples of preferred embodiments, which are visualized in the accompanying drawings, and a method are described, wherein :

Figure 1 shows a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the invention, a lengthy object being in the cleaning device;

Figure 2 shows a section III-III through the cleaning device as shown in figure 3, but without the lengthy object;

Figure 3 shows a section II-II in figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a section of figure 2 on a different scale;

Figure 5 shows another section of figure 2 on the same scale as figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention on another scale, viewed at an angle from above;

Figure 7 shows the same as figure 6 at an angle from below;

Figure 8 shows a side view, on a different scale, of the embodiment shown in figure 6; Figure 9 shows a side view on the same scale as figure 8 of the invention viewed towards an inlet opening in the cleaning device; and

Figure 10 shows a top view of the invention, on the same scale as figure 8.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 1, 1' indicates a cleaning device for cleaning a lengthy object 9, here in the form of a schematically shown wrasse hide which has a longitudinal axis 99. In the description, upper and lower refer to the normal position of application of the cleaning device 1, 1'.

The cleaning device 1 includes a cylinder-shaped housing 6 which, at its upper portion, is formed with a guiding portion 8, shown in figures 1 and 2 as a guide funnel 80, merging, downwards, into a cylindrical guide pipe 10. The guide pipe 10 is attached to the housing 6 by means of an annular lid 12. The housing has a centre axis 69.

Externally, the housing 6 is provided with two tubular supporting columns 14 forming attachments for attachment hooks 16. The attachment hooks 16 together with the supporting columns 14 are formed to enable the cleaning device 1 to be hung on the railing of a vessel not shown, for example.

In figure 2 a guide ring 18 is shown at the lower portion of the cleaning device 1. The guide ring 18 is attached to the housing 6 and helps, together with the guide funnel 80 and the guide pipe 10, to keep the lengthy object 9 centred in the housing 6.

In the housing 6, a number of mounting pipes 20 are arranged, eight here along the internal wall of the housing 6. Attached to the mounting pipes 20, there are an octagonal upper pipe ring 22 and an octagonal lower pipe ring 24. The upper pipe ring 22 and the lower pipe ring 24 are positioned along the internal wall of the housing 6, encircling the lengthy object 9 when a portion thereof is positioned inside the housing 6. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the housing 6 may be provided with a pipe ring (not shown) extending helically.

On the straight portions of the pipe rings 22, 24, nozzles 26 are connected, having their liquid jets 30 directed inwards, that is to say towards the lengthy object 9 when a portion thereof is inside the housing 6. Below, all nozzles are collectively covered by the reference numeral 26. When necessary, individual nozzles are indicated by 26A, 26B and so on. The liquid jet 30 has a centre axis 28 which is substantially oriented towards the centre axis 69 of the housing 6.

During operation, the nozzles 26 are supplied with liquid, typically sea water, from a liquid source not shown via the pipe rings 22. In a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the nozzles 26 may be connected to the mounting pipes 20 and the mounting pipes 20 may be supplied with liquid from a manifold.

Each nozzle 26 has a centre axis 28 for the liquid jet 30. The liquid jets 30 associated with each pipe ring 22, 24 overlap, as it is shown in figure 3. Each nozzle 26 may have a total discharge angle approaching 90 degrees.

It may be advantageous to give nozzles 26 associated with one of the pipe rings 22, 24 an angle 32 different from 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 4 of the lengthy object 9. For example, the nozzles 26 associated with the upper pipe ring 22 have been given an angle 32 illustrated by the nozzle 26A in figure 4. The angling gives a more effective cleaning.

Nozzles 26 may further be rotated somewhat around their centre axes 28 as it is illustrated by the liquid jet 30 from the nozzle 26B in figure 5. By rotating the liquid jet 30 by an angle 34, the liquid jet 30 will collide with neighbouring liquid jets 30 only to an insignificant extent. The liquid jets 30 are thereby prevented from unduly dampening each other.

A pump not shown supplies the nozzles 26 with water which will typically be sea water. It has turned out advantageous for the pump to supply the nozzles 26 with water at a medium pressure. The pressure may be between 10 and 30 bars and advantageously between 15 and 25 bars. Each nozzle is supplied with between 30 and 50 litres of water per minute, for example between 35 and 45 litres of water per minute, for example 40 litres of water per minute.

An alternative embodiment is shown in figures 6-10. The cleaning device 1' includes a housing 6' which is formed with three side walls 61, 62, 63. The housing 6' is formed with an opening 64 between the side walls 61 and 63. An upper pipe 42 and a lower pipe 44 are attached to the housing 6' at ribs 65 on the outside of the side walls 61, 63. The upper pipe 42 and the lower pipe 44 are shown connected to a manifold 46 on the outside of the side wall 62. The manifold 46 is shown provided with a flange 48 for the connection of a water source and pump, not shown. The upper pipe 42 and the lower pipe 44 are each provided with a plurality of nozzles 26 which are directed towards the inside of the cleaning device 1' through openings 67 in the side walls 61, 63.

The ribs 65 are fixed, at their upper portions, to an upper frame 71 and are fixed, at their lower portions, to a lower frame 73. The upper frame 71 and the lower frame 73 may consist of a pipe, for example a pipe in a polymer material like polypropylene. On either side of the opening 64, the housing 6' is provided with guides 75, 77. The guides 75, 77 are slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing 6'. The guides 75, 77 are shown as being tubular with plates 76, 78 attached to the guides 75 and 77 respectively. At its end portions at the guide 75 and the guide 77, respectively, the upper frame 71 is provided with a displaceable bar 79 which is secured to the upper frame 71 by a first attachment 791 and a second attachment 793. The first attachment 791 is provided with a slot 795 which cooperates with a locking dog 797 at one end portion of the bar 79. The bar 79 is shown with a handle 799 at the opposite end portion of the bar 79.

In a guiding portion 8', the cleaning device 1' is shown with a plurality of guide rollers 81 on the inside of the upper frame 71. The guide rollers 81 are rotatably attached side by side to a through axle (not shown). The axle is attached to attachment lugs 83. The attachment lugs 83 are fixed to the upper frame 71 above the side walls 61, 62, 63.

One or more lengthy objects 9, like a wrasse hide, may be moved sideways into the cleaning device 1' through the opening 64. The bar 79 is then pushed by means of the handle 799 into place in the first attachment 791 by the locking dog 797 being moved through the slot 795 and the bar 79 being rotated so that the bar 79 cannot be further displaced in its longitudinal direction. The bar 79 will prevent the lengthy object or objects 9 from coming out of the washing device 1' sideways while being washed. The lengthy object or objects 9 may also be brought into the washing device 1' by being lifted over the washing device 1' and moved into the washing device 1' from above.

The guide rollers 81 have the advantage of the lengthy object 9 being more easily displaceable in a vertical direction through the housing 6' without catching on the side walls 61, 62, 63 of the housing 6'. In the example, the housing 6' is shown with smooth surfaces on the inside of the side walls 61, 62, 63. The upper pipe 42 and the lower pipe 44 and the nozzles 26 are positioned on the outside of the side walls 61, 62, 63. This has the advantage of the lengthy object or objects 9 not catching on the pipes 42, 44 and nozzles 26. The invention is not limited to this embodiment, though, as the housing 6' may be provided with pipes 42, 44 and nozzles 26 on the inside of the walls 61, 62, 63.

In an alternative embodiment, the guiding portion 8' may be formed with only slanted surfaces 85 at the upper portion of the side walls 61, 62, 63, the slanted surfaces 85 sloping inwards towards the inside of the housing 6'. It has turned out advantageous to use flat-jet nozzles 26 with a jet angle of 40°. The nozzles 26 may have a jetting direction that lies above or below the horizontal plane. The nozzles 26 in the upper pipe 42 may have a different jetting direction from that of the nozzles 26 in the lower pipe 44.

A pump not shown supplies the nozzles 26 with water which will typically be sea water. It has turned out advantageous for the pump to supply the nozzles 26 with water at a medium pressure. The pressure may be between 10 and 30 bars and preferably between 15 and 25 bars. Each nozzle is supplied with between 30 and 50 litres of water per minute, for example between 35 and 45 litres of water per minute, for example 40 litres of water per minute.

When a lengthy object 9 is to be cleaned, the cleaning device 1, 1' is, for example, hung externally on the railing of a vessel not shown. Liquid, typically sea water, is pumped through the nozzles 26 while, at the same time, the lengthy object 9 is hoisted up by a crane not shown and a portion of the lengthy object 9 is moved above the guiding portion 8 of the cleaning device 1 or alternatively into the cleaning device 1' through the opening 64. In the example in which the lengthy object 9 comprises a wrasse hide, it may be practical to bring the lower end portion of the lengthy object 9 above the guide funnel 80. In an example in which the lengthy object 9 comprises a rope, it may be practical to bring a loop of the lengthy object 9 above the guide funnel 80. Alternatively, the lower end portion of the lengthy object 9 may be brought into the cleaning device 1' through the opening 64. The lengthy object 9 is moved axially down the guide funnel 80 and moved on axially through the housing 6 and the guide ring 18 at a suitable rate. The lengthy object 9 is moved downwards until the upper end portion of the lengthy object 9 has been moved down past at least the upper pipe ring 22 and preferably also past the lower pipe ring 24. Then the lengthy object 9 is moved upwards in the housing 6 so that portions of the lengthy object 9 are cleaned twice in the course of one cycle. If an operator deems the lengthy object 9 to have been cleaned satisfactorily, the lengthy object 9 is moved out of the housing 6. If the lengthy object 9 has not been cleaned satisfactorily, the cycle is repeated one or more times until a satisfactory result has been achieved. In the same way, the lengthy object 9 may be moved downwards through the housing 6' until the upper end portion of the lengthy object 9 has been moved down at least past the nozzles 26 of the upper pipe 42 and preferably also past the nozzles 26 of the lower pipe 44. Then the lengthy object 9 is moved upwards in the housing 6' so that portions of the lengthy object 9 are cleaned twice in the course of one cycle. If the operator deems the lengthy object 9 to have been cleaned satisfactorily, the lengthy object 9 is moved out of the housing 6' by being hoisted either vertically up above the housing 6' or sideways out of the housing 6' through the opening 64. If the lengthy object 9 has not been cleaned satisfactorily, the cycle is repeated one or more times until a satisfactory result has been achieved. The lengthy object 9 may be moved most easily up and down in a vertical direction.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A cleaning device (1, 1') for a lengthy object (9), the cleaning device (1, 1') including:

- a housing (6, 6') surrounding a portion of the lengthy object (9); and

- at least one nozzle (26) which is arranged to be supplied with liquid under pressure and to form a liquid jet (30) directed at the portion of the lengthy object (9) inside the housing (6, 6'), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the cleaning device (1, 1') further includes a guiding portion (8, 8') to facilitate a vertical displacement of the lengthy object (9) through the housing (6, 6').

2. The cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the at least one nozzle (26) is positioned on the inside of the housing (6, 6').

3. The cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the at least one nozzle (26) is positioned on the outside of the housing (6, 6').

4. The cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that on its inside, the housing (6, 6') is provided with smooth surfaces.

5. The cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guiding portion (8') is formed with slanted surfaces (85).

6. The cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guiding portion (8') is formed with guide rollers (8).

7. The cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the guiding portion (8) is formed with a guide funnel (80).

8. A method of cleaning a lengthy object (9), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method includes the steps:

a) providing a cleaning device (1, 1') according to claim 1;

b) pumping liquid through the nozzles (26) of the cleaning device (1, 1'); c) bringing a portion of the lengthy object (9) into a housing (6, 6'); d) moving the lengthy object (9) axially relative to the nozzles (26) in a downward displacement; and

e) moving the lengthy object (9) out of the housing (6) of the cleaning device (1).

9. The method according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method further includes the step:

dl) moving the lengthy object (9) axially relative to the nozzles (26) in an upward displacement.

10. The method according to claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method further includes repeating steps d) and dl) before step e).

11. The method according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that step b) includes pumping liquid at a medium pressure through the nozzles (26).

12. The method according to claim 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that step b) includes pumping liquid at a pressure of between 10 and 30 bars through the nozzles (26).

13. The method according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that step b) includes pumping liquid at a pressure of between 15 and 25 bars through the nozzles (26).

14. The method according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that step b) includes pumping liquid at a rate of between 30 and 50 litres of water per minute through the nozzles (26).

15. The method according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the method further includes hanging up the cleaning device (1) by means of attachment hooks (16) with which the cleaning device (1) is provided.