WO2017194853A1

WO2017194853A1 - System for cleaning a surface of a wall or walls of a seal housing

Info

Publication number: WO2017194853A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/051005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian De Gelis
Original assignee: Pxl Seals
Priority date: 2016-05-11
Filing date: 2017-04-28
Publication date: 2017-11-16
Also published as: FR3051128A1; PT3455001T; EP3455001B1; EP3455001A1

Abstract

System (15) for cleaning a surface of a wall or walls (6) of a housing (5) for a seal (4), the housing (5) following a closed curve and comprising at least one partially open side, the system (15) comprising: at least one movable body (16); at least one surface treatment device (18) secured to the movable body and intended to contact at least one wall (6) of the housing (5) of the seal (4), the surface treatment device (18) being connected to said movable body (6) via at least one spring blade (19); a device (20) for moving the movable body (16) in the housing (5), controlling the passage of the movable body (16) along the curve of the housing (5), which device (20) comprises at least one nozzle (21) capable of being connected to a compressed air source (22) in order to inject pressurised air into the housing (5).

Description

Wall surface cleaning system (s) for a joint housing

The invention relates to the field of seals. More specifically, the invention relates to the preparation for the installation of closed profile seals in their housing.

The invention finds application, but not exclusively, in the field of rotating machines, turbines type in particular hydroelectric. Such turbines must meet severe operating constraints in terms of abrasive waters laden with the ambient environment (seawater in particular). On a turbine, there are joints between several parts that can be fixed to each other or in rotation relative to each other. For example, there are seals between the blades and the hub of the rotor. The seals placed on the turbines are thus the object of particular attention.

In particular, in addition to the intrinsic characteristics of the gasket, the housing in which the gasket is placed must be free of any dust or particles that could damage the gasket during the operation of the turbine. Careful cleaning is required. Particularly neat treatment on walls of the housing can also be considered.

Maintenance operations on the joints, and in particular their replacement, can take place during the life of the turbine. At each seal replacement, it is necessary to ensure the good surface condition of the bearing walls of the housing. For example, a cleaning is done to remove any pollution (dust, oxidation for example). Indeed, the state of the bearing surface of the seal greatly influences the life of seal.

In known manner, the maintenance operations are performed manually: one or more operators go on site and monitor the state of the housing of the seal, for example by hand cleaning means in the housing. In general, on a joint housing of large diameter (of the order of the multiple of the meter), current dimensions on a hydroelectric turbine, the cleaning of the housing can last up to two days for a single operator, the operator having to move from section to section to cover the entire perimeter of the joint housing.

This solution is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the maintenance operations involve the immobilization of the machine. It is therefore necessary to reduce the duration of maintenance as much as possible while not increasing maintenance costs.

Moreover, manual intervention leaves a great deal of subjectivity as to the state of the surfaces, the operator himself determining whether the treatment applied is sufficient. A section can be forgotten by the operator.

Finally, some sections of the housing for the joint can be difficult to access, and the treatment applied by the operator difficult. For example, a seal mounted between a blade and the hub of the turbine may comprise portions located under the blade.

Furthermore, DE 20 2013 104 094 U1 discloses a device for cleaning a molding tool, namely one or two mold cavities, with the aid of a cleaning device arranged in an endless loop which is moved by means of motorized means along the internal contour of at least one mold cavity, for cleaning the internal surface of the cavity and, optionally, for a seal or sealing edge of the cavity, the cleaning being moved along a guideway while the two moldings are held apart from each other.

Additionally, US 6,957,471 discloses a wind-blown cleaning ring apparatus for removing dust from electrical insulating discs used in electrical systems. The apparatus comprises cup members, for example hemispherical or frustoconical, maintained spaced apart on a cylindrical ring, and whose peripheral edges are optionally arranged in scraper edges, whose action can be completed by that of circular brushes or organs scrapers also mounted on the ring between said cup members.

There is therefore a need for a device for cleaning the surface of the housing of the joint, making it possible in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, by proposing a solution for applying a surface treatment of the walls of a joint housing making it possible to have access to the all of the perimeter of the housing and to apply the treatment equally on the walls or walls concerned housing.

For this purpose, a first object of the invention is to provide a system for cleaning the surface of the housing of a joint limiting manual operations by an operator. A second object of the invention is to provide a surface cleaning system of the housing of a seal reducing the downtime of the machine concerned.

A third object of the invention is to provide a system for cleaning the surface of the housing of a seal ensuring effective and adequate treatment of the surface of the housing wall or walls.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a housing surface cleaning system of a seal reducing maintenance costs.

According to a first aspect, the invention proposes a system for cleaning a wall surface (s) for a housing of a joint, the housing describing a closed curve and comprising an at least partially open side, the system comprising:

at least one moving body,

at least one surface treatment device integral with the movable body and intended to come into contact with at least one wall of the housing for the seal, the surface treatment device being connected to said movable body by at least one spring blade, a device for moving the movable body into the housing controlling the circulation of the movable body along the housing curve, the moving device comprising at least one nozzle adapted to be connected to a source of compressed air for injecting air under pressure in the housing.

According to the invention, the system may also comprise the following features, taken separately or in combination:

the surface treatment device may comprise an abrasive brush;

the surface treatment device may comprise a polishing element;

- The movable body may comprise a flexible tape, metal, synthetic or textile;

- The surface treatment device can be removably attached to the movable body;

the surface treatment device can be fixed on the mobile body by means of a self-gripping strip; - The movable body may be provided with a plurality of surface treatment devices distributed along two opposite surfaces of the movable body, so as to come into contact with two opposite walls of the housing for the seal; the plurality of surface treatment devices can come into contact with at least one third wall of the housing;

- The setting device may comprise a closure device for partially closing the open side of the seal housing.

The invention is also directed to a method of cleaning the wall surface (s) of a housing for a joint using a cleaning system as defined above. According to the invention, the method comprises at least the following steps:

insertion into the housing of at least one movable body so that at least one surface treatment device is in contact with at least one wall of the housing; connecting the nozzle to a compressed air tank;

controlled injection of compressed air into the housing to drive the moving body in the housing. In the case where the cleaning system comprises a closure device intended to partially close the open side of the seal housing, the method according to the invention may comprise at least the following steps:

insertion into the housing of at least one movable body so that at least one surface treatment device is in contact with at least one wall of the housing; - Partial closure of the open side of the housing with the closure device, so that the housing comprises a free portion;

connecting the nozzle to a compressed air tank;

controlled injection of compressed air into the housing to drive the moving body in the housing.

Finally, the cleaning method may advantageously implement a nozzle which is inclined relative to the movable body so that the jet of compressed air arrives on the movable body at an angle of substantially between 10 ° and 45 °. Other effects and advantages will appear in the light of the description accompanied by the figures in which:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the foot of a blade of a hydroelectric turbine mounted on a hub;

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the blade of Figure 1 at a joint between the foot of the blade and the hub;

Figure 3 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a surface cleaning system of the seal housing of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail view of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the system of Figure 4 set up on the housing of the seal of Figure 2, in developed view.

For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the invention will be described herein in connection with the housing for a joint between a blade and a hub of a hydroelectric turbine. It should be understood, however, that the invention also relates to housings for closed profile joints on any type of rotating machine.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a blade 1, for example a blade of a hydroelectric turbine, mounted on a hub 2. In practice, the turbine comprises a plurality of blades 1 mounted around a common axis on the hub 2 .

More specifically, the blade 1 is extended by a foot 3 which engages in the hub 2. The blade 1 may be variable pitch, to adapt to the flow and / or to adapt to the flow of fluid flowing between the blades, that is to say that the foot 3 can pivot relative to the hub 2.

In order to guarantee the seal, a seal 4 is mounted between the foot 3 and the hub 2. For this purpose, a seal housing 5 is formed between the foot 3 and the hub 2.

The housing 5 is annular. In general, the housing 5 can be of any shape describing a closed curve. The cross section of the housing 5, as shown in FIG. 2, is of rectangular shape, open on the long side directed towards the blade 1 and on the small outward side of the hub 2. The housing 5 then comprises a first wall 6 lateral side on the foot 3, a second side wall 7 on the hub 2 and a bottom 8 on the hub 2. Optionally, when the blade 1 is variable pitch, a reserve 9 oil can be provided in communication with the housing 5 in order to deliver continuously and controlled oil to lubricate the interface between the foot 3 and the hub 2 and facilitate their relative rotation. The seal 4 is placed in the housing 5. The seal 4 is for example in the form of a ring, provided closed or closed on site using a press as described in document EP 0 891 247. The Joint 4 has for example a H-shaped cross section, that is to say comprising two branches, lateral, substantially parallel, connected to each other by a branch 12 medium. The two lateral branches 10, 11 are not necessarily of the same length. A first lateral branch bears against the first lateral wall of the housing, the second lateral branch bears against the second lateral wall. In the context of this example described and illustrated, the seal 4 is not in contact with the bottom 8 of the housing 5, the seal being provided by the contact between the lateral branches 10, 1 1 with the side walls 6, 7 . In order to prevent the seal 4 from moving in the housing 5, a shim 13 can be interposed between the bottom 8 and the seal 4. The shim 13 makes it possible to absorb the differences in sizing and also makes it possible not to worry the surface condition of the bottom 8.

It could be provided several shims 13 under the seal 4 to position the seal at the desired height in the housing 5 (example not shown but which could be envisaged in a variant of the invention).

A cover 14 is placed on the open side of the housing 5 and is fixed to the hub 2 to close the housing 5. Again, the seal 4 is not necessarily in contact with the joint cover 14, one or more shims 13 can be interposed.

When the seal 4 is to be replaced, the joint cover 14 is removed to discover the housing 5. The seal 4, and shims 13, may be removed.

The walls 6, 7 side of the housing 5 can thus be cleaned, or undergo any necessary treatment. Indeed, the side walls 6, 7 being the bearing surfaces of the gasket 5, their surface condition must meet strict criteria in terms of surface condition in order to limit fatigue and wear of the gasket during installation. use of the turbine.

For this purpose, a surface cleaning system of the housing 5 of the gasket 4 is used.

By "surface cleaning" is meant here an action to act on the surface condition of the walls in question.

The cleaning system 15 comprises a movable body 16. The movable body 16 is flexible, to adapt to the curvature of the housing 5. By flexible means here the ability of the body 16 mobile to deform without breaking during use.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the movable body 16 comprises a metal strip, for example of steel, or of synthetic material, and has two parallel flat surfaces 17. The movable body 16 may be one-piece or obtained by attaching a plurality of tape sections to each other. The length of the movable body 16 is adapted to the perimeter of the housing 5.

The cleaning system 15 further comprises at least one surface treatment device 18 integral with the movable body 16. According to an exemplary embodiment, which is the one illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the treatment device 18 is connected to the movable body 16 by means of a spring blade 19 fixed on a flat surface 17 of the movable body 16. The spring blade 19 thus forms a fin on the movable body 16 and comprises: a first portion 19a pressed against a flat surface 17 of the movable body 16, for fixing on the movable body 16,

a second portion 19b away from the moving body 16, and

a third portion 19c connecting the first portion 19a and the second portion

19b.

The elastic deformation of the third portion 19c makes it possible to adapt the gap between the second portion 19b and the movable body 16 to the dimension of the housing 5. The surface treatment device 18 is then fixed on the second portion 19b. At least the first portion 19a is flexible so as to follow the changes of curvature of the movable body 16 when it is in the housing 5.

In practice, the cleaning system 15 comprises a plurality of surface treatment devices 18 distributed along the two flat surfaces 17 of the movable body 16. Thus, on each flat surface 17, a plurality of blades 19 spring each supporting a device 18 for surface treatment are fixed. For example, the spring blades 19 are fixed in pairs, the blades 19 of the same pair being vis-à-vis, each fixed on one of the flat surfaces 17. Preferably, no portion of the movable body 16, treatment devices 18 and spring blades 19 emerge from the housing 5.

Thus, when the movable body 16 is to be inserted into the joint housing 4, the spring blades 19 deform by bringing the second portions 19b of the movable body 16 closer together. The surface treatment devices 18 are then in contact with the side walls 6, 7 of the housing 5, the elasticity of the third portion 19c of the blades 19 springs. allowing the treatment devices 18 to exert pressure on the side walls 6, 7. Intimate contact between the surface treatment devices 18 and the side walls 6, 7 of the housing 5 is thus ensured. The dimensions of each treatment device 18 are adapted so that the surface portion of the side walls 6, 7 in contact with each treatment device 18 corresponds to the portion in contact with the seal 4.

The movable body 16 may be adapted to allow the attachment of surface treatment devices in contact with the bottom 8 of the housing, or with any wall of a housing whose section would be different from that shown here as an example.

The surface treatment devices 18 may in particular be abrasive brushes, making it possible to clean the housing 5 from dust or oxidation. The surface treatment devices 18 may, however, be of any type making it possible to affect the surface condition of the walls 6, 7, 8 of the housing 5. For example, the surface treatment devices 18 may be polishing elements. .

Each treatment device 18 is preferably fixed in a removable manner on all the portions of a leaf spring 19, so as to allow the change of the treatment device 18, for example in case of wear or in case of change of the treatment to apply. For example, each treatment device 18 is fixed on a leaf spring 19 by means of self-gripping strips.

In order for the surface treatment devices 18 to rub against the side walls 6, 7 of the housing 5, the surface condition cleaning system 15 comprises a device 20 for moving the body 16 movable in the housing 5.

The device 20 for setting in motion is not in contact with the movable body 16, so that the latter can circulate unhindered in the housing 5 describing a closed curve, and can describe several turns in the housing 5.

For this purpose, the device 20 for setting in motion comprises pneumatic means. More specifically, the device 20 for moving comprises at least one nozzle 21, connected to a source 22 of compressed air. The air outlet of the nozzle 21 is directed towards the housing 5 so that the air blast is sent on the spring blades 19.

More specifically, the blast of compressed air leaving the nozzle 21 is oriented in a direction comprising at least one component substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the housing 5 and thus of the movable body 16 placed in the housing 5, so as to cause the mobile body 16 to be circulated in the housing 5. For example, the nozzle 21 is inclined in such a way that the outgoing air jet arrives on the movable body 16 at an angle α of between 20.degree. ° and 40 °, and preferably 30 °. Thus, the nozzle is inclined according to the method according to the invention, according to which the jet of compressed air arrives on the movable body 16 at an angle substantially between 10 ° and 45 °.

The injected air arrives on the spring blades 19. Their fin shape allows the air to exert on it, and more precisely on the third portion 19c, a force in the extension direction of the housing 5, moving the movable body 16.

In practice, the device 20 for moving comprises a plurality of nozzles 21 injecting air under pressure in the housing 5, on the body 16 mobile. The nozzles 21 can be connected to the same source of compressed air.

For this purpose, the device 20 for setting in motion comprises a device 23 for closing the housing, which partially closes the open side of the housing 5 in a manner similar to the cover 14. The closing device 23 leaves the open side of the housing 5 at least a free portion 24, so as to allow the compressed air to escape and visually control the rotation of the flexible strip 16. The portion closed by the closure device 23 extends over a perimeter of the housing greater than that on which extends the free portion 24.

The closure device 23 also serves as a nozzle holder. Indeed, the closure device 23 is made of a readily machinable material, for example wood. It can be monoblock or be formed of a succession of modules as shown in FIG. 3. Each nozzle 21 is in the form of a metal part, fixed on the closing device 23, for example by means of screws 25. The outlet of the nozzle 21 is extended in the closing device 23 by a bore 26 forming a duct so that the jet of compressed air enters the housing 5 as previously described, that is to say with an angle d impact on the mobile body 16.

The cleaning system then operates as follows.

Once the movable body 16 and the surface treatment devices 18 installed in the housing 15, the closure device 23 is placed on the housing 5. The nozzles 21 are each connected to one or more sources 22 of pressurized air. A control box allows the operator to control the flow of compressed air to the nozzles 21. When the air flow sent into the housing 5 is sufficient, the force exerted on the spring blades 19 causes the moving body 16 to move. The surface treatment devices 18 in contact with the side walls 6, 7 of the housing 5 apply the chosen treatment. In the case where the processing devices 18 are abrasive brushes, the injection of compressed air allows in addition to remove the particles generated by the friction.

The movable body 16, under the effect of compressed air, thus freely traverses the housing 5 over its entire perimeter. The treatment devices 18 mounted on the spring blades 19 rub the walls 6, 7 laterally over the entire perimeter of the housing, even on the sections inaccessible manually to the operator, for example the sections under the blade 1.

The operator can adjust the flow rate to adjust the speed of the moving body 16 in the housing 5 depending on the treatment chosen and the desired result. The operator can further manage the time during which the treatment is applied or the number of passes of the moving body 16. Indeed, thanks in particular to the lack of wire connection, the movable body 16 can circulate in the housing 360 ° in the housing 5, no section of the housing 5 being inaccessible. In practice, the movable body 16 circulates 360 ° several times in the housing 5.

The surface cleaning system 15 thus allows a single operator to quickly clean the housing, a few hours or even minutes being sufficient, even on housing large diameters (2 to 3 m for example).

The surface cleaning system is easily transportable on site and quickly adapts to the dimensions of the housing. In particular, when the closure device 23 comprises several modules, it suffices to adapt the number of modules to the perimeter of the housing 5.

The surface cleaning system can be used for any type of surface treatment, the process devices being changeable.

Claims

1. System (15) for cleaning a wall surface (6, 7) for a housing (5) of a seal (4), the housing (5) describing a closed curve and comprising at least one side open, the system (15) comprising:

at least one movable body (16),

at least one device (18) for surface treatment integral with the movable body (16) and intended to come into contact with at least one wall (6, 7) of the housing (5) for the joint

(4), the surface treatment device (18) being connected to said movable body (16) by at least one spring blade (19).

a device (20) for moving the body (16) movable in the housing

(5) controlling the movement of the movable body (16) according to the curve of the housing (5), the device (20) for setting into motion comprising at least one nozzle (21) adapted to be connected to a source (22) of compressed air for injecting pressurized air into the housing (5).

The cleaning system (15) of claim 1, wherein the surface treatment device (18) comprises an abrasive brush.

The cleaning system (15) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface treatment device (18) comprises a polishing element.

4. Cleaning system (15) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (16) mobile comprises a flexible tape, metal, synthetic or textile.

The cleaning system (15) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface treatment device (18) is removably attached to the movable body (16).

The cleaning system (15) according to claim 5, wherein the surface treatment device (18) is attached to the movable body (16) by means of a self-gripping tape.

The cleaning system (15) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable body (16) is provided with a plurality of surface treatment devices (18) distributed along two opposite surfaces (17). the body (16) movable, so as to come into contact with two opposite walls (6, 7) of the housing (5) for the seal (4).

Cleaning system (15) according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of surface treatment devices (18) engage at least one third wall of the housing (5).

The cleaning system (15) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement device (20) comprises a closing device (23) for partially closing the open side of the housing (5) of the joint. .

10. A method of cleaning the wall surface (s) of a housing (5) for a seal (4) by means of a cleaning system (15) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least the following steps :

insertion into the housing (5) of at least one moving body (16) so that at least one surface treatment device (18) is in contact with at least one wall (6, 7) of the housing (5) ;

connecting the nozzle (21) to a tank (22) of compressed air,

controlled injection of compressed air into the housing (5) to cause the circulation of the movable body (16) in the housing (5).

1 1. A method of cleaning the wall surface (s) of a housing (5) for a seal (4) by means of a cleaning system (15) according to claim 9 comprising at least the following steps: insertion into the housing (5) of at least one moving body (16) so that at least one surface treatment device (18) is in contact with at least one wall (6, 7) of the housing (5) ;

partially closing the open side of the housing (5) by means of the closure device (23) so that the housing (5) comprises a free portion (24);

connecting the nozzle (21) to a tank (22) of compressed air;

12. A cleaning method according to claim 10 or claim 1 1 wherein the nozzle (21) is inclined relative to the body (16) movable so that the jet of compressed air arrives on the body (16) movable according to a angle substantially between 10 ° and 45 °.