EP4182625B1 - Method and cleaning device for cleaning the interior of pipes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for cleaning the inside of pipes, in particular pipes with open ends and a cleaning device.

Tubes with open ends are used, for example, in heat exchangers, condensers and air coolers. There, the tubes can be grouped in so-called tube bundles. During operation, the tube ends are connected to a circuit through which a medium, for example a coolant, is passed. From time to time the pipes have to be cleaned because over time deposits and/or impurities form inside the pipes, which usually originate from the medium conducted through the pipes. If the deposits become too large, it is no longer possible to conduct sufficient medium through the pipes or a pipe becomes completely clogged.

Methods and devices for the internal cleaning of pipes with open ends are already known from the prior art.

So reveals the WO 2015/144889 A1 a method and a device for cleaning tube bundles, in which a cleaning device with a cleaning device is provided. The cleaning device has a high-pressure hose which is pushed into a pipe by means of a propulsion device. For this purpose, the propulsion device has a drive roller and a pressure roller. The high-pressure hose (HP hose) has a nozzle at its front end. Fluid is forced through the hose under high pressure and flows out of orifices in the nozzle, allowing contaminants in the pipe to be cleared.

The liquid flowing out of the nozzle openings in the form of jets breaks up the impurities and detaches them from the inside of the pipe. The geometry and arrangement of the openings on the nozzle has a major impact on the cleaning performance of a cleaning device. On the one hand, it is advantageous if the beams are as narrow as possible and only fan out a little, i.e. have a small opening angle. This maximizes the pressure of the jet, improving cleaning performance at the point where the jet hits. On the other hand, the area cleaned with a narrow jet is very small. In extreme cases, this can lead to the jets milling furrows in the contamination due to the advance of the nozzle, with contamination remaining between the furrows. The device of WO 2015/144889 A1 cannot solve this problem.

The U.S. 8,048,234 B2 discloses a pipe cleaning device with a hose. The hose is moved in the axial direction by a propulsion device. For this purpose, rollers are provided which are in frictional contact with the hose. The propulsion device is arranged in a rotatable housing which is rotated about the main axis by a motor via a gearbox.

In the DE 693 09 524 T2 discloses a device for sewer cleaning, which essentially consists of a mobile unit equipped with a compressed air ejection nozzle.

The US 2004/0069331 A1 discloses an assembly for rotating and axially aligning a high pressure hose and spray head to remove debris from the bores of heat transfer tubes. Among other things, a support arm is provided, which stacks the hose in even layers on a hose reel.

In addition, there are so-called rotary nozzles, which rotate driven by the liquid and thus better cover the inner surface of the pipes. However, rotary nozzles are expensive to purchase and sensitive. In addition, known rotary nozzles often rotate at several thousand revolutions per minute. Due to these high speeds, the water jet does not hit the surface vertically. Much more Due to the high speeds, the water swirls around the nozzle several times and then hits the dirt almost tangentially, which means that the energy of the water jet may no longer be sufficient to remove the dirt. Also, such high speeds are often not necessary when cleaning the pipes of heat exchangers in the industrial sector. There are also oil-braked rotary nozzles with lower speeds. With such nozzles, however, energy is lost as a result of the oil braking, as a result of which the cleaning performance decreases. The cleaning result of such nozzles is therefore unsatisfactory. The use of commercially available rotary nozzles is therefore unsatisfactory overall.

The object of the invention was therefore an inexpensive improvement in the cleaning performance of methods and devices for cleaning pipes with open ends.

This object is achieved by a method for cleaning the inside of pipes using a cleaning device according to claim 1.

The cleaning device has a hose and a propulsion unit for moving the hose along a main axis H of the propulsion unit, the propulsion unit having a propulsion which is frictionally connected to the hose and by means of which the hose is set in axial motion along the main axis H. The propulsion unit is caused to rotate about the main axis H during the axial movement of the hose, the propulsion transmitting the rotary motion to the hose and the rotary motion of the propulsion unit being an oscillating motion.

A hose differs from a cleaning lance primarily in its elasticity, which also allows pipes that are not straight to be cleaned. A cleaning lance is rigid. Only straight pipes can be cleaned with a cleaning lance. The hose is preferably an HP hose. The hose is preferably at least partially made of a plastic, in particular an elastomer. The hose can have a reinforcement insert, in particular a wire insert. It is particularly advantageous if the hose is at least partially made of rubber.

The hose is preferably connected to a source of cleaning medium, in particular a source that provides water under high pressure of up to 3000 bar.

A nozzle with one or more outlet holes for cleaning medium is preferably provided at a front end of the hose.

In the case of cleaning devices known from the prior art, the furrows described above are formed, which results in an inadequate cleaning result. Cleaning medium which emerges through the nozzles flows out of the pipe in the axial direction, in particular counter to the advance direction of the cleaning device, due to the pressure prevailing in the pipe. In furrows running parallel to the main axis H, the cleaning medium can flow off with almost no resistance.

The rotational movement about the main axis H avoids furrows running parallel to the main axis. Rather, the outlet holes of a nozzle attached to the front of the hose move on curved paths. With the invention, if the axial and rotational speeds are chosen correctly, there are no more furrows at all, since the entire inner surface of the tube is exposed to water. In addition, a nozzle holder with different nozzle inserts can be used, which leads to an additional overlapping of the webs, so that the inner surface is cleaned even more thoroughly.

The rotational movement means that a larger area on the inside of a pipe is covered by the water jet at the same time. In contrast to rotary nozzles, the use of nozzles with outlet openings perpendicular to the direction of propulsion can ensure that the water jet hits the impurities perpendicularly, i.e. with maximum energy. This improves the cleaning performance.

As described above, a hose can also be used to clean pipes with bends. It has been found that the pendulum movement also helps the hose to get through a curved section. As a result, even very tight bends and sections located behind them can be cleaned with the device according to the invention.

The cleaning pattern can be influenced by changing the rotational and axial movement and thus adapted to each specific pipe to be cleaned or its contamination. In this way, a wide range of degrees of soiling can be covered with one and the same cleaning device and even one and the same nozzle. Heavily soiled pipes can be cleaned particularly thoroughly using a "close-meshed" cleaning pattern, or heavily adhering dirt can be removed more easily, whereas lightly soiled pipes can be cleaned more quickly using a "wide-meshed" cleaning pattern, and less strongly adhering dirt can be removed more quickly but just as thoroughly . In both cases, only as much working time, cleaning medium and energy has to be used for cleaning as is necessary. In addition, a rotation can prevent the jet of cleaning medium emerging from the nozzle from traveling along the same several times when the hose is inserted and pulled out axial line is guided, whereby the risk of damage to the wall of the tube is reduced.

In principle, the rotational movement can be effected manually. For this purpose, the cleaning staff can turn the propulsion unit around the main axis H manually. As usual, the hose is made to rotate by the frictional connection. The cleaning staff can thus directly influence and vary the movement of the hose and thus control it directly. However, a manual rotary movement is less preferred for occupational safety reasons. Rather, an at least partially automated or even fully automated rotational movement is preferably provided. For this purpose, the cleaning device preferably includes a rotary drive and a controller. A partially or fully automated rotation movement leads to a reproducible cleaning result.

In the case of a partially automated rotational movement, provision can be made, for example, for the rotational drive to carry out the rotational movement, with the cleaning staff being able to start and stop the rotational movement as they wish during the cleaning process using the controller. Alternatively, a dead man's switch can be provided for the partially automated rotational movement. The cleaning process only runs as long as the dead man's switch is pressed. If the dead man's switch is released, the source of the water pressure is preferably switched off, the propulsion is stopped and the rotation is stopped.

With the fully automated rotary movement, the cleaning staff only triggers the start of the cleaning process and the cleaning device carries out the cleaning process independently using the control.

The axial movement of the tube or the activation of the propulsion is preferably partially or fully automated. Together with the automation of the rotational movement, the cleaning pattern can then be predefined so that the cleaning device can be specifically adjusted to different pipes and/or different degrees of contamination.

The rotational movement of the propulsion unit is a pendulum movement. A pendulum movement is understood to be a rotational movement with two defined end positions, between which the propulsion unit is repeatedly moved back and forth. An oscillating movement has the advantage over a continuous rotary movement that the hose is not twisted as such stress can damage the hose. The pendulum movement between the two end positions preferably takes place at an angle of φ≦360°. The two end positions of the propulsion unit are identical in the case of φ = 360. Depending on the type of nozzle used, an angle of φ ≤ 270° may also be sufficient, which puts less strain on the hose.

There is a pressure drop in the hose that depends on the conveying distance and has a negative effect on the cleaning result. The volume of cleaning medium that can be conveyed through the hose is also limited. The pressure and thus the kinetic energy of the exiting cleaning medium decreases with an increasing number of exit holes. The nozzle therefore particularly preferably has two outlet holes offset by 180° about the main axis H, ie opposite ones. The angle of rotation of the pendulum movement is preferably chosen depending on the number of exit holes. In the case of a nozzle with two outlet holes, the oscillating movement preferably takes place between the two end positions by an angle of φ ≥ 180°. The device according to the invention thus offers the particular advantage that a nozzle with few outlet holes can be selected, whereby the cleaning medium with a higher kinetic energy hits the contaminants, and yet a larger area can be exposed to water. This leads to a significant improvement in the cleaning effect.

In advantageous developments, a starting position for the pendulum movement is provided, in which the center of gravity of the propulsion unit lies directly below the main axis H, with the pendulum movement taking place symmetrically about the starting position. From the starting position, the propulsion unit is then rotated alternately φ/2 in both directions of rotation and back. Due to the center of gravity directly below the propulsion unit, a return of the propulsion unit to the starting position is favored. If the oscillating movement or the cleaning process is ended altogether, a drive responsible for the oscillating movement can be switched to idle, for example, whereupon the propulsion unit stops.

The rotational movement of the propulsion unit and the axial movement of the hose are preferably coordinated with one another by means of the control of the cleaning device. Certain cleaning programs for different degrees of soiling can preferably be stored in the controller, which can thus be selected in a simple manner. The cleaning programs can include, for example, specific cleaning patterns and/or propulsion and rotation speeds.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a cleaning device according to the invention for cleaning the inside of pipes.

The cleaning device comprises a hose, a frame and a propulsion unit for moving the hose along a main axis H of the propulsion unit, the propulsion unit having a propulsion which is connected to the hose by means of a frictional connection in order to move the hose along the To put main axis H in an axial movement. The propulsion unit is mounted in the frame so that it can rotate about the main axis H, and the hose can be set in a pendulum motion due to the frictional connection. The propulsion unit thus transmits both the axial movement and the rotational movement to the hose. As described above, the combined movement of the hose results in improved cleaning of the inside of pipes.

The propulsion preferably includes one or more rollers that are frictionally connected to the hose. A positive connection would require a special hose, which would make the cleaning device more expensive to manufacture. This is avoided by the frictional connection. The rollers are preferably each rotatably mounted in the propulsion unit, in particular about an axis of rotation which is skew to the main axis H and in a plane which is arranged perpendicularly to the main axis H. A plurality of rollers are particularly preferably provided, each of which can be rotated about an axis of rotation, with the axes of rotation running parallel to one another. It is considered to be particularly advantageous if the rollers are arranged opposite one another with respect to the hose. The rollers are then pressed against the hose in opposite directions. This clamps the hose between the rollers, increasing friction and reducing slippage. For this purpose, at least one of the two rollers is preferably arranged on an eccentric element. The position of this roller and thus the distance between the rollers can be changed by the eccentric element. In this way, the contact pressure can be adjusted and, if necessary, the rollers can be adapted to hoses with different diameters.

The propulsion is preferably automated or partially automated. For this purpose, the propulsion advantageously comprises a servo motor, which drives one or more of the rollers drives. The rollers are preferably coupled to one another in such a way that only one roller has to be driven by the servo motor and that all other rollers are driven via the driven roller. A servomotor enables precise axial movement of the hose. One roller is particularly preferably driven and the other roller has the eccentric element.

The propulsion unit preferably comprises a gear wheel, by means of which the propulsion unit can be rotated about the main axis H. The gear can be connected to and driven by various drives without the need to adapt the propulsion unit. As a result, the cleaning device is more economical to manufacture and can also be subsequently easily adapted to a new drive.

In order to enable partial or full automation of the rotational movement, the cleaning device has a pendulum drive, by means of which the propulsion unit can be rotated.

The pendulum drive is a rotary drive that is set up to set the propulsion unit in the pendulum motion described above. As described above, a predefined cleaning image can be generated with the cleaning device according to the invention. In advantageous developments, a controller is provided for this purpose, which is connected to the rotary drive and the propulsion. The control enables precise activation of the rotary drive and the propulsion, which means that the axial and rotary movement of the hose can be controlled very precisely. In this way, the desired cleaning pattern can be generated when used as intended.

The rotary drive preferably has a motor supported on the frame, in particular a pneumatic motor or a servo motor, by means of which the gear wheel can be rotated. A servomotor can be integrated particularly easily into the control of the cleaning device, in particular when the propulsion is also automated or partially automated and includes a servomotor. A pneumatic motor is particularly advantageous if there is already a compressed air connection at the place of use. Unlike a servo motor, a pneumatic motor can also be used in areas where only explosion-proof devices may be used. The controller is preferably set up to set the rotary drive, in particular the servomotor or the pneumatic motor, alternately in one direction and in the opposite direction of rotation, so that the propulsion unit is set in a pendulum movement, preferably in a pendulum movement between two end positions, which are about one Angle of φ ≤ 360 °, particularly preferably at an angle of φ ≤ 270 ° apart.

Alternatively, the rotary drive can comprise a rack and pinion, the rack and pinion comprising the gear and a rack that can be moved back and forth on the frame, and a linear movement of the rack being converted into a rotation of the gear and thus of the propulsion unit by means of the rack and pinion.

The rack runs along a rack axis Z, which is skewed to the main axis H and in a plane that is perpendicular to the main axis H. Rack and gear are in direct contact. As a result, no further transmission components are required apart from the toothed rack and the gear wheel, which simplifies the structure of the rotary drive. The toothed rack together with the gear wheel forms a transmission that puts the propulsion unit into an oscillating movement, preferably an oscillating movement between two end positions which are spaced apart from one another by an angle of φ≦360°, particularly preferably by an angle of φ≦270°.

The toothed rack can preferably be moved linearly by means of two single-acting lifting cylinders or by means of a double-acting lifting cylinder, which are each part of the rotary drive, the lifting cylinder or cylinders being/are supported on the frame. Pneumatically operated lifting cylinders have proven to be particularly advantageous here, since they require little maintenance despite the contamination that occurs as a result of the loosened deposits escaping from the pipe.

The hose is under high pressure during operation. As a result of this and due to the axial and rotational movement of the hose, those sections of the hose which are not in the pipe to be cleaned also move. For reasons of safety at work, the propulsion unit advantageously has a hose guide which can guide the hose at least in sections. The hose guide also makes it easier to align the hose with the pipe to be cleaned. So that the propulsion can nevertheless be in frictional contact with the hose, it is preferably provided that the hose guide is interrupted in the area of the propulsion. In this way, the propulsion can be in frictional contact with the hose while the hose is guided in front of and behind the propulsion.

The rotary drive is preferably arranged in a front area of the cleaning device, with the front area facing the pipe to be cleaned when used as intended.

A combination of a cleaning device according to the above description and a tube to be cleaned, which extends along the main axis H, is also disclosed.

The method according to the invention is preferably carried out using the cleaning device according to the invention.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1

Figur 3

einen Vertikalschnitt in Längsrichtung durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1

Figur 4

eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Draufsicht

The invention is exemplified in the drawings. It shows:

figure 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention

figure 2

a plan view of the device according to FIG figure 1

figure 3

a vertical section in the longitudinal direction through the device according to figure 1

figure 4

a second embodiment of the device according to the invention in a plan view

The in the Figures 1 to 3 The cleaning device 1 shown comprises a frame 3 with a base 5, a support 7 and a holder 9 (see figure 1 ). The support 7 and the holder 9 are arranged on the base 5 along a main axis H, the holder 9 being arranged in a front area 11 of the base 5 and the support 7 being arranged in a rear area 13 of the base 5 . When used as intended, the front area 11 faces the pipe 12 to be cleaned and the rear area 13 faces away from the pipe 12 (see FIG figure 2 ).

In the support 7 a plastic bushing 15 is arranged. The holder 9 includes a plastic block 17. The cleaning device 1 also includes a propulsion unit 21, which is mounted in the plastic bushing 15 and the plastic block 17 and is thus mounted in the frame 3 so that it can rotate about the main axis H. The cleaning device 1 also includes a rotary drive 22, by means of which the propulsion unit 21 can be rotated.

The propulsion unit 21 comprises a central housing 23 with two coaxial openings 25, 27 along the main axis H (see FIG figure 3 ). A first guide block 31 is arranged on the outside 29 of the housing 23 and behind the first opening 25 and is firmly connected to the housing 23 . The first guide block 31 has a first guide bore 35 which is coaxial with the first opening 25 . A first hollow shaft 37 is arranged in the first guide bore 35 . The first hollow shaft 37 is guided in a first bushing 38 so that it can be displaced axially relative to the first guide block 31 . A first compression spring 39 is arranged between the first hollow shaft 37 and the outside 29 of the housing 23 . The first hollow shaft 37 is mounted in the plastic bushing 15 so that it can rotate about the main axis H.

The first hollow shaft 37 has a partially conical bore 43 running along the main axis H, which merges into a cylindrical bore of the hollow shaft 37 and whose largest inner diameter is provided at one end 45 . The conical bore 43 thereby facilitates the insertion of a hose 47 into the first hollow shaft 37. The first hollow shaft 37 is therefore chamfered by the conical bore 43, as a result of which damage to the hose is avoided.

In the first guide block 31 there is a first sensor bore 51 which is arranged perpendicular to the first guide bore 35 and in which a first sensor 53 is arranged. The first hollow shaft 37 has a first depression 55 on, which interacts with the first sensor 53. In the position shown, the first compression spring 39 is unloaded and the first sensor 53 is directed towards the first depression 55 .

A second guide block 61 is arranged on the outside 29 of the housing 23 and in front of the second opening 27, which is firmly connected to the housing 23 on the one hand and to an intermediate piece 67 on the other hand. The second guide block 61 has a second guide bore 63 which runs coaxially to the second opening 27 . In the second guide bore 63 there is a second bushing 69 in which a second hollow shaft 65 is arranged so as to be axially displaceable relative to the second guide block 61 . A second compression spring 70 is arranged in the axial direction between the second hollow shaft 65 and the outside 29 of the housing 23 .

In the second guide block 61 there is a second sensor bore 57 which is arranged perpendicular to the second guide bore 63 and in which a second sensor 58 is arranged. The second hollow shaft 65 has a second depression 59 . In the illustrated position of the second hollow shaft 65, the second sensor 58 is directed towards the second recess 59, the second compression spring 70 is relaxed.

The indentations 55, 59 are located on the outsides of the first and second hollow shafts 37, 65. Thus, they are not in direct contact with the space in which the hose is located. This reduces the risk of the depressions 55, 59 getting dirty. In other embodiments, a continuous bore with a small diameter can be provided in each of the depressions 55, 59. As a result, for example, water that collects in the depressions 55, 59 can drain off.

A third hollow shaft 71 running along the main axis H is non-rotatably connected to the intermediate piece 67 and projects out of the intermediate piece 67 on the side of the intermediate piece 67 facing away from the second guide block 61 .

The third hollow shaft 71 runs outside of the intermediate piece 67 through a bore 73 in the plastic block 17 and protrudes with one end 74 on the side of the plastic block 17 facing away from the intermediate piece 67 from the bore 73 . The third hollow shaft 71 is mounted in the plastic block 17 in such a way that it can be rotated about the main axis H relative to the holder 9 .

Inside the plastic block 17, a gear wheel 75 is arranged on the third hollow shaft 71 in a manner secured against rotation. The gear wheel 75 together with a rack 77 of the frame 3 running skew to the main axis H along a rack axis Z forms a rack gear 79 of the rotary drive 22, the rack axis Z running in a plane which is perpendicular to the main axis H. The toothed rack 77 is moved back and forth by two opposing, single-acting, compressed air-operated lifting cylinders 80a, 80b of the rotary drive 22 (see Fig figure 2 ). In figure 1 is the propulsion unit 21 compared to the representation of figure 2 rotated about the main axis H by an angle of about 15°.

In the figure 1 the propulsion unit 21 is shown in an end position. If the toothed rack 77 is moved axially by the lifting cylinders 80a, 80b, the gear wheel 75 and, above it, the third hollow shaft 71 are rotated about the main axis H. The intermediate piece 67 also rotates since it is connected to the third hollow shaft 71 . The second hollow shaft 65 and the second guide block 61 as well as the housing 23 firmly connected to the second guide block 61 are also rotated via the intermediate piece 67 . The same applies to the housing 23 connected to the first guide block 31 and the first hollow shaft 37 and the plastic bushing 15. In this way, the entire propulsion unit 21 can be rotated about the main axis H relative to the frame 3. The lifting cylinders 80a, 80b move in and out alternately. As a result, the propulsion unit 21 is set in a pendulum motion.

In the interior 81 of the housing 23 there are two guide sleeves 83, 85 for the hose 47 (see FIG figure 3 ). The first guide sleeve 83 is arranged on the inside 87 of the housing 23 adjacent to the first opening 25 in such a way that its bore merges into the first opening 25 . The second guide sleeve 85 is arranged on the inside adjacent to the second opening 27 in such a way that its bore merges into the second opening 27 . Both guide sleeves 83, 85 run coaxially to the main axis H.

In order to set the hose 47 in an axial movement, the propulsion unit 21 has a drive roller 91 and a pressure roller 93 in the interior 81 of the housing 23 . The rollers 91, 93 are each rotatable about an axis of rotation X, Y that is skewed to the main axis H, with the axes of rotation X, Y each running in a plane that is perpendicular to the main axis H. Both rollers 91, 93 each have a circumferential groove 95, 97 running on the respective outer circumference, in which the hose 47 is accommodated when used as intended. The rollers 91, 93 are rubberized in the area of the grooves 95, 97 and move the hose 47 by means of frictional engagement. The distance between the axes of rotation X, Y can be adjusted by means of an eccentric element (not shown) of the pressure roller 93 so that the contact pressure can be adjusted and/or hoses with different diameters can be moved through the propulsion unit 21 .

The rollers 91, 93 are part of a propulsion system 94 of the propulsion unit 21. The propulsion system 94 also includes a servomotor 99 which drives the drive roller 91 directly drives. The rollers 91, 93 are coupled to one another via gear wheels 100 (only one gear wheel is shown), so that the pressure roller 93 is also driven.

The hollow shafts 37, 65, 71, the housing 23 and the guide sleeves 83, 85 together form a hose guide 101 for the hose 47. Starting from the end 45, the hose 47 runs successively through the first hollow shaft 37 and through the first compression spring 39 the first opening 25, through the first guide sleeve 83, through the interior 81 of the housing 23, through the second guide sleeve 85, through the second opening 27, through the second compression spring 70, through the second hollow shaft 65 and through the third hollow shaft 71. Am At the end 74 of the third hollow shaft 71, the hose 47 emerges into the open and, when used as intended, is guided there into a pipe 12 to be cleaned. The cleaning device 1 is positioned in such a way that the pipe 12 to be cleaned runs along the main axis H (see FIG figure 2 ).

The hose guide 101 is interrupted between the guide sleeves 83, 85 so that the rollers 91, 93 can come into contact with the hose 47 and cause it to move axially. The rollers 91, 93 clamp the hose 47 between their circumferential grooves 95, 97 and are thereby connected to the hose 47 by friction. A rotation of the drive roller 91 thus leads to an axial movement of the hose 47 in the hose guide 101 along the main axis H.

When used as intended, the hose 47 is set in an axial movement by means of the propulsion mechanism 94 and at the same time the propulsion unit 21 is set in a pendulum movement about the main axis H by means of the lifting cylinders 80a, 80b. Due to the frictional connection between the rollers 91, 93 and the hose 47, the pendulum movement of the propulsion unit is transmitted to the hose 47, so that the hose 47 is also rotated about the main axis H.

A nozzle (not shown) is attached to the tip 103 of the hose 47 . The nozzle has a larger cross section than the hose 47 . The nozzle arranged at the tip of the hose 47 has eccentrically arranged outlet holes for cleaning water. Due to the simultaneous rotational and axial movement of the hose 47, the outlet holes move, for example, on curved paths and thereby create a predefined cleaning pattern on the inside of the pipe 12. Due to the curved paths, the inside of the pipe 12 are compared to a purely axial movement of the hose 47 more extensively cleaned. The cleaning pattern can be influenced by changing the rotational and axial movement and can thus be adapted to each specific pipe to be cleaned or the degree of contamination found and/or the type of contamination. In this way, a wide range of degrees of soiling can be covered with one and the same cleaning device. Heavily soiled pipes can be cleaned particularly thoroughly using a "close-meshed" cleaning pattern, or heavily adhering dirt can be removed, whereas lightly soiled pipes can be cleaned more quickly using a "wide-meshed" cleaning pattern, or less strongly adhering dirt can be removed more quickly and just as thoroughly only exactly as much working time, cleaning medium and energy has to be used for cleaning as is necessary.

A spherical stopper element 104 can be attached to the area of the hose 47 in front of the first hollow shaft 37 . Several stopper elements 104 can also be provided to create redundancy. The stopper element 104 acts as an end stop for the axial movement of the hose 47. If the hose 47 is moved along the main axis H up to a specified depth into the pipe 12 to be cleaned and such a stopper element 104 is positioned at the corresponding position on the hose 47, the stopper member 104 abuts the first hollow shaft 37 and presses the first hollow shaft 37 against the first compression spring 39 in the axial direction (see FIG figure 3 ). The first compression spring 39 is thereby compressed and the first depression 55 is moved away from the first sensor 53 . The first sensor 53 registers this movement since it is now aimed directly at the peripheral surface of the first hollow shaft 37 . A controller of the cleaning device 1 receives the signal from the first sensor 53 and stops the servomotor 99 so that the hose 47 is not moved any further into the pipe 12 .

When the cleaning device 1 is started up, the hose 47 is moved manually, starting from the first hollow shaft 37 , through the hose guide 101 until the hose 47 emerges at the end 74 of the third hollow shaft 71 . From there it can be moved into the tube 12 and clean its inside.

If the hose 47 is moved out of the pipe 12 after a cleaning process, it should only be moved back by the propulsion mechanism 94 to a predetermined point. In particular, it should be prevented that the hose 47 falls completely out of the propulsion unit 21 . For this purpose, the hose guide 101 is interrupted in the area of the intermediate piece 67 . A fork-shaped stop part 105 can be pushed onto the hose 47 in the intermediate piece 67 . Subsequently, the stopper 105 is secured by a cover of the intermediate piece 67, which prevents the stopper 105 from slipping off the hose 47. The stop part 105 has an inside width which is larger than the outside diameter of the hose 47 but smaller than the outside diameter of the nozzle. When the hose 47 is moved back out of the pipe 12, the nozzle hits the stop part 105. The stop part 105 is thereby pressed in the axial direction against the second hollow shaft 65 and moves the second hollow shaft 65 against the force of the second compression spring 70 axially in the direction of the housing 23 .In this way, the second sensor breakthrough 57 moved away from the second sensor 58. The second sensor 58 registers this movement, since it is now no longer aimed at the second depression 59 but directly at the outer peripheral surface of the second hollow shaft 65 . The control detects the movement of the second hollow shaft 65 by means of the second sensor 58 and stops the servomotor 99 so that the hose 47 is not moved any further.

In other embodiments, a second fork-shaped stop part can be provided between the inner side 87 and the second guide block 61 . This creates redundancy. The second fork-shaped stop part can also be designed only as a hose catcher and not as a switch. This means that no additional sensor is required and the second fork-shaped stop piece still serves as an additional safety measure to prevent the hose from leaving the hose guide under pressure.

The figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the cleaning device 1 according to the invention. This embodiment corresponds in parts to the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in particular with regard to the rotary drive 22 . In the rotary drive 22 there is also a gear 75 which is rotatable about the main axis H with respect to the frame but is firmly connected to the propulsion unit 21 . A rotation of the gear wheel 75 thus continues to lead to a similar rotation of the propulsion unit 21 in the frame 3.

A pneumatic motor 110, which is supported on the frame, is provided for the rotational movement in this embodiment. Motor 110 drives a spur gear 112 which meshes with gear 75 . A rotation of the motor 110 about its motor axis M, which is aligned parallel to the main axis H, thus leads to a rotation of the spur gear 112, the gear wheel 75 and finally the propulsion unit 21.

In this embodiment, the servomotor 99 is arranged on the propulsion unit 21 in such a way that its servomotor axis S runs perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the drive roller (both not visible here). Specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the servo motor axis S of the propulsion system is aligned parallel to the main axis H, like the motor axis M of the rotary drive. This gives the cleaning device a compact design. The servomotor 99 includes a gear 113 for deflecting the drive torque from the servomotor 99 to the drive roller 91.

In this embodiment, the frame of the cleaning device 1 is built into a frame construction 114 . The frame construction 114 is cuboid and has a plurality of frame parts 116 . The frame parts 116 run along the edges of an imaginary cuboid.

In the front area 11 and the rear area 13, the frame construction 114 is closed at each of its end faces by a plate. In the front area 11, this prevents dirt from reaching the pipe 12 as far as the pneumatic motor 110 or other components. Two carrying handles 118 are arranged on opposite sides of the frame construction 114 .

The distance between the axis of rotation of the drive roller and the axis of rotation X of the pressure roller 93 can be adjusted by means of an eccentric element with a handle 120 . The eccentric element 120 moves the pressure roller 93 with its axis of rotation X relative to the axis of rotation of the drive roller. In this way, the contact pressure can be adjusted and/or hoses with different diameters can be moved through the propulsion unit 21 .

Reference List

1

cleaning device

3

frame

5

Base

7

support

9

bracket

11

front area

12

Pipe

13

the backstage area

15

plastic bushing

17

plastic block

21

propulsion unit

22

rotary drive

23

Housing

25

first breakthrough

27

second breakthrough

29

outside

31

first leading block

35

first pilot hole

37

first hollow shaft

38

first jack

39

first compression spring

43

drilling

45

End

47

Hose

51

first sensor hole

53

first sensor

55

first deepening

57

second sensor hole

58

second sensor

59

second deepening

61

second guide block

63

second pilot hole

65

second hollow shaft

67

spacer

69

second jack

70

second compression spring

71

third hollow shaft

73

drilling

74

End

75

gear

77

rack

79

rack and pinion drive

80a

lifting cylinder

80b

lifting cylinder

81

interior

83

first guide sleeve

85

second guide sleeve

87

inside

91

drive roller

93

pressure roller

94

propulsion

95

circumferential groove

97

circumferential groove

99

servo motor

100

gear

101

hose routing

103

Great

104

stopper element

105

stop part

110

pneumatic motor

112

spur gear

113

transmission

114

frame construction

116

frame part

118

handle

120

Eccentric element with handle

H

main axis

M

motor axis

S

servo motor axis

X

axis of rotation

Y

axis of rotation

Z

rack axis

Claims (12)

1. A method for cleaning the interior of pipes (12) using a cleaning device (1), wherein the cleaning device (1) has a tube (47) and an advancing unit (21) for moving the tube (47) along a main axis (H) of the advancing unit (21), wherein the advancing unit (21) has a drive (94) which is frictionally connected to the tube (47) and by means of which the tube (47) is moved in an axial direction along the main axis (H),
   characterised in that the advancing unit (21) is set into a pendulum movement about the main axis (H) during the axial movement of the tube (47), wherein the drive (94) transmits the pendulum movement to the tube (47).
2. The method according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the pendulum movement between two end positions occurs at an angle of ≤ 360°.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that a starting position is provided for the pendulum movement, in which the centre of gravity of the advancing unit (21) lies directly below the main axis (H), and the pendulum movement is performed symmetrically about the starting position.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the pendulum movement of the advancing unit (21) and the axial movement of the tube (47) are coordinated using a controller of the cleaning device (1).
5. A cleaning device (1) for cleaning the interior of pipes (12) having a tube (47), a post (3) and an advancing unit (21) for moving the tube (47) along a main axis (H) of the advancing unit (21), wherein the advancing unit (21) has a drive (94) connected to the tube (47) by means of a frictional connection in order to move the tube (47) axially along the main axis (H),
   characterised in that the advancing unit (21) is rotatably supported about the main axis (H) in the post (3), wherein the tube (47) can be set into a pendulum movement by the frictional connection, wherein a pendulum drive (22) is provided, by means of which the advancing unit (21) can be rotated.
6. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 5,
   characterised in that the drive (94) comprises one or more rollers (91, 93), which are frictionally connected to the tube (47).
7. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 5 or 6,
   characterised in that the advancing unit (21) has a pinion (75) by means of which the advancing unit (21) can be rotated about the main axis (H).
8. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
   characterised by a controller connected to the pendulum drive (22) and the drive (94).
9. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
   characterised in that the pendulum drive (22) has a rack-and-pinion transmission (79), wherein the rack-and-pinion transmission (79) has the pinion (75) and a rack (77) that can be moved back and forth on the post (3), and wherein a linear movement of the rack (77) is converted into a rotation of the pinion (75) and thus of the advancing unit (21) by means of the rack-and-pinion transmission (79).
10. The cleaning device (1) according to claim 9,
    characterised in that the rack (77) can be moved linearly using two single-acting lift cylinders (80a, 80b) or using a double-acting lift cylinder, wherein the lift cylinder(s) (80a, 80b) are supported on the post (3).
11. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
    characterised in that the pendulum drive (22) has a pneumatic motor (110) supported on the post (3) or a servomotor, by means of which the pinion (75) can be rotated.
12. The cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 11,
    characterised in that the advancing unit (21) comprises a tube guide (101) that is interrupted in the region of the drive (94).

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