FR2800647A1 - PIPE CLEANING MACHINE - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, a pipe cleaning machine, designed in particular for de-sludging pipes in central heating installations, comprises a switching assembly (30) with two 3-way valves (31, 32) for circulating through two pipes. (53, 54) for connection to a pipe to be cleaned, alternately, or a treatment liquid contained in a tank (2) and circulated by a submerged pump through two pipes (51, 52) connecting with said valves , or clear water flowing from a pipe (55) connecting to the public network to a discharge pipe to the sewer (54). The two valves are coupled by a lever (33) which allows their simultaneous control. A reversing valve (25) makes it possible to reverse the direction of circulation of the liquid in the pipe.

Description

The present invention relates to the design and implementation of

  pipe cleaning equipment, more specifically targeting the mobile machines that cleaning companies must have when they have to treat pipes for central heating installations with hot water circulation. Without wanting to be

  limiting, we will therefore take as an example of a typical application of the invention, the case of domestic heating installations existing in houses or apartments and 10 other dwellings, with individuals or communities.

  After several years of operation, and especially when they are old and not equipped with special protection systems, these installations see their efficiency15 considerably decrease, the section of water passage being narrowed, and its circulation speed slowed down.

  all the more so, because the pipes are cluttered with scale, oxidation residues of the metal constituting them and various sludges, from which it is necessary to get rid of them to recover the original nominal operating conditions.

  The procedure implemented for this has been conventional for a very long time. In general, it includes essen-

  three successive operations, which are carried out once the boiler has been disconnected from the hot water circuit, namely first successively a step of washing with clear water, consisting of the simplest to circulate in the pipe of the running water coming under pressure from the public network, by rejecting it through the wastewater circuit, a sludge removal step which then consists in circulating there30 an appropriate treatment solution, in a closed circuit from a tank carried by the machine, for

  finish with a rinsing step which again uses clear water such as running water from the public network.

  Currently available machines have many drawbacks. In particular, when a cleaning team intervenes in an occupied accommodation, it is not uncommon for it to cause damage. These affect in particular the walls and floors, which receive splashes of dirty water when moving from one operation to another, and5 especially after the treatment stage, when the operator has to unplug the machine. of the treated pipe and go to the rinsing step. In general, even using precautions and having additional cuvettes, which already in itself is very inconvenient, he does not manage to avoid splashing from the used treatment solution which remains in the pipes which he uses in as flexible connections between the machine and the pipe, to and from the treatment solution tank. The damage is all the more important since often, small central heating installations in an apartment have to be cleaned, in which the radiators equipping the

  different living rooms are supplied from a wall-mounted boiler located in a living room inside the apartment.

  In order to solve the problem thus posed, the present invention provides for equipping the machine with means making it possible to use the same connection pipes, fixed on the machine, to wash and / or rinse the pipeline and to circulate the treatment solution. Not only does the user no longer have to fear causing the previous damage, but in addition the operations are considerably simplified, since these connection pipes no longer have to be disconnected from the pipe between the possible rinsing step and the processing step, nor especially between the processing step and the rinsing step. It is

  moreover, the same between the different stages if the overall procedure is more complex and involves the repetition of some of these stages.

  In its preferred embodiments, the machine according to the invention has characteristics which are in themselves known. Among them is in particular the fact that it comprises, advantageously removably mounted on a mobile carriage, a reservoir of treatment liquid, associated with a pump for circulating said liquid5 between two ends of pipes, advantageously in the form of flexible pipes, formed so as to allow the connection of the tank in a closed circuit with the pipe to be cleaned, respectively in the flow direction of the pump discharge, to supply said pipe 10 in an upstream section, and in the return direction to the suction of the pump, to collect the liquid leaving a section

downstream of said pipeline.

  But the machine according to the invention is further characterized in that it comprises two other flexible connection pipes, advantageously provided respectively, one to be connectable to a running water intake pipe, the other to be discharge into a waste water evacuation circuit, as well as a switching assembly making it possible, alternately, either to connect the pipe to be cleaned to the tank via the pump as is known, or to connect it, by the same upstream and downstream sections, to these two additional flexible pipes, advantageously equipped to facilitate for one its connection to any termination of the public network for supplying pressurized running water

  (city water), for the other the rejection of water leaving the pipe to the sewer.

  The machine according to the invention also has various characteristics which advantageously supplement the previous ones and which apply separately or in any technically effective combination between them. In particular, the above switching assembly preferably consists of two valves each with three channels, which are coupled to be controlled simultaneously.35 Preferred coupling means are entirely of mechanical type, since the conditions of usual use of the machine requires great robustness, while in addition, it is desirable that the operating controls are simple and convenient. The valves are advantageously of the rotary plug type, which facilitates the adoption of 5 particularly simple mechanical coupling means, which may in particular include a control lever

  common to the two valves which also acts as a coupling lever between two drive levers for the respective plugs of the two valves.

  It is also often useful for the machine according to the invention to be equipped with means for reversing the direction of circulation of the treatment liquid conveyed by the pump through the pipe to be cleaned, which is obtained in particular by a lever valve. manual control. 15 Also, but again in a manner known per se, it is advantageously planned to evacuate from the tank the gases which

  can be released during cleaning operations using this liquid.

  To better highlight the characteristics which have just been defined as well as others which advantageously complement them, the invention will now be more fully described in the context of preferred characteristics and their advantages, with reference to a particular embodiment of the invention. cleaning machine25 which is the subject thereof, according to an example where it is designed for the treatment of installation pipes

domestic central heating.

  Naturally, this example is in no way limitative of the various alternative embodiments of the invention,

  no more than its applications. Its description is illustrated and supplemented where necessary by the figures of

  attached drawings, in which: - Figure 1 schematically shows the machine described, seen from the outside and from the front; - Figure 2 shows the same machine seen from the side; - Figure 3 schematically illustrates the switching assembly which it comprises, seen in longitudinal section, the section plane appearing at B in Figure 4; - Figure 4 shows the switching assembly, seen in partial section along A of Figure 3, the position of its various members being, as in Figure 3, that suitable when the machine is used in treatment from its clean tank; - Figure 5 is the counterpart of Figure 3, considering the case of the rinsing position, the cutting plane being along B of Figure 6; - and Figure 6 also shows the switch assembly in the rinsing position, in a view

  lateral sectional view along the diagram shown in A in FIG. 5.

  The example considered here relates to a pipe cleaning machine intended for what is commonly known as the sludge removal of small central heating installations, such as those located in apartment dwellings. It is a machine

  mobile, the various components of which are mounted on a cart which can be operated by hand by the user.

  This carriage 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by its frame 11, its wheels 12, located at the rear of the machine, its stabilizing foot 13, located on the contrary at

  the front, and two bent arms 14 and 15 used for its operation. The arrangements at the front and at the rear are defined with respect to FIG. 1, where the machine is viewed from the front when it is immobilized in its functional position of use, the foot 13 resting on the ground.

  The carriage 10 supports a reservoir of treatment liquid, produced in the form of a tank 2, of which the filling orifice 3 can be seen, accessible at the front of the machine. In Figure 2, the screw cap that normally closes the tank was assumed to be removed. The tank 2 is removably mounted on the carriage 10. It is fixedly retained on the latter by means of metal reinforcements integral with the frame 11 which have not been

  shown, insofar as such reinforcements are perfectly conventional in themselves. They ensure if necessary a stiffening of the walls of the tank, the latter being generally made of plastic.

  The tank 2 has sufficient capacity to receive the quantity of treatment liquid necessary for cleaning a heating installation. The liquid used is, usually, an aqueous solution of a detergent product added with a descaling acid. The tank 2 has, in its upper part, a vent valve

  which has not been shown in the figures, in order to release any overpressure from the gases produced during the operation, in particular the carbon dioxide which is released during the cleaning of a pipe scaled by means of such an acid solution.

  In the tank 2, the machine described comprises a submerged pump 20 (Figure 2), driven by an electric motor 21. The latter is external to the tank 2. It is mounted on the upper wall thereof by means of 'a rigid base 22 to which the pump 20 is also suspended. Figure 2 shows one of the bolts 24 which secure the three parts. The drive transmission between the motor 21 and the pump 20 takes place through the wall of the tank 2 inside a column 23, the pump itself being

placed near the bottom of the tank.

  The motor housing 21 serves as a support for a switching assembly 30 produced according to the invention. The precise constitution and operation of this set will be described later. In external dimensions, it

  essentially comprises two three-way valves 31 and 32, arranged symmetrically on either side of a control lever 33 which is common to them, as well as three sets of each of two connection pipes connecting to their different outlet nozzles.

  The mounting of the two valves 31 and 32 on the machine involves a steel support 41, itself integral with a lug 42 for fixing to the motor housing (FIG. 2). Figures 10 to 6, which are on a larger scale, supplement Figures 1 and 2 from this point of view, making it clearer how this support is made. It comprises two angle pieces 43 and 44, one for each valve, on either side of a median space occupied by the movements of the lever 33. Each valve body is fixed by bolts 45 on the vertical branch of the square piece

  corresponding, on each side of a notch made to allow passage to the horizontal connection of the valve. The two angle pieces are secured to a bottom plate 4620 on which they are welded and which secures the support on the tab 42.

  To return to general figures 1 and 2, more precisely to FIG. 1, one can see there how the various connection pipes are associated, in extension of the outlet outlets of the valves, in a layout which has a plane of symmetry according to the vertical median plane between the two valves. The beginning of the different pipes, starting from each valve, is also mentioned in Figures 3 and 5, where however it is only

symbolized in mixed lines.

  Down the two pipes 51 and 52 from a first set, which are permanently connected, through the base 22, to two pipes 26 and 27, located in the tank 2, which close the circuit passing through the pump. 20 through this tank. For this purpose, the pipe 27, essentially made of a flexible hose, is connected to the

  discharge outlet of the pump, while the pipe 26, which is generally rigid, is open in the tank 2.

  In reality, the circuit in question, which conveys the treatment liquid contained in the tank when the pump is driven, further comprises a valve for reversing the direction of circulation of the transported liquid. This valve is visible through its housing 28 in FIG. 2, which is fixed under the base 22 through the upper wall of the tank. 10 The direction of circulation is determined by operating a control handle 25, which the we see accessible above

  of the tank 2. Depending on its position, which directs an internal valve (not shown), it is either the pipe 51 or the pipe 52 which pours into the tank 2 via the pipe 26.15 while simultaneously, the pump 20 discharges the liquid through line 27 to either the pipe 52 or the pipe 51.

  Laterally on each side of the machine, in horizontal direction from the valves, there are two pipes 53 and 54, starting from the valve 31 and starting from the valve 32 respectively, which are intended to be connected, indifferently, the one to an upstream section of the pipe to be cleaned, the other to a downstream section of this same pipe. In this way, assuming that the pump is in operation and that the valves are correctly positioned to establish the relationship through them between the pipe and the tank, the treatment liquid contained in tank 2 can be circulated in a closed circuit , through the pipeline to be cleaned, respectively in the forward direction of the pump discharge to supply the pipeline in its upstream section, and in the return direction to the suction of the pump to collect the liquid in

exit from the downstream section.

  The third set of connecting pipes appears in Figure 2 at 55 and 56, above the valves. These are two pipes which are equipped, at their free end opposite the machine, one 55 with a city water supply nozzle, produced for example in the form of a sleeve. deformable material and having a gradually variable diameter. This solution has the advantage of leaving great freedom for the choice of the pipe to which the pipe is connected. It is generally a pipe belonging to the public pressurized water supply network. In counterpart on the other pipe 56 of the same pair, there is a spout, in a sink for example, for discharge to the sewer. This tip also does not

been pictured.

  It should be noted that the two end-pieces just mentioned do not need to constitute watertight connection means, although this is preferable for that of the pipe for supplying clean water to the public network, in order to conserve the pressure which ensures the circulation of water through the pipe to be cleaned. On the other hand, the connectors (not shown) which equip the free ends of the pipes connecting to the pipe itself (53 and 54) are chosen so as to provide a connection delimiting a sealed circuit, thus avoiding any leakage of treatment liquid and any leak

  dirty water except in the sewer. It is quite naturally the same for the different connection connections of the valves 31 and 25 32, as well as the connections at the inlet and at the outlet of the valve 25.

  Turning now to Figures 3 and 5 (and incidentally to Figures 4 and 6), it can be seen that each of the valves is a three-way rotary ball valve of conventional construction. The plug, generally spherical, bears the reference 61 or the reference 62 depending on whether it is that of the valve 31 or that of the valve 32. It is housed in a spherical cavity of the valve body, 34 or 35 respectively, into which open three conduits in extension of the three outlet nozzles respectively. These conduits are clearly represented, as well as the taps which are accessible outside the valve body, the symmetrically opposite horizontal side taps 63 and 64 for connection to the pipes connecting to the pipe 53 and 54, the parallel taps5 downwards. 67 and 68 for connection to the closing pipes of the treatment liquid circuit 51 and 52, and

  the vertical tappings upwards 65 and 66 for connection to the pipes for supplying clean water and rejecting to the sewer 55 and 56.

  In correspondence with the orientation of the internal conduits and the taps, the plugs 61 and 62 each have two perpendicular channels, one of which is horizontal so as to always remain in communication with the lateral nozzle 63 or 64 respectively. Indeed, the rotation of the plug is ensured around the horizontal axis. It is controlled by external joysticks

  to the valve bodies, which are shown in 36 and 37 respectively. These levers are arranged symmetrically vis-à-vis, on the internal side, opposite the lateral connections 20 63 and 64.

  The control lever of the valves 33 is engaged on the two levers 36 and 37. It therefore serves as coupling means between the two valves, ensuring the simultaneous rotation of their plugs. It is arranged so as to be able to switch over 180 degrees, between a high position and a low position, by action on the handle 38 which it offers to the user for manual entry. FIGS. 4 and 6 show, better than FIGS. 3 and 5, that this handle 38 is completed by two symmetrical plates 71 and 72, which are arranged on either side of the assembly of the two levers 36 and 37, which 'they enclose firmly. For this, they are tightened towards each other by bolts 73, which

  pass between the two levers, so as to trap the latter and thus constitute a mechanical coupling means of the two.

  The solidity of this coupling is remarkable, thanks in particular to the curved shape given to the plates 71 and 72,

  which matches that of the levers on their two opposite faces.

  The operation of the machine as a whole

  is already clear from the foregoing description of its various constituents. We can however come back to this here, in

  referring to the two functional arrangements of the switching assembly constituted mainly by the two valves 31 and 32 and the lever 33, as they appear from FIGS. e3 and 4 on the one hand, from FIGS. 5 and

6 on the other.

  It is assumed that on arriving at the scene, the cleaning operators started by making the various connections between the elements located on the carriage 10 and the pipe to be cleaned, the pipe chosen for the city water supply and the discharge to the sewer. If the procedure involves washing with clean water first, we start with the situation illustrated in FIG. 5. With the pump 20 remaining at a standstill and the lever 33 being tilted in the high position, the circuit tap is opened running water from the public network. Water circulates through the valves as shown by the arrows shown, the washing water supply line being placed in communication with the upstream section of the pipe to be cleaned at one of the valves (for example the valve 31 located on the left in the figure), and

  the other valve bringing the downstream section of this same pipe into communication with the symmetrical flexible pipe ensuring discharge to the sewer.

  After stopping the circulation of city water, the lever 33 is tilted to its low position, then the pump 20 is started. We find ourselves in the situation illustrated by FIG. 3. Those of the valve channels 61 and 62 which are parallel to the lever 33 (in particular to its operating handle 38) also being oriented downwards, they put the pipe to be cleaned on the liquid circuit

treatment.

  The arrows shown in this figure assume that the treatment liquid, chosen for example to ensure descaling and sludge removal, enters the pipeline through the left valve 31 to return to the

  tank tank by the right valve 32, but it is useful, to improve the efficiency of the operation, to renew it by reversing the direction of circulation by means of the reversing valve 25.

  The last step is important in practice. It consists of rinsing the pipe with clear water, which is carried out, after having stopped the pump 20, to return to the situation of FIG. 5 already described in connection with a preliminary washing step, by tilting the lever 33 upwards, so as to put the pipe in series with

  the city water circuit, passing through the pipe 55 for connection to the public network via the discharge pipe to the sewer 54.

  The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention achieves the objectives it

  settled down. It should however be recalled that the invention is not limited to the modes of implementation of its characteristics which have been specifically described and shown in the figures.

Claims (10)

  1. Pipe cleaning machine, intended in particular for cleaning central heating installations, characterized in that it comprises a switching assembly (30) with two three-way valves (31, 32) for circulating by two pipes (53, 54) connecting to a pipe to be cleaned, alternately, that is to say a treatment liquid contained in a reservoir tank (2) and circulated by a submerged pump through two pipes (51, 52) connecting with said valves, i.e. clear water flowing from a pipe (55) connecting to the public network to a discharge pipe at the sewer (54).   2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the two valves (31, 32) are coupled by a   lever (33) which allows their simultaneous control.   3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a reversing valve (25) for reversing the direction of flow of said   treatment liquid in said pipe to be cleaned.   4. Machine according to any one of   claims 1 to 3, characterized in that both   valves (31, 32) are of the rotary plug type and provided with opposite handles (36, 37) which are enclosed in a   control and coupling lever (33).   5. Machine according to any one of   claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said   switching means (30) comprise a lever (33) for coupling and simultaneous control of the two valves (31, 32) which is mounted to pivot between them   high position and a low position.   6. Machine according to any one of   claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said   switching means (30) are mounted on a support for fixing to a motor (21) for driving said pump (20). 7. Machine according to any one of   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises   flexible pipes for constituting said pipes (53, 54) connecting to said pipe to be cleaned and pipes (55, 56) connecting to a city water circuit ensuring the supply of clear water and the discharge to the sewer. 8. Machine according to any one of   claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said pump   (20) and an electric motor (21) ensuring its drive are fixed to a base (22) on the wall   upper of said treatment liquid tank (2).   9. Machine according to any one of   claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said   tank (2) has a vent valve for evacuation   gases released during cleaning of said pipe.   10. Machine according to any one of   claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is   arranged on a mobile carriage (10).