Cleaning and drying system
AssigneeHockh Metall-Reinigungsanlagen GmbH
InventorsJurgen Hockh, Franz Koppelhuber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The system comprises a cleaning fluid circuit including at least one sealable cleaning vessel, which is adapted to hold a vacuum and contains a carrier for carrying stock to be cleaned and dried. The cleaning vessel is adapted to be hermetically sealed from the atmosphere and from the cleaning fluid circuit is adapted to be directly connected to the suction port of an ejector so that each batch of stock can be cleaned and can subsequently be dried more quicly and to a higher degree by the application of a desired vacuum. Even if the cleaning fluid consists of an organic solvent, the pollution of the premises and of the environment by solvent vapors will be minimized.
Claims10
A process for washing and drying stock consisting of discrete metal objects in a system composed of:
- an aqueous washing fluid circuit including a washing fluid reservoir for holding an aqueous washing fluid constituted by hot water and at least one washing vessel connected to receive the washing fluid from the reservoir;
- a stock carrier contained in the washing vessel to support the stock;
- an underpressure container;
- a vacuum pump;
- and connection means including conduits and valve means connected for controlling communication among the pump, the underpressure container and the washing vessel, said process comprising:
- a washing phase for washing the stock including:
- supporting stock in the stock carrier in the washing vessel;
- operating the washing fluid circuit to bring washing fluid into contact with stock in the washing vessel and maintaining the washing fluid in contact with the stock for a sufficient time to heat the stock and to effect cleaning of the stock;
- and
- a phase including:
- connecting the underpressure container to the pump whereby the washing vessel is isolated from the pump and from the underpressure container, and operating the pump to place the underpressure container under a vacuum pressure substantially below atmospheric;
- and
- a drying phase beginning at a time when the washing fluid is drained from the washing vessel, the temperature of the stock is substantially at the temperature of the washing fluid, the pressure in the washing vessel is substantially atmospheric, and the underpressure container is at the vacuum pressure;
- and including:
- abruptly placing the valve means in a first state in which the underpressure container is connected to the washing vessel for producing an abrupt pressure drop, resulting in a vacuum shock in the washing vessel and across the entirety of the surfaces of the stock and to achieve pressure equalization between the washing vessel and the underpressure container;
- after said step of placing the valve means in a first state placing the valve means in a second state to connect the vacuum pump with the washing vessel and to isolate the vacuum container from the washing vessel and operating the pump until the end of the drying phase to increase continuously the underpressure in the washing vessel, produced by the pressure equalization between the washing vessel and the underpressure container, approximately up to the maximum underpressure attainable by the vacuum pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.