[0001] The present invention relates generally to fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors and,
more particularly, to a system for ultrasonically cleaning tubes used in the manufacture
of fuel rods, control rods, and the like.
[0002] In most nuclear reactors, the reactor core is composed of a large number of elongate
fuel assemblies each including a multiplicity of fuel rods which are held in an organized
array by grids spaced along the fuel assembly.
[0003] The grids are attached to control-rod guide thimbles, and top and bottom nozzles
are secured to guide-thimble end portions extending above and below the opposite ends
of the fuel rods.
[0004] The fuel rods contain fissile material and are grouped together in an array which
is organized such as to provide sufficient neutron flux in the core to support a high
rate of nuclear fission and, thus, the release of a large amount of energy in the
form of heat. All materials present in the reactor core will be irradiated by the
fissile material in the fuel rods and, in turn, will interact with it. In order to
produce the desired neutron flux in the core, the nuclear interaction and, thus, the
chemical composition of all components introduced into the reactor core must be known
and taken into consideration. Therefore, the materials composing all such components
are carefully selected in order to obtain the desired interaction with the neutron
flux.
[0005] In order to control what materials are introduced into the core, extensive measures
and steps are taken to maintain a clean environment not only in the reactor facility
itself but also in the facilities where the components are manufactured. One part
of this overall effort toward achieving a high standard of cleanliness is the cleaning
of component parts during fabrication to remove foreign matter therefrom. In the case
of tubes used for fuel rods or the like, one of the final steps in their fabrication
if a thorough cleaning of the interior and exterior of each tube.
[0006] The conventional cleaning technique employed in cleaning tubes for fuel and similar
rods to be used in nuclear reactors involves bundling a large number of tubes, for
example three hundred, submerging the bundle in a tank of cleaning solution for a
predetermined period of time, and then submerging the bundle into a rinse tank to
flush impurities from the tube surfaces. This conventional technique has certain drawbacks
insofar as the tube cleaning solution typically used is methylene chloride toluene
which is environmentally undesirable, and as the steps of gathering and bundling the
tubes are inherently inefficient and cumbersome and the manipulation of the large
bundles of tubes requires the use of a crane and operator.
[0007] In DE-B-1 052 776, there is described an apparatus for cleaning metal balls ultrasonically
by letting them individually cascade down a vertical tube which has a cleaning and
energy transmitting liquid agent circulating therethrough and extends coaxially through
an ultrasonic tubular transducer assembly likowica containing an on- ergy transmitting
liquid. Another ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is disclosed in US-A-4 194 922 wherein
screws, nuts, bofts, ball bearings, machine parts or similarly small items are deposited
on and caused to move along an inclined plate within a liquid bath as ultrasonic energy
is applied, through the inclined plate, from ultrasonic transducers affixed to the
underside thereof. Both of these known ultrasonic cleaning apparatus can handle relatively
small items of the kind mentioned, but they do not lend themselves to being utilized
for thoroughly cleaning tubes as long as those used in the manufacture of nuclear
fuel rods, control rods, and the like.
[0008] A machine for cleaning elongate objects such as well pipes or tubing is described
in US-A-3 210 788 wherein pipes are individually fed longitudinally to a cleaning
position, there to be cleaned externally and internally by means of brushes, then
are caused to drop single-file into a treating tank containing oil or some other corrosion
inhibitor, and finally are transferred by a conveyor from the tank onto a storage
rack.
[0009] Apart from the size and complexity of this machine as dictated by the combination
of longitudinal and lateral pipe-feed paths provided, this mechanical kind of pipe
cleaning apparatus cannot clean as thoroughly as required with respect to tubes to
be used in the manufacture of nuclear core elements, and its wire type cleaning brushes
are liable to leave surface blemishes, i.e. scratches, which on cladding tubes for
nuclear fuel rods or the like are highly undesirable, for reasons well understood
in the nuclear reactor art.
[0010] It is the principal object of the invention to provide an improved yet relatively
simple system for ultrasonically cleaning individual tubes thoroughly and uniformly
throughout.
[0011] The invention accordingly resides in an ultrasonic cleaning system as defined in
claim 1, and which preferably may include features as specified in the subordinate
claims.
[0012] Unlike the previously used batch-type operation wherein the tubes were moved about
and cleaned in bundles, the ultrasonic cleaning system embodying the invention utilizes
a technique of processing the tubes individually on a first-in, first-out basis yet
in a relatively continuous operation which lends itself readily to being automated.
Furthermore, each tube, in gravitating, i.e. rolling, down the inclined tracks forming
the tube transferring means, fully exposes itself peripherally and throughout its
length to the cavitation- producing energy emanating from the ultrasonic transducers
strung out along the tank bottom in the longitudinal direction of the tank, hence
of the tube passing through it, so that all surface areas of the tube will be thoroughly
and uniformly cleaned in one pass of the tube through an intensely cavitated region
of the liquid within the tank. Of course, a further advantage of the ultrasonic cleaning
system according to the invention resides in that it can utilize as an energy transmitting
and cleaning liquid plain water containing a biodegradeable and thus environmentally
acceptable detergent.
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a nuclear fuel assembly illustrated
in vertically foreshortened form and with parts broken away for clarity;
Fig. 2 shows a tube from which fuel or similar rods are made for use in a fuel assembly
such as shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the tube cleaning system embodying the invention;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the cleaning system, as seen when viewed in the direction
of the arrows on line 4 - 4 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of the tube removal apparatus forming
part of the tube cleaning system, as taken along line 5 - 5 in Fig. 4; and
Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of a fragmentary portion of the tube removal apparatus
of Fig. 5, as taken along line 6 - 6 in Fig. 4.
[0014] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding
parts through the several views of the drawings, and terms such as "forward", "rearward",
"left", "right", "upwards", downwards" and the like are employed as words of convenience
not to be construed as limiting terms.
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the fuel assembly
illustrated therein and generally designated with reference numeral 10 is of the type
used in pressurized water reactors (PWR). Basically, it comprises a lower end structure
or bottom nozzle 12 for supporting the assembly on the lower core plate (not shown)
in the core region of a nuclear reactor (not shown), longitudinally extending guide
tubes or thimbles 14 projecting upwards from the bottom nozzle 12, transverse grids
16 axially spaced along the guide thimbles 14, an organized array of elongate fuel
rods 18 transversely spaced and supported by the grids 16, an instrumentation tube
20 located in the center of the fuel assembly, and an upper end structure or top nozzle
22 attached to upper and portions of the guide thimbles 14. The fuel assembly 10 forms
an integral unit capable of being conventionally handled without damage to its component
parts.
[0016] Each of the fuel rods 18 includes an elongate cladding tube 23 which contains nuclear
fuel pellets 24 and is hermetically sealed at its opposite ends by means of end plugs
26, 28. Typically, a plenum spring 30 is disposed in the tube 23 between the upper
end plug 26 and the stack of pellets 24 to keep the latter firmly stacked. The fuel
pellets 24, composed of fissile material, are responsible for creating the reactive
power in the reactor. During operation of the latter, liquid moderator/coolant, such
as water or water containing boron, is pumped upwards through the fuel assemblies
in the reactor core so as to extract therefrom heat for use thereof in producing useful
work.
[0017] The fission process is controlled by means of control rods 32 extending into guide
thimbles 14 at predetermined locations within the fuel assembly and reciprocally movable
therein by means of a rod-cluster control mechanism 34 associated with the top nozzle
22. The rod-cluster control mechanism 34 includes a hollow-cylindrical, internally
threaded member 36 with radially extending flukes or arms 38 each of which has at
least one of the control rods 32 connected thereto, all as well known in the art.
Tube Cleaning System
[0018] Turning now to Figs. 3 to 6, there is shown an ultrasonic cleaning system, generally
designated with reference numeral 40 and embodying the invention, for thoroughly cleaning
fuel rod tubes, such as the tube 23 of Fig. 2, inside and outside during manufacture
of the tube. The cleaning system 40 basically includes a cleaning tank 42 holding
a quantity of liquid 44, such as water containing a suitable biodegradable detergent,
and means in the form of a series of transducers 46 mounted in the tank 42 for generating
uftraso- nic cavitational energy within the tank water.
[0019] More particularly, the elongate cleaning tank 42 comprises a receptacle 48 having
a bottom wall 50 and upright spaced-apart opposite side walls 52, 54 and end walls
56, 58 which are connected together and to the bottom wall. The receptacle 48 has
a long, relatively narrow, rectangular configuration adapting it to accommodate long
fuel rod tubes 23, typically about 4 meters in length. The receptacle 48 which holds
the detergent-laden water 44 is remowably mounted in an outer support shell 60 of
the tank 42 having a plurality of support legs 62. The series of transducers 46 are
mounted in spaced relation on the bottom wall 50 of the tank 42 and arranged in a
generally linear pattern which extends between the opposite tank end walls 56, 58
and generally parallel to the opposite tank side walls 52, 54. The ultrasonic transducers
46 are known devices which convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. When
the transducers 46 are attached to a radiating surface, i.e., the bottom wall 50 of
the cleaning tank receptacle 48, the mechanical energy is converted into ultrasonic
cavitational energy which produces the cleaning effect. The detergent is used in the
water 44 to augment or promote the cleaning action primarily carried out by the ultrasonic
energy.
[0020] In addition, the cleaning system 40 includes means, generally designated 64, for
delivering tubes 23 individually into the liquid 44 within the tank 42. The tube delivery
means 64 is composed of an upper tube entry ramp 66 and a middle or intermediate tube
transfer ramp 68.
[0021] The upper ramp 66 includes a plurality of elongate inclined tracks 70 for guiding
and delivering tubes 23 into the tank 42 in single-file fashion, i.e., oriented substantially
in parallel with respect to each other. The tracks 70, preferably four in number,
extend generally parallel to one another, are inclined downwardly from above the one
side wall 52 toward the opposite side wall 54 of the tank receptacle 48, and are laterally
spaced apart between the opposite end walls 56, 58 thereof. An elongate shaft 72 mounted
on and extending between the opposite end walls 56, 58 of the tank receptacle 48 pivotally
supports the tracks 70 adjacent to tube discharge ends 74 thereof. Adjacent their
tube receiving ends 78, the tracks 70 are connected to upright support members 76
which are mounted on the tank support shell 60 at locations adjacent the tank-receptacle
side wall 52, and which support the tube receiving ends 78 of the tracks 70 at a level
above the receptacle side wall 52 and higher than that at which the tube discharge
ends 74 of the tracks 70 are supported by the shaft 72. The support members 76 are
adjustable vertically (as indicated in phantom outline in Fig. 3) to permit adjustment
of the elevation of the tube receiving ends 78 of the tracks 70 and, hence, of the
inclination or downward slope of the tracks 70.
[0022] The middle ramp 68 comprises a plurality of elongate, inclined tracks 80 for receiving
tubes 23 from the discharge ends 74 of the upper ramp tracks 70 and for guiding and
delivering them in single-file fashion into the water 44 within the tank 42. The tracks
80 (only one is shown in Fig. 3), preferably four in number, extend generally parallel
to one another, are inclined downwardly from tube-entry ends 82 thereof, spaced below
the discharge ends 74 of the upper ramp tracks 70, and toward the side wall 52 of
the tank receptacle 48, and are laterally spaced apart between the opposite end walls
56, 58 thereof. Two spaced elongate members 84 mounted on and extending between the
opposite end walls 56, 58 of the tank receptacle 48 support the middle ramp tracks
80 at a fixed inclined position and with their tube entry ends 82 at a substantially
higher elevation than their tube exit ends 86.
[0023] Furthermore, the cleaning system 40 includes means 88 for moving or transferring
the tubes 23 across the tank 42 within the liquid 44 therein, such that each tube
will pass through and be cleaned by the ultrasonic cavitation energy in the liquid.
The tube moving or transferring means 88 is in the form of a lower or tube soak ramp
comprising a plurality of elongate inclined tracks 90 for receiving tubes from the
exit ends 86 of the middle ramp tracks 80 and guiding the tubes in single-file fashion
along a linear path across the tank 42, within the water 44 and above the transducers
46 mounted in the tank. The tracks 90, preferably four in number, extend generally
parallel to one another, are slightly inclined downwardly from their tube receiving
ends 92 below the exit ends 86 of the middle ramp tracks 80 adjacent the one side
wall 52 and toward the opposite side wall 54 of the tank receptacle 48, and are laterally
spaced apart between the opposite end walls 56, 58 thereof. An elongate member 94
mounted on and extending between the opposite end walls 56, 58 of the tank receptacle
48 supports the lower ramp tracks 90 adjacent tube accumulating ends 96 thereof such
that the tube receiving ends 92 of the tracks 90 are positioned against the side wall
52 of the tank receptacle 48 at an elevation slightly higher than that of the tube
accumulating ends 96 of the tracks. Triangular end stops 100 are attached to the tracks
90 at their tube accumulating ends 96 for holding the tubes 23 in readiness for removal
thereof from the tank 42, the end stops 100 being placed at positions along the tracks
ends 96 calculated to ensure that only one tube 23 at a time will be removed from
the tracks 90, as described more fully hereinbelow.
[0024] Finally, the cleaning system 40 includes means 102 for removing tubes, one at a time,
from the liquid 44 within the tank 42 and transporting them to a tube discharge location
104, such as the surface of an outlet table. The tube removing means 102 takes the
form of a conveyor which is supported in a generally vertical disposition from the
side wall 54 of the tank receptacle 48. The conveyor is operable to move between a
tube pickup position adjacent the accumulating ends 96 of the lower ramp tracks 90
and the discharge location 104 outside the tank 42, so as to pick up one tube 23 at
a time at the accumulating ends 96 of the lower ramp tracks 90 and to lift the tube
from the water 44 and to the discharge location 104 above the tank 42, the tube thus
being removed from the tank before another tube is picked up by the conveyor 102.
[0025] More particularly, the conveyor 102 includes a plurality of endless conveyor elements
in the form of flexible drive chains 106, preferably three in number, each of which
is trained about an upper drive sprocket 108 and a lower follower sprocket 110. The
follower sprockets 110 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 112 supported by and extending
between lower brackets 114 secured to the tank-receptacle side wall 54 at a level
below the surface of the liquid 44 in the tank 42. Each of the drive sprockets 108
is secured to a shaft 116 which is rotatably supported by a pair of upper brackets
118 secured to the receptacle side wall 54 at a level above the water surface, and
is driven by a drive unit 120 associated therewith. The arrangements of chains 106
and sprockets 108, 110 extend generally parallel to one another and are laterally
spaced apart between the opposite end walls 56, 58 of the tank receptacle 48.
[0026] Each of the drive chains 106 has a pair of tube cradles 122 attached thereto at positions
spaced apart approximately one-half the length of the drive chain. The drive chains
106 define generally parallel endless paths extending between the tube accumulating
ends 96 of the lower ramp tracks 90 and the tube discharge location 104 above the
tank 42. Due to the distance or spacing between the tube cradles 122 on each drive
chain 106, the operation will be such that when one set of laterally or axially aligned
ones of the cradles on the several drive chains is disposed in a tube-unloading or
upper position adjacent the tube discharge location 104, as seen in Fig. 3, the other
set of laterally or axially aligned cradles on the chains is disposed in a tube loading
position just below the end stops 100 at the tube accumulating ends 96 of the lower
ramp tracks 90, as seen in Figs. 3 and 6. In this manner, the corresponding cradles
122 in the pairs thereof will pick up only one tube 23 at a time, and lift it to the
discharge location 104, before another tube is picked up.
[0027] The cleaning system 40 also includes a pump/filtration arrangement (not shown) for
circulating and filtering the water in the tank to remove therefrom foreign matter
which has been cleaned from the tubes.
[0028] From the foregoing description, it will be understood that tubes 23 will be gravity-fed
into the tank through a switchback path defined by the upper and middle ramp tracks
70, 80, and then move along a generally linear path, defined by the lower ramp tracks
90, through the water to the end stops 100. Preferably, sensors (not shown) strategically
placed along the tracks 70, 80, 90 and along the drive chains 106 will monitor the
passage of each tube through the tank. Signals from these sensors are fed to a controller
(not shown) which will track the movement of each tube and initiate the removal of
each tube by starting the drive units 120 for the chains at the appropriate time.
In such manner, every tube will soak in the ultrasonic cavitation energy for the same
predetermined amount of time. Moreover, the tubes are removed from the tank 42 on
a first-in/first-out basis.
[0029] In order to drain liquid from the inside of each tube 23, the drive units 120 preferably
are controlled in a manner such that one of the drive chains 106 will momentarily
slow down or stop while the other chains continue to move, whereafter opposite changes
in the relative speeds of the drive chains 106 are effected so as to re-level the
tube. After such re-leveling, the tube is moved to the apex of the upper drive sprockets
108, at which moment the drive units 120 are momentarily stopped, thereby causing
the tube to roll onto the discharge surface 104.
1. An ultrasonic cleaning system (40) comprising a cleaning tank (42) holding a quantity
of liquid (44), transducers (46) for generating ultrasonic cavitational energy within
the liquid in the tank, means (64) for delivering objects to be cleaned into the liquid
within the tank, transferring means (88) for receiving the objects from the delivering
means and causing them to move through the liquid so as to be ultrasonically cleaned,
and means (102) for removing the cleaned objects from the liquid and from the tank,
characterized in that:
(a) the cleaning tank (42) is of sufficient length to accommodate said objects in
the form of elongate tubes (23);
(b) the delivering means (64) deliver the tubes (23) into the tank (42) in longitudinal
orientation therewith;
(c) said transferring means (88) comprises a lower ramp disposed below the delivering
means (64) in tube-receiving relationship with respect thereto and consisting of several
tracks (90) which extend within the liquid in the tank (42) in a transverse direction
of the latter and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tank, said
tracks (90) being inclined in said transverse direction sufficiently to cause each
tube received from the delivering means (64) to gravitate along the tracks (90) from
tube receiving ends (92) to tube accumulating ends (96) thereof; and
(d) said transducers (46) are mounted on a bottom wall (50) of said tank (42) and
arranged in a substantially linear pattern extending beneath said tracks (90) in the
longitudinal direction of the tank.
2. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the delivering
means (64) comprises oppositely inclined upper and intermediate ramps (66, 68) extending
in said transverse direction and defining a switchback path for the tubes (23) to
gravitate individually therealong.
3. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized by means (72,
76) supporting the upper ramp (66) from said tank (42), and adjustable in a manner
varying the degree of inclination of said upper ramp (66).
4. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by means
(84) supporting the intermediate ramp (68) from said tank (42) in a fixed inclined
disposition thereof.
5. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that
said upper and intermediate ramps (66, 68) each comprise a plurality of tracks (70,
80) extending in said transverse direction in substantially parallel spaced relationship
with respect to one another.
6. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to any one of the preceding daims, characterized
in that said transferring means (88) includes means (100) for holding the tubes (23)
at the tube accumulating ends (96) of the associated tracks (90) in readiness for
removal of the tubes by the removing means (102), said removing means (102) comprising
an endless conveyor supported, in a substantially vertical disposition, from a side
wall (54) of the cleaning tank (42) and operable to move between a tube pickup location
adjacent said tube accumulating ends (96) of said tracks (90) and a tube discharge
location (104) outside said tank (42), said conveyor (102) including tube pickup members
(122) effective, during operation of the conveyor, to pick up tubes at the tube pickup
location and to unload the tubes at said tube discharge location (104).
7. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 6, characterized in that said
tube pickup members (122) are cradles adapted to pick up one tube (23) at a time.
8. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that
said tube pickup members (122) are arranged on the conveyor (102) such as to unload
one tube (23) at said tube discharge location (104) before picking up the next tube
(23) at said tube pickup location.
9. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that
said conveyor (102) comprises a plurality of endless conveyor elements (106) having
respective ones of said tube pickup members (122) disposed thereon, said endless conveyor
elements (106) being supported in substantially parallel spaced relationship with
respect to one another and each having its tube pickup members (122) aligned substantially
horizontally with the corresponding tube pickup members (122) on the other endless
conveyor elements (106).
10. An ultrasonic cleaning system according to claim 9, characterized in that said
endless conveyor elements (106) have associated therewith drive means (120) for driving
the endless conveyor elements generally at the same speed, relative to one another,
so as to maintain each tube conveyed thereon substantially level, said drive means
(128) being controlled to momentarily change the relative speeds thereof once each
time a tube (23) is being conveyed from said pickup location toward said tube discharge
location (104) and in a manner such as to momentarily tilt the tube (23) sufficiently
to drain liquid therefrom.
1. Ein Ultraschallreinigungssystem (40) bestehend aus einem Reinigungsbehälter (42)
gefüllt mit einer Flüssigkeitsmenge (44), aus Wandlern (46) zur Erzeugung von Ultraschall-Kavitationsenergie
innerhalb der Flüssigkeit im Behälter, einer Einrichtung (64) zum Zuführen von zu
reinigenden Gegenständen in die Flüssigkeit im Behälter, Fördermitteln (88) zur Aufnahme
der Gegenstände von der Zuführung und zum Bewegen derselben durch die Flüssigkeit,
derart, dass diese durch Ultraschall gereinigt werden, sowie aus Mitteln (102) zum
Herausnehmen der gereinigten Gegenstände aus der Flüssigkeit und aus dem Behälter,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
(a) der Reinigungsbehälter (42) ausreichend lang ist, um Gegenstände in Form länglicher
Rohre (23) aufzunehmen;
(b) die Zuführung (64) die Rohre (23) in Längsrichtung orientiert in den Behälter
(42) bringt;
(c) die Fördermittel (88) eine untere Rampe aufweist, die unterhalb der Zuführung
(64) in einer aufnahmebereiten Stellung für die Rohre angeordnet ist und aus mehreren
Bahnen (90) besteht, welche sich in der Flüssigkeit im Behälter (42) quer zu diesem
erstrecken und im Abstand in Längsrichtung des Behälters verlaufen, wobei diese Bahnen
(90) ausreichend geneigt sind, damit jedes von der Zuführung (64) aufgenommene Rohr
sich aufgrund der Schwerkraft entlang der Bahnen (90) von Rohr-Aufnahmeenden (92)
zu Rohr-Sammelenden (86) bewegt; und
(d) die Wandler (46) an einer Bodenwand (50) des Behälters (42) in einem im wesentlichen
linearen Muster unterhalb der Bahnen (90) in Längsrichtung des Behälters angeordnet
sind.
2. Ultraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zuführung
(64) entgegengesetzt geneigte obere und mittlere Rampen (66, 68) aufweist, die in
der Querrichtung verlaufen und eine Zickzackbahn für die Rohre (23) bestimmen, auf
der sich diese durch Schwerkraft einzeln bewegen.
3. Uftraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Träger
(72, 76) die obere Rampe (66) vom Behälter (42) stützen und zum Variieren des Neigungswinkels
der oberen Rampe (66) einstellbar sind.
4. Uftraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
Träger (84) die mittlere Rampe (68) vom Behälter (42) in einer festen geneigten Stellung
stützen.
5. Ultraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 2, 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die obere und die mittlere Rampe (66, 68) jeweils eine Vielzahl von Bahnen (70,
80) aufweisen, die in Querrichtung in im wesentlichen parallelen Abstand zueinander
verlaufen.
6. Ultraschallreinigungssystem nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die Fördermittel (88) an den Rohr-Sammelenden (96) der zugeordneten
Bahnen (90) Auffangeinrichtungen (100) aufweisen, in denen die Rohre (23) zur Aufnahme
durch Abnehmer (102) bereit gehalten werden, wobei die Abnehmer (102) einen Endlos-Förderer
aufweisen, der in einer im wesentlichen vertikalen Stellung von deiner Seitenwand
(54) des Reinigungsbehäfters (42) gehalten und zwischen einer Abhebestation angrenzend
an die Rohrsammelenden (96) der Bahnen (90) und einer Abladestation (104) ausserhalb
des Behälters (42) bewegbar ist, der Förderer des Abnehmers (102) Rohraufnehmer (122)
aufweist, um während des Betriebs des Förderers die Rohre an der Abhebestation aufzunehmen
und an der Abladestation (104) abzuladen.
7. Ultraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rohraufnehmer
(122) als Bügel zum Abnehmen von jeweils einem Rohr (23) gestaltet sind.
8. Uftraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Rohraufnehmer (122) am Förderer des Abnehmers (102) so angeordnet sind, dass vor
Aufnahme des nächsten Rohres (23) an der Abhebestation ein Rohr (23) an der Abladestation
(104) abgeladen wird.
9. Uftraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 6, 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Förderer des Abnehmers (102) eine Vielzahl von Förderelementen (106) aufweist,
die jeweils mit einem Rohraufnehmer (122) bestückt sind, wobei die Förderelemente
(106) im wesentlichen parallel im Abstand voneinander angeordnet sind und die Rohraufnehmer
(122) an jedem Förderelement mit den entsprechenden Förderelementen (122) an den anderen
Förderelementen (106) im wesentlichen horizontal ausgerichtet sind.
10. Uftraschallreinigungssystem nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass den
Förderelementen (106) ein Antrieb (120) zugeordnet ist, der die Förderelemente im
wesentlichen mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit in Bezug zueinander treibt, derart,
dass jedes darauf geförderte Rohr im wesentlichen eben gehalten ist, wobei der Antrieb
so gesteuert ist, dass jedesmal wenn ein Rohr (23) von der Abhebestation gegen die
Abladestation bewegt wird, die relativen Geschwindigkeiten sofort geändert werden,
damit das Rohr (23) ausreichend geneigt ist und Flüssigkeit daraus abfliesst.
1. Système (40) de nettoyage ultrasonique comportant un réservoir de nettoyage (42)
contenant une quantité de liquide (44), des transducteurs (46) pour générer une énergie
de cavitation ultrasonique à l'intérieur du liquide dans le réservoir, des moyens
(64) pour délivrer des objets à nettoyer dans le liquide à l'intérieur du réservoir,
des moyens (88) de transfert pour recevoir les objets venant des moyens de délivrance
et pour les faire se déplacer à travers le liquide de façon à ce qu'ils soient nettoyés
par ultrasons, et des moyens (102) pour retirer les objets nettoyés du liquide et
du réservoir, caractérisé en ce que:
(a) le réservoir de nettoyage (42) est d'une longueur suffisante pour traiter lesdits
objets sous la forme de tubes allongés (23);
(b) les moyens de délivrance (64) délivrent les tubes (23) à l'intérieur du réservoir
(42) selon une orientation longitudinale par rapport à celui-ci;
(c) lesdits moyens de transfert (88) comportent une rampe inférieure disposée en-dessous
des moyens de délivrance (64) en relation de réception des tubes par rapport à ceux-ci
et composés de plusieurs pistes (90) qui s'étendent à l'intérieur du liquide dans
le réservoir (42) dans une direction transversale par rapport à ce dernier et qui
sont espacées les unes des autres dans la direction longitudinale du réservoir, lesdites
pistes (90) étant suffisamment inclinées dans ladite direction transversale pour faire
graviter chaque tube reçu des moyens de délivrance (64) le long des pistes (90) des
extrémités (92) de réception de tubes aux extrémités (96) d'accumulation de tubes
de celles-ci; et
(d) lesdits transducteurs (46) sont montés sur une paroi inférieure (50) dudit réservoir
(42) et disposés selon un motif substantiellement linéaire s'étendant en-dessous desdites
pistes (90) dans la direction longitudinale du réservoir.
2. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que
les moyens de délivrance (64) comportent des rampes supérieure et intermédiaire (66,
68) inclinées de façon opposée, s'étendant dans ladite direction transversale et définissant
un chemin montant et descendant pour que les tubes (23) gravitent individuellement
le long de celui-ci.
3. Système de nettoyage uftrasonique selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par des
moyens (72, 76) supportant la rampe supérieure (66) dudit réservoir (42), et pouvant
être ajustés de façon à faire varier le degré d'inclinaison de ladite rampe supérieure
(66).
4. Système de nettoyage uttrasonique selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé par
des moyens (84) supportant la rampe intermédiaire (68) dudit réservoir (42) dans une
disposition fixe inclinée de celle-ci.
5. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon la revendication 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisé
en ce que lesdites rampes supérieure et intermédiaire (66, 68) comportent chacune
une pluralité de pistes (70, 80) s'étendant dans ladite direction transversale en
relation espacée substantiellement parallèle l'une par rapport à l'autre.
6. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de transfert (88) comportent des moyens (100)
pour maintenir les tubes (23) aux extrémités (96) d'accumulation de tubes des pistes
associées (90) de façon à être prêts au retrait des tubes par les moyens de retrait
(102), lesdits moyens de retrait (102) comportant un convoyeur sans fin supporté,
en une disposition substantiellement verticale, par une paroi latérale (54) du réservoir
de nettoyage (42) et pouvant fonctionner de façon à se déplacer entre un emplacement
de collecte des tubes adjacent auxdites extrémités (96) d'accumulation de tubes desdites
pistes (90) et un emplacement (104) de déchargement des tubes à l'extérieur dudit
réservoir (42), ledit convoyeur (102) comportant des éléments (122) de collecte de
tubes servant, durant le fonctionnement du convoyeur, à collecter les tubes à l'emplacement
de collecte des tubes et à décharger les tubes audit emplacement (104) de déchargement
des tubes.
7. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que
lesdits éléments (122) de collecte de tubes sont des berceaux adaptés pour collecter
un tube (23) à la fois.
8. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon la revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisé en
ce que lesdits éléments (122) de collecte de tubes sont disposés sur le convoyeur
(102) de façon à décharger un tube (23) audit emplacement (104) de déchargement des
tubes avant de collecter le tube (23) suivant audit emplacement de collecte des tubes.
9. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon la revendication 6, 7 ou 8, caractérisé
en ce que ledit convoyeur (102) comporte une pluralité d'éléments (106) de convoyeur
sans fin ayant des éléments respectifs desdits éléments (122) de collecte de tube
disposés sur ceux-ci, lesdits éléments (106) de convoyeur sans fin étant supportés
en relation espacée substantiellement parallèles les uns par rapport aux autres et
chacun ayant ses éléments (122) de collecte de tube alignés substantiellement horizontalement
avec les éléments (122) de collecte de tube correspondants sur les autres éléments
(106) de convoyeur sans fin.
10. Système de nettoyage ultrasonique selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce
que lesdits éléments (106) de convoyeur sans fin ont, associés avec ceux-ci, des moyens
d'entraînement (120) pour entraîner les éléments de convoyeur sans fin globalement
à la même vitesse, les uns par rapport aux autres, de façon à maintenir chaque tube
convoyé sur ceux-ci substantiellement au même niveau, lesdits moyens d'entraînement
(128) étant commandés de façon à changer momentanément les vitesses relatives de ceux-ci
une fois à chaque fois qu'un tube (23) est convoyé depuis ledit emplacement de collecte
en direction dudit emplacement (104) de déchargement des tubes et de façon à incliner
momentanément le tube (23) suffisamment pour extraire du liquide de celui-ci.