ROBOTISED DEVICE OF CLEANING OF EXTERNAL STEEL STRUCTURES

• US 20120138105A1
• Filed: 12/02/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eliot Systems, S.L.
• Original Assignee: Eliot Systems, S.L.
• Inventors: Masia Perales, Jordi
• Granted Patent: US 9,555,448 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/99.2
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/12 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/30 by movement of cleaning members over a surface
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/32 using rotary cleaning members
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/34 rotating about an axis parallel to the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 59/10 using trolleys or the like driven along the surface

Abstract

Robotized cleaning device used on ferromagnetic structures that includes two symmetrical cleaning arms (100, 200) and a caterpillar type tractor (300) device that moves using magnetic soles over the bands of said caterpillar robot; and where said arms (100, 200) are jointly attached to the tractor device (300) by means of a structural profile and are essentially comprised of a cleaning roller (1), each of them operated by a reduction motor (4) coupled to said roller (1) and a plurality of nozzles.

Claims

1. Robotized cleaning device used on ferromagnetic structures and includes two symmetrical cleaning arms (100, 200) and a caterpillar type tractor (300) device that moves using magnetic soles over the bands of said caterpillar robot, including two independent actuating units (301, 302);

where each of these actuating units (301, 302) are joined together by means of a ball joint that allows for transverse rotation with respect to the central body and also joined by a longitudinal hinge that enables each actuating unit to turn transversely as well as longitudinally, and where behind each actuating unit (301, 302), arms (101) are installed, at least one per actuating unit, and where each arm (101) is supported by means of respective free rotating wheels (102) and is characterized in that

aligned with each arm (101) is a profile (6) that supports the cleaning roller (1), each of them operated by a reduction motor (4) that is coupled to said roller (1) and a plurality of pipes configured for spraying water (12) and for spraying chemical product (13) through a plurality of spray nozzles (14), in such a manner that the spraying of chemical product in pure as well as diluted form is sprayed over the ferromagnetic surface.

2. Device in accordance with claim 1 where the dosing of the chemical product is carried out using a dosing pump, letting the pump run for the proper amount of time and then running the rollers in the proper direction, followed by rinsing with water from a tank that is located on the ground.

3. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims where the spray nozzles (14) are shared by the water and the chemical product, and where the pipes are used on an as needed basis, and can be used going up as well as going down, spraying chemical product or water for rinsing.

4. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims where the water is taken from an external tank, pumped out using an external electrical pump, which feeds an external pipe that is connected to the plurality of pipes (12, 13).

5. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that the first chemical product distribution pipe (13) is located in front of the roller (1), while the second water distribution pipe (12) is located behind the roller (1), where the entry of water or product is interchangeable.

6. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that the first and second plurality of pipes (12, 13) are housed inside the casing (11) that is external to the rollers (1).

7. device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that the structural joint profile (6) is configured for joining the roller assembly (1)-motor (4) that is located on a first edge of the profile (6), with the rest of items that comprise the arms (100, 200) especially with the cleaning fluid tank and the dosing pump located at the exit of said tank;

and where joined to the profiles are electric valves housed inside a box that has been installed for this purpose.

8. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that the structural profile (6) is joined to the tractor device (300) by means of an adjustable threaded joint and a common built-in joint that allows for better coupling to the metal surface.

9. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that said residue is routed towards the exterior by means of a rubber piece that sprays all the residues outward, thanks to the action of the rollers that removes the dirt from the metal surface.

10. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that the cleaning arms (100, 200) are aligned with other profiles (101) that include a support wheel (102), located on the back side of the roller (1), in such a manner that when in the operating position, it compensates for the weight of said roller and facilitates the pushing action of the tractor device (300).

11. Device in accordance with the aforementioned claims that is characterized in that the caterpillar itself (303) couples to a pinion that prevents the caterpillar from decoupling and where also the caterpillar (303) includes a plurality of magnets that incorporate a plurality of PVC components that lessen the angle of attach of the magnet with the metal surface.