Method and apparatus for the cleaning of closed compartments

• US 5,715,852 A
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfa Laval Tank Equipment A/S (ALFA Laval AB)
• Original Assignee: Toftejorg A/S
• Inventors: Jepsen, Erik Lund
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US08/687,514
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 134/167 R, 134/168 R, 239/227
• US Class Current: 134/167.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0936 using rotating jets

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning the inside surfaces of a tank with a jet of fluid from a nozzle lowered into the interior of the tank. The nozzle is capable of being rotated around a first axis and also capable of being swivelled upward and downward in an oscillating movement around a second axis at right angles to the first axis in a predetermined manner. A drive mechanism for the nozzle includes a turbine driven by a stream of fluid with a drive connected to the turbine.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning the inside surfaces of a tank comprising a nozzle lowered into the tank, a jet of fluid issuing from the nozzle for cleaning the inside surfaces of the tank, the nozzle being capable of being rotated around a first axis and being capable of being swivelled upward and downward in an oscillating movement around a second axis at right angles to the first axis in a predetermined manner, so that the jet of fluid is traversed around the first axis at the same time that the jet is moved upwards and downwards inside the tank, a turbine, driven by a stream of fluid, drive means connected to the turbine for rotating the nozzle, the drive means having a worm shaft, a worm wheel engaged with the worm shaft, a first stud provided on the worm wheel, a first pinion having a second stud thereon, a connecting link having a first link end in sliding engagement with the first stud on the worm wheel, a second link end in sliding engagement with the second stud on the first pinion such that rotation of the worm wheel moves the first pinion forwards and backwards, a rack having a first end and a second end, the first pinion being in engagement with the first end of the rack, a second pinion connected to the nozzle, the second end of the rack in engagement with the second pinion for effecting the swiveling upward and downward oscillating movement of the nozzle.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a radius of the first stud is less than a radius of the second stud.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising turning the worm shaft using a variable drive unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising providing a rotatable eccentric disk for limiting a stroke length of the drive unit and thereby limiting the turning of the worm shaft.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising turning the worm shaft using a variable drive unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising providing a rotatable eccentric disk for limiting a stroke length of the drive unit and thereby limiting the turning of the worm shaft.