Computer controlled apparatus and method for the cleaning of tanks
First Claim
1. Apparatus for cleaning the interior surfaces of an enclosure, comprisingat least one nozzle,a supply channel for providing flow communication between a source of cleaning fluid and said at least one nozzle,first drive means coupled to said at least one nozzle for rotating said at least one nozzle about a first axis,second drive means coupled to said at least one nozzle for rotating said at least one nozzle about a second axis different than said first axis, said first drive means being separate from said second drive means such that rotation of said at least one nozzle about each of the first and second axes is decoupled from rotation of said at least one nozzle about the other of the first and second axes, andcontrol means coupled to said first and second drive means for independently controlling said first and second drive means such that said at least one nozzle is rotatable about each of the first and second axes independent of rotation of said at least one nozzle about the other of the first and second axes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to machines for cleaning the inner surfaces of all kinds of tanks. The cleaning is processed by means of a nozzle (14) spraying a jet of cleaning fluid against the surface to be cleaned. Each nozzle (14) is rotatable around two axes, that enclose an angle. In order to be able to customize the working procedures of the machine to the geometry and size of the tank and to the kind of pollution, the machine comprises an electronic control and two independently operating drives (4) by means of which the rotational movement of the nozzle (14) around the two axes can be controlled.
39 Citations
21 Claims
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1. Apparatus for cleaning the interior surfaces of an enclosure, comprising
at least one nozzle, a supply channel for providing flow communication between a source of cleaning fluid and said at least one nozzle, first drive means coupled to said at least one nozzle for rotating said at least one nozzle about a first axis, second drive means coupled to said at least one nozzle for rotating said at least one nozzle about a second axis different than said first axis, said first drive means being separate from said second drive means such that rotation of said at least one nozzle about each of the first and second axes is decoupled from rotation of said at least one nozzle about the other of the first and second axes, and control means coupled to said first and second drive means for independently controlling said first and second drive means such that said at least one nozzle is rotatable about each of the first and second axes independent of rotation of said at least one nozzle about the other of the first and second axes.
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15. Method for cleaning the interior surfaces of an enclosure, comprising
supplying cleaning fluid to at least one nozzle, rotating said at least one nozzle about a first axis via first drive means, rotating said at least one nozzle about a second axis different than said first axis via second drive means, said first drive means being separate from said second drive means such that rotation of said at least one nozzle about each of the first and second axes is decoupled from rotation of said at least one nozzle about the other of the first and second axes, and independently controlling rotation of said at least one nozzle about the first axis via said first drive means and about the second axis via said second drive means such that said at least one nozzle is rotatable about each of the first and second axes independent of rotation of said at least one nozzle about the other of the first and second axes.
Specification