RECIPROCATING PRESSURE WASHER SYSTEM FOR CLEANING OPEN GEARS

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning industrial gear teeth is provided. The apparatus includes a framework; at least one rail mounted on the framework and extending at least a part of a length of the framework; a gantry in slidable engagement with the rail; a stepper motor mounted on the framework and in motive communication with the gantry: a pair of limit switches which are slidably mounted on the rail; a window which is attached to the framework behind the rail, extends along the part of the length of the framework and includes a horizontal slot which extends along the part of the length of the framework; a pipe which is attached to the gantry and extends through the horizontal slot, the pipe for attachment to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid; and a microprocessor which is in electronic communication with the stepper motor and the limit switches.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning industrial gear teeth, the apparatus comprising: a framework; at least one rail mounted on the framework and extending at least a part of a length of the framework; a gantry in slidable engagement with the rail; a stepper motor mounted on the framework and in motive communication with the gantry; a pair of limit switches which are slidably mounted on the rail; a window which is attached to the framework behind the rail, extends along the part of the length of the framework and includes a horizontal slot which extends along the part of the length of the framework; a pipe which is attached to the gantry and extends through the horizontal slot, the pipe for attachment to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid; and a microprocessor which is in electronic communication with the stepper motor and the limit switches.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motive communication is a drive mechanism attached to the gantry, attached to the framework and in motive communication with the stepper motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism is a chain drive.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a swivel between the gantry and the pipe.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pressure washer flow toggle on the pipe.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pressure washer flow toggle is under control of the microprocessor.

7. An installation comprising an industrial gear set and an apparatus for cleaning industrial gear teeth, the apparatus comprising: a framework which is located in front of the industrial gear set; at least one rail mounted on the framework and extending at least a part of a length of the framework; a gantry in slidable engagement with the rail; a stepper motor mounted on the framework and in motive communication with the gantry; a pair of limit switches which are slidably mounted on the rail; a window which is attached to the framework behind the rail, extends along the part of the length of the framework and includes a horizontal slot which extends along the part of the length of the framework; a pipe which is attached to the gantry, extends through the horizontal slot towards the industrial gear set, the pipe for attachment to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid; and a microprocessor which is in electronic communication with the stepper motor and the limit switches.

8. The installation of claim 7, wherein the motive communication is a drive mechanism attached to the gantry, attached to the framework and in motive communication with the stepper motor.

9. The installation of claim 8, wherein the drive mechanism is a chain drive.

10. The installation of claim 7, further comprising a swivel between the gantry and the pipe.

11. The installation of claim 7, further comprising a pressure washer flow toggle on the pipe.

12. The installation of claim 11, wherein the pressure washer flow toggle is under control of the microprocessor.

13. The installation of claim 7, wherein the industrial gear set is a girth gear set.

14. A method of cleaning at least one tooth of an industrial gear, the method comprising: providing an apparatus that includes: a framework; at least one rail mounted on the framework and extending at least a part of a length of the framework; a gantry in slidable engagement with the rail; a stepper motor mounted on the framework and in motive communication with the gantry; a pair of limit switches which are slidably mounted on the rail; a window which is attached to the framework behind the rail, extends along the part of the length of the framework and includes a horizontal slot which extends along the part of the length of the framework; a pipe which is attached to the gantry and extends through the horizontal slot; and a microprocessor which is in electronic communication with the stepper motor and the limit switches; attaching the pipe to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid; turning the apparatus on; and spraying the tooth of the industrial gear with the cleaning fluid, thereby cleaning at least one tooth.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising advancing the gear to clean a subsequent tooth.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising recurrently cleaning a tooth and advancing the gear to clean teeth.

Description

FIGURES

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present technology.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a side view of the arms of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chain drive of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic of the microprocessor and the components it controls.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an installation.

DESCRIPTION

[0036] Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term “about” applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words “herein”, “hereby”, “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereinbefore”, and “hereinafter”, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) “or” and “any” are not exclusive and “include” and “including” are not limiting. Further, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

[0037] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value failing within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

[0038] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.

[0039] An apparatus, generally referred to as 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A body 12 retains two rails 14, 16 upon which a gantry 18 is slidably mounted. One of the rails 14 has limit switches 20, 22 proximate each end 24, 26. The limit switches 20, 22 are releasably retained on the rail 14 can be moved to accommodate different lengths of travel. The body 12 is mounted on arms 28 proximate each end 30, 32 of the body 12.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the arms 28 are attached to vertical members 34 with brackets 36. The backets 36 allow for horizontal and vertical adjustment of the arms 28. The vertical members 34 are attached to a frame 38 with magnets 40. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical members 34 are attached to the frame 38 with bolts, screws, rivets or the like.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 1, the body 12, arms 28 and vertical members 34 are collectively referred to as the framework, generally referred to as 41. The frame 38 houses a window 42. A stepper motor 44 is in motive relation with the gantry 18. A pipe 46 is attached to a cleaning solution line 48 by a connector 50 and terminates in a spray nozzle 52. The pipe 46 is retained on the gantry 18 with a clamp 54. A horizontal slot 56 in the window 42 allows for horizontal movement of the pipe 46. A pressure nozzle flow toggle 60 controls the flow of the cleaning fluid and is on the pipe 46.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the apparatus 10. The swivel 58 mounted between the gantry 18 and the clamp 54 allows for the pipe 46 and the spray nozzle 52 to be angled relative to the body 12, between about 90 degrees to about 25 degrees and 155 degrees. Slots 62 allow for horizontal adjustment of the arms 28.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a chain drive, generally referred to as 70, that is used to move the gantry 18 back and forth along the rails 14, 16. The stepper motor 44 drives a first sprocket 72. A chain 74 is attached to the gantry 18. A second sprocket 76 is rotatably attached to the body 12. The chain 74 is rotatably mounted on the sprockets 72, 76.

[0044] The apparatus 10 is under control of a microprocessor 80. As shown in FIG. 5, the microprocessor 80 communicates with a stepper driver circuit 82 which steps the stepper motor 44. The stepper drive circuit 82 includes speed control, including variable speed control. Variable speed control can be used to reduce the speed of travel as the gantry nears the end or travel. This feature can be used when the nozzle needs to be angled in order for the cleaning solution to reach gear teeth that are located behind the gear guard. The limit switches 20, 22 communicate with the microprocessor 80 which in turn controls the direction of movement of the gantry 18. A user interface 84, an ON/OFF switch 86, a status light emitting diode 88, an automatic shutoff 90 and the pressure washer flow toggle 60 are all under control of the microprocessor 80. Additionally, the user may manually control the speed.

[0045] In other embodiments, the chain drive may be replaced with a lead screw, a timing belt, or a rotating arm to provide the reciprocating action.

[0046] In another embodiment, the pair of rails may be replaced with a single rail or more than two rails.

[0047] The apparatus 10 can be permanently installed and used as an installation or it can be moved from site to site. As an installation, it can be combined with the technology disclosed in Canadian Pat. Application Serial Number 3034204 and entitled, “Imaging system for assessing integrity of metal motive parts in industrial plants”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The apparatus is especially useful for cleaning teeth of girth gear sets, which include a girth gear and a pinion gear. Cleaning is followed with non-destructive testing of the gears. The preferred testing method is inspecting using eddy current array probes.

[0048] An installation, generally referred to as 400 is shown in FIG. 6. A girth gear 402 is driven by a pinion gear 404. The apparatus 10 located in front of the girth gear 402 with the pipe 46 pointing towards the gear. The gear guard 406 may or may not cover part of the girth gear 402.

[0049] In use, the gantry 18 moves back and forth, hitting the limit switches 20, 22, which have been adjusted to be aligned with the guard of the gear. The limit switches 20, 22 send a signal to reverse the direction of the stepper motor 44 and hence the direction of the gantry 18. The speed is controlled and may be variable. If there is an increase in resistance detected by the microprocessor 80, it will communicate with the automatic shut off 90 to shut the stepper motor 44 off.

[0050] While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. For example, other imaging techniques may be used, resulting in other images being analyzed. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.