Receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank

Abstract

A receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank for treating the surface of the oblong bodies, particularly tubes, via a treatment medium which can be inserted into the treatment tank, enabling the receiver unit to move between an open position, in which the oblong bodies can be inserted into the receiver unit and can be removed from the receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening for the treatment medium, at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies.

Claims

1. A receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank for treating the surface of the oblong bodies, embodied as tubes, via a treatment medium, which can be inserted in the treatment tank, with the receiver unit being adjustable between an open position, into which the oblong bodies are inserted and from which receiver unit they can be removed, and a closed position, in which a guide opening for the treatment medium forms and surrounds at least partially the oblong bodies.

2. The receiver unit according to claim 1, wherein the receiver unit comprises a first part that is or can be arranged fixed in the treatment tank and at least one second part, fastened at the first part and adjustable between the open position and the closed position.

3. The receiver unit according to claim 2, wherein the first part forms a receiver section with a receiver opening via which the oblong body can be inserted into the receiver opening and the second part closes the receiver opening in the closed position.

4. The receiver unit according to claim 3, wherein the second part is fastened rotationally at the first part, and due to the force acting upon the second part, is rotated into the closed position during the insertion of the oblong bodies into the receiver section.

5. The receiver unit according to claim 4, wherein the second part is fastened at the first part such that the second part comprises an actuator section and a reset section, with the oblong bodies when inserted into the receiver section cooperating with the actuator section and the reset section, resetting the second part into the open position when the oblong bodies are not cooperating with the actuator section.

6. A treatment tank for treating the surfaces of a multitude of oblong bodies, embodied as tubes, via a treatment medium, which can be inserted into the treatment tank, comprising a multitude of receiver units arranged in the treatment tank according to claim 1 for accepting the oblong bodies in the treatment tank.

7. The treatment tank according to claim 6, wherein the reset section of the receiver unit contacts a wall of the treatment tank in the open position.

8. A device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, embodied as tubes with a treatment medium comprising a treatment tank for accepting the treatment medium, a conveyer means for conveying the treatment medium into the treatment tank, and a multitude of receiver units arranged in the treatment tanks according to claim 1 for accepting the oblong bodies in the treatment tanks, with the receiver unit being adjustable between an open position in which the oblong bodies can be inserted into the receiver unit and removed from said receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening for the treatment medium, at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the treatment tank comprises a first facial wall and a second facial wall, in the treatment tank at least one supply line extends, starting from the first facial wall in the direction to the second facial wall, and the conveyer means communicates with the supply line such that the treatment medium can be conveyed through the supply line in the direction of the second facial wall.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the receiver unit comprises a first part arranged fixed in the treatment tank and at least one second part, fastened at the first part adjustable between the open position and the closed position, and the supply line passes through the first part.

11. The device according to any of claim 9, wherein a deflection device is arranged in the treatment tank which comprises an input and output wall and an impact wall, with the input and output wall showing a multitude of penetrating openings, and the supply line ending via the input and output wall in the deflection device, and the treatment medium conveyed via the supply line into the deflection device being deflected by the impact wall and the deflection device exiting via the penetrating openings of the input and output wall.

12. A deflection device for deflecting a treatment medium in a treatment tank of a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, via the treatment medium which can be inserted into the treatment tank, with the deflection device comprising an input and output wall and an impact wall, and the input and output wall comprising a multitude of penetrating openings and allowing the treatment medium to be conveyed via the input and output wall into the deflection device, can be deflected by the impact wall, and can leave the deflection device via the penetrating openings of the input and output wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a line drawing evidencing a generalized plan view of an arrangement with a multitude of treatment tanks for treating the surface of oblong bodies,

[0039] FIG. 2A is a line drawing evidencing a treatment tank according to the invention based on a plan view,

[0040] FIG. 2B is a line drawing evidencing a first detail of the treatment tank shown in FIG. 2A based on a perspective illustration,

[0041] FIG. 2C is a line drawing evidencing a second detail of the treatment tank shown in FIG. 2A based on a perspective illustration,

[0042] FIG. 2D is a line drawing evidencing an enlarged illustration, not to scale, of the details marked X in FIG. 2A,

[0043] FIG. 2E is a line drawing evidencing a cross-section along the sectional level marked B-B in FIG. 2D,

[0044] FIG. 3A is a line drawing evidencing a suggested receiver unit in the open position based on a side view, and

[0045] FIG. 3B is a line drawing evidencing the receiver unit shown in FIG. 3A in the closed position, also based on a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] One embodiment of the invention refers to a receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank for treating the surface of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, via a treatment medium which can be inserted into the treatment tank, with the receiver unit being adjustable between an open position, in which the oblong bodies are inserted into the receiver unit and can be removed from said receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening for the treatment medium at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies.

[0047] An oblong body shall here represent a body which shows in one of the three spatial directions a considerably greater extension than in the two other spatial directions. When a body shows in one spatial axis a five-fold greater extension than in the other two spatial axes, this shall already define an oblong body.

[0048] The suggested receiver unit can be arranged in a treatment tank, in which the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly the surfaces of tubes, can be treated. In the open position of the receiver unit the oblong bodies, particularly a bundle of tubes, can be inserted into the receiver unit. In the closed position the oblong bodies can be surrounded by the receiver unit to such an extent that a guide opening is formed.

[0049] As mentioned at the outset, in treatment tanks not equipped with the suggested receiver unit the bundles of tubes are moved via a crane in the treatment medium in order to reduce the depletion. This requires that the crane is connected to the bundle of tubes during the entire surface treatment. During said surface treatment, it cannot be used for any other purposes, for example the transportation of other bundles of tubes. With the help of the suggested receiver unit the bundles of tubes can be fixed in the treatment tank such that the crane, during the surface treatment, no longer needs to be connected to the bundle of tubes and can be used for other purposes and thus used more effectively.

[0050] Furthermore, the guide opening formed by the receiver unit in the closed position leads to a guidance of the flow of the treatment medium in reference to the oblong bodies such that the depletion can also be reduced for the surface treatment of tubes to a sufficient extent without here any agitator being required or the need arising to move the bundles of tubes with the help of a crane during the surface treatment.

[0051] According to an aspect of another embodiment the receiver unit comprises a first part, arranged or to be arranged fixed in the treatment tank and at least one second part fastened at the first part in a manner adjustable between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the entire receiver unit can be arranged inside the treatment tank such that no changes need to be made at the treatment tank itself. For example, it is not necessary to provide passages through the walls of the treatment tank in order to support mobile components of the receiver unit. The structural surcharge for equipping the treatment tank with the suggested receiver unit is therefore kept low. Additionally, existing treatment tanks can be retrofitted with relatively low expense with such a receiver unit according to this embodiment.

[0052] In another further developed embodiment the first part may form a receiver section with a receiver opening by which the oblong body can be inserted into the receiver opening, and the second part can close the receiver opening in the closed position. In this embodiment, the guide opening is formed both by the first part as well as the second part. In this embodiment, the treatment medium can be guided with simple means such that any depletion of the treatment medium is prevented to a sufficient extent.

[0053] In a further developed embodiment, the second part may be fastened rotationally at the first part and particularly can be rotated into the closed position due to the force acting upon the second part when the oblong body is inserted into the receiver section. When, for example, a bundle of tubes is inserted into the receiver section the force applied by the bundle of tubes upon the second part leads to a rotation of the second part from the open position into the closed position. Consequently, no additional drive devices are required in order to move the second part from the open position into the closed position. The equipment expense of the receiver unit and consequently that of the treatment tank is this way kept low.

[0054] Another further developed embodiment is characterized in that the second part is fastened at the first part such that the second part shows an actuator section and a reset section, with the oblong body upon insertion into the receiver section cooperating with the actuator section, and the reset section returning the second part into the open position when the oblong bodies are not cooperating with the actuator section. The reset section may comprise a spring for example, however the second part may also be fastened like a two-part lever in an articulate fashion at the first part, with the reset section in the closed position providing a greater torque than the actuator section when no oblong body is inserted into the receiver section. To this regard, the second part is not balanced in the closed position so that it rotates into the open position when no oblong body is inserted into the receiver section. This can be realized with the help of a respective mass distribution inside the second part. In this embodiment, the resetting into the open position is caused by the second part itself such that no separate reset means is required, allowing the structural expense to be kept low.

[0055] One embodiment of the invention refers to a treatment tank for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, with a treatment medium, which can be inserted into the treatment tank, comprising a multitude of receiver units arranged in the treatment tank according to any of the previous embodiments for receiving oblong bodies in the treatment tank.

[0056] The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the suggested treatment tank are equivalent to those discussed for the present receiver unit. In summary, it shall be pointed out that any depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces of the oblong bodies to be treated, particularly tubes, can be reduced without here the use of any agitators or cranes being required. Consequently, the equipment expense of the treatment tank can be kept low and/or the crane can be used for other purposes during the surface treatment.

[0057] Based on an aspect of another embodiment particularly the reset section of the receiver unit contacts in the open position a wall of the treatment tank. Since treatment tanks comprise at least one wall, here no additional components are required to clearly define the open position. The equipment expense is therefore kept low, here.

[0058] One embodiment of the invention refers to a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, with a treatment medium, comprising a treatment tank for receiving the treatment medium, a conveyer means for conveying the treatment medium into the treatment tank, and a multitude of receiver units arranged in the treatment tank according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments for receiving the oblong bodies in the treatment tank, with the receiver unit being adjustable between an open position, in which the oblong bodies can be inserted into the receiver unit and can be removed from said receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening for the treatment medium at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies.

[0059] The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the suggested device are equivalent to those discussed for the present receiver unit. In summary, it shall be pointed out that the depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces of the oblong bodies to be treated, particularly tubes, can be reduced without here the use of agitators or cranes being required in order to generate a relative motion between the treatment medium and the oblong bodies. Consequently, the structural design of the treatment tank can be kept low and/or the crane can be used for other purposes during the surface treatment.

[0060] Another embodiment is characterized in that the treatment tank shows a first facial wall and a second facial wall, with at least one supply line extending in the treatment tank, starting from the first facial wall in the direction towards the second facial wall, and the conveyer means communicating with the supply line such that the treatment medium can be conveyed through the supply line in the direction of the second facial wall.

[0061] As already discussed, the surface treatment of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, shall be improved. Accordingly, the treatment tank shows typically a rectangular form in a plan view. In this embodiment, at least one supply line is arranged in the treatment tank, which extends from the first facial wall of the treatment tank in the direction of the second facial wall and ends at a more or less wide distance in front of the second facial wall. Consequently, the treatment medium enters into the treatment tank with a flow aligned to the second facial wall and is deflected by the second facial wall towards the first facial wall. The oblong bodies and particularly the tubes are also arranged in the treatment tank such that they extend with their longitudinal axis essentially parallel in reference to the supply line. The treatment medium, deflected by the second facial wall, flows therefore essentially along the longitudinal axis of the tubes. The flow directed in this way leads to a particularly extensive reduction of the depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces of the oblong bodies to be treated.

[0062] Another embodiment is characterized in that the receiver unit comprises a first part arranged fixed in the treatment tank and at least one second part, fastened at the first part and adjustable between the open position and the closed position, and the supply line passes through the first part. The first part fastened fixed in the treatment tank can be used for fastening the supply line in the treatment tank such that no additional measures are required for fastening the supply line in the treatment tank, keeping the structural expenses low. Furthermore, the flow of the treatment medium from the first part is not disturbed until the treatment medium exits the supply lines. Consequently, the treatment medium can be guided in a targeted fashion particularly by the guide opening.

[0063] In another embodiment a deflection device can be arranged in the treatment tank which comprises an input and output wall and an impact wall, with the input and the output wall comprising a multitude of penetrating openings and the supply line ending via the input and output wall in the deflection device and that by the supply line any treatment medium conveyed into the deflection device is deflected by the impact wall and exits the deflection device again via the penetrating openings of the input and output wall. It is beneficial for the deflection device to be arranged near or abutting the second facial wall. The impact wall may be formed by the second facial wall. With the help of the deflection device the flow of the treatment medium can be guided in a targeted fashion. The number and arrangement of the penetrating openings can be adjusted to the number and arrangement of the oblong bodies to be treated and particularly the tubes. Consequently, the treatment medium exiting the deflection device can be guided in a targeted fashion to the tubes such that the depletion can be prevented in a particularly effective fashion.

[0064] One embodiment of the invention relates to a deflection device for deflecting a treatment medium in a treatment tank of a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, by the treatment medium which can be introduced into the treatment tank, with the deflection device comprising an input and output wall and an impact wall, and the input and output wall showing a multitude of penetrating openings, and here the treatment medium can be conveyed via the input and output wall in the direction of deflection, can be deflected by the impact wall, and can exit the deflection device again via the penetrating openings of the input and output wall. The flow of the treatment medium inside the treatment tank can be guided with the help of the deflection device such that any depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces to be treated can be considerably reduced.

Detailed Description of the Figures

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a generalized plan view of an arrangement 10 with a multitude of treatment tanks 12 according to prior art for treating the surface of oblong bodies 14. In the example shown, the arrangement 10 comprises a total of eleven treatment tanks 12.sub.1-12.sub.11, with the number potentially being higher or lower depending on the type of surface treatment. Treatment tanks 12 are filled with a treatment medium, typically a liquid, according to the surface treatment to be performed in the treatment tank 12.

[0066] Arrangement 10 comprises a conveyer cart 16, mobile on the bottom, via which a multitude of oblong bodies 14 to be treated can be moved. Furthermore, the arrangement 10 comprises a crane 18, which can be moved over the treatment tank 12.

[0067] The oblong bodies 14 to be treated are loaded in a manner not shown onto the conveyer cart 16, which then is moved into a transfer position in which the crane 18 can grasp the oblong bodies 14. Subsequently, the crane 18 is moved such that it can immerse the oblong bodies 14 in the first treatment tank 12.sub.1. The crane 18 remains stationary over the first treatment tank 12.sub.1 until the surface treatment in the first treatment tank 12.sub.1 is concluded. In order to allow a relative motion between the treatment medium and the oblong bodies 14 the oblong bodies 14 are raised and lowered by the crane 18 in the treatment medium.

[0068] After the treatment has concluded the crane 18 removes the oblong bodies 14 from the first treatment tank 12.sub.1. The crane 18 is moved such that it can immerse the oblong bodies 14 in the second treatment tank 12.sub.2. This process is repeated until the oblong bodies 14 to be treated have passed through all treatment tanks 12. Over the entire treatment period the crane 18 remains connected to the oblong bodies 14. Subsequently, the completely treated oblong bodies 14 are returned by the crane 18 to the conveyer cart 16 and for example packed and shipped. Here, another conveyer cart 16 may be provided, not shown, which accepts the completely processed oblong bodies 14 at the eleventh treatment tank 12.sub.11 such that the other conveyer cart 16 can already fetch a new multitude of additional oblong bodies 14.

[0069] FIG. 2A shows in a plan view a device 20 according to the invention for treating the surface of oblong bodies 36 with a treatment tank 22 according to the invention. Details of the treatment tank 22 are also shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C in a perspective view.

[0070] The treatment tank 22 according to the invention comprises a wall 24, which includes a first facial wall 26 and a second facial wall 28. Further, the wall 24 comprises a first side wall 30 and a second side wall 32. Inside the treatment tank 22 a total of seven receiver units 34.sub.1-34.sub.7 are arranged, with respectively one of them being shown separately in the FIGS. 3A and 3B. As particularly discernible from FIG. 2C, the receiver units 34 serve for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies 36, in the present case twenty tubes 38, which are combined in a manner not shown to form a bundle of tubes 40.

[0071] Furthermore the device 20 comprises two conveyer means 42, which are embodied as pumps 44 and by which a treatment medium can be conveyed into the treatment tank 22. The two conveyer means 42 are arranged in front of the facial wall 26 outside the treatment tank 22. In the treatment tank 22 a total of two supply lines 46 are arranged, which pass through the first facial wall 26 and, starting from the first facial wall 26, extend to the second facial wall 28. The two supply lines 46 communicate with respectively one of the conveyer means 42 and end in a deflection device 48, which is arranged abutting the second facial wall 28 in the treatment tank 22, as particularly discernible from FIG. 2D.

[0072] The deflection device 48 shown separately in FIG. 2E comprises an impact wall 50 and an input and output wall 52. The supply lines 46 penetrate the input and output wall 52. Additionally, the input and output wall 52 comprises a multitude of penetrating openings 54.

[0073] FIGS. 3A and 3B each show separately the receiver units 34 according to the invention. In addition to the first facial wall 26, the second facial wall 28 as well as the first side wall 30 and the second side wall 32, the wall 24 of the treatment tank 22 also comprises a base 56.

[0074] The receiver unit 34 comprises a first part 58, which is fastened fixed in the treatment tank 22, and which ends flush with the first side wall 30, the second side wall 32, and the base 56 of the wall 24. Furthermore, the first part 58 shows a receiver section 60, which in the example shown is embodied approximately V-shaped with an arc-shaped base 62 and forms a receiver opening 64 pointing away from the base 56.

[0075] Additionally, the receiver unit 34 comprises two second parts 66, which are fastened at the first part 58 in a manner rotational about an axis of rotation T. On the first side of the axis of rotation T the second part 66 forms an actuator section 68 and on the other side it forms a reset section 70.

[0076] FIG. 3A shows the receiver unit 34 in the open position. The reset section 70 is embodied, when compared to the actuator section 68, such that it provides stronger torque than the actuator section 68 as long as no external force is actively applied upon the actuator section 68. This can be realized by an appropriate distribution of weight inside the second part 66 in reference to the axis of rotation T. Due to the torque, the second part 66 moves automatically into the open position shown in FIG. 3A as long as no force is actively applied upon the actuator section 68. The open position is defined such that the actuator section 68 is made to about one of the side walls 30, 32 of the wall 24 of the treatment tank 22. In the open position the actuator section 68 moves over the receiver section 60. In other words, the actuator section 68 engages in the open position a virtual extension of the receiver section 60 extending perpendicular to a direction shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0077] Via the receiver opening 64 the tubes 38 can be inserted into the receiver section 60. Due to the fact that the receiver section 60 is crossed by the actuator section 68 the actuator section 68 comes into contact with the tubes 38 during insertion thereof, thus a force is applied upon the actuator section 68 and rotating the second part 66 about the axis of rotation T into the closed position, which is shown in FIG. 3B.

[0078] As already mentioned, the receiver section 60 shows an arc-shaped base 62. The two parts 66 also show an arc-shaped section 72. Both the arc-shaped base 62 as well as the arc-shaped sections 72 are sized such that in the closed position a circular guide opening 74 is formed, which completely surrounds the tubes 38.

[0079] Furthermore, it is discernible from FIGS. 3A and 3B that in the first part 58 a total of two penetrating openings 76 are provided, through which respectively one of the supply lines 46 can be guided and defined.

[0080] The device 20 according to the invention is operated as follows: The treatment tank 22 is filled with the respective treatment medium. The bundle of tubes 40 is immersed by the crane 18 in the treatment tank 22 and consequently in the treatment medium, with the bundle of tubes 40 being entered into the receiver section 60 of the receiver unit 34, being in the open position as discernible from FIG. 3A. The bundle of tubes 40 is lowered until the lower tubes 38 rest on the base 62 of the receiver section 60. The receiver unit 34 is here set to the closing position shown in FIG. 3B. The crane 18 can then be separated from the bundle of tubes 40.

[0081] With the pump 44 the treatment medium is suctioned via a drain, not shown, out of the treatment tank 22 and fed via the supply line 46 to the deflection device 48. Here, as shown in FIG. 2E the treatment medium impinges the impact wall 50, is deflected, and leaves the deflection device 48 via the penetrating openings 54 and enters the treatment tank 22. The penetrating openings 54 are preferably arranged such that they are aligned with the tubes 38 when they are in the position shown in FIG. 3B and the receiver unit 34 is in the closed position. Additionally, the quantity, arrangement, and size of the penetrating openings 54 can be selected such that they match the tubes 38 inserted in the receiver unit 34 such that one penetrating opening 54 can be allocated to each tube 38.

[0082] As discernible from FIG. 3B the first part 58 and the second part 66 of the receiver unit 34 completely block the treatment tank 22 except for the guide opening 74. The treatment medium can therefore flow through the receiver unit 34 only along the guide opening 74 in which the tubes 38 are arranged. Consequently, the flow of the treatment medium is directed such that the tubes 38 are particularly well flown through or circulated. The conveyer means 42 are controlled here such that a turbulent flow develops in the tubes 38 which allows a particularly good substance transport between the surface to be treated and the treatment medium and largely eliminates any depletion of the treatment medium. The device 20 according to the invention is particularly suited for tubes 38 showing a diameter from 20 to 200 mm and a length from 3 to 20 m. A turbulent flow is yielded in the tubes 38 starting at a Reynolds count Re of approx. 2300. The flow speeds of the treatment medium required for this purpose in the tubes 38 depend on the diameter and length of the respective tubes 38.

[0083] Based on the improved material transport the exposure period of the tubes 38 can be reduced in a treatment tank 22 by up to 30% in reference to prior art. If the number of devices 20 according to the invention is combined to an arrangement 10 according to FIG. 1, the crane 18 can be used considerably more effectively since it is not required, as is in prior art, that it remains connected to the bundle of tubes 40 over the entire surface treatment and thus cannot be moved during the entire surface treatment. Consequently, an arrangement 10 comprising the devices 20 according to the invention can be operated with considerably more efficiency than was the case in the past.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0084] 10 Arrangement [0085] 12.sub.1-12.sub.11 Treatment tank [0086] 14 Oblong body [0087] 16 Conveyer cart [0088] 18 Crane [0089] 20 Device [0090] 22 Treatment tank [0091] 24 Wall [0092] 26 First facial wall [0093] 28 Second facial wall [0094] 30 First side wall [0095] 32 Second facial wall [0096] 34, 34.sub.1-34.sub.7 Receiver unit [0097] 36 Oblong body [0098] 38 Tube [0099] 40 Bundle of tubes [0100] 42 Conveyer means [0101] 44 Pump [0102] 46 Supply line [0103] 48 Deflection device [0104] 50 Impact wall [0105] 52 Input and output wall [0106] 54 Penetrating opening [0107] 56 Base [0108] 58 First part [0109] 60 Receiver section [0110] 62 Arc-shaped base [0111] 64 Receiver opening [0112] 66 Second part [0113] 68 Actuator section [0114] 70 Reset section [0115] 72 Arc-shaped section [0116] 74 Guide opening [0117] 76 Penetrating opening [0118] T Axis of rotation

[0119] The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the commoner understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable equivalents.