Method and apparatus for cleaning

Abstract

A method of cleaning a concrete bowl is provided including the steps of a) introducing water into at least one concrete bowl; b) collecting the water from the bowl after it has been used; and c) cleaning a concrete bowl by introducing at least some of the collected water into the bowl under pressure.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a) introducing water into at least one concrete bowl; b) collecting the water from the at least one concrete bowl after it has been used; and c) cleaning the at least one concrete bowl by introducing at least some of the collected water into the at least one concrete bowl under pressure, wherein the water is introduced into the concrete bowl by a hollow, curved probe, the probe being made from standard pipe, wherein a radius of curvature of the probe is between 7 and 10 meters such that the probe can be inserted into the at least one concrete bowl with clearance from any structures of the at least one concrete bowl, wherein the probe carries water nozzles configured to introduce the water into the at least one concrete bowl.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recycled water is introduced into the at least one concrete bowl at a pressure of great than 1 bar and less than 20 bar.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the recycled water is introduced into the at least one concrete bowl at a pressure of approximately 5 bar.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one concrete bowl is rotated during the cleaning process.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one concrete bowl is rotated at a speed of greater than 2.5 rpm and less than 10 rpm.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one concrete bowl is rotated at a speed of approximately 6 rpm.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe ingresses at a speed of approximately 0.95 m/min.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe egresses at a speed of approximately 0.95 m/min.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe ingress and egress speed is greater than 0.3 m/min but no greater than 1.6 m/min.

10. A station for cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a hollow, curved probe configured for introducing water into the concrete bowl; recycling means for collecting and re-introducing the used water back into the concrete bowl; and an apparatus for supplying pressure to the recycled water, wherein the probe is made from standard pipe, wherein a radius of curvature of the probe is between 7 and 10 meters such that the probe can be inserted into the concrete bowl with clearance from any structures of the concrete bowl, and wherein the probe carries water nozzles configured to introduce the water into the concrete bowl.

11. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the apparatus to supply pressure to the recycled water is a pump.

12. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the probe includes nozzles.

13. The station as claimed in claim 12, wherein the nozzles are adjustable.

14. The station as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a user monitoring device which allows the user to monitor the status of the interior of the concrete bowl.

15. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the length of the probe is between 4.5 m-6.5 m.

16. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the probe is a curved standard pipe.

17. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the entry angle of the curved probe will be so that the probe will clear the charge hopper without having to physically remove the charge hopper.

18. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the entry angle of the probe is between 38-45 degrees.

19. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the probe is driven by an actuating mechanism.

20. The station as claimed in claim 19, wherein the actuating mechanism is a friction driver roller system incorporating a plurality of rollers, of which at least one of the rollers is fixed and the rest is floating in a self tightening system.

21. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ingress and egress speed of the probe is in the range of 0.4 m/min to 1.5 m/min.

22. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the probe is constructed out of box section material.

23. The station as claimed in claim 22, wherein the probe is driven by a tooth belt system.

24. The station as claimed in claim 10, wherein the angle of insertion for the probe is adjustable via adjusting means.

25. The station as claimed in claim 24, wherein the adjusting means is a hydraulic ram.

26. A method of cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a) introducing water into at least one concrete bowl; b) collecting the water from the at least one concrete bowl after it has been used; and c) cleaning the at least one concrete bowl by introducing at least some of the collected water into the at least one concrete bowl under pressure, wherein the water is introduced into the at least one concrete bowl by a hollow, curved probe, the probe being made from box section conduit, wherein a radius of curvature of the probe is between 7 and 10 meters such that the probe can be inserted into the at least one concrete bowl with clearance from any structures of the at least one concrete bowl, wherein the probe carries water nozzles configured to introduce the water into the at least one concrete bowl.

27. A station for cleaning a concrete bowl, comprising: a hollow, curved probe configured for introducing water into at least one concrete bowl; recycling means for collecting and re-introducing the used water back into the at least one concrete bowl; and an apparatus for supplying pressure to the recycled water, wherein the probe is made from box section conduit, wherein a radius of curvature of the probe is between 7 and 10 meters such that the probe can be inserted into the at least one concrete bowl with clearance from any structures of the at least one concrete bowl, and wherein the probe carries water nozzles configured to introduce the water into the at least one concrete bowl.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a possible concrete bowl cleaning station set up;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of one embodiment of the water nozzles;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a further detailed view of nozzle heads of FIG. 2; and

(5) FIG. 4a illustrates the abrasive effect of mains fresh water supply.

(6) FIG. 4b illustrates the abrasive effect of collected water supply with concrete residue.

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative concrete bowl cleaning station set up, adapted for concrete bowls with charge hoppers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) A concrete bowl cleaning station set up is illustrated in FIG. 1.

(9) The station set up includes a concrete bowl cleaning apparatus (10) for use with a concrete bowl (1).

(10) The concrete bowl cleaning apparatus (10) includes a stand (9), a control system (8), a cleaning probe (2) and recycling apparatus (11).

(11) The dotted line shows the probe (2) in its extended form.

(12) The cleaning probe (2) is elevated by the stand (9) to a desired height to be inserted into the concrete bowl (1). The stand (9) is height adjustable. The pitch of the cleaning probe (2) is elevated to a desired pitch by a mechanical adjustment device (9a). This device may be actuated by a ram or screw, and either controlled by the control system (8) or adjusted manually.

(13) The cleaning probe (2) has water nozzles (3) configured thereon to introduce the water into the concrete bowl (1).

(14) The cleaning probe (2) also has a monitoring device in the form of a camera (4) positioned near its end so it can capture visual signals within the concrete bowl (1) and send this information back to the control system (8) to be processed.

(15) The recycling apparatus (11) includes a reservoir (5), conduits for water transfer (7a, 7b), and a pressure applying apparatus in the form of a pump (6).

(16) The reservoir (5) has an inlet connected to the interior of the concrete bowl (1), and an outlet connected to the probe (2).

(17) After the water is used in the concrete bowl (1) it is drained to the reservoir (5) via conduits (7a). The pump (6) then transfers the collected water to the probe (2) via conduits (7b). In an alternate embodiment, the used water is tipped into the reservoir (5) instead of drained via conduits (7a).

(18) The control system (8) is connected to the concrete bowl (1), the probe (2) and the pressure applying means (6) to control their parameters. Parameters controlled include the rotation speed of the concrete bowl (1), the insertion speed and distance of the probe (2), the pressure of which the water is introduced into the concrete bowl (1). The control system (8) also has a display device for users to monitor the visual signals sent back from the monitoring device (4).

(19) FIG. 2 illustrates the water nozzle (3) positioned near the end of the probe (2).

(20) The water nozzle (3) includes a manifold (13) and three nozzle heads (12a, 12b & 12c). The nozzle heads are joined by the manifold so the water gets fed from the probe (2) through to the manifold (13), then evenly distributed to each nozzle head (12a, 12b or 12c) at a constant pressure. The nozzle heads (12a, 12b, & 12c) are adjustable so the angle of the water jets from the nozzle heads can be altered.

(21) FIG. 3 illustrates the angles of the three nozzles heads (12) relative to the normal plane of the longitudinal axis of the probe (2).

(22) The first nozzle head (12a) is 45 degrees relative to the normal plane of the longitudinal axis of the probe (2).

(23) The second nozzle head (12b) is 12 degrees relative to the normal plane of the longitudinal axis of the probe (2).

(24) The third nozzle head (12c) is 48 degrees relative to the normal plane of the longitudinal axis of the probe (2).

(25) FIG. 4a illustrates an acrylic plate after 30 minutes of continuous application of pressurised water from the mains water supply.

(26) FIG. 4b illustrates an acrylic plate after 30 minutes of continuous application of pressurised water from the recycled water supply.

(27) It is clear from the picture the abrasive effect of the recycled water. With scratch marks clearly visible in 4b compared to a relatively smooth surface shown in 4a.

(28) FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative concrete bowl cleaning station set up, adapted for concrete bowls with charge hoppers.

(29) In this embodiment, the probe is configured to a substantially elongated pedestal (3) which has a well supported base (6). The pedestal (3) has the advantage that it is easily manufactured, and it takes up less room than a frame.

(30) In this embodiment, the probe (2) is a curved hollow member which carries water nozzles configured to introduce the water into the concrete bowls.

(31) In this embodiment, the curved probe is used for the concrete bowls (1) configured with charge hoppers (7).

(32) In this embodiment, the curvature of the probe (2) is of a nature that the probe (2) can be inserted into the concrete bowl (1) with clearance from the charge hoppers (7), without having to physically move the charge hoppers (7).

(33) In this embodiment, the curved probe (2) is constructed from a standard pipe.

(34) In this embodiment, the concrete bowl (1) entry angle of the curved probe (2) is configured so that the probe (2) will clear the charge hopper (7) without having to physically move the charge hopper (7).

(35) In this embodiment, there is a drive mechanism (4) for egress and ingress of the curved probe.

(36) This drive mechanism (4) is a friction driver roller system incorporating a plurality of rollers. At least one of these rollers is fixed and the rest is floating in a self tightening system i.e. the grip around the pipe tightens as the load increases.

(37) There is further provided an actuating mechanism (5) to control the angle of insertion of the curved probe. Such actuating mechanism can include a hydraulic ram, or electric motors or the like.

(38) Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.