FR3051688A1 - MOBILE SURFACE TREATMENT INSTALLATION - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile surface treatment plant (1), in particular aeronautical parts, comprising at least one main bath system (2) comprising a plurality of treatment tanks (20) adapted to receive chemicals and at least one auxiliary system reprocessor (3) fluidly connected to said treatment vessels (20), at least one of the main bath systems (2) and reprocessing auxiliary (3) being housed in a transport container (C2, C3) so as to allow it to move.

Description

MOBILE SURFACE TREATMENT SYSTEM GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to the field of surface treatment of metal parts, in particular, intended for aeronautics.

As is known, after manufacture, a raw metal part must undergo a surface treatment process that can be carried out in an airplane. A surface treatment method allows the refractory part to protect the mechanical part against corrosion and to give it its final appearance.

In practice, a surface treatment process comprises several steps in which a raw metal piece is successively quenched in several chemical baths. More specifically, a surface treatment plant comprises a plurality of tanks filled with chemicals to form the chemical baths. Each tank is associated with a hydraulic circuif to control the supply and the evacuation of chemicals in the tank. A surface treatment plant is long in place as it is necessary to carry out civil engineering work to form refitting means sifués under the tanks and insfaller the associated hydraulic circuifs. A large insfallafion requires expertise that is not always available in the country in which the surface treatment facility is set up, which increases the cost of ladder insfallafion.

A surface chilling process is a chilling process, since it is not the use of an aeronautical conspirator to confuse the mechanical part obfured after the fact. In this case, an aeronautical conspirator requires the companies in charge of surface harvesting to qualify the personnel in charge of the surface sweeping and the insufction of surface sweeping.

These are some of the qualificafion qualf fi cations that make it difficult for them to consider the commissioning of a new surface treatment plant. In fact, it is necessary to build the facility, then train the staff and finally qualify the facility with the staff. In addition, an installation is sized when it is created to its maximum anticipated capacity. Also, throughout the qualification phase and the ramp-up phase, the surface treatment facility is under-exploited, which presents a significant financial loss. The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a new type of surface treatment facility that can be simple and quick to deploy while having a limited cost.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention relates to a mobile surface treatment plant, in particular aeronautical parts, comprising at least one main bath system comprising a plurality of treatment tanks adapted to receive chemicals and at least one auxiliary reprocessing system fluidly connected to said treatment tanks. The invention is remarkable in that at least one of the main systems of bath and auxiliary reprocessing is housed in a transport container so as to allow its movement.

Contrary to the widespread prejudice that a surface treatment plant must be fixed in order to meet the qualification constraints, the invention proposes a new type of surface treatment plant. Advantageously, the housing of at least one of the systems in a transport container makes it possible to speed up the commissioning of a surface treatment installation while improving the load increase during its use. In addition, a container can be deployed quickly to respond to a failure or a need for evolution of an existing installation. The installation is scalable and adaptable. The installation can be conveniently moved into one or more modules. Thus, facilities can be assembled and qualified in one place before being deployed around the world, closer to each place of manufacture of parts.

Preferably, the transport container is a pavement-shaped container, which limits its size and facilitates its movement. Preferably, the transport container has a metal frame. Preferably, the transport container is a 20 or 40 foot container. The type of container is known to those skilled in the art of ISO 668. A 40-foot container is preferred because it has larger dimensions, which is convenient and reduces transportation costs.

Preferably, all the systems of the mobile installation are housed in one or more containers in order to benefit from a completely transportable installation.

According to at least one preferred aspect, at least one set of treatment tanks is adapted to perform a pickling treatment.

Preferably, at least one set of treatment tanks is adapted to carry out a surface treatment by anodizations (for example anilic sulfuric triflic) or by chemical conversions (for example Surtech650 or Alodinel200), or a passivation treatment. Preferably, at least one set of treatment tanks is adapted to carry out an Anuric Sulfuric Tartaric treatment. Such an electrolysis TSA treatment advantageously makes it possible to effectively treat a part for aeronautical use.

According to a preferred aspect, at least one set of treatment tanks is adapted to carry out a bleeding control and thus observe in a practical manner defects in a workpiece.

Preferably, the main bath system comprises at least three tanks, more preferably at least five tanks.

Preferably, the main bath system is housed in a main transport container. Thus, the treatment tanks can be transported together without relative movement between them, which maintains the qualification of the main bath system even in case of displacement of said main bath system.

Preferably, the treatment tanks are metallic so as to have a reduced mass and thus allow the displacement in transport container.

Preferably, the main transport container extending longitudinally, the processing tanks are aligned along the length of said main transport container. Thus, the length of the container is taken advantage of to maximize the number and dimensions of the process tanks. In addition, this makes it possible to process a part in a linear manner, which improves productivity.

Preferably, the main transport container comprises retention means placed under said treatment tanks so as to prevent chemicals from spilling into the container and weaken its structure. Such retention means also make it possible to prevent chemicals from escaping from the main transport container and polluting the environment.

Preferably, the retention means are of plastic or metal material so as to have a reduced mass compared to the prior art to allow transport in a container.

Preferably, the main transport container comprises power supply means, preferably a port connection to a power supply network so as to supply the auxiliary reprocessing system. It goes without saying that the main transport container could also include a clean power source, in particular, a generator.

Preferably, the retention means are integrated in a bottom wall of the main transport container, which makes it possible to maximize the space available in the main container for accommodating the treatment tanks.

According to another aspect of the invention, the auxiliary reprocessing system is housed in an auxiliary transport container. Thus, the auxiliary transport container forms an independent reprocessing station in which all the equipment necessary for reprocessing is grouped together.

Preferably, the auxiliary transport container comprises connection means to a power supply network so as to supply the auxiliary reprocessing system.

More preferably, the auxiliary transport container comprises hydraulic connection means to be able to connect hydraulically to the main bath system. Similarly, the main transport container has hydraulic connection means to be able to connect hydraulically to the auxiliary reprocessing system. Preferably, the hydraulic connection means comprise internal pipes and hydraulic connectors, in particular, opening onto a wall of the container.

Preferably, the installation comprises handling means adapted to move a workpiece, in particular an aeronautical part, from one treatment tank to another. Such means can automate and accelerate the movement of metal parts from one treatment tank to another.

Preferably, the handling means are secured to the main transport container so as to be accurately positioned relative to the treatment tanks. The handling means are preferably removable from the main transport container to limit its size during its movement. The handling means extend preferably longitudinally.

According to a preferred aspect, the main transport container having an upper face, the handling means extend above said upper face so as to maximize the space available for the treatment tanks in said main transport container.

Preferably, the main bath system and the auxiliary reprocessing system are respectively housed in a main transport container and an auxiliary transport container. Thus, the systems can be managed and moved independently of one another, which facilitates handling. In addition, this allows to have large processing tanks. This gives a modular installation.

In one aspect, the installation has only two transport containers to allow for quick commissioning. In another aspect, the installation comprises more than two transport containers to form a modular installation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the main transport container and the auxiliary transport container are connected by fluid connection means, preferably reported. Thus, the containers can be flexibly positioned to adapt to the configuration of the place of installation.

In one aspect, the main bath system and the auxiliary reprocessing system are housed in the same transport container to reduce the overall size of the installation. In this case, preferably, the main bath system and the auxiliary reprocessing system are superimposed vertically. The invention also relates to a method of moving a surface treatment plant as presented previously from a first location to a second location, the method comprising: a step of fluidic disconnection of the main transport container and the auxiliary transport container a step of transporting said transport containers from the first location to the second location independently, and a step of fluidically connecting the main transport container and the auxiliary transport container.

Such a method of displacement is advantageous since it makes it possible to qualify a surface treatment installation in a first place and to maintain this qualification after moving to a second location. Advantageously, the duration and the cost of commissioning are reduced. Advantageously, containers can be deployed quickly to respond to a failure or upgrade an existing installation.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a treatment plant of 2-4 are perspective views of a surface treatment plant according to a second embodiment of the invention, and FIGS. 5-7 are shown in FIGS. in perspecfive of an insfaafafion of fraifemenf of surface according to a third form of realization of the invenfion.

It is necessary to ensure that the figures expose the invention in a defective manner to implement the invention, said figures being able to be used to better define the invention as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE MODES OF REALIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Several embodiments of a mobile surface treatment installation according to the invention will be presented for the treatment of aeronautical parts, for example, fuselage panel, frame, splints, supports, fittings, reinforcements, wedges, longitudinal members, pipes. etc.

In known manner, a surface treatment plant 1 comprises at least one main bath system 2 comprising a plurality of treatment tanks 20 adapted to receive chemicals and at least one auxiliary reprocessing system 3 which is fluidly connected to said main system 2 to reprocess the chemicals P of said treatment tanks 20.

According to the invention, the installation is remarkable in that at least one of said main systems of bath 2 and auxiliary reprocessing 3 is housed in a transport container so as to allow easy movement of a part or the all of the installation 1.

With reference to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a mobile installation 1 will be presented in which the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 are housed in the same transport container C1.

The transport container C1 is preferably a container of the 40-foot type which is known to those skilled in the field of freight transport, in particular by the ISO 668 standard. The transport container C1 has a paver shape comprising a framework metal defining an upper face, a lower face, two side faces and two end faces. The faces are preferably closed entirely or partially by a closing wall, preferably metal to form a closed box. At least one of the end faces has opening means, preferably an access door.

A transport container Cl of the type "40 feet" has a length of the order of 1219 cm, a width of about 243 cm and a height of about 259 cm. It goes without saying that other dimensions of transport container could be suitable. Such a transport container makes it transportable as well by road, train or boat taut by hiding a maximum volume. Such a transport container is integrated in the rail and rail gauges.

In this embodiment, the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 are superimposed so as to optimize the interior space in the transport container C1. In a first aspect, the main bath system 2 accupulates the bath. the width of the transport container C1 in order to dispense treatment vessels 20 of large dimensians. In this case, the upper face of the transport chopper C1 is opened to access the processing tanks 20, the operators working from outside the transport container C1.

According to another aspect of the invention, the main bath system 2 occupies only part of the width of the transport container C1 in order to clear a lateral circulation space in the transport container C1. Thus, the operators can to work from inside the transparty canteneur Cl.

It is self-evident that the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 could also be arranged side by side.

With reference to FIG. 1, the main system 2 comprises a plurality of treatment vessels 20 adapted to receive chemicals.

In a preferred manner, the size of the treatment tanks 20 is limited so as to allow lodging in the container. By way of example, each treatment tank 20 may comprise tanks of dimensions 1500 * 1200 * 600 mm or 2000 * 1400 * 600. In this example, each treatment tank 20 is metallic, in particular stainless steel, or plastic.

Advantageously, the treatment tanks 20 are removably mounted in the transport container C1 so as to allow their replacement.

With reference to FIG. 1, the main bath system 2 comprises treatment tanks 20 for washing / stripping / rinsing / treating aeronautical components. For this purpose, the treatment tanks 20 include suitable chemicals such as acid, base, water, etc.

Depending on the intended surface treatment application (TSA (Anodic Sulfuric Tartaric) treatment, alodine treatment, pickling treatment, passivation treatment, bleeding treatment, etc.), the main system 2 may comprise a different number of treatment tanks. Treatment 20. Preferably, the number of treatment vessels 20 is greater than 3, preferably greater than 5.

The treatment tanks 20 are aligned along the length of the transport container C1 so as to promote linear movement of the aeronautical components. Preferably, the two end faces are open so as to allow the entry and exit of the aeronautical parts of the transport container Cl.

The equipment of the main bath system 2 is supplied with electric current, for example, in order to heat the baths and feed the electrolysis processes. For this purpose, the transport container C1 comprises an electrical connector mounted in one of its walls so as to allow its electrical connection to a power supply network. It goes without saying that the transport container C1 could also include an auxiliary power source, for example, a generator.

Preferably, the main bath system 2 comprises retention means 4 arranged under the treatment tanks 20 so as to prevent the chemicals of said treatment tanks 20 from escaping and mixing.

According to one aspect of the invention, the retention means are in the form of a plurality of retention enclosures (not shown) disposed between each treatment tank 20 and the bottom wall of the transporter Cl. preferred, each retention chamber is formed of plastic or metal material, preferably stainless steel. This advantageously makes it possible to limit the risk of a chemical coming into contact with the bottom wall of the transport container C1 and damaging it.

According to another aspect of the invention, with reference to FIG. 1, the retention means are in the form of a plurality of retention enclosures which are integrated into the bottom wall of the transport confractor C1. , the bottom wall of the confederator of Cl transports is doubled so as to store any leakage of chemical. This advantageously limits any risk of pollution of the environment. Such retaining means, integrated in the main transport container 2, have a limited size, which facilitates the organization of the treatment tanks 20.

The retention means make it possible to avoid a mixture of incompatible chemicals that may pose a risk to safety or the environment.

Still with reference to FIG. 1, the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 comprises a plurality of equipment 30 to allow the reprocessing of chemicals from said treatment tanks 20. Preferably, the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 comprises at least one pump and at least one filter for collecting a polluted chemical from a treatment tank 20, treating said chemical (filtration, etc.) and supplying said treatment tank again with the treated chemical.

Such an auxiliary reprocessing system 3 makes it possible to guarantee optimum efficiency of the surface treatment as parts are bathed in the treatment tanks 20.

The equipment of the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 is supplied with electric current.

Still with reference to FIG. 1, the transport container C1 further comprises hydraulic connection means 5 of the main bath system 2 to the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 so as to be able to guide the chemicals from one system to another.

Preferably, each treatment vessel 20 is connected to the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 by at least one pipe, preferably two pipes to allow the entry / exit of chemical from said treatment tank 20.

Preferably, the hydraulic connection means 5 comprises filling and emptying connectors mounted in a wall of the refrigerator container C1 so as to drain the chemical products before displacemenf of the insfallafion ef parmeffre the filling in chemical produifs during a commissioning of the insfallafion.

As illusfré in Figure 1, the movable insfallafion 1 comporfe in oufre manufenfion means 6 adapted to move a piece to fraifer, parficulier a aeronautical part, a tank fraifemenf 20 to aufre.

The manufenfion means 6 sonfés sonfés on the confreur fransporf Cl, preferably, the méafic ossafure of the father of Fransporf Cl. In thisf example, manufenfion means 6 ffendenf above the upper face of the confeneur of In this way, it is possible to move the workpieces upwardly over the treatment vats 20. Such an arrangement advantageously makes it possible to optimize the size of the treatment vats 20.

Preferably, the handling means 6 are removable from said transport container C1 so as to allow easy and convenient transportation of said transport container C1.

In this example, the handling means 6 extend longitudinally along the length of the transport container C1 so as to reach each of the treatment tanks 20. Preferably, the handling means 6 are in the form of a transport bridge but it goes without saying that other equipment could be suitable, for example, hoist, gantry, elevator, grip arm, crane or the like.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the mobile installation 1 further comprises air extraction means 7 adapted to create a suction of air in the transport container Cl and thus evacuate all chemical vapors.

In this example, the transport container C1 comprises an air opening, formed in a wall of the transport container C1, which is adapted to be connected to an air extraction pipe.

According to this first embodiment of the invention, the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 are housed in the same transport container C1, which makes it possible to obtain a mobile installation 1 that is very compact and easily displaceable. given that a container is, by nature, perfectly adapted to transport.

To move an installation, simply empty the treatment tanks 20 and disconnect the installation 1 from its place of use. For this purpose, the air extraction is disconnected as well as the power supply. The handling means 6 of the parts to be treated are also disassembled so that the transport container C1 has a paver shape whose size is reduced and which remains simple to stack. The handling means 6 are, preferably, transported independently of the transpart container C1. Since the treatment tanks 20 are metallic, the weight of a container is reduced, which allows its transport in a traditional way.

The return to service of such an installation 1 is also simple to implement being danné that it is enough to rework the mayens of handling 6 and reconnect the extraction of air and electrical poweratian. Then, the process tanks 20 can be refilled with chemicals again.

In practice, a portable installation 1 can be moved in a few days, which provides a considerable time saving compared to the prior art in which each installation would require significant work. Preferably, the installation mabile 1 is set up in a shed.

In addition to the practical aspects of transport and re-commissioning, such a mobile installation 1 has many regulatory advantages, since it is not necessary to qualify the mobile insuf fi cient 1 suife to its displacement. one place to another. Also, parts can be processed quickly in a new place while ensuring a high quality of treatment. Advantageously, a mobile installation 1 can be set up near each manufacturing site while qualifying each facility conveniently in one place.

A second embodiment of a movable insfallafion 1 is shown with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In this form of embodiment, the main bath system 2 and the adjunct auxiliary system 3 are respectively housed in a main fransport confederator C2. and an auxiliary transport container C3.

Thus, the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 can be transported independently and connected together during the commissioning of the installation 1. The flexibility is increased while allowing for larger spaces to house the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3.

The hydraulic connection means 5 comprise hydraulic connectors 50 respectively mounted on the auxiliary transport container C3 and the main transport container C2 in order to allow the flow of chemicals between the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3. Preferably, the hydraulic connection mayens 5 also comprise auxiliary lines (not shown) connected between the hydraulic connectors 50 of said containers C2, C3 during commissioning. The use of auxiliary lines makes it possible to offer more freedom in positioning the containers C2, C3 relative to one another. The auxiliary transport container C3 also comprises a not shown electric cannector. Advantageously, the C3 auxiliary transport container is in the form of an independent reprocessing station. The auxiliary transport container C3 is preferably closed. The hydraulic connectors 50 are mounted in a wall of the containers C2, C3, preferably a side wall.

With reference to FIG. 2, the main transport container C2 comprises a plurality of treatment tanks 20 at the top and internal pipes 51 at the bottom which connect said treatment tanks 20 to the hydraulic connectors 50. In this embodiment , the treatment tanks 20 extend for fault the width of the main transport container C2 and the main transport container C2 is open by its upper face so as to allow operators to access the treatment tanks 20. In a manner that Operators work in elevation, in particular, from a platform mounted near the main transport container C2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, manutentian mayens 6, in particular a transport bridge, are fixed to the main transport cantainer C2 above its open upper face. The transport bridge extends over the langer of the main transport container C2 and makes it possible to move a piece to be raised between the different treatment tanks 20.

In this embodiment, the main transport container C2 compares retention means 4 which are integrated in its bottom wall.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to have large treatment tanks 20 by optimizing the space available in the main transport container C2. Thus, large parts can be processed following their manufacture.

A third embodiment of a mobile installation 1 is shown with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. In this embodiment, the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 are respectively housed in a main transport container C2. and an auxiliary transport container C3.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary transport container C3 is identical to the second embodiment and will not be presented again.

With reference to FIG. 6, the main transport container C2 comprises a plurality of treatment vessels 20 and internal lines 51 which are arranged side by side, the internal lines 51 connecting said processing tanks 20 to hydraulic connectors 50 (not shown). shown). In this embodiment, the process tanks 20 extend over a portion of the width of the main transport container C2. The main transport container C2 further comprises a circulation platform 7 mounted laterally to the treatment tanks 20 and which extends above the internal pipes 51. Thus, an operator can work directly in the main transport container C2 by moving on the traffic platform 7. Such a main transport container C2 can be advantageously closed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, handling means 6, in particular a transport bridge, are fixed to the main transport container C2 below its closed upper face (not shown). The transport bridge extends along the length of the main transport container C2 and makes it possible to move in elevation a workpiece to be treated between the different treatment vats 20. The transport bridge extends into the interior volume of the main transport container C2.

In this embodiment, the main transport container C2 has retention means 4 which extend below the treatment tanks 20.

Such an embodiment allows the instructors to work directly in the main transport container C2 without recollecting to an external elevation platform. A closed container has the advantage of being very close to its transport compared to a semi-open container.

It has been previously presented a mobile installation 1 in which the main bath system 2 and the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 are housed in one to several transport containers Cl, C2, C3 but it goes without saying that the invention applies also to a mobile installation 1 in which only the main bath system 2 to only the auxiliary reprocessing system 3 is moved into a transport container. Such an embodiment is for example suitable when one of the systems is defective and must be replaced quickly.

Similarly, the mobile installation 1 could comprise several main bath systems 2 and several auxiliary reprocessing systems 3 which are stored in several transport containers of the same or different sizes. Thus, the mobile installation is modular and can adapt optimally and at lower costs to the evalutians of the bests.

With the invention, the systems housed in the containers can be easily moved between several sites in order to respond to a failure or to increase a rate increase. The mobile installation obtained is thus flexible and evolufive.

Claims (10)

1. Mobile installation (1) for surface treatment, in particular aeronautical parts, comprising: - at least one main bath system (2) comprising a plurality of treatment tanks (20) adapted to receive chemicals, and - at least one auxiliary reprocessing system (3) fluidly connected to said treatment tanks (20), characterized in that at least one of the main bath systems (2) and reprocessing auxiliary (3) is housed in a transport container (C1, C2, C3) so as to allow its displacement. 2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the main bath system (2) is housed in a main transport container (C2). 3. Installation according to claim 2, wherein the main transport container (C2) extending longitudinally, the treatment tanks (20) are aligned according to the langor of said main transport container (C2). 4. Installation according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the main transport container (C2) comprises retention means (4) placed under said treatment tanks (20). 5. Installation according to claim 4, wherein the retention means (4) are integrated in a bottom wall of the main transport container (2). 6. Installation according to one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the retention means (4) are formed of metal or plastic material. 7. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the auxiliary reprocessing system (3) is housed in an auxiliary transport container (C3). 8. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, comprising manutentian mayens (6) adapted to move a workpiece, in particular an aeronautical part, from one treatment tank (20) to another. 9. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the main bath system (2) and the auxiliary reprocessing system (3) are respectively housed in a main transport container (C2) and an auxiliary transport container (C3). Method for moving a surface treatment plant (1) according to claim 9 from a first location to a second location, the method comprising: - in a first place, a step of fluidic disconnection of the main transport container ( C2) and the auxiliary transport container (C3), - a step of transporting said transport containers (C2, C3) from the first location to the second location independently, and - a fluid connection step of the main fransporf confederator (C2 ) and the auxiliary transport container (C3).