WO2014155018A1 - Method, device and system for cleaning an industrial-type blower by blasting it with particulates, and associated canister - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cleaning an industrial-type blower (2) by blasting it with particulates (3) in a direction (D) of blasting, said particulates (3) being contained in a canister (4), said canister (4) comprising a lateral surface (5), said particulates (3) being blasted using a blasting unit (6) comprising a chamber (7), in which method the following steps are performed: - a step of fitting the canister (4) in the said chamber (7), - a step of blasting particulates (3) toward the blower (2) from the canister (4) by subjecting the latter to a pressure shock (P) generated by the blasting unit (6), characterized in that it comprises a step of damaging the lateral surface (5). Cleaning of industrial blowers.

Description

 METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR CLEANING A FAN OF INDUSTRIAL TYPE BY PROJECTING PARTICULATE ELEMENTS, AND

 ASSOCIATED CARTRIDGE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the general technical field of the maintenance of industrial type fans, and more specifically to the methods and devices for cleaning industrial type fans.

The invention relates more specifically to a method of cleaning an industrial type fan by projecting particulate elements in a direction of projection, said particulate elements being contained in a cartridge, said cartridge comprising a rear face and a front face disposed at downstream of the rear face in consideration of the projection direction and a lateral surface connecting said front and rear faces, said particulate elements being projected using a projection unit comprising a chamber, in which are placed the following steps:

a step of placing the cartridge in said chamber,

and a step of projecting the particulate elements towards the fan from the cartridge by subjecting the latter to a pressure shock generated by the projection unit. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning an industrial type fan by projecting particulate elements in a direction of projection, comprising a projection unit provided with a chamber for receiving a cartridge containing said particulate elements, said cartridge comprising a rear face and a front face disposed downstream of the rear face in consideration of the projection direction and a side surface connecting said front and rear faces, said particulate elements being intended to be projected towards said fan by said projection unit, said projection unit comprising means for subjecting said cartridge to a pressure shock to project the particulates toward the fan from the cartridge.

The invention also relates to cartridges that can be used in a method or device for cleaning an industrial fan. The invention finally relates to a system comprising a device for cleaning an industrial type fan and a cartridge.

PRIOR ART

Fans used in certain industrial processes, such as in the field of the cement plant, convey gases loaded with sticky particles which are deposited on the blades of said fans. The agglomeration of these particles leads to a clogging phenomenon of the fan, which notably causes a decrease in the performance of the fan and an increase in the vibrations during its operation. In particular, unwanted vibrations occur during the non-axisymmetric detachment of a portion of the clogging agglomerate, disrupting the balancing of the fan wheel dynamically. This hazard requires the speed of rotation of the blades to be reduced as quickly as possible in order to prevent the risks of deterioration of the entire ventilation device, which in fact alters the performance of the industrial process with which it is associated. Finally, when the vibration level becomes critical, it becomes necessary to stop the fan to proceed with its disassembly and cleaning, such a stop being of course very restrictive on the industrial level.

To solve this problem, it has been imagined a cleaning device for cleaning the fan in operation, by projection of particular elements on its blades in rotation. The impact of the particulate elements on the surfaces to be treated was thus supposed to take off the clogging agglomerates deposited on the blades. Such a device, which has never been commercially developed, has a cylindrical barrel associated with a chamber for receiving a cartridge containing special cleaning elements intended to be projected on the fan blades. A reserve of compressed air released to order allows to eject the particulate elements of the cartridge, the latter being directed towards the fan through the barrel.

The cartridge of this known cleaning device comprises an envelope delimiting a closed volume within which is stored a predetermined quantity of particulate cleaning elements adapted to a given type of fan. The cartridge is formed of an assembly of three parts, namely a substantially cylindrical shaped sleeve closed at its ends by flat plugs glued to said sleeve. The caps are made of a weak material, such as polystyrene or paper. The operation of this device of the prior art is supposed to be the following. The user introduces the cartridge into the chamber of the projection device by a side opening that closes through a lockable door. The compressed air is then released to create an overpressure at the back of the cartridge, causing the plugs to be punctured to project the particulate matter to the fan to be cleaned. The empty plug-free socket remains inside the chamber, and must be removed by the user before it is possible to reload the chamber with a new cartridge for a new shot.

This known cleaning device has serious drawbacks. There is indeed a risk that the user seeks to reuse, for reasons of economy, all or part of the elements of a used cartridge, to reconstruct a new cartridge. Such a cartridge reconstruction that allows the device of the prior art mentioned above is very problematic, since the determination of the particulate elements and the choice of their nature is the key to the efficiency of the system. In addition, introducing inappropriate particulate elements into the cartridge, or rebuilding a cartridge improperly, can cause serious safety problems, which can in particular cause significant material and human damage, especially on the rotating elements of the fan, and the downstream industrial process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects assigned to the present invention are therefore intended to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above and to propose a new method, device and system for cleaning an industrial type of fan, and an associated cartridge, which while allowing efficient cleaning of an industrial type fan during its operation, have an excellent level of safety of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new method, device and cleaning system of an industrial type of fan, and an associated cartridge, particularly simple and economical design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new method, device and system for cleaning an industrial type of fan, and an associated cartridge, to limit waste and optimize the efficiency of cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to propose a new method, device and system for cleaning an industrial type of fan, as well as an associated cartridge, making it possible to effectively and inexpensively clean an industrial type fan.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new method, device and system for cleaning an industrial type of fan, and an associated cartridge, to facilitate and secure the transport of cleaning consumables.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new method, device and system for cleaning an industrial type of fan, and an associated cartridge, based on proven technical principles and easy to implement. Another object of the invention is to propose a new, industrial-type fan cleaning device and system, as well as an associated cartridge, which are easy and quick to manufacture. The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a method of cleaning an industrial type fan by spraying particulate elements, said particulate elements being contained in a cartridge, said cartridge comprising a rear face and a front face disposed downstream of the rear face in consideration of the projection direction and a lateral surface connecting said front and rear faces, said particulate elements being projected with a projection unit comprising a chamber, in which the following steps are implemented:

a step of placing the cartridge in said chamber,

a step of projecting the particulate elements towards the fan from the cartridge by subjecting the latter to a pressure shock generated by the projection unit, characterized in that it comprises a step of deterioration of the lateral surface to inside the chamber, so that said lateral surface is not reusable. The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a device for cleaning an industrial type fan by projecting particulate elements in a direction of projection, a cartridge containing said particulate elements, said cartridge comprising a rear face and a front face disposed downstream of the rear face in consideration of the projection direction and a side surface connecting said front and rear faces, said particulate elements being intended to be projected towards said fan by said unit projection device, said projection unit comprising means for subjecting said cartridge to a pressure shock, for projecting the particulate elements towards the ventilator from the cartridge, characterized in that the projection unit comprises a deterioration means designed to deteriorate the lateral surface inside the chamber, so that said lateral surface is not reusable.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved with the aid of a cartridge that can be used in the method of cleaning an industrial fan by projection above or in the cleaning device of an industrial fan by projection above , said cartridge comprising a lateral surface contributing to define an interior volume accommodating particulate elements intended to be projecting towards an industrial-type fan for cleaning the same, said cartridge being adapted to be subjected to a pressure shock to project particulate matter from the cartridge towards the fan, characterized in that that the particulate elements occupy only a fraction of said interior volume so as to be at a sufficient distance from the lateral surface to allow the latter to deform inwardly of the cartridge.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved with the aid of a cartridge that can be used in the method of cleaning a fan of industrial type by projection above or in the cleaning device of a type of fan industrial projection apparatus, characterized in that it is formed by a cylindrical block of particulate elements aggregated together by means of a binder, said block being designed to be disaggregated so that said particulate elements can be projected into on a fan of industrial type.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a system comprising the cleaning device of a fan of industrial type by projection of said particulate elements and one or other of the aforementioned cartridges.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent and will appear in more detail from a reading of the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of non-limiting illustration, in which:

- Figure 1A shows, in a schematic view from above, a cleaning device according to the invention associated with an axial type of fan to be cleaned.

- Figure 1 B shows, in a perspective view, the cleaning device of Figure 1 A associated with a centrifugal fan type to clean. - Figure 2 shows, in a perspective view, the projection unit of the cleaning device of Figure 1 and a cartridge according to the invention. - Figure 3 shows, in a cross-sectional view, the projection unit of Figure 2, with the cartridge of Figure 2 installed in said unit.

FIG. 4A represents, in a longitudinal sectional view, the projection unit of FIG. 3. FIG. 4B shows a longitudinal sectional view of the projection unit of FIG. 4A, containing a cartridge according to FIG. invention inserted within it.

- Figure 5A shows, in a perspective view, a cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention.

- Figure 5B shows, in a perspective view, the cartridge view 5A view in longitudinal section.

FIG. 6A represents, in a perspective view, a cartridge according to a second variant of the invention.

- Figure 6B shows, in a perspective view, the cartridge view 6A longitudinal sectional view. - Figure 7 shows, in a perspective view, a cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A represents, in a perspective view, a cartridge according to a fourth variant of the invention.

- Figure 8B shows, in a perspective view, the cartridge view 6A longitudinal sectional view.

BEST MODE OF REALIZING THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning a fan 2. For the purposes of the invention, "ventilator" designates any apparatus making it possible to create an artificial wind or a draft by the setting in motion of a system of fans, preferably formed by a rotary fan wheel provided with blades or blades, such as a rotating propeller rotatably mounted within a housing (volute) provided with a suction inlet and a blow-out, in order to aerate a volume, or extract air. The fan 2 can of course move other types of gas than air. The fan 2 may for example be "axial", in which case the movement of the fluid then takes place mainly parallel to the axis of rotation of the helix. The fan 2 may alternatively be "centrifugal", the fluid displacement then taking place mainly radially in consideration of the axis of rotation of the helix. The invention can be applied to other types of fans 2.

The fan 2 is an industrial type fan, that is, it is designed for industrial use. It is therefore in this case associated for example with an industrial process, with a line or with manufacturing premises, or with a machine of which it ensures the aeration, the depollution or the cooling for example. In this context, the fan 2 operates in a generally polluted and messy environment, which inevitably leads to the deposition and aggregation of dirt 19 on the surfaces of said fan 2 which are in contact with the fluids to be moved. Said surfaces include in particular the blades 24 and / or the hub of the ventilation wheel, and / or the inner surface of the volute of the fan 2. This dirt 19 may be dust or amalgamated sticky particles that may come from displaced polluted gases. by the fan 2, and are harmful to the proper functioning of the fan 2. They may indeed cause for example vibrations of said fan 2, reduce its performance, oxidize or wear some of its components. As explained above, the fan 2 is advantageously associated with an industrial process, and is preferably essential to the smooth running of the latter. It is therefore expensive to stop the fan 2, to disassemble it in order to clean it, since this is likely to paralyze the associated industrial process. The fan 2 may also in some cases be difficult to access to be revised and cleaned when for example surrounded by user protection devices. The method and the cleaning device according to the invention are therefore intended to rid, at least in part, the fan 2 of the dirt 19 which agglomerate on it, and in particular on the blades 24, and preferably without stopping the rotation (and preferably reduce the speed of rotation) of said blades 24. According to the invention, said methods and devices for cleaning the fan 2 are designed to perform a cleaning by spraying particulate elements 3.

Within the meaning of the invention, the particulate elements 3 are a plurality of solid or semi-solid particles of the granular, shot or powder type, and are sufficiently hard and irregular to pick up the dirt 19 of the blades 24 or the rotor, when are projected violently against them. The particulate elements 3 are also sufficiently friable and / or light so as not to wear or damage the fan 2 itself (and in particular (blades 24), and are chosen not to be able to adhere to the fan 2, unlike According to the type of fan 2 to be cleaned, the particulate elements 3 may comprise crushed minerals such as, for example, particles of gypsum stone. Depending on the type of fan 2 to be cleaned, the particulate elements 3 may be larger or smaller, their size (size or average diameter) being preferably between 5 and 50 mm. The particulate elements 3 may be chosen to remain intact during their projection, or may fragment during their journey to the fan 2 in a finer powder, or to fragment or explode on impact.

The particulate elements 3 used in the method and the cleaning device according to the invention are contained in a cartridge 4 comprising a rear face 31 and a front face 30 disposed downstream of the rear face 31 in consideration of the direction. D and a side surface 5 connecting said front 30 and rear 31 (as shown in Figures 5A, 5B, 8A, 8B, 6A, and 6B).

For the purposes of the invention, the cartridge 4 is a conditioning unit containing or formed by a predetermined quantity of particulate elements 3 forming projectiles intended to strike the clogged zones of the fan 2. Such packaging ensures that the amount and nature of the particulate elements 3 intended to be projected is appropriate, said cartridge 4 being disposable, that is to say designed to be used in a single projection. Thus the implementation of a cartridge 4 adapted to the fan 2 to be cleaned ensures optimal cleaning, since the contents of the cartridge 4 is customized according to the characteristics of the fan 2, in order to clean effectively without damaging it.

The lateral surface 5 of the cartridge 4 has, for example, a shape of revolution about a longitudinal axis of cartridge X-X ', a prismatic, or frustoconical, or annular, or cylindrical shape, the invention being not limited to a specific contour, as long as said lateral surface 5 can mainly be in a form (cylindrical for example) adapted to a displacement in translation of the cartridge 4 parallel to the longitudinal axis of cartridge X-X '. The lateral surface 5 may for example be in the form of a hollow annular envelope intended to contain the particulate elements 3, or may be formed by the outer surface of a solid block 11 in one piece formed directly and predominantly ( if not totally) by the particulate elements 3.

According to the invention, the particulate elements 3 are intended to be projected by means of a projection unit 6 comprising a chamber 7 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4A, and 4B ). The projection unit 6 may, for example, be in the form of a rifle or a cannon with compressed air. It is designed so as to orient the particulate elements 3 towards the fan 2. It is preferably attached to a structure 20 which positions it so as to project the particulate elements 3 on the dirt 19 agglomerated on the fan 2 (as illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B). Depending on the type and shape of the fan 2, the projection direction D can be oriented so that the particulate elements 3 can reach areas on which the dirt 19 is deposited, in particular the blades 24. The unit projection can be oriented facing the fan 2 (as illustrated by way of example in Figure 1A, in the case of a fan 2 axial) or bias (as shown by way of example in Figure B, in the case of a centrifugal fan 2), in the case where the blades 24 are not directly accessible for a projection of elements particulate 3 facial. However, said projection unit 6 can be removable or movable, or even simply pivotably attached to the structure 20.

The cleaning method according to the invention will now be specifically described.

The cleaning process comprises the following steps:

 a step of placing the cartridge 4 in said chamber 7,

 and a step of projecting the particulate elements 3 towards the fan 2 from the cartridge 4, subjecting the latter to a pressure shock P generated by the projection unit 6.

Preferably, the step of placing the cartridge 4 in the chamber 7 takes place before said projection step. Preferably, the chamber 7 comprises an opening 21 through which the cartridge 4 is introduced into the chamber 7, this opening being advantageously able to be closed by a sealed door 22 (as illustrated in FIG. 2). The sealed door 22 protects the user during the projection, and withstands the pressure shock P. The chamber 7 closed by the sealed door 22 preferably allows to contain the cartridge 4 in the shape of its side surface 5. The Chamber 7 preferably allows to optimize the placement of the cartridge 4 for a good projection of the particulate elements 3 towards the fan 2, Preferably, said chamber 7 is shaped to allow no misplacement of the cartridge 4 within of the projection unit 6. Thus, once the cartridge 4 positioned in the chamber 7, the cartridge axis XX 'is found substantially parallel to the projection direction D.

The pressure shock P is emitted by the projection unit 6 so as to project the particulate elements 3 towards the fan 2 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 4B). The pressure shock P may be in the form of a pressure imbalance on one side and the other of the particulate elements 3 in order to induce their displacement. It may for example consist of an overpressure to propel the particulate elements 3, or a vacuum allowing the contrary to suck. The pressure shock P can be generated by various means, as nonlimiting examples by a chemical reaction (by the use of powder for example), by the pressure generated by the fan 2 itself, or preferentially by releasing accumulated energy in the form of compressed air from a supply of compressed air 13.

The pressure shock P acts for example on the cartridge 4 so as to release the particulate elements 3 thereof by perforating, bursting or dislocating, to create openings for the passage of said particulate elements 3 out of the volume of the cartridge 4. In the case of the variant in which the cartridge 4 consists of the block 11, the pressure shock serves to disintegrate said block 11, which allows to release the particulate elements 3 forming the block 11. particulate elements 3 thus released no longer belong to the cartridge 4 and are free to move at high speed to hit the fan. Also, the pressure shock P acts on the cartridge 4 so as to project the particulate elements 3. The pressure shock P makes it possible, for example, to create a directional flow of air that drives the particulate elements 3 towards the fan 2 to be cleaned. Alternatively, the pressure shock P transmits its energy to a portion of the cartridge 4, such as the rear surface, so that the latter transmits said energy to the particulate elements 3 so that they are projected.

The cleaning method according to the invention further comprises a step of deteriorating the lateral surface 5 inside the chamber 7, so that said lateral surface 5 is not reusable. The deterioration step thus causes the lateral surface 5 to be disposable, in order to prevent a user, and in particular an end user, from recovering it, once the shot has been made, to reconstitute a new cartridge 4. So that the user is not able to extract the cartridge 4 out of the chamber 7 without it being damaged, the deterioration step is performed before, during or after the projection step, but before the entire opening of the chamber 7 after the projection step.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "deterioration" of the lateral surface 5 means any operation of destruction, dislocation, combustion, irreversible deformation, or any other process that can irreversibly affect the functionality of the lateral surface 5, rendering it this makes it unsuitable for the production of a new cartridge 4. Thus, said lateral surface 5 can not be directly reused in the confection of a new cartridge, without going through a manufacturing step requiring specific industrial means beyond the reach of the end user, such as a machine for recycling the materials constituting said lateral surface 5, then to give them again a functional form. According to a first variant of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the pressure shock P contributes to the deterioration of the lateral surface 5. Said pressure shock P then develops a sufficient energy to damage the lateral surface 5, which has a particular propensity to deteriorate when subjected to such energy. In an extremely advantageous manner, particularly economically and in the simplicity of implementation of the method, the pressure shock P then accumulates a triple function, namely to ensure the release of the particulate elements 3 of the cartridge 4, to ensure the projection of the particulate elements 3, and ensure the deterioration of the lateral surface 5.

Preferably, said pressure shock P is made at the rear of the cartridge 4 in consideration of the projection direction D of the particulate elements 3 so as to push the cartridge 4 against a stop 10, so as to cause the deterioration of the lateral surface 5 by buckling of the latter. Said buckling causes a centripetal or centrifugal radial deformation of the lateral surface 5, preferably centripetal, so that said lateral surface 5 deforms towards the inside of the cartridge 4.

Preferably, the pressure shock P constrains the cartridge 4 in compression against the abutment 10. In this situation, the lateral surface 5 is designed to flame, which causes its deterioration. According to the first variant of the invention, the lateral surface 5 of the cartridge contributes to delimiting an interior volume V, the particulate elements 3 occupying only a fraction of said interior volume V so as to be at a sufficient distance D1 from the lateral surface. 5, so that the latter can deform towards the inside of the cartridge 4 during the pressure shock P, without its deformation being inhibited by the particulate elements 3. According to the first variant of the invention (as illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B), the front face 30 is formed by a front plug 8, said front plug 8 being ejected by the pressure shock P during the projection step.

Said front cap 8 is attached to the lateral surface 5 sufficiently loosely so that the pressure shock P (or the particles 3 projected by the pressure shock P), can project in turn the front cap 8, so that this the latter no longer obstruct the path of the particulate elements 3 to the fan 2. The front cap 8 may advantageously be made of a friable material, such as for example polystyrene, so that it is dislocated during the projection step, and that it does not damage the fan 2.

According to a second variant of the invention (as illustrated in FIG. 7), the particulate elements 3 are aggregated together by a binder in order to form a block 11, a portion of the surface of which forms by itself the surface Lateral view 5 of the cartridge 4. According to this variant, the cartridge 4 does not have a separate envelope intended to contain the particulate elements 3 in a storage volume defined by said envelope. The block 11 constituting the cartridge 4 is full (that is to say, it is not hollow, which does not exclude however that it can be porous), and is therefore predominantly or exclusively formed by the particulate elements 3 for cleaning the fan 2 and a suitable binder, which makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate the presence of other materials to form the cartridge 4, said other materials being useless for cleaning. In this case, the step of projecting the particulate elements 3 does not cause other waste than the particulate elements 3 themselves, after their impact against the fan 2. The block 11 can be made for example by molding, so that the contour (forming in particular the lateral surface 5) of the agglomerate of particulate elements 3 bonded to each other by the binder has a predetermined geometry.

According to this second variant, the method comprises a step of disintegrating said block 11, so that said particulate elements 3 are no longer born to each other when they reach the fan 2. Said disintegration step can be carried out before the step projection, so that the pressure shock P applies directly to said particulate elements 3 disaggregated. The disintegration step can be performed at the beginning of the projection step by the pressure shock, which then transmitting to block 1 sufficient energy to be disaggregated. The disintegration step can also be performed during the path of the particulate elements 3 to the fan, for example when the latter strike the abutment 10. According to this variant, it is necessary to choose a suitable binder to prevent the particulate elements 3 remain amalgamated when they come into contact with the fan 2. Indeed, the percussion of the fan 2 by a large portion of the block 11 un-disaggregated could damage said fan 2.

According to a third variant, the deterioration step comprises a transmission of a force exerted manually by a user on the cartridge 4, so that said force contributes to deteriorating the lateral surface 5. By way of non-limiting example, the closure of the sealed door 22 of the chamber 7 by the user may allow to radially crush the lateral surface 5. According to another non-limiting example, the user can damage the lateral surface 5 inside the chamber 7 by actuating a lever connected to an axial compression means of said lateral surface 5 (not shown in the figures).

According to a fourth variant (as illustrated in FIG. 3, 4A, 8A and 8B), the deterioration step comprises a radial deterioration operation performed when the cartridge 4 is present in the chamber 7. This radial deterioration operation comprises the implementation of a radial mechanical bias action 12 of the lateral surface 5, made radially relative to the axis XX \ preferably centripetally. For example, the radial mechanical biasing action 12 includes the exercise of a compressive force of the lateral surface 5 around its perimeter to cause a deflection, or an implosion of the latter to the inside the room 7.

Preferably, this operation of radial deterioration is implemented by expansion of an expandable element 9 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4A) arranged to move between a retracted state and an expanded state. In its expanded state, the expandable element 9 applies, on the lateral surface 5, a pressure whose level is sufficient to deteriorate said lateral surface 5. By way of example, said expandable element 9 may comprise an inflatable sleeve 23 placed around it from the surface This inflatable sleeve 23 is then inflated, for example by means of a reserve of pressurized air, in order to reduce the internal diameter thereof to radially compress the lateral surface 5 until deterioration of the latter, by example by breaking it or deforming it plastically. Whatever the variant envisaged, the method preferably comprises a step during which the deteriorated side surface 5 is projected towards the fan 2. For example, said damaged lateral surface 5 may also be projected out of the chamber 7 , so that at the end of the projection step, the chamber 7 is empty and again ready to accommodate a new cartridge. It is thus not necessary for the user to clean the chamber 7 after the projection step. The side surface 5 deteriorated and thus evacuated can not be recovered by the user. The lateral surface 5 is in this case advantageously formed of materials compatible with the fan 2, in order not to damage it during the projection. The materials in question are, for example, friable materials (for example plaster, polystyrene or polyurethane foam), or with properties close to those of the particulate elements 3 at the end of the deterioration. Advantageously, the side surface 5 deteriorated and thus projected against the fan 2 contributes to the cleaning thereof.

Preferably, the fan 2 is in operation during the projection step. Thus, the fan 2 advantageously plays its usual role of displacing fluids, possibly at the heart of an industrial process in which it is involved, when it is cleaned according to the projection method. For example, if the fan 2 has axial or centrifugal operation, its blades 24 rotate during the projection step, preferably at a constant speed which is advantageously the normal operating speed.

The cleaning device 1 according to the invention will now be more specifically described. The cleaning device 1 is preferably used in the cleaning process of a fan 2 of industrial type by projection of particulate elements 3 as described supra, that is to say, it is advantageously designed to implement the steps of said method. Therefore, the whole of the foregoing description also applies mutatis mutandis to the device 1. Said cleaning device 1 comprises, as mentioned previously, a projection unit 6 provided with a chamber 7.

Preferably, the projection unit 6 comprises, for example, a barrel 14 (as represented in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2) which communicates with the chamber 7 and which is intended to guide at least the projected particulate elements towards the ventilator 2.

Preferably, the barrel 14 has a bent shape in order to guide at least the projected particulate elements 3 in a curved projection direction D (not shown in the figures), so that said particulate elements 3 reach a particular zone of the fan 2. the industrial context in which it is used, the fan 2 may include areas particularly conducive to the accumulation of dirt 19, it is thus possible to aim through the barrel 14.

The projection unit 6 is intended to receive a cartridge 4, containing or formed by said particulate elements 3, said cartridge 4 comprising as described above a lateral surface 5, said particulate elements 3 being intended to be projected towards said fan 2 by said projection unit 6. Said projection unit 6 comprises means for subjecting said cartridge 4 to a pressure shock P in order to project the particulate elements 3 towards the fan 2 from the cartridge 4. Preferably, the means for subjecting the cartridge 4 to a pressure shock P include, for example, a supply of compressed air 13 and a valve 25 (as shown in FIG. 2). The valve 25 separates the chamber 7 and the supply of compressed air 13, and switches from a closed position to an open position to suddenly release a predetermined amount of compressed air stored in the compressed air supply 13, in order to generate the pressure shock P in the chamber 7.

According to the invention, the projection unit 6 comprises a deterioration means 26 designed to damage the lateral surface 5 inside the chamber 7, so that said lateral surface 5 is not reusable, as exposed previously in relation to the corresponding method. According to the first or second variant of the invention, the deterioration means 26 comprises a stop 10, arranged within the chamber 7 so that the pressure shock P pushes said cartridge 4 against said stop 10 so as to contribute to the deterioration of the lateral surface 5 by buckling of the latter. Thus, the pressure shock P can be carried out for example at the rear of the cartridge 4 in consideration of the projection direction D of the particulate elements 3, in order to axially press said cartridge 4 against said stop 10 to cause the buckling of the side surface 5 (as shown in Figure 4B), as previously discussed in connection with the corresponding method. Preferably, the chamber 7 comprises a cylindrical guiding surface 27 in translation of the cartridge 4, said cylindrical guide surface 27 in translation having a local restriction of section 28 constituting said stop 10. Said local restriction of section 28 may be located for example at the interface of the barrel 14 and the chamber 7, and be in the form of an inner shoulder to the cylinder formed by the barrel 14, and extending for example all around the circumference of said barrel.

According to the third variant, the deterioration means 26 includes, for example, means (not shown in the figures) for transmitting a force exerted manually by a user on the cartridge 4, so that said force contributes to deteriorating said lateral surface 5.

According to the fourth variant of the invention, the deterioration means 26 is designed to effect a radial mechanical bias action of the lateral surface 5 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4A).

The radial damage means 26 comprises, for example, an expandable member 9 arranged in the chamber 7 so that said expandable member 9 evolves between a retracted state in which said expandable member 9 does not act on the lateral surface 5 , and an expanded state in which it applies a pressure on the lateral surface 5, said pressure being sufficient to deteriorate said lateral surface 5, te! as previously discussed in relation to the corresponding method. The invention also relates to a cartridge 4 that can be used in the method of cleaning a fan 2 of industrial type by projection as described above or in the cleaning device 1 of a fan 2 of industrial type projection such as described above, that is to say that it is advantageously designed to implement the steps of said method, and to adapt to said cleaning device 1. Therefore, the whole of the foregoing description also applies mutatis mutandis to said cartridge 4.

Said cartridge can be considered according to two distinct embodiments described below. The cartridge 4 according to the first embodiment comprises a lateral surface 5 contributing to define an interior volume V accommodating particulate elements 3 intended to be projected towards a fan 2 of industrial type for the purpose of cleaning the latter (such as as illustrated in Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7, 8A and 8B).

Within the meaning of the invention, the cartridge 4 encloses the particulate elements 3 by at least the lateral surface 5, preferably substantially rigid, which forms a protective envelope around said particulate elements 3, and delimits an interior volume V in which are contained said particulate elements 3.

The cartridge 4 is designed to be subjected to a pressure shock P for projecting the particulate elements 3 from the cartridge towards the fan 2. Preferably, the front face 30 is formed by a front plug 8, said plug frontal 8 being ejected by the pressure shock P during the projection step.

Preferably, the front plug 8 is formed by a part independent of the lateral surface 5 and attached thereto, said front plug 8 being intended to be separated from the lateral surface 5 under the effect of the pressure shock P. Ledit front cap 8 is attached to the side surface 5 loosely enough that the pressure shock P (or the particulate elements 3 projected by the pressure shock P), can project in turn the front cap 8, so that the latter no longer obstruct the path of the particulate elements 3 to the fan 2. The plug frontal 8 may advantageously be made of a friable material, such as for example polystyrene, so that it is dislocated during the projection step, and it does not damage the fan 2.

According to the invention, the particulate elements 3 occupy only a fraction of said interior volume V, so as to be at a sufficient distance D1 from the lateral surface 5 to allow the latter to deform towards the inside of the cartridge 4 .

Indeed, in the case of the first and the third variant, the lateral surface 5 is subjected to an axial action to be deteriorated by buckling. The buckling of the lateral surface 5 requires a free space inside the cartridge 4 so that said lateral surface 5 folds for example according to one or more folds (simple folding, or folding accordion). The lateral surface 5 can thus deform towards the inside of the cartridge 4 during the pressure shock P, without its deformation being inhibited by the particulate elements 3. When the cartridge 4 is contained in the chamber 7 of the unit 6, the lateral surface 5, when subjected to a buckling force (axial compression along the axis X-X '), is forced to deform outwardly of the cartridge 4, since a portion at less than the cylindrical translational guiding surface 27 of the chamber 7 substantially conforms to the shape of said lateral surface 5, preventing it from deflecting outwards. In the same way, in the case of the fourth variant (as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B), the lateral surface 5 is subjected to radial compression. The deformation of said lateral surface 5 is then made by deflection towards the inside of the cartridge 4. This deflection is thus made possible by providing sufficient free space in the interior volume V of the cartridge 4, allowing the lateral surface 5 of have a beat sufficient to be damaged, said beat being in this case D1 height.

In order to facilitate the deterioration of the lateral surface 5, said lateral surface 5 is preferably formed of a plastic material. The plastics material preferably comprises at least one of the following materials: polystyrene, polyurethane foam. These materials can be dislocated or plastically deformed easily under the effect of a shock such as for example the pressure shock P generated by the projection unit 6, but nevertheless allow to contain the particulate elements 3 firmly enclosed inside the cartridge 4 before for example its introduction into the chamber 7 of the projection unit 6. Alternatively, by way of example, it is possible to envisage making the lateral surface 5 with another type of more resistant material (for transport for example), such as a friable material, such as plaster. The cartridge 4 can then be used preferentially in the cleaning device 1 according to the third or fourth variant for which the deterioration means 26 does not rely solely on the pressure shock P.

The side surface 5 preferably has at least one geometric irregularity 15 to facilitate the initiation of deterioration (as shown in FIGS. 4B, 6A and 6B).

By geometrical irregularity is meant a conformation of the lateral surface to facilitate folding or breaking of the lateral surface 5 at a predetermined location and in a predetermined direction. The geometrical irregularity can play the role of a fracture primer. The lateral surface 5 has at least one geometric irregularity 15 intended to facilitate the deformation of the lateral surface 5. By way of example, the geometrical irregularity 15 may be in the form of a weakness in the lateral surface 5, a local thickness reduction, pre-cut, or pre-bending. It is possible to have several geometrical irregularities 15 over the entire surface of the lateral surface 5, in order to facilitate, for example, buckling or flexing of the latter.

Preferably, the lateral surface 5 has a plurality of geometric irregularities arranged so that said lateral surface 5 has an accordion structure. The accordion structure is for example a succession of geometric irregularities 15 according to a repeated scheme (as shown in FIG. 6A) arranged axially over the entire surface of the lateral surface 5, in order to facilitate the buckling of the latter. The lateral surface 5 is advantageously closed by the front and rear faces 31, the front face 30 being formed by a front cap 8 and the rear face 31 by a thrust surface 6.

The thrust surface 16 is intended to close the front end of the lateral surface 5 (as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 8A, and 8B). Preferably, the pressure shock P, emitted by the projection unit 6 of the cleaning device during the projection step of the cleaning process, bears against said thrust surface 1. Preferably, the thrust surface 16 is in the form of a cavity so as to concentrate the action of the pressure shock P for example close to the cartridge axis X-X ', and to guide said thrust surface in translation. at the pressure shock P. Said cavity is preferably oriented towards the inside of the cartridge 4. For example, the thrust surface 16 may be of disc shape and comprise an annular skirt 29 at its periphery, in order to form said shape of cavity, facilitating the translational guidance of said thrust surface 16 in the chamber 7, said annular skirt 29 conforming to the shape of the complementary cylindrical surface 27 of translation. The annular skirt 29 for facilitating the guiding of the pushing surface 16 in translation, the risk of jamming of the latter in the chamber 7 is reduced. During the pressure shock P, the guide surface 16 translates in the direction of projection, and carries with it the particulate elements 3 contained in the cartridge 4 to effectively project them by propelling them.

The thrust surface 16, in the same way as the front cap 8, is formed for example by a part independent of the lateral surface 5 and attached thereto. Preferably, the thrust surface 6 forms with the lateral surface 5 a unitary unitary assembly.

The invention furthermore relates to a cartridge 4 according to the second embodiment (illustrated in FIG. 7) that can be used in the cleaning process of a fan 2 of industrial type by projection. described above or in the cleaning device 1 of a fan 2 industrial type projection as described supra. Said cartridge 4 according to this second embodiment is formed by a cylindrical block 11 of particulate elements 3 aggregated with each other using a binder, said block 11 being designed to be disaggregated so that said particulate elements 3 can be projected on a fan 2 of industrial type. Therefore, the whole of the foregoing description also applies mutatis mutandis to this second embodiment of the cartridge 4. According to this second embodiment, the cartridge 4 does not have an envelope intended to contain the particulate elements. 3 in a storage volume. The block 11 constituting the cartridge 4 is full, and is therefore predominantly or exclusively formed by the particulate elements 3 intended for cleaning the fan 2, which makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate the presence of other materials to constitute the cartridge. 4, said other materials being useless for cleaning. In this case, the step of projecting the particulate elements 3 does not cause other wastes that the particulate elements 3 themselves, after their impact against the fan 2. The block 11 can be made for example using molding, so that the contour of the agglomerate of particulate elements 3 bonded to each other by the binder is formed, in order to obtain the lateral surface 5.

According to this second embodiment, the disintegration of said block 11 must be carried out in such a way that said particulate elements 3 are no longer linked together when they reach the fan 2. Said disintegration step can be carried out before the step of projection, so that the pressure shock P applies directly to said disaggregated particulate elements 3. The disintegration step can be carried out at the beginning of the projection step by the pressure shock, which then transmits to the block 11 sufficient energy to be disaggregated. The disintegration step may also be performed during the path of the particulate elements 3 to the fan, for example when the latter strike the abutment 10 of the projection unit 6. According to this variant, it is necessary to choose a suitable binder to prevent the particulate elements 3 remain amalgamated when they come into contact with the fan 2. Indeed, the percussion of the fan 2 by a large portion of the unbreaked block 11 could damage said fan 2. The invention finally relates to a system comprising the cleaning device 1 of a fan 2 of industrial type by projection of particulate elements 3 described supra and a cartridge 4 such as one of the two described supra.

Preferably, the front cap 8 is held in position by a first holding member 17 attached to the chamber 7, and the thrust surface 16 is held in position by a second holding member 18 of the chamber 7, so that when the side surface 5 is deteriorated, the particulate elements 3 are held between the front plug 8 and the thrust surface 16 when the side surface 5 is damaged. Thus, before the pressure shock P, the particulate elements 3 remain trapped in the chamber 7, and do not fall by gravity into the barrel 14, or outside the projection unit, or upstream of the chamber 7 near the reserve of compressed air 13, especially in the case where the projection unit is not placed horizontally.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The invention finds its industrial application in the design, manufacture and implementation of devices and systems for cleaning industrial type fans by spraying particulate elements.

Claims

A method of cleaning an industrial type fan (2) by projecting particulate elements (3) in a projection direction (D), said particulate elements (3) being contained in a cartridge (4), said cartridge (4) ) comprising a rear face (31) and a front face (30) disposed downstream of the rear face (31) in consideration of the projection direction (D) and a lateral surface (5) connecting said front faces (30) and rear (31), said particulate elements (3) being projected by means of a projection unit (6) comprising a chamber (7), in which are implemented the following steps:  a step of placing the cartridge (4) in said chamber (7), a step of projecting the particulate elements (3) toward the fan (2) from the cartridge (4) by subjecting the latter (4) to a pressure shock (P) generated by the projection unit (6), characterized in that it comprises a step of deteriorating the lateral surface (5) inside the chamber (7), so that said lateral surface (5) is not reusable. A method of cleaning a ventilator (2) of industrial type according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure shock (P) contributes to the deterioration of the lateral surface (5). A method of cleaning an industrial type ventilator (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure shock (P) is effected at the rear of the cartridge (4) in consideration of the projection direction (D). ) particulate elements (3) for pushing said cartridge (4) against a stop (10) so as to cause the deterioration of the lateral surface (5) by buckling thereof. Method for cleaning an industrial type ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front face (30) is formed by a front cap (8), said front cap (8) being ejected by the pressure shock (P) during the projection step. A method of cleaning an industrial type ventilator (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the particulate elements (3) are aggregated together by a binder to form a block (11) a portion of the surface of which forms by itself the lateral surface (5) of the cartridge (4), said method comprising a step of disintegrating said block (11), so that said particulate elements (3) are not more connected when they reach the fan (2). A method of cleaning an industrial type ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said deterioration step comprises a radial deterioration operation performed when the cartridge (4) is present in the chamber (7), and comprising the implementation of a radial mechanical biasing action (12) of the lateral surface (5). A method of cleaning a ventilator (2) of industrial type according to claim 6, characterized in that said radial deterioration operation is carried out by expansion of an expandable element (9) arranged to move between a retracted state and a expanded state in which it applies, on the lateral surface (5), a pressure whose level is sufficient to deteriorate said lateral surface (5). A method of cleaning an industrial type ventilator (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said method comprises a step during which the deteriorated lateral surface (5) is projected towards the ventilator (2). - A method of cleaning a fan (2) of industrial type according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fan (2) is in operation during the projection step. -Dispositif of cleaning (1) of a fan (2) of industrial type by projection of particulate elements (3) in a direction of projection (D), comprising a projection unit (6) provided with a chamber (7). ) for receiving a cartridge (4) enclosing said particulate elements (3), said cartridge (4) comprising a rear face (31) and a front face (30) disposed downstream of the rear face (31) for consideration the projection direction (D) and a lateral surface (5) connecting said front (30) and rear (31) faces, said particulate elements (3) being intended to be projected towards said ventilator (2) by said projection unit (6), said projection unit (6) having means for subjecting said cartridge (4) to a pressure shock (P), for projecting the particulate elements (3) towards the fan (2) to from the cartridge (4), characterized in that the projection unit (6) c understands a means of deterioration (26) adapted to deteriorate the lateral surface (5) inside the chamber (7), so that said lateral surface (5) is not reusable. Cleaning device (1) for a ventilator (2) of the industrial type according to claim 10, characterized in that the deterioration means (26) comprises a stop (10), arranged within the chamber (7) so that the pressure shock (P) pushes said cartridge (4) against said stop (10) so as to contribute to the deterioration of the lateral surface (5) by buckling of the latter. - Device for cleaning (1) a fan (2) industrial type according to claim 11, characterized in that the chamber (7) comprises a cylindrical surface for translational guide of the cartridge (4), said cylindrical surface of translational guide having a local sectional restriction (28) constituting said stop (10). 13 - Cartridge (4) that can be used in the method of cleaning a fan (2) industrial type projection according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or in the device for cleaning a fan (2 ) of industrial type projection according to any one of claims 10 to 12, said cartridge (4) comprising a lateral surface (5) helping to define an interior volume (V) accommodating particulate elements (3) intended to be projected in the direction of an industrial-type fan (2) for the purpose of cleaning it, said cartridge (4) being designed to be subjected to a pressure shock (P) for projecting the particulate elements (3) from the cartridge (4) towards the fan (2), characterized in that the particulate elements (3) occupy only a fraction of said interior volume (V) so as to be at a sufficient distance (D1) from the lateral surface ( 5) For r allow the latter to deform towards the inside of the cartridge (4). 14 - Cartridge (4) according to claim 13, characterized in that said lateral surface (5) is formed of a plastic material. 15 - Cartridge (4) according to claim 14, characterized in that the plastic material comprises at least one of the following materials: polystyrene, polyurethane foam. 16 - Cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the lateral surface (5) has at least one geometric irregularity (15) intended to facilitate said deformation of the lateral surface (5). 17 - Cartridge (4) according to claim 16, characterized in that the lateral surface (5) has a plurality of geometric irregularities (15) arranged for said lateral surface (5) has an accordion structure. 8 - Cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the lateral surface (5) is closed by front faces (30) and rear (31), the front face (30) being formed by a front cap (8) and the rear face (31) by a thrust surface (16). 19 - Cartridge (4) according to claim 18, characterized in that the front cap (8) is formed by a part independent of the lateral surface (5) and attached to the latter, said front cap (8) being intended to be separated from the lateral surface (5) under the effect of the pressure shock (P). 20 - Cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that! The thrust surface (6) forms with the lateral surface (5) a unitary unitary unit. 21 - Cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the thrust surface (16) is cavity-shaped so as to concentrate the action of the pressure shock (P) and to guide said thrust surface (16) in translation during the pressure shock (P). 22 - Cartridge (4) that can be used in the method of cleaning a fan (2) of the industrial type by projection according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or in the device for cleaning a fan (2 ) of industrial type by projection according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it is formed by a block (11) cylindrical particulate elements (3) aggregated with each other by means of a binder said block (11) being designed to be disaggregated so that said particulate elements (3) can be projected onto a fan (2) of industrial type. 23 -System comprising a cleaning device (1) of a fan of industrial type by projection of particulate elements (3) according to any one of claims 10 to 12 and a cartridge (4) according to any one of claims 13 to 21 or 22.