An automatic head cleaning device and process for cryogenic storage tanks

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic head cleaning device, which comprises a cleaning line, a first transfer mechanism, a back basket line and a second transfer mechanism. The first transfer mechanism and the second transfer mechanism are arranged at the two ends of the cleaning line and the back basket line respectively to form a closed loop, so that the cleaning requirement of the head is ensured. The cleaning line is provided with feeding, high-pressure spraying, ultrasonic cleaning, spraying rinsing, air knife water cutting, drying and discharging stations. The head is transmitted between each station by a walking mechanism, so that the automation is greatly improved. The high-pressure spraying pipeline on the high-pressure spraying station is in communication with an ultrasonic cleaning pool in the ultrasonic cleaning station. The ultrasonic cleaning pool is in communication with a liquid storage tank. The overflow of the ultrasonic cleaning pool flows into the liquid storage tank, and then returns to the ultrasonic cleaning pool through a circulating pump, so that the water resource is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cryogenic storage tank head cleaning technology, and in particular to an automated head cleaning device and process for cryogenic storage tanks. Background Technology

[0002] Storage tanks, as containers for storing liquids or gases, are widely used in medical, food, and chemical industries. A storage tank consists of end caps and a shell. During manufacturing, the end caps undergo multiple processes such as welding and cutting, which result in oil and impurities accumulating on their surface. Therefore, thorough cleaning of the end caps is essential for their usability. This is especially true for the end caps of cryogenic storage tanks; failure to clean them to the required level can affect the vacuum level of the subsequent jacket, causing significant damage to future use. Thus, ensuring the thoroughness of the end cap cleaning is a crucial step in the manufacturing process.

[0003] In existing technologies, a single cleaning line is usually used. After passing through the cleaning line, the end caps are very likely to be not thoroughly cleaned. Incomplete cleaning will render the end caps or other components unusable. Therefore, there is a need to provide a device that can thoroughly clean the end caps. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An automated head cleaning device for cryogenic storage tanks, comprising:

[0005] The cleaning line includes a feeding station, a high-pressure spraying station, an ultrasonic cleaning station, a spray rinsing station, an air knife water cutting station, a drying station, and a unloading station. The end caps are transported to each station via the first traveling mechanism.

[0006] The basket return line includes a second traveling mechanism and a basket return track, along which the basket is conveyed by the second traveling mechanism;

[0007] The first connecting mechanism connects one end of the loading station and the return basket line, and is used for the transfer of the end cap between the loading station and the return basket line;

[0008] The second connecting mechanism connects the unloading station and the return basket line at the other end away from where the first connecting mechanism is located, and is used for the transmission of the end cap between the unloading station and the return basket line;

[0009] The cleaning line, the first connecting mechanism, the basket return line, and the second connecting mechanism form a closed loop.

[0010] The ultrasonic cleaning station includes an ultrasonic cleaning tank, the spray rinsing station is equipped with a liquid storage tank, and the high-pressure spray station includes a high-pressure spray pipe connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank. Water overflowing from the ultrasonic cleaning tank flows into the liquid storage tank and then returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank via a circulation pump.

[0011] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic cleaning station includes a lifting mechanism and an ultrasonic vibrating plate, wherein the lifting mechanism submerges the end cap into the ultrasonic cleaning tank for ultrasonic vibration.

[0012] In one embodiment, the high-pressure spray station, ultrasonic cleaning station, spray rinsing station, air knife water cutting station, and drying station are equipped with stainless steel enclosures.

[0013] In one embodiment, the liquid in the high-pressure spray pipe needs to pass through a first filter before being sprayed.

[0014] In one embodiment, the high-pressure spray pipe includes a first high-pressure spray pipe and a second high-pressure spray pipe, wherein the first high-pressure spray pipe is located above the end cap and the second high-pressure spray pipe is located below the end cap.

[0015] In one embodiment, the spray rinsing station includes a first spray rinsing pipe located above the end cap and a second spray rinsing pipe located below the end cap.

[0016] In one embodiment, the water in the storage tank needs to pass through a second filter before flowing back to the ultrasonic cleaning tank.

[0017] In one embodiment, the air knife water cutting station includes an air knife with an angle of 20-80 degrees.

[0018] In one embodiment, the drying station includes several blowers and a heating chamber, and the drying temperature of the drying station is 60-80°C.

[0019] The cleaning process of an automated head cleaning device for cryogenic storage tanks:

[0020] S1: High-pressure spraying. The end cap is transferred to the high-pressure spraying station through the first traveling mechanism. The first high-pressure spray pipe and the second high-pressure spray pipe spray the end cap with chemical solution from all directions on the inner and outer surfaces. The pipes of the first high-pressure spray pipe and the second high-pressure spray pipe are connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank.

[0021] S2: Ultrasonic cleaning. The material frame and end cap are lowered into the ultrasonic cleaning tank by the lifting mechanism. Multiple sets of vibrating plates remove the dirt that is difficult to remove from the end cap. The cleaning solution overflows into the storage tank, and after being circulated by the circulation pump and the second filter, it returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank to complete the recycling of the cleaning solution.

[0022] S3: Spray rinsing. The first and second spray rinsing pipes rinse the inner and outer surfaces of the end cap with clean water from all directions to remove the residual chemicals from the previous process.

[0023] S4: Air knife cuts water, the end cap is cut off by compressed air through the air knife to remove water stains from the surface of the end cap;

[0024] S5: Air drying. The heating box controls the temperature inside the air drying station chamber, and the air blower continuously circulates air to dry the end caps.

[0025] S6: After cleaning and drying, the end caps are placed into the basket at the unloading station and enter the return basket line through the second connecting mechanism to check whether the cleaning requirements are met.

[0026] S7: Circulating cleaning. End caps that do not meet the cleaning requirements return to the loading station through the first connecting mechanism for cleaning again until the cleaning requirements are met.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the concrete slump testing device of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0028] 1. An automated end-cap cleaning device with a loop-shaped structure, consisting of a cleaning line, a first connecting mechanism, a return basket line, and a second connecting mechanism. The first and second connecting mechanisms are respectively set at both ends of the cleaning line and the return basket line to form a closed loop, ensuring that the end caps are cleaned multiple times between the cleaning line and the return basket line, thereby achieving the end cap cleaning requirements and meeting the requirements for automated end cap cleaning.

[0029] 2. The cleaning line is equipped with a first traveling mechanism, through which the end caps can be automatically transported to each workstation, greatly improving automation. In addition, each workstation is equipped with an individual switch control, and the controllers of each workstation can be used independently to avoid the failure of the entire device due to a single workstation error.

[0030] 3. The high-pressure spray pipe on the high-pressure spray station is connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank in the ultrasonic cleaning station. The ultrasonic cleaning tank and the storage tank are connected. The overflow water from the ultrasonic cleaning tank flows into the storage tank and then returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank through the circulation pump, thereby saving water resources.

[0031] 4. Install rotating devices at the spray rinsing station and the drying station respectively, so that the end cap can be thoroughly rinsed and dried by air blowing. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a side view of an automated head cleaning device for cryogenic storage tanks as described in this application;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a top view of an automated head cleaning device for cryogenic storage tanks as described in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This invention discloses an automated end cap cleaning device with a loop-shaped structure, comprising a cleaning line, a first connecting mechanism, a return basket line, and a second connecting mechanism. The cleaning line and the return basket line are respectively equipped with the first and second connecting mechanisms at both ends, forming a closed loop to ensure the cleanliness requirements of the end caps. The cleaning line includes stations for feeding, high-pressure spraying, ultrasonic cleaning, spray rinsing, air knife cutting, drying, and unloading. The end caps are transported between each station via a traveling mechanism, greatly improving automation. The high-pressure spraying station's high-pressure spray pipe is connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank in the ultrasonic cleaning station. The ultrasonic cleaning tank is connected to a storage tank; overflow from the ultrasonic cleaning tank flows into the storage tank and then returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank via a circulation pump, thus saving water resources.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention discloses an automated end cap cleaning device, which includes a cleaning line 100 and a return basket line 100'. The cleaning line 100 conveys the end cap through a first traveling mechanism 101, and the return basket line 100' conveys the basket through a second traveling mechanism 101'. The upper end cap 13 of the cleaning line 100 passes sequentially through the feeding station 10, the high-pressure spray station 20, the ultrasonic cleaning station 30, the spray rinsing station 40, the air knife water cutting station 50, the drying station 60, and the unloading station 70. From the high-pressure spray station 20 to the drying station 60, inverted U-shaped stainless steel boxes 102 are installed sequentially. Door curtains or baffles are installed at the junction of the feeding station 10 and the high-pressure spray station 20, and at the junction of the unloading station 70 and the drying station 60, so that the water in the high-pressure spray station 20, the ultrasonic cleaning station 30 and the spray rinsing station 40 will not splash out, the air knife in the air knife water cutting station 50 will not be disturbed by the external airflow, and the drying station 60 will play a heat preservation role. The loading station 10 is equipped with a material frame 11, a first traveling mechanism 101, and a second traveling mechanism 101'; a running motor 12 and a head 13 disposed in the material frame 11; a first connecting mechanism 15 is provided at one end of the loading station 10 of the cleaning line 100 and the return basket line 100'; a second connecting mechanism 72 is provided at the other end of the unloading station 70 of the cleaning line 100 and the return basket line 100'; the head 13 is transferred from the return basket line 100 to the other end of the unloading station 70 of the cleaning line 100 and the return basket line 100' via the first connecting mechanism 15. 'Transfer to the loading station 10, and transfer the end cap 13 from the unloading station 70 to the return basket line 100 through the second connecting mechanism 72'. Based on this, the first connecting mechanism 15, the cleaning line 100, the second connecting mechanism 72 and the return basket line 100' form a closed loop, so that the end cap 13 can circulate between the cleaning line 100 and the return basket line 100', so that the end cap 13 that is not thoroughly cleaned or not cleaned can pass through the cleaning line 100 multiple times to meet the cleaning requirements.

[0036] The return basket line 100' is equipped with a return basket track 90, on which multiple baskets 91 are mounted, allowing multiple end caps 13 to be transported at once on the return basket line 100'. The baskets 91 can be customized according to the size of the end caps 13 to meet different needs.

[0037] On the cleaning line 100, the end cap 13 is conveyed from the loading station 10 to the high-pressure spraying station 20 via the first traveling mechanism 101. The high-pressure spraying station 20 includes a first high-pressure spray pipe 21 and a second high-pressure spray pipe 22. The first high-pressure spray pipe 21 is located above the end cap 13, and the second high-pressure spray pipe 22 is located below the end cap 13, ensuring that both the inner and outer surfaces of the end cap 13 are thoroughly cleaned. The high-pressure spraying station 20 is equipped with a high-pressure spray pump 23 for controlling the spraying pressure of the first high-pressure spray pipe 21 and the second high-pressure spray pipe 22, a first filter 24 for filtering the chemical solution entering the spray pipes, and an electrical cabinet 25. During high-pressure spraying, the spray water contains cleaning agent, and the water temperature is adjusted according to different seasons to ensure that the cleaning agent is fully dissolved, ensuring that the end cap 13 is fully sprayed with cleaning agent on both the inner and outer surfaces during high-pressure spraying, and removing a large amount of surface oil and impurities.

[0038] After high-pressure spray cleaning, the end cap 13 undergoes a second cleaning process, passing through an ultrasonic cleaning station 30. This station 30 includes ultrasonic transducers 31, a lifting mechanism 32, and an ultrasonic cleaning tank 33. After the material frame 11 enters the ultrasonic cleaning station 30, the lifting mechanism 32 lowers the material frame 11 and the end cap 13 into the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33. Multiple sets of ultrasonic transducers 31 are installed at the bottom of the tank. By setting the ultrasonic power, frequency, and time, dirt in the crevices of the end cap 13 is also removed. Following the previous high-pressure spray cleaning process, the first high-pressure spray pipe 21 and the second high-pressure spray pipe 22 are connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33 via pipes. The cleaning solution in the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33 is used for spraying. Before entering the spray pipes, the solution needs to be filtered through a first filter 24. The cleaning solution in the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33 overflows and returns to the storage tank 41 located outside the spray rinsing station 40 of the cleaning line 100. After being circulated by the circulation pump 34 and filtered by the second filter 45, it returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33, thus recycling the cleaning solution in the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33 and greatly saving water resources. According to the set ultrasonic cleaning time, after the ultrasonic cleaning is completed, the lifting mechanism 32 automatically lifts the material frame 11 onto the first traveling mechanism 101 and enters the next station, the spray rinsing station 40.

[0039] The spray rinsing station 40 includes a liquid storage tank 41 located outside the station, a first spray rinsing pipe 42 located above the end cap 13, a second spray rinsing pipe 43 located below the end cap 13, a second spray pump 44 located outside the spray rinsing station 40 to control the spray pressure of the spray pipes, and a second filter 45 located in the liquid storage tank 41 to filter the chemical solution entering the ultrasonic cleaning tank 33. This station uses running water for spray rinsing to wash away any residual chemical solution on the end cap 13. Preferably, a first rotating mechanism 46 is installed on the spray rinsing station 40 to rotate the material frame 11, thereby better completing the rinsing and ensuring thorough cleaning.

[0040] After spray rinsing, the end cap 13 enters the air knife water cutting station 50, which includes an air knife 51 and a first blower 52. The first blower 52 controls the air knife 51 to use compressed air to blow away the liquid on the surface of the end cap 13. The blowing angle can be adjusted according to the actual situation, generally 20-80 degrees.

[0041] After the water is cut by the air knife, the material enters the drying station 60. The drying station 60 includes multiple air blowers 61 and a heating chamber 62. The internal temperature of the drying station 60 is controlled by the heating chamber 62, which, together with the air blowers 61, ensures that the end cap 13 is completely dried. Preferably, a second rotating mechanism 64 is installed on the drying station 60, which allows the material frame 11 to rotate, thereby better completing the air drying and achieving all-round drying at a temperature of 60-80℃.

[0042] After cleaning and drying, the end caps 13 are placed in the basket 91 of the unloading station 70 and transferred from the cleaning line 100 to the return basket line 100' via the connecting mechanism 72. A second motor 71 is provided at the bottom of the unloading station 70. Through the cooperation of the first motor 12 and the second motor 71, the first traveling mechanism 101 and the second traveling mechanism 101' are operated to complete the cyclical transfer of the end caps 13.

[0043] In addition, a drainage ditch 80 is provided outside the cleaning line 100 to discharge sewage through the drainage ditch 80.

[0044] In addition, to better control the entire cleaning process, the process control cabinet is installed outside the automated head cleaning device. Each station is equipped with an emergency stop button. The control panel on the process control cabinet can set all parameters and control statuses, including ultrasonic cleaning time, drying time and drying temperature, as well as the status display of the lifting mechanism and circulating filter, which greatly improves automation.

[0045] This invention also provides a cleaning process for the head of a cryogenic storage tank:

[0046] S1: High-pressure spraying. The end cap is transferred to the high-pressure spraying station through the first traveling mechanism. The first high-pressure spray pipe and the second high-pressure spray pipe spray the end cap with chemical solution from all directions on the inner and outer surfaces. The pipes of the first high-pressure spray pipe and the second high-pressure spray pipe are connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank.

[0047] S2: Ultrasonic cleaning. The material frame and end cap are lowered into the ultrasonic cleaning tank by the lifting mechanism. Multiple sets of vibrating plates remove the dirt that is difficult to remove from the end cap. The cleaning solution overflows into the storage tank, and after being circulated by the circulation pump and the second filter, it returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank to complete the recycling of the cleaning solution.

[0048] S3: Spray rinsing. The first and second spray rinsing pipes rinse the inner and outer surfaces of the end cap with clean water from all directions to remove the residual chemicals from the previous process.

[0049] S4: Air knife cuts water, the end cap is cut off by compressed air through the air knife to remove water stains from the surface of the end cap;

[0050] S5: Air drying. The heating box controls the temperature inside the air drying station chamber, and the air blower continuously circulates air to dry the end caps.

[0051] S6: After cleaning and drying, the end caps are placed into the basket at the unloading station and enter the return basket line through the second connecting mechanism to check whether the cleaning requirements are met.

[0052] S7: Circulating cleaning. End caps that do not meet the cleaning requirements return to the loading station through the first connecting mechanism for cleaning again until the cleaning requirements are met.

[0053] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automated head cleaning device for cryogenic storage tanks, characterized in that: It includes: The cleaning line includes a feeding station, a high-pressure spraying station, an ultrasonic cleaning station, a spray rinsing station, an air knife water cutting station, a drying station, and a unloading station. The end caps are transported to each station via the first traveling mechanism. The basket return line includes a second traveling mechanism and a basket return track, along which the basket is conveyed by the second traveling mechanism; The first connecting mechanism connects one end of the loading station and the return basket line, and is used for the transfer of the end cap between the loading station and the return basket line; The second connecting mechanism connects the unloading station and the return basket line at the other end away from where the first connecting mechanism is located, and is used for the transmission of the end cap between the unloading station and the return basket line; The cleaning line, the first connecting mechanism, the basket return line, and the second connecting mechanism form a closed loop. The ultrasonic cleaning station includes an ultrasonic cleaning tank, the spray rinsing station is equipped with a liquid storage tank, and the high-pressure spray station includes a high-pressure spray pipe connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank. Water overflowing from the ultrasonic cleaning tank flows into the liquid storage tank and then returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank via a circulation pump.

2. The automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic cleaning station includes a lifting mechanism and an ultrasonic vibrating plate. The lifting mechanism submerges the end cap into the ultrasonic cleaning tank for ultrasonic vibration.

3. The automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-pressure spray station, ultrasonic cleaning station, spray rinsing station, air knife water cutting station, and drying station are equipped with stainless steel enclosures.

4. The automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid in the high-pressure spray pipe needs to pass through a first filter before being sprayed.

5. An automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: The high-pressure spray pipe includes a first high-pressure spray pipe and a second high-pressure spray pipe, with the first high-pressure spray pipe located above the end cap and the second high-pressure spray pipe located below the end cap.

6. The automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spray rinsing station includes a first spray rinsing pipe located above the end cap and a second spray rinsing pipe located below the end cap.

7. An automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water in the storage tank needs to pass through a second filter before flowing back to the ultrasonic cleaning tank.

8. An automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air knife water cutting station includes an air knife, the angle of which is 20-80 degrees.

9. An automated head cleaning device for a cryogenic storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drying station includes several blowers and heating chambers, and the drying temperature of the drying station is 60-80℃.

10. The cleaning process of an automated head cleaning device for cryogenic storage tanks according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that: S1: High-pressure spraying. The end cap is transferred to the high-pressure spraying station through the first traveling mechanism. The first high-pressure spray pipe and the second high-pressure spray pipe spray the end cap with chemical solution from all directions on the inner and outer surfaces. The pipes of the first high-pressure spray pipe and the second high-pressure spray pipe are connected to the ultrasonic cleaning tank. S2: Ultrasonic cleaning. The material frame and end cap are lowered into the ultrasonic cleaning tank by the lifting mechanism. Multiple sets of vibrating plates remove the dirt that is difficult to remove from the end cap. The cleaning solution overflows into the storage tank, and after being circulated by the circulation pump and the second filter, it returns to the ultrasonic cleaning tank to complete the recycling of the cleaning solution. S3: Spray rinsing. The first and second spray rinsing pipes rinse the inner and outer surfaces of the end cap with clean water from all directions to remove the residual chemicals from the previous process. S4: Air knife cuts water, the end cap is cut off by compressed air through the air knife to remove water stains from the surface of the end cap; S5: Air drying. The heating box controls the temperature inside the air drying station chamber, and the air blower continuously circulates air to dry the end caps. S6: After cleaning and drying, the end caps are placed into the basket at the unloading station and enter the return basket line through the second connecting mechanism to check whether the cleaning requirements are met. S7: Circulating cleaning. End caps that do not meet the cleaning requirements return to the loading station through the first connecting mechanism for cleaning again until the cleaning requirements are met.

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