Method and apparatus for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers using a fluidically driven cleaning device

Abstract

Method for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers (15) by means of a cleaning device (1), wherein at least one jet nozzle (3) movably mounted on the cleaning device (1) is moved in at least two directions (17, 18) substantially parallel to the plane of the heat exchanger (15) such that the surface of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned can be partially or completely cleaned, characterized by the fact that the cleaning device (1) comprises a frame (2) which preferably covers the entire surface of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned, on which a portal unit (6) for the at least one jet nozzle (3) is movably arranged such that the movements (22) of the portal unit (6) can cover at least partial areas of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned and reach them for cleaning. within the portal unit (6) a guide carriage (5) is arranged to be movable such that the movements (17, 18) of the guide carriage (5) for the at least one jet nozzle (3) can sweep over the partial area of ​​the heat exchanger (15) covered by the portal unit (6) and the jet nozzle (3) can thereby clean this partial area, wherein all movements of portal unit (6) and guide carriage (5) are fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers by means of a cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding device according to the preamble of claim 5.

[0002] Heat exchangers are found in many areas and are important components, for example, in engine cooling, cold storage facilities, and air conditioning systems. They are the most widely used energy transfer systems in practice. Rotors compress or draw ambient air against the tubes of the heat exchanger to cool the fluid inside. Fins attached to the tubes create larger cooling surfaces, resulting in effective cooling of the fluid.

[0003] In developing countries, the energy demand for air conditioning is increasing significantly, and with it the use of heat exchangers. Therefore, an efficiency improvement of just 5% in the heat exchangers used in such air conditioning units would have considerable global impact.

[0004] Heat exchangers, however, quickly become contaminated due to various environmental factors present at their installation sites. Sand, dust, pollen, and other suspended particles found in the environment can accumulate on the heat exchangers. Such contaminants quickly form an insulating layer that negatively impacts heat transfer within the heat exchanger, significantly reducing its energy efficiency and increasing energy costs, for example, for air conditioning. Furthermore, the contaminants reduce the amount of air forced or drawn through the spaces between the finned tubes. This leads to a further reduction in cooling capacity. Additionally, the corrosion of the contaminated heat exchanger components caused by such contamination reduces the operating life of the units.

[0005] The functionality of these heat exchangers therefore depends to a large extent on the cleanliness of their surfaces. Currently, heat exchangers are mostly cleaned using chemicals (so-called spray methods). Compressed air is usually used additionally or afterwards. Such methods are often unsatisfactory in terms of cleaning results and are also harmful to the environment and employees.

[0006] Another method involves using high-pressure cleaning equipment, which in this case operates at relatively low pressure and usually with the addition of chemical cleaning agents. However, the dense water jet can very quickly bend the delicate fins of heat exchangers, especially if the jet hits the fins at an angle. Furthermore, the dense water jet cannot completely penetrate the heat exchanger, at least not with greater installation depths. While the front surface may be clean, the entire internal surface remains uncleaned. Operating the nozzles requires relatively large quantities of water, which must be supplied and disposed of or treated. Due to the relatively low velocity of the water exiting the nozzle and its high density, a braking effect occurs in the narrow channels of the finned heat exchanger. This results in the water achieving good cleaning results on the front surface.However, the cleaning effect diminishes with increasing depth of the heat exchanger, i.e., with greater depth. As a result, while the front surface is clean, the cleaned finned heat exchanger exhibits poor flow rates. This leads to significantly increased cleaning costs or, due to insufficient heat dissipation, necessitates reducing the output of any component interacting with the finned heat exchanger, such as a turbine.

[0007] A method for cleaning heat exchangers is known from WO 2018 / 077326 A1, which uses only compressed air and small quantities of ordinary water (drinking water quality) without any chemical additives. The water is introduced into a compressed air stream in a specially designed system. Depending on the application and the nozzle used, the required amount of water is typically only 30-90 liters per operating hour. The high cleaning power is primarily due to the cavitation effect when the jet hits the surface to be cleaned. This cleaning power removes even oil and grease without any additives. Applications are primarily limited to cleaning sensitive surfaces such as finned heat exchangers. This method can also be automated for larger heat exchanger surfaces. Usually, 3-4 nozzles are used simultaneously, resulting in a jet width of approximately 500 mm.A fully automated version features an electronic control system (PLC). This electronic control allows the user to select from several cleaning programs. The appropriate cleaning program can then be selected depending on the degree of soiling.

[0008] Automated cleaning devices are already known for high-pressure cleaning as well as cleaning with water and compressed air. However, due to their complex design and associated costs, these devices are only suitable for use on large surfaces. Using them to clean smaller heat exchangers would be far too complex due to their design and the complexity of their control systems.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a device for cleaning smaller air-cooled heat exchangers, which is simple in design and cost-effective and suitable for cleaning smaller heat exchangers installed vertically and horizontally.

[0010] The solution to the problem according to the invention is achieved with respect to the method by the characterizing features of claim 1 and with respect to the apparatus by the characterizing features of claim 5, each in conjunction with the features of the associated preamble. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0011] The method according to the invention is based on a method for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers using a cleaning device, wherein at least one jet nozzle movably mounted on the cleaning device is moved in at least two directions substantially parallel to the plane of the heat exchanger such that the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned can be partially or completely cleaned. Such a generic method for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers using a cleaning device is further developed according to the invention in that the cleaning device has a frame, preferably covering the entire surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, on which a portal unit for the at least one jet nozzle is movably arranged.that the movements of the portal unit can cover and reach at least partial areas of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, and that a guide carriage is movably arranged within the portal unit such that the movements of the guide carriage for the at least one jet nozzle can sweep over the partial area of ​​the heat exchanger covered by the portal unit, and that the jet nozzle can thereby clean this partial area, wherein all movements of the portal unit and guide carriage are fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven. The term "frame frame" used here shall henceforth be understood to mean any type of support and guide that is arranged in the edge region of the heat exchanger and is suitable for supporting and guiding the portal unit. In the simplest case, this can also include two frames running along the edge of the heat exchanger.parallel guides or the like. The use of such a frame, advantageously covering the entire heat exchanger and containing a movable portal unit, enables simple assembly and positioning of the blast nozzle, particularly if the portal unit covers only a portion of the movement space available along the heat exchanger provided by the frame. This allows, after coarse positioning of the portal unit over the area of ​​the heat exchanger to be cleaned, the fine positioning of the blast nozzle to be carried out using the positioning devices of the portal unit itself. The dimensions of these devices are typically significantly smaller than those of the heat exchanger and therefore allow for improved positioning of the blast nozzle within the respective movement range of the portal unit using simple means. The preferably planar movement space of the portal unit also facilitates this.The gantry, which typically extends over the entire height and a section of the heat exchanger, allows for precise yet simple execution of the blast nozzle movements. These movements are achieved by a guide carriage that is advantageously movable on two axes. This carriage's movements enable the at least one blast nozzle to sweep over the portion of the heat exchanger covered by the gantry unit, cleaning this area, for example, line by line. The guide carriage can run directly along a guide rail in one direction, such as transversely to the heat exchanger, with the guide rail acting as a linear guide to move the blast nozzle linearly. In the other direction, such as longitudinally to the heat exchanger, this guide rail can then be moved within the gantry unit. For example, it is conceivable that...The movement of the blast nozzle along the guide rail is used to complete a cleaning path on the heat exchanger, and the positioning of the blast nozzle between adjacent cleaning paths is achieved by adjusting the guide rail within the gantry unit. Of course, this could also be done in reverse or in other ways. A particular advantage here is that, due to these simple Cartesian movement possibilities of the blast nozzle, these movements do not require complex drive and control systems, e.g., of an electrical nature, but can be implemented quite simply using fluidic and, in particular, pneumatic mechanisms. Such fluidic and especially pneumatic drives are particularly robust and reliable, even under the harsh environmental conditions in which heat exchangers frequently operate and, of course, must be cleaned, and can be operated reliably over extended periods.They require very little maintenance. Furthermore, it is advantageous that, due to the cleaning of the heat exchangers using compressed air and water, compressed air must already be present at the heat exchangers, thus eliminating the need for an additional power supply for the cleaning device. This makes the method according to the invention particularly simple and economical to implement and especially advantageous for cleaning small and medium-sized heat exchangers. However, these particular advantages of fluidic drives do not preclude the possibility of using electric drives, either wholly or partially, instead of fluidic drives, depending on the required accuracy of the movements, the environmental conditions at the installation site, and other relevant requirements. In this context, the term "fluidic" should always be understood as...that individual or all drives may, when applying the method and also the device, be designed electrically / electronically.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the movement of the guide traverse relative to the gantry unit for the nozzle feed is mechanically controlled. The primary benefit here is that a mechanically controlled movement of the guide traverse enables the feed movement of the guide traverse to be achieved with high accuracy and consistency, which is necessary for good overlap of adjacent paths of the nozzle during cleaning. This precise positioning is otherwise more complex using fluidic methods than with mechanical control.

[0013] Furthermore, it is conceivable that after the complete cleaning of the area of ​​the heat exchanger covered by the portal unit, the guide carriage and / or the guide traverse are moved back to a starting position relative to the portal unit, and the portal unit is moved fluidically, preferably by means of a pneumatic motor and winch, relative to the frame, so that the jet nozzle can clean another partial area of ​​the heat exchanger.This allows the portal unit to approach the next section of the heat exchanger after processing the area that is just below the area that can be processed by the portal unit. This is achieved by repositioning the portal unit relative to the frame using a pneumatic motor and a winch unit actuated by the pneumatic motor, after which the newly covered area can be cleaned using the movement capabilities of the guide carriage and guide traverse.

[0014] The invention further relates to a device for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers by means of a cleaning device, wherein at least one jet nozzle movably mounted on the cleaning device is movable in at least two directions essentially parallel to the plane of the heat exchanger in such a way that the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned can be partially or completely cleaned.Such a generic device is further developed in accordance with the invention by the fact that the cleaning device has a frame, preferably covering the entire surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned, on which a portal unit for the at least one jet nozzle is movably arranged such that the movements of the portal unit can cover at least partial areas of the heat exchanger to be cleaned and reach them for cleaning, and a guide carriage is movably arranged within the portal unit such that the movements of the guide carriage for the at least one jet nozzle sweep over the partial area of ​​the heat exchanger covered by the portal unit and the jet nozzle can thereby clean this partial area, wherein all movements of the portal unit and guide carriage can be fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven.The essential characteristics and advantages of a device particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to claim 1 have already been described in relation to the method; therefore, reference is made here to that.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous to use fluidic motors and / or fluidic cylinders, preferably pneumatic motors and / or pneumatic cylinders, as drives for the movements of the portal unit and guide carriage. Such fluidic drives are relatively inexpensive and can be operated reliably even under harsh environmental conditions, and their accuracy is sufficiently precise for the intended application. Both fluidic cylinders, such as pneumatic cylinders, and fluidic motors can be used, which, via auxiliary and transmission devices, are connected to and drive the components to be moved, such as the guide carriage or the guide crossbeam.

[0016] To achieve a range of motion for the device that is compatible with the typically flat design of at least some sections of the heat exchanger, a further embodiment allows the guide carriage to be movably mounted on a guide crossbeam on the portal unit in a first direction of movement. The guide crossbeam itself is, in turn, movably mounted on the portal unit in a direction perpendicular to this first direction of movement. This allows the guide carriage with the attached jet nozzle to be moved along the guide crossbeam, for example, from above and below or vice versa, while the guide crossbeam itself is designed to be movable perpendicular to this movement relative to the portal unit. The guide carriage and guide crossbeam can thus be moved at a constant distance across the surface of the heat exchanger, ensuring that the jet nozzle always maintains a constant distance from the surface of the heat exchanger to be cleaned.

[0017] In a further embodiment, it is conceivable that a fluidic cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, is provided as the drive for the movements of the guide carriage on the horizontal or at least at an angle perpendicular guide traverse, which lifts the guide carriage vertically, e.g., against gravity. The movement of the fluidic cylinder on the at least partially vertical guide traverse can then be transmitted from the fluidic cylinder to the guide carriage via rollers and / or cables, so that, through appropriate gearing (pulley principle), relatively large strokes of the guide carriage can be achieved with relatively short strokes of the fluidic cylinder.

[0018] Furthermore, with a partially vertically arranged guide traverse, it is conceivable that the return movement of the guide carriage to a home position on the at least partially vertically arranged guide traverse occurs automatically under the influence of gravity, preferably under the influence of a weight load. For this purpose, the guide carriage can optionally be weighted down to reinforce the return movement under the influence of gravity.

[0019] In another embodiment, it is conceivable that a fluidic motor, preferably a pneumatic motor, is provided as the drive for the movements of the guide carriage on a substantially horizontally arranged guide traverse. This motor moves the guide carriage in the plane of the portal unit along the guide traverse. Fluidic motors are standard components known per se that can rotate and reverse their direction of rotation when supplied with compressed air. This has the advantage that, for example, a pneumatic motor can initiate both forward and reverse movements of the guide carriage. Here, too, it is conceivable that the movement of the guide carriage along the substantially horizontally arranged guide traverse is transmitted from the fluidic motor, preferably the pneumatic motor, to the guide carriage via rollers and / or cables.

[0020] It is particularly advantageous if the movement of the guide traverse relative to the portal unit for the delivery of the blast nozzle can be mechanically controlled. Such forced control offers the advantage of high accuracy and uniformity, e.g., of the feed movement of the guide traverse, in order to achieve good coverage of adjacent paths of the blast nozzle during cleaning, without requiring excessive effort in terms of fluidic positioning.

[0021] It is conceivable, for example, that mechanical guide elements are arranged on the portal unit in the area of ​​the two end positions of the guide carriage's movement along the guide traverse. These guide elements interact with the guide traverse or the guide carriage in such a way that the guide traverse is positively advanced by a certain distance relative to the portal unit when the guide carriage moves into the area of ​​an end position. The mechanical guide elements could, for example, be toothed, guide-chamfered strips on the portal unit. These strips interact with feed elements provided on both sides of the ends of the guide carriage. Upon reaching the respective end position of the guide carriage, these feed elements advance the guide traverse along the guide chamfers perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the guide traverse, thus effecting the desired infeed movement.The toothed, guide-chamfered toothed strips can be arranged offset from each other by, for example, half a tooth width perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the guide traverse, so that the guide traverse shifts by a defined amount in the feed direction relative to the portal unit when it reaches each end position. To illustrate, the guide element on the guide traverse that comes into contact with a tooth of the toothed strip is forced in the feed direction by the angle of the tooth, and thus the guide traverse also shifts further in the feed direction as desired, so that the jet nozzle, during the next movement of the guide carriage, traces a new cleaning path slightly offset from the previously completed cleaning path.For this purpose, it is advantageous if the tooth spacing of the toothed, guide-chambered toothed strips is chosen in such a way that the feed of the guide traverse and thus of the jet nozzle perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the guide traverse ensures sufficient overlap between successive cleaning processes of the jet nozzle.

[0022] Furthermore, it is conceivable that a horizontal return of the guide traverse to a starting position relative to the portal unit is achieved by an additional return carriage, which can be activated by means of a cable attached to the portal element via a toggle switch or a rocker arm that flips over, as soon as the guide traverse reaches its end position within the portal unit. This returns the guide traverse to its intended starting position relative to the portal unit, making it available in its intended position for a new machining cycle.

[0023] It is also advantageous if the movement of the portal unit relative to the frame can be fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven, preferably with a fluidic motor. In this way, the movement of the portal unit relative to the frame can be transmitted simply and with sufficient accuracy from the fluidic motor, preferably the pneumatic motor, to the portal unit via rollers and / or cables.

[0024] A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the drawing.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 - a schematic representation of a device according to the invention during the cleaning of a heat exchanger in a central position, Fig. 2 - a schematic device according to Fig. 1. When cleaning a heat exchanger in an initial position with the pneumatic cylinder retracted, Fig. 3 - a schematic device according to Fig. 1. When cleaning a heat exchanger in a closed position with the pneumatic cylinder extended. Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b - enlarged view of the mechanically guided adjustment of the guide traverse, Fig. 5 - a variant of the device according to Fig. 1 with return of the guide carriage when the cleaning device is arranged horizontally, Fig. 6 - a variant of the device according to Fig. 1 with drive of the guide carriage by means of a pneumatic motor.

[0026] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which a cleaning device 1 is shown for a surface of a heat exchanger 15 lying here in the plane of the drawing. The cleaning device consists of a frame 2 that extends substantially over the entire surface of the heat exchanger 15. Within the area covered by the frame 2 and guided by guides 23, 24 and drives 11, 21 (which will be explained later), a portal unit 6 can move from a frame that in turn covers a partial area of ​​the surface covered by the frame 2, representing the working area of ​​a guide carriage 5 (which will be explained in more detail later). For the sake of simplicity, a single, known jet nozzle 3 is shown on the guide carriage 5, which is intended to clean the surface of the heat exchanger 15 with water and compressed air.For this purpose, the guide carriage 5 performs mutually perpendicular movements 17, 18 and can thus cover the entire working space within the portal unit 6 in a manner that will be explained below.

[0027] For the movement of the guide carriage 5 along the direction of movement 17, the guide carriage 5 is movably and linearly displaceably mounted on a guide crossbeam 4, for example by means of a roller guide or similar mounting. The guide crossbeam 4 extends in the illustration of the Fig. 1 essentially from the lower strut of the frame 2 to the upper strut of the frame 2 and is thereby movably held within the portal unit 6 by means of guides 23, 24 in the direction of movement 18, as explained below. In order to drive the movement of the guide carriage 5 in the direction of movement 17, in Fig. 1 a pneumatic cylinder 7 arranged approximately parallel to the guide traverse 4, the cylinder rod 27 of which is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 1 upwards from the pneumatic cylinder 7 towards the upper end of the guide traverse 4. Via a merely indicated cable 8 and deflection pulleys 16, this movement of the cylinder rod 27 can be converted into a kind of lifting movement of the guide carriage 5 with the jet nozzle 3 arranged on it, whereby, as with a block and tackle, a translation of the lifting movement of the cylinder rod 27 into a displacement of the guide carriage 5 can also be carried out. In the Fig. Figure 1 shows the guide carriage 5 in a central position of this lifting movement, in which Fig. 2 the guide carriage 5 is in the area of ​​the upper end position and in the Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the lower end position. Figuratively speaking, the guide carriage 5, and thus the jet nozzle 3, is moved from bottom to top in the direction of movement 17 by extending and retracting the cylinder rod 27 along the guide traverse 4, and can thereby clean a portion of the surface of the heat exchanger 15 in a slit-like manner within the working area of ​​the portal unit 6. If, as in Fig. 1. If a single-sided pneumatic cylinder 7 is used and the heat exchanger 15 is arranged at least partially vertically, as is often the case, for example at an angle to the vertical, then the return stroke of the guide carriage 5 can be carried out via the weight load of the guide carriage 5 itself, or an additional weight can be attached which moves the guide carriage 5 back into its lower end position and the cylinder rod 27 into its position retracted into the pneumatic cylinder 7.

[0028] To move the portal unit 6 within the frame 2, a pneumatic motor 9 (only indicated) can be seen on the lower crossbar of the frame 2. This motor, via a winch and cable 19, moves the entire portal unit 6 along the direction of movement 22, thus enabling the working area below the portal unit 6 to be moved across the entire heat exchanger 15. This adjustment primarily serves to roughly position the portal unit 6 above the heat exchanger 15. The movement of the guide carriage 5 for the actual cleaning of the heat exchanger 15 is described below.

[0029] In order to realize not only the cleaning movement of the jet nozzle 3 in the direction of movement 17 on the guide carriage 5, but also a feed movement in the direction of feed 18, a mechanical positive guide for the execution of the feed movement in the direction of feed 18 is arranged at the top and bottom of the portal unit 6, which is carried out by means of a toothed rail 11. The toothed rail 11 has, as better shown in the Fig. 4a and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4b, a type of toothing with guide chamfers 21 is present, which is intended for interaction with rollers 10 on the guide carriage 5. When the guide carriage 5 moves to one of its end positions in the direction of movement 17 during the cleaning movement, the roller 10 arranged on the guide carriage 5 comes into the area of ​​the toothed rail 11 and engages as shown in Figure 4b. Fig. 4a can be seen on the guide ramp 21. Until the guide carriage 5 finally reaches its end position, the roller 10 rolls along this guide ramp and enters this guide ramp 21 of the toothed rail 11 ever deeper, with the guide traverse 4 being guided in a rail 23 with a bearing 24. This causes the guide carriage 5, and thus the entire guide traverse 4, to be displaced by exactly one tooth pitch of the toothed rail 11 in the feed direction 18, and thus the position of the guide carriage 5 and the jet nozzle 3 relative to the heat exchanger changes by exactly this tooth pitch of the toothed rail 11.This means that the stroke of the guide carriage 5 and the jet nozzle 3, which is now to be carried out in the opposite direction, is slightly offset from the previous path of the guide carriage 5 and the jet nozzle 3, whereby the tooth spacing of the toothed rail 11 should be selected so that the working area of ​​the jet nozzle 3 has an overlap with the previous path of the guide carriage 5 and the jet nozzle 3 and the surface of the heat exchanger can be completely covered.

[0030] When the guide carriage 5 and the jet nozzle 3 reach the opposite end of their movement, the process described above is again carried out on the corresponding toothed strip 11. It must be noted, however, that the lower and upper toothed strips 11 should advantageously be offset from each other by half a tooth width in the feed direction so that the guide carriage 5, and thus the jet nozzle 3, can move forward again in feed direction 18. This type of oscillating movement of the guide carriage 5 between its lower and upper end positions, with each feed in feed direction 18, allows the guide traverse 4 to advance successively within the area of ​​the heat exchanger 15 covered by the portal unit, as can be seen when comparing the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 is more clearly visible.

[0031] Once the working area of ​​the guide carriage 5 below the portal unit 6 has been successively processed, the guide traverse 4 can be moved back to a home position by a return carriage 12, which can also be pneumatically actuated, for example. This return carriage 12 is connected to the portal unit 6 by means of a cable pull 13. A toggle switch 14 or a rocker switch is mounted on this return carriage 12. This switch flips and is activated as soon as the guide traverse 4 reaches its end position within the portal unit 6. When the toggle switch 14 is activated, a connection is established to the plate holder 28 of the pneumatic cylinder 7 attached to the portal unit 6. This connection enables the plate holder 28 to engage and carry the toggle switch 14 during the return movement, thereby efficiently retracting the guide traverse 4 to its starting position via the cable pull 13. This position is in Fig. 2. Subsequently, the portal unit 6 can be moved along the adjustment direction 22 by pneumatic motor 9 and cable 19, as already described above, so that a new working area of ​​the heat exchanger 15 can be cleaned. This is approximately in Fig. 1 to recognize.

[0032] In the Fig. 5 is an embodiment of the device according to Fig. Figure 1 shows a device equipped with a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 7 for reciprocating movement of the guide carriage 5, even for applications where the heat exchanger is essentially horizontally oriented and a return movement of the guide carriage 5 under the influence of gravity is not possible. For this purpose, separate deflection pulleys 16, 26 and cables 8, 25 are provided on the double-acting pneumatic cylinder 7 for both directions of movement of the guide carriage 5. These are arranged such that the guide carriage 5 is essentially clamped between them and moves parallel to the movement of the pneumatic cylinder 7 along the guide traverse 4.

[0033] The Fig. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to Fig. 1, in which instead of a pneumatic cylinder 7 a pneumatic motor 20 drives the movement of the guide carriage 5 in both directions of movement 17 via deflection pulleys 16, 26 and ropes 8, 25. Part number list 1 cleaning facility 2 frame 3 jet nozzles 4 Guide rail 5 guide carriages 6 Portal Unit 7 pneumatic cylinders 8 cable pull 9 pneumatic motor 10 rolls 11-prong splint 12 return carriages 13 Pulley 14 toggle switches 15 heat exchangers 16 rolls 17 Vertical motion device 18 Horizontal motion device 19 winds 20 pneumatic motor 21 guide ramps 22 Movement Portal Unit 23 Rail guide crossbeam 24 Bearing guide traverse 25 cable pull 26 pulleys 27 Cylinder rod 28 plate holder

Claims

[1] Method for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers (15) by means of a cleaning device (1), wherein at least one jet nozzle (3) movably mounted on the cleaning device (1) is moved in at least two directions (17, 18) substantially parallel to the plane of the heat exchanger (15) such that the surface of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned can be partially or completely cleaned, characterized by , that the cleaning device (1) comprises a frame (2) which preferably covers the entire surface of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned, on which a portal unit (6) for the at least one jet nozzle (3) is movably arranged such that the movements (22) of the portal unit (6) can cover at least partial areas of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned and reach them for cleaning. within the portal unit (6) a guide carriage (5) is arranged to be movable such that the movements (17, 18) of the guide carriage (5) for the at least one jet nozzle (3) can sweep over the partial area of ​​the heat exchanger (15) covered by the portal unit (6) and the jet nozzle (3) can thereby clean this partial area, wherein all movements of portal unit (6) and guide carriage (5) are fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the guide carriage (5) on the portal unit (6) is moved in a first direction of movement (17) on a guide traverse (4), wherein the guide traverse (4) itself is moved in a direction of movement (18) perpendicular to it on the portal unit (6). [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by, that the movement of the guide traverse (4) relative to the portal unit (6) for the delivery of the jet nozzle (3) is carried out by mechanical positive control (10, 11). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that after the complete cleaning of the area of ​​the heat exchanger (15) covered by the portal unit (6) the guide carriage (5) and / or the guide traverse (4) are moved back to a starting position relative to the portal unit (6) and the portal unit (6) is moved fluidically, preferably by means of a pneumatic motor (9) and winch (19), relative to the frame (2) so that the jet nozzle (3) can clean another partial area of ​​the heat exchanger (15). [5] Device for the automated cleaning of air-cooled heat exchangers (15) by means of a cleaning device (1), wherein at least one jet nozzle (3) movably mounted on the cleaning device (1) is movable in at least two directions (17, 18) substantially parallel to the plane of the heat exchanger (15) so that the surface of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned can be partially or completely cleaned, characterized by , that the cleaning device (1) comprises a frame (2) which preferably covers the entire surface of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned, on which a portal unit (6) for the at least one jet nozzle (3) is movably arranged such that the movements of the portal unit (6) can cover at least partial areas of the heat exchanger (15) to be cleaned and reach them for cleaning, within the portal unit (6) a guide carriage (5) is arranged to be movable such that the movements (17, 18) of the guide carriage (5) for the at least one jet nozzle (3) can sweep over the partial area of ​​the heat exchanger (15) covered by the portal unit (6) and the jet nozzle (3) can thereby clean this partial area, wherein all movements (17, 18) of portal unit (6) and guide carriage (5) can be fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven. [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized by , that fluidic motors (20) and / or fluidic cylinders (7), preferably pneumatic motors (20) and / or pneumatic cylinders (7), can be used as drives for the movements (17, 18) of portal unit (6) and guide carriage (5). [7] Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by, that the guide carriage (5) is movably held on the portal unit (6) in a first direction of movement (17) on a guide traverse (4), wherein the guide traverse (4) itself is movably held on the portal unit (6) in a direction of movement (18) perpendicular to it. [8] Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by , that a fluidic cylinder (7), preferably a pneumatic cylinder (7), is provided as a drive for the movements (17) of the guide carriage (5) on the horizontal or at least partially vertically arranged guide traverse (4), which lifts the guide carriage (5) vertically against gravity. [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized by , that the movement of the fluidic cylinder (7) on the guide traverse (4) which is arranged at least partially vertically can be transferred from the fluidic cylinder (7) to the guide carriage (5) via rollers (16) and / or cable pulleys. [10] Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized by , that the return movement of the guide carriage (5) on the at least partially vertically arranged guide traverse (4) to a home position occurs automatically under the effect of gravity, preferably under the effect of a weight load. [11] Device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by , that a fluidic motor (20), preferably a pneumatic motor (20), is provided as a drive for the movements (17) of the guide carriage (5) on a substantially horizontally arranged guide traverse (4), which moves the guide carriage (5) in the plane of the portal unit (6) along the guide traverse (4). [12] Device according to claim 11, characterized by, that the movement (17) of the guide carriage (5) along the substantially horizontally arranged guide traverse (4) by the fluidic motor (20), preferably the pneumatic motor (20), can be transmitted from the fluidic motor (20), preferably the pneumatic motor (20), to the guide carriage (5) via rollers (16) and / or cable pulls. [13] Device according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized by , that the movement (18) of the guide traverse (4) relative to the portal unit (6) for the delivery of the jet nozzle (3) can be carried out by mechanical positive control (10, 11). [14] Device according to claim 13, characterized by, that in the area of ​​the two end positions of the movement of the guide carriage (5) along the guide traverse (4) on the portal unit (6) mechanical guide elements (11) are arranged which interact with the guide traverse (4) in such a way that the guide traverse (4) is forcibly advanced by a distance relative to the portal unit (6) when the guide carriage (5) moves into the area of ​​an end position. [15] Device according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized by , that toothed guide strips (11) equipped with guide ramps (21) can be provided as mechanical guide elements on the portal unit (6). [16] Device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by, that at the ends of the guide slide (5) on both sides, preferably roller-like, feed elements (10) are arranged which, when the respective end position of the guide slide (5) is reached, interact with the toothed-like toothed strips (11) equipped with guide ramps (21) in such a way that the guide traverse (4) can be advanced along the guide ramps (21) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (17) of the guide traverse (4). [17] Device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized by , that the toothed-like toothed strips (11) equipped with guide ramps (21) are arranged offset from each other by half a tooth width perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (17) of the guide traverse (4) in the area of ​​the two end positions of the movement of the guide carriage (5). [18] Device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized by, that the tooth spacing of the toothed-like toothed strips (11) equipped with guide ramps (21) is selected such that the feed of the guide traverse (4) and thus of the jet nozzle (3) perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (17) of the guide traverse (4) ensures sufficient overlap between successive cleaning processes of the jet nozzle (3). [19] Device according to any one of claims 5 to 18, characterized by , that a horizontal return of the guide traverse (4) to a starting position with respect to the portal unit (6) is effected by an additional return carriage (12) which can be activated by means of a cable pull (13) attached to the portal element (6) via a toggle switch (14) or a rocker switch that flips over as soon as the guide traverse (4) reaches its end position within the portal unit (6). [20] Device according to any one of claims 5 to 19, characterized by, that the movement (22) of the portal unit (6) relative to the frame (2) can be fluidically, preferably pneumatically, controlled and / or driven, preferably with a fluidic motor (9). [21] Device according to claim 20, characterized by , that the movement (22) of the portal unit (6) relative to the frame (2) by the fluidic motor (9), preferably the pneumatic motor (9), can be transmitted from the fluidic motor (9), preferably the pneumatic motor (9), to the portal unit (6) via rollers and / or cables (19). [22] Device according to any one of claims 5 to 21, characterized by , that the jet nozzle (3) is designed as a high-speed nozzle operated with compressed air and small quantities of water.

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