SHAFT CLEANING DEVICE FOR CLEANING AT LEAST ONE TREATMENT ELEMENT SHAFT OF A SCALLON MACHINE

Description

[0001] The present patent application claims priority from German patent application DE 10 2019 203 661.9.

[0002] The invention relates to a shaft cleaning device for cleaning at least one treatment element shaft of a screw machine, and to a cleaning system comprising such a shaft cleaning device. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning a screw machine.

[0003] From DE 44 17 357 A1, a method and a device for cleaning a screw machine are known. Cleaning is carried out by passing cleaning fluid through the screw machine, with connections for supplying the cleaning fluid being provided in a housing of the screw machine. Such a device requires complex structural modifications to the screw machine, is maintenance-intensive, and does not always guarantee the required cleaning quality.

[0004] Shaft cleaning devices are also known from JP H07 195482 A, KR 101 925 712 B1, EP 3 446 797 A1, JP 2002 144374 A, US 5 156 861 A, which discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1, and US 5 706 842 A.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating a shaft cleaning device for cleaning at least one treatment element shaft of a screw machine, which is usable for existing screw machines and ensures particularly reliable cleaning of the treatment element shaft and is easy to maintain. This objective is achieved by a shaft cleaning device with the features of claim 1. The advantages of the shaft cleaning device according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the housing cleaning device described below. In particular, the at least one shaft cleaning unit can be further developed with the features of the at least one housing cleaning unit described below.

[0006] Such a shaft cleaning device ensures particularly thorough cleaning of the at least one treatment element shaft. It reliably prevents moisture-induced corrosion of the treatment element shaft. In the at least one wet cleaning section, liquid cleaning medium is applied to the treatment element shaft. In the at least one dry cleaning section, the treatment element shaft is cleaned without the use of liquid cleaning media. Specifically, the at least one dry cleaning section is designed to dry the treatment element shaft. For this purpose, the shaft cleaning device has at least one drying blower in the area of ​​the dry cleaning section.

[0007] Preferably, the cleaning chamber has at least one, in particular at least two, in particular at least three, in particular at least four cleaning sections. Preferably, the cleaning sections are separated from each other by chamber seals in a fluid-tight or liquid-tight manner. The chamber seals can be designed as sealing curtains.

[0008] According to a further aspect of the invention, the shaft cleaning device can be designed to accommodate the at least one treatment element shaft relative to the cleaning chamber without displacement. Preferably, the at least one shaft cleaning unit is designed such that it is displaceable relative to the at least one treatment element shaft and / or to the cleaning chamber. For example, the at least one shaft cleaning unit can be designed to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the chamber and / or around the longitudinal axis of the chamber, in particular around the treatment element shaft, especially in a circular and / or spiral pattern. The cleaning of the treatment element shaft can thus be carried out particularly intensively and reliably.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the cleaning chamber has at least one viewing window. The cleaning status of the treatment element shaft can be monitored via the viewing window. The cleaning chamber can have a hand opening, particularly a sealed one, for manual cleaning by a user. For this purpose, the shaft cleaning device can have a shaft cleaning unit that can be manually moved relative to the at least one treatment element shaft.

[0010] A shaft cleaning device according to claim 2 ensures a particularly thorough cleaning of the at least one treatment element shaft. Preferably, the at least one shaft cleaning nozzle can be further developed with the features of the at least one housing cleaning nozzle described below.

[0011] A shaft cleaning device according to claim 3 is particularly economical to operate. The shaft drive device can be configured to move the at least one treatment element shaft translationally and / or rotationally relative to the cleaning chamber. For example, the treatment element shaft can be moved purely rotationally by means of the shaft drive device, in particular about a longitudinal axis of the cleaning chamber. Alternatively, the at least one treatment element shaft can be moved translationally relative to the cleaning chamber by means of the shaft drive device. In particular, the shaft drive device can be configured to move the treatment element shaft through the cleaning chamber, in particular through the multiple cleaning sections, during cleaning.Because the shaft cleaning device is designed with a shaft drive device, the cleaning of at least one treatment element shaft can be automated.

[0012] The at least one shaft cleaning unit can comprise at least one shaft contact cleaning element. The at least one shaft contact cleaning element can be further developed by the features of the at least one housing contact cleaning element described below. Preferably, the at least one shaft contact cleaning element is rotatably driven. In particular, the at least one shaft contact cleaning element can be designed as a cleaning brush, especially one that meshes closely with the at least one treatment element shaft. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one shaft cleaning unit in the dry cleaning section comprises the at least one shaft contact cleaning unit in the form of a cleaning brush.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the invention, the shaft cleaning device is configured to dispense only clear water in at least one of the cleaning sections. The shaft cleaning device can also be configured to dispense an alkaline and / or acidic cleaning medium and / or a cleaning medium containing cleaning granules in at least one of the cleaning sections. Preferably, the wet cleaning section comprises, in particular sequentially, a soaking section and / or a cleaning section and / or a rinsing section. The shaft cleaning device can also be configured for complete dry cleaning. For this purpose, the shaft cleaning device can be configured to dispense a gaseous cleaning medium, in particular one containing cleaning granules, and / or, in particular exclusively, comprise at least one shaft contact cleaning element for contact cleaning of the treatment element shaft.

[0014] A shaft cleaning device according to claim 4 is particularly flexible and economical to operate. Preferably, each of the at least two reversibly connectable chamber modules is designed to form at least one, and in particular at least two, cleaning sections. Advantageously, this allows the cleaning chamber to be flexibly adapted to the length of the at least one treatment element shaft. Furthermore, different cleaning functions can be combined. Individual chamber modules can be replaced for easy maintenance.

[0015] Another unclaimed task is to create an improved housing cleaning device for cleaning the housing of a screw machine, which is particularly easy to maintain and ensures a high cleaning quality.

[0016] This problem is solved by an unclaimed housing cleaning device for cleaning the housing of a screw machine, comprising a support unit movable relative to the housing and at least one housing cleaning unit attached to the support unit for cleaning an inner wall of the housing, wherein the at least one housing cleaning unit can be reversibly inserted into the housing. It was recognized that the housing cleaning device with the support unit and the housing cleaning unit arranged thereon must be designed such that the at least one housing cleaning unit can be reversibly inserted into the housing of the screw machine in order to ensure a high cleaning quality in the area of ​​the housing of the screw machine with low maintenance, in particular without design modifications. For cleaning the housing, the at least one treatment element shaft of the screw machine is removed from the housing.The screw machine can be designed as a single-shaft screw machine. Preferably, the screw machine is a multi-shaft screw machine, in particular a twin-shaft screw machine. For cleaning the housing, preferably all of the treatment element shafts are removed from the housing. Insertability into the housing refers to insertability into an interior space of the housing, in particular into a treatment chamber of the housing. Preferably, the support unit and / or the at least one housing cleaning unit can be inserted into the housing over at least 25%, in particular at least 50%, in particular 75% of a longitudinal extent of the interior space, in particular the treatment chamber. For this purpose, a dimension of the support unit and / or the at least one housing cleaning unit, in particular in the radial direction to a longitudinal axis of the support unit, is smaller than a dimension of the interior space.The longitudinal extent of the support unit is preferably at least 25%, more particularly at least 50%, more particularly at least 75%, more particularly at least 100% of the interior length. This advantageously ensures that the inner wall of the housing can be reliably cleaned along its entire length.

[0017] Another aspect is that the unloaded housing cleaning unit can be moved along and / or transversely to a longitudinal direction relative to the housing, particularly during cleaning. This allows for particularly flexible and safe housing cleaning.

[0018] The support unit can be rigid, in particular as a rigid rod, or flexible, in particular as a chain and / or cable. The support unit can be designed as a telescopic rod for easy insertion into the housing and / or for repositioning within the housing. This allows for cleaning of the housing even with limited available installation space.

[0019] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the unclaimed housing cleaning device is configured to introduce at least one cleaning medium into the housing. The at least one cleaning medium may comprise liquid components, in particular water and / or solvents and / or acidic cleaning media and / or alkaline cleaning media, and / or solid components, in particular cleaning granules, especially cleaning sand and / or ceramic granules and / or dry ice, and / or suspensions of the solid and liquid components, and / or compressed air, in particular hot air, and / or steam. In particular, the housing cleaning device may be configured to introduce different cleaning media into the housing simultaneously or sequentially. The housing cleaning device may be configured for wet cleaning with liquid cleaning media.The housing cleaning device can be configured to introduce the cleaning medium into the housing at an adjustable temperature and / or pressure. The housing cleaning device can also be configured for dry cleaning, particularly exclusively, using compressed air. Preferably, the housing cleaning device is designed to clean the housing in several successive steps. Preferably, dry cleaning is performed in the last of these successive cleaning steps to prevent corrosion of the housing. In particular, the last cleaning step can include the application of a corrosion inhibitor. Drying the housing with compressed air ensures that corrosion is reliably prevented.

[0020] Preferably, the unclaimed housing cleaning device comprises at least one inlet valve and / or at least one outlet valve for controlling the inlet and / or outlet of the cleaning medium. This allows for particularly flexible control of the cleaning process. The housing includes a feed opening for supplying the medium to be conveyed. Furthermore, the housing includes a discharge opening for discharging the medium to be conveyed. According to a further aspect, the housing cleaning device includes a closing unit for closing the discharge opening. Preferably, the closing unit can be attached to the housing in a sealing manner. The closing unit can have a drain line for conveying the at least one cleaning medium out of the housing. Furthermore, the closing unit can have a feedthrough for the support unit. In the area of ​​the feedthrough, the support unit can penetrate the closing unit.Preferably, the closing unit has a through-seal for sealing against the support unit. The closing unit can have a through-seal for axially and / or rotationally supporting the support unit. The arrangement of the closing unit on the housing allows for a largely complete seal during cleaning. The support unit and / or the at least one housing cleaning unit can be moved largely freely at a defined distance from the housing due to the through-seal in the support unit.

[0021] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the unclaimed housing cleaning device comprises a housing drive unit. The housing drive unit can be attached to the support unit, in particular reversibly. The housing drive unit is preferably configured to displace the support unit and / or the at least one housing cleaning unit rotationally and / or translationally, in particular along the longitudinal extent of the housing, relative to the housing. The housing drive unit can be integrated into the closing unit, in particular into the feedthrough bearing. The housing drive unit enables automation of the housing cleaning process.

[0022] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the at least one unclaimed housing cleaning unit is designed for cleaning a gear lantern of the screw machine. Preferably, the at least one housing cleaning unit is fixedly arranged in the gear lantern or reversibly insertable into the gear lantern. Advantageously, this ensures that the gear lantern can also be reliably cleaned of contaminants.

[0023] The screw conveyor preferably has a feed hopper for feeding, and in particular metering, a medium to be conveyed by the screw conveyor. The medium can, for example, be a plastic medium, particularly in the form of granules. The unclaimed housing cleaning device can have a hopper feed unit for feeding the cleaning medium via the feed hopper. The hopper feed unit can be supplied with the cleaning medium together with the at least one housing cleaning unit via a common supply device. In particular, the hopper feed unit and the at least one cleaning unit are in fluid-conducting communication with the same supply device. A feed hopper of the screw conveyor can thus be cleaned particularly reliably and efficiently.

[0024] An unused housing cleaning device, in which the at least one housing cleaning unit has at least one housing cleaning nozzle for dispensing at least one cleaning medium, ensures particularly reliable cleaning of the housing. Preferably, more than one cleaning medium can be dispensed via the at least one housing cleaning nozzle. Preferably, the at least one housing cleaning unit comprises at least two housing cleaning nozzles, which have different nozzle shapes. The nozzle shape of the at least one housing cleaning nozzle can be round, in particular circular or slotted.

[0025] The support unit can have an integrated line for guiding the at least one cleaning medium. For this purpose, the support unit can be designed as a hollow rod and / or a hose. The at least one housing cleaning nozzle can be in fluid-conducting communication with the support unit. The housing cleaning device is therefore particularly easy to handle.

[0026] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the at least one housing cleaning nozzle is rotatably mounted relative to the support unit, ensures particularly intensive cleaning of the housing. The at least one housing cleaning nozzle is preferably rotatably mounted on the support unit. The at least one housing cleaning nozzle can be driven by a motor. Alternatively, the at least one housing cleaning nozzle can be rotatably driven by the flow of the cleaning medium, in particular by the dispensing of the cleaning medium. For this purpose, the at least one housing cleaning nozzle can be designed such that, during the dispensing of the cleaning medium, a torque is provided about a housing nozzle axis, about which the at least one housing cleaning nozzle is rotatably mounted.

[0027] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the at least one housing cleaning unit has at least one housing contact cleaning element connected to the support unit for cleaning the housing by contact, ensures improved cleaning of the housing. The housing contact cleaning element can be designed as a cleaning brush and / or as a cleaning sponge and / or as a cleaning chain for removing stubborn dirt and / or as a cleaning sieve for filtering dirt from the cleaning medium and / or as a cleaning cloth and / or as a squeegee, particularly for drying moistened surfaces. The housing contact cleaning element designed as a cleaning brush can be designed as a solid brush and / or as a spiral helical brush, particularly with a continuous brush comb and / or with spaced-apart brush bundles.Preferably, the housing contact cleaning element, designed as a cleaning brush, is similar in design to the screw elements of the treatment element shaft. The cleaning brushes of spaced-apart support units are preferably designed such that they make contact with each other during cleaning of the housing by wiping, and in particular, by interlocking. Preferably, the housing contact cleaning element is designed such that the cleaning brushes can be combined depending on the degree of contamination of the housing, and in particular, can be connected to the support unit in a modular and / or reversible manner. For example, a relatively soft cleaning brush can be used for a conveying zone of the housing, whereas a harder cleaning brush can be used for a melting zone of the housing. To simultaneously clean both the conveying zone and the melting zone, the softer and the harder brushes can be attached to the support unit at a distance from each other.The at least one housing contact cleaning element can be made of plastic and / or metal, in particular a non-ferrous metal, especially brass and / or copper.

[0028] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the at least one housing contact cleaning element is displaceable relative to the at least one support unit, in particular rotatable. For example, the at least one housing contact cleaning element can be designed as a rotatable cleaning roller.

[0029] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the unclaimed housing cleaning device comprises at least two housing contact cleaning elements. These can be rotatably mounted about axes spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. Preferably, the at least two housing contact cleaning elements are designed to intermesh tightly with each other and / or to penetrate each other. Advantageously, this achieves the effect that the at least two housing contact cleaning elements clean each other.

[0030] According to a further, unclaimed aspect of the invention, the unclaimed housing cleaning device comprises at least one housing cleaning unit designed as a housing cleaning nozzle and at least one housing cleaning unit designed as a housing contact cleaning element. Preferably, the at least one housing cleaning nozzle is arranged along the longitudinal axis at the same height as the at least one housing contact cleaning element.

[0031] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the support unit has a coupling section for connecting to a shaft drive of the worm gear, can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively. The coupling section is preferably designed for torque transmission to a lantern coupling in the gear lantern. The coupling section can be designed as a splined shaft connection. The housing drive unit can be entirely formed by the shaft drive of the worm gear. Additional components for positioning the support unit and / or the at least one housing cleaning unit relative to the housing can be eliminated.

[0032] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the coupling section and / or the lantern coupling are designed to ensure automatic recognition of the connected support unit and / or the specific design of the housing cleaning device. This enables the screw machine, in particular a control unit of the screw machine, to automatically recognize the connection of the housing cleaning device. A cleaning program can be automatically selected according to the specific design of the housing cleaning device. Operating parameters of the screw machine can be preset accordingly, and in particular limited for safety reasons.

[0033] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the support unit is designed for rotatable mounting relative to the housing, ensures particularly reliable and intensive cleaning of the housing. To drive the support unit in rotation, it can be connected to the shaft drive and / or the housing drive unit in a torque-transmitting manner, as described above. Alternatively, the torque required for rotation can be provided by dispensing the cleaning medium through the at least one housing cleaning nozzle.

[0034] An unloaded housing cleaning device with at least one mounting coupling for reversibly connecting the at least one housing cleaning unit to the support unit is particularly flexible and easy to maintain. Because the at least one housing cleaning unit can be reversibly attached to the support unit by means of the at least one mounting coupling, it can be adapted to the requirements of the respective cleaning process. For example, the at least one housing cleaning unit can be selected such that its dimensions ensure easy insertion into the housing and reliable cleaning of the housing. In particular, the at least one housing contact cleaning element connected to the support unit can be designed to reliably engage with the housing. The at least one mounting coupling is preferably detachable without tools.The at least one support coupling preferably comprises a mechanical connection and / or at least one fluid-conducting connection for guiding the at least one cleaning medium.

[0035] An unloaded housing cleaning device with a guide unit for axially guiding the support unit within the housing is particularly easy and safe to move within the housing. By designing the housing cleaning device with the guide unit, contact between the cleaning device and the housing can be reliably prevented. The guide unit can be designed to be contacting or non-contacting. Furthermore, the guide unit can be designed as a cleaning brush, in particular through the housing contact cleaning element. The housing contact cleaning element, especially the cleaning brush, can be designed to guide the housing cleaning device within the housing, particularly concentrically. The contacting guide unit can include a guide body for mechanically guiding the housing cleaning device, especially the support unit, within the housing.The guide body preferably has a central recess through which the support unit penetrates. The guide body can be disc-shaped and / or star-shaped. Preferably, the guide body has drainage recesses through which the at least one cleaning medium can flow along the longitudinal axis.

[0036] The non-contacting, non-loaded guide unit ensures the guidance of the support unit by dispensing at least one cleaning medium. The guide unit may include guide nozzles for dispensing the cleaning medium. These guide nozzles can be designed as housing cleaning nozzles. The non-contact guidance of the support unit within the housing reduces the mechanical stress on the inner wall, reliably preventing damage to the housing.

[0037] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the support unit is modular and has at least two support modules that can be reversibly connected to each other along a longitudinal axis of the support unit, is particularly flexible and cost-effective to operate. The reversibly connectable support modules can have different dimensions. In particular, the support modules can have different housing cleaning units. The possibility of replacing individual support modules allows the housing cleaning device to be adapted to the respective cleaning requirements as well as the replacement of individual support modules due to wear.

[0038] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the support unit may have at least one branch support module branching off from a main support module.

[0039] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the support unit has an adjusting element designed such that the at least one housing cleaning unit can be arranged on the support unit at an adjustable distance transverse to a longitudinal axis of the support unit, is particularly versatile. The housing cleaning device with the housing cleaning unit arranged at a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the distance between the longitudinal axis and the housing cleaning unit is adjustable, is flexibly applicable for housings with different inner diameters. Preferably, at least two housing cleaning units, in particular diametrically opposed to each other, can be arranged on the support unit at an adjustable distance transverse to the longitudinal axis. This advantageously allows several housing bores of a screw machine to be cleaned simultaneously.The at least two housing cleaning units are preferably arranged on the support unit such that the distance between them corresponds to the distance between the central longitudinal axes of the housing bores. The housing cleaning device is thus designed for the efficient cleaning of multi-shaft screw machines.

[0040] According to a further, unclaimed aspect, the unclaimed housing cleaning device is designed for non-rotationally symmetrical cleaning of the housing. This enables the efficient cleaning, in particular of several housing bores, of a multi-shaft screw machine.

[0041] An unloaded housing cleaning device, in which the at least one housing cleaning unit is designed to convey contaminants along a longitudinal axis of the support unit, ensures the reliable transport of the at least one cleaning medium within the housing. To convey the contaminants along the longitudinal axis, the at least one housing cleaning nozzle can have a spray direction oriented at least partially in the direction of the longitudinal axis, particularly in the direction of a drain, especially the discharge opening. The at least one housing cleaning nozzle can also be oriented opposite to a conveying direction of the screw machine. This allows contaminants to be efficiently softened. At least one housing cleaning nozzle is preferably oriented transversely to a longitudinal extension of the support unit to reliably loosen contaminants from the housing.According to a further aspect, the at least one housing contact cleaning element, in particular the cleaning brush and / or the squeegee, is spirally shaped, especially with a conveying pitch. The spiral housing contact cleaning element preferably has at least one, in particular at least two, and in particular at least three, threads. When the at least one housing contact cleaning element is rotated, the cleaning medium can be conveyed, in particular towards a drain, especially the dispensing opening.

[0042] Preferably, the unclaimed at least one housing cleaning unit, in particular the housing contact cleaning element and / or the housing cleaning nozzle, is designed for repositioning, in particular for linear repositioning and / or rotation, the housing cleaning device relative to the housing of the screw machine. For example, the housing cleaning nozzle can be oriented such that the fluid mass flow applied via this housing cleaning nozzle causes an impulse to reposition the housing cleaning device relative to the housing. The housing contact cleaning element can be designed such that the repositioning of the housing cleaning device by means of the housing drive device, due to the contacting of the housing contact cleaning element with the housing, causes the housing cleaning device to reposition relative to the housing.For example, the housing cleaning unit can include diagonally oriented cleaning brushes and / or housing cleaning nozzles oriented in the direction of displacement.

[0043] An unloaded housing cleaning device with a housing control unit for automatically controlling the displacement of the support unit relative to the housing and / or the mass flow of at least one cleaning medium introduced into the housing is particularly economical to operate. The housing control unit can be connected to the at least one inlet valve and the at least one outlet valve to control the mass flow of the cleaning medium dispensed via the at least one housing cleaning nozzle. Furthermore, the housing control unit can be connected to the housing drive unit to automatically displace the support unit relative to the housing. The housing control unit can also be connected to a drive for the at least one housing contact cleaning element and / or a pump for conveying the cleaning medium.Cleaning the housing can therefore be done in a particularly cost- and time-efficient manner.

[0044] The invention further aims to create a cleaning system for a screw machine that is flexible and can be used for different screw machines and ensures a particularly thorough cleaning of the screw machine.

[0045] This problem is solved by a cleaning system with the features of claim 5. The cleaning system can additionally include a housing cleaning device. The advantages of the cleaning system according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the housing cleaning device and the shaft cleaning device already described. By designing the cleaning system with the supply device, the reliable provision of the at least one cleaning medium can be ensured. Interface problems can be reliably prevented.

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the supply device is configured to provide at least two cleaning media. Preferably, at least two, in particular at least three, and in particular at least four, of the cleaning media differ in their composition. Furthermore, the supply device can be configured to control the pressure and / or temperature of the at least one cleaning medium. In particular, the supply device can be configured to provide at least one of the cleaning media described above.

[0047] Preferably, the supply device is designed as a closed-loop supply device. The closed-loop supply device is characterized in that the at least one cleaning medium is cyclically supplied to the housing cleaning device and / or the shaft cleaning device. Such a supply device is particularly economical and environmentally friendly to operate.

[0048] The supply device can be designed for the mechanical, chemical, and / or biological treatment of the cleaning medium. In particular, the supply device for treating the cleaning medium can include a cleaning unit, especially a filter and / or an oil separator and / or a cleaning element for chemical cleaning. This allows contaminants to be removed from the at least one cleaning medium.

[0049] A cleaning system according to claim 6 can be operated particularly economically. The contamination sensor can, for example, be configured as an optical sensor and / or as a conductivity sensor and / or as a pH sensor and / or as a viscosity sensor and / or as a pressure sensor and / or as a flow sensor, in particular as a flow velocity sensor. The pH sensor can be used to determine the alkalinity or acidity of the cleaning medium. The supply of alkaline or acidic cleaning agents to the cleaning medium can be controlled and / or regulated by the supply device based on the pH value. Using viscosity values ​​and / or pressure values ​​and / or flow values ​​of the cleaning medium, the supply device can control and / or regulate the liquid supply and / or the delivery of the cleaning medium, in particular the operation of a delivery pump.Furthermore, the supply device can be configured to compare the measured values ​​determined by the contamination sensor with limit values ​​in order to perform a protective function, in particular a warning function and / or a shutdown function, when these limit values ​​are exceeded. Preferably, the contamination sensor is arranged in an inlet area of ​​the supply device where the cleaning medium is uncleaned. The contamination sensor can also be arranged at a drain of the housing cleaning device and / or the shaft cleaning device. This allows for a particularly reliable determination of the contamination state of the screw machine. Alternatively, the contamination sensor can be arranged upstream of the supply device. This allows for conclusions to be drawn about the contamination level of the cleaning medium. The supply device can also have several contamination sensors.The supply device can be designed to ensure an exchange of the cleaning medium based on the measured value.

[0050] A cleaning system according to claim 7 ensures reliable cleaning of the screw machine and is particularly economical to operate. Preferably, the control device is in signal communication with the housing control unit and / or with the shaft control unit. The cleaning functions can, for example, include specific displacement movements of the support unit and / or the at least one housing cleaning unit relative to the housing and / or the treatment element shaft relative to the cleaning chamber and / or the at least one shaft cleaning unit. Furthermore, these can include specific sequences for dispensing the at least one cleaning medium, particularly under specific pressures and / or temperatures. In particular, the cleaning functions can be configured for dispensing different cleaning media, especially in different combinations.The cleaning process can be stopped depending on the degree of contamination of the cleaning medium, thus achieving an optimal cleaning duration.

[0051] The invention further aims to create a method for cleaning a screw machine which is applicable to the flexible cleaning of different screw machines and ensures a particularly reliable and economical cleaning of the screw machine.

[0052] This problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 8. Additionally, a housing cleaning device can be provided and the housing cleaned, wherein the at least one treatment element shaft is arranged outside the housing. The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the housing cleaning device, the shaft cleaning device, and the cleaning system already described.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing and / or the at least one treatment element shaft can be soaked. For this purpose, the cleaning medium containing liquid components is applied to the treatment element shaft and / or to the inner wall of the housing. Particularly after a certain exposure time, the housing and / or the at least one treatment element shaft can be cleaned. Advantageously, this ensures that even particularly stubborn soiling can be reliably removed.

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the housing and / or the cleaning chamber are heated. Heating preferably takes place during soaking and / or cleaning. This can further improve the cleaning result.

[0055] The cleaning of the housing and / or the at least one treatment element shaft can be carried out using the at least one housing cleaning unit and / or the at least one shaft cleaning unit.

[0056] A method according to claims 9 to 11 ensures reliable and economical cleaning of the screw machine. Additionally, the at least one cleaning medium can be applied via the at least one housing cleaning nozzle. Preferably, the duration of the cleaning process is determined depending on the measured value, in particular a change in the measured value. The cleaning intensity and / or the cleaning effort can thus be controlled depending on the actual degree of soiling of the screw machine.

[0057] The housing and / or the treatment element shaft can be cleaned completely dry, i.e., without liquid cleaning media.

[0058] According to another aspect, the cleaning of the housing takes place when the housing is filled with at least 20%, in particular at least 40%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 80%, in particular completely, with the cleaning medium of at least one, in particular liquid, medium.

[0059] According to another aspect, the support unit is displaced solely due to the flow of the cleaning medium applied via the at least one housing cleaning nozzle, particularly along the longitudinal axis.

[0060] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an unclaimed cleaning system with a housing cleaning device for cleaning a housing of a screw machine and a supply device, wherein the housing cleaning device comprises a housing cleaning unit with housing cleaning nozzles, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an unclaimed cleaning system with a further housing cleaning device, wherein the housing cleaning device comprises a housing cleaning unit with a housing contact cleaning element, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an unclaimed cleaning system with a further housing cleaning device, wherein the housing cleaning device comprises a support unit with a coupling section for connecting to a drive device, Fig.4. A further, unclaimed housing cleaning device, comprising two housing cleaning units radially spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the support unit for cleaning a housing of a multi-shaft screw machine, and Fig. 5. a schematic representation of a shaft cleaning device according to the invention, wherein the shaft cleaning device is designed for cleaning a treatment element shaft of the screw machine.

[0061] Based on the Fig. 1 A cleaning system 1 for a screw machine 2 is described. The cleaning system 1 is designed for cleaning a process part of the screw machine 2, in particular a housing 3 of the screw machine 2. For this purpose, the cleaning system 1 comprises a housing cleaning device 4 and a supply device 5 for providing a cleaning medium R.

[0062] The worm gear 2 has a shaft drive 6. The shaft drive 6 includes a drive gearbox. The drive gearbox of the shaft drive 6 is connected to a gear lantern 7. The gear lantern 7 includes a lantern coupling 8 for reversibly, torque-transmittingly connecting a drive shaft of the drive gearbox to a component located in the Fig. 5 The screw machine 2 has a second treatment element shaft (not shown) which can be driven by rotation via a second lantern coupling and a second drive shaft of the drive gearbox. The treatment element shafts 9 are designed with a shaft coupling section 10 for torque transmission to the drive shafts. For cleaning the screw machine, the treatment element shafts 9 are removed from the housing 3.

[0063] The housing 3 is fluid-tight on the side of the gear lantern 7 by means of a lantern seal 11. A discharge opening of the housing 3 opposite the gear lantern 7 is sealed by means of a closing unit 12. The housing 3 has a feed hopper 13 for supplying a medium to be conveyed by the screw machine 2.

[0064] The housing cleaning device 4 comprises a support unit 14 and a housing cleaning unit 15. The support unit 14 is designed as a rigid support rod. The housing cleaning unit 15 can be reversibly connected to the support unit 14 by means of a support coupling 16. In particular, the housing cleaning unit 15 can be removed from the support unit 14 without tools.

[0065] The housing cleaning unit 15 comprises several housing cleaning nozzles 17 for dispensing the cleaning medium R. The support unit 14 includes a fluid channel (not shown) for supplying the cleaning medium R to the housing cleaning unit 15.

[0066] The housing cleaning unit 15 is rotatably mounted on the support unit 14. In particular, the housing cleaning unit 15 is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis 18 of the support unit 14. Individual housing cleaning nozzles 17 are designed such that they are rotatably mounted relative to a housing nozzle body 19. In particular, these housing cleaning nozzles 17 are rotatably mounted about housing nozzle axes 20.

[0067] The sealing unit 12 has a support unit feedthrough 21. For fluid-tight sealing of the housing 3, the sealing unit 12 includes a feedthrough seal 22, which interacts with the support unit 14. For guiding the support unit 14, the sealing unit 12 includes a feedthrough bearing 23. The feedthrough bearing 23 is part of a guide unit 24 for axially guiding the support unit 14 in the housing 3. On the housing cleaning unit 15 side, the guide unit 24 is designed to be non-contacting. The axial guidance of the support unit 14 in the housing 3 is ensured by the application of the cleaning medium R. This allows the housing cleaning unit 15 to be supported against the housing 3 without contact.

[0068] Some of the housing cleaning nozzles 17 are oriented towards the closing unit 12. This ensures that the cleaning medium R and contaminants are conveyed along the longitudinal axis 18 towards the closing unit 12. The housing cleaning device 4 has a housing drive unit 25. The housing drive unit 25 is operatively connected to the support unit 14 for translational and rotational displacement relative to the housing 3. In particular, the support unit 14 can be displaced along the longitudinal axis 18 and rotated about it by means of the housing drive unit 25. The housing drive unit 25 has electric motors (not shown) for this purpose.

[0069] The support unit 14 has reversibly connectable support modules 26. The support modules 26 are connected to each other by means of a module coupling 27.

[0070] The housing cleaning device 4 further comprises a housing control device 28 for automatically controlling the displacement of the support unit 14 relative to the housing 3 and for controlling a mass flow of the cleaning medium R dispensed via the housing cleaning nozzles 17. For this purpose, the housing control device 28 is in signal communication with the housing drive device 25. Furthermore, the housing control device 28 is in signal communication with an inlet valve 29 and an outlet valve 30 of the housing cleaning device 4. The inlet valve 29 is in fluid-conducting communication with the support unit 14, and the outlet valve 30 is in fluid-conducting communication with a drain line 31 of the closing unit 12.

[0071] The housing cleaning device 4 is connected to the supply device 5. The supply device 5 comprises a pump 32 and a treatment unit 33. The pump 32 is designed to pump the cleaning medium R out of the housing 3 and to provide a delivery pressure for dispensing the cleaning medium R via the housing cleaning nozzles 17.

[0072] The treatment unit 33 comprises a filter unit (not shown) for filtering out dirt particles from the cleaning medium R. A contamination sensor 34 is arranged on the treatment unit 33. The contamination sensor 34 is designed to detect a measured value that correlates with the degree of contamination of the cleaning medium R.

[0073] The pump 32 and the contamination sensor 34 are in signal communication with a control device 35 of the cleaning system 1. The control device 35 is designed for the automated control of various cleaning functions and a cleaning duration. For this purpose, the control device 35 is also in signal communication with the housing control unit 28. For connection to the housing cleaning device 4, the supply device 5 has a drain coupling 36 and an inlet coupling 37.

[0074] The operating principle of the cleaning system 1, or the housing cleaning device 4 for cleaning the housing 3 of the screw conveyor 2, is as follows: During conveying operation, the screw conveyor 2 is supplied with the medium to be conveyed via the feed hopper 13. The treatment element shafts 9 are arranged in the housing 3 and are rotatably connected to the shaft drive 6 via the lantern coupling 8 of the gear lantern 7. By rotating the treatment element shafts 9, a medium is conveyed between a feed opening of the housing 3 and the discharge opening. Parts of the medium to be conveyed adhere to the housing 3 and the treatment element shafts 9, thus contaminating them.

[0075] To clean the housing 3, a discharge unit (not shown) is removed from the screw machine 2 and the treatment element shafts 9 are taken out of the housing 3.

[0076] The housing cleaning unit 15 is arranged on the housing 3. The closing unit 12 is sealed to the housing 3 in place of the discharge unit. The support unit 14 projects through the closing unit 12 and is displaceable along the longitudinal axis 18 relative to it by means of the bushing 23. The housing cleaning unit 15 is attached to the support unit 14 and arranged in the area of ​​the closing unit 12. The gear lantern 7 is sealed fluid-tight by means of the lantern seal 11. The housing cleaning device 4 is fluid-conductingly connected to the supply device 5 via the drain coupling 36 and the inlet coupling 37.

[0077] The cleaning process is started by a control signal from the control device 35. The pump 32 is activated, and the cleaning medium R, in the form of cleaning fluid RF, is supplied under pressure to the inlet valve 29. Upon a signal from the control device 35, the inlet valve 29 and the outlet valve 30 are opened by means of the housing control unit 28. The cleaning medium R flows via the support unit 14 to the housing cleaning unit 15. The cleaning medium R is dispensed into the housing 3 via the housing cleaning nozzles 17. Due to the dispensed cleaning medium R, the housing cleaning nozzles 17 rotate about the housing rotation axes 20. The cleaning medium R is thus distributed particularly evenly over an inner wall 38 of the housing 3.

[0078] The outflow of the cleaning medium R via the drain line 31 is supported by the housing cleaning nozzles 17, which are oriented towards the closing unit 12. The cleaning medium R dispensed in the housing 3 flows back into the supply device 5 via the drain line 31, the drain valve 30, and the drain coupling 36.

[0079] The control device 35 provides a signal to relocate the support unit 14 relative to the housing 3. The housing control device 28 activates the housing drive unit 25. The housing drive unit 25 transmits a feed motion to the support unit 14. Simultaneously, the housing drive unit 25 transmits a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis 18 to the support unit 14. The housing cleaning unit 15 is moved, rotating about the longitudinal axis 18, in the direction of the gear lantern 7.

[0080] In accordance with a control program stored in the control device 35, different cleaning functions are performed, whereby the housing cleaning unit 15 is alternately displaced along the longitudinal axis and the pressure provided by the pump 32 for dispensing the cleaning medium R via the housing cleaning nozzles 17 is varied.

[0081] In the cleaning device 5, the cleaning medium R is first directed into the treatment unit 33. In the treatment unit 33, the dirt particles flushed out of the housing 3 are filtered out. The cleaning medium, now free of dirt particles, is drawn in by the pump 32.

[0082] A measurement correlated with the degree of contamination of the cleaning medium R is acquired by means of the contamination sensor 34. The contamination status of the housing 3 is determined based on this measurement. The cleaning process, in particular the cleaning intensity and duration, is controlled based on the contamination status, especially the measurement.

[0083] After completion of the cleaning process, pump 32 is deactivated. The housing cleaning device 4 is removed from the screw machine 2. The treatment element shafts 9 are inserted into the housing 3 and connected to the respective lantern couplings 8. The spray head is reattached to the housing 3. The screw machine 2 is ready for recommissioning.

[0084] Based on the Fig. 2 A further cleaning system 1 or a further housing cleaning device 4 is described. In contrast to the example, the guide unit comprises a guide body 39 attached to the support unit 14. The guide body 39 is disc-shaped. The support unit 14 penetrates the guide body 39 centrally and is firmly connected to it. The guide body 39 is slidably mounted on the inner wall 38 along the longitudinal axis 18.

[0085] The housing cleaning unit 15 includes, in addition to the housing cleaning nozzles 17, a housing contact cleaning element 40. The housing contact cleaning element 40 is designed as a cleaning brush.

[0086] The functioning of cleaning system 1 according to Fig. 2 corresponds to the functionality of cleaning system 1 according to Fig. 1 When the support unit 14 is moved along the longitudinal axis 18, the housing cleaning unit 15 is guided particularly reliably along the inner wall 38 by the guide body 39. In particular, a spaced guide between the housing cleaning unit 15 and the inner wall 38 is ensured, thus preventing damage to the housing 3 and the housing cleaning unit 15.

[0087] The housing contact cleaning element 40 is moved across the inner wall 38 when the support unit 14 is rotated about the longitudinal axis 18. Firmly adhering dirt particles are reliably brushed off the inner wall 38. The housing contact cleaning element 40 can also be used to reliably clean recesses in the housing 3 and / or sensor surfaces, especially those of sensors located in the recesses.

[0088] Based on the Fig. 3 A further cleaning system 1, or a further housing cleaning device 4, is described. In contrast to the preceding examples, the housing cleaning device 4 does not have a housing drive unit 25. The support unit 14 includes a coupling section 41 for connecting to the shaft drive 6, in particular to a lantern coupling 8. The support unit 14 comprises three support modules 26, which are connected to each other by means of two module couplings 27. A housing cleaning unit 15 with housing cleaning nozzles 17 is arranged on the support module 26 located on the side of the gear lantern 7. The two support modules 26 located on the side of the closing unit 12 are each connected to a housing cleaning unit 15, which has both housing cleaning nozzles 17 and housing contact cleaning elements 40.

[0089] The housing control device 28 for controlling a rotary movement of the support unit 14 about the longitudinal axis 18 and a mass flow of the cleaning medium R applied via the housing cleaning nozzles 17 is in signal communication with the shaft drive 6, the inlet valve 29 and the outlet valve 30.

[0090] The functioning of cleaning system 1 according to Fig. 3 This corresponds to the operating principle of the cleaning system 1 as described in the examples above. To assemble the support unit 14, the support modules 26 are connected to each other via the module couplings 27. The housing cleaning device 4 can thus be flexibly configured depending on the degree of soiling and the geometry of the housing 3. In particular, the support modules 26, with their respective attached housing cleaning units 15, are selected according to the extent of the housing 3 along the longitudinal axis 18 and according to the inner diameter of the housing 3.

[0091] The housing cleaning device 4 is inserted into the housing 3. The coupling section 41 is connected to the lantern coupling 8 in a rotationally fixed manner. Via a signal from the control device 35 and the housing control unit 28, the support unit 14 is driven by the shaft drive 6. The cleaning medium R, supplied by the supply unit 5, is dispensed into the housing 3 via the housing cleaning nozzles 17. The housing contact cleaning elements 40 move across the inner wall 38 and clean it by contact.

[0092] Based on the Fig. 4 Another housing cleaning device 4 is described. In contrast to the previous examples, the support unit 14 has two support arms 42 spaced radially apart from the longitudinal axis 18. The support arms 42 are arranged diametrically opposite each other on the support unit 14. Several housing cleaning nozzles 17 are arranged on each of the support arms 42. The housing cleaning nozzles 17 are each rotatably mounted on a housing nozzle base body 19 about a housing nozzle axis 20.

[0093] The housing nozzle bodies 19 are attached to the respective support arm 42 of the support unit 14 by means of a support coupling 16 each. A radial distance D1, D2 between the support couplings 16 and the longitudinal axis 18 is variably adjustable. For this purpose, the support arms 42 have arm joints 43. The support couplings 16 are connected to each other via a telescopic rod 44. The length of the telescopic rod 44 is variably adjustable and lockable.

[0094] The housing cleaning device has 4 hoses 45 for guiding the cleaning medium R along the support unit 14. A distributor 46 is in fluid-conducting connection with the inlet valve 29. The support couplings 16 are fluid-conductingly connected to the distributor 46 by means of the hoses 45.

[0095] The operation of the cleaning system 1 with the housing cleaning device 4 according to Fig. 4 The operating principle of the cleaning system 1 corresponds to the examples described above. Due to the design of the support unit 14 with the two spaced-apart support arms 42, the housing cleaning device 4 is particularly suitable for cleaning multi-shaft screw machines. Preferably, the respective distance D1, D2 is adjusted such that it corresponds to the distance between the central longitudinal axes of two housing bores of the housing 3. The two housing bores of the housing 3 can thus be cleaned simultaneously. The support unit 14 can be moved along the longitudinal axis 18 by means of the housing drive device 25. The rotation of the housing cleaning nozzles 17 about the respective housing rotation axis 20 ensures the reliable cleaning of the respective inner wall 38.

[0096] Contaminated or defective housing cleaning nozzles 17 can be replaced particularly easily by loosening the respective support coupling 16. In particular, housing cleaning nozzles 17 adapted to the respective application area can be attached to the support unit 14.

[0097] Based on the Fig. 5A cleaning system 1 according to the invention is described. In contrast to the preceding examples, the cleaning system 1 comprises a shaft cleaning device 47 for cleaning the treatment element shafts 9 of the screw machine 2. The shaft cleaning device 47 comprises a cleaning chamber 48 and several shaft cleaning units 49 arranged in the cleaning chamber 48. An interior space 50 of the cleaning chamber 48 is dimensioned such that the respective treatment element shaft 9 can pass through it. The cleaning chamber 48 has several cleaning sections 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d. The cleaning sections 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are separated from one another by chamber seals 52. The chamber seals 52 ensure a largely complete seal of the respective cleaning section 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d against splashing water.

[0098] The shaft cleaning device 47 comprises a shaft drive unit 53 for moving the treatment element shaft 9 relative to the cleaning chamber 48, in particular through the interior 50. The shaft drive unit 53 is designed as a belt conveyor.

[0099] The cleaning chamber 48 has, in the first cleaning section 51a along a conveying direction 54, a shaft cleaning unit 49 equipped with shaft cleaning nozzles 55. In the cleaning section 51b downstream along the conveying direction 54, several shaft cleaning units 49 are arranged. These comprise the shaft cleaning nozzles 55 and shaft contact cleaning elements 56. The shaft contact cleaning elements 56 are designed as rotary-driven cleaning brushes, in particular as brush rollers. The shaft cleaning units 49 in the subsequent cleaning section 51c have the shaft cleaning nozzles 55. In the last cleaning section 51d, the shaft cleaning units 49 are designed as drying blowers 57 for drying the treatment element shaft 9, which has been displaced through the cleaning chamber 48.

[0100] The shaft cleaning unit 49 is connected to a shaft control unit 58 for the automated control of the displacement of the treatment element shaft 9 relative to the cleaning chamber 48, for controlling the shaft cleaning units 49, and for controlling the mass flow of the cleaning medium R dispensed via the shaft cleaning nozzles 55. The housing control unit is connected to the inlet valves 29 for supplying different cleaning media R and to the outlet valve 30 for draining the cleaning medium R laden with dirt particles.

[0101] The shaft cleaning device 47 is connected to a supply device 5 (not shown). For this purpose, the housing control unit is in signal communication with the control device 35. The inlet valves 29 are in fluid-conducting connection with the inlet couplings 37, and the outlet valve 30 is in fluid-conducting connection with the outlet coupling 36. In contrast to the preceding embodiments, the supply device 5 has an additional line for providing clear water. This line is in fluid-conducting connection via the additional inlet coupling 37 with the shaft cleaning nozzles 55 of the third cleaning section 51c.

[0102] The cleaning chamber 48 is divided into several cleaning sections 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d to allow for the spatially separated execution of different cleaning processes. The first cleaning section, 51a, is designed as a soaking section. The second cleaning section, 51b, is designed as a jet and contact cleaning section. The third cleaning section, 51c, is designed as a rinsing section for rinsing the treatment element shaft 9 with clean water and for removing cleaning media. The fourth cleaning section, 51d, is designed for drying the treatment element shaft 9.

[0103] The cleaning chamber 48 is modular in design. It comprises four reversibly connectable chamber modules 59. These modules are connected along a longitudinal axis 60 of the chamber. Due to its modular design, the cleaning chamber 48 can be flexibly adapted to the geometry, particularly the length, of the treatment element shaft 9. Depending on the properties of the treatment element shaft 9, the chamber modules 59 can also be selected according to their cleaning function. For example, the cleaning sections 51a, 51b, and 51c, which are designed for wet cleaning, can be replaced by sections designed for dry cleaning only.

[0104] The operation of the cleaning system 1 with the shaft cleaning device 47 is as follows: As described above, the respective treatment element shaft 9 is first removed from the screw machine 2. The treatment element shaft 9 is fed to the shaft drive unit 53. The shaft drive unit 53 is activated by means of the shaft control unit 58. The treatment element shaft 9 is inserted into the interior 50 of the cleaning chamber 48. The shaft control unit 58 provides a signal to open the inlet valves 29 and the outlet valve 30, and the cleaning medium R is dispensed into the interior 50 via the shaft cleaning nozzles 55. The shaft control unit 58 provides a signal to activate a rotary drive of the shaft contact cleaning elements 56.

[0105] The treatment element shaft 9 is moved along the longitudinal axis 60 of the chamber through the cleaning chamber 48. In the first cleaning section 51a, the treatment element shaft 9 is exposed to the cleaning medium R to soak away contaminants. In the second cleaning section 51b, the treatment element shaft 9 is cleaned by means of the shaft contact cleaning elements 56, which are designed as rotating cleaning brushes, and by means of the shaft cleaning nozzles 55. In the third cleaning section 51c, the cleaning medium R is cleaned by means of clear water applied via the shaft cleaning nozzles 55. In the fourth cleaning section 51d, the treatment element shaft 9 is dried by means of the drying blower 57. The treatment element shaft 9, which is conveyed out of the cleaning chamber 48, is clean and dry.

[0106] According to the above-described functioning of the supply device 5 and the control device 35, the cleaning process, in particular the cleaning intensity and duration, can be controlled according to the state of contamination of the treatment element shaft 9.

[0107] The cleaning system 1 with the housing cleaning device 4 or the shaft cleaning device 47 ensures particularly efficient and reliable cleaning of the housing 3 or the respective treatment element shaft 9 of the screw machine 2. The design of the cleaning system 1 with the supply device 5 allows for environmentally friendly and resource-saving cleaning of the housing 3 and the treatment element shaft 9.

Claims

1. Shaft cleaning apparatus for cleaning at least one treatment element shaft of a screw machine, having - a cleaning chamber (48), in which the at least one treatment element shaft (9) can be arranged, - at least one wet-cleaning portion (51a, 51b, 51c), - at least one shaft cleaning unit (49) arranged in the cleaning chamber (48), characterized by - at least one dry-cleaning portion (51d) and - at least one drying fan (57) in the region of the dry-cleaning portion (51d).

2. Shaft cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one shaft cleaning unit (49) has at least one shaft cleaning nozzle (55) for discharging at least one cleaning medium (R).

3. Shaft cleaning apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a shaft drive device (53) for displacing the treatment element shaft (9) relative to the at least one shaft cleaning unit (49).

4. Shaft cleaning apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning chamber (48) has a modular design and in this respect has at least two chamber modules (59), which can be reversibly connected to one another along a chamber longitudinal axis (60) of the cleaning chamber (48).

5. Cleaning system having - a supply apparatus (5) for providing at least one cleaning medium (R) and - a shaft cleaning apparatus (47) according to one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. Cleaning system according to Claim 5, characterized in that the supply apparatus (5) has a contamination sensor (34) for detecting a measured value correlated with a degree of contamination of the at least one cleaning medium (R).

7. Cleaning system according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized by a control apparatus (35) for automatically controlling a cleaning function and / or a cleaning duration.

8. Method for cleaning a screw machine, comprising the steps of: - providing a screw machine (2) having a housing (3) and at least one treatment element shaft (9), - providing a shaft cleaning apparatus (47) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, - removing the at least one treatment element shaft (9) from the housing (3), - cleaning the at least one treatment element shaft (9), wherein the at least one treatment element shaft (9) is arranged outside the housing (3).

9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized by discharging at least one cleaning medium (R) via the at least one shaft cleaning nozzle (55).

10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized by determining a measured value correlated with a degree of contamination of the at least one cleaning medium (R).

11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized by controlling the cleaning process in dependence on the measured value.