CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A FILTER ASSEMBLY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning a filter arrangement, which has a first fluid connection, a second fluid connection and a filter device which is arranged between the first and the second fluid connection and which has a surface to which contaminants can adhere, with a generator device for generating a gas-liquid mixture, wherein the generator device has a receiving chamber for receiving a liquid and a pressurized gas generating device which is connectable to the receiving chamber, with a first pipe arrangement which is connected to the generator device and which has a first pipe connection which is connectable to the first filter connection in order to guide the gas-liquid mixture under pressure into the filter arrangement, and with a second pipe arrangement,which has a second pipe connection connectable to the second filter connection and which is connected to a collecting device for collecting the gas-liquid mixture passed through the filter arrangement and impurities entrained from the filter arrangement.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for cleaning a filter arrangement of the type described above, the method comprising the steps of: arranging the filter arrangement in a cleaning device, at least partially filling the receiving chamber with a liquid, and generating a cleaning pulse in which gas from the compressed gas generating device is passed under pressure into the receiving chamber, so that a gas-liquid mixture is driven through the filter device and out of the second fluid connection.

[0003] A diesel particulate filter cleaning method and corresponding device are known from document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1. A diesel particulate filter is arranged above a receiving chamber for a liquid. The receiving chamber is partially filled with the liquid. Subsequently, a pressurized gas is introduced into the receiving chamber from below the surface of the liquid, creating a gas-liquid mixture that is forced by the pressure via the first fluid connection through the filter device and out of the second fluid connection.

[0004] The filter assembly is positioned above the receiving chamber so that the first fluid connection points toward the receiving chamber. When the filter assembly is installed, the first fluid connection points toward the exhaust side. The second fluid connection, however, is the one that faces the diesel engine when the filter assembly is installed. This ensures that the contaminants present in the filter assembly are expelled from the filter assembly against the operating flow direction of the filter assembly—that is, from bottom to top in the prior art.

[0005] The side of the filter assembly facing the diesel engine in the installed state (at the second fluid connection) is typically superficially cleaned before installation in the cleaning device, e.g., using a high-pressure cleaning device or the like. This allows adhering ash and the like, particularly in the area of ​​a flange of the second fluid connection, to be cleaned or rinsed away before the filter assembly is inserted into the aforementioned cleaning device. Since this pre-cleaning only occurs superficially, no liquid settles inside the filter assembly during this process.

[0006] This achieves the particular advantage that during the subsequent cleaning by means of the cleaning pulse, the gas-liquid mixture is driven through the filter device in the form of a mixture of gas and water droplets (aerosol mixture), so that the kinetic energy of the droplets, which are pushed through the filter device at high speed, can efficiently loosen and remove the adhering contaminants, as also described in the above-mentioned document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1.

[0007] It is also important that the second fluid connection, through which the gas-liquid mixture is expelled, is either completely open or is connected to a collecting device that has a very large volume, thus allowing the gas-liquid mixture to enter with as little back pressure as possible.

[0008] Furthermore, prior art documents are known in which a receiving chamber is arranged above the filter assembly, into which a cleaning fluid is poured. The fluid then flows unhindered into the filter device until the filter device is completely filled and a volume of fluid is present above the filter device in the receiving chamber. Subsequently, gas is introduced into the receiving chamber from above the fluid level, so that the fluid present in the filter device is forced downwards under pressure. Such a cleaning assembly is known from document US Pat. No. 8,273,185 B2.

[0009] Document EP 1 336 729 A1 discloses a device for removing residues from the filter body of a particulate filter. In a first step, a liquid rinsing agent is filled into the particulate filter, and in a subsequent step, a gaseous rinsing medium flows through the filter body of the particulate filter in the opposite direction to its filtering direction. After the particulate filter has been filled with the liquid rinsing agent, it remains inactive for a predetermined time interval. After this time interval has elapsed, the supply of the gaseous rinsing medium begins abruptly. The gas is introduced into the particulate filter from top to bottom.

[0010] From the document US 2004 / 0045439 A1 a cleaning process for particulate filters is known, wherein an upstream side (i.e. the side facing the diesel engine during operation) is first treated by means of a burner in order to burn off soot deposits on the upstream side of the filter device.

[0011] The filter assembly is then removed from the first cleaning device and clamped into a second cleaning device. A fluid stream is introduced into the downstream surface of the filter device at a flow rate of more than 50 l / min. For this purpose, a cleaning fluid is first heated in a collection chamber. A separate compressed air tank is also provided, capable of delivering a pressure range from 2 bar to 6 bar. The compressed air tank and the collection chamber are connected via valves to a channel leading to the downstream side of the filter assembly. The valves are configured to alternately supply cleaning fluid or air.

[0012] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved cleaning device and an improved cleaning method for cleaning a filter arrangement, in particular a diesel particulate filter.

[0013] The above object is achieved by a cleaning device according to claim 1. Preferably, the first pipe connection is arranged above the second pipe connection in the direction of gravity, wherein the first pipe arrangement has a deflection pipe section which connects the receiving chamber of the generator device to the first pipe connection, such that the receiving chamber can be filled with liquid before the gas-liquid mixture is generated, without the liquid entering the filter arrangement.

[0014] This allows the same advantageous cleaning concept to be applied as described in document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1. However, in the cleaning device according to the invention, the gas-liquid mixture is passed through the filter device from top to bottom. In the cleaning device, the filter assembly is consequently arranged such that the second fluid connection, which is the upstream connection (facing the diesel engine) of the filter assembly, is at the bottom, i.e., below the first fluid connection in the direction of gravity. Consequently, in the present cleaning device, the filter assembly is also cleaned using the countercurrent principle, in that the gas-liquid mixture is passed through the filter device opposite to the normal filtering direction.

[0015] The collecting device for collecting the gas-liquid mixture passed through the filter arrangement is designed such that it either has a very large volume or has an elastically expandable volume, so that the gas-liquid mixture can be driven through the filter device essentially unhindered.

[0016] In the cleaning device, it is advantageous if the first pipe arrangement is constructed in such a way that the gas-liquid mixture generated by the generator device is guided upwards under pressure against the force of gravity, then through the deflection pipe section and finally downwards in the direction of the filter arrangement to the first fluid connection.

[0017] The introduction of the gas into the receiving chamber preferably also takes place below the liquid level in the receiving chamber, preferably in a region of the lower third of the liquid, seen in the direction of the center of gravity.

[0018] The present cleaning device also benefits from the fact that the filter device is essentially dry, or at least not filled with liquid, before the gas-liquid mixture is forced through the filter device under pressure. Regarding the advantages achieved thereby, reference is made to the disclosure of document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the information regarding the number of cleaning pulses, the temperatures, the volume of the receiving chamber, the volume of the filter assembly, the type of cleaning liquid, etc., can be implemented identically to that in the aforementioned document.

[0019] Another particular advantage of the cleaning device according to the invention is that the surface of the filter device on the side of the second fluid connection can be pretreated, in particular precleaned, via the second pipe arrangement without the need to re-clamp the filter arrangement. In other words, the filter arrangement can be completely cleaned in the cleaning device while it is arranged between the first pipe connection and the second pipe connection.

[0020] Pre-cleaning of the lower side of the filter device on the side of the second fluid connection can be performed in any way. For example, pre-cleaning can include incineration.

[0021] According to the invention, a fluid spray device is arranged in the second pipe arrangement, which has at least one spray nozzle directed towards the filter device.

[0022] Using the fluid spray device, the surface of the filter device on the side of the second fluid connection can be pre-cleaned by spraying a spray fluid, which can be water. However, a cleaning agent, which can be soap-like, can also be mixed into the spray fluid.

[0023] It is not impossible for spray fluid to enter the interior of the filter assembly. However, due to the arrangement of the filter assembly with the second fluid connection below the first fluid connection (as seen in the direction of gravity), the penetrating spray fluid always flows downwards, toward the second pipe arrangement.

[0024] The fluid spray device is preferably designed such that it can clean not only the surface of the filter device, but also a peripheral area thereof, in particular an area of ​​a flange section, within which contaminants such as ash, soot, etc. can also accumulate. By means of the fluid spray device, the filter arrangement in the area of ​​the second fluid connection can thus be cleaned in advance such that no further post-cleaning is required after the subsequent cleaning using the gas-liquid mixture.

[0025] The spray nozzle therefore preferably sprays the spray fluid upwards against gravity against the side of the filter device and into its peripheral area.

[0026] It is particularly preferred if the fluid spray device has a spray bar which extends transversely to a longitudinal direction and on which a plurality of spray nozzles are arranged.

[0027] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the spray device is rotatable about a longitudinal axis.

[0028] This allows a high cleaning effect to be achieved from many directions, similar to a dishwasher, so that excellent pre-cleaning can be achieved.

[0029] The second pipe arrangement preferably has a siphon-like pipe section in which spray fluid and contaminants can collect, which are detached from the filter device by means of the fluid spray device.

[0030] This ensures that the spray fluid does not necessarily reach the subsequent collecting device, in particular that it is not subsequently entrained in the direction of the collecting device by the gas-liquid mixture flowing into the second pipe arrangement.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the siphon-like pipe section has a drain through which spray fluid and contaminants can be removed from the second pipe arrangement.

[0032] The drain is preferably arranged in a lower region of the siphon-like pipe section, so that after the pre-cleaning by means of the fluid spray device, there are essentially no large amounts of contaminants removed by the pre-cleaning in the siphon-like pipe section.

[0033] This is advantageous because the contaminants dissolved by the fluid spray device are often soot-like or contain soot-like components that are preferably treated differently with regard to post-treatment or reprocessing than the gas-liquid mixture.

[0034] Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least a portion of the first pipe arrangement is displaceable in a longitudinal direction in order to facilitate insertion of the filter arrangement between the first pipe connection and the second pipe connection.

[0035] The section of the first tube arrangement can be manually displaced in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is preferably parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0036] It is particularly preferred if the first tube arrangement is assigned a first adjusting motor, by means of which the at least one section of the first tube arrangement is displaceable, specifically in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The first adjusting motor is preferably an electric motor which, for example, drives at least one lifting rod via a spindle and preferably via an angular gear, and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction by means of a lifting plate to which the at least one section of the first pipe arrangement is fixed, in particular the entire first pipe arrangement.

[0038] It is particularly advantageous if the first pipe connection can be placed on the first filter connection in a force-controlled manner by means of the first adjustment motor.

[0039] The force can be controlled via suitable software, so that the first adjustment motor is controlled accordingly. However, in general, a spring arrangement can also be arranged between a drive element of the first adjustment motor and the first tube assembly to enable the first tube connection to be placed on the first filter connection in a force-controlled manner.

[0040] According to a further overall preferred embodiment, the cleaning device includes a loading arrangement which is displaceable in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis in order to arrange a filter arrangement in a cleaning position above the second pipe connection.

[0041] The loading arrangement is preferably designed in the manner of a horizontally movable carriage, onto which a filter arrangement can be placed laterally next to the second pipe connection, and can then be arranged by means of the carriage in a position (cleaning position) above the second pipe connection.

[0042] It is particularly advantageous if the loading arrangement is assigned a second adjustment motor which can move the loading arrangement between the cleaning position and a loading position.

[0043] The second adjustment motor can also be an electric motor. The second adjustment motor can be a linear drive that can move a filter holder or a carriage to which the filter holder is attached horizontally. The linear drive can be a conventional electric motor with a rotation-translation converter, but can also be an electric linear motor.

[0044] In alternative embodiments, both the first adjusting motor and the second adjusting motor can also be designed as electromagnetic drives, as pneumatic drives or as hydraulic drives.

[0045] It is understood that the features of the invention mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0046] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective schematic representation of a further embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of the cleaning device of the Fig. 2 from a viewing direction III; Fig. 4 a side view of the cleaning device of the Fig. 2 from a viewing direction IV; Fig. 5 a side view of the cleaning device of the Fig. 2 from a viewing direction V; Fig. 6 a sectional view along a line VI-VI in Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 a side view of the cleaning device of the Fig. 2 from a viewing direction VII in which a loading arrangement is in a cleaning position; Fig. 8 a partial view of the Fig. 7, in which the loading arrangement is in a loading position; and Fig. 9 one of the Fig. 7 comparable view, wherein the filter arrangement is clamped between the first and second pipe connections in a force-controlled manner.

[0047] In Fig. 1 An embodiment of a cleaning device is shown schematically and generally designated 10.

[0048] The cleaning device 10 serves to clean a filter arrangement 12, in particular in the form of a diesel particulate filter, which is normally installed in the exhaust system of a diesel engine-powered motor vehicle.

[0049] The filter assembly 12 has a first fluid connection 14, which represents the outlet side when the filter assembly 12 is installed. Furthermore, the filter assembly 12 has a second fluid connection 16, which represents an inlet side when the filter assembly is installed, i.e., faces the drive engine (in particular, the diesel engine).

[0050] Between the first fluid connection 14 and the second fluid connection 16, which are opposite each other along a longitudinal axis, a filter device 18 is arranged, which includes a plurality of longitudinal channels 20. Regarding the general and specific design of such filter arrangements, reference is made to the general technical knowledge regarding diesel particulate filters.

[0051] At 22, a surface of the filter device 18 on the side of the second fluid connection 16 is shown.

[0052] The cleaning device 10 comprises a housing 28. A generator device 30 is arranged on the housing 28, in particular displaceably arranged, as will be explained below. The generator device 30 has a receiving chamber 32 for receiving a quantity of liquid, wherein the liquid can be water, in particular, to which additives can be added, as described in the document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1.

[0053] Furthermore, the generator device 30 has a compressed gas generation device 34, which may include a pressure tank and a compressor. In any case, the compressed gas generation device 34 can hold gas, in particular air, at a pressure of, for example, 8 bar and a volume of, for example, 2 m³, so that the volume in the expanded state could be, for example, 16 m³.

[0054] The compressed gas generating device 34 is connected to a lower portion of the receiving chamber 32 via a gas valve 36. The receiving chamber 32, in particular a lower portion thereof, is connected to a supply of cleaning fluid 40 (in particular water) via a fluid valve 38.

[0055] Consequently, with the gas valve 36 closed, liquid can initially be introduced into the receiving chamber 32 up to a liquid level 42 located above the valves 36, 38. The liquid valve 38 can then be closed.

[0056] The valves 36, 38 are located in particular in a lower third of the receiving chamber 32, relative to a lower end of the receiving chamber and the liquid level 42.

[0057] The receiving chamber 32 is connected via a first pipe arrangement 44 to a first pipe connection 46, which is designed to be sealingly connected to the first fluid connection 14.

[0058] The first pipe arrangement 44 has a deflection pipe section 48 which initially runs vertically upwards above the receiving chamber 32, specifically against a direction of gravity G, then has a U-shaped section and further includes a section (not designated in more detail) from the U-shaped section to the first pipe connection 46, which section leads downwards from the U-shaped section parallel to the direction of gravity G to the first pipe connection 46.

[0059] The cross-section or cross-sectional area of ​​the first tube arrangement 44 may be constant, but is preferably designed such that the first tube arrangement 44 has a first cross-section Q1 in the region adjacent to the receiving chamber 32 which is smaller than a second cross-section Q2 which the first tube arrangement 44 has in a region adjacent to the first pipe connection 46.

[0060] The cleaning device 10 further includes a second pipe assembly 50, which includes a second pipe connection 52. The second pipe connection 52 is configured to be connected to the second fluid connection of the filter assembly 12.

[0061] The second pipe arrangement 50 is connected at its other end to a collecting device 54, which may, for example, include a droplet separator, similar to that described in the document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1.

[0062] Between the second pipe connection 52 and the transition to the collecting device 54, the second pipe arrangement 50 has a siphon-like pipe section 56, at the lower end of which is provided a drain 58 through which fluid can be drained. Optionally, a pump 60 is integrated into the drain 58.

[0063] In Fig. 1 the filter assembly 12 is shown in a cleaning position in which it is connected with its second fluid connection 16 to the second pipe connection 52, and in which the first fluid connection 14 is sealingly connected to the first pipe connection 46.

[0064] Using the cleaning device, cleaning can thus be carried out in such a way that fluid is first poured into the receiving chamber 32 until the fluid reaches a certain liquid level 42. Subsequently, the gas valve 36 is opened, so that a blast of compressed air is introduced into the lower region of the receiving chamber 32, so that the fluid contained in the receiving chamber 32 is swirled or foamed and expelled toward the first pipe connection 46, namely via the deflection pipe section 48.

[0065] The gas-liquid mixture then penetrates the filter device 18 under high pressure and at high velocity, passes through the filter device 18, and carries with it any contaminants. The gas-liquid mixture then exits the surface 22 and enters the second pipe arrangement 50, where it is guided via the siphon-like pipe section 56 to the collecting device 54, where the gas-liquid mixture can expand. The liquid contained therein is collected via a droplet separator, allowing environmentally friendly post-processing of the collected gas-liquid mixture, which contains contaminants.

[0066] As described in document DE 10 2015 112 939 A1, a plurality of such cleaning pulses can be performed. Subsequently, at least one drying pulse can also be performed, during which gas is introduced into the empty collection chamber 32.

[0067] In the cleaning device 10, the filter arrangement 12 is clamped such that, viewed in the direction of gravity G, the second fluid connection 16 is arranged below the first fluid connection 14.

[0068] The filter assembly 12 can be inserted into the cleaning device in a completely uncleaned state.

[0069] In order to remove soot and other soot deposits adhering to the surface 22 of the filter device 18, in particular also in a flange section area of ​​the second fluid connection 16, a fluid spray device 62 is provided.

[0070] The fluid spray device 62 has a drive shaft 64 that penetrates a wall of the second pipe arrangement 50 via a rotary union 65. A supply device 66 located outside the second pipe arrangement 50 serves to drive the drive shaft 64, which extends in the longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of gravity, by means of a drive motor 68.

[0071] Furthermore, the supply device 66 includes a fluid supply device 70, via which a spray fluid, which can be water or water to which a cleaning agent has been added, can be supplied through the drive shaft 64 (which is designed as a hollow shaft) to a spray bar 74.

[0072] The fluid 72, which is supplied from the fluid supply device 70 and is guided to the spray bar 74 via the drive shaft 64, is ejected from the spray bar 74 via a plurality of spray nozzles 76.

[0073] The spray bar 74 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the surface 22 and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The spray bar can have a length transverse to the longitudinal direction that is in the range of 0.3 to 0.9 of the diameter of the surface 22, preferably in a range of 0.5 to 0.8 of this diameter.

[0074] The distance between the spray bar 74 and the surface 22 is preferably smaller than the length of the spray bar in the transverse direction and can, for example, be in a range of 5 cm to 20 cm.

[0075] The spray nozzles 76 are arranged along the spray bar 74 so that they can jointly spray the entire diameter of the surface 22 as well as adjacent areas of the flange section of the second fluid connection 16.

[0076] The drive motor 68 can cause the shaft 64 and consequently the spray bar 74 to rotate, as shown in Fig. 1 shown at R.

[0077] Consequently, the entire area to be cleaned can be sprayed by means of the spray bar 74.

[0078] The spray fluid 72 may penetrate slightly into the longitudinal channels 20 from the side of the surface 22, but immediately drips downward again. The used spray fluid, which has exited the spray nozzles 76, and the contaminants washed away with it, collect in a lower part of the siphon-like pipe section 56 and can be discharged there via the drain 58.

[0079] Consequently, it is possible to carry out a preliminary cleaning on the surface 22 of the filter assembly 12 by means of a "clamping" and then, without removing the filter assembly 12, to carry out a cleaning process in which a gas-liquid mixture is forced through the filter device 18 under high pressure and at high speed, starting from the side of the first fluid connection 14 towards the second fluid connection 16.

[0080] The gas-liquid mixture emerging from the second fluid connection 16 strikes the spray bar 74, which, however, forms a relatively small cross-section compared to the total area of ​​the surface 22 and consequently does not significantly impair the flow of the gas-liquid mixture out of the filter device 18.

[0081] In Fig. 1It is further shown that the cleaning device 10 may include a loading assembly 78 for moving filter assemblies 12 from outside the cleaning device 10 into a cleaning position in which the filter assembly 12 is arranged between the pipe connections 46, 52. This may be accomplished by means of a second adjustment motor 82.

[0082] A first adjustment motor 80 can be configured to adjust at least a portion of the first pipe arrangement 44, in particular the entire pipe arrangement 44, in a direction parallel to the direction of gravity in order to enable the—in particular automated—insertion of a filter arrangement 12 between the pipe connections 46, 52, and to subsequently place the first pipe connection 46 onto the first fluid connection 14 with a specific force, such that a type of ring seal is created. This can prevent the gas-liquid mixture, which is fed under high pressure via the first pipe connection 46 into the filter device 18, from escaping laterally between the first fluid connection 14 and the first pipe connection 46.

[0083] In the Figures 2 to 9 A further embodiment of a cleaning device 10 is shown, which in terms of structure and operation generally corresponds to the cleaning device 10 of Fig. 1Identical elements are therefore designated by the same reference numerals. The differences are essentially described below.

[0084] As it is in the Figures 2 to 9 As shown, the housing 28 has a frame to which a first bearing plate 90 is fixed, which extends in the horizontal direction. The first adjusting motor 80 in the form of an electric motor is arranged on the first bearing plate 90. Furthermore, the first tube arrangement 44 is arranged with respect to the first bearing plate 90 such that the deflection tube section 48 is arranged above the first bearing plate 90. The tube section that extends towards the receiving chamber 32 and the tube section that extends towards the first tube connection 46 are guided displaceably through the first bearing plate 90.

[0085] Furthermore, a lifting plate 92 is mounted on the housing 28 so as to be displaceable in the direction of gravity G. That section of the first pipe arrangement 44 which leads to the first pipe connection 46 (and which has the slightly larger cross-section Q2) is fixed to the lifting plate 92.

[0086] The lifting plate 92 can be driven in the vertical direction. For this purpose, a drive shaft of the first adjustment motor 80 is connected to a transfer case 96. The transfer case 96 is connected via further spindles to a first angular gear 98, which drives a first lifting rod 99 in the vertical direction, and is connected via a further spindle to a second angular gear 100, which drives a second lifting rod 101 parallel to the first lifting rod 99. The two lifting rods 99, 101 are connected to the lifting plate 92 in order to be able to drive the first tube arrangement 44 in the vertical longitudinal direction.

[0087] As is particularly the case in Fig. 6As can be clearly seen, the outflow of the siphon-like pipe section 56 is connected to an inclined outflow pipe section 102, via which the spray fluid and thus cleaned impurities can be discharged in a targeted manner.

[0088] A second bearing plate 104 is secured to the housing 28 below the first bearing plate 90. The second tube assembly 50 is attached to the second bearing plate 104 such that the second tube connection 52 is located above the second bearing plate 104.

[0089] The loading arrangement 78 is arranged on the second bearing plate 104.

[0090] The second bearing plate 104 and the first bearing plate 90 can be connected to each other via a carrier plate 107, as is particularly shown in Fig. 6 is shown.

[0091] A cage 94 is arranged between the first bearing plate 90 and the second bearing plate 104, which cage at least partially surrounds the area of ​​the pipe connections 46, 52.

[0092] The loading assembly 78 includes a linear actuator 108 that drives a loading rod 110 in a horizontal direction, with the loading rod 110 extending through the cage 94.

[0093] As it is in the Figures 7 to 8 As shown, the loading assembly 78 can be moved into a loading position L1, in which a filter holder 112, which is connected to the loading rod 110, is arranged laterally next to the pipe connections 46, 52 in order to be able to conveniently place a filter assembly 12 thereon for cleaning.

[0094] Subsequently, the linear drive 108, which forms the second adjustment motor 82, can be driven such that the filter holder 112 is moved in the direction towards the pipe connections 46, 52 until the filter arrangement 12 is arranged exactly therebetween in a cleaning position L2.

[0095] Before this step, the first adjustment motor 80 was controlled so that the first pipe connection 46 was lifted, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0096] In Fig. 7 it is shown that the loading arrangement has reached the cleaning position L2, in which the filter arrangement 12 is arranged between the pipe connections 46, 52.

[0097] Subsequently, the first adjustment motor 80 is driven so that the first pipe connection 46 is placed on the first fluid connection 14 in a force-controlled manner, such that a ring sealing effect is achieved. This is shown in Fig. 9 shown. In Fig. 9It is further shown that the fluid spray device 62 is controlled to rotate the spray bar 74 and to spray spray fluid 72 via the nozzles 76 onto the surface 22.

[0098] In a subsequent step, the fluid spray device 62 can be deactivated again so that no more spray fluid is supplied and the spray bar 74 no longer rotates.

[0099] Subsequently, at least one cleaning pulse can be performed, in which, as described above, a gas-liquid mixture is generated and forced from above through the filter assembly 12. Furthermore, at least one drying pulse can be performed.

[0100] Subsequently, the first adjusting motor 80 can be driven again to lift the first pipe connection 46 from the first fluid connection 14, so that the Fig. 7shown position is reached. The loading assembly 78 can then be driven to reestablish the loading position L1, so that a cleaned filter assembly 12 can be removed from the cleaning device 10 and another filter assembly 12 to be cleaned can be inserted. List of reference symbols:

[0101] 10Cleaning device 12Filter arrangement 14First fluid connection (outlet side) 16Second fluid connection (inlet side) 18Filter device 20Longitudinal channels 22Surface of 14 28 Housing 30 Generator device (10) 32 Receiving chamber 34 Pressurized gas generation device 36 Gas valve 38 Liquid valve 40 Cleaning liquid 42 Liquid level 44 First pipe arrangement 46 First pipe connection 48 Diverter pipe section 50 Second pipe arrangement 52 Second pipe connection 54 Collecting device (with droplet eliminator) 56 Siphon-like pipe section 58 Drain 60 Pump 62 Fluid spray device 64 Drive shaft 65 Rotary union 66 Supply device 68 Drive motor 70 Fluid feed device 72 Fluid 74 Spray bar 76 Spray nozzles 78 Loading assembly 80 First variable displacement motor 82 Second variable displacement motor 90 First bearing plate 92 Lifting plate 94 Cage 96Transfer case 98First bevel gear 99First lifting rod 100Second bevel gear 101Second lifting rod 102Drain pipe section,inclined 104second bearing plate 106support plate 107carrier plate 108linear drive (82) 110loading rod 112filter holder GSign of gravity Q1first cross section Q2second cross section Rrotation (64) H1first lifting position H2second lifting position L1loading position L2cleaning position,

Claims

1. Cleaning device (10) for cleaning a filter arrangement (12), which has a first fluid connection (14), a second fluid connection (16), and a filter device (18) that is arranged between the first fluid connection (14) and the second fluid connection (16) and has a surface to which contaminants can adhere, comprising: - a generator device (30) for generating a gas-liquid mixture, wherein the generator device (30) has a receiving chamber (32) for receiving a liquid and a compressed gas generation device (34) that can be connected to the receiving chamber (32) in such a way that the introduction of gas from the compressed gas generation device (34) into the receiving chamber (32) takes place below a liquid level (42) in the receiving chamber (32), as seen in the center of gravity direction; - a first pipe arrangement (44), which is connected to the generator device (30) and has a first pipe connection (46) that can be connected to the first fluid connection (14) to direct the gas-liquid mixture under pressure into the filter arrangement (12); and - a second pipe arrangement (50), which has a second pipe connection (52) that can be connected to the second fluid connection (16) and which is connected to a collection device (54) for collecting the gas-liquid mixture passed through the filter arrangement (12) and contaminants carried along from the filter arrangement (12); characterized in that a fluid spray device (62) is arranged in the second pipe arrangement (50), which has at least one spray nozzle (76) directed at the filter device (18).

2. Cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first pipe connection (46) is arranged above the second pipe connection (52) in the direction of gravity (G), wherein the first pipe arrangement (44) has a deflection pipe section (48) that connects the receiving chamber (32) of the generator device (30) with the first pipe connection (46) in such a way that the receiving chamber (32) can be filled with liquid before generating the gas-liquid mixture, without the liquid entering the filter arrangement (12).

3. Cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the first pipe arrangement (44) is configured so that the gas-liquid mixture generated by the generator device (30) is directed under pressure against gravity (G) upwards, then through the deflection pipe section (48), and finally downwards in the direction of the filter arrangement (12).

4. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid spray device (62) has a spray bar (74) that extends transversely to a longitudinal direction and on which a plurality of spray nozzles (76) are arranged.

5. Cleaning device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fluid spray device (62) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis.

6. Cleaning device according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second pipe arrangement (50) has a siphon-like pipe section (56) in which spray fluid and contaminants can accumulate that have been detached from the filter device (18) by means of the fluid spray device (62).

7. Cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the siphon-like pipe section (56) has a drain (58) via which spray fluid and contaminants can be removed from the second pipe arrangement (50).

8. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a section of the first pipe arrangement (44) is displaceable in a longitudinal direction to facilitate an insertion of the filter arrangement (12) between the first pipe connection (46) and the second pipe connection (52).

9. Cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the first pipe arrangement (44) is assigned a first adjustment motor (80), by means of which the at least one section of the first pipe arrangement (44) is displaceable.

10. Cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the first pipe connection (46) can be placed onto the first filter connection (14) by means of the first adjustment motor (80) in a force-controlled manner.

11. Cleaning device according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a loading arrangement (78), which is displaceable in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction axis to arrange a filter arrangement (12) in a cleaning position above the second pipe connection (52).

12. Cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the loading arrangement (78) is assigned a second adjustment motor (82), which can move the loading arrangement (78) between the cleaning position and a loading position.

13. Method for cleaning a filter arrangement (12), which has a first fluid connection (14), a second fluid connection (16), and a filter device (18) that is arranged between the first fluid connection (14) and the second fluid connection (16) and has a surface to which contaminants can adhere, wherein the method comprises the steps: - arranging the filter arrangement (12) in a cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 1 - 12, such that the second fluid connection (16) points downward and the first fluid connection (14) is connected to the receiving chamber (32) via the deflection pipe section (48), - at least partially filling the receiving chamber (32) with a liquid, and - generating a cleaning pulse, in which gas from the compressed gas generation device (34) is directed under pressure into the receiving chamber (32) for a duration of less than 5 seconds, so that a gas-liquid mixture is driven from above into the filter device (18) via the deflection pipe section (48), through the filter device (18), and out of the second fluid connection (16).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein before generating the cleaning pulse, the side of the filter device (18) associated with the second fluid connection (16) is cleaned by means of the fluid spray device (62), which is arranged in the second pipe arrangement (52).