High-pressure cleaning system

Abstract

A high-pressure cleaning system (100) includes a high-pressure pump (1) for supplying pressurized cleaning fluid to a tool (52), a combustion engine (3) driving the pump (1), a hose (5) connecting the pump (1) to the tool (52), and a clutch (2) connecting the engine (3) to the pump (1). A central unit (4) manages the operation of the system via a remote control (6) associated with a fieldbus (101) connected to the central unit (4). The bus is connected to the engine (3), the clutch (2), and the pump (1), as well as to a remote control (6) that receives status information (SZ) from the various components (1, 2, 3) to remotely control the operation and adjustment of the engine (3), the actuation of the clutch (2), and the adjustment of the pump (1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transportable high-pressure cleaning installation comprising: a high-pressure pump for supplying pressurized cleaning liquid to a tool (gun, cleaning head), a thermal engine driving the pump, and a hose connecting the pump to the tool.

[0002] The invention relates to the field of high-pressure cleaning systems, known as "skids". Such a system is designed to perform work with a pressurized liquid such as water, for unclogging pipes or cleaning with a gun.

[0003] Numerous high-pressure cleaning systems already exist, generally transported on a vehicle or integrated into a dedicated high-pressure cleaning vehicle. These systems allow for cleaning or unclogging work using pressurized water. Typical systems consist of a water or cleaning fluid source, such as a tank, supplying a unit comprising a motor and a high-pressure pump. The pump is connected via a high-pressure hose to the cleaning tool. This tool is a gun, a jetting nozzle, or similar device. The high-pressure pump is driven by the internal combustion engine through a direct transmission.

[0004] From US5381962, a high-pressure cleaning installation of this kind is known, comprising a high-pressure pump supplying, from a liquid source, a spraying tool, and a motor directly driving the pump, the operation of the motor being controlled via a relay.

[0005] From US2013 / 02114059, a high-pressure cleaning installation of this kind is also known, comprising a high-pressure pump supplying, from a liquid source, a spraying tool, and a motor directly driving the pump, the rotational speed of a cam of the pump being a function of the motor speed.

[0006] These earlier-generation facilities have high fuel consumption, and we would like to limit the fuel consumption of a cleaning facility of this kind.

[0007] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention aims at an installation as defined in claim 1, with improvements being defined in subclaims.

[0008] In earlier installations, the closed-circuit circulation of the liquid heats it up and results in unnecessary fuel consumption.

[0009] By planning in this way, thanks to the presence of the clutch and its control in such a way as to only drive the pump with the engine when necessary, fuel consumption is reduced.

[0010] According to another aspect, independent of the first aspect, but which can be combined with it favorably, the present invention aims to simplify the operation of a high-pressure cleaning installation equipped with a thermal engine to facilitate the start-up phase, and to allow flexible management of operation according to the needs at the intervention site.

[0011] According to this other aspect, the invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning installation comprising: a high-pressure pump for supplying a tool with pressurized cleaning fluid, a thermal engine driving the pump, a hose connecting the pump to the tool, this installation being characterized in that it includes a clutch connecting the motor to the pump, a central unit, a remote control and a fieldbus connecting the central unit, to the motor, to the clutch, to the pump and to the remote control, the central unit managing the operation of the motor, the clutch and the pump with control signals, corresponding to the instructions and the remote control receiving the status information of the different components to remotely control the operation and adjustment of the motor, the actuation of the clutch and the adjustment of the pump.

[0012] The fieldbus combined with the various components of the installation allows for the expansion of functionalities and the possibilities for real-time control and adjustment.

[0013] This installation with remote control allows for more precise and adapted adjustment of the various operating parameters such as engine speed and pump pressure and flow settings according to the needs at the intervention site.

[0014] At the end of the operation, the operator commands the disengagement of the pump and the stopping of the motor, then the winding of the hose connecting the pump to the tool progressively and from the location of the operation.

[0015] According to another characteristic, the fieldbus is a CAN bus, which is advantageous because the CAN bus is particularly suited to an internal combustion engine environment.

[0016] According to another feature, the control unit is connected to the remote control by a radio link with a transceiver associated with the central unit, which has the advantage of flexibility of use.

[0017] According to another feature, the central unit receives motor status signals to transmit them to the remote control which transmits motor control instructions to the central unit to generate motor control signals.

[0018] According to another feature, the central unit receives the clutch status signals to transmit them to the remote control and in response to the instructions sent by the remote control to the central unit, the latter generates the control signals to engage or disengage the clutch.

[0019] According to another feature, the central unit receives the pump's status signals to transmit them to the remote control, which sends instructions to the central unit; the latter generates pressure control signals or pressure or flow adjustment signals to the pump.

[0020] This allows for particularly flexible and adaptive operation of the tool's power supply according to the tool's demand.

[0021] Another key feature is that the cleaning fluid tank is equipped with a level sensor to detect the fluid level and provide a status signal to transmit the level information to the remote control. This prevents the operator from being caught off guard and ensures the cleaning fluid tank is refilled according to the operations to be performed.

[0022] According to another feature, the engine's fuel tank has a level sensor to monitor the tank level and provide a status signal giving the remote control fuel level information.

[0023] This information allows the operator to be aware of the tank level and to take steps to avoid running out of fuel during operation.

[0024] Finally, according to another characteristic, the central unit receiving the status signals analyzes them by comparing them to thresholds, individually or in combination, to deduce possible malfunctions and transmit the information of this comparison to the remote control or even directly command the shutdown of a component in case of failure or switch to reduced operation.

[0025] This ensures the proper functioning of the installation and prevents the deterioration of any component in case of overheating or defective drive by the clutch or pump, or when winding the hose onto the reel.

[0026] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing in which: [ Fig. 1 ] diagram of an embodiment of the high-pressure cleaning installation, [ Fig. 2 ] table of signals exchanged by the fieldbus.

[0027] According to the figure 1 The invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning installation 100, equipping a vehicle or integrated into a vehicle dedicated to high-pressure cleaning.

[0028] The installation 100 consists of a high-pressure pump 1 driven by a combustion engine 3, connected to the high-pressure pump by a clutch 2. The pump 1, connected to a cleaning fluid tank 11, supplies a high-pressure cleaning tool 52, such as a gun or a jetting head. The tool 52 is connected to the outlet of the pump 1 by a hose 5 unwound from a reel 51. The combustion engine 3 is supplied with fuel from a tank 31 equipped with a level sensor 311 providing a level signal NV 31, and the cleaning water tank 11 is equipped with a level sensor 111 generating a level signal NV11.

[0029] Installation 100 includes a central unit 4 connected via a fieldbus 101 to the various components 1-5 for exchanging the components' status signals SZ and their control signals SC. The central unit 4, receiving the status signals SZ from the components, generates the control signals SC and transmits them. The central unit 4 is connected to a remote control 6 used by the operator located at the tool's operating position 52. Based on the operator's instructions Ix and operating parameters, the central unit 4 controls the internal combustion engine 3 during start-up and during normal operation after the preheating phase.

[0030] The operating state SZm of the internal combustion engine 3, the engaged / disengaged state SZemb of the clutch 2 and the operating state SZp of the pump 1 are transmitted to the central unit 4. The fieldbus 101 is preferably a CAN bus particularly suitable for this environment.

[0031] In more detail: The internal combustion engine 3 provides the central unit 4 with the SZm status signals: SZm (T) giving the temperature of engine 3, SZm (R) giving the speed of engine 3.

[0032] These signals are transmitted to the operator's remote control 6, which controls the operation of motor 3: its start / stop (M / A), its operating mode (Ri),

[0033] The operator also uses the temperature information SZm(T) to know if, after a cold start, the engine 3 is hot enough to drive the pump 1 and supply the hose 5 and the tool 52.

[0034] To do this, the operator sends instructions Ix to the central unit 4 which transforms them into SC control signals for components 1, 2, 3.

[0035] Clutch 2 provides central unit 4 with its SZemb status signals: SZemb (E) clutch 2 engaged, SZemb (D) clutch 2 disengaged.

[0036] These signals are transmitted to the remote control 6 so that the operator can check the operating status of the clutch 2 and the conformity of this state with the instructions being applied.

[0037] This ΣZemb state information can also be processed by the central unit 4 to verify that it does not contradict the SCemb control signals applied to clutch 2: for example, clutch 2 is engaged while engine 3 is still in its warm-up phase. This comparison allows the operator to be informed of the situation or to automatically intervene on clutch 2.

[0038] Pump 1 provides the central unit 4 with its SZp status signals: SZp (P) indicating the pump outlet pressure, SZp (Db) indicating the pump outlet flow rate.

[0039] In general, all the above information can be processed and verified by the central unit 4 which transmits it with its analysis to the remote control 6 and automatically takes action in case of exceedance or only transmits this information to the operator (remote control 6) who takes the necessary action.

[0040] The central unit 4 comprises a processor 41 connected to a memory 42 in which the status signal processing programs SZ of the various components connected by the bus 101 and the instructions Ix from the remote control 6 are stored to generate the control signals SC of the components. The central unit 4 also uses stored fixed or variable parameters; for example, thresholds against which the status signals are compared to generate the control signals or the control signals in case of exceeding the thresholds for temperature, pressure, or level of cleaning fluid in tank 11 or fuel in tank 31. The status signals SZ received by the central unit 4 are preferably stored in the memory 41 to accumulate the operating times of the motor 3, the clutch 2, and the pump 1 for their periodic maintenance, fuel consumption, and other system management data 100.

[0041] The remote control 6 is in radio contact with the transmitter / receiver 43 of network 101. It has a display screen 61 and a control keypad 62 for querying and controlling components 1, 2, and 3. Parameters or status signals SZ are displayed on demand on the screen 61. The instructions Im, Iemb, and Ip are generated and transmitted by the remote control 6 to the transmitter / receiver 43 and thus to the central unit 4, which generates the control signals SC transmitted via bus 101 to the equipment. Engine control signals: SCm (M) start, SCm (A) stop, SCm (Ri) speed Ri. Clutch control signals: SCemb (E) engage, SCemb (D) disengage. Pump control signals: SCp (Pi) pressure setting, SCp (dbi) flow setting. Total stop signal: SCT in response to the emergency stop request.

[0042] Comparing the SZ status signal to thresholds or previous reference status values ​​allows for the detection of faults or failures: pump pressure drop 1 while engine 3 and clutch 2 are working normally, engine 3 speed drop R, monitoring of levels: * engine oil level nv3, * fuel level nv31, * cleaning fluid level nv11. NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0043] 100 High-pressure cleaning system 101 Fieldbus 1 Pump 11 Tank 2 Clutch 3 Engine / Internal combustion engine 31 Tank 4 Central unit 41 Memory 42 Processor 43 Interface / Transmitter / Receiver 5 Hose 51 Hose reel 52 Tool (gun...) 6 Remote control 61 Display 62 Keypad / Inputs Ix Instructions NV3 Engine oil level 3 NV31 Fuel tank level 31 NV11 Cleaning fluid tank level 11 P Pump pressure 1 T Engine temperature 3 Ri Engine speed 3 SC Control signals SZ Status signals

Claims

1. High-pressure cleaning installation (100), comprising a high-pressure pump (1) supplying liquid from a source (11), for example a liquid tank; a tool (52); and a motor (3), in particular a thermal motor, driving the pump (1), the operation of the motor having a start-up phase, followed by a normal operating phase, characterized in that a clutch (2) is provided between the motor (3) and the pump (1), the installation being controlled by a central control unit (4) which, during the start-up phase and / or when the tool (52) is not in operation, decouples, by means of the clutch, the pump from the motor, the pump then not being in operation.

2. High-pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in thatIt includes - a remote control (6) and - a fieldbus (101) linking the central unit (4), to the motor (3), to the clutch (2) to the pump (1) and to the remote control (6), - the central unit (4) managing the operation of the motor (3), the clutch (2) and the pump (1) with control signals (SC, SCm, SCemb, SCp), corresponding to the instructions (Im, Iem, IP) of the remote control (6) receiving status information (SZm, SZemb, SZp) from the different components (1, 2, 3) to remotely control the operation and adjustment of the motor (3), the actuation of the clutch (2) and the adjustment of the pump (1).

3. High-pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The fieldbus (101) is a CAN bus.

4. High-pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in thatthe control unit (4) is connected to the remote control (6) by a radio link with a transceiver (43) associated with the central unit (4).

5. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The control unit (4) receives motor status signals (SZm) to transmit them to a remote control (6) which transmits motor control instructions (Im (A),Im(M)) and (ImR) to generate control signals (SCm) SCm(M) SCm(A), SCm(Ri) of the motor (3) to start it, adjust the speed (Ri) or stop the motor.

6. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The control unit (4) receives the status signals (SZemb) from the clutch (2), transmits them to the remote control (6), and in response to the instructions (Iemb) (E)), or (Iemb (D)) sent to the control unit (4), generates the control signals (SCemb(E)) or (SCemb(D) to the clutch (2) to engage or disengage the clutch (2).

7. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The control unit (4) receives the status signals (SZp) from the pump (1) to transmit them to the remote control (6) which sends instructions (Ip(Pi)) or (Ip(db)) to the unit (4) which generates pressure control signals (SCp (Pi)) or (SCp (dbi)) to adjust the pressure (Pi) or flow (dbi) to the pump (1).

8. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The installation includes a cleaning fluid reservoir (11) equipped with a level detector (111) to detect the fluid level and provide a status signal (SZr11 (NV11)) to transmit the level information to the remote control (6).

9. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in thatthe installation includes a fuel tank (31) for the engine (3) which includes a level detector (NV31) to detect the level of the tank (31) and provide a status signal (SZr31) (NV31)) giving the remote control (6) the fuel level information in the tank (31).

10. Installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the unit (4) receiving the status signals (SZ), analyzes them by comparing them to thresholds, individually or in combination to deduce possible malfunctions and transmits the information of this comparison to the remote control (6) or directly commands the shutdown of a faulty component (1, 2, 3) or switches to reduced operation.

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