Cleaning apparatus and cleaning system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ACP SYSTEMS AG
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-10
Smart Images
Figure EP2024071578_13022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001]Title: Cleaning device and cleaning system Description The invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning surfaces using a CO2 snow jet, as well as a cleaning system comprising at least two such cleaning devices. Such cleaning devices have proven themselves in practice for the gentle cleaning of surfaces, e.g., workpiece surfaces, prior to painting or coating processes, or functional surfaces in the semiconductor industry and in medical technology. In particular, surface cleaning using a CO2 snow jet (so-called "CO2 snow blasting") enables dry (water-free), solvent-free, and residue-free removal of filmy and / or particulate contaminants (e.g., dust, ablation residues, residues of cutting emulsions, fingerprints, etc.). To generate a CO2 snow jet, liquid CO2 (carbon dioxide) is injected at an initial pressure of typically approximately 60 bar or, when suppliedfrom low-pressure tanks, into an expansion zone at approximately 20 bar, where the liquid CO2 expands. As the pressure drops from the initial pressure to ambient pressure (usually 1 bar), a gradual phase transformation from liquid CO2 to gaseous CO2 occurs, while the mixture cools simultaneously. When the pressure falls below the triple point of CO2 (5,185 bar), the remaining liquid phase transforms, at least partially, into solid CO2 in the form of snow crystals, so-called CO2 snow. CO2 "snow" is therefore CO2 in a solid state and, in particular, not "snow" in the sense of frozen water. The resulting CO2 snow crystals are entrained by the CO2 gas accelerated as a result of the expansion, thus forming a CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture with the CO2 gas. The CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture is then bundled by a carrier gas stream, preferably a sheath jet of the carrier gas, e.g. compressed air or nitrogenand further accelerated into a CO2 snow jet. A jet tool for generating and dispensing such a CO2 snow jet is known, for example, from WO 00 / 74897 A1. The cleaning effect of a CO2 snow jet upon impact with a surface is essentially based on four mechanisms: 1. Embrittlement of contaminants through rapid cooling (sublimation point of CO2 snow at atmospheric pressure: -78.5 °C); 2. Abrasion through momentum transfer (accelerated CO2 snow crystals transfer pressure and shear forces upon impact with the surface); 3. Chemical dissolution of contaminants, e.g., adsorption compounds (during the impact of CO2 snow crystals with a surface, CO2 can be converted into a supercritical state; in this state, CO2 is a good chemical solvent); 4. Removal of contaminants by a (approximately 500-fold) increase in volume during the sublimation of CO2 from the solid phase to the gas phase. CO2 snow jetsis to be distinguished from CO2 dry ice blasting, which is usually more abrasive, in which dry ice pellets (pellets made of solid CO2, i.e., in particular, not CO2 snow crystals) are accelerated in a blasting system and blasted onto a workpiece to be cleaned. While dry ice pellets are usually produced in a pelletizer provided separately from the blasting system and then fed to the blasting system in batches, CO2 snow blasting enables continuous operation and is therefore particularly suitable for automation. The object of the present invention is to improve a cleaning device of the type mentioned above in such a way that a higher cleaning performance is achieved with CO2 snow blasting. The device should be able to be operated economically. This object is achieved according to the invention by a cleaning device having the features of claim 1. The cleaning device is for cleaningof surfaces by means of the CO2 snow jet. The cleaning device comprises a base body. The base body has a CO2 connection for liquid CO2. The CO2 connection can be designed, for example, for connecting a CO2 supply line, for example, for connecting to a CO2 tank. The base body also has a carrier gas connection for a carrier gas, in particular compressed air or nitrogen. The carrier gas connection can be designed, for example, for connecting a carrier gas supply line (e.g., hose). The cleaning device also comprises at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle for generating and dispensing a CO2 snow jet from liquid CO2 and carrier gas. As explained above, the CO2 snow jet is a jet of a mixture comprising carrier gas, CO2 snow, and optionally CO2 gas. The CO2 snow jet nozzle is designed such that the CO2 snow jet is directed in a jet directionis discharged from the CO2 snow jet nozzle. In an advantageous embodiment, the CO2 snow jet nozzle comprises a CO2 channel. The CO2 channel has, in particular, an inlet opening for liquid CO2 and an outlet opening. The CO2 channel can be formed, for example, by a particularly cylindrical hollow space of a tubular body, in particular by a capillary tube. The CO2 channel preferably opens into an expansion region in which liquid CO2 is converted into a CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture under expansion. The expansion region can, in particular, be a region downstream of the CO2 channel in the flow direction (i.e., downstream of the CO2 channel), in which a flow cross-section is larger than the CO2 channel. It is also conceivable that a downstream end section of the CO2 channel forms the expansion region or at least a section of the expansion region. For example, it isIt is conceivable that the CO2 channel widens in the end section, in particular conically, as seen in the flow direction. This does not exclude the possibility that a gradual conversion of liquid CO2 into the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture already takes place in the CO2 channel. The CO2 snow jet nozzle preferably also comprises a jacket jet nozzle for generating a jacket jet from the carrier gas. The jacket jet nozzle is particularly designed such that the jacket jet surrounds the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture arising in the expansion region in a circumferential direction and accelerates it in a jet direction. The CO2 snow jet thus generated is thus discharged from the CO2 snow jet nozzle in the jet direction. The jacket jet nozzle is thus designed to generate a jacket jet from the carrier gas, which surrounds the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture arising in the expansion region and accelerates it in the jet direction. Advantageously, theThe CO2 channel is surrounded by a jacketed jet nozzle. This promotes a stable jacketed jet and effective acceleration of the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture. The jacketed jet nozzle can advantageously be designed as a supersonic nozzle. In particular, the jacketed jet nozzle can have a Laval geometry. In this way, the speed of the snow particles and thus the momentum that can be transferred to a surface can be further increased. The jacketed jet nozzle can, for example, be designed as a channel between an outer housing section of the nozzle housing of the CO2 snow jet nozzle and a wall delimiting the CO2 channel, e.g., the tube body. The cleaning device also comprises a CO2 supply channel that is fluidically connected (flow-connected) to the CO2 connection for supplying liquid CO2 to the CO2 snow jet nozzle, in particular to the CO2 channel. The cleaning device also comprises aconnected (flow-connected) carrier gas supply channel for supplying carrier gas to the CO2 snow jet nozzle, in particular to the jacket jet nozzle. According to the invention, the cleaning device also has a rotating section that is mounted on the base body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis. The rotating section is therefore rotatable relative to the base body about the rotation axis. The at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle is connected to the rotating section in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular is mounted on the rotating section in a rotationally fixed manner. In this respect, the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle and thus a CO2 snow jet emerging from the CO2 snow jet nozzle are guided on a rotational path around the rotation axis. In particular, the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle can be mounted on the rotation section in such a way that the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle is guided on a circular path which is in a rotation plane orthogonal to theThe rotation axis lies at the center of the rotation axis. Because the CO2 snow jet nozzle rotates relative to the base body, the effective range of the cleaning device is increased, so that even larger surface areas can be cleaned quickly and efficiently. In addition, the proposed design makes it easy to efficiently clean rotationally symmetrical components, such as cylinder liners, without the cleaning device as a whole having to be moved along a rotational path, e.g. by a robot. This has the advantage that only a comparatively small working space is required for the cleaning process, which is particularly advantageous in automated production environments. A rotary feedthrough device for guiding CO2 and carrier gas from the connections to the rotating section is preferably provided in the base body. It is fundamentally conceivable that a drive torque for driving a rotational movement of theRotational section about the rotational axis is provided by an impulse of the emitted CO2 snow jet. Preferably, however, a rotational movement of the rotational section is actively driven. In particular, the cleaning device comprises a rotational drive device with a, in particular electrically operated, drive motor for driving a rotational movement of the rotational section (and thus of the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle) about the rotational axis. The rotational drive device can have a gear for transmitting a drive movement of the drive motor to the rotational section. In an advantageous embodiment of the rotational drive device, this can comprise a gear drive. The gear drive can have a first gear driven by the drive motor as the drive wheel and a second gear meshing therewith and cooperating with the rotational section (or the rotary feedthrough device) asOutput gear. It is also conceivable, for example, that the rotation drive device comprises a toothed belt transmission or a chain drive. The rotation drive device can also comprise a gear (e.g., multi-stage) with different reduction / transmission ratios. The at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle is preferably arranged radially spaced from the rotation axis. This facilitates the cleaning of larger areas. The CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel can run in a housing of the rotation section. The rotation section can thus enclose the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel. For example, it is conceivable that the rotation section is disc-shaped, wherein the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle is fastened to an outer circumference of the rotation section. Preferably, however, the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel extend between the rotation section and theCO2 snow jet nozzle. In particular, the CO2 snow jet nozzle is arranged at a respective end of the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel. In particular, the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle is radially spaced from the rotating section. Within the scope of an advantageous embodiment, the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel can project from the rotating section, in particular in the manner of an arm. Such a configuration promotes a compact design and a flexible arrangement of the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle. Advantageously, the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel can extend away from the rotating section, in particular project, in such a way that the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle is radially spaced from the rotating section and optionally additionally axially along the rotation axis. It is particularly advantageous if the CO2 snow jet nozzle is connected to the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel at theThe CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel can thus form a support unit for the CO2 snow jet nozzle. Such a design is particularly simple in construction, as no additional supports are required. A further advantage is that the mass to be moved during rotation is reduced, which enables efficient and economical operation. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel can form an arm that extends away from the rotation section and at the end of which the CO2 snow jet nozzle is arranged. It is conceivable that the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel run parallel to each other along their entire course from the rotation section to the CO2 snow jet nozzle. It is also possible for the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel to run merely adjacent to one another orrun parallel at least in sections. Within the scope of an advantageous development, the CO2 supply channel can run at least in sections along its longitudinal extent, in particular from the rotation section to the CO2 snow jet nozzle, within the carrier gas supply channel. In this respect, the carrier gas supply channel can be arranged at least in sections around the CO2 supply channel. Such an arrangement has proven advantageous for efficient snow production. This is attributed to the fact that the channel-in-channel arrangement allows the usually extremely cold CO2 to be preheated by the usually warmer carrier gas, which brings thermal advantages in snow production. It is particularly advantageous if the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel are arranged concentrically at least in sections, i.e. the CO2 supply channel runs at least in sections centrally in the carrier gas supply channel. In the case of several CO2For snow jet nozzles, the CO2 supply channel assigned to a respective CO2 snow jet nozzle can then be arranged at least in sections along its longitudinal extent within the carrier gas supply channel assigned to this CO2 snow jet nozzle. Advantageously, the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel can each be a 3D-printed component. This makes it possible to realize even complex geometries, for example a curved or oblique course of the at least one arm, cost-effectively. The at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle can be arranged on the rotation section, in particular on the arm formed by the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel, in such a way that the jet direction runs parallel to the rotation axis. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous for cleaning flat surfaces. For example, for cleaning, the cleaning device can be oriented relative to the surface in such a way that theThe rotation axis is aligned orthogonally to the surface (and insofar as the CO2 snow jet impinges on the surface orthogonally). This allows a particularly high cleaning effect to be achieved. The cleaning device can then be displaced parallel to the surface. The at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle can also be arranged on the rotating section, in particular on the arm formed by the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel, such that the jet direction is inclined to the rotation axis. Such a configuration has the advantage that, during the course of cleaning, surface material that comes loose, e.g., dirt particles, is blown away laterally, which promotes residue-free cleaning. In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous if an angle of inclination enclosed between the jet direction and the rotation axis is 5° to 80°, preferably 10° to 60°, more preferably 10° to 45°, morepreferably 10 to 30°. The at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle can also be arranged on the rotating section, in particular on the arm formed by the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel, in such a way that the jet direction is orthogonal to the axis of rotation. The jet direction can thus point radially outwards or radially inwards. Such a configuration can be advantageous, for example, for cleaning inner cylinder surfaces and / or outer cylinder surfaces. Within the scope of an advantageous further development, the cleaning device can have at least two, preferably at least three, CO2 snow jet nozzles. The CO2 snow jet nozzles can be arranged on the rotating section, in particular distributed around the axis of rotation, preferably uniformly. In this way, cleaning performance can be further increased. It is conceivable for several CO2 snow jet nozzles to be connected via a common CO2 supply channel and a commonCarrier gas supply channel. Preferably, however, each CO2 snow jet nozzle is assigned its own CO2 supply channel and its own carrier gas supply channel. In this respect, the cleaning device comprises, in particular for each CO2 snow jet nozzle, its own CO2 supply channel and its own carrier gas supply channel. Preferably, the rotating section has an integrated CO2 distribution chamber for distributing CO2 to the at least two CO2 supply channels and an integrated carrier gas distribution chamber for distributing carrier gas to the at least two carrier gas supply channels. The CO2 distribution chamber is fluidically connected to the CO2 connection, in particular via the aforementioned rotary feedthrough device. The carrier gas distribution chamber is fluidically connected to the carrier gas connection, in particular via the aforementioned rotary feedthrough device. In an embodiment with several CO2 snow jet nozzles and several CO2 supply channels andCarrier gas supply channels can each be designed analogously to the CO2 supply channel and the carrier gas supply channel described generally above, so that reference is made to the above disclosure in this regard. In particular, the CO2 supply channel assigned to a CO2 snow jet nozzle and the carrier gas supply channel assigned to this CO2 snow jet nozzle can extend between the rotating section and the CO2 snow jet nozzle. In particular, a respective CO2 supply channel and a respective carrier gas supply channel can extend away from the rotating section, in particular projecting away from the rotating section. Within the scope of an advantageous embodiment, each CO2 snow jet nozzle can be held on the rotating section via an arm, in particular projecting away from the rotating section. The arm can be moved in particular by the CO2 supply channel associated with the CO2 snow jet nozzle and the CO2 snow jet nozzle associated with theA carrier gas supply channel can be formed. In this respect, at least two rotatingly drivable or driven arms are preferably provided, each of which is formed by a CO2 supply channel and a carrier gas supply channel, and at the respective end of which a CO2 snow jet nozzle is arranged. In a configuration with several CO2 snow jet nozzles, these can be oriented identically. The CO2 snow jet nozzles can be arranged in such a way, in particular mounted on the rotating section, that the jet directions of the CO2 snow jet nozzles run parallel. It is also conceivable for at least a subset of the CO2 snow jet nozzles to be oriented differently. In this respect, at least a subset of the CO2 snow jet nozzles can be arranged in such a way, in particular mounted on the rotating section, that the jet directions are oriented differently. Within the scope of an advantageous embodiment, the at least two, preferably at leastThree CO2 snow jet nozzles are arranged such that their jet directions intersect the rotation axis, in particular at a common point. This makes it possible to concentrate a cleaning effect or, for example, in the case of hollow cylindrical components, to simultaneously clean an outer cylinder surface and an inner cylinder surface. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the CO2 snow jet nozzles are arranged in such a way, in particular are radially spaced from the rotation section, that a receiving space is formed between the nozzle openings of the CO2 snow jet nozzles, from which the respective CO2 snow jet is emitted, into which receiving space the component to be cleaned can be inserted. The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a cleaning system comprising at least two of the cleaning devices described above. The cleaning devices are arranged next to one another. The cleaning devices described above in connection with the cleaning deviceAdvantages and optional features can also be used to design the cleaning system, whereby, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above disclosure. The cleaning devices are preferably connected to one another to form a device. For example, the cleaning devices, in particular with their respective base body, can be held on a common carrier, e.g. a carrier plate. It is also conceivable for the cleaning devices to be integrated in a common housing. The cleaning devices can be designed identically, in particular with regard to the number and arrangement of the CO2 snow jet nozzles. It is also conceivable for at least a subset of the cleaning devices or all of the cleaning devices to be designed differently, in particular with regard to the number and arrangement of the CO2 snow jet nozzles. It proves advantageous if the cleaning devices are designed in such a wayarranged and in particular connected to one another such that the rotational axes of the cleaning devices run parallel to one another. In particular, the cleaning devices can be arranged and connected to one another such that the rotational sections, in particular the CO2 snow jet nozzles, lie on a common plane. This promotes homogeneous cleaning of flat surfaces. Within the scope of an advantageous development, the rotational sections of the cleaning devices can be driven by a common rotational drive device. In particular, only one drive motor is required, which promotes a cost-effective, low-maintenance and compact design. For example, the cleaning system can have a common rotational drive device which is designed to drive the rotational sections of the cleaning devices. In an exemplary implementation, the rotational drive device can comprise a drive motorand a gear for transmitting a drive movement of the drive motor to the respective rotating section of the cleaning devices. It is conceivable, for example, that, in particular, only one of the cleaning devices is a cleaning device with a drive motor as described above, wherein a drive movement of the drive motor is transmitted via a gear to the rotating sections of further cleaning devices, which in particular do not have their own drive motor. The gear can be designed such that the rotating sections of adjacent cleaning devices, and thus the CO2 snow jet nozzles, rotate in opposite directions. Within the scope of a particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle of a respective cleaning device can be connected via a respective arm to the rotating section of this cleaning device, wherein the cleaning devices are suchare arranged next to one another so that the arms of adjacent cleaning devices mesh with one another. In this way, particularly efficient and defect-free cleaning can be achieved. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. They show: Figure 1 shows a sketched representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device in a perspective view; Figure 2 shows a sketched representation of a further embodiment of a cleaning device in a partial sectional view; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the cleaning device according to Figure 2 in the area of the CO2 snow jet nozzle; Figure 4 shows a sketched representation of a further embodiment of a cleaning device in a partial sectional view; Figure 5 shows a sketched representation to explain the rotation drive device; Figure 6 shows a sketched representation of a further embodiment of a cleaning device in a perspective view; Figure 7 shows a sketched representationa further embodiment of a cleaning device in perspective view; Figure 8 is a sketched representation of a cleaning system comprising three cleaning devices; Figure 9 is a sketched representation of an assembly of the cleaning system according to Figure 8 to explain the rotary drive device; and Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a further exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device in the area of the CO2 snow jet nozzle. In the following description and in the figures, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding features. Figure 1 shows a sketched representation of a first embodiment of a cleaning device, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 10. The cleaning device 10 serves to clean surfaces 12 by means of a CO2 snow jet 14 (explained in more detail below). The cleaning device 10 comprises a base body 16 with aA CO2 connection 18 for liquid CO2 and a carrier gas connection 20 for a carrier gas, in particular compressed air or nitrogen. In the example, the CO2 connection 18 and the carrier gas connection 20 are designed as hose connections for connecting a corresponding supply line. The cleaning device 10 comprises at least one, in the example according to Figure 1, two, CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 for generating and dispensing a CO2 snow jet 14 (explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 3). The CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotating section 24. The rotation section 24 is mounted on the base body 16 so that it can rotate about a rotation axis 26, so that the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 and a CO2 snow jet 14 emitted from them are guided on a rotation path, in the example a circular path, around the rotation axis 26. To supply the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 with CO2 and carrier gas, aA rotary feedthrough device 28 is provided (see Figure 2), via which the liquid CO2 and the carrier gas are conducted from the corresponding connections 18, 20 to the rotating section 24 (see Figure 2, CO2 line 30 and carrier gas line 32). To convey the liquid CO2 or the carrier gas from the rotating section 24 to the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22, a separate CO2 supply channel 34 and a separate carrier gas supply channel 36 are provided for each CO2 snow jet nozzle 22, which extend between the rotating section 24 and the respective CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 (see Figure 2). To distribute the liquid CO2 to the CO2 supply channels 34, the rotating section has a CO2 distribution chamber 38 (see Figure 4). The rotating section 24 also has a carrier gas distribution chamber 40 for distributing carrier gas to the carrier gas supply channels 36. By way of example and preferably, the CO2 supply channel 34 associated with a CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 andThe carrier gas supply channel 36 associated with this CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 has an arm 42 that projects from the rotating section 24 and at the end of which the CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 is arranged (see, for example, Figure 2). In this example, the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are held on the rotating section 24 by the CO2 supply channel 34 and the carrier gas supply channel 36. In the example according to Figure 2, the supply channels 34, 36 branch off from an axial end of the rotating section 24 and then run radially outward. In further embodiments (see, for example, Figure 4), it is also conceivable for the supply channels 34, 36 to project radially from the rotating section 24. An exemplary structure of a CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 is explained below with reference to Figure 3. As can be seen from Figure 3, the CO2 supply channel 34 and the carrier gas supply channel 36 open into the CO2 snow jet nozzle 22. The CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 comprises a CO2 channel 44, whichFor example, it is formed as a hollow space in a cylindrical tubular body, e.g., a capillary. The CO2 channel 44 is fluidly connected to the CO2 supply channel 34 via corresponding supply lines 46. The CO2 channel 44 opens into a downstream expansion region 48, in which the liquid CO2 is converted into a CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture. The expansion region 48 is delimited by a housing wall 50 of a nozzle housing 52 of the CO2 snow jet nozzle 22. In the example shown, the CO2 channel 44 has an optional end section 54, in which the CO2 channel 44 already expands slightly. As mentioned above, partial conversion of liquid CO2 into the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture can already occur in this end section 50 and also upstream in the CO2 channel 44. The CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 also includes a jacket jet nozzle 56, which in the example encloses the CO2 channel, for generating a jacket jet from the carrier gas.The sheath jet nozzle 56, in particular, has a Laval geometry to accelerate the carrier gas to supersonic speed. As mentioned above, the formed sheath jet of carrier gas surrounds the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture generated in the expansion region 48 and accelerates it in a jet direction 58. The CO2 snow jet 14 thus formed is discharged in jet direction 58 from the CO2 snow jet nozzle 22. The cleaning device 10 also has a rotation drive device 60 for driving a rotational movement of the rotating section 24 and thus of the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 around the rotation axis 26. The rotary drive device 60 comprises a drive motor 62, in particular an electrically operated one, and a gear 64 for transmitting a drive movement of the drive motor 62 to the rotary section 24. An exemplary embodiment of such a gear 64 is shown in Figure 5. The gear 64 is exemplified as a gear transmissionAs can be seen from Figure 5, the gear 64 comprises a first gear 66 (drive gear) which can be driven by the drive motor 62 about a drive axis 68 parallel to the rotation axis 24. The gear 64 also comprises a second gear 70 (drive gear) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotation section 24 and meshes with the first gear 66. As can be seen from Figure 1, for example, the gear 64 is preferably arranged in a housing section 72 of the base body 16 and is thus protected from environmental influences. In embodiments not shown, however, any other embodiments of the gear 64 are also conceivable. As mentioned above, the number and arrangement of the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 can vary depending on the design of the cleaning device 10. For example, the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 in the example according to Figure 1 are arranged such that a respective jet direction 58 to the rotation axis 24 in aInclination angle α is oriented inclined. In the specific example, the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are arranged symmetrically such that the jet directions 58 intersect the axis of rotation 24 at a common point. As can be seen from Figure 1, the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are arranged radially spaced from the axis of rotation 24 such that a receiving space 74 for receiving a component 76 to be cleaned is formed between the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22. For example, the cleaning device 10 shown in Figure 1 is suitable for cleaning a lateral surface 78 of a cylindrical component 80. In the example shown in Figure 2, the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are arranged such that the jet directions 58 run parallel to one another and to the axis of rotation 24. As mentioned above, such a design is particularly suitable for cleaning flat surfaces. Figure 4 shows a further design in which twoCO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are provided, which are inclined to the rotation axis such that a respective jet direction 58 points radially outwards. As can be seen from Figure 4, for example, the jet direction 58 of one CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 points upwards and the jet direction 58 of the other CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 points downwards. Figure 6 shows a further embodiment in which three CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are provided, which are arranged on the rotating section 24 evenly distributed around the rotation axis 26. In the example, the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are arranged such that their jet directions 58 run parallel to one another and to the rotation axis 26. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning device 10, which is suitable for example for cleaning an inner cylinder surface 82 of a cylindrical component 80. As can be seen from Figure 7, the cleaning device 10 comprises two CO2 snow jet nozzles 22, whichare arranged such that their jet directions 58 point radially outward in opposite directions. The arms 42 (or the CO2 supply channels 34 and carrier gas supply channels 36) extend longitudinally away from the rotating section 24 in the example, so that the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 are axially spaced from the rotating section 24. Such a configuration makes it possible, for example, to penetrate deeply into the cylinder chamber interior of the component 80 without causing a collision with the base body 16. Figure 8 shows a cleaning system, which is designated overall by the reference numeral 100. The cleaning system 100 comprises a plurality, in the example three, cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3. The cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 are arranged side by side on a common carrier 102 (see Fig. 9). As can be seen from Figure 8, the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 are arranged side by side in such a way thatthe rotation axes 26 of the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 run parallel to one another. In the example, the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 are designed identically in that the number and orientation of the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22 is the same. In the example, the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 are also arranged such that the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22, in particular a respective nozzle opening 84 through which the CO2 snow jet 14 exits, lie on a common plane. In embodiments not shown, it is also conceivable for the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 to each have a different number and / or a different orientation of the CO2 snow jet nozzles 22. The cleaning system 100 comprises a common rotation drive device 104, which is designed to drive the rotation sections 24 of the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3. In the example, the commonThe rotational drive device 104 includes a drive motor 106, via which the rotational sections 24 can be jointly driven. The common rotational drive device 104 also includes a gear 108 for transmitting a drive movement of the drive motor 106 to the rotational sections 24 of the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3. In the specific example, the middle cleaning device 10-2 is designed as a cleaning device 10 with a rotational drive device 60 (comprising drive motor 62 and gear 64, see also Figure 4), while the two outer cleaning devices 10-1, 10-3 do not have their own drive motor 62, but merely have a second gear 70 (output gear) as described above. As shown in Figure 9, the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 are arranged in particular such that the gear wheels 70 mesh with each other, so that a force acting on the gear wheel 70 of the middle cleaning device 10-2 from the drive motor 106The transmitted drive torque is transferred to the gears 70 of the outer rotation devices 10-1, 10-3. In the exemplary arrangement, this results in adjacent rotation sections 24 rotating in different directions (indicated by the arrows in Fig. 9). In the example, a distance between the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 in a plane orthogonal to the rotation axes 26 is selected such that the arms 42 of the cleaning devices 10-1, 10-3 mesh with one another during operation. In the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 9, the CO2 supply channel 34 and the carrier gas supply channel 36 are designed as separate channels which run next to one another, in particular parallel to one another. Figure 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment in which the CO2 supply channel 34 runs at least partially along its longitudinal extent within the carrier gas supply channel 36. The carrier gas supply channel 36 thus surrounds the CO2 supply channel34. By way of example and preferably, the CO2 supply channel 34 and the carrier gas supply channel 36 are arranged concentrically, at least in sections. Analogous to the configuration according to Figure 3, the CO2 supply channel 34 is fluidly connected to the CO2 channel 44 of the CO2 snow jet nozzle 22 via a corresponding supply line 46, and the carrier gas supply channel 36 is fluidly connected to the jacket jet nozzle 56 (not visible in Figure 10) via a supply line 47. The configuration according to Figure 10 can be implemented alternatively in all embodiments described above with reference to Figures 1 to 9.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Cleaning device (10) for cleaning surfaces (12) by means of a CO2 snow jet (14), comprising: - a base body (16) with a CO2 connection (18) for liquid CO2 and a carrier gas connection (20) for a carrier gas, in particular compressed air or nitrogen, - at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) for generating and dispensing a CO2 snow jet (14) starting from liquid CO2 and carrier gas, wherein the CO2 snow jet (14) is dispensed in a jet direction (58) from the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22), - a CO2 supply channel (34) fluidically connected to the CO2 connection (18) for supplying CO2 to the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22); - a carrier gas supply channel (36) fluidically connected to the carrier gas connection (20) for supplying carrier gas to the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22); characterized by a rotation section (24) which is mounted on the base body (16) for rotation about a rotation axis (26),wherein the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is connected to the rotating section (24) in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) and thus the CO2 snow jet (14) emerging from the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) are guided on a rotational path around the rotational axis (26).
2. Cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a rotational drive device (60) with a drive motor (62), in particular an electrically operated one, for driving a rotational movement of the rotating section (24) around the rotational axis (26).
3. The cleaning device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36) extend between the rotating section (24) and the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22).
4. The cleaning device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36) project from the rotating section (24).
5. The cleaning device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36) project from the rotating section (24) such that the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is spaced radially from the rotating section (24) and optionally additionally axially along the rotation axis (26).
6. The cleaning device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is mounted on the rotating section (24) by the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36).
7. Cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36) form an arm (42) extending away from the rotating section (24) and at the end of which the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is arranged. 8.Cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is arranged on the rotation section (24), in particular on the arm (42) formed by the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36), in such a way that the jet direction (58) runs parallel to the rotation axis (26).
9. Cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is arranged on the rotating section (24), in particular on the arm (42) formed by the CO2 supply channel (34) and the carrier gas supply channel (36), such that the jet direction (58) runs at an inclination to the rotation axis (26), in particular at an inclination angle between the jet direction (58) and the rotation axis (26) of 5° to 80°, preferably 10° to 60°, more preferably 10° to 45°, more preferably 10 to 30°.Cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two, preferably at least three, CO2 snow jet nozzles (22) are provided, which are arranged on the rotating section (24) distributed around the rotation axis (26), in particular uniformly.
11. Cleaning device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein each CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) is assigned its own CO2 supply channel (34) and its own carrier gas supply channel (36), in particular wherein a respective CO2 supply channel (34) and a respective carrier gas supply channel (36) extend away from the rotating section (24).
12. The cleaning device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotating section (24) comprises an integrated CO2 distribution chamber (38) for distributing liquid CO2 to the at least two CO2 supply channels (34) and an integrated carrier gas distribution chamber (40) for distributing carrier gas to the at least two carrier gas supply channels (36).
13. The cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least two CO2 snow jet nozzles (22) are arranged such that their jet directions (58) intersect the rotation axis (26), in particular at a common point.
14. Cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the CO2 snow jet nozzles (22) are arranged in such a way, in particular are radially spaced from the rotating section (24), that a receiving space (74), in particular a central one, is formed between the CO2 snow jet nozzles (22), into which a component (76) to be cleaned can be inserted.Cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the CO2 supply channel (34) extends at least partially within the carrier gas supply channel (36), in particular concentrically.
16. Cleaning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) comprising: - a CO2 channel (44) which opens into an expansion region (48) for generating a CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture from liquid CO2, - a jacket jet nozzle (56) for generating a jacket jet from the carrier gas, wherein the jacket jet nozzle (56) is designed such that the jacket jet surrounds the CO2 gas / CO2 snow mixture generated in the expansion region (48) in a circumferential direction and accelerates it in the jet direction (58), so that the CO2 snow jet (14) thus generated is discharged from the CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) in the jet direction (58).Cleaning system (100) comprising at least two cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) are arranged next to one another.
18. Cleaning system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) are arranged and in particular connected to one another in such a way that the axes of rotation (26) of the cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) run parallel to one another.
19. Cleaning system (100) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the rotating sections (24) of the cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) are driven by a common rotary drive device (104).
20. Cleaning system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the common rotation drive device (104) comprises a drive motor (106) and a gear (108) for transmitting a drive movement of the drive motor (106) to the respective rotation section (26) of the cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3), in particular wherein the gear (108) is designed such that the rotation sections (26) of adjacent cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) rotate in opposite directions.
21. Cleaning system (100) according to one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the at least one CO2 snow jet nozzle (22) of a respective cleaning device (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) is connected via a respective arm (42) to the rotating section (24) of this cleaning device (10-1, 10-2, 10-3), wherein the cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) are arranged next to one another in such a way that the arms (42) of adjacent cleaning devices (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) mesh with one another.