Paint spraying system with articulated arm and particle collection bell

Abstract

Paint spraying installation with articulated arm and particle collection bell. Paint spraying installation (10) comprising: - an articulated arm (12), - a spraying system for producing at least one jet of paint (16) in a spraying direction (X), the jet being applied to a surface to be painted, - a bell (20) fixed to the arm for collecting paint particles, the bell defining an ejection face (40) and having an inner casing (42) defining a housing (44) opening onto the ejection face, and an outer casing (46). The casings together define an interstitial space (26) forming a suction opening (48) at least partially surrounding the inner casing, - a suction system (24) for creating a vacuum in the interstitial space, and adapted to draw in a mixture (62) of air and said particles, and to filter at least a portion of the paint particles (22).Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Paint spraying installation with articulated arm and particle collection bell

[0001] The present invention relates to a paint spraying installation, comprising an articulated arm, and a spraying system fixed on the arm to produce a jet of paint by spraying in a spraying direction, the paint jet being intended to be applied to a surface to be painted.

[0002] The surface to be painted is, for example, an element of a naval platform, such as a ship's hull or a submarine.

[0003] Such an installation tends, particularly in the presence of wind, to disperse paint particles into the environment, especially fine droplets that can be carried quite far.

[0004] This can cause local and / or remote pollution, which it is desirable to prevent, in particular if the painting operations take place on a construction site located near inhabited areas or cities.

[0005] One object of the invention is therefore to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, namely to provide a suitable installation for painting a surface that eliminates, or at least reduces, the dispersal of paint particles into the environment and the need for containment measures to protect the immediate and surrounding environment. The invention enables the capture of these particles without direct contact with the surface being treated.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a paint spraying installation, comprising:

[0007] - an articulated arm,

[0008] - a spraying system fixed to the articulated arm and adapted to produce at less a spray of paint in a spray direction, the spray of paint being intended to be applied to a surface to be painted,

[0009] - a bell fixed on the articulated arm, intended to be without contact with the surface to painting, the bell being adapted to capture paint particles escaping from the paint jet, the bell defining an ejection face for the paint jet, the bell having an inner casing extending around the direction of spraying, the inner casing defining a housing opening onto the ejection face and into which the paint jet is intended to extend in the direction of spraying, the bell having an outer casing surrounding the inner casing around the direction of spraying, the inner casing and the outer casing defining together an interstitial space forming a suction opening surrounding at least partially the inner envelope around the spray direction, and

[0010] - a suction system fluidically connected to the interstitial space and adapted for create a depression in the interstitial space, the suction system being adapted to suck in a mixture of air and said paint particles and filter at least part of the paint particles, the interstitial space being adapted to convey the mixture from the suction mouth to the suction system.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the installation comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0012] - the installation includes an injection system adapted to create at least one gas flow forming at least one sheet flowing into the housing towards the suction nozzle, the sheet extending between the inner casing and the paint jet to push the paint jet away from the inner casing and reduce the amount of paint particles moving away from the paint jet;

[0013] - the installation includes at least one deflector system fixed to the bell, the inner envelope defining a trailing edge for the gas flow, the deflector system defining a concave surface suitable to deflect at least part of the gas flow around the trailing edge from the housing to the interstitial space;

[0014] - the installation further includes a spatially extending distribution system interstitial and surrounding the inner envelope around the spray direction, the distribution system being adapted to be traversed by the mixture and create a singular pressure drop in the mixture;

[0015] - the distribution system includes a plate defining a plurality of orifices;

[0016] - the outer casing has a parallelepiped shape, the suction opening presenting a rectangular shape when viewed along the spraying direction;

[0017] - the internal envelope defines at least two surfaces partially delimiting the dwelling and inclined with respect to the spray direction, the two surfaces being parallel to a transverse direction perpendicular to the spray direction, the two surfaces flaring out in the spray direction towards the ejection face;

[0018] - the two surfaces are flat, the inner envelope further defining two surfaces perpendicular to the transverse direction and transversely delimiting the dwelling;

[0019] - the inner casing includes a base defining an inlet orifice adapted for to be traversed by the paint jet, the spraying system comprising at least one gun adapted to produce at least part of the paint jet, the gun being located on the side opposite the ejection face relative to the bottom in the direction of spraying; and

[0020] - the suction system includes a filter box fixed to the articulated arm, at least one deprimogen organ, at least one first pipe fluidically connecting the interstitial volume and the filtration box, and at least one second pipe connecting the filtration box and the deprimogen organ.

[0021] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic, perspective view representing a Installation according to the invention, viewed from the rear,

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic, perspective, rather front view of a bell of the installation shown in [Fig. 1], and other elements near the bell, and

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of the bell and the elements shown on the [Fig.2] in section, along a vertical plane passing through an axis of the paint jet.

[0025] With reference to [Fig.1], a paint spraying installation 10 according to the invention is described.

[0026] The installation 10 includes an articulated arm 12, and a spraying system 14 fixed to the arm and adapted to produce at least one spray of paint 16 in a spraying direction X, the spray of paint being intended to be applied to a surface to be painted 18. The installation 10 includes a bell 20 fixed to the articulated arm 12 and adapted to capture paint particles 22 escaping from the spray of paint 16. The installation 10 includes a suction system 24 fluidly connected to an interstitial space 26 ([Fig.3]) defined by the bell 20.

[0027] Advantageously, the installation 10 includes an air injection system 28 adapted to create at least one gas flow 30 forming at least one sheet 32, at least one deflector system 34 fixed on the bell 20, and a distribution system 36 extending into the interstitial space 26.

[0028] The surface to be painted 18 is for example an element of a naval platform (not shown), such as a ship's hull or underwater vehicle, as well as any other type of fixed or floating external structures that can be assimilated by their shapes, such as the exterior of silos, tanks, or building walls.

[0029] The spraying system 14 includes a gun 38 adapted to produce the paint jet 16. Advantageously, the spraying system 14 is capable of spraying between 0.5 and 3.0 liters of paint per second.

[0030] The bell 20 is advantageously without contact with the surface to be painted 18.

[0031] The bell 20 defines a face 40 for the ejection of the paint jet 16. The bell 20 comprises an inner casing 42 extending around the spray direction X, the inner casing 42 defining a housing 44 opening onto the ejection face 40 and into which the paint jet 16 is intended to extend in the direction spray X. The bell 20 has an outer envelope 46 surrounding the inner envelope 42 around the spray direction X, the inner envelope and the outer envelope together defining the interstitial space 26, which forms a suction mouth 48 surrounding the inner envelope 42 around the spray direction X.

[0032] Advantageously, the bell 20 includes a frame 50 on which the outer casing 46 is fixed.

[0033] The frame 50 is adapted to protect the bell 20, in particular the outer casing 46, from possible impacts against the surface to be painted 18 or any other object (not shown).

[0034] The outer casing 46 has, for example, a parallelepiped shape, the suction mouth 48 having a rectangular shape in view along the spray direction X.

[0035] The inner envelope 42 includes a bottom 52 defining an inlet orifice 54 adapted to be traversed by the paint jet 16.

[0036] For example, the inner casing 42 defines at least two surfaces 42A, 42B partially delimiting the housing 44 and inclined with respect to the spray direction X, the two surfaces 42A, 42B being parallel to a transverse direction Tl perpendicular to the spray direction X, the two surfaces flaring out in the spray direction X towards the ejection face .40

[0037] The inner envelope 42 advantageously defines a trailing edge 56 for the gas flow 30 created by the injection system 28.

[0038] Advantageously, the inner envelope 42 extends less forward (in the direction of the paint jet 16) in the spray direction X than the outer envelope 46.

[0039] The gun 38 is for example located on the opposite side to the ejection face 40 relative to the bottom 52 in the spray direction X, which allows for possible paint purging from the bottom of the bell 20.

[0040] The two surfaces 42A, 42B are for example flat, the internal envelope 42 defining two surfaces 60A, 60B perpendicular to the transverse direction Tl and transversely delimiting the housing 44.

[0041] The suction system 24 is adapted to create a vacuum in the interstitial space 26 and to suck up a mixture 62 of air and said paint particles 22, the interstitial space 26 being adapted to convey the mixture from the suction mouth 48 to the suction system 24. The suction system 24 is adapted to filter at least part of the paint particles 22.

[0042] The suction system 24 includes, for example, a filter box 64 fixed on the articulated arm 12, at least one negative pressure element 66, at least one first pipe 68 fluidically connecting the interstitial volume 26 and an inlet of the filter box 64, and at least a second pipe 70 connecting an outlet of the filter box and the deprimogen organ 66.

[0043] The first pipe 68 is for example connected to the outer casing 46 of the bell 20. For example, the first pipe 68 forms an extension of the outer casing 46.

[0044] The filtration box 64 includes, for example, cardboard filters 72, encapsulated in an outer envelope 74.

[0045] The injection system 28 is adapted to create the gas flow 30, which in the example forms two sheets 32, 76 flowing into the housing 44 towards the suction mouth 48, the two sheets extending between the inner envelope 42 and the paint jet 16 to push the paint jet away from the inner envelope 42 and reduce the amount of particles 22 moving away from the paint jet.

[0046] The injection system 28 includes, for example, two rows of nozzles 76A, 76B adapted to create the gas flow 30, in the example in the form of the two sheets 32, 76.

[0047] The deflector system 34 defines a concave surface 80 suitable to deflect at least part of the gas flow 30 around the trailing edge 56 from the housing 44 towards the interstitial space 26.

[0048] The distribution system 36 extends into the interstitial space 26 and surrounds the inner envelope 42 around the spray direction X. The distribution system 36 is adapted to be traversed by the mixture 62 and to create a singular pressure drop in the mixture.

[0049] Advantageously, the distribution system 36 includes a plate 82 defining a plurality of orifices 84.

[0050] The operation of the installation 10 follows from its structure and will now be briefly described.

[0051] The spraying system 14 creates the paint jet 16 which extends into the housing 44. Thanks to the articulated arm 12, the paint jet 16 is directed towards the surface to be painted 18.

[0052] The suction system 24 creates a vacuum in the interstitial space 26 and draws in the mixture 62 of air and paint particles 22 that would otherwise tend to escape. The mixture 62 is conveyed through the interstitial space 26, then into the first pipe 68, and arrives in the filter box 64. The filter box 64 retains the paint particles 22.

[0053] The remainder of the mixture 62 (essentially air free of paint particles) takes the second pipe 70 to the negative pressure element 66.

[0054] The layers 32, 76 created by the injection system 28 allow the paint jet 16 to be channeled and limit the quantity of paint particles 22 that can be sucked up by the suction system 24.

[0055] The distribution system 36 ensures good distribution of the suction along the suction mouth 48 formed by the interstitial space 26.

[0056] Thanks to the characteristics described above, the installation 10 makes it possible to paint the surface to be painted 18 while eliminating, or at least reducing, the dispersal of paint particles 22 from the paint jet 16 into the environment. In practice, such an installation makes it possible to capture at least 99% by mass of the paint particles that would escape, particularly when the lateral wind (perpendicular to the direction of spraying) does not exceed 5 m / s.

[0057] In addition, the filtration of paint particles 22 prevents fouling of the second pipe 70. Advantageously, the filtration box 64 placed on the articulated arm 12 is as close as possible to the bell 20 and allows the length of the first consumable pipe 68 to be reduced (due to fouling).

[0058] The installation 10 is also easy to assemble, typically in less than 15 minutes, and its maintenance requirements are limited.

Claims

1. Demands Paint spraying installation (10), comprising: - an articulated arm (12), - a spraying system (14) fixed on the articulated arm (12) and adapted to produce at least one spray of paint (16) by spraying in a spraying direction (X), the spray of paint (16) being intended to be applied to a surface to be painted (18), - a bell (20) fixed to the articulated arm (12), intended to be without contact with the surface to be painted, the bell (20) being adapted to capture paint particles (22) escaping from the paint jet (16), the bell (20) defining an ejection face (40) of the paint jet (16), the bell (20) comprising an inner casing (42) extending around the spray direction (X), the inner casing (42) defining a housing (44) opening onto the ejection face (40) and into which the paint jet (16) is intended to extend in the spray direction (X), the bell (20) comprising an outer casing (46) surrounding the inner casing (42) around the spray direction (X), the inner casing (42) and the outer casing (46) together defining an interstitial space (26) forming a suction opening (48) at least partially surrounding the inner envelope (42) around the spray direction (X), and - a suction system (24) fluidly connected to the interstitial space (26) and adapted to create a vacuum in the interstitial space (26), the suction system (24) being adapted to suction a mixture (62) of air and said paint particles (22) and filter at least a part of the paint particles (22), the interstitial space (26) being adapted to convey the mixture (62) from the suction mouth (48) to the suction system (24), characterized in that it comprises an injection system (28) adapted to create at least one gas flow (30) forming at least one sheet (32) flowing into the housing (44) towards the suction mouth (48), the sheet (32) extending between the inner envelope (42) and the paint jet (16) to push the paint jet (16) away from the inner envelope (42) and reduce the amount of paint particles (22) straying from the paint jet (16).

2. Installation (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one deflector system (34) fixed on the bell (20), the inner envelope (42) defining a trailing edge (56) for the gas flow (30), the deflector system (34) defining a concave surface (80) adapted to deflect at least a part of the gas flow (30) around the trailing edge (56) from the housing (44) to the interstitial space (26).

3. Installation (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a distribution system (36) extending into the interstitial space (26) and surrounding the inner envelope (42) around the spray direction (X), the distribution system (36) being adapted to be traversed by the mixture (62) and to create a singular pressure drop in the mixture (62).

4. Installation (10) according to claim 3, wherein the distribution system (36) comprises a plate (82) defining a plurality of orifices (84).

5. Installation (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer casing (46) has a parallelepiped shape, the suction mouth (48) has a rectangular shape in view along the spray direction (X).

6. Installation (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner casing (42) defines at least two surfaces (42A, 42B) partially delimiting the housing (44) and inclined with respect to the spray direction (X), the two surfaces (42A, 42B) being parallel to a transverse direction (Tl) perpendicular to the spray direction (X), the two surfaces (42A, 42B) flaring out in the spray direction (X) towards the ejection face (40).

7. Installation (10) according to claim 6, wherein the two surfaces (42A, 42B) are flat, the inner envelope (42) further defining two surfaces (60A, 60B) perpendicular to the transverse direction (Tl) and transversely delimiting the housing (44).

8. An installation (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner casing (42) comprises a base (52) defining an inlet orifice (54) adapted for the passage of the paint jet (16), the spraying system (14) comprising at least one gun (38) adapted to produce at least a portion of the paint jet (16), the gun (38) being located on the opposite side to the ejection face (40) relative to the bottom (52) in the spray direction (X).

9. Installation (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the suction system (24) comprises a filter box (64) fixed on the articulated arm (12), at least one negative pressure element (66), at least one first pipe (68) fluidically connecting the interstitial volume (26) and the filter box (64), and at least one second pipe (70) connecting the filter box (64) and the negative pressure element (66).

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