Mobile boat cleaning device and associated control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile boat cleaning device (10) comprising: - a main pumping unit (30) configured to supply a seawater feed, - a filtration unit (34), - a high-pressure pumping unit (44), - a desalination unit (46) arranged downstream of the high-pressure pumping unit (44) and configured to supply a permeate flow, referred to as a freshwater flow, and a concentrate flow, - a first controlled distribution unit (48) supplied with freshwater by the desalination unit (46) and configured to distribute the freshwater flow to a first circuit (50) connected to a high-pressure cleaning unit (20), and a second circuit (56) connected to an internal freshwater storage tank (58). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile boat cleaning device and associated control method Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile boat cleaning device.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a mobile cleaning device that can be used in a port to clean docked boats with fresh water. Technical background

[0003] Boat cleaning devices are already known which use a high-pressure cleaning lance supplied by means of a tank containing fresh water.

[0004] Port facilities, particularly for pleasure boats, can be equipped with a fixed boat cleaning station comprising a desalinator which produces fresh water from seawater in order to fill the tank intended to supply the high-pressure cleaning lance.

[0005] One drawback of existing solutions is their lack of mobility, as it is necessary to bring the vessel to be cleaned close to the cleaning station. Furthermore, this type of fixed station is bulky and expensive, making it unsuitable for equipping small port facilities.

[0006] In the case of mobile cleaning units using a high-pressure lance, it is necessary to fill a fresh water tank beforehand from a fixed station, and then move this tank, which is very heavy and very bulky, to the place where the mobile cleaning unit is to be placed, for example to get close to boats at the dock.

[0007] The present invention aims in particular to solve these problems. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes a mobile boat cleaning device comprising: - a main pumping unit configured to provide a seawater supply flow, - a filtration unit configured to retain impurities contained in the seawater feed stream, - a high-pressure pumping unit which is arranged downstream of the filtration unit and which is configured to provide a flow of filtered seawater under pressure, - a desalination unit which is arranged downstream of the high-pressure pumping unit and which is configured to provide a permeate flow called fresh water flow and a concentrate flow, - a first controlled distribution unit which is supplied with fresh water flow by the desalination unit and which is configured to distribute the fresh water flow to at least one of the following circuits depending on a selected operating mode: — a first circuit connected to a high-pressure cleaning unit, — a second circuit connected to an internal fresh water storage tank.

[0009] According to other features of the invention:

[0010] - a connecting loop links the internal storage tank and the unit of main pumping, the opening of said connection loop being controlled by at least one flushing valve, so that the main pumping unit can supply the device with fresh water when it is controlled in a flushing mode;

[0011] - a second distribution unit is supplied with concentrate by the desalination unit nisation and includes a purge line configured to allow the concentrate to be discharged outside the device;

[0012] - the second distribution unit is connected to the first distribution unit of in order to allow the evacuation of excess fresh water produced by the desalination unit to the outside through the purge pipe;

[0013] - the first distribution unit is configured to be able to distribute the water flow fresh water to a third circuit connected to an outlet intended to allow the filling of an external storage tank in order to constitute an additional fresh water reserve;

[0014] - the third circuit includes a bifurcation to the second distribution unit, the transition to the second distribution unit being controlled by a valve according to the pressure in the third circuit;

[0015] - the desalination unit includes membranes enabling desalination by reverse osmosis;

[0016] The invention also proposes a method for controlling the mobile boat cleaning device according to one of the preceding characteristics, the method comprising the following steps: a) pumping seawater in such a way as to provide the device with a supply of seawater, b) filtration of the seawater supply stream so as to retain impurities contained in the seawater and to provide a stream of filtered seawater, c) pressurizing the filtered seawater flow so as to provide a pressurized flow of filtered seawater, d) Desalination of the filtered seawater stream under pressure to produce a permeate stream called the freshwater stream and a concentrate stream, e) distribution of the fresh water flow to at least one of the following circuits: — a first circuit connected to a high-pressure cleaning unit, — a second circuit (56) connected to an internal storage tank.

[0017] According to other advantageous features of this process:

[0018] - it includes a rinsing mode during which a connecting loop, which connects the internal storage tank of the main pumping unit, is opened so that the main pumping unit supplies the device with fresh water and allows the device to be rinsed;

[0019] - it comprises the following operating modes: — a washing mode in which the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed towards the first circuit, — a mode for filling the internal storage tank during which the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed towards the second circuit, — an external storage tank filling mode during which the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed entirely towards the third circuit. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] is a diagram which represents a mobile boat cleaning device according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] is a diagram of the main circuit of the mobile cleaning device of the [Fig.1]. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] In the description that follows, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

[0024] Fig. 1 illustrates a mobile cleaning device 10 for a boat 12 which is placed here on a quay 14, for example in a marina.

[0025] The mobile cleaning device 10 includes, for example, a chassis 16 equipped with wheels 18 to allow its movement, possibly motorized.

[0026] The mobile cleaning device 10 includes a high-pressure cleaning unit 20 which is equipped with a cleaning lance 22 connected to the high-pressure cleaning unit 20 by a flexible hose 24.

[0027] The mobile cleaning device 10 can be equipped with a display screen 26 allowing its operating status to be monitored and an associated control panel 28.

[0028] The mobile cleaning device 10 may include a power source (not re presented), for example electricity storage batteries, or means of connection to the port facility's electrical network.

[0029] A main pumping unit 30 which equips the mobile cleaning device 10 and which is here equipped with a seawater sampling pipe 32 has also been schematically represented in [Fig.1]. The seawater sampling pipe 32 can, for example, be positioned at the edge of the quay 14 so as to plunge into the seawater which wets the quay 14.

[0030] Figure 2 schematically represents the main circuit 33 of the mobile cleaning device 10 and its main components.

[0031] It should be noted that, to simplify the representation of the main circuit 33, the diagram in [Fig. 2] does not include all the components that may be part of the circuit. In particular, the multiple valves, sensors, and pressure gauges that may be fitted to the mobile cleaning device 10 and that allow its operation to be monitored and the pressure within the main circuit 33 to be regulated have not been shown.

[0032] The main pumping unit 30 which equips the mobile cleaning device 10 allows, when activated, to produce a supply flow of seawater supplying the main circuit 33.

[0033] This seawater supply flow is directed to a filtration unit 34 designed to retain impurities contained in the seawater.

[0034] The filtration unit 34 comprises, for example, a series of filters with distinct characteristics, placed in series along the path of the seawater supply flow. Moving from upstream to downstream of the seawater supply flow, the filtration unit 34 comprises, for example, the following filters:

[0035] - a 100-micron filter 36, whose mesh size is approximately 100 microns,

[0036] - an ultraviolet light filter 38 which allows for the disinfection of seawater,

[0037] - a 20-micron filter, the mesh size of which is approximately 20 microns,

[0038] - a five-micron filter 42, the mesh size of which is approximately 5 microns.

[0039] The filters may be so-called cartridge filters, comprising a filter coil or layered filtering elements.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the filtration unit 34 may include a filtration arrangement different from that described above.

[0041] The filtration unit 34 is followed by a high-pressure pumping unit 44 which is connected upstream to the filtration unit 34 and which makes it possible to produce a flow of filtered seawater under pressure.

[0042] The high-pressure pumping unit 44 includes, for example, a motor and a high-pressure pump.

[0043] The high-pressure pumping unit 44 is used to supply a desalination unit 46. This desalination unit 46 includes, for example, polymer membranes which allow the production by reverse osmosis of a permeate flow called fresh water flow and a concentrate flow.

[0044] Advantageously, the high-pressure pumping unit 44 is designed to provide an optimal pressure for the operation of the membranes, for example close to 58 bars.

[0045] Advantageously, an automated air purge circuit is arranged between the filtration unit 34 and the high-pressure pumping unit 44 in order to protect the membranes and the high-pressure pumping unit 44. To ensure air purging, the main pumping unit 30 will, for example, operate for 15 seconds at each start-up, discharging all the water into the sea via an air purge valve 47 located just before the high-pressure pumping unit 44. The air purge valve 47 is, for example, a three-way valve that allows a flow of water likely to contain air to be discharged into the sea.

[0046] The fresh water flow produced by the desalination unit 46 is sent to a first controlled distribution unit 48. This first controlled distribution unit 48 allows the fresh water flow to be distributed to different units according to the operating mode selected by a user who is using the mobile cleaning device 10.

[0047] For this purpose, the first controlled distribution unit 48 is connected by a first circuit 50 to a high-pressure cleaning unit 20.

[0048] The high-pressure cleaning unit 20 includes, for example, a cleaning motor pump 54 to which the cleaning lance 22 is connected via the hose 24.

[0049] The cleaning motor pump 54 is generally designed to produce a maximum pressure of 80 bar so as not to damage the coating of the boats to be cleaned.

[0050] The first controlled distribution unit 48 is connected by a second circuit 56 to an internal storage tank 58.

[0051] Advantageously, this internal storage tank 58 is intended for use in flushing the main circuit 33 when the mobile cleaning device 10 is operated in flushing mode. A connecting loop 60 links the internal storage tank 58 to the main pumping unit 30. The opening of said connecting loop 60 is controlled here by a flushing valve 62.

[0052] Advantageously, the main circuit 33 includes a second distribution unit 64 which is supplied with concentrate by the desalination unit 46 and which includes a purge line 66 so as to allow the concentrate to be discharged outside the mobile cleaning device 10.

[0053] The second distribution unit 64 is preferably connected to the first distribution unit 48 so as to allow the evacuation of any excess fresh water produced by the desalination unit 46 to the outside through the purge line 66.

[0054] Advantageously, the first distribution unit 48 is connected by a third circuit 68 to an outlet 69 allowing connection to an external storage tank 70, which is not integrated into the mobile cleaning device 10. This outlet 69, which can be equipped with a shut-off valve or a closure system, allows the filling of one or more external fresh water tanks 70, including at the same time as the use of the high-pressure cleaning unit 20 (operating mode combining washing and filling of external tank) or according to an operating program dedicated to filling with the high-pressure cleaning unit 20 in deactivated mode.

[0055] In the first case, the external tank(s) 70 can be, for example, flexible and mobile tanks (maximum capacity of 100L) which can be used as buffer tanks to supply other standard type high-pressure cleaners, allowing the number of boats to be cleaned simultaneously to be multiplied, for example up to three boats at the same time.

[0056] In the second case, this outlet 69 can have the sole function of filling a larger tank, as a fixed station would. This solution allows, for example, the filling of a 5000L tank in eight hours, overnight for example.

[0057] The air purge circuit can be connected to the second distribution unit 64. The third circuit 68 can be provided with a branch to the second distribution unit 64, the passage to the second distribution unit 64 being controlled by a discharge valve 72 allowing any excess fresh water to be evacuated, for example when the outlet 69 is closed, in particular to avoid overpressure in the circuit.

[0058] At the outlet of the desalination unit 46 and in the first distribution unit 48, the fresh water flow is preferably maintained close to Ibar to ensure an hourly flow rate of approximately 400 liters / h, which allows the high pressure cleaning unit 20 to benefit continuously from a sufficient supply flow rate to maintain the high cleaning pressure, preferably with an hourly flow rate of 360 liters / h.

[0059] A method for controlling the mobile cleaning device 10 for boats described previously is now described.

[0060] This process comprises the following steps: a) pumping seawater by means of the main pumping unit 30 so as to supply the main circuit 33 with the seawater supply flow, b) filtration of the seawater supply stream by the filtration unit 34 so as to retain the impurities contained in the seawater and so as to provide the filtered seawater flow, c) pressurizing the filtered seawater flow using the high-pressure pumping unit 44 so as to provide the filtered seawater flow under pressure, d) desalination of the filtered seawater flow under pressure using the desalination unit 46 so as to produce the fresh water flow and the concentrate flow, e) distribution of the fresh water flow using the first distribution unit 48 according to the operating mode selected by the user.

[0061] When the user wishes to use the cleaning lance 22, for example to clean or rinse the deck of the boat 12, they select a wash mode that allows them to obtain the maximum cleaning pressure. The high-pressure cleaning unit 20 will always have its nominal pressure of 80 bar. The high-pressure cleaning unit 20, when in operation, always has priority in receiving its operating flow rate.

[0062] In this washing mode, the first distribution unit 48 is controlled to direct the majority of the fresh water flow to the high-pressure cleaning unit 20, via the first circuit. Any excess fresh water or pressure not used by the high-pressure cleaning unit 20 returns to the second distribution unit 64 for discharge. This does not occur if the external tank filling mode is activated. In this case, the excess fresh water will supply the external fresh water tank 70.

[0063] Depending on the length of the period of non-use or according to recommendations, a program dedicated to rinsing the membranes can be activated. This program, or rinsing mode, produces fresh water which is temporarily stored in the internal reservoir 58 of the mobile cleaning device 10. As soon as this internal reservoir 58 is full, the fresh water contained in this internal reservoir 58 is drawn by the main pumping unit 30 instead of pumping seawater, in order to rinse the circuit and, more specifically, the membranes. When the rinsing is complete.

[0064] In this rinsing mode, the rinsing valve 62 is open and the main pumping unit 30 is activated, not to draw seawater but to circulate fresh water from the internal storage tank 58 into the main circuit 33.

[0065] After a predetermined period of time, or according to the signal provided by sensors, the rinsing mode is deactivated. The internal storage tank 58 can be equipped with high and low level sensors to automate the rinsing mode by stopping it when the water level in the internal storage tank 58 falls below a low limit.

[0066] According to an external storage tank 70 filling mode, the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed entirely to the third circuit. This filling mode can be activated, for example, when the user does not need to use the unit of

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072] high pressure cleaning 20 and that he wishes to build up a fresh water reserve which could be used later, for example to supply another high pressure cleaning unit in order to clean several boats at the same time or the same boat with several cleaning lances 22. An indicator light can be provided to signal to the user that the 20-micron and 5-micron filters need replacing. This light illuminates when the pressure difference between the 20-micron filter and the 5-micron filter is too great (nominal value calculated and measured by a differential pressure switch). These filters are disposable. The 100 micron filter is a cleanable filter; it is visible to the user through a transparent wall and easily accessible for disassembly and daily rinsing. A second indicator light may illuminate when a safety device on the circuit is triggered: water detector, high and low pressure detector, any fault originating from a unit. It is understood that the mobile cleaning device 10 and the associated control process allow fully automated operation to carry out the washing, rinsing, and filling of an external tank. LEGEND 10: Mobile cleaning device 12: boat 14: platform 16: chassis 18: wheels 20: High-pressure cleaning unit 22: cleaning lance 24: flexible 26: Display screen 28: Control panel 30: Main pumping unit 32: Seawater sampling pipe 33: Main circuit 33 34: Filtration unit 36: 100-micron filter 38: Ultraviolet light filter 40: twenty micron filter 42: five-micron filter 44: High-pressure pumping unit 46: Desalination unit air purge valve : first distribution unit first circuit cleaning motor pump second circuit internal storage tank : connection loop : flushing valve : second distribution unit : purge line third circuit : exit external storage tank : discharge valve

Claims

Demands

1. A mobile cleaning device (10) for a boat comprising: - a main pumping unit (30) configured to provide a seawater supply flow, - a filtration unit (34) configured to retain impurities contained in the seawater supply flow, - a high-pressure pumping unit (44) arranged downstream of the filtration unit (34) and configured to provide a pressurized flow of filtered seawater, - a desalination unit (46) arranged downstream of the high-pressure pumping unit (44) and configured to provide a permeate flow called a freshwater flow and a concentrate flow,- a first controlled distribution unit (48) which is supplied with fresh water flow by the desalination unit (46) and which is configured to distribute the fresh water flow to at least one of the following circuits according to a selected operating mode: — a first circuit (50) connected to a high-pressure cleaning unit (20), — a second circuit (56) connected to an internal fresh water storage tank (58).

2. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a connecting loop (60) which connects the internal storage tank (58) and the main pumping unit (30), the opening of said connecting loop (60) being controlled by at least one flushing valve (62), so that the main pumping unit (30) can supply the device with fresh water when it is controlled in a flushing mode.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a second distribution unit (64) which is supplied with concentrate by the desalination unit (46) and which comprises a purge line (66) configured to allow the discharge of concentrate to the outside of the device (10).

4. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second distribution unit (64) is connected to the first distribution unit (48) so as to allow the discharge of excess fresh water produced by the desalination unit (46) to the outside through the purge line (66).

5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distribution unit (48) is configured to be able to distribute the flow of fresh water to a third circuit (68) connected to an outlet (69) intended to allow the filling of an external storage tank (70) in order to constitute an additional fresh water reserve.

6. Device (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 3, characterized in that the third circuit (68) includes a bifurcation to the second distribution unit (64), the passage to the second distribution unit (64) being controlled by a valve as a function of the pressure in the third circuit.

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desalination unit (46) comprises membranes enabling desalination by reverse osmosis.

8. A method for controlling the mobile boat cleaning device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: a) pumping seawater so as to provide the device (10) with a seawater supply stream, b) filtering the seawater supply stream so as to retain the impurities contained in the seawater and so as to provide a stream of filtered seawater, c) pressurizing the stream of filtered seawater so as to provide a pressurized stream of filtered seawater, d) desalinizing the pressurized stream of filtered seawater so as to produce a permeate stream called a freshwater stream and a concentrate stream, e) distributing the freshwater stream to at least one of the following circuits: — a first circuit (50) connected to a high-pressure cleaning unit (20), — a second circuit (56) connected to an internal storage tank (58).

9. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a rinsing mode during which a connecting loop (60), which connects the internal storage tank (58) to the main pumping unit (30), is opened so that the main pumping unit (30) supplies the device (10) with fresh water and allows the rinsing the device (10).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises the following operating modes: - a washing mode during which the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed towards the first circuit (50), - a filling mode for the internal storage tank (58) during which the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed towards the second circuit (58), - an external storage tank filling mode (70) during which the distribution of the fresh water flow is directed entirely to the third circuit (68).

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