High-pressure cleaning system

Abstract

Title: High-Pressure Cleaning System. 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) receiving 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). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: High-pressure cleaning system FIELD OF INVENTION

[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 installations, known as "skids". Such an installation is intended to perform work with a pressurized liquid such as water, for actions such as unclogging pipes or cleaning with a gun. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Numerous high-pressure cleaning systems already exist, generally transported on a vehicle or integrated into a vehicle dedicated to high-pressure cleaning. These systems allow for cleaning or unclogging work using pressurized water. Known systems consist of a water tank supplying a unit comprising a motor and a high-pressure pump. The pump is connected by a high-pressure hose to the tool used for cleaning. This tool is a gun, a jetting head, or other similar tool.

[0004] The high-pressure pump is supplied with water or more generally with cleaning liquid from the reservoir.

[0005] The high-pressure pump is driven by the internal combustion engine via a direct transmission. For operation, the internal combustion engine must start and first warm up to reach its normal operating temperature. During this preliminary period, the high-pressure pump is in operation and circulates the liquid through the reservoir.

[0006] This closed-loop fluid circulation heats the fluid and results in unnecessary fuel consumption. Engine operation cannot be managed remotely from the work area because it is necessary to be near the engine to manually adjust the engine preheating phase. Adjustments such as the flow rate and pressure of the fluid supplying the tool are controlled from a control panel mounted on the machine.

[0007] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention aims to simplify the operation of a high-pressure cleaning system equipped with a thermal engine to facilitate the phase of start-up, avoid unnecessary fuel consumption and losses, and allow for flexible operation management based on needs at the intervention site.

[0009] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning installation. 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.

[0011] The fieldbus combined with the various components of the installation makes it possible to extend the functionalities and the possibilities of real-time control and adjustment.

[0012] The invention simplifies and improves the operation of the installation and in particular the management of the thermal engine driving the pump by avoiding the circulation of the liquid during the engine warm-up period or when the engine is running while the tool is temporarily stopped at the intervention site.

[0013] This installation with remote control allows for more precise and more suitable 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 intervention, 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 intervention.

[0015] According to another characteristic, the fieldbus is a CAN bus, which is advantageous because the CAN bus is particularly suited to a thermal 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 the motor status signals to transmit them to the remote control which transmits the motor control instructions to the central unit to generate the 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 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 setting signals to the pump.

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

[0021] According to another feature, the cleaning fluid tank is equipped with a level detector to detect the fluid level and provide a status signal to transmit the level information to the remote control. This allows the operator to avoid being caught off guard and to ensure that the cleaning fluid tank is refilled according to the operations to be performed.

[0022] According to another feature, the engine fuel tank includes a level detector 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 informed 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 the event of overheating or defective drive by the clutch or pump, or when winding the hose onto the reel. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

[0027] [Fig. 1] Diagram of an embodiment of the high-pressure cleaning installation,

[0028] [Fig.2] Table of signals exchanged by the fieldbus.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT METHODS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] According to [Fig.1], the invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning installation 100, equipping a vehicle or integrated into a vehicle dedicated to high-pressure cleaning.

[0031] 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 NV 11.

[0032] The installation 100 includes a central unit 4 connected via a fieldbus 101 to the various components 1-5 for exchanging the status signals SZ of the components 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. The operating status SZm of the internal combustion engine 3, the engaged / disengaged status SZemb of the clutch 2, and the operating status SZp of the pump 1 are transmitted to the central unit 4. The fieldbus 101 is preferably a CAN bus, which is particularly suitable for this environment.

[0033] In more detail:

[0034] The internal combustion engine 3 provides the central unit 4 with the status signals SZm:

[0035] - SZm (T) giving the temperature of engine 3,

[0036] - SZm (R) giving the engine speed 3.

[0037] These signals are transmitted to the operator's remote control 6, which controls the operation of the motor 3:

[0038] - its start or stop (M / A),

[0039] - its regime (Ri),

[0040] 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.

[0041] For this, the operator sends instructions Ix to the central unit 4 which transforms them into control signals SC for components 1, 2, 3.

[0042] The clutch 2 provides the central unit 4 with its SZemb status signals:

[0043] - SZemb (E) clutch 2 engaged,

[0044] - SZemb (D) clutch 2 disengaged.

[0045] 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.

[0046] This SZemb state information can also be processed by the central unit 4 to verify that it does not contradict the SCemb control signals applied to the clutch 2: for example, the clutch 2 is engaged while the engine 3 is still in the warm-up phase. This comparison allows the operator to be informed of the situation or to automatically intervene on the clutch 2.

[0047] Pump 1 supplies central unit 4 with its SZp status signals:

[0048] - SZp (P) indicating the pump outlet pressure,

[0049] - SZp (Db) indicating the flow rate at the pump outlet.

[0050] 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.

[0051] The central unit 4 comprises a processor 41 connected to a memory 42 in which are stored the status signal processing programs SZ of the various components connected by the bus 101 and the instructions Ix from the remote control 6 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 management data for the system 100.

[0052] The remote control 6 is in radio contact with the transceiver 43 of the network 101. It has a display screen 61 and a control keypad 62 for querying and controlling components 1, 2, 3. The parameters or status signals SZ are displayed on demand on the screen 61. The instructions Im, lemb, Ip are generated and transmitted by the remote control 6 to the transceiver 43 and thus to the central unit 4, which generates the control signals SC transmitted via the bus 101 to the equipment:

[0053] - the Scm motor control signals

[0054] SCm (M) walk

[0055] SCm (A) stop,

[0056] SCm (Ri) regime Ri

[0057] - the SCemb clutch control signals:

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064] SCemb (E) re-engage SCemb (D) disengage - pump control signals SCp - SCp (Pi) pressure setting Pi - SCp (dbi) flow setting dbi. - the total stop signal SCT in response to the emergency stop request. Comparing the SZ status signal to thresholds or previous reference status values ​​allows for the detection of faults or failures:

[0065] - pressure drop in pump 1 while motor 3 and clutch 2 are operating normally,

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069]

[0070]

[0071]

[0072]

[0073]

[0074]

[0075]

[0076]

[0077]

[0078]

[0079]

[0080]

[0081]

[0082]

[0083]

[0084]

[0085]

[0086]

[0087]

[0088]

[0089]

[0090]

[0091]

[0092]

[0093] - drop in engine speed R of motor 3, - monitoring of levels : * engine oil level nv3, * fuel level nv31, * cleaning fluid level nvl 1.NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS 100 High pressure cleaning unit 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 Screen 62 Keypad / inputs Ix Instructions NV3 Engine oil level 3 NV31 Fuel tank level 31 NV 11 Cleaning fluid tank level 11 P Pump pressure 1.

[0094]

[0095]

[0096]

[0097] T Engine temperature 3 Ri Engine speed 3 SC Control signals SZ Status signals

Claims

Demands

1. A high-pressure cleaning system (100) comprising: - a high-pressure pump (1) for supplying a tool (52) with pressurized cleaning fluid, - a combustion engine (3) driving the pump (1), - a hose (5) connecting the pump (1) to the tool (52), the system characterized in that it comprises: - a clutch (2) connecting the engine (3) to the pump (1), - a central unit (4), - a remote control (6), and - a fieldbus (101) connecting the central unit (4), the engine (3), the clutch (2), the pump (1), and the remote control (6), - the central unit (4) managing the operation of the engine (3), the clutch (2), and the pump (1) with control signals (SC, SCm, SCemb, SCp) corresponding to the instructions (Im, lem, IP) of the remote control (6), which receives the status information (SZm, SZemb, SZp) from the different components (1, 2, 3) for remotely controlling the operation and adjustment of the motor (3),the actuation of the clutch (2) and the adjustment of the pump (1).

2. High pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fieldbus (101) is a CAN bus.

3. High-pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (4) is connected to the remote control (6) by a radio link with a transceiver (43) associated with the central unit (4),

4. High pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit (4) receives the motor status signals (SZm) to transmit them to the remote control (6) which transmits to the central unit (4) the motor control instructions (Im (A),Im(M)) and (ImR) to generate the control signals (SCm) SCm(M) SCm(A), SCm(Ri), of engine 3 to start it, adjust the speed (Ri) or stop the engine.

5. High pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit (4) receives the status signals (SZemb) from the clutch (2), transmits them to the remote control (6) and in response to the instructions (lemb) (E)), or (lEmb (D)) sent to the central unit (4), generates the control signals (SCemb(E)) or (SCemb(D) to the clutch (2) to engage or disengage the clutch (2).

6. High pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central 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 central unit (4) which generates pressure control signals (SCp (Pi)) or (SCp (dbi)) to adjust the pressure (Pi) or flow rate (dbi) to the pump (1).

7. High pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning fluid tank (11) is equipped with a level detector (111) to detect the fluid level and provide a status signal (SZrl 1 (NV 11)) to transmit the level information to the remote control (6).

8. High pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fuel tank (31) of the engine (3) has 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).

9. High-pressure cleaning installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central 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 from this comparison to the remote control (6) or directly command the shutdown of a component (1, 2, 3) that has failed or switch to reduced operation.

Images