Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning pickling and / or polishing

Abstract

The present application relates to an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, which can operate as pickling and / or polishing, comprises: a handheld torch (1) equipped with a brush (7) of carbon fibre wires; an electrical connection for activating the electrolytic action to the brush (7). This also has an advancement mechanism (9), to compensate for the wear of the wires, and a supply of the electrolytic solution to the brush (7), an electrical circuit for electrical power supply in the brush (7) with one end of the circuit and another end, electrically opposite, connected to the metal material being treated; and has near the front end (33) of the brush (7) with carbon fibre wires a permeable pad (13), centrally perforated, for the passage of the brush (7), to constitute a composite electrode (6) also equipped with a spout (12) made of electrically conductive material, centrally perforated and externally wrapped by said permeable pad (13). The electrolytic solution is released at least externally to the brush (7) of carbon fibre wires and inside the spout (12) in contact with the permeable pad (13, wherein the material being treated (46) is in contact with the permeable pad (13), which wraps around the spout (12), and at the front end (33) of the brush of carbon fibre wires, and wherein the suction of the spent solution takes place with standard suction hoods for air and spent solution.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LOCALISED ELECTROLYTIC CLEANING PICKLING AND / OR POLISHING

[0002] Field of application

[0003] The invention concerns: an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing, i.e. a machine that is used to clean metal parts where the previous processing has left notches, halos and more generally dirt on the metal surface; it is very advantageous for cleaning welding beads. The apparatus comprises a handheld torch brought into contact with the metal surface to be treated and a base with the electrical and electrolyte supply and assistance mechanisms in the handheld torch.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] The state of the art comprises machines dedicated to cleaning surfaces using electrolytic action in cells operating in limited areas of the treated surface, wherein the metal surface to be cleaned, pickled and / or polished is traversed by the electrolytic cell while maintaining the position of an electrode, at a short distance from the surface itself, and the supply of the electrolytic solution in a limited but continuous manner. Moreover, as described in the document EP1230431 B1 , the electrolyte exiting the delimited area of the electrolytic cell is suctioned by a hood that envelops the cell itself.

[0006] The use, therefore, of a described electrolytic cell does not allow the electrolytic action of treatment of the affected surface to be made precise, moreover, the suction of the air with the residues of electrolytic solution exiting from the edge of the cell are returned to the tank and the separated solution is recirculated. Moreover, this embodiment has demonstrated excessive costs and very long treatment application times on the affected surface, also due to the increased contamination in the reused solution.

[0007] In the prior art it is known from document JP2001336000 to use metal spouts covered with a permeable pad moistened with electrolytic pickling solution for electrolytic cleaning of welding beads. Although having been in use for decades, this pickling solution is limited by the failure to remove the spent electrolytic solution, which generates contamination in the workplace.

[0008] From the prior art, the previous document SU1434812 teaches arranging an electrode with an electrolytic pickling cell, using carbon fibre wires in contact with the surface under treatment surrounded by a hard coat that maintains its shape, in which electrolytic solution is fed from the outside, which wets the hard coat and the carbon wires and, from the centre of the cell, the excess electrolytic solution is suctioned.

[0009] Therefore, electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing devices have been developed in the prior art, which use a flexible electrode formed by a multitude of conductive wires, advantageously made of carbon fibre, as described in W02005089968A1. A significant disadvantage, for this previous document, results in activation with the use of electrolytic solution that is applied manually as waste in the environment, therefore having significant costs and loss of manual time in dispensing the solution at the point where the brush with the multitude of conductive wires is placed and the electrolytic action is activated.

[0010] Furthermore, it is known in the art, from the previous document AU2017204328A1 , to make brushes for applying electrolytic cleaning on metal surfaces with a multitude of carbon fibre wires stiffened for a first stretch and at the ends free to flex so as to be distributed on the metal surface under treatment.

[0011] These devices have a limitation in the control of the treated surface by having the brushes made of carbon fibre wires dissolved near the treated surface, moreover, the shape of the end needs to maintain an advantageous form over time, as the carbon fibre wires wear out with use. That is, it is necessary to have new carbon fibre wires for the brush, as they wear out, as indicated in the previous document US2012000026A1 in which a brush made of carbon fibre wires is provided sliding in a shaped mouth of the support of the end of the wires themselves, for precise guiding of the carbon fibre wires on the surface under treatment in place of the stiffening of the previous embodiment. A similar embodiment is mentioned in the previous document KR20150058862.

[0012] Therefore, the main limit of the state of the art, as set forth in the previous solutions disclosed in the cited documents, lies in the controlling and guiding of the wear of the carbon fibre wires, as well as in the distribution and non-dispersion in the environment of the spent electrolytic solution, which always consists of solutions of aggressive acids that are harmful to the environment and which after use may contain residues of the treated surface and, therefore, must be disposed of as special waste to landfill.

[0013] This state of the art is susceptible to considerable improvements with regard to the possibility of making an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing, which overcomes the aforementioned limits of the prior art, making it possible to better control the wear of the carbon fibre wires of the brush, in addition, avoiding the dispersion into the environment of the electrolytic solution after use.

[0014] The technical problem, therefore, underlying the present invention is to make an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing in which the management of the supply of the electrolytic solution is combined with the working position and guide of the electrode brush made of carbon fibre wires, so as to control its shape and wear during use and keep the electrolytic solution near the end of the carbon fibre wires independently of the wires themselves.

[0015] A consequent object in the above technical problem is to make a handheld torch, that is easily manoeuvrable by the user during working, but comprises the control of the electrode brush made of carbon fibre wires and reliable management of the flow of the electrolytic solution by dispensing it evenly on the metal surface under treatment.

[0016] Moreover, with the reliable management of the electrolytic solution, by being able to keep the solution in contact with the surface under treatment for a longer time and being able to collect the solution quickly and effectively.

[0017] In addition, an objective of the aforementioned technical problem is the need to achieve simultaneous contact between the carbon fibre wires on a welding bead and the contact of a pad associated with said wires with the thermally altered areas on the sides of the bead.

[0018] A further and not the least object of the present invention is to achieve effective management of how the electrolytic solution is dispensed to the brush of the aforementioned electrode, as well as to achieve a simultaneous and effective collection of the electrolytic solution used and contaminated by the treatment residues to prevent its dispersion into the environment.

[0019] Moreover, a further aspect of the technical problem addressed concerns the control and limitation of the amount of electrolytic solution dispensed and collected after use, as well as the separation of the spent electrolytic solution from the new solution supplied to the electrode with a brush made of carbon fibre wires.

[0020] Summary of the Invention

[0021] This problem is solved, according to the present invention, by an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, which can also act as pickling and / or polishing; this comprises: a handheld torch equipped with a brush made of carbon fibre wires; an electrical connection for activating the electrolytic action on the brush, this also has an advancement mechanism, to compensate for the wear of the wires, and a supply of the electrolytic solution to the brush; an electrical circuit for electrical power supply in the brush with one end of the circuit and another end, electrically opposite, connected to the metal material being treated; and it is characterized in that near the front end of the brush with carbon fibre wires there is placed a permeable pad, centrally perforated, for the passage of the brush, to constitute a composite electrode also equipped with a spout, made of electrically conductive material, centrally perforated and externally wrapped by said permeable pad; the electrolytic solution is released at least externally to the brush of carbon fibre wires and inside the spout in contact with the permeable pad; the material being treated being in contact with the permeable pad, which wraps around the spout, and at the front end of the brush of carbon fibre wires; the suction of the spent solution taking place with standard suction hoods for air and spent solution.

[0022] In a preferred variant the electrolytic solution is released at least inside the central hole in the spout in contact with the brush of carbon fibre wires, which brush is placed in contact with the material being treated together with the permeable pad that wraps around the spout; or, more specifically, the supplying of the electrolytic solution takes place inside the brush made of carbon fibre wires.

[0023] In a specific embodiment, moreover, the spout has longitudinal holes up to the permeable pad, at the front; said longitudinal holes being placed in connection, at the rear, with a chamber for collection and suction of the spent or surplus electrolytic solution, for the evacuation thereof, together with the air suctioned through the permeable pad by a suction pump within a separator means for the electrolytic solution suctioned from the air.

[0024] In a further embodiment, both the electrical connection in the brush and the connection for the administration of the electrolytic solution, hydraulic connection, takes place through the advancement mechanism of the brush itself in the position of connection of the same mechanism with the brush of carbon fibre wires and the joining members between the brush and the mechanism itself.

[0025] Furthermore, in an improved embodiment in which the longitudinally perforated spout is housed in a metal body to define the chamber for collection and suction of the electrolytic solution and to connect the composite electrode to the frame of the handheld torch.

[0026] Moreover, in a further embodiment variant, the composite electrode is made angularly positionable and rotatable for a non-zero angle with respect to a handle of the handheld torch by means of a circular projection in the connection between the metal body and the frame of the handheld torch.

[0027] Furthermore, in a specific improved embodiment, the suction takes place with a vacuum pump inside a separator under vacuum of the suctioned air with the spent or surplus electrolytic solution.

[0028] Furthermore, in a further advantageous embodiment, the spent electrolytic solution is suctioned from the separator under vacuum with a peristaltic pump for controlled evacuation.

[0029] Moreover, in a specific embodiment, the spout is made of graphite.

[0030] Furthermore, in an embodiment variant, insulating cheeks are applied on the lateral sides of the spout as a replacement for the permeable pad.

[0031] Moreover, in an embodiment variant: the permeable pad is fixed by pressers against the spout.

[0032] Finally, as a replacement for the previous embodiment, the mechanism for advancement of the brush is made with a rotating ring nut and a manoeuvring screw that slides without rotating, inside the frame of the handheld torch against a planar abutment of the frame.

[0033] Further features and the advantages of the present invention, in making an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, for pickling and / or polishing, will be apparent from the following description of constructive forms and embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the nine attached drawing tables.

[0034] Brief description of the drawings

[0035] Figure 1 shows a perspective and schematic view of an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing, according to the invention; here the sole handheld torch is depicted with the position of the brush made of carbon fibre wires in the maximum extension, that is, in the position of replacement of the brush itself;

[0036] - Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the handheld torch of Figure 1 , without the half of the right frame of the handheld torch, showing the internal constitution of the electrical and hydraulic supply of said brush in the composite electrode, which is not only shown by the brush made of carbon fibre wires, but which comprises a metal body of the electrode and a spout made of graphite or other conductive material, covered with a front / side cladding of a permeable pad, all crossed by said brush made of carbon fibre wires, which here in this Figure is shown in the smallest extension, close to the working extension, i.e. shown retracted from the extended position of Figure 1 , with the axial screw mechanism illustrated;

[0037] - Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective and sectional view on the centre of the composite electrode of the handheld torch of Figure 1 , made on the longitudinal axis thereof, to show the internal constitution of the electrode with the metal body, the brush of carbon fibre wires, the longitudinally perforated graphite spout and the front / side permeable pad cladding; the electrode is penetrated by said brush made of carbon fibre wires; here it is also shown in the minimum extension, that is, retracted from the position of Figure 1 ;

[0038] - Figures 4 and 5 show schematic sections of the composite electrode only, the first 4 similar to the section of Figure 3 and the second 5 a section on a plane orthogonal to the previous one; the sections are axial to the electrode and to the brush of carbon fibre wires, so as to show the internal constitution along with the working mode of the localised electrolytic cleaning apparatus described here; this is shown during cleaning work of a TIG welding bead for stainless steel below and oriented as the sections;

[0039] - Figures 6 and 7 show schematic sections similar to the previous ones but complete with the torch and its internal mechanisms; these show the cleaning work of a MIG welding bead for stainless steel from below and oriented as the sections;

[0040] - Figures 8 and 9 show schematic sections on a plane as in Figure 7 of the handheld torch only; the sections show the positions of the brush made of carbon fibre wires, retracted and advanced, so as to show the manner in which the mechanism for advancement of the already partly worn brush operates, seen in Figure 9;

[0041] - Figure 10 shows a limited schematic section on the X-X plane of Figure 9 to show the conformation of the advancement mechanism runner and the hydraulic and electrical connections, already externally shown in Figure 2;

[0042] - Figure 11 shows a schematic perspective view of the handheld torch of Figure 1 , with a section made on two concurrent orthogonal planes, to show the internal constitution thereof; the perspective view is from the rear as it is usually handled by a user for use; the section shows the brush in the electrode, which is not only shown by the brush made of carbon fibre wires, but which shows in the metal body of the electrode, connecting the suction of the electrolytic solution, and the longitudinally perforated graphite spout: the electrode has the front / side cladding of a pad permeable to the electrolytic solution and all are crossed by said brush;

[0043] - Figures 12. a and 12.b show a schematic perspective view with parts exploded constituting the composite electrode with the brush of carbon fibre wires, the metal body, the longitudinally perforated graphite spout and the suction connection of the electrolytic solution, completed by the connection of the brush with the retraction advancement mechanism and the electrical connections and connections for administration of the electrolytic solution;

[0044] - Figure 13 shows a schematic perspective view of the metal body of the electrode from a different angle than shown in Figure 12. a;

[0045] - Figures 14-17 show some schematic axonometric projections of the metal body of the electrode;

[0046] - Figure 18 shows a schematic illustration of the circuit of distribution of the electrolytic solution to the brush of carbon fibre wires; in addition, this shows the circuit for suction and pumping of the spent electrolytic solution from the permeable pad, the separation of the spent solution and its collection for disposal;

[0047] - Figure 19 shows a schematic perspective view of the service base with the accessories for the electrical supply of the handheld torch, supply of the electrolytic solution and also for the suction / separation / collection and disposal of the spent electrolytic solution.

[0048] Detailed description of an embodiment

[0049] In Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing, has a handheld torch 1 consisting of a frame 2 in two matching left 3 and right 4 halves; a handle 5 of the handheld torch 1 is made in the gripping part of the frame 2; the handheld torch is equipped with a composite electrode 6 from which a brush 7 made of carbon fibre wires protrudes centrally; protruding from the frame 2, in opposition to the composite electrode, is a ring nut 8 for driving the mechanism 9 with a manoeuvring screw 10 for the position of the brush 7 with respect to the composite electrode 6; this composite electrode comprises a metal body 11 and a graphite spout 12 on which there is arranged a front / side cladding of permeable pad 13, perforated for the central passage of the brush 7, and fixed to the composite electrode by means of pressers 14 tightened with fixing screws 15 on the metal body 11 ; the composite electrode is protected laterally by insulating cheeks 16 to avoid unwanted contact of the spout with the surface being treated. The handheld torch 1 comprises command buttons 17 for turning it on and off and controlling the administration and suction of the electrolytic solution; in addition, the brush 7 has a rigid end 18 and a shaped section 19 for replacing the brush when worn out.

[0050] Figure 2 also shows a suction duct 20 for collecting the electrolytic solution suctioned, towards the service base, from a pipe 21 connected to a suction connection 22 for collecting the suction, located behind the metal body 11 ; finally, Figure 2 also shows the electrical connection 23 to the head 24 of the manoeuvring screw 10 and the hydraulic connection 25 for supplying the electrolytic solution under pressure, as said through the head 24, to said brush of carbon fibre wires; in the mechanism 9 only the ring nut 8 rotates, while the manoeuvring screw 10 with the head 24 and the aforementioned connections slides inside the frame 2 of the torch, which is closed, moving said brush 7.

[0051] In Figures 3 to 7, moreover, a perforated runner 26 receives a tube 27 from the brush 7 to administer the electrolytic solution; the manoeuvring screw and the runner slide without rotating due to the reaction of a planar abutment 28 present in the screw and in its head 24 against an opposite and corresponding guide 29 of the frame 2 of the handheld torch 1 ; subsequent Figures 8 to 11 show the metal body 11 that makes the connection between the graphite spout 12, longitudinally perforated, with a central hole 30 to slidingly receive said brush 7 of carbon fibre wires and aligned longitudinal holes 31 , the holes facing the end 32 of the graphite spout 12 towards the front end 33 of the brush 7 in the reached working position; between the hydraulic connection 25 in the head 24 and the tube 27 there is a non-return valve 34, that can be opened with the delivery pressure of the electrolytic solution to avoid dripping. Moreover, between the perforated runner 26 and the rigid end 18 of the brush 7 there is a barrel 35 for guiding the tube 27, with tube gaskets towards the barrel 35, up to the inside of the brush and the connection of the brush itself; moreover, in the connection between the metal body 11 and the graphite spout 12 there is a collection chamber 36 for the suction from the longitudinal holes 31 present in the spout itself: between the spout and said collection chamber there is a perforated gasket 37, with holes corresponding to the longitudinal holes 31 in the spout, pressed by a correspondingly perforated plate 38, to seal said longitudinal holes with the collection chamber 36; a connection hole 39 communicates, through the metal body 11 , the suction vacuum coming from the suction connection 22 to an annular chamber 40 present at the rear in said metal body 11 .

[0052] Figures 6 and 7 in section show the connection with connection hole 41 , in the suction connection 22, between the annular chamber 40 and the suction duct 21 and the external seals 42, of the suction connection 22 in the metal body 11 , and internal 43 between the metal body 11 and the barrel 35 as well as on the rigid end 18 of the brush 7; moreover, in the seal between the collection chamber 36, the barrel 35 and the rigid end of the brush 7 there is a shaped lip 44 to allow the advancement / retraction manoeuvre of the brush 7 within the graphite spout 12; a similar internal gasket 45 is placed internally to the suction connection 22 and the barrel 35 and the rigid body 18 of the brush 7. A sheet 46 with welding bead 47 being treated is shown in Figures 4-7 where the front end 33 of the brush 7 made of carbon fibre wires is in contact with the welding bead 47 and the permeable pad 13 is kept in contact with the thermally altered area, lateral to the weld, so as to maintain the presence of the electrolytic solution above the welding bead 47 and in the vicinity thereof above the surface to be treated of the sheet 46.

[0053] Figures 12. a and 12.b as well as 13-17 show further characteristics in the conformation of the composite electrode 6, in particular the conformation of the metal body 11 which makes it possible to use the electrolytic solution in the brush 7 with carbon fibre wires and the simultaneous suction of the excess or spent solution from the surface under treatment. Thus, the graphite spout 12 has two protrusions 48 on which two brackets 49 are tightened to house the spout 12 in the seat 50, made in the metal body 11. In opposition to said seat, the metal body has a circular projection 51 , outside the annular chamber 40, and the housing of the suction connection 22; on said circular projection a groove 52 is made for about 180° to control the possible rotation between the assembly of the metal body and graphite spout and the handheld torch 1 , depending on the user's need to orient the composite electrode 6 of the handheld torch on the treated surface. In addition, the pressers 14 have a pressing edge 53 on the ends of the pad 54 to fix it on said graphite spout 12 as shown; springs 55 are associated with the presser fixing screws 15 and allow the tightening control and the rapid disassembly and replacement of the permeable pad 13; in Figures 13-17, moreover, the central hole 56 is visible, similar to the central hole 30 of the graphite spout, for the passage of the assembly perforated runner 26, barrel 35 and rigid end 18 of the brush 7, in which the housings 57 of the outer seal 42, of the inner seal 43 and of the shaped lip 44 are visible. It should be noted here that the fixing screws of the various parts on the metal body 11 are depicted with the respective threaded seats, but are not specifically numbered since these are prior art.

[0054] Figure 18 also shows the delivery circuit of the electrolytic solution to the brush 7 with carbon fibre wires and the circuit for extraction and separation of air from the suctioned electrolytic solution; Figure 19 shows a base 58 with the utilities for the handheld torch 1 . The delivery circuit for the electrolytic solution comprises a delivery pump 59 that suctions the solution from a tank 60 and with the hydraulic connection 25 sends the electrolytic solution inside the handheld torch 1 , then inside the brush until it exits 61 from the front end of the brush 33 on the surface under treatment; the suction 62 of the electrolytic solution takes place through the permeable pad 13, the longitudinal holes 31 , present in the graphite spout 12, the connections between the collection chamber 36 and the suction connection 22 up to the suction duct 20 towards the separator 63. The separator comprises an internal duct 64 for releasing the air and electrolytic solution suctioned into the upper part 65 of the separator. The suctioned electrolytic solution 66 is separated at the bottom in the separator 63; a further air evacuation duct 67 takes this from the upper part 65 of the separator towards a vacuum pump 68 which discharges the air into the atmosphere; a liquid suction pump 69 sends the spent solution to a tank 70 for subsequent disposal; finally, the separator 63 is equipped with level control 71 for operating the liquid pump 69 to empty the electrolytic solution 66 separated from the suctioned air. In Figure 19, finally, a control and command panel 72, a connection sheath 73 are visible, with the handheld torch 1 , to gather together in the sheath the connection duct 20, the hydraulic connection 25 and the electrical cables, not shown, towards the buttons 17 for control and command and for the supply to the electrical connection 23 for the electrolytic action of the composite electrode 6.

[0055] The use of the improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing according to the invention takes place as described below, wherein the composite electrode 6 is fed with the electrical current for the electrolytic action with one end of the electrical circuit both in the brush 7 made of carbon fibre wires and in the graphite spout 12, longitudinally perforated with holes 31 longitudinal to the spout itself, obviously the other end of the electrical circuit for activating the electrolytic action is connected with the metal surface under treatment. The supply of the electrical current is activated by one of the buttons 17 together with the delivery pump of the electrolytic solution; by keeping the button pressed, the amount of solution dispensed depends on the adjustment set in the control and command panel 72. The other button 17 is used by the user to control the suction of the electrolytic solution and air from the longitudinal holes 31 of the graphite spout 12; in this case the second button can be pressed continuously obtaining the accelerated suction of the electrolytic solution distributed in the treatment point, simultaneously stopping the current supply and the liquid. The composite electrode 6 retains, with the permeable pad 13, the electrolytic solution in the vicinity of the front end 33 of the brush 7, so as to achieve a more effective electrolytic action compared to the prior art. If there is wear on the front end 33 of the brush 7, the latter can be adjusted, using the mechanism 9, towards the metal surface under treatment, i.e. realigned with the end of the spout 32 to maintain the most effective mutual position between said front end 33 of the brush 7 and the pad 13, which holds the electrolytic solution close to the brush. The movement of the assembly: manoeuvring screw 10, its head 24, with perforated runner 26 and barrel 35 with brush 7, takes place without rotation, that is, only the ring nut 8 is rotated by the user, so as to keep connected, and movable together with the movement of the brush 7, the electrical connection 23 and the hydraulic connection 25, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The electrical connection to the graphite spout 12 takes place by contact of the brush 7 made of carbon fibre wires in the central hole 30 inside the graphite spout.

[0056] Moreover, the metal body 11 , connecting the graphite spout 12 to the frame 2 of the handheld torch 1 , is formed with the circular projection 51 , present in the connection of the metal body 11 with the frame 2 of the torch: the user can, for said circular projection, rotate the composite electrode 6 with respect to the handle 5 of the handheld torch 1 , so as to facilitate the treatment of metal surfaces even if not arranged in the plane, but spatially angled to each other; moreover, an incomplete groove 52 in the circular projection 51 limits the rotation manoeuvre. Moreover, following the wear or soiling of the permeable pad 13, the action of replacing the pad is carried out by loosening the fixing screws 15 of the presser 14, which are counteracted by springs 55, so as to lift the pressing edges 53 from the permeable pad 13 and allow its replacement to bind the perforated surface of the end 32 of the graphite spout 12.

[0057] Another feature of the improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing according to the invention is found in the separator 63 and in the mode of emptying the suctioned and spent solution 66; in fact, the liquid pump 69 is advantageously a peristaltic pump that is such as to always keep the connection with the tank 70 downstream of the pump separate and at atmospheric pressure: the peristaltic pump, in addition to suctioning the spent solution 66, even in the presence of a vacuum in the separator, keeps the passage to the tank 70 closed even when stopped.

[0058] However, it is also possible to use other types of pumps for liquids, volumetric or centrifugal, but for correct operation it is necessary to arrange a separation valve, not shown, between the separator 63 and the liquid pump 69; the valve can be an automatic non-return valve, or a manual valve that the user controls during pauses in the treatment application during the work or at the end of the shift; or the valve can be a solenoid valve connected to a management system controlled by the control and command panel 72, moreover, to avoid simultaneous operation under vacuum inside the separator 63 and the suction of the solution 66 if carried out by a non-peristaltic pump.

[0059] The advantages of using an improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing can be summarized as follows.

[0060] The electrolytic action applied by the composite electrode 6 is concentrated due to the presence of the carbon fibre wires of the brush 7 at the point of application of the treatment desired by the user, in addition, the presence of the permeable pad 13, approached to the point of intervention of the front end 33 of the brush 7, allows the treatment to be applied also in the areas surrounding the point of treatment made by the carbon fibre wires of the brush, that is, in the thermally altered area, around the point of maximum action of the electrolytic treatment. Centred on the handheld torch 1 are the mechanisms and the buttons for the most effective and rapid action of electrolytic treatment with respect to the forms adopted in the prior art.

[0061] Moreover, by making a complete distribution circuit in the brush 7 with carbon fibre wires of the electrolytic solution used and, as a completion of the treatment action, the suction action of the electrolytic solution already used and contaminated by residues of the electrolytic cleaning carried out, also makes it possible for the electrolytic solution itself not to be dispersed into the environment as well as for the contaminated solution to be deposited in containers for proper disposal. The specific embodiment of the graphite spout 12 in which the longitudinal holes 31 allow the suction action under vacuum to be applied to the permeable pad 13, which surrounds the front end 33 of the brush 7, i.e. where the electrolytic solution is expelled to carry out the necessary treatment action, mainly contributes to achieving the suction of the electrolytic solution from the treatment area.

[0062] A further advantage is achieved with the handheld torch 1 that has the possible rotation of the composite electrode 6 with respect to the handle 5, i.e. the operator can orient the composite electrode 6 to reach surface positions to be treated that are not easily reachable, without being forced to rotate the hand holding the handheld torch 1 in an uncomfortable or unreasonable manner.

[0063] Obviously, a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy specific and contingent requirements, may make numerous modifications to an improved apparatus for electrolytic cleaning, pickling and / or polishing, as previously described, all nevertheless falling within the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

[0064] In fact, although less conveniently, the graphite spout 12 can be replaced with another electrically conductive material, even metallic material, but withstanding more marked wear of the same spout given the electrolytic action applied by the permeable pad 13. The electrical connection 25 to the brush 7 can also be made only through the metal body 11 and / or the graphite spout 12 by arranging suitable electrical continuity contacts between these and the brush 7 and the rigid end 18 of the brush which is advantageously metallic and electrically conductive.

[0065] Furthermore, in a very simple embodiment, but one that is not known with respect to the state of the art, the distribution of the solution to the brush can take place externally to the brush or to the spout, with the brush guided within the central hole of the spout and with the permeable pad centrally perforated, to wrap the spout and the front end 33 of the brush 7, placing said end and the permeable pad 13 in simultaneous contact with the surface under treatment.

[0066] Moreover, in a simplified, but effective embodiment of the apparatus described herein in the specific treatment of the welding beads and thermally altered lateral areas, the electrolytic solution can be maintained by the permeable pad on the altered areas, while the carbon fibre wires act on the bead itself, and the solution when spent can be suctioned in by air suction hoods and spent electrolytic solution in the vicinity of the contact zone with the surface under treatment, as known in the art, placed in the vicinity of the spout 12 wrapped by the permeable pad 13.

[0067] Finally, although less conveniently, the spent or surplus electrolytic solution suctioned by the vacuum pump 68 can be released into a simple open- mouthed tank, that is connected to the vacuum pump with the function of a separator and expels the air suctioned from the open mouth constituting a separator means, with the sole requirement being to occasionally empty the tank of the accumulated electrolytic solution, at the end of the work shift, thus evacuating the spent electrolytic solution.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, comprising a handheld torch (1 ) equipped with a brush (7) made of carbon fibre wires; an electrical connection for activating the electrolytic action to the brush, this also has an advancement mechanism (9), to compensate for the wear of the wires, and a supply of the electrolytic solution to the brush; an electrical circuit for electrical power supply in the brush with one end of the circuit and another end, electrically opposite, connected to the metal material being treated; characterized in that near the front end (33) of the brush (7) with carbon fibre wires there is placed a permeable pad (13), centrally perforated, for the passage of the brush, to constitute a composite electrode (6) also equipped with a spout (12), made of electrically conductive material, centrally perforated and externally wrapped by said permeable pad; the electrolytic solution is released at least externally to the brush (7) of carbon fibre wires and inside the spout (12) in contact with the permeable pad; the material being treated (46) being in contact with the permeable pad, which wraps around the spout (12), and at the front end (33) of the brush of carbon fibre wires; the suction of the spent solution taking place with standard suction hoods for air and spent solution.

2. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning according to Claim 2, wherein the electrolytic solution is released at least inside the central hole in the spout (12) in contact with the brush (7) of carbon fibre wires, which brush is placed in contact with the material being treated (46) together with the permeable pad that wraps around the spout (12).

3. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning according to Claim 2, wherein the supplying of the electrolytic solution takes place inside the brush (7) made of carbon fibre wires.

4. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning according to Claim 2, wherein the spout (12) has longitudinal holes (31 ) up to the permeablepad, at the front; said longitudinal holes being placed in connection, at the rear, with a chamber for collection (36) and suction of the spent or surplus electrolytic solution, for the evacuation thereof, together with the air suctioned through the permeable pad (13) by a suction pump within a separator means for the electrolytic solution suctioned from the air.

5. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning according to Claims 2-4, wherein both the electrical connection (23) in the brush (7) and the connection for the administration of the electrolytic solution, hydraulic connection (25), takes place through the advancement mechanism (9) of the brush itself in the position of connection of the same mechanism with the brush (7) of carbon fibre wires and the joining members between the brush and the mechanism (9) itself.

6. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning according to Claim 4, wherein the longitudinally perforated spout (12) is housed in a metal body (11 ) to define the chamber for collection (36) and suction of the electrolytic solution and to connect the composite electrode (6) to the frame (2) of the handheld torch (1 ).

7. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, according to Claim 6, wherein the composite electrode (6) is made angularly positionable and rotatable for a non-zero angle with respect to a handle (5) of the handheld torch (1 ) by means of a circular projection (51 ) in the connection between the metal body (11 ) and the frame (2) of the handheld torch.

8. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suction takes place with a vacuum pump (68) inside a separator (63) under vacuum of the suctioned air (62) with the spent or surplus electrolytic solution (66).

9. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spent electrolytic solution (66) issuctioned from the separator (63) under vacuum with a peristaltic pump (69) for controlled evacuation.

10. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spout (12) is made of graphite.

11. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein insulating cheeks (16) are applied on the lateral sides of the spout (12) as a replacement for the permeable pad (13).

12. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the permeable pad (13) is fixed by pressers (14) against the spout (12).

13. Improved apparatus for localised electrolytic cleaning, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism (9) for advancement of the brush (7) is made with a rotating ring nut (8) and manoeuvring screw (10) that slides without rotating inside the frame (2) of the handheld torch (1 ) against a planar abutment (28) of the frame.

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