US2238720A - Cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

April 15, 19411` A. J. DUAEI ET AL l 2,238,720

CLEANING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 7, 195s l l l April 15, 1941 A. J. DUAEI ETAL 2,238,720

CLEANING MACHINE Fild Feb. 7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 15, 1941.

A. J, DUAEI ETI'AL CLEANING MACHINE 4 sheets-shet 5 Filed Feb. '7, 1938 April 15, 194 A. J. DUAl-:l ETAL 2,238,720

CLEANING MACHINE Filed Feb. 7, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7% Jaja/4, A

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pivot mounting of the machine.

Patented Apr. 15, 1941 CLEANING MACHINE Alexander J. Duaei, Lombard, and Edward C. Van Cura, Brookfield, Ill.; said Van Cura assgnor to said Duaei Application February 7, 1938, Serial No. 189,154

4 Claims.

This invention relates to cleaning machines, more particularly to machines for cleaning the external surface of cylindrical objects, such as pipes, and has for its principal object the provision of a new and improved machine of this type.

It is the main object of the invention to provide a cleaning machine adapted to be used in conjunction with a pipe-coating machine.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a cleaning machine adapted to be readily adjusted for use in cleaning objects of different sizes.

Still another object of the invention lines in the provision of a cleaning machine that is of simple, rugged construction and capable of withstanding hard usage. Y

Still a further object of the invention lies in the provision of a cleaning machine that can be built and maintained at low cost.

Further objects of the invention not specically mentioned here will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the detailed description and claims that follow, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example and in which:

Figure l is an end elevational view of a machine embodying the teachings of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sideelevational view of the machine shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine, partly in section, taken substantially along the lines 3 3 of Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the adjusting mechanism;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; and,

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the bearing and Pipes that are tobeused underground to conduct protective coating is applied while the pipe is in lengths as received from the pipe mill.

Before the protective coating can be applied to a pipe the pipe must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all rust, scale and dirt that may be adhering to its surface and then a coat of primer must be applied to the pipe. Frequently the priming coat is applied at the pipe mill and the pipe then shipped to a coating mill where the protective coating is applied. This method of operation has certain disadvantages which arise from the fact that it frequently happens that the priming coat will be damaged in shipment and the damage must be repaired before the pipe can be coated. It is preferable, therefore, that the pipe be shipped from the pipe mill to the coating mill before the priming coat is applied and both the priming and protective coatings be put on at the coating mill.

When unprotected pipe is shipped and stored, preparatory to running through a coating mill, considerable time elapses between the time that the pipe was made and the time at which it is primed and coated, and as a result there is an appreciable coating of rust upon the pipe which must be removed before the priming and coating operations can be satisfactorily performed. The

present invention relates particularly to a machine for performing this operation, although, as will be apparent tovthose skilled in the art, the machine may be put to other uses within the teachings of the invention.

The prior patent of Mickelson & Duaei, 2,048,557 shows a pipe coating machine that is adapted to rotate and simultaneously move longitudinally pipe lengths or rods that are being coated. The machine of the present invention is adapted to be used in connection with a coating machine of this type although it may be used as a separate unit if desired.

The machine of the present invention consists essentially of a pair of pivoted arms in each of which is journalled an arbor upon which cleaning-` brushes or bufling wheels, or both, are mounted'. Driving means are provided for rotating the arbors in opposite directions and adjusting means are provided to move the arms on' their pivots, to bring the brushes into and out of engagement with -the pipes that are being cleaned. Since the coating machine of the type disclosed in the foregoing patentisl capable 4of handling a number of different sizes of pipe the adjusting mechanism of the cleaning machine must be capable of arranging`4 the vmachine to accommodate pipes of corresponding sizes;

As the pipe is rotated and simultaneously advanced the revolving brushes and buing means of the cleaning machine is moved over the exterior surface of the pipe to clean and burnish. the same thereby putting that surface in condition to receive the priming coat.

Preferably the brushes used in the cleaning machine are steel bristle circular brushes having bristles sufficiently stiff to remove from the pipe any rust, dirt or scale that may be adhering thereto.

The adjusting mechanism of the cleaning inachine includes tensioning means so that the tension of the brushes upon the pipe may be varied as required to insure that the surface of the pipe will be thoroughly cleaned.

It will be noted that the coating machine of the foregoing patent is provided with the side frame members or rails which extend from themachine in both directions and serve as tracks over which the pipe carriers are moved in the operation of the machine. The cleaning machine shown in the drawings herein, by way of example, is adapted to be supported upon these side frame members, although it will be appare ent that other supporting means may be provided within the teachings of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, particularly Figures 1 and 3, it will be noted that the side frame members of the coating machine shown in the foregoing patent are shown at I and 2 and consist of angle-irons, disposed in a substantially horizontal position. The framework of the cleaning machine consists of main frame members 3 and d which are angles extend ing between the rails I and 2 and are secured thereto in any preferred manner such as by bolts 5.

A plate B is secured to the undersides of the horizontal portions of the angle members 3 and 4, preferably by welding and extends between these members, the plate being centered upon the frame members and in the machine. A bar 'I extends parallel to the plate E on the median line of the machine and between the frame members 3 and 4, being fixed thereto preferably by welding.

Depending from the underside of the plate 5 at opposite ends thereof are end plates 8 and 9, best seen in Figure 2, which are secured to the plate I5, preferably by welding. The plates 8 and 9 are connected together at their lower free end by a cross-frame member I0 which is disposed substantially parallel to the plate 6. The framework thus formed constitutes a main framework or base for the cleaning machine upon which the instrumentalities of the machine are mounted, as will presently appear.

The frame members 3 and 4 of the machine are each provided with a pair of bearings and pivots, shown in detail in Figure 6. The pivot consists of a steel pipe-like bushing II, forced into a perforation in the vertical portion of the angle frame member and secured therein in any preferred manner such as by welding. The bearing member consists of a self-contained, self-aligning, ballbearing, comprising a cup-like housing I2, a stationary race I3, balls I4, and a movable race I5. Bearing assemblies of this type are a standard product available on the open market.

The housing I2 containsa flange which abuts against the Vertical portion of the angle 3 and is secured thereto by'bolts I 6, as best seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The bearing is located upon the frame member so that a shaft carried in the movable race will be concentric with the pivot sleeve I I.

As will be seen in Figures 1 and 3, two shafts, I'I and I8, are journalled in the framework and disposed parallel to each other and to the side rail members I and 2 of the coating machine.

Pivot sleeves II serve as supports for arms I9 which are generally A-shaped structures bifurcated at their free upper ends. Two such arms are provided, the one associated with the shaft Il and the other with the shaft I8.

Each arm I9 carries at its free end a pair of bearings` 20 and 2I which in the drawings are identical in structure with the bearing shown in detail in Figure 6 and serve as journals for an arbor 22. A sprocket wheel 23 is fixed upon the arbor 22' between the bifurcated ends of the arm and in alignment with a similar sprocket wheel 24, Figure 2, mounted upon the shaft I3. A driving chain 25 encircles the two sprocket wheels so that the arbor will be rotated in the same direction as the shaft I8. As shown in the drawings, sprocket wheels 23 and 24 have the saine number of teeth so that the arbor 22 will be driven at the same speed as the shaft I3. Obviously, the arbor may be driven at a speed different from that of the shaft I8 by providing sprocket wheels 23 and 24 which have different numbers of teeth.

Arbor 22 projects outwardly from bearings 29 and 2l and is threaded at its outer ends to receive nuts 26 and 21. A plurality of standard circular wire bristle brushes 28 are fitted over the arbor with spacing washers 29 therebetween and the assembly locked tight thereon by the nuts 26 and 2'1. Similar brushes may be Xed on the other end of the arbor, if desired, or buiiing wheels may be substituted therefor and secured to the arbor in the same manner.

The other arm I9 that is pivoted concentric with the shaft Il is of identical construction and need not be described in detail herein.

As will be seen in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the downwardly depending end plates 8 and 9 are each provided with two bearings 39 which are shown as identical with the bearings shown in detail in Figure 6. Shafts 3I and 32 are journalled in the framework by these bearings 3i) and are disposed parallel to and beneath shafts Il and I8. Shaft 3| carries a gear 33 which meshes with Ia similar gear 34 carried by shaft 32 so. that as the one shaft is driven it serves as a driver for the other shaft to rotate the latter in the opposite direction. As will be seen in Figure 2, shaft 32 carries a sprocket wheel 35 that is aligned with a sprocket Wheel 36 upon shaft I8, the two sprocket wheels being connected together by a driving chain 31 so that the shafts 32 and I 3 will be rotated in the same direction. As shown in the drawings, sprocket wheels 35 and 35 have the same number of teeth and the two shafts will, therefore, rotate at the same speed. As will be seen in Figure 2, shaft 32 also carries another sprocket Wheel Iaround which is threaded a driving chain 38 that is connected to a source of power for the machine. This source of power may be an electric motor or gasoline engine or other suitable source of power as required and has been omitted from the drawings to avoid an unnecessary complication.

Shaft 3| is connected to shaft il' in a similar manner by a chain 31' which encircles a sprocket wheel 35 on the shaft 3| and a sprocket wheel 36 on the shaft I T. Sprocket wheels 35 and 38' preferably have the same number of teeth as do sprockets 35 and 36.

From the foregoing,

it will be apparent that as the shaft 32 is driven through chain 38, shaft I8 and arbor 22 will be driven in the same direction and at the same speed and that through the operation of gears 33 and 34, shaft 3l, shaft I1 and the arbor connected thereto, will be driven in an opposite direction and at the same speed as the shaft 32.

It has been found that the cleaning brushes of the machine will do good work and have a satisfactory life when driven at about 1800 revolutions per minute. If the machine is driven by an electric motor having a full load speed of about 1'150 revolutions per minute, a 1-to-1 speed ratio gearing has been found to be satisfactory, and such ratio is used in the drawings. The speeds given here by way of example are, however, subject to change within theteachings of the invention. i

In order to hold arms I9 fixed with respect to their pivots and to move them around the axis of those pivots to adjust the machine, an adjusting means is provided. This consists of a main adjusting screw 40 that is up-standing from the plate 6 at the middle point of the plate, the screw being supported in a bushing 4I which extends through the plate 6 and is nested in a collar 42 welded to the underf'ace of the plate. The upper end of the screw 40 is collared as shown at 43 and the collar registered with a perforation in the cross-bar 1 of the frame. A toggle nut 44 is supported upon the thread of 40 and adapted to move 1 upwardly and downwardly of the machine as thev v screw 40 is rotated.

In order to rotate the screw a bevel gear 45 is fixed upon the lower end of the screw below the collar 42 and meshed with a similar bevel gear 46 that is fixed upon a shaft 41 Shaft 41 is journalled by a suitable bushing 48 disposed in thev cross-frame member I and extends outwardly tothe side of the machine as will be seen in Figure 1. The outer end of the shaft 41 is supported by plate 49, fixed upon the side frame member I, preferably by bolts. The outer end of the shaft 41 is equipped with a bevel gear 50 which meshes with a similar bevel gear I carried upon a shaft 52 that extends upwardly alongside the side rail I of the coating machine frame and is equipped with a hand wheel 53; suitable brackets 54 and 55 support the shaft 52, these brackets preferably being equipped with bushings composed of bronze or other low friction metal.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that by turning the hand wheel, adjusting screw 24 may be rotated to move the toggle-nut 44.

As will be seen in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, togglenut 44 carries a shaft 58 which serves as a support for one end of a pair of rods 59 and 60, which rods are secured thereto, preferably by set screws. Rods 59 and 60 extend through corresponding perforations in the arm I9 and are threaded at their free ends. The perforations in the arm I9 are countersunk to` provide seating surfaces for a round-nosed end of a nut 6I carried upon the rod 59, and a nut 62 carried upon the rod 60. The opposite face of the arm I8 is likewise countersunk to yprovide seats for the round-nosed collars 63 carried by the rods 59 and 60. A spring 64 encircles the rod 59 and is held thereon by nut 65 and a similar spring 66 encircles the rod 60 and is held thereon by a nut 61.

Toggle-nut 44 also supports a second shaft 68, to which a pair of rods 69 and 10 are secured and extended through the other arm I9 of the machine. The arrangement and purpose of rods 69 and is the same as the arrangement and purpose of rods 59 and 60,- and further explanation is not necessary.

The use of two rods engaging each of the arms I9 serves the dual purpose of holding the arms against movement around their pivots and also against warping. It will be apparent that as one of the cleaning means on the arms engages a pipe while the cleaning means on the other `end of the arbor is out of engagement therewith, there vwill be set up in the arms forces tending to rotate the arm around its longitudinal median line, that is at right angles to the pivotal axis. The pair of rods are spaced far enough apart to resist such forces and, therefore, reduce cross strains upon the pivots.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the toggle-nut 44 is stopped at the upper end of the adjusting screw 40 against the cross-bar 1, at which time arms I9 will be in substantially vertical position, being held there by nuts 6I and 62 and springs 64 and 66 engaging one of the arms and by the corresponding nuts and springs on the other arm. As the adjusting screw is turned to move togglenut 44 downwardly, arms I9 will be moved out of vertical position and inwardly of the machine to bring the brushes into engagement with a pipe that is to be cleaned. After the bristlesv of the brush have engaged the pipe, further movement of the adjusting screw will move rods 59, 60, 69 and 10 so as to back nuts 6I and 62 thereon away from the arms and to move collar 63 towards nuts to tension the springs 64 and 66 and the corresponding springs on rods 69 and 10, thereby regulating the tension of the bristles upon the Dlpe.

The amount of movement that arms I9 must make will, of course, depend upon the range of pipe sizes that the machine is designed to handle, this range being indicated by concentric circles 1I and 12, in Figure l. As shown in the drawings, the machine is proportioned so as to handle pipes from 3A; inch up to six inches inside diameter. Other sizes may be accommodated by suitable changes in the structure, within the teachings of the invention.

The cleaning machine thus formed may be used either in advance of or following the propelling mechanism of a coating machine, such as is shown in the above mentioned Patent 2,048,557. In either case, the pipe will be rotated about its own axis at uniform speed and simultaneously advanced a fixed distance per revolution longitudinally along said axis. The revolving brushes on the spindles of the cleaning machine will be brought into engagement with each unit area onthe surface of the pipe to clean that surface by removing all rust and foreign materials therefrom. When two sets of brushes are used on each arbor of the cleaning machine, each unit of area of the pipe surface will be worked on twice by the brushes. When one set of brushes ion each arbor is replaced by a set of buiiing wheels, the surface of the pipe will be buffed as well as brushed, so as to properly prepare it for priming and coating. In most instances, however, each arbor will carry two sets of brushes as bufiing a pipe is seldom necessary.

The rust, scale and foreign materials removed from the surface of the pipe form a ldust which may be abrasive and to guard the working parts of the machine therefrom, the chains, sprocket wheels and shafts are housed in suitable housings. Since the use of housings for this purpose is old and well understood by those skilled in the art. all protective housings havebeen omitted from the drawings to avoid unnecessary complications thereof.

Throughout the specication, the object being cleaned has been mentioned as being a pipe but it will be apparent that rods or any other cylindrical objects may equally well be cleaned in thetially cylindrical objects, a frame, a pair of arms disposed upon opposite sides of the objects being cleaned, pivot means mounting said arms on said frame, an arbor journalled in each one of said arms, cleaning means fixed upon each one of said arbors, means for driving said arbors and cleaning means, toggle means for adjusting said arms including rods extending through the arms, and

. spring means connecting said arrns to said rods and operable to permit said arms to move to permit said brushes to follow irregularities in the contour of the object being cleaned.

2. In a cleaning machine, a frame, a pair of symmetrical arms, pairs of pivots for mounting each of said arms upon the frame, an arbor journalled in the free end of each arm and extending therebeyond, cleaning means fixed upon each one of the projecting ends of said arbors, means located midway between said pairs of pivots for rotating said arbors and cleaning means, a pair of rods for each arm extending through the arm at points equi-distant from the median line of the arm, an adjusting screw journalled in said frame to which said rods are connected, and meansI connecting the rods to the arms to cause the adjusting screw to move the arms around said pivot means to adjust the arms.

3. In a cleaning machine, a frame, a shaft journalled in said frame, a pair of sleeves concentric with and spaced from said shaft and xed to said frame, an arm journalled on said sleeves, an arbor journalled in the free end of said arm for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of said shaft, driving means connecting said arbor to said shaft, cleaning means xed upon said arbor, a second shaft journalled in said frame for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of said rst shaft, a second pair of sleeves concentric with and spaced from said second shaft and xed to said frame, a second arm journalled on said second pair of sleeves, an arbor journalled in said second arm for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of said second shaft, driving means connecting sai-d second arbor to said second shaft, cleaning means xed on said second arbor, means on said frame for rotating said rst and second shafts in opposite directions thereby to rotate said cleaning means, and means on said frame engaging said arms between said sleeves and said arbors for rotating the arms in opposite directions around said pairs of sleeves to adjust said arms.

4. In a cleaning machine, a frame, a pair of arms pivoted to said frame for rotation about parallel axes, rotatable cleaning means mounted upon said arms, means for rotating said cleaning arms, an adjusting screw journalled in said frame, a collar threaded on said screw, a pair of threaded rods pivoted to said collar and extending through one of said arms, a second pair of threaded rods pivoted on said collar and extending through the second one of said arms, threaded collars on said rods engaging one face of the arm through which the rods extend, collars on said rods engaging the other face of the arm through which the rods extend, springs engaging said last mentioned collars, nuts on said rods for adjusting the tension of said springs, and means for rotating said screw thereby to move said arms to bring said cleaning means into and out of engagement with the work being cleaned.

ALEXANDER J. DUAEI. EDWARD C. VAN CURA.

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