U.S. patent application number 10/267161 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-27 for washing and recycling unit and method for on-site washing of heavy machinery.
Invention is credited to Mathieu, Christian.
Application Number | 20030037805 10/267161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4166778 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030037805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mathieu, Christian |
February 27, 2003 |
Washing and recycling unit and method for on-site washing of heavy
machinery
Abstract
A washing and recycling unit for on-site washing of heavy
machinery. The unit has a supporting frame onto which is mounted a
washing liquid storage link. A washing hose arrangement connected
to the tank injects washing liquid over the heavy machinery. A
drainage receptacle positioned under the heavy machinery collects
used liquid mixture falling from the heavy machinery. The used
liquid mixture is sucked up with a suction hose connected to a
cyclone which separates rough solids from liquids. A pump filtering
arrangement recycles liquid from a settling tank under the cyclone
by pumping it out, filtering it and transferring it into the
washing liquid storage tank. A hoisting system mounted onto the
supporting frame is used to movably support an operator directing
the washing liquid around the heavy machinery.
Inventors: |
Mathieu, Christian;
(Normandin, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
Post Office Box 5257
New York
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Family ID: |
4166778 |
Appl. No.: |
10/267161 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10267161 |
Oct 9, 2002 |
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09899719 |
Jul 5, 2001 |
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6481448 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
134/10 ; 134/107;
134/109; 134/172; 134/182 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 2103/44 20130101;
B66F 11/046 20130101; C02F 2201/008 20130101; B08B 2203/0258
20130101; B08B 3/026 20130101; C02F 1/283 20130101; B08B 17/00
20130101; B60S 3/00 20130101; C02F 1/36 20130101; C02F 1/444
20130101; C02F 1/78 20130101; C02F 1/38 20130101; C02F 1/44
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/10 ; 134/107;
134/109; 134/172; 134/182 |
International
Class: |
C23G 001/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 5, 2000 |
CA |
2,314,542 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A washing and recycling unit for on-site washing of heavy
machinery, comprising: a supporting frame; a washing liquid storage
tank mounted onto the supporting frame for storage of washing
liquid; a washing hose arrangement connected to the tank, for
injecting the washing liquid over the heavy machinery; a drainage
receptacle adapted to extend under the heavy machinery, for
collecting used liquid mixture falling from the heavy machinery
derived from the washing liquid being injected thereover; a suction
hose arrangement for sucking up the used liquid mixture from the
drainage receptacle; a cyclone mounted onto the supporting frame
and connected to the suction hose arrangement for receiving the
used liquid mixture and separating rough solids from liquids
contained in the used liquid mixture; a settling tank mounted onto
the supporting frame and under the cyclone; a pump and filtering
arrangement mounted onto the supporting frame and extending between
the settling tank and the washing liquid storage tank for pumping
out and filtering liquid from the settling tank and transferring
the liquid into the washing liquid storage tank; and a hoisting
means mounted onto the supporting frame, for movably supporting an
operator directing the washing liquid around the heavy
machinery.
2. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein the
washing hose arrangement comprises a heater for heating the washing
liquid prior to injection over the heavy machinery.
3. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein the
washing hose arrangement comprises a reel mounted onto the
supporting frame, and a hose wound around the reel.
4. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 3, wherein the
washing hose arrangement comprises an additional reel mounted onto
the supporting frame and an additional hose mounted onto additional
reel.
5. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein the
drainage receptacle comprises: impermeable ground strips with
peripheral liquid retaining flanges for installation on sides and
beneath the heavy machinery; and cover strips for installation over
wheels of the heavy machinery to deflect the used liquid mixture
over the ground strips.
6. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 5, wherein the
ground and cover strips are made of a flexible and resilient
material.
7. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein the
suction hose arrangement comprises a hose connected to the
cyclone.
8. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein the
cyclone is provided with a vacuum pump producing suction in the
suction hose, and a strainer extending between the cyclone and the
settling tank.
9. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, further
comprising a sewage tank mounted onto the supporting frame and
connected to the settling tank, for storing sewage from the
settling tank.
10. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein
the pump and filtering arrangement comprises an ultrasonic micro
strainer connected to a over-pressure pump connected to a
nano-filtration module connected to an odor filter.
11. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 10, wherein
the pump and filtering arrangement further comprises a drain
connected to the ultrasound filter and the nano-filtration
module.
12. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein
the hoisting means comprises a crane having a base attached onto
the supporting frame, and a movable beam.
13. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 12, wherein
the hoisting means further comprises a basket attached at an end of
the boom for carrying the operator.
14. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 12, wherein
the hoisting means further comprises an elongated rail pivotally
attached at an end of the boom, and a safety harness movably hanged
to the rail for following the operator around the heavy
machinery.
15. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 14, wherein
the harness is provided with a reel sliding under the rail and a
belt adjustably wound around the reel.
16. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, wherein
the supporting frame forms a structural part of a mobile unit.
17. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 16, wherein
the mobile unit is a truck.
18. The washing and recycling unit according to claim 1, further
comprising a control panel mounted onto the supporting frame for
controllably operating the washing hose arrangement, the cyclone,
the pump and filtering arrangement and the hoist.
19. A method of on-site washing of heavy machinery, comprising
steps of: placing a drainage receptacle under the heavy machinery
for collecting used liquid mixture falling from the heavy
machinery; injecting washing liquid over the heavy machinery using
a washing hose arrangement connected to a washing liquid storage
tank; sucking up the used liquid mixture from the drainage
receptacle using a suction hose arrangement connected to a cyclone
separating rough solids from liquids contained in the used liquid
mixture, the cyclone extending over a settling tank; and pumping
out and filtering liquid from the settling tank and transferring
the liquid into the washing liquid storage tank.
20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising step of:
moving an operator directing the washing liquid around the heavy
machinery using a basket attached to a crane.
21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising step of:
harnessing an operator directing the washing liquid around the
heavy machinery to a rail pivotally attached to a crane.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a washing and recycling
unit and a method for on-site washing of heavy machinery. The unit
may be mobile or fixed at the site and is particularly useful for
washing forestry equipment, such as tractors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Forestry vehicles and machinery usually become very dirty
with mud, motor oil, hydraulic oil, grease and/or other flammable
contaminants. If these are not properly washed on a regular basis,
there is a risk that the contaminants may suddenly ignite, leading
to the destruction of these expensive equipment or even causing
devastating forest fires. For that reason, insurance companies
particularly require that forest vehicles be washed regularly to
reduce the risks is associated with this kind of fire hazard.
[0003] The traditional method of washing forestry equipment
consists of using a hose connected to a pump that is supplied by a
fire hydrant, a pressurized washer or a nearby stream or river.
[0004] One of the major disadvantages of the traditional method
resides in the contamination of the environment as the dirty wash
water spills on the ground and infiltrates into rivers and lakes.
Furthermore, the traditional method uses of large amounts of water,
typically around 300 to 350 liters.
[0005] Another method of washing forestry vehicles is to wait for a
time period where the machine is not in use and take it to a garage
where it is washed with pressurized jet stream of water. However,
such a method uses enormous amounts of fresh water, typically
around 9000 liters. Furthermore, there is no recycling of the used
water and contaminants washed off the forestry vehicles eventually
end up in sewer systems. Also, as this washing of the machine
cannot be done regularly on the forest site, this increases the
chances of fire hazard and of polluting the environment.
[0006] Commercial car and truck washing has become a focus of
public concern and government regulation recently over the disposal
of used wash water into municipal sewer systems or directly into
the ground. The combination of oil, water, soap, dirt and other
chemicals in the used wash water can be harmful to the environment
if allowed to drain into a sewer or seep into the earth.
[0007] Known in the art are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,669,982 and 5,560,782
(LATIMER), which show mobile washers for washing cars, trucks and
other types of machinery on site. These washers are equipped with
water treatment systems. Typically the trucks are self-sufficient
in that they contain all the equipment needed for the cleaning
purposes, for instance, water reservoir, soap injector, sprayers,
hoses, a nacelle or carriage and a drainage receptacle. During the
washing, the used water is drained onto the drainage receptacle and
forwarded back inside the washer in order to be recycled. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,423,339 (LATIMER) shows an apparatus for treating articles
with wash water. A wash pad made of three unconnected portions (one
center portion and two side portions) is used.
[0008] The water treatment systems taught by LATIMER are however
not adapted to clean grease and hydrocarbon contaminants; they are
intended to remove sand or salt particles. The efficiency of the
recycling process is therefore limited, and more clean water is
required, which may be inconvenient in remote places where no or
little water is available. Furthermore, no pads are provided for
covering the wheels of the vehicle. Hence, the polluted water
falling on the wheels directly seeps in the ground, which is
damageable for the environment.
[0009] One of the problems encountered in washing forestry or heavy
vehicles is the danger that is posed to an operator who directs his
washing hose toward the vehicle as he or she climbs thereon with
the possible consequence of falling, causing grave injuries or even
death.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a water
recycling unit that is designed to maximize the recycling of the
water used for washing machinery and to minimize water losses.
[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
water recycling unit which is safer to operate when the operator
climbs onto the machinery to be washed.
[0012] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
water recycling unit which highly decontaminates the used liquid
falling off dirty machinery.
[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a
washing and recycling unit for on-site washing of heavy machinery,
comprising:
[0014] a supporting frame;
[0015] a washing liquid storage tank mounted onto the supporting
frame for storage of washing liquid;
[0016] a washing hose arrangement connected to the tank, for
injecting the washing liquid over the heavy machinery;
[0017] a drainage receptacle adapted to extend under the heavy
machinery, for collecting used liquid mixture falling from the
heavy machinery derived from the washing liquid being injected
thereover;
[0018] a suction hose arrangement for sucking up the used liquid
mixture from the drainage receptacle;
[0019] a cyclone mounted onto the supporting frame and connected to
the suction hose arrangement for receiving the used liquid mixture
and separating rough solids from liquids contained in the used
liquid mixture;
[0020] a settling tank mounted onto the supporting frame and under
the cyclone;
[0021] a pump and filtering arrangement mounted onto the supporting
frame and extending between the settling tank and the washing
liquid storage tank for pumping out and filtering liquid from the
settling tank and transferring the liquid into the washing liquid
storage tank; and
[0022] a hoisting means mounted onto the supporting frame, for
movably supporting an operator directing the washing liquid around
the heavy machinery.
[0023] According to the present invention, there is also provided a
method of on-site washing of heavy machinery, comprising steps
of:
[0024] placing a drainage receptacle under the heavy machinery for
collecting used liquid mixture falling from the heavy
machinery;
[0025] injecting washing liquid over the heavy machinery using a
washing hose arrangement connected to a washing liquid storage
tank;
[0026] sucking up the used liquid mixture from the drainage
receptacle using a suction hose arrangement connected to a cyclone
separating rough solids from liquids contained in the used liquid
mixture, the cyclone extending over a settling tank; and
[0027] pumping out and filtering liquid from the settling tank and
transferring the liquid into the washing liquid storage tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The invention as well as its numerous advantages will be
better understood by the following non-restrictive description of
preferred embodiments made in reference to the appending drawings
in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a side view of a washing and recycling vehicle
with a crane supporting operators holding water pistols for on-site
washing of a tractor according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of the washing and recycling
vehicle and the washing range provided by pivoting rails supported
by the crane shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is side view of the pivoting rails and harnesses
supporting the operators shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of circled portion A shown in
FIG. 3;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a circled portion B shown in
FIG. 3;
[0034] FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views of a washing and recycling
vehicle according to the present invention, with its crane in
extended and retracted positions respectively;
[0035] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are, respectively, top and opposite side
section views of a vehicle provided with a washing and recycling
unit according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a top view of a drainage receptacle according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0037] FIGS. 12 and 13 are, respectively, schematic side and top
views showing liquid flow through main elements of the washing and
recycling unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a washing and
recycling unit 1 for on-site washing of heavy machinery according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, the heavy machinery may be a tractor vehicle 3 with a
felling head, but those skilled in the art will understand that
articles other than forestry equipment may be washed using the
washing and recycling unit 1 of the present invention. In
particular, heavy machinery can include industrial or railroad
machines, transportation vehicles, mining equipment, etc.
[0039] The washing and recycling unit 1 can be placed on a truck 5,
thus facilitating its transportation in and around forest sites.
The truck 5 may be provided with a closed container 7 mounted on a
supporting frame 21, wherein some of the washing equipment is
housed. The truck may also be provided with retractable stabilizing
legs 22.
[0040] The truck 5 may be further provided with a reel 23 where a
flexible drainage receptacle is wound. A preferred drainage
receptacle 25 used with the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 11.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 11, the preferred drainage receptacle 25
of the present invention is made of three individual ground strips
27 that are elongated and generally rectangular in shape. The
ground strips 27 are made of impermeable material that allows
collecting the used water for recycling purposes. Each of the
strips 27 has peripheral flanges which may be inflatable. Two
individual generally rectangular cover strips 29 are preferably
further provided, for installation over each pair of side wheels
respectively of the vehicle to be washed, thereby allowing water
falling over the cover strips 29 to be directed onto the ground
strips 27. Preferably, the ground strips 27 and the cover strips 29
are made of a resilient and flexible material, which may be
vinyl.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 12, a more simpler drainage
receptacle 31 may be used as well. Such type of draining receptacle
is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,339 (LATIMER).
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the truck 5 is further provided
with a hoisting system mounted onto the supporting frame 21 of the
truck 5, for movably supporting an operator over and around the
heavy machinery to be washed. The hoisting system may consist of a
retractable crane 33 with a telescopic boom 35 at the end of which
an operator is suspended for washing the machinery. The end of the
boom 35 may further support a basket 37 designed to carry an
operator. The hoisting system may be provided with pivoting rails
39 that can be either connected to the bottom of the basket 37 as
shown in the figures or directly connected to the boom 35.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown the washing and
recycling unit 1 mounted the truck 5 with its crane 33 in extended
and retracted positions respectively.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the pivoting rails 39 are
detachably connected to a pivot 41 having a cushion or shock
absorber 43, spacers 45, and a holding pin 47. A safety belt reel
49 is slidably mounted on a cable 51, which is attached at each end
40 of a rail 39. A nylon belt 53 is wound inside the reel 49 at one
end thereof and has another end attached to the back hook 55 of a
harness 57 secured on an operator 59 holding a water hose pistol
61.
[0046] In use, the operator 59 can freely move along the radial
axis defined by the pivoting rail 39. As shown in FIG. 2, the
operator 59 can thus move anywhere inside a circle 63 defined by
the length of the pivoting rail 39. Furthermore, the harness 57 and
safety belt 53 allow the operator to slowly move up and down on top
of machinery to be washed. However, if for any reason the operator
falls, especially if the surface of the machinery is slippery, the
safety belt blocks the operator's fall immediately just the same as
a car safety belt would do.
[0047] In order to reinforce the strength of the pivoting rails 39
and pivot 41, a pair of cables 65 may be positioned between an end
67 of each pivoting rail 39 and the top 69 of the basket 37.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown the main washing
components that are carried inside the container 7. For the comfort
and autonomy of its users, the container 7 may be provided with
such commodities as a stove 9, kitchen table 11, washroom 13, side
windows 15, access doors 17, which are all generally disposed on
one side of the container 7. An electric control panel 103 is also
providing for controlling the main elements of the washing and
recycling unit 1.
[0049] The main elements of the washing and recycling unit 1 are
located on the other side of the container 7, which are easily
accessible through stairs 19. The container 7 houses a washing
liquid storage tank 71 for storage of washing liquid. The storage
tank 71 is connected to a washer 73 which may be electric,
hydraulic or fuel generated. The washer 73 has a pump for pumping
the liquid out of the storage tank 71 and preferably a heater to
heat the liquid in order to obtain a better wash.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 12, the washer 73 is connected to one or
more hoses 75, each of which is wound on a supporting reel 77. The
drainage receptacle 31 collects the used liquid mixture falling off
the washed machinery. A suction hose 79 sucks up the used liquid
mixture from the drainage receptacle 31. Drainage conduits (not
shown) connecting each sections of the drainage receptacle 31 to
the hose 79 can be used if desired. This suction hose 79 is
connected to a vacuum pump 81 and cyclone 83. The cyclone 83
receives the used liquid mixture and separates rough solids from
liquids contained in the used liquid mixture. A settling tank 85 is
disposed under the cyclone 83 and a strainer 84 extends
therebetween. The rough solids tend go to the bottom of the
settling tank 85 and into a sewage tank 87, which can be
periodically emptied. The settling tank 85 may be provided with
movable vertical plates (not shown) for accelerating the settling
of the solids at the bottom of the settling tank 85. These vertical
plates may be operated manually by an operator or can function
automatically. Surface oils may be also be removed by means of an
absorbing material.
[0051] A pneumatic, a diaphragm or electrical pump can be used
instead of the vacuum pump 81 but these are generally not strong
enough for the present purposes and these also tend to clog up.
Therefore, the use of a vacuum pump and a cyclone is more efficient
than just using the settling tank 85 because of the advantageous
use of the centrifugal forces in the cyclone 83.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 13, a suction pump 89 is
connected to the settling tank 85 for pumping the used liquid into
a series of filters 86 that can be modified or removed depending on
the particular tolerances required. The first of such filters is an
ultrasonic micro strainer 91. A preferred ultrasonic micro strainer
for use with the present invention is the USCMS 2619 (trade mark)
ultrasonic micro strainer by Aquarius Services & Technologies
Inc. of Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada. This strainer provides
highly efficient solids-liquid separation of particles as small as
50 microns and self-cleaning through the action of mechanically
generated ultra-sound. The ultrasonic strainer 91 may be connected
to a drain 93 for performing backwash cleaning thereof. The
ultrasonic strainer 91 is connected to an overpressure pump 95,
which in turn is connected to another cyclone 97 and to a
nano-filtration module 99. The drain 93 is shown connected to both
the ultrasonic micro strainer 91 and the nano-filtration module 99.
The nano-filtration module 99 is provided with a membrane, which
reduces the concentration of particles to less than 33 ppm. An odor
filter 101 may be provided after the nano-filtration module 99.
This filter 101 may provide an ozone treatment to the used water in
order to destroy bacteria that can block the passages and create
bad odors. The cleaned water then returns back to the washing
liquid storage tank 71, completing the closed circuit recycling
process. It also preferable to add some products during the
filtration stage, to stabilize the pH for example, which are later
removed by doing a backwash operation of the drain 93, as these
added products do not return to the storage tank 71. In order to
stabilize the pH to about 6.5, sodium carbonate may be added
automatically. Many types of filters may be provided as well, such
as sand filters, activated coal filters, or the like, depending on
particular applications and desired water purity.
[0053] The washing and recycling unit 1 preferably requires three
operators: two operators for washing the machinery with pressurized
jets and a third operator supervising the operations and surveying
the system. The washing of the machinery is preferably done on a
road having a slight slope for facilitating the water flow, and
near the forest site for forestry machinery. The drainage
receptacle ground strips 27 are put on the ground and their side
flanges may be inflated with an air compressor. The washing
operation is mainly focused on the motor, the cabin, the hydraulic
pump, the gearbox, the electric panel and connections, and the
radiator of the forestry vehicle. The washing of these main parts
of the forestry vehicle removes oil, grease, mud and other residues
that can lead to a heat build up or fire in the forestry
vehicles.
[0054] Actual washing of a forestry vehicle takes about 35 minutes
including 20 minutes of continuous water flow at 45, 5 liters per
minute (10 gallons per minute). The total water consumption is thus
about 908 liters for a regular vehicle and can be as much as 1800
liters for a bigger vehicle such as a tractor with a felling head.
The washing of a forestry vehicle produces an average of 20 liters
of solid contaminants in the sewage tank. The total water contained
in the present system is about 6360 liters (1400 gallons) and the
settling tank capacity is about 1360 liters.
[0055] Water losses amount to about 45 to 50 liters per washed
machine. These losses are due to the water evaporation in the
heater (2%), to losses due to water splashing outside of the
drainage receptacle (1%), to losses due to water mixing with the
contaminants and trapped in the machine (7%).
[0056] The washing of a machine using a traditional indoor garage
takes height hours including 50 minutes of continuous water flow
per hour. With a washer providing 22.7 liters per hour, this
corresponds to a total consumption of 9080 liters. An average of
100 liters of solid contaminants are produced.
[0057] In contrast, if two washing and recycling units of the
present invention are used instead during 2.5 hours of continuous
water flow with a water reserve of 6800 liters, there will be only
losses of about 841 liters (5%) for the same reasons as above
compared to the 9080 liters of the traditional garage system.
[0058] The washing and recycling unit of the present invention has
the advantage of eliminating contaminants in recycled water well
below 33 ppm. Furthermore, the hoisting system of the washing and
recycling unit allows the operators to wash the vehicles more
thoroughly and safely.
[0059] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to these precise embodiments and that various changes and
modifications may be effected therein without departing from the
scope or spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *