GB808885A - Improvements in or relating to methods for automatically washing articles and apparatus for use therein - Google Patents

Abstract

808,885. Cleaning metal articles. AJEM LABORATORIES Inc.. Nov. 15, 1955 [Dec. 20, 1954], No. 32647/55. Class 82(2) [Also in Group XXIII] In a method of and apparatus for automatically washing articles (e.g. V- or Y- shaped engine blocks) the articles substantially uniformly spaced one behind another are moved in stecs along a generally straight line path, each article being stopped for a period of time at each of a series of uniformly spaced stations along the paths, and during that time period the articles that arrive at a plurality of predetermined adjacent stations of said series are simultaneously revolved whilst being subjected to high pressure streams of cleaning fluid. Furthermore, the articles having internal openings, during the said time period another one of the articles at a station different from the said plurality is nicked up and inverted and internally flushed by fluid jets conveyed in through said internal openings. Gas (e.g. air) at high pressure may be mixed with said fluid jets; also during said time period said plurality of articles is revolved a substantial part of a full revolution and back again. . Articles 22 are carried through the series of stations 1 to 20 by a transfer mechanism 60 made up of parts 62, 64, 68 and actuated by the hydraulic cylinder 24. Through limit switch controls known in the art the articles are caused to pause at each station where they are in turn washed externally and/or internally or drained or dried &c. before being passed forward to the next station; and so on to the final station 20. Carried intermittently along rails 26 by pivoted dogs 86 the articles are rolled over through nearly 360 degrees and back again by motor 160 and carriage 40 at each of the four stations 4 to 7 in the roll-over stage 36 whilst simultaneously being washed by high-pressure jets supplied from pumps 128, 130 via manifolds 138, 140 and the hollow supports 118 to nozzles 120. At the " flop-over " and mandrel flushing stage 38 the articles are washed again externally at stations 10, 12 and inverted as well as internally flushed at stations 11, 13. At these flop-over stations cradles 170 with C-shaped end frames 172, 174 to carry the blocks 22 are rotatable about axis 176 (Figs. 8, 9) by hydraulic motor 188 to invert the blocks. The pump 1194 supplies wash liquid via the hollow frame manifold to sprays 168 (station 12). Mandrels 204, 206, which may be at any angle but are shown horizontal, are inserted at stages 11, 13 into openings in the turned-over articles (e.g. through crankshaft and camshaft openings), being carried back and forth on a trolley 208 actuated by hydraulic cylinder 226 and shaft- 228. Wash liquid for the mandrels is supplied from a suitable source via a 2-way valve 258 actuated by rotation of the arm 260 by the cam 262 or frame 172, and hoses 236, 238; high pressure air is also supplied coaxially to the mandrels via hoses 240, 242. The framework 170 may be inverted, the jaws 178, 180 (on the right of Fig. 9) being uppermost, for articles necessitating same. Articles 22 then move to further flop-over stations 14, 15 where they drain, and finally to drying stations 16-19 where they are treated with hot air jets from blower 54. Specifications 724,617 [Group XXIX] and 754,585 [Group XXVI] are referred to.