Abstract:
An industrial parts cleaning system including immersion and spraying which provides epicyclic parts movement (a plurality of revolutions per rotation, wherein the revolution is supersposed the rotation), rotating spray which synchronously follows the parts rotation, and a purge system for evacuating from the common plumbing the respective wash or rinse solution of a current cycle before commencement of the next cycle. The cleaning system includes, a housing, a rinse tank for holding rinse solution, a wash tank for hiding wash solution, a process tank, a parts carrier including at least one support frame for supportably receiving parts to be cleaned, an epicycloidic drive mechanism for providing a plurality of revolutions per rotation of each support frame, a central spray system for providing rotatively synchronous spray onto each respective support frame, plumbing for selectively interconnecting the rinse tank, wash tank, process tank and the central spray system, a source of heating for the wash solution and the rinse solution, an air dry nozzle array, a source of pressurized air for the nozzle array, and a purge system for purging the common plumbing between cycles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/249,285, filed on Feb. 10, 1999, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,450. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to cleaning systems used in industrial settings for, typically, the cleaning of parts after manufacturing processes have been completed. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Cleaning of parts is an essential step in the manufacturing process. For example, during the manufacture and machining of parts, surfaces of the parts may retain coatings of industrial chemicals, and/or the parts may have geometries which harbor chips or other solid debris. In order to clean parts of coatings and debris, cleaning systems are utilized. In a typical cleaning machine, a wash, rinse and dry cycle are provided. During the wash cycle a pressurized wash solution is sprayed forcefully onto the parts, and the parts are also passed periodically through a bath of the wash solution. During the rinse cycle, the parts are sprayed with a rinse solution and passed through a bath of the rinse solution. During the drying cycle, the parts are subjected to blowing of air. Some prior art cleaning systems are known to incorporate filtration for the wash and rinse cycles and to have programmable controller (referred to most often, and referred to herein, as “CPU”, and sometimes as “PLC”) control of the cycling. These cleaning systems are also known to provide parts basket rotation. 
     Unfortunately, multi-basket prior art cleaning systems suffer from a fixed location spray head assembly which only effectively cleans the parts closest thereto. Therefore, any particular part is cleaned best only periodically when the basket rotates past the spray head assembly, and, unfortunately, the spray directly strikes the same side of the basket each time as this side passes the spray head assembly with each revolution. These cleaning systems further suffer from single cyclic rotary movement of the baskets which tends to limit the efficacy of passage through the bath, be that the wash solution or the rinse solution. Lastly, these cleaning systems suffer from cross-feed of the wash and rinse solutions due to remnants thereof remaining in the common plumbing lines when cycling is undertaken. Accordingly, the wash tank will become diluted in time, and, in time, the rinse tank will become contaminated by the wash solution, resulting in frequent solutions changing. Cross-solution contamination necessitates changing before the solution would have otherwise failed in use without cross-contamination occurring. 
     Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is a cleaning system which provides simultaneous epicycloidic (multi-cyclic) movement of the parts to be cleaned, rotating spray which synchronously follows the rotation of the parts, and a purge system for vacating solution the from the common plumbing of a current cycle before commencement of the next cycle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an industrial parts cleaning system including immersion and spraying which provides epicyclic parts movement (a plurality of revolutions per rotation), rotating spray which synchronously follows the parts rotation, and a purge system for evacuating from the common plumbing the respective wash or rinse solution of a current cycle before commencement of the next cycle. 
     The cleaning system according to the present invention includes, generally, a housing, a rinse tank for holding-rinse solution, a wash tank for holding wash solution, a process tank, a parts carrier including at least one support frame for supportably receiving parts to be cleaned, an epicycloidic drive mechanism for providing a plurality of revolutions per rotation of each support frame, a central spray system for providing rotatively synchronous spray onto each respective support frame, plumbing for selectively interconnecting the rinse tank, wash tank, process tank and the central spray system, a source of heating for the wash solution and the rinse solution, an air dry nozzle array, a source of pressurized air for the nozzle array, and a purge system for purging the common plumbing between cycles. 
     The parts carrier and epicycloidic drive mechanism are characterized as follows. 
     A hollow support shaft is nonrotatably connected with the sidewalls of the process tank, wherein left and right end orifices thereof are connected, respectively, to the plumbing. The support shaft is provided with a plurality of holes regularly spaced along its length. A hollow driven shaft is concentrically centered on and mounted to the support shaft by a pair of sleeve bearings whereby the driven shaft is rotatable with respect to the support shaft. 
     A prime mover, such as an electric motor and a gear reduction drive unit therefor, has a drive gear situated on a side of the process tank. A driven gear is gearingly interfaced with the drive gear and is fixedly mounted to the driven shaft, whereby when the prime mover is actuated, the driven shaft responsively rotates. At the opposite end of the driven shaft is a sun gear fixedly mounted with respect to the sidewall of the process tank in concentric relation to the support shaft. 
     The parts carrier includes at least one support frame, preferably three, which interfaces with removable parts holders, such as for example baskets. Each parts carrier further includes right and left connector plates which are fixedly connected in a radially disposed relation to the driven shaft. Each support frame is rotatably connected at either end to the right and left connector plates. One end of each support frame, opposite the drive and driven gears, is provided with a fixedly connected planetary gear which is gearingly interfaced with the sun gear. Accordingly, when the prime mover is actuated, the driven shaft rotates, each support frame rotates with the rotation of the driven shaft, and as a result of the sun-planetary interaction, also simultaneously revolves on the axis of its respective planetary gear, thereby providing an epicycloidic movement of each support frame. 
     The central spray system is characterized as follows. 
     The support shaft receives rinse or wash solution into the central chamber thereof and the pressure thereof causes passage through the plurality of holes and into the annular chamber formed between the support and driven shafts. With the annular chamber pressurized by the solution, the solution vigorously sprays radially outwardly through axially arranged sets of regularly spaced spray apertures which are disposed so as to radially face each support frame. For example, where there are three support frames, which is preferred, each support frame is provided with a respective set of spray apertures. 
     Accordingly, when the plumbing system is delivering either wash or rinse solution into the process tank, a bath of the solution has been provided and the epicycloidic drive mechanism is actuated, the support frames are periodically immersed in the bath and the solution sprays out through the sets of spray apertures continuously upon its respectively facing support frame, wherein the spray encounters all sides axially as each support frame revolves (and, consequently, whatever parts are supported by the support frames). 
     As a result of the epicycloidic movement of the support frames, the parts are continually jostling with each other, while being constantly exposed to solution spray, and a rotating/revolving movement through the solution bath is provided, the combination of which providing superb cleaning of the parts carried by the support frame. 
     Further, upon conclusion of either the rinse or wash cycles, pressurized air is selectively introduced into the common plumbing to force solution of the former cycle back toward its respective tank, prior to commencement of the next cycle. Accordingly, there is no mixing of the rinse and wash solutions during cycle change, and, therefore, the wash and rinse solutions have a maximal extended lifetime before changing is necessitated by contamination from the parts (as opposed to being necessitated because of solution cross-contamination). 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning system, wherein parts being cleaned are subjected to an epicycloidic movement which combines rotation with revolution. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cleaning system wherein solution is continuously sprayed upon each part carrier in a synchronized manner. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cleaning system wherein the plumbing is purged between cycles to thereby prevent cross-solution contamination. 
     These, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention, wherein the portal door is shown closed. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the. present invention, wherein the portal door is shown open. 
     FIG. 3 is a partly sectional end view of the portal door and its associated mounting hardware. 
     FIG. 4 is a partly broken-away top plan view of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention, showing in particular the solution heating and air dry systems. 
     FIG. 5 is a right side view of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention, showing in particular a portion of the wash plumbing. 
     FIG. 6 is a left side view of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention, showing in particular a portion of the rinse plumbing. 
     FIG. 7 is a partly sectional view of the rotational drive train of the epicycloidic drive mechanism of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a partly sectional, partly broken-away view of the revolutional drive train of the epicycloidic drive mechanism of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a partly sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, at a just preceding rotational position. 
     FIG. 10 is a partly sectional front view of the epicycloidic cleaning system at the process tank thereof, generally showing the parts carrier, the epicycloidic drive mechanism, and the central spray system. 
     FIG. 11 is a partly sectional, partly broken-away, end view of the parts carrier of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  are partly sectional views of the support frame of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention, showing in particular a preferred clasp mechanism thereof. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic of the cycles and stages of operation in relation to the active components associated respectively therewith of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a plumbing schematic of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 15 a  and  15   b  are collectively an electrical schematic of the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the Drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 show elevational views of the epicycloidic cleaning system  100  according to the present invention. The epicycloidic cleaning system  100  includes a housing  102  which is preferably composed of stainless steel The housing  102  provides structural mounting and placement, as well as protection, for the various components, mechanisms, and systems of the epicyclic cleaning system  100 . A plurality of access covers  102   a  are provided in the housing  102  for accessing selected components having potential for periodic inspection and/or service, such as for example, valves, electronics, filters, etc. 
     The front end  104  of the housing  102  is characterized by a main portal  106  which is selectively coverable by a see-through portal door  108 . When open, as shown at FIG. 2, the main portal  106  provides a service entry into a process tank  110  whereat parts  112  to be cleaned are retained on a parts carrier  114  via at least one support frame  116 . In this regard, it is preferred for selectively openable enclosures in the form of open-wire baskets  118  to collectively restrain the parts  112 , and for the baskets to be securely received in a removable manner with respect to the support frame  116 . It is preferred for each of three support frames  116  to retain two baskets  118 , but the number of support frames  116  and number of baskets  118  supported on each support frame may be otherwise. 
     A control button bank  120  (including burner control, master start, power on, auto cycle, end cycle, master stop, and auto selector), and a multi-menu touch screen  122  for operator input of instructions to a CPU  126  (see FIG. 5 a ) are provided on the housing  102 . A remote, free standing operator button station  124  is also preferably provided which requires, as a safety feature, two-handed involvement in order to press buttons to cause actuation of the epicycloidic cleaning system  100  and to effect actuation of the portal door  108 . The control button bank  120 , the touch screen  122 , and the button station  124  are electrically connected to the CPU  126  for providing computer directed control of the active components associated with each operational stage of the epicycloidic cleaning system  100 , as will be detailed hereinbelow. 
     A pressure gauge  128  is mounted to the housing  102  to provide an indication of the solution pressure within the plumbing  168  (see FIG. 14) during operation of the epicycloidic cleaning system  100 . 
     A loading platform  132  is preferably provided which is pivotally mounted to the housing  102  at the main portal  106 , which serves as an aid for loading and unloading the baskets  118  and their respectively restrained parts  112 . 
     The main portal  106  is selectively openable by the portal door  108  being raised and lowered slidably with respect to a portal frame  134  of the housing  102  via a clevis-type linkage  136  pivotally connected to an arm  138 , which is, in turn, raised and lowered by actuation of a pneumatic portal door actuator  140  (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ). An example of a preferred pneumatic portal door actuator  140  is an 8′ stroke clevis mount air cylinder manufactured by Fabco. 
     The portal door  108  includes a clear panel  108 ′, preferably composed of one-half inch thick Lexan, and further includes a stainless steel portal door frame  108 ″ at the periphery of the clear panel. The left and right sections  108 L,  108 R of the portal door frame  108 ″ are provided with progressively thinner cross-sections A, B and C, as shown at FIG.  3 . The portal frame  134  includes a gasket  142  which lines the periphery of the main portal  106 , preferably of a two inch wide, double raised nib contact type elastomer. The portal door  108  is slidably guided with respect to the main portal  106  by a pair of cam rollers  144   a ,  144   b  located at each of the left and right sides of the main portal. 
     As shown at FIG. 3, the cam rollers  144   a ,  144   b  rollably interact with the respective left and right frame sections  108 L,  108 R, wherein as the next thicker cross-section engages each cam roller, the portal door  108  is pressed sealably against the gasket  142 , so that when the portal door is at the closed position as shown at FIG. 1, the process tank  110  is sealed. The cam rollers  144   a ,  144   b  are preferably mounted adjustably for an operator to adjust the pressed seal between the portal door  108  and the gasket  142 . When the portal door  108  is in the raised position as shown at FIG. 2, the portal door is free of the cams, and is swingable away from the housing  102 , on the pivot of the arm  138  for providing easy cleaning of the interior side (ie., process tank side) of the clear panel  108 ′. 
     As shown at FIG. 4, the epicycloidic cleaning system  100  includes a rinse tank  146  for holding rinse solution, a wash tank  148  for holing wash solution, the aforementioned process tank  110 , and an over-flow tank  150  for solution over-flow of the rinse and wash tanks. The over-flow tank  150  includes an oil skimmer apparatus  152  of conventional design. A preferred oil skimmer apparatus  152  is model DB 6  of DPI which includes a loop of stainless steel extending into the over-flow tank and supported by rollers at either end, wherein one of the rollers is rotated by an electric motor, and wherein any oil film acquired from the solution in the over-flow tank is removed by a rubber wiper (see also FIG.  14 ). In a typical operation of the over-flow tank, wash solution over-flows thereinto upon completion of the wash cycle and the oil skimmer removes scum and other floating residues. The over-flow tank may be periodically pumped-out and the contents disposed of in an environmentally sound manner, or the over-flow tank may have a connection line to the wash tank whereby its contents merge with the wash solution in the course of the wash cycle. 
     A solution heating system  153  includes a serpentine heater conduit  154  passing through each of the wash and rinse tanks  148 ,  146 , and a heater-blower unit  156  for heating and blowing air through the heater conduit  154 , whereupon the air exits at an exhaust  155 . In operation, heated air passes through the heater conduit, transferring heat, to the wash and rinse solutions. The amount of heat transferred is regulated so that the temperature of the wash and rinse solutions is user selectable, as by user selection on a page of the touch screen  122 . The heater unit  156 , situated adjacent the wash tank  148 , includes an electric blower and the heat is provided, preferably, by a natural gas burner, as for a preferable example, a Maxon Tube-O-Therm 900,000 BTU burner model 51-47063. Heat may be alternatively supplied, as for example electrically, by another fuel, or by steam. In this regard, the natural gas burner, or other heat supplying apparatus, is connected in a conventional, known manner with the CPU  126  for control thereby. 
     An air dry system  158  is provided which includes an air blower unit  160  such as a preferred 20 H.P. Fuj Ring Compressor model 904A-7W, and an air conduit  162 , wherein the air intake is filtered. The air conduit  162  enters into the process tank  110  and terminates in a nozzle array  164  in the form of a plurality of elongate tubes  166  which are directed toward the parts carrier  114 . Air exits the process tank  110  via a filtered exhaust stack  165 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2,  5 ,  6 ,  10  and  14 , the plumbing  168  will be detailed. 
     FIGS. 5 and 14 depict the wash plumbing  168   a.    
     During stage one of the wash cycle, the wash plumbing provides wash solution to fill a wash bath in the process tank  310  (as for example a wash bath B height of just below the height of a driven shaft  328 , as shown at FIG.  8 ). A line  170  exits a low point of the wash tank  148 , goes through a wash inlet actuator valve  172 , along line  174  to a pump  176  (such as a preferred 7.5 H.P. 3 phase 3450 RPM Gusher pump model 11031, which provides 200 GPM at 120′ TDH), from the pump under pressure via line  188 , through a wash return actuator valve  192 , along line  194 , through a filter  196  (such as a preferred FSI filter model BFN12-P-2-6-CS-150), along line  198  and line  200 , through a wash spray actuator valve  202  and through line  204  into the central spray system  186 . Additionally, from the pump  176 , wash solution travels along line  178 , through an enductor actuator valve  180 , along line  182  into the process tank  110 , and exits as an agitating stream at an enductor nozzle  184  (as for example a Bex model TOMP, composed of polypropylene). 
     During stage two of the wash cycle, the wash plumbing provides solution to the central spray system  186  and agitation of the wash solution bath in a closed path. The wash inlet actuator valve  172  is closed and a process tank drain actuator valve  228  is opened. Wash solution travels via line  222  which enters the process tank  110  at or about its lowest point, through a chip strainer  224  (as for a preferred example, an FSI filter model BFNll style  2 ), through the process tank drain actuator valve  228  and through line  230  to the pump  176 , whereupon it exits under pressure along line  188 . The pressurized wash solution then travels along line  190 , through the wash return actuator valve  192 , along line  194 , through the filter  196 , along line  198  and line  200 , through the wash spray actuator valve  202  and through line  204  into the central spray system  186 . Additionally, from the pump  176 , wash solution travels along line  178 , through the enductor actuator valve  180 , along line  182  into the process tank  110 , and exits as an agitating stream at the enductor nozzle  184 . The enductor nozzle  184  causes agitation in the bath as an aid to parts cleaning as well as helping to move chips and other debris into the chip strainer. 
     FIGS. 6 and 14 depict the rinse plumbing  168   b.    
     During stage one of the rinse cycle, the rinse plumbing provides rinse solution to fill a rinse bath in the process tank  110  (as for example a rinse bath B height of just below the height of the driven shaft  328 , as shown at FIG.  8 ). A line  206  exits a low point of the rinse tank  146 , goes through a rinse inlet actuator valve  208 , along line  174  to the pump  176 , from the pump under pressure via line  188 , along line  190 , through a rinse return actuator valve  210 , along line  212 , through a filter  214  (such as a preferred FSI filter model BFN12-P-2-6-CS-150), along line  216 , through a rinse spray actuator valve  218  and into the central spray system  186  via line  220 . Additionally, from the pump  176 , rinse solution travels along line  178 , through the enductor actuator valve  180 , along line  182  into the process tank  110 , and exits as an agitating stream at the enductor nozzle  184 . 
     During stage two of the rinse cycle, the rinse plumbing provides solution to the central spray system  186  and agitation of the rinse solution bath in a closed path. The rinse inlet actuator valve  208  is closed and the process tank drain actuator valve  228  is opened. Rinse solution, travels via line  222 , through the chip strainer  224 , through the process tank drain actuator valve  228  and through line  230  to the pump  176 , whereupon it exits under pressure along line  188 . The pressurized rinse solution then travels along line  190 , through a rinse return actuator valve  210 , along line  212 , through a filter  214  (such as a preferred FSI filter model BFN12-P-2-6-CS-150), along line  216 , through the rinse spray actuator valve  218  and into the central spray system  186  via line  220 . Additionally, from the pump  176 , rinse solution travels along line  178 , through the enductor actuator valve  180 , along line  182  into the process tank  110 , and exits as an agitating stream at the enductor nozzle  184 , wherein the enductor nozzle functions as described above. 
     FIGS. 5,  6  and  14  depict the drain plumbing. From a low point of the process tank  110 , line  222  drains solution (rinse or wash), through the chip strainer  224 , along line  226 , through a process tank drain valve actuator valve  228 , along line  230  and then into the pump  176 , and from the pump  176  along line  188  and line  190 . The route for wash solution is now from line  190 , through the wash return actuator valve  192 , along line  194 , through the filter  196 , along line  198 , along line  200 , through a dump wash actuator valve  232  and then into the wash tank  148 . The route for rinse solution is now from line  190 , through the rinse return actuator valve  210 , along line  212 , through the filter  214 , along line  234 , through a dump rinse actuator valve  236  and then into the rinse tank  146 . 
     FIG. 14 depicts the purge system plumbing whereby the common plumbing lines are purged of solution from a current cycle before commencement of the next cycle, wherein there is a change of rinse and wash solutions between the prior and next cycles. Purge occurs after solution has been drained (pumped out) of the process tank at the conclusion of stage two of the wash and rinse cycles. 
     During a first stage of the purge cycle, the central spray system  186  is purged of solution. A source of pressurized air  238  delivers pressurized air to line  240 , which travels through a purge spray system actuator valve  242 , along line  244  and then into the central spray system  186  via line  220 , whereupon the central spray system is purged of solution, which has now been blown into the process tank  10 . 
     Thereafter, a secondary drain of the process tank  110  occurs, which repeats the drain plumbing particulars detailed hereinabove. 
     During a second stage of the purge cycle, the pressurized air from the source  238  also passes through a line purge actuator valve  246 , along line  248  and into the pump  176 . The pressurization due to the pressurized air now causes solution (rinse or wash) to be forced along line  250  which is at the lowest point; of the plumbing system  168 . The solution (rinse or wash) and pressurized air travel to line  252 . In the case of wash solution, from lie  252  the wash solution and pressurized air travel through a wash purge return actuator valve  254 , along line  256  and into the wash tank  148 . In the case of rinse solution, from line  252  the rinse solution and pressurized air travel through a rinse purge return actuator valve  258 , along line  260  and into the rinse tank  146 . 
     With regard to the actuator valves, a preferred form thereof is an Apollo ball valve model 77-144-01BR/SS, operated by an Apollo actuator model 3T-05-00, which is, in turn, actuated pneumatically by an Asco pneumatic air valve model 5510083. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, the process tank  110  is composed of stainless steel and has a V-shape (see FIGS.  7  through  9 ). The process tank  110  is provided with opposing left and right sidewalls  308 L,  308 R which serve to support the parts carrier  114  and its associated epicycloidic drive mechanism. 
     A left coupling member  312 , preferably composed of stainless steel, is sealingly connected with the left sidewall  308 L via bolts and a left stiffening plate  316 L. A right coupling member  314 , also preferably composed of stainless steel, is sealingly connected with the right sidewall  308 R via bolts and a right stiffening plate  316 R. A hollow support shaft  320 , preferably composed of stainless steel, is supportably received through the left and right coupling members  312 ,  314  so as to thereby affix the support shaft to the process tank sidewalls, wherein rotation of the support shaft is prevented by an operator removable bolt  325  at the right coupling member. 
     The support shaft  320  is fitted to the left and right coupling members  316 L,  316 R. The support shaft  320  has left and right orifices  322 L,  322 R which mate to respective threaded couplings  324  which are respectively welded to the left and right coupling members  316 L,  316 R. The threaded couplings  324  provide a connection to the wash plumbing  168   a  via line  220  and the rinse plumbing  168 b via line  204 . The support shaft  320  is provided with a plurality of holes  326  regularly spaced along its length for providing solution outputs when the wash or rinse plumbing is activated during a wash or rinse cycle, respectively, or during a purge therebetween. 
     A hollow driven shaft  328 , also composed preferably of stainless steel, is concentrically centered on and mounted to the support shaft  320  by a pair of sleeve bearings  330  composed preferably of ultra high molecular weight (UBMW) plastic, upon which the driven shaft is rotatable with respect to the support shaft. 
     The epicycloidic drive mechanism  300  comprises a revolutional drive train  304  and a rotational drive train  306 . 
     A prime mover  332 , preferably in the form (see FIGS. 4 and 7) of an electric motor  332   a  and gear reduction drive unit  332   b  therefor (as for a preferable example a 2 H.P. AC gear motor and Sumitomo 73:1 SM-bevel Buddybox model KHM2A4105) has a (stainless steel) drive shaft  334  and is mounted to the stiffening plate  316 R. The prime mover  332  is connected with a rotational drive train  306  for the parts carrier  114 . in this regard, a (stainless steel) hub  336  is connected with the drive shaft  334  and a drive gear  338  is mounted thereupon by bolts and situated in the process tank  110 . A driven gear  340  is gearingly interfaced with the drive gear  338  and is fixedly mounted to the driven shaft  328 . 
     In this regard, a (stainless steel) hub  342  is welded to the driven shaft  328  and the driven gear  340  is affixed to the hub  342  by bolts. Accordingly, when the prime mover  332  is actuated, the drive gear  338  causes rotation of the driven gear  340  and the driven shaft  328 . The gears are preferably composed of polypropylene, but could be otherwise composed, such as for example of stainless steel. A gear ratio of 3 to 1 is preferred for reasons, which will become clear hereinbelow, related to there being three support frames  116 . 
     A revolutional drive train  304  is situated at the opposite end of the driven shaft  328  and includes a sun gear  344  located inside the process tank  110  which is fixedly mounted to the left coupling member  312  via bolts so as to be concentrically disposed with respect to the support shaft  320 . 
     As mentioned, the parts carrier  114  includes preferably three support frames  116 , one support frame being shown at FIG. 10 for clarity. The support frames  116  each receivably interface with removable parts holders, such as for example the aforementioned baskets  118  (see FIG.  2 ). The parts carrier  114  includes left and right connector plates  350 L,  350 R which are fixedly connected in a radially disposed relation to the driven shaft  328 , such as by welding. The left and right connector plates  350 L,  350 R are preferably composed of stainless steel In the case of the preferred example wherein three support frames  116  are provided, each connector plate  350 L,  350 R has a truncated triangular shape, wherein each corner is truncated and has a right angle flange  352 . 
     Each support frame  116  has a left and right rhomboidal plate  348 L,  348 R which is fixedly connected (as by welding) to left and right connector shafts  354 L,  354 R. Each support frame  346  is rotatably connected at the left and right connector shafts  354 L,  354 R respectively to the left and right connector plates  350 L,  350 R via a mounting block  356 , composed preferably of UHMW plastic and bolts, wherein (stainless steel) spacers  358  serve to retain relative positioning of the support frame. 
     As shown at FIGS. 8,  9  and  10 , the left connector shaft  354 L is provided with a planetary gear  360  which forms a part of the revolutional drive train  304 , wherein each planetary gear is gearingly interfaced with the sun gear  344 . In this regard, a (stainless steel) hub  362  is fixedly mounted to the left connector shaft  354 L and the planetary gear  360  is mounted thereon and affixed thereto by bolts. Accordingly, when the prime mover  332  is actuated, the rotational drive train  306  provides rotation of the parts carrier  114  and each support frame  116  as the driven shaft  328  rotates, while simultaneously the revolutional drive train  304  causes the support frames to revolve on the axis of the left and right connector shafts  354 L,  354 R, the combination of rotation with revolution thereby providing an epicycloidic movement of the support frames, as for example three revolutions of the support frames for each rotation of the parts carrier. The sun and planetary gears  344 ,  360  are preferred to be composed of polypropylene, but can be otherwise composed, such as of stainless steel. 
     The prime mover  332  has user selectable speeds, as for example four speeds selected on a page of the touch screen  122 , as for a preferred example selectable among four speeds of the electric motor  332   a : 125 RPM, 250 RPM, 800 RPM and 1,750 RPM. Other speeds may be chosen, or the speed may be continuously selectable over a range of speeds. The actual speed of rotation of the driven shaft  328  (and, consequently, the parts carrier  114 ) depends upon the gear reduction of the drive unit  332   b  of the prime mover  332  and the gear ratio between the drive gear  338  and the driven gear  340 . For a preferred example, the drive unit may have a 73 to 1 ratio, and the drive gear to driven gear ratio may be 3 to 1, the reason for which will now be elaborated. 
     As shown at FIGS. 4 and 10, a spur shaft  376  of the drive unit  332   b  has a pair of ferromagnetic material studs  378 ,  380  located thereon in circumferentially offset relation, for example, offset of about 30 degrees. A pair of proximity switches  382 ,  384  which sense close-by ferromagnetic material are fixedly connected with the housing  102  in proximal relation to the studs  378 ,  380  at closest approach, respectively (as for example within one-eighth to one-quarter inch at closest approach). The proximity switches  382 ,  384  are axially aligned with respect to the spur shaft  376 . When the lead stud  378  aligns with its respective lead proximity switch  382 , power to the motor  332   a  is cut-off and a brake  386  (see FIGS. 4 and 7) is lightly applied, thereby greatly slowing rotation of the parts carrier  114 . When the following stud  380  aligns with its respective following proximity switch  384 , the brake  386  is firmly applied to stop rotation of the parts carrier. The brake is preferably a pneumatically actuated disc brake, preferably for example, a Tolomatic brake model 0705-0001 and a complementary Tolomatic 6″ disc model 0801-1206. 
     The operation of the proximity switches  382 ,  384  and the brake  386  can be understood by reference to FIGS. 2,  7 ,  8  and  9 . In order to load and unload parts  112  with respect to the support frames  116 , a selected support frame  116 ′ is brought into alignment with the main portal  106 , as shown at FIGS. 2 and 8. In order to ensure that each support frame will be so aligned when the rotation of the driven shaft  328  stops at the rotative location shown at FIG. 9, the lead proximity switch  382  has activated, thereby cutting off power to the motor  332   a  and lightly applying the brake  386  so that rotation is greatly slowed, and upon the following proximity switch  384  being activated, the brake is firmly applied, whereupon the parts carrier comes to a stop at the position shown at FIG.  8 . Thereafter, the operator jogs the parts carrier  114  so that each support frame  16  is brought successively into the load position of FIG.  8 . 
     The central spray system  186  is characterized as follows. 
     As shown at FIGS. 10 and 11, the driven shaft  328  is provided with a set  364  of regularly spaced spray apertures  366  for each support frame  346 , wherein each set of spray apertures is disposed so as to radially face its respective support frame. In the preferred embodiment depicted, since there are three support frames  346 , there are three sets  364  of spray apertures  366 , one set for each respective support frame  16 . 
     By way of preferred example only, the support shaft  320  is about two and one-half inches in diameter, has about three-eigths of an inch thick wall, and has about seven holes  326  of about three-quarter of an inch diameter located on each of two diametrically opposed sides thereof. The driven shaft  328  is about four and one-half inches in diameter, has about one-quarter of an inch thick wall, and has spray apertures  366  which are about one-eighth of an inch in diameter and spaced about two inches apart along its length. By way of example of the spray S from the spray apertures, 60 PSI is delivered the central spray system  186  at about 200 GPM. 
     The support shaft  320  receives rinse or wash solution (or pressurized air) into the central chamber.  304  thereof and the pressure thereof causes its passage through the plurality of holes  326  and into the annular chamber  306  formed between the support shaft and driven shaft  328 . With the annular chamber pressurized by the solution, the solution vigorously sprays S radially outwardly through the sets  364  of regularly spaced spray apertures  366  which are disposed so as to radially face, respectively, each support frame. 
     Accordingly, when the plumbing system  168  is delivering either wash or, rinse solution at stage two of the respective rinse or wash cycles into the process tank  110 , the respective solution sprays S out through the sets of spray apertures  366  continuously upon its respectively facing support frame  116 . Importantly, this spray S encounters all sides axially as each support frame revolves (and, consequently, whatever parts are supported by the support frames). Further, the revolution of the support frames  116  results in the parts being jostled, so that it is expected that all facets of the parts will be subjected to spray during each or the rinse and wash cycles. 
     It is preferred to provide a cleansing nozzle  370  situated medially on the driven shaft  328  so that solution of each wash and rinse cycle will spray S′ therefrom in a fan-like manner and thereby generally clean surfaces of the process tank  300  in general, including the portal door  108 . 
     As a result of the multi-cyclic rotation of the support frames, wherein revolutional movement is superposed rotational movement, the parts are constantly exposed to solution spray, and the revolution superposed rotation movement immersibly through the solution bath is provided, the combination of which providing superb cleaning of the parts carried by the support frame. In this regard, the prime mover  332  direction of rotation is reversible, so that during portions of cycles and portions of stages of cycles the CPU  126  may cause the parts carrier  116  to move clockwise and during other portions counterclockwise. In this regard further, the prime mover  332  is capable of multiple speeds, so that during portions of cycles and portions of stages of cycles, the CPU  126  may cause the parts carrier  116  to rotate faster or slower than during other portions. 
     Further, upon conclusion of either the rinse or wash cycles, pressured air is selectively introduced, by the plumbing system  168  to force solution of the present cycle back to its respective tank, prior to commencement of the next cycle. Accordingly, there is no mixing of the rinse and wash solutions during cycle change, and, therefore, the wash and rinse solutions have a maximal extended lifetime before changing is necessitated by contamination from the parts (as opposed to being necessitated because of solution cross contamination). 
     FIG. 13 details preferred cycles and stages thereof, as well as which components of the epicycloidic cleaning system  100  are active thereduring, as indicated by connecting dots. In this regard, the valves open for each stage are those indicated by a corresponding dot (the others are closed). 
     FIGS. 15 a  and  15   b  depict a schematic of a preferred electrical circuit  392  for the epicycloidic cleaning system  100 . Of particular note are the motor  394  of the heater-blower unit  156 , motor  396  of the pump  176 , and motor  398  of the air blower  160 , a 460 volt power transformer  400 , a master start switch  402 , master stop switch  404 , a master m switch  406 , the aforementioned CPU  126  and touch screen  122 , a 24 volt power supply  408 , limit switches  410  associated with the portal door  108  to detect open and closed conditions, motor  415  of the oil skimmer  152 , and level sensor  412  of the over-flow tank  150  (such as a Warrik liquid level fill s.s. probe). 
     With regard to the CPU  126 , inputs  416  from various button switches, limit switches and other data (as for example temperature sensors of the wash and rinse solutions) is sent to the CPU. The CPU  126  then processes the data and sends an output  418  to selectively actuate the various motors, relays, actuators and all other active components of the epicycloidic cleaning system  100 . The touch screen  122  has a plurality of menu pages for user selection, for example, system selection page, cycle timing page, portal door close list page, pump supply page, solution tank temperature page, manual mode page, indicator page, speed page, and cycling page. At the bottom of FIG. 15 b , other components  146  of a conventional nature are conventionally wired to the electrical circuit  392 , as for example the natural gas burner  156 , or other heating device. Any such component is integrated with the output  418  in a conventional manner for control by the CPU  126 . 
     It is preferred, additionally, for the portal door actuator  140  to be sensitive to the presence of foreign objects (including an operator&#39;s hand or arm) at the main portal  106  whereupon during a portal door close, closure is halted via a safety relay  420  upon sensing a foreign object. Farther in this regard to safety, it is preferred to provide an abutment rod  422  on the loading platform  132  which will strike the portal door  108  in advance of its coming near the bottom of the main portal so as to ensure an arm or hand cannot be struck by the portal door accidentally during a portal door close. Additionally, for safety, the prime mover  332  has a slip clutch and a variable frequency drive torque limiter wherein the rotation of the driven shaft  328  can be manually stopped by an operator&#39;s hand pressure (for example about 30 pounds of force) in order to ensure if some untoward event should happen, the rotation will cease. 
     FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  depict how the support frames  116  open to allow the baskets  118  to be removed therefrom. A preferred clasp mechanism  500  for the support frames  116  includes an over-camming clamp  506  manufactured by De-Sta-Co, model 341R-SS. Each support frame  116  is composed of a main component  502  and a top component  504  which is pivotally connected to the main component by a first pivot  508 . A clamp mount  510  is affixed medially to the main component  502 . The clamp  506  is pivotally connected to the clamp mount  510  via a second pivot  512 . A rod  514  is pivotally connected to the clamp  506  via a third pivot  516  at one end and to a stanchion  518  connected with the top component  504  via a fourth pivot  520  at the other end. 
     The clasp mechanism  500  assures closure of the top component  504  with respect to the main component  502  via two modalities. Under a first modality, the clamp  506  is over-cammed into its locked position. This occurs when the rod  514  lies below the second pivot  512 , as shown at FIG. 12 b , whereupon tension T acts upon the clamp to retain it in the locked state. In a second modality, a hook  522  of a locking pawl  524  of the over-camming clamp  506  springably engages a bar  524  of the clamp mount  510 . 
     The support frame  116  includes a pair of main support members  526  which connect by welding to the aforementioned left and right rhomboidal plates  348 L,  348 R. Connected with the main support members  526  are abutments  528 , preferably in the form of angles, which guide and hold the baskets  118 . When the top component  504  is locked down, as shown at FIG. 12 b , the baskets are received holdably with respect to the support frame  116 , in part via the top abutment  526 ′ as the support frame moves epcycloidically. When the top component  504  is pivoted upwardly, as shown at FIG. 12 a , the baskets  118  are free to be removed from the support frame  116 . 
     To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, the above described preferred embodiment may be subject to change or modification. For example, the aforementioned cycles may be modified, or other cycles can be included with the epicycloidic cleaning system according to the present invention, such as for example a phosphate cleaning cycle or a deionization treatment, each having its own solution tank, associated plumbing with actuator valves, and associated components as indicated herein with respect to the wash and rinse cycles. Such change or modification can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.