Patent Publication Number: US-2017348740-A1

Title: Methods and apparatus to treat workpieces

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent arises as a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2016/050086, which was filed on Jan. 5, 2016, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2015 203 323, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2015. The foregoing International Patent Application and German Patent Application are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates generally to manufacturing processes, and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus to treat workpieces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dirt particles, such as shavings, dust, casting sand, liquid drops, etc., can compromise or hinder the functionality of industrially made products, such as injection nozzles of internal combustion engines, for example. The cleanliness of workpieces in industrial production processes is, thus, of great importance. Therefore, sets of equipment to treat workpieces in which the workpieces are cleaned and deburred are employed in industrial manufacturing. The workpieces in such cleaning equipment are impinged with a process fluid (e.g., with water) that is preferably provided with cleaning additives, or a liquid that contains hydrocarbons. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first example apparatus to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening, in a first operating state. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the first example apparatus in a second operating state that is different from the first operating state of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the first example apparatus in a third operating state that is different from the first and the second operating states. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a second example apparatus to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a third example apparatus to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a fourth example apparatus to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a fifth example apparatus to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a sixth example apparatus to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. 
     
    
    
     The figures are not to scale. Instead, to clarify multiple layers and regions, the thickness of the layers may be enlarged in the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. As used in this patent, stating that any part is in any way positioned on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) another part, indicates that the referenced part is either in contact with the other part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with one or more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. Stating that any part is in contact with another part means that there is no intermediate part between the two parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Methods and apparatus to treat workpieces are disclosed. The examples disclosed herein relate to equipment to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece includes a workpiece body having at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. The example equipment includes a line system for providing the process fluid, where the line system has at least one line duct having an adapter for connecting the line system to the at least one cavity. The examples disclosed herein also relate to methods to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, where the workpiece body has at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. 
     Dirt particles (e.g., shavings, dust, casting sand, liquid drops, etc.) can compromise or hinder the functioning of industrially-produced products, such as injection nozzles to be implemented in internal combustion engines, for example. The cleanliness of workpieces in industrial production processes is, thus, of great importance. Accordingly, equipment to treat workpieces in which the workpieces are cleaned and/or deburred are employed in industrial manufacturing. The workpieces in such cleaning equipment are impinged with a process fluid (e.g., with water) that is preferably provided with cleaning additives, or a liquid that contains hydrocarbons, for example. 
     A known equipment and method of the type mentioned at the outset are described in DE 10 2005 019 285 B3, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This known equipment and method described therein serve to clean castings that are used in the construction of engines. Such castings typically include complex internal spaces and ducts. A workpiece to be cleaned according to the examples disclosed herein is cleaned by adapters that are connected to a pipe or hose line, which serves to provide the cleaning fluid into the interior of the workpiece. 
     The example apparatus/equipment  10  shown in  FIG. 1  to treat workpieces  14  with a process fluid  18  is implemented in this example as equipment to clean the workpieces  14 . The process fluid  18  in the example equipment  10  is a liquid (e.g., water, etc.). According to the illustrated example, there is a process chamber  12  to receive a workpiece  14  to be treated in the example equipment  10 . In this example, the process chamber  12  is implemented as a caldron-shaped vessel  20 , which includes a cylindrical side wall  22  and a funnel-shaped base  24  having an outlet  26 . In this example, the caldron-shaped vessel  20  is closable by a lid  28 . Further, in this example, there is a workpiece receptacle region  30  disposed in the process chamber  12 . 
     According to the illustrated example, the line system in the example equipment  10  includes a connection duct  42  that connects a fluid vessel  44  to line ducts  46 , which are connected to the adapters  34  in this example. The example equipment  10  includes a suction installation  48  that is connected to an outlet  52  of the process chamber  12  via a suction duct  50 . The suction installation  48  operates to generating negative pressure within the process chamber  12 , for example. The suction installation  48  of the illustrated example includes a vacuum vessel  54  and an evacuation device  58  with a vacuum pump. In this example, the evacuation device  58  is coupled to the vacuum vessel  54  via a suction line  56 . A shut-off valve  60  by which the suction line  56  can be selectively shut off and released to couple the evacuation device  58  to the vacuum vessel  54 , or to separate the evacuation device  58  from the vacuum vessel  54  is disposed in the suction line  56  in this example. The example vacuum vessel  54  to discharge process fluid  18  includes an outlet  64  that is closable via a shut-off valve  62 . 
     The connection duct  42  of the illustrated example opens into the suction duct  50  of the example equipment  10 . A first adjustable valve  66  and an additional adjustable valve  68 , both of which can be controlled by a computer unit (not shown) and are disposed in the connection duct  42  in this example. The flow path for process fluid  18  from the fluid vessel  44  to the line ducts  46  with the adapter  34 , which is adapted to the workpiece body  32 , can be selectively released and shut-off by the first adjustable valve  66  in some examples. The example second adjustable valve  68  selectively releases and shuts off the flow path for process fluid  18  from the line ducts  46  to the vacuum vessel  54  of the suction installation  48 . In this example, there is a shut-off valve  65  in the example equipment  10  to release and shut off the suction duct  50 . In some examples, the caldron-shaped vessel  20  is ventilated via a ventilation valve  94 . 
     According to the illustrated example, to treat a workpiece  14  with the process fluid  18  and to clean the workpiece  14  in the process chamber  12  of the equipment  10 , in a first example step, the workpiece  14  disposed in the workpiece receptacle region  30  on the side of the first openings  36  in the process chamber  12  is coupled/attached to the adapters  34 . In a second example step, the adjustable valve  68  disposed in the connection duct  42 , and the shut-off valve  65  disposed in the suction duct  50  are closed. In a third example step, a negative pressure of approximately 950 millibar (mbar) is generated in the vacuum vessel  54  by opening the shut-off valve  60  and by use of the evacuation device  58 , where the shut-off valve  62  is closed. 
     In an example fourth step, the shut-off valve  65  and the valve  66  are opened, thereby impinging the process chamber  12  abruptly with the negative pressure of the vacuum vessel  54  of the suction installation  48 . Accordingly, by this negative pressure, process fluid  18  is suctioned from the fluid vessel  44  through the line ducts  46  and the adapters  34  via the openings  36  of the workpiece body  32  into the cavity  38 , which is configured therein. In this example, the process fluid  18  that is suctioned into the cavity  38  reaches the interior of the process chamber  12  through the openings  70 , which are not covered by the adapters  34  in this example. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the example equipment  10  in an operating state different from that shown in  FIG. 1 . In particular, process fluid  18  from the fluid vessel  44  is suctioned into the process chamber  12  through the openings  36  and the cavity  38  of the workpiece  14 . To adjust this operating state, the valve  68  of the example equipment  10  is closed in a fourth example step. According to the illustrated example, the process fluid  18  moving in the flow direction that is generally indicated by the arrows  74  then flows through the cavity  38  into the process chamber  12 . As a result, dirt particles and contaminants  39  that are deposited onto the walls of the cavity  38  are detached by the process fluid  18  and rinsed into the process chamber  12 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the example equipment  10  in an additional example operating state that is different from the operating states shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To adjust this operating state, the shut-off valve  65  disposed in the suction duct  50  is shut-off again in a fifth example step. Further, in this example, the valve  66  in the connection duct  42  is closed, and the valve  68  disposed in the connection duct  42  is opened. According to the illustrated example, the process fluid  18  from the process chamber  12 , which is filled with the process fluid  18  via the suction installation  48 , and in the flow direction that is generally indicated by the arrows  76  is then suctioned through the cavity  38  in the workpiece body  32  of the workpiece  14 , and moved into the vacuum vessel  54  of the suction installation  48 . 
     In this example, the flow direction of the process fluid  18  is counter to the flow direction of the operating state of the example equipment  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2  and generally identified by the arrows  76 . As a result, dirt particles and contaminants that are deposited on the walls of the cavity  38  are again detached by the process fluid  18  and, thus, flow toward the vacuum vessel  54 . 
     In a sixth example step, the process fluid  18  that has accumulated in the vacuum vessel  54  is then discharged from the vacuum vessel  54  of the suction installation  48  when the shut-off valve  62  in the outlet  64  is opened. In this example, the shut-off valve  60  is closed. 
     To treat or clean a workpiece with the process fluid  18 , the aforementioned steps can optionally be repeated multiple consecutive times, for example. 
     According to the illustrated example, by having the lid  28  of the process chamber opened, the workpiece  14  is then retrieved from the process chamber  12  so that a further respective workpiece can then be treated in the process chamber  12 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a second example equipment  110  to treat a workpiece  14 . In as far as the functional groups and elements shown in  FIG. 4  in terms of functioning are equivalent to the functional groups and elements shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , said functional groups and elements are in each case identified there by the same numeral number in terms of the reference indicator. 
     In the example equipment  110 , the suction duct  50  to apply negative pressure to the process chamber  12  opens into the portion of the lid  28 . The equipment  110  of the illustrated example includes a line duct  78  with a shut-off valve  80  through which a process fluid  18  can be moved from the process chamber  12  into the vacuum vessel  54 . To produce negative pressure in the process chamber  12 , the shut-off valve  65  is opened when the vacuum vessel  54  of the evacuation device  58  has been evacuated, for example. The adjustable valves  66 ,  68  are closed herein. Further, the shut-off valve  80  in the line duct  78  is also shut off. 
     According to the illustrated example, opening the valve  66  causes a process fluid  18  to flow from the fluid vessel  44  through the cavity  38  of the workpiece  14  into the process chamber  12 . In this example, the shut-off valve  65  and the valve  66  are shut off when the process chamber  12  has been filled with process fluid  18 . The valve  68  is then opened to cause process fluid  18 , by way of a flow direction that is counter to the flow direction when flowing into the process chamber  12 , flows to the vacuum vessel  54  of the suction installation  48  by way of the connection duct  32  and the suction duct  50 . 
     It is to be noted that the valve  68  and the shut-off valve  80  to suction process fluid  18  from the process chamber  12  can be opened and closed in a mutually temporally offset manner. For example, the valve  68  can be opened before the shut-off valve  80  to, thus, cause suctioning of the process fluid  18  through the cavity  38  of the workpiece body  32  of the workpiece  14 . The valve  68  is then closed to cause the process fluid that is loaded with dirt particles to then be suctioned though the outlet  26  of the vessel  20  by the suction installation  48 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a third example equipment  210  to treat a workpiece  14 . In as far as the functional groups and elements shown in  FIG. 5  in terms of functioning are equivalent to the functional groups and elements shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the functional groups and elements are in each case identified by the same numeral in terms of the reference indicator. 
     In this example, there is an installation  82  to provide compressed air to the process chamber  12  to be impinged with compressed air moving through a valve  84  in the example equipment  210 . The installation  82  enables a process fluid  18  that has accumulated in the process chamber  12  to be urged out by compressed air, for example, when the valves  65 ,  66 ,  68  are closed while the valve  80  is opened, or when the valves  65 ,  66  and the shut-off valve  80  are closed while the valve  68  is opened. 
       FIG. 6  shows a fourth example equipment  310  to treating a workpiece  14 . In as far as the functional groups and elements shown in  FIG. 6  in terms of functioning are equivalent to the functional groups and elements shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the functional groups and elements are in each case identified there by the same numeral in terms of the reference indicators. 
     The example equipment  310  includes an installation  83  for impinging the at least one cavity  38  in the workpiece  14  with a process fluid  18  from a nozzle  86  by way of at least one nozzle jet  85 . It is to be noted that the nozzle jet  85  in an alternative embodiment can also be composed of an additional liquid, fluid, in particular, a gaseous medium that is different from the process fluid  18 . According to the illustrated example, the nozzle jet  85  can be a steam jet, for example. Moreover, the nozzle jet  85  can, in principle, be at least partially composed of ice pellets or other abrasives. 
       FIG. 7  shows a fifth example equipment  410  for treating a workpiece  14 . In as far as the functional groups and elements shown in  FIG. 7  in terms of functioning are equivalent to the functional groups and elements shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the functional groups and elements are in each case identified there by the same numeral in terms of the reference indicators. 
     The example equipment  410  includes an installation  88  to impinge the at least one workpiece  14  in the process chamber  12  using ultrasound signals. Further, the equipment  410  includes spray nozzles  90  and flooding nozzles  92  to impinge the workpiece  14  with process fluid  18  from the fluid vessel  44  via a line  96  by way of a conveying pump  98  in the equipment  410 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a sixth example equipment  510  to treat a workpiece  14 . In as far as the functional groups and elements shown in  FIG. 8  in terms of functioning are equivalent to the functional groups and elements shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 , said functional groups and elements are in each case identified there by the same numeral in terms of the reference sign. 
     The workpiece  14  of the illustrated example is disposed in the vessel  20  in such a manner that the openings  36  are generally directed towards (e.g., pointed towards) to the funnel-shaped base  24  of the vessel  20 . A fluid  18  that flows via the line ducts  46  from the fluid vessel  44  into the cavity  38  of the workpiece  14  can reach the outlet  26  of the vessel  20  through the openings  36  of the cavity  38  by adapters  34  that are adapted to the workpiece body  32  of the workpiece  14 , without the fluid flowing across external surfaces of the workpiece  32 . In some examples, it can, thus, be likely or guaranteed that during the treatment of a workpiece  14  in the workpiece receptacle region  30  of the process chamber, little or no dirt particles of the interior of the cavity  38  reach or contact the external surfaces of the workpiece body  32 , which can lead to contamination of the aforementioned surfaces. The equipment  510  of the illustrated example includes a ventilation valve  94  that communicates with the line duct  46  and enables ventilation of the process chamber  12  via the interior of the cavity  38  in the workpiece  14 . In some examples, when the shut-off valve  65  is closed and the shut-off valve  68  is opened, ambient air can flow abruptly through the cavity  38  of the workpiece  14  into the process chamber  12  via the suction installation  48 , where dirt particles  39  that are deposited in the cavity  38  are conveyed in the flow direction that is generally indicated by the arrows  74  out of the cavity  38  toward the funnel-shaped base  24  of the caldron-shaped vessel  20 . In turn, the dirt particles  39  are moved through the line duct  78  and into the suction duct  50 , and are accumulated within the vacuum vessel  54 , in this example. 
     In some examples, it is to be noted that a wash liquor, a solvent-containing cleaning agent, foam, an acid, a cooling lubricant, and/or oil can be implemented as the process fluid  18  in any of the example equipment described above. However, additionally or alternatively, in some examples, process fluid can also be solid matter. In some examples, gases (e.g., air, etc.) are also suitable for implementation as a process fluid. 
     It is moreover to be noted that the examples disclosed herein can also extend to such equipment to treat workpieces in which combinations of features of various of the exemplary embodiments described above are to be found. 
     In summary, the following preferred features of the examples disclosed herein are to be described in particular. The examples disclosed herein relate to equipment  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  to treat a workpiece  14  with a process fluid  18 , where the workpiece  14  includes a cavity  38  that extends from a first opening  36  to a second opening  70 . The example equipment  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  includes a line system for providing (e.g., infeeding) the process fluid  18 , where the line system has at least one line duct  46  with an adapter for connecting the line system to the at least one cavity  38 , where the adapter is adapted to the workpiece body  32 . According to the examples disclosed herein, the equipment  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  include a process chamber  12  to receive the workpiece  14  in treatment, where the process chamber  12  includes an outlet  26  to discharge a process fluid  18  that has been induced into the cavity  38  to treat the workpiece  14 . 
     It is an object of the examples disclosed herein to provide equipment to treat workpieces with a process fluid, where the workpieces include a workpiece body having at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening, in which not only the walls of cavities of the workpiece but also other surfaces of the workpiece can be impinged with the process fluid. 
     This object can be achieved by equipment having the features of claim  1 , and by a method having the features of claim  11 . Advantageous embodiments of the examples disclosed herein are specified in other examples described herein. 
     According to the examples disclosed herein, a process chamber is to receive the workpiece in treatment in the equipment, where the process chamber includes an outlet to discharge a process fluid for treating the workpiece that has been induced into the cavity. 
     An equipment according to the examples disclosed herein can be conceived, in particular, as equipment to clean workpieces that have a workpiece body with at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening. In such equipment, for example, it is possible for surfaces of the at least one cavity of the workpieces, as well as surfaces that lie on the outside of the workpieces to be cleaned. 
     According to the examples disclosed herein, water, wash liquor, and/or solvent-containing cleaning agents can be implemented as a process fluid in equipment according to the examples disclosed herein. The process fluid can, however, also be implemented as foam, as acid, as a cooling lubricant, and/or an oil. In some examples, solids, such as ice pellets, salts, microbubbles, granules, or else gases (e.g., air, etc.), can also be employed as a process fluid in equipment according to the examples disclosed herein. 
     In one example according to the examples disclosed herein of the equipment, there is, preferably, a suction installation to generate negative pressure. The suction installation is coupled to the process chamber by a suction duct to suction the process fluid from a fluid vessel through the at least one line duct and the at least one cavity into the process chamber. As a result, a suction installation can have a very high relative suction output, by which very large quantities of a process fluid can be moved in a relatively short time (e.g., the shortest time) to be provided. 
     In some examples, the suction device can include a vacuum vessel that communicates with the suction duct, and an evacuation device to evacuate the vacuum vessel. 
     In the case of one preferred example of the equipment, it is provided that there is a connection duct that communicates with the at least one line duct and provides the process fluid into the at least one line duct that is connected to a fluid vessel and to discharge process fluid from the process chamber that is connected to the vacuum vessel. In some examples, the connection duct includes a first valve to selectively release and shut off the process fluid provided into the process chamber from the fluid vessel, and contains a second valve for selectively connecting and separating the vacuum vessel and the process chamber. 
     In the context of the examples disclosed herein it is moreover proposed for the equipment to optionally include an additional line duct that communicates with the outlet of the process chamber and the vacuum vessel. The line duct can include a shut-off valve for selectively releasing and precluding a fluid flow between the process chamber and the vacuum vessel through the further line duct. 
     It can, thus, be achieved that the at least one cavity of a workpiece that is disposed in the process chamber can be perfused by the process fluid in mutually opposed directions. As a result, a cleaning effect of the process fluid is significantly improved by reversing the flow direction, thereby releasing or entraining contaminants that can be jammed or deposited on constrictions or undercuts by reversal of the flow. 
     In some examples, it is advantageous for the suction duct in the equipment to communicate with the outlet of the process chamber and the vacuum vessel, where a shut-off valve to selectively release and preclude a fluid flow through the suction duct between the process chamber and the vacuum vessel is disposed in the suction duct. 
     In some examples, the vacuum vessel for discharging a process fluid, preferably, includes an outlet that is closable by a shut-off valve. The equipment can also include an installation to impinge the at least one cavity in the workpiece in the process chamber with at least one nozzle jet that is composed of a medium from the following group: a process fluid, in particular a liquid medium, steam, a gaseous medium, ice pellets, abrasives. Alternatively or additionally, an installation to impinge the process chamber with a gaseous fluid (e.g., compressed air) can be provided in the equipment. For an improved cleaning effect to be achieved, it is advantageous in some examples for the equipment to have an installation to impinge the at least one workpiece in the process chamber with ultrasound and/or ultrasound signals. 
     According to a method in accordance with the examples disclosed herein to treat a workpiece with a process fluid, the workpiece includes a workpiece body having at least one cavity that extends from a first opening to a second opening, where the workpiece is to be treated in a first step is disposed in a process chamber. In some examples, the process fluid in a second step is then suctioned into the process chamber through at least one cavity in the workpiece, where the surface of the workpiece in the cavity and external surfaces of the workpiece are impinged with the process fluid. 
     In that the process fluid in a further method step is released again from the process chamber through the at least one cavity in the workpiece, it can be achieved that the wall faces of the at least one cavity can be exposed to the incident flow of the process fluid from different flow directions, for example. 
     In some examples, it is advantageous for the workpiece in the process chamber to be disposed in such a manner that the second opening of the workpiece body is located on a side of the workpiece that faces an outlet of the process chamber, where the process fluid in the process chamber flows through the first opening and the cavity to the second opening of the workpiece body. It can, thus, be achieved that dirt particles and contaminants in the treatment of a workpiece in the process chamber cannot reach the external surfaces of a workpiece body of the workpiece. 
     In order for a high flow velocity of the process fluid through the at least one cavity in the workpiece to be likely or guaranteed in some examples, it is advantageous when the process fluid is urged out of the process chamber by way of a gaseous fluid (e.g., compressed air, etc.). 
     In some examples, the at least one cavity in the workpiece body can also be impinged with a pressurized gaseous fluid (e.g., compressed air, etc.) once the process fluid has been released from the process chamber. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible a fluid medium can be injected into the at least one cavity in the process chamber, for example. 
     An example set of equipment  10  for treating a workpiece  14  with a process fluid  18 , said workpiece  14  having a workpiece body  32  having at least one cavity  38  that extends from a first opening  36  to a second opening  70 , said set of equipment  10  having a line system for infeeding the process fluid  18 , said line system having at least one line duct  46  having an adapter  34  for connecting the line system to the at least one cavity  38 , and having a process chamber  12  for receiving the workpiece  14  in treatment, said process chamber  12  having an outlet  26  for discharging a process fluid  18  that for treating the workpiece  14  has been induced into the cavity  38 , characterized by a suction installation  48  which for generating negative pressure is connected to the process chamber  12  by a suction duct  50 , so as to suction the process fluid  18  from a fluid vessel  44  through the at least one line duct  46  and the at least one cavity  38  into the process chamber  12 . 
     In some examples, the suction installation  48  has a vacuum vessel  54  that communicates with the suction duct  50 , and an evacuation device  58  for evacuating the vacuum vessel  54 . 
     In some examples, the example set of equipment further includes a connection duct  42  that communicates with the at least one line duct  46  and for infeeding the process fluid  18  into the at least one line duct  46  is connected to the fluid vessel  44  and for discharging process fluid  18  from the process chamber  12  is connected to the vacuum vessel  54 , wherein the connection duct  42  has a first valve  66  for selectively releasing and shutting off the infeed of process fluid  18  into the process chamber  12  from the fluid vessel  44 , and a second valve  68  for selectively connecting and separating the vacuum vessel  54  and the process chamber  12 . 
     In some examples, the example set of equipment further includes a further line duct  78  that is connected to the outlet  26  of the process chamber, communicates with the vacuum vessel  54 , and includes a shut-off valve  80  for selectively releasing and precluding a fluid flow between the process chamber  12  and the vacuum vessel  54  through the further line duct  78 . 
     In some examples, the suction duct  50  communicates with the outlet  26  of the process chamber  12  and with the vacuum vessel  54 , wherein a shut-off valve  65  for selectively releasing and precluding a fluid flow through the suction duct  50  between the process chamber  12  and the vacuum vessel  54  is disposed in the suction duct  50 . 
     In some examples, the vacuum vessel  54  for discharging a process fluid  18  has an outlet  26  that is closable by a shut-off valve  62 . 
     In some examples, the example set of equipment further includes an installation  83  for impinging the at least one cavity  38  in the workpiece  14  with at least one nozzle jet  85  from the group of a process fluid  18 , a liquid medium, steam, a gaseous medium, ice pellets, abrasives, wherein the workpiece  14  is disposed in the process chamber  12 . 
     In some examples, the example set of equipment further includes an installation  82  for impinging the process chamber  12  with a gaseous fluid, in particular with compressed air. 
     In some examples, the example set of equipment further includes an installation  88  for impinging the at least one workpiece  14  in the process chamber  12  with ultrasound. 
     An example method is used to treat a workpiece  14  with a process fluid  18 , said workpiece  14  having a workpiece body  32  having at least one cavity  38  that extends from a first opening  36  to a second opening  70 . The example method includes the steps of disposing the workpiece  14  in a process chamber  12 , and suctioning the process fluid  18  into the process chamber  12  through the at least one cavity  38  in the workpiece  14  in that negative pressure is produced in the process chamber  12 . 
     In some examples, the example method further includes discharging the process fluid  18  from the process chamber  12  through the at least one cavity  38  in the workpiece  14 . 
     In some examples, the workpiece  14  in the process chamber  12  is disposed in such a manner that the second opening  70  of the workpiece body  32  is located on a side of the workpiece  14  that faces an outlet  26  of the process chamber  12 , wherein the process fluid  18  in the process chamber  12  flows through the first opening  36  and the cavity  38  to the second opening  70  of the workpiece body  32 . 
     In some examples, the process fluid  18  is urged out of the process chamber  12  by way of a gaseous fluid, in particular compressed air. 
     In some examples, the example method further includes impinging the at least one cavity  38  in the workpiece body  32  with a pressurized gaseous fluid, in particular with compressed air, once the process fluid  18  has been discharged from the process chamber  12  and/or a medium, in particular a process fluid  18 , has been injected into the at least one cavity  38  in the process chamber  12 . 
     This patent arises as a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2016/050086, which was filed on Jan. 5, 2016, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2015 203 323, which was filed on Feb. 24, 2015. The foregoing International Patent Application and German Patent Application are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims of this patent.