Patent Description:
A heat exchanger is used as a condenser in some cases to decrease the temperature of a turbine lubricant using cooling water that circulates in a turbine lubricant cooler or to keep food fresh at a low temperature without spoiling in a refrigerator that is used at home.

In order to wash such heat exchangers, a worker washed bundles and tubes by manually spraying washing water using compressed air or performed washing using an air spray type washing apparatus. An air spray type washing apparatus is a device that washes a tube of a heat exchanger by putting a tube of a cooler in a container fully filled with a detergent, generating bubbles and making the detergent flow using the density difference between the bubbles and the detergent.

When a worker manually washes a tube of a heat exchanger, there is a problem that the worker has difficulty in washing due to fine dust produced when a detergent is sprayed, and it takes long time to completely wash the tube.

Further, when washing a heat exchanger using an air spray type washing apparatus, it is required to fill up a container with a detergent and it is required to additionally inject a detergent into the container because the detergent is evaporated by production of bubbles, so there is a problem that too much detergent is consumed. Further, since only the portions that the detergent comes in contact due to bubbles are washed, uniform washing is difficult.

In order to solve this problem, an apparatus for washing a tube bundle of a cooler has been disclosed in <CIT>, but there is a problem that rotary devices are fixed at both ends to be able to rotate a heat exchanger tube, so only heat exchangers with predetermined sizes can be washed. Further, there is a problem that a lot of washing water is consumed because it is impossible to selectively and precisely wash each tube of a heat exchanger. Prior patent document <CIT> discloses an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and describes a mobile multi-function hydro-blast cleaning and tube lancing apparatus and system. Prior patent document <CIT> describes an automated pipe welding and expanding apparatus. Prior patent document <CIT> describes a system and method for cleaning of heat exchanger tubes. Prior patent document <CIT> describes a heat exchanger exchange-tube cleaning lance positioning system.

Accordingly, in order to solve the problems of the related art, an objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle, the automatic washing apparatus being able to quickly wash the inside of a tube by accurately recognizing the position of a heat exchanger bundle tube and set coordinates on a map.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle, the automatic washing apparatus being able to automatically wash an external bundle and an internal tube of a heat exchanger using a control module in accordance with set operation patterns of an external washing module and an internal washing module.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle, the automatic washing apparatus being able to rotate a heat exchanger bundle while adjusting a gap for supporting the bottom of the heat exchanger bundle regardless of the length of a heat exchanger.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle, the automatic washing apparatus in which a nozzle feeder of an internal washing module is inserted into or taken out of a tube at an accurate position by automatically recognizing the position of the heat exchanger tube.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle, the automatic washing apparatus being able to reuse the washing water used for washing a heat exchanger by reprocessing the washing water.

In order to achieve the objectives, an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle according to claim <NUM> is provided. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to the automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger of the present invention, since tubes of a heat exchanger bundle are recognized through a camera and the inside of the tubes of the heat exchanger bundle are automatically washed by a program that designates coordinates on the basis of a map, whereby quick and accurate washing is possible.

It is possible to automatically wash an external bundle and internal tubes of a heat exchanger by driving an external washing module and an internal washing module in accordance with a washing position and a washing order set by a worker.

Since it is possible to adjust the gaps of bundle rotation modules that support a heat exchanger bundle, it is possible to heat exchanger bundles having various lengths.

It is possible to wash the entire surface of a heat exchanger bundle by automatically rotating the heat exchanger bundle and a worker can visually check a position not sufficiently washed or a position that needs to be washed.

Since the positions of heat exchanger tubes are automatically recognized and nozzle feeders of the internal washing module are inserted into or taken out of tubes at accurate positions, work time can be reduced and work cost can be decreased by automation.

Since it is possible to reuse washing water used for washing a heat exchanger as washing water by reprocessing the washing water, there is an effect that eco-friendly work is possible and the cost is reduced.

However, in the following description of the present invention, well-known functions or configurations will not be described to make the spirit of the present invention clear.

Further, in the following description of the present invention, terms indicating directions define relative directions so that those skilled in the art can clearly understand the present invention, and the right range of the present invention is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a side view of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a plan view of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle according to an embodiment of the present invention fundamentally includes a chamber <NUM>, an internal washing module <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, and a control module <NUM>, and may further include an external washing module <NUM>, a bundle rotation module <NUM>, and a waste water processing unit (not shown).

The chamber <NUM> is a structure that can accommodate a heat exchanger bundle <NUM> therein.

The internal washing module <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, and the control module <NUM> may be installed in the chamber <NUM> to wash the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> disposed in the chamber <NUM>. Further, a frame <NUM> is installed in the chamber <NUM> and the internal washing module <NUM> can be hung on the frame <NUM>.

The chamber <NUM> has a long hexahedron shape, keeps the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>, and provides an internal darkroom, so photographing by the camera <NUM> can be smoothly performed and it is possible to prevent washed contaminants from be sprayed outside in washing.

If necessary, one side and the top of the chamber <NUM> may be open so that a worker can check a washing process. Further, one side of the chamber <NUM> may be opened and closed so that it is possible to put and wash the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> in the chamber <NUM> and take the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> out of the chamber <NUM> after finishing washing. In this configuration, guide rails <NUM> may be installed on the floor inside the chamber <NUM> so that the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> can be smoothly moved by the bundle rotation module <NUM>.

The internal washing module <NUM> is a part for washing the insides of tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>.

The internal washing module <NUM> is disposed on the frame <NUM> in the chamber <NUM>. The internal washing module <NUM> is laterally moved by a motor and sprays washing water into the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>.

In detail, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the internal washing module <NUM> includes an internal washer <NUM>, a nozzle feeder actuator <NUM> (<FIG>), a tube Y-axis actuator <NUM>, and a tube Z-axis actuator <NUM>.

The internal washer <NUM> has a nozzle feeder that sprays washing water into the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> and is moved by the nozzle feeder actuator <NUM> (<FIG>), the tube Y-axis actuator <NUM>, and the tube Z-axis actuator <NUM>.

The nozzle feeder actuator <NUM> (<FIG>) can move the internal washer <NUM> in the X-axial direction, so it inserts or takes the nozzle feeder into or out of the tube <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>.

The tube Y-axis actuator <NUM> moves the internal washer <NUM> left and right with respect to the bundle <NUM>. The tube Y-axis actuator <NUM> has an extension shaft <NUM> that is operated by rotation of a motor and gears are disposed at the upper end and the lower end of the extension shaft and can rotate in mesh with rails on an upper frame and a lower frame.

The tube Z-axis actuator <NUM> moves the internal washer <NUM> up and down with respect to the bundle.

The internal washing module <NUM> further includes rails, driving wheels, and rollers to be able to axially move, but these components are not described.

The camera <NUM> is a part that photographs the tubes of the heat exchanger bundle.

In detail, the camera <NUM> is installed in the chamber <NUM> and can photograph the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> under the darkroom condition of the chamber <NUM>, whereby it is possible to check the number of the tubes <NUM>. Further, a separate light <NUM> may be installed at the upper, lower, and rear portions of the camera <NUM>. It is possible to check the number and shape of tubes <NUM> by taking pictures of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> using the camera <NUM>.

The control module <NUM> is a part that controls washing of the heat exchanger bundle.

The control module <NUM> may be composed of a computer <NUM> and a PLC <NUM>.

The computer <NUM> is connected with the camera <NUM>, receives an image of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>, makes a map by setting coordinates of each of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>, and transmits the coordinates to the PLC <NUM>. The computer <NUM> can increase the recognition rate of the insides of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>, that is, holes, using deep learning software, and has a function of keeping a map. When there is an error in recognition of a hole, a worker can perform adding or removing.

In the present invention, it is possible to set coordinates of tubes or holes and sequentially express coordinates Ym and Zm (m is the order, which may be set to sequentially increase from a reference order <NUM>).

The computer <NUM> can recognize the insides of the tubes as holes from the image of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> transmitted from the camera <NUM>, digitize the diameters of the holes and the distances between the holes, and show a hole as an error when the diameter of the hole is out of a predetermined tolerance range from an average value or is out of a predetermined tolerance range from an average value of the distance of the hole. A worker can correct the error.

The PLC <NUM> controls the operation of the internal washing module <NUM> in the Y-axial and Z-axial directions in accordance with the coordinates on the basis of the map, whereby it is possible to sequentially wash the insides of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>. The number of nozzle feeders of the internal washing module <NUM> is selectively programmed in a control module, so a tube is washed on the basis of the number of nozzle feeders and it is required to prevent repeated washing.

The movement distance of the external washing module <NUM> is checked by an encoder installed in each module, and when there is an error in the movement distance, position correction is performed to further move the external washing module <NUM> by the error.

It is possible to display a tube <NUM>, which has been washed, on a display by transmitting information of the tube that has been washed of the tubes <NUM> of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> to the computer <NUM>.

The external washing module <NUM> is disposed at front and rear portions of the frame <NUM> to wash the outside of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM>. The external washing module <NUM> can be axially moved by a motor and can wash the outside of the heat exchanger bundle by spraying washing water.

In detail, referring to <FIG>, the external washing module <NUM> includes an external washer <NUM>, a bundle X-axis actuator <NUM>, a bundle Y-axis actuator <NUM>, and a bundle Z-axis actuator <NUM>.

The external washer <NUM> has a nozzle head <NUM> for spraying washing water to the outer side of the heat exchanger bundle <NUM> and is moved by the bundle X-axis actuator <NUM>, the bundle Y-axis actuator <NUM>, and the bundle Z-axis actuator <NUM>.

The bundle X-axis actuator <NUM> moves the external washer <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger bundle.

The bundle Y-axis actuator <NUM> moves the external washer <NUM> left and right with respect to the heat exchanger bundle.

The bundle Z-axis actuator <NUM> moves the external washer <NUM> up and down with respect to the heat exchanger bundle.

The external washing module <NUM> further includes rails, driving wheels, and rollers to be able to axially move. The rails are disposed in the X-axial, Y-axial, and Z-axial directions and have a plurality of movement guide holes longitudinally formed with predetermined gaps on a side. The driving wheels are formed in gear shapes, are rotated by a motor, and are axially moved while teeth are sequentially inserted into the movement guide holes of the rails. The rollers are symmetrically disposed on a side and the other side of each of the rails and enables smooth movement by distributing load that is applied to the driving wheels.

In <FIG>, the bundle rotation modules <NUM> are disposed at both sides under the frame <NUM>, are operated to be able to support and rotate the heat exchanger bundle, and move a heat exchanger into or out of the chamber <NUM> along the guide rails <NUM>.

The bundle rotation module <NUM>, referring to <FIG>, includes bundle rotors <NUM>, connection brackets <NUM>, and bundle movers <NUM>.

The bundle rotors <NUM> are formed in roller shapes, are symmetrically disposed front and back in the longitudinal direction of the bundle, and can support and rotate the bundle. A motor <NUM> and a reducer <NUM> are connected to the rotors <NUM> and can be driven by the control module. The bundle rotors <NUM> may be disposed at both ends of the heat exchanger bundle, and may be additionally disposed at the center of a bundle, depending on the length of a heat exchanger, thereby being able to make rotation smooth.

The connection brackets <NUM> are formed in rectangular frame shapes and are coupled to the bottom of a pair of bundle rotors <NUM>, thereby connecting the bundle rotors <NUM>. The connection brackets <NUM> may have a structure that can support the weight of a heat exchanger bundle.

The bundle movers <NUM> are disposed at the both front and rear lower ends of the connection brackets <NUM> to correspond to the positions of the pair of bundle rotors <NUM>, and the positions of the bundle movers <NUM> can be adjusted in accordance with the length of a heat exchanger bundle.

Referring to <FIG>, the control module <NUM> controls the operations of the internal washing module <NUM>, the external washing module <NUM>, and the bundle rotation module <NUM> in accordance with set operation patterns. The control module <NUM> may be composed of an electric controller, a PLC electronic controller, and a pneumatic circuit. A work result is shown in an output panel <NUM>, so a worker can easily check the work result.

Referring to <FIG>, a worker inputs an external washing pattern mode <NUM> and an internal washing pattern mode <NUM> through an input panel <NUM> of the control module <NUM>, whereby the operations of the internal washing module <NUM>, the external washing module <NUM>, and the bundle rotation module <NUM> can be set in advance.

In the external washing pattern mode <NUM>, the operation pattern of the external washing module <NUM> is set in accordance with the washing position and washing order of a heat exchanger bundle. The control module <NUM> enables the entire surface of a bundle to be uniformly washed by rotating the bundle with predetermined intervals by driving the bundle rotation module <NUM> in accordance with the external washing pattern mode <NUM> when washing a heat exchanger bundle.

In the internal washing pattern mode <NUM>, the operation pattern of the internal washing module <NUM> is set in accordance with the washing positions and washing order of the tubes on the basis of coordinates received from the computer of the control module <NUM>. In particular, a map is made by recognizing the position of a tube through the camera and setting coordinates through the computer, whereby the internal washer of the internal washing module <NUM> can be automatically driven by PLC setting.

The operations of the internal washing module <NUM>, the external washing module <NUM>, and the bundle rotation module <NUM> are automatically controlled in accordance with the external washing pattern mode <NUM> and the internal washing pattern mode <NUM> set in the control module <NUM>, whereby it is possible to wash a large amount of heat exchange within a short time and it is possible to accurately and completely wash set points.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the waste water processing unit <NUM>, which filters washing water used in the internal washing pattern mode <NUM> and the external washing pattern mode <NUM> to reuse the wash in water, includes a water collection tank, a water separator <NUM>, a filter <NUM>, a washing blower <NUM>, a backwash tank <NUM>, and a processing tank <NUM>.

The water collection tank collects washing water used by the internal washing module <NUM> and the external washing module <NUM> and supplies the washing water to the water separator <NUM>.

The water separator <NUM>, receives washing water from the water collection tank and separates the washing water into water and oil, has a structure in which a plurality of plates having egg plate shapes are stacked, thereby being able to separate washing water into water and oil within a short time.

The filter <NUM>, which filters out foreign substances from the water separated by the water separator <NUM>, has a plurality of stacked fiber filters, thereby being able to secure a large filtering area.

The washing blower <NUM> is disposed at the inlet of the filter <NUM> and increases the flow rate of washing water.

The backwash tank <NUM> is connected to the filter <NUM> to wash out the filtered floating particles.

The processing tank <NUM> is disposed at the outlet of the filter <NUM> to supply the filtered washing water back to the internal washing module <NUM> and the external washing module <NUM>.

As described above, it can be seen that the fundamental concept of the present invention is to provide an automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger, the automatic washing apparatus being able to automatically wash the outside of a heat exchanger bundle and the inside of a tube in accordance with the set operation patterns of an internal washing module and an external washing module and being able to reuse washing water used for washing a heat exchanger as washing water by reprocessing the washing water.

Claim 1:
An automatic washing apparatus for a heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>), the automatic washing apparatus comprising:
a chamber (<NUM>) being able to accommodate a heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>) therein and having a frame (<NUM>) therein; and
an internal washing module (<NUM>) disposed at a side of the frame (<NUM>), being able to move in X-axial, Y-axial, and Z-axial directions of the chamber (<NUM>), enabling washing water to be sprayed into tubes (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>),
characterised in that the automatic washing apparatus further comprises:
a camera (<NUM>) photographing the tubes (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>); and
a control module (<NUM>) connected with the camera (<NUM>), receiving a photograph of the tubes (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>), making a map by setting coordinates of each of the tubes (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>) on the basis of a predetermined program, and controlling operation of the internal washing module (<NUM>) on the basis of the map,
wherein the control module (<NUM>) includes a computer (<NUM>) setting coordinates of the image, and a PLC (<NUM>) controlling the internal washing module (<NUM>) on the basis of the coordinates transmitted from the computer (<NUM>) and being able to correct a movement difference when an error is generated, and
wherein the computer (<NUM>) recognizes insides of the tubes (<NUM>) as holes from the image of the tubes (<NUM>) of the heat exchanger bundle (<NUM>) transmitted from the camera (<NUM>), digitizes diameters of the holes and distances between the holes, and shows a hole as an error when the diameter of the hole is out of a predetermined tolerance range from an average value or is out of a predetermined tolerance range from an average value of the distances of the holes.