DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a modular structure of apparatus for the treatment of fluids with ultrasound.

The invention also relates to a set of structures of apparatus for the treatment of fluids with ultrasound.

Currently, an apparatus is known for the treatment of fluids with ultrasound, in particular for agroalimentary fluids, comprising a tubular jacket defining a conduit for a fluid being treated, which jacket has two supporting bodies, fixed integrally thereto, providing support to a plurality of generators of ultrasonic vibrations, which ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the jacket through the supporting bodies and through the jacket they are transmitted to the fluid, with the consequent generation of ultrasonic cavitation.

This apparatus is the subject of the European patent application EP3127591 . The tubular jacket has two passage ports for the fluid being treated, for example an intake port and a discharge port.

A first supporting body is welded to the tubular jacket proximate to the intake port and the second supporting body is welded proximate to the discharge port.

The ultrasonic vibration generators determine the synchronized oscillation of the two supporting bodies and of the tubular jacket with them; this causes the generation of the phenomenon of cavitation in the fluid that flows over the tubular jacket; accordingly, the fluid that flows over such tubular jacket is affected and modified by the phenomenon.

In a preferred embodiment, said apparatus comprises two concentric tubular jackets defining a central duct and a surrounding annular duct.

The two supporting bodies for the vibration generators consist of two opposite covers arranged so as to close the annular duct and fixed to the two tubular jackets by welding.

Each one of said supporting bodies has a passage port for the fluid that passes within said annular duct, and a central opening that is crossed by said inner tubular jacket.

Said inner tubular jacket is provided at its ends with corresponding passage ports for the fluid being treated. The two ducts, the central one and the annular one, are pre-set to be mutually connected, for example by means of a connector, so that the fluid being treated first passes through the annular duct and then is recirculated in the central duct.

In this manner, the same fluid receives the treatment provided by the apparatus in its first embodiment substantially twice consecutively.

By way of said apparatus with concentric ducts it is therefore possible to treat a larger quantity of fluid than known apparatuses and for a longer time than known apparatuses, with obvious advantages in terms of both production rates and product quality.

Although these apparatuses for treating fluids with ultrasound are well known and extremely appreciated for the quality of their performance, they do have limitations.

A first limitation is that this prior art apparatus with concentric ducts is very difficult to clean at the covers of the annular duct, because these covers, bearing the generators of ultrasonic vibrations, are welded to the two concentric jackets which define the annular ducts, and thus they are accessible for cleaning only the areas reachable through the inlet and outlet ports for the fluid which are defined on said covers.

Cleanliness of the ducts is fundamental because these apparatuses are ever more frequently applied for the treatment of liquids for human consumption, for example alcoholic beverages, flavoured drinks, sugary drinks and the like, for the production of which it is not acceptable to have possible problems with accumulation of dirt or otherwise of unplanned residues inside the ducts.

To clean these apparatuses optimally, it is necessary to make intensive use of energy and times, at each change of fluid product to be treated, to be able to eliminate the residue accumulations that are formed at the corners defined between covers and jackets, which is impractical in terms of costs.

A second limitation of these known apparatuses is that between the central tubular duct and the outer annular duct there is a cross section change, because of which the same treatment cannot be assured to all transiting fluid; moreover, each section change entails the formation of obstructions, of dead areas where stagnation may occur and hence undesired bacteria may be formed or proliferate.

A third limitation of these apparatuses with concentric ducts consists of the complexity of construction, with numerous special parts that need to be assembled and fastened with skill and attention by experienced personnel, with consequent costs in terms of components, labour and production times. A task of the present invention is to provide a modular structure of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art.

In particular, a purpose of the invention is to provide a structure of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound that is easy to clean without compromising its functionality.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a modular structure of apparatus that is less complex and easier to assemble than prior art apparatuses.

Yet another purpose of the invention is to provide a set of modular structures of apparatus according to the invention.

The task and the aforesaid purposes are achieved by a structure of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound according to claim 1 .

Further features of the modular structure of apparatus for treating fluids according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

The task and the aforesaid purposes, together with the advantages that will be mentioned farther on, will be readily apparent during the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given, by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

- figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a modular structure of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows a front view of a modular structure of apparatus according to the invention;

- figure 3 schematically shows a plan view of a set of modular structures of apparatus according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows a partial lateral section of a detail of a modular structure of apparatus according to the invention;

- figure 5 schematically shows a perspective view of another set of modular structures of apparatus according to the invention;

- figure 6 shows a perspective view of an additional set of modular structures according to the invention;

- figure 7 shows a detail of a different perspective view of the set of figure 6; - figure 8 shows an example of application of a set of modular structures according to the invention;

- figure 9 shows a schematic example of modularity of a plurality of modular structures according to the invention;

- figure 10 shows another schematic example of modularity of a plurality of modular structures according to the invention;

- figure 1 1 shows a lateral section view of an application comprising a set of two modular structures according to the invention.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a modular structure of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound according to the invention is designated in its entirety by the numeral 10.

Said modular structure of apparatus 10 for treating fluids with ultrasound is of the type comprising at least one tubular element 11 defining a duct for a fluid being treated, there being, integrally fixed to said at least one tubular element 11 , at least one supporting body 15 for a plurality of generators of ultrasonic vibrations 17, 18 for vibrating said at least one tubular element 11 , the latter being connected to said at least one supporting body 15 so as to allow the transmission of the vibrations for the generation of ultrasonic cavitation in the fluid being treated.

The peculiarity of the invention is that said modular structure of apparatus 10 comprises at least two tubular elements, for example four tubular elements 11 , 12, 13 and 14, parallel and side by side, and fixed to at least a same supporting body, for example two supporting bodies 15 and 16.

Each segment of tubular element fixed to a corresponding supporting body 15 and 16, for example the segments 11a and 11 b for a first tubular element 11 , and the segments 12a and 12b for a second tubular element 12, is surrounded by at least two generators of ultrasonic vibrations, for example four generators of ultrasonic vibrations; for example four generators 17, 18, 19 and 20 surround the segment 11a of the tubular element 11 and four generators 18, 20, 21 and 22 surround the segment 12a of the tubular element 12.

Each of the supporting bodies 15 and 16 then bears a number of vibration generators such that each segment of tubular element that passes through it is surrounded by at least two vibration generators, for example four vibration generators as described above.

In the embodiment of the modular structure of apparatus 10 described herein by way of non-limiting example of the invention, each supporting body 15 and 16 consists of a metallic plate with through holes shaped to be traversed by the tubular elements 11 , 12, 13 and 14.

The tubular elements 11 , 12, 13 and 14 are rectilinear, i.e. straight.

Each supporting body 15 and 16 is traversed by the tubular elements in orthogonal direction to its plane of lay.

The generators of ultrasonic vibrations transmit the vibrations to the plate that bears them, and said vibrations propagate from the plate to the tubular elements.

The generators of ultrasonic vibrations emit vibrations prevalently in an orthogonal direction to the plate that bears them, i.e. in a parallel direction to the axes of the tubular elements.

Because of this specific arrangement, the tubular elements are subjected to vibrations in prevalently axial direction, i.e. in the direction of their length; in this way, each tubular element is subjected to a series of infinitesimal compressions-elongations in the axial direction, determined by the propagation of the vibrations emitted by the vibration generators; these vibrations in the axial direction determine corresponding vibrations in the radial direction that propagates concentrically on every section of each tubular element, throughout the length of each tubular element.

Each supporting body 15 and 16 is fixed to the tubular elements 15 by welding. Said welding is preferably of the type with weld bead material added on both faces of the supporting body 15 and 16.

Each of the tubular elements 11 , 12, 13 and 14 consists of a tube made of metallic material.

Each of the tubular elements 11 , 12, 13 and 14 consists of a tube made of metallic material having the same internal diameter dimensions, so that two tubular elements connected in series do not determine any changes in section. In the present embodiment, each supporting body 15 and 16 bears twelve generators of ultrasonic vibrations 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28, as shown in figure 2 for a first supporting body 15.

Some of the generators of ultrasonic vibrations borne by a supporting body 15 and 16 co-operate to surround more than one segment of tubular element; for example, as in figure 2, the generators of ultrasonic vibrations 18 and 20 located in an intermediate area between the two segments of tubular element 11a and 12a co-operate to surround both a first segment of tubular element 11a and a second segment of tubular element 12a.

Because of this positioning of the generators of ultrasonic vibrations on the respective supporting bodies, the action of the vibration generators is synergic and allows to save in the use of two or more further vibration generators.

The generators of ultrasonic vibrations borne by a same supporting body 15 and 16 are mounted on the same face of the supporting body.

The generators of ultrasonic vibrations are fixed to the respective supporting bodies 15 and 16 and are excited in such a way that their action in the axial direction on the tubular elements 11 , 12, 13, 14 is added.

In the embodiment described herein, the vibration generators are fixed to the respective supporting bodies 15 and 16 on two faces, respectively 15a and 16a, that are opposite, in accordance with figure 1 .

Each generator of ultrasonic vibrations 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 consists of a sonotrode.

Said sonotrode is, for example, of the type operating between 20 kHz and 80 kHz.

The generators of ultrasonic vibrations borne by a same supporting body 15 and 16 are closed inside a protective casing 30 and 31 respectively, to protect them from any accidental contacts, in particular with washing liquids and with the treated liquids.

The ends of each tubular element 11 , 12, 13 and 14 of a first modular structure of apparatus 10 according to the invention, for example the ends 31 and 32 of a first tubular element 11 and the ends 33 and 34 of a second tubular element 12, can be connected with corresponding ends, for example 41 and 43, of the tubular elements, for example 44 and 45, of a second equal structure of apparatus 10a, as exemplified in figure 3.

The connection between a first end 34 of a tubular element 12 of a first modular structure of apparatus 10 and a second end 43 of a tubular element 45 of a second structure of apparatus 10a is achieved with a sealing quick coupling 50.

Said sealing quick coupling 50 is for example of the type with male 50a -female 50b fittings and locking ring 50c, with an annular gasket 50d interposed between the two fittings, as exemplified in figure 4.

Said sealing quick coupling 50 has such internal diameter dimension as not to determine changes in section with respect to the corresponding internal diameter dimension of the tubular elements that it joins; in this way, there are no changes in section and no places are created where stagnation situations can be determined, with the accumulation of dirt and formation of bacteria. These sealing quick couplings 50 then have equal internal diameter dimension to the corresponding internal diameter dimension of the tubular elements that they join.

Said sealing quick coupling is, for example, of a standard DIN 100 type.

Figure 3 shows three equal modular structures of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound 10, 10a and 10b connected in series to define a set for treating fluids with ultrasound 60.

Therefore, the invention also relates to a set for treating fluids with ultrasound 60 that is characterised in that it comprises a plurality of equal modular structures of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound 10, 10a, 10b joined in series.

The connection between two tubular elements of two structures of apparatus 10, 10a, 10b arranged in series is achieved by means of sealing quick couplings 50, as described above.

The connection between two neighbouring parallel tubular elements, belonging to the same modular structure of apparatus 10, for example the tubular elements 11 and 12 of the structure of apparatus 10 of figures 2, 3 and 5, or belonging to two distinct modular structures of apparatus, as exemplified for the modular structures 10m and 10n in figure 7, is achieved with a tubular curve 52 or 53 configured to define a curve, for example of 180°, adapted to deflect the fluid treated from one tubular element to another parallel tubular element placed side by side, overlying or underlying.

Each tubular curve 52 and 53 is fixed at its ends 54 and 55 to a corresponding end of a tubular element, for example the end 33 of the tubular element 12, and the end 31 of the tubular element 11 in figure 3, by means of respective sealing quick couplings 50.

Each curve 52 and 53 has internal diameter dimension corresponding to the internal diameter dimension of the tubular elements that each curve connects; in this way, there are no changes in section and no places are created where stagnation situations can be determined, with the accumulation of dirt and formation of bacteria.

Figures 6 and 7 exemplify a set for treating fluids with ultrasound 70 comprising a plurality of modular structures of apparatus 10, 10a, 10m, 10g, 10h and 10n arranged in multiple side by side rows, for example two side by side rows 80 and 81 , of which a first, lower, row 80 comprising the modular structures of apparatus 10g, 10h and 10n, and a second, upper, row 81 comprising the structures of apparatus 10, 10a, 10m.

Hereafter, the term 'line' means a plurality of coaxial tubular elements joined in series.

Such a set for treating fluids with ultrasound 70 therefore has a first incoming hydraulic line, 83, clearly visible in figure 7, travelled in a forward direction, connected at an end thereof, by means of a tubular curve 52, to a neighbouring second line 84 shown in figure 6, travelled in a return direction, opposite to the forward direction; the second line 84 is connected, at an opposite end, by means of a tubular curve 53, to a third line 85, as shown in figure 7, overlying the first line 83 and travelled in the forward direction, i.e. in the same direction as the first incoming line 83; similarly to what is described for the first line 83, the third line 85 is connected at an end thereof, by means of a tubular curve 52, to a side by side fourth line 86, travelled in a return direction.

The fourth hydraulic line 86 of the first row 80 of modular structures 10g, 10h, 10n is connected by means of a tubular curve 53 to a first, incoming, hydraulic line, 87 of the side by side second row 81 of modular structures 10, 10a, 10m, as shown in figures 6 and 7.

Connecting in this way the rows 80 and 81 of modular structures of apparatus according to the invention, a fluid is treated with ultrasound for a length, and hence for a time, which are specifically defined for a given result to be obtained.

Figure 1 1 shows an application comprising a set 90 of two modular structures according to the invention 10 and 10a respectively.

In this application, to be understood as exemplifying, the two modular structures 10 and 10a are connected to each other in series by sealing quick couplings 50 as described above.

Each modular structure 10 and 10a is enclosed, with the exception of the ends, inside a protecting container 91.

The modular structures 10 and 10a lie on a load-bearing frame 93 by interposition of corresponding vibration dampers 94. The supporting bodies 15 and 16 centrally present a through hole with a tubular segment 95; each of these tubular segments is fixed to the respective supporting body 15 and 16, for examples by welding, so as to project towards the interior of the protecting container 91.

The tubular segments 95 of a modular structure, 10 like 10a, are connected by a flexible tube, for example made of rubber, not shown for the sake of simplicity, and with said flexible tube they define a protected passage for the electric cables for powering and controlling the generators of ultrasonic vibrations 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28.

The modular structure 10 and 10a can also comprise one or more temperature sensors, for example a first temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the supporting bodies 15 and 16, i.e. metal plates, and possibly a second temperature sensor, for monitoring the temperature of one end of a tubular element.

The connecting cables of said one or more temperature sensors with an electronic unit for controlling and managing the set 90, not shown for the sake of simplicity and to be understood to be of a known type, are arranged to pass inside the flexible tube and the opposite tubular segments 95 to which it is connected.

The vibration generators of a modular structure 10, like 10a, are connected to a respective control and power supply unit, for example a first control and power supply unit 96a for a first modular structure 10, and a second control and power supply unit 96b for a second modular structure 10a.

In the present embodiment example of figure 1 1 , the control and power supply units 96a and 96b are borne and contained in a case 97 in turn mounted on a supporting frame 98 fixed between two neighbouring supporting bodies 15 and 16 by means of vibration dampers 99.

The case 97 has a front door and a rear door.

The protecting casings 30 for generators of ultrasonic vibrations are provided with an opening for discharging condensation, defined in the part of the casing 30 oriented downwards when in use.

These openings for discharging condensation are protected internally to the casing 30 by a bulkhead configured to allow the outflow of the accumulated liquids, but not the inflow of any external liquids, a situation that can occur for example in case of washing by means of pressure washers or other water jet means.

One of the casings 30 of each modular structure 10, for example the casing 30 positioned at the side of the female fittings, is provided with a watertight multi-pole plug, which allows the modular structure 10 to be interfaced with the corresponding control and power supply unit 96a.

Through said multi-pole plug are also exported the signals of the temperature sensors, where present.

Said multi-pole plugs are also adapted for remote control of both the power supply units and the temperature sensors.

In this way, a modular structure, or a set of modular structures, can also be managed remotely with a standard protocol.

Figure 8 shows an application example of a set of modular structures 100, comprising a plurality of modular structures 10, 10a, 10n mutually connected in series so as to define a plurality of treatment hydraulic lines 83, 84, 85 and 86 independent from each other.

For example, a first treatment line 83 is interposed between a container for collecting and shaking of a first type of grape A1 and a first reservoir for collecting the treated liquid B1 , a second treatment line 84 is interposed between a collecting and shaking container for a second different type of grape A2 and a second collecting reservoir B2; similarly for the shaking containers A3 and A4 and the corresponding tanks B3 and B4 by interposition of the treatment lines respectively 85 and 86.

Thanks to this set of modular structures 100, four different types of grapes are treated simultaneously.

Figure 9 shows a set of modular structures 200, in which the modular structures that constitute it, for example the modular structures 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, are superposed one over the other to define a stack, interconnected to each other in series.

Figure 10 shows a set of modular structures 300, in which the modular structures that constitute it, for example the modular structures 10, 10a, 10b, are side by side to each other and interconnected to each other in series.

A set of equal modular structures as described above should then be understood to be able to be put together by joining said modular structures according to three mutually orthogonal directions, according to technical needs and requirements. In practice, it has been observed that the invention achieves its task and intended purposes.

In particular, the invention provides a modular structure of apparatus for treating fluids with ultrasound that can easily be cleaned without compromising its functionality, by virtue of the simplicity of connection between the ends of the tubular elements of a modular structure of apparatus with the corresponding ends of the tubular elements of another equal modular structure of apparatus, and of the equally simple removability and restorability of the tubular curves that mutually connect the parallel tubular elements set side by side.

Indeed, removing the tubular curves and possibly separating the modular structures of apparatus connected in series it is possible to access inside each of the tubular elements, to achieve in a convenient, well verifiable manner a deep, complete and safe cleaning thereof.

The same advantages deriving from the easy and rapid separation of the tubular curves and of the tubular elements joined together are reflected on the emptying of a treatment set, when required.

Moreover, with the invention a modular structure has been provided whose tubular elements are free of section variations, even in any tubular curves, so that there are neither stagnation areas nor dead areas where bacteria can proliferate.

Furthermore, with the invention a modular structure of apparatus is provided that is less complex and easier to assemble than prior art apparatuses.

In addition, with the invention a set of modular structures of apparatus according to the invention has been provided, with very high versatility of application, able to be put together in a simple, quick manner according to contingent technical needs and requirements.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, without departing from the scope of the invention; moreover, all details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the components and materials used, provided they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any depending on the needs and on the state of the art.

Where the features and the techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs shall be understood to be affixed solely for the purpose of enhance the intelligibility of the claims and consequently such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by said reference signs.