TITLE

PORTABLE MODULAR UNIT FOR WASHING AIRCRAFT BATTERIES

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention The present invention relates to a portable modular unit for washing the batteries installed in aircraft, and particularly in helicopters (especially the Agusta model AB 412) and aircraft such as the Piaggio P166 DL 3 SEM, or similar models. Background of the invention

There is a well-known problem relating to the frequent need to service and check the efficiency of batteries, which are a vital component of aircraft. The conventional systems used for this routine servicing activity consist merely of a generic workbench for supporting the batteries and a sink connected to the public mains water supply and waste water networks. Repeatedly washing the battery cells modifies the chemical-physical parameters (and particularly the pH) of the washing water, which consequently becomes a source of pollution when it is released into the waste water system.

Moreover, the routine servicing of the batteries entails removing them from the aircraft and then reinstalling them a procedure that is far from being easy, given the weight of each battery (approximately 38 kg) and the fact that they are usually installed in places inside the aircraft that are not easy to access. Two operators are needed, who are often obliged to adopt in an unsuitable posture while taking a heavy load on the spinal column in order to pick up the batteries, place them on the sink and then put them back in their recess in the aircraft after they have been washed.

It is also important to note that such conventional systems are unsuitable for transportation on mobile workshops mounted on wheels for use in the field during lengthy missions, due mainly to the fact that the sink used for battery washing is generally a permanent fixture in the aircraft servicing area.

The object of the present invention is to provide a portable modular unit for washing aircraft batteries that is easy to transport and suitable for a single operator to use both for dismantling/re-installing the battery in the aircraft and for washing the battery, even in the absence of a suitable network, in the area where servicing is done, for the disposal or recovery of the polluted waste water or for the supply of washing water. Summary of the invention

This object is achieved with a portable modular unit for washing aircraft batteries according to the present invention, comprising a battery washing module and a battery lifting and handling module, operationally integrated with one another. The two modules are both mounted on wheels and the lifting and handling module is suitable for engaging with the washing module to enable the battery it carries to be deposited on the latter. Detailed description of the invention In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing module comprises a worktop, with a washing sink and means for supplying washing water and means for collecting the waste water from the washing process. The water supply means comprise a tank for containing water for use in washing the batteries and an associated pump for delivering the water to distributor means situated in the vicinity of the washing sink. The battery lifting and

handling module comprises a pair of parallel bars supported on wheels and joined together by at least one cross member supporting an upright from which an arm extends that is fitted with movable hooking means, the distance between the bars being sufficient to enable them to engage underneath the washing module so that the arm extends over the worktop on the latter.

Modular, compact features, transportability and straightforward design make the portable modular unit for washing aircraft batteries according to the present invention ideal for routine servicing, both in areas served by a mains water supply and in places where there is no mains water supply available, e.g. a mobile workshop unit for use in the field. The fact that the battery lifting and handling module can be separated from the washing module enables a single operator to complete all the battery handling operations both safely and effortlessly.

Other characteristics and advantages of the portable modular unit for washing aircraft batteries according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, provided here merely as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: - figures 1 and 2 are front and a rear perspective views of the battery washing unit according to the present invention; figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the battery washing unit of figure 1 respectively from the front, from the left side, from the right side and from above; figures 7 and 8 show the battery lifting module forming part of the battery washing unit according to the

present invention, respectively in a side view and in a top view; figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 show the battery washing module integrated in the battery washing unit according to the invention in views from the front, from the left side, from the right side and from above, respectively; figure 13 schematically shows the hydraulic circuit for the battery washing unit according to the invention; figures 14, 15 and 16 show various accessories (basket, pH-meter and revolving plate) associated with the battery washing unit according to the invention.

With reference to figures 1-12, the battery washing unit according to the invention comprises a battery washing module and a battery lifting and handling module, generically indicated by the numerals 1 and 2, respectively, both mounted on wheels.

The battery washing module 1 comprises a box-shaped frame 3 with panels on all sides and mounted on wheels 4 for easy displacement, being equipped laterally for said purpose with a pair of handles 5 for pulling or pushing the unit. The upper area of the module consists of a worktop 6, on which there is a washing sink 7, with a draining board alongside and accessories for the supply of water 8 and 9, and compressed air 10, respectively for washing and drying the battery cells. The washing sink 7 contains a basket 30 standing on a revolving plate 39, shown in figures 14 and 16, designed to support the battery cells, thus enabling the operator to use both hands to wash the cells during the servicing procedure.

In particular, the plate 39 rests on revolving ball

bearings on the bottom of the sink 7, so that the operator can rotate the basket by hand.

The front of the frame 3 supports two panels 11 and 12 that are hinged to allow for inspection inside the washing module 1, and a drawer 13 sliding on guides for depositing the accessories shown in figures 15 and 16 and any other tools used by the operator. The paneled frame 3 houses a tank 14 containing washing water, a tank 15 for storing the polluted waste water from the washing process, a pump 16, more particularly a 28V DC membrane pump, connected to the tank 14 to ensure that the washing circuit illustrated in figure 13 is kept at a constant pressure if the area used for the battery servicing procedure lacks a mains water connection, e.g. in the event of a mobile workshop for use in the field, suitable for transportation by road.

The tank 15 is connected to the washing sink 7 by means of a flexible conduit 17 (figure 13) which is easily disconnected after washing the battery, by means of a suitable drip-free rapid coupling, to enable the tank 15, supported on runners 18, to be drawn towards the edge of the frame 1 so that the pH of the waste water from the washing process collected in the tank 15 can be tested by means of a pH-meter 19 provided (figure 15) and, if necessary, it can be corrected by adding a suitable chemical agent before the contents of the tank are released into the waste water system or into the environment .

The tank 14 containing the water for washing the batteries is attached to the frame 3 by means of sliding runners 20 that enable it to be removed and inspected if necessary. The tank 14 is filled with washing water by

means of a rapid coupling 21 positioned on the left panel of the frame 3 and connected to the tank by means of a filler hose 22 (figure 13) . A float and a high level sensor (not shown) are installed inside the tank 14 to control the quantity of water added, while the lower part of the tank 14 is connected to the pump 16 that, by means of a delivery pipe 23, enables the washing fluid to be delivered through the taps 8 and 9. The pump 16 is operated by means of a switch 24 installed on a control panel 25. Moreover, there is also a rapid coupling 26 on the left panel of the frame 3 for supplying compressed air from the mains network, which is carried through an air delivery hose 27 to provide compressed air to a pistol 28 for drying the washed battery cells. The battery lifting and handling module 2, shown in detail in figures 7 and 8, consists of a pair of parallel and horizontal bars 31, joined by a cross member 32 and mounted on wheels 33. The cross member 32 supports an upright 34, from which an arm 35 extends, carrying a pulley 36 with a cable 37 wound thereon, to which a battery may be attached when it is dismantled, handled and re-installed by attaching the handles of the battery to a bracket 43. In transit, the battery is rested on a tipping plane 49 hinged to the upright 34 (shown in figures 4 and 5) , which occupies a horizontal position when the module is in use, whereas it normally lies in a vertical position as illustrated in the above-mentioned figures. A handle 38 is provided at a suitable height on the upright 34 for pushing or pulling the lifting module 2. The distance between the bars 31 is sufficient to enable them to engage underneath the washing module 1 so that the arm 35 extends over the worktop 6, enabling the battery to be placed

thereon for washing and collected therefrom afterwards. The pulley 36 is integrally connected to a saddle 45 sliding along the arm 35, which can be locked in the required position by means of a positioning pin that can engage elastically with a snap connection in one of a line of seats 46 provided along the arm 35. The cable 37 that slides inside the pulley 36 can be locked in place by means of a clutch lever 47 integrated in the pulley.

At rest, the lifting module 2 can be integrally connected to the washing module 1. For this purpose, there is a substantially C-shaped connection joint 48 extending from one side of the frame 3 that fits around the upright 34 on the lifting module 2, as shown in figure 2. The upright 34 can be anchored to the joint 48 by means of snap-connection positioning pins (not shown) . The joint 48 can slide vertically thanks to a kinematic system inside the frame (not shown) , which is operated by means of a lever 50. Thus, once the lifting module 2 has been anchored to the washing module 1, it can also be lifted off the ground because its wheels 33 are smaller than those 4 of the washing module 1.

With the aid of the lifting and handling module 2, a single operator can remove the battery requiring maintenance from the aircraft, place it on the worktop 6 of the battery washing module 1, dismantle all the battery cells and place them inside the basket 30 provided for said purpose inside the sink 7 on the revolving plate 39 (figure 16) lying underneath the basket 30 on the bottom of the sink 7. The sink 7 can advantageously be fitted with a watertight cover (not shown) and with a motorized revolving water supply to enable the battery to be washed

automatically. Means may also be provided for lifting the basket with the aid of pneumatic actuators coming to bear on the handles of the basket.

It is clear from the above description that the aircraft battery washing unit according to the invention enables the routine servicing of batteries to be done by a single operator in compliance with current job safety regulations and in an environment-friendly manner. The operator can complete the battery servicing procedure using both hands, thus taking less time and ensuring a more accurate servicing without the risk of spilling any of the fluid contained in the cells or of damaging the cells. Moreover, the modular nature of the washing unit according to the invention enables all the servicing operations needed to be completed, i.e. the removal of the battery from the aircraft, the dismantling of the cells from the battery, the inspection and washing/drying of the cells, the assembly of the cells inside the battery casing and the installation of the battery inside the aircraft, while keeping the overall dimensions of the unit required to a minimum. In addition, the opportunity to engage the lifting and handling module with the washing module not only facilitates the positioning of the battery on the washing module worktop, but also gives rise to a modular, compact unit that saves space in the workplace, especially useful in the event of mobile workshops mounted on vehicles for use in the field.

There may be variants and/or modifications made to the modular aircraft battery washing unit according to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.