FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention relates to cleaning devices. In particular, the pre sent invention pertains to cleaning devices using explosive material.

BACKGROUND

A variety of methods and devices are used today for cleaning different industrial applications. For example, air cannons (also known as air blasters) and different sootblowers (e.g. air, steam, water) are known today for cleaning silos, bins and other large volume stmctures where dirt is built up and where it is difficult to reach by mechanical means.

Many of the solutions used today are fixed solutions that are installed to the target. These solutions may be difficult to move to another target. Even if it is possible, often it may require additional manpower and the process may be slow and cum bersome.

Further, devices using explosive material for cleaning industrial applications are known today. Cleaning with explosive material may be beneficial in targets where the dirt is hard to remove.

One problem with the solutions today is that the targets to be cleaned have a high temperature and therefore the devices used for cleaning are exposed to heat. The explosive material and/or triggering means must therefore be protected and/or cooled with suitable means. The means used today have some drawbacks and the explosive material and/or triggering means may therefore be exposed to too much heat before reaching the target to be cleaned. This may lead to premature explo sion.

Another problem with many of the devices utilizing explosive material today is that the cleaning process may be rather slow. Recharging the explosion may be slow and therefore the process for cleaning an industrial application may take a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satis factorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible device and method for cleaning with explosive material. One objective is to provide means for cooling the explosive material and/or detonator. Another objective is to speed up the cleaning process by providing a device where the change of explosive ma terial is fast and convenient.

The aforesaid objectives are achieved by the embodiments of a device and/or method in accordance with the present invention.

The aforesaid objectives are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1.

The aforesaid objectives are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 13.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention a device for cleaning with ex plosive material comprises

-a lance comprising

-a number of lance pipes,

-a first connection for cooling means in a first end of the lance such that a coolant is supplied through the lance pipes,

-an inlet channel for an electric cable, the inlet channel guiding the electric cable through the lance pipes,

-a sleeve connector in a second end of the lance for connecting a breakable part to the lance,

-a control unit comprising

-an inlet for the cooling means,

-an outlet for connecting the cooling means to the first connection of the lance, -an explosion trigger,

-an electric cable arranged in connection with the explosion trigger and a detona tor,

-a detonator arranged to the breakable part next to explosive material,

-a breakable part comprising explosive material, and -cooling means for cooling the explosive material and/or detonator.

In one embodiment the device comprises a second connection for cooling means in the first end of the lance such that a coolant is supplied at least partially through the lance pipes.

In one embodiment the device comprises an additional cooling pipe arranged be tween the first end of the lance and a second point of the lance for transferring the coolant closer to the second end of the lance. In one embodiment the coolant supplied through the first connection is compressed air, and wherein the coolant supplied through the second connection is water.

In one embodiment the device comprises a nozzle for creating water spray of the cooling water.

In one embodiment the device comprises at least two lance pipes, wherein the lance pipes are connected to each other with quick couplings.

In one embodiment the cooling means are connected to the first end of the lance with quick couplings.

In one embodiment the breakable part is a cardboard sleeve.

In one embodiment the electric cable comprises quick couplers in the second end of the electric cable for quick connection of the detonator wirings.

In one embodiment the breakable part is covered with a fire retardant cover for protecting the explosive material and/or electric detonator. In one embodiment the explosive material is an F- or K-pipecharge.

In one embodiment the device comprises a hose reel with the electric cable, air pressure pipe and/or water pipe.

In one embodiment the control unit comprises ON/OFF valves and/or flow con trollers for the air pressure and/or water. In another aspect of the present invention, a method for cleaning with explosive material comprises

-placing a breakable part with explosive material and a detonator to a lance, -cooling the explosive material and/or detonator with air pressure by flowing the air pressure through the lance,

-moving the breakable part to the target area to be exploded, and -triggering the explosion.

In one embodiment water spray is flown through the lance for cooling the explo sive material and/or detonator. In one embodiment the water is supplied through an additional cooling pipe closer to the second end of the lance before the water flows through the lance.

The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. Some embodiments of the present invention may allow effective cleaning in the target area with the explosion of the explosive ma terial. Some embodiments may provide suitable means for cooling the explosive material and/or detonator. Some embodiments may speed up the cleaning process by providing a device where the change of explosive material is fast and conven ient.

The expression“a number of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three. The expression“a plurality of’ refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four.

Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended draw ings in which

Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a lance of the device for cleaning with ex plosive material in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a lance of the device for cleaning with explosive material in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a closer view of the handle part.

Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of the first end of the lance without a handle cover. Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the handle part.

Fig. 6 illustrates a connection of a cooling pipe and the lance.

Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-section of the connection of the cooling pipe and the lance. Fig. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the first end of the lance without a handle cover.

Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the device for cleaning with explosive material. Fig. 10 illustrates view of the front end of the control unit and the lance.

Fig. 1 1 illustrates an embodiment of a box of cardboard sleeves.

Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a cardboard sleeve having a fire retardant cover.

Fig. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a blasting trigger.

Fig. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the second end of the lance with sleeve con nector and electric cables.

Fig. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the second end of the lance and a detonator. Fig. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the detonator being placed in the cardboard sleeve.

Fig 17 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figures 1-2, the lance 102a, 102b comprises a number of lance pipes 104a- 106a, 104b- 108b, preferably stainless and acid-proof lance pipes. The length of the lance can be increased by connecting multiple lance pipes together. The lance pipes 104a- 106a, 104b- 108b are connected to each other with quick cou plings 110a, 110b, 112b. Referring also to figures 3-5, the first end of the lance 102a, 102b comprises a handle part 114a, 114b. The handle part 114 comprises a handle cover 116. The handle part 114 may comprise a safety button 117 so that the triggering of the explosion requires that the safety button is pressed down. This may require two users so that one presses the explosion trigger and the other presses the safety but- ton in the handle part.

Additionally, the first end of the lance comprises a first connection 118 and a sec ond connection 119 for cooling means. The cooling means may comprise com pressed air and/or water. The air pressure may be arranged to the first connection 118 such that the air pressure flows through the lance. The cooling water may be arranged to the second connection 119. Preferably, a nozzle is arranged directly after the second connection 119 to create water spray for cooling. The first and second connections 118, 119 may be quick couplings. Additionally, the first end of the lance comprises a third connection 120 for an additional cooling pipe 122. The third connection may also be a quick coupling. Referring also to figures 6-7, the additional cooling pipe 122 may be arranged from the handle part to any connecting section of the lance pipes. If the length of the lance has to be increased to create a relatively long lance, the additional cooling pipe may be utilized to transfer the coolant closer to the second end of the lance. The second end of the additional cooling pipe 122 is arranged to the connecting section of the two lance pipes 106b, 108b. The second end of the additional cooling pipe may comprise a second nozzle 124 for creating or increasing the water spray for cooling. Alternatively, the second nozzle 124 is the only nozzle in the pipe for creating water spray.

The handle part 114 comprises an inlet channel 126 for an electric cable, preferably thermally protected silicone cable. The electric cable may be protected with a cover pipe, preferably acid-proof cover pipe. The cover pipe may be welded to the lance pipe and arranged in the middle of the lance pipe. Excess cable may be col lected in the handle part. Referring to figure 8, in a third embodiment of the lance 102c, the first and second connection 118c, 119c unite in the lance. The electric cable 128c is arranged through the inlet channel 126c.

Referring also to figures 9-10, the device 200 for cleaning with explosive material comprises a lance 202, a control unit 230 and a hose reel 232.

The control unit 230 comprises quick couplers for connecting the water pipe, air pressure pipe and electric cable from the hose reel 232. Alternatively, the electric cable, air pressure pipe and/or water pipe is arranged directly from the control unit 230 to the lance. Additionally, the control unit 230 comprises quick couplers for the inlets for the water and/or air pressure. The water and/or air pressure may be arranged from a water and/or air pressure network. The control unit comprises manual ON/OFF valves and/or flow controllers for the air pressure and/or water. The control unit comprises an explosion trigger 234. The explosion trigger 234 may be an Orican Thor™ explosion trigger, for example. Additionally, the control unit may comprise a sound alarm for explosion.

The first end of the electric cable 228 comprises a quick coupler so that the lance may be detached from the hose reel 232. The hose reel 232 comprises quick cou- piers in the first and second end for the water pipe, air pressure pipe and the electric cable. The pipes and cable of the hose reel may be arranged in a cut resistant and thermally protected bag. The ends of the thermally protected bag may be tightened to the pipes and/or cable with heat shrink. Electric power for the device 200 for cleaning with explosive material may be ar ranged with batteries. Alternatively, electric power may be arranged from an elec tricity network.

Referring also to figures 11-16, the second end of the lance 202 comprises a sleeve connector 236 for connecting a cardboard sleeve 238 or other breakable part to the lance 202. The cardboard sleeve 238 comprises explosive material for creating an explosion in the target area. The explosive material may be an F- or K-pipecharge, for example. The cardboard sleeve 238 is arranged to the sleeve connector 236 so that an electric detonator 240 may be arranged next to the explosive material inside the cardboard sleeve. The wires of the electric detonator may be arranged inside the cardboard sleeve so that the explosive material does not slide inside the lance. The first end of the electric cable 228 is arranged to the control unit in connection with the explosion trigger 234. The electric detonator 240 is arranged in the second end of the electric cable 228. The second end of the electric cable is arranged through the sleeve connector 236 so that the electric detonator 240 may be con nected to the electric cable 228. The electric detonator 240 is then arranged inside the cardboard sleeve next to the explosive material. The electric cable 228 com prises quick couplers 242 such as Wago® couplings for quick connection of the detonator 240. The detonator 240 comprises a protective case or quick couplers 244 such as Wago® couplings for quick connection. The protective case 244 is detached from the detonator wirings such that the wirings may be arranged in the quick couplers 242 of the electric cable 228.

A fire retardant cover 246 may be arranged over the cardboard sleeve to protect the electric detonator and/or explosive material. The fire retardant cover may be a sleeve, sock or other fire retardant fabric, for example.

Figure 17 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention.

At method start-up 302, preparatory actions may take place.

At 304, the breakable part such as a cardboard sleeve is placed on the sleeve con nector.

At 306, the explosive material and/or a detonator are cooled with air pressure by flowing the air pressure and/or water at least partially through the lance. The step may additionally comprise cooling the explosive material and/or detonator with water spray that is flown through the lance. The water may be supplied through an additional cooling pipe closer to the second end of the lance before the water flows through the lance.

At, 308, the breakable part is moved to the target area to be blasted.

At, 310, the blast is triggered. At 312, the method execution is ended.

Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.