Search

EP-4739447-A1 - PIPE CLEANING MILLING MACHINE

EP4739447A1EP 4739447 A1EP4739447 A1EP 4739447A1EP-4739447-A1

Abstract

Pipe cleaning milling machine comprising a plurality of spiroidal cables (11) adapted to purge and clean any pipe, through a rotary motion; said spiroidal cables (11) having different cross-sections, and being used individually to clean pipes; the cables (11) which are not used are adapted to remain wound on a cable winding drum (10) inside the device; at least a spindle (13) is installed outside said drum (10), adapted to transmit the rotary motion to the spiroidal cable (11) used.

Inventors

  • FALCONE, Valerio
  • DI COLA, Emiliano

Assignees

  • Evalmech S.r.l.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240617

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Pipe cleaning milling machine characterized in that it includes a plurality of spiroidal cables (11) adapted for purging and cleaning any pipe, through the rotary motion imposed by a common means of transmission of motion, for example, a screwdriver; said spiroidal cables (11) having each a different cross section and being usable individually for cleaning pipes; wherein, cables (11) temporarily unused are adapted for remaining wound on a cable winding drum (10) in the machine; wherein, at least a spindle (13) is installed inside this drum (10) and is capable of transmitting the rotary motion to a selected spiroidal cable (11); this milling machine for cleaning pipes thus comprising: - a plurality of spiroidal cables (11), each of which is independently replaceable and protected by a coating (18), preferably made of plastic; said spiroidal cables (11) being adapted for making the milling machine adaptable to any type of pipe, regardless of the size of the pipes to be treated; said spiroidal cables (11) being capable of rotating and vibrating, when inserted into the pipes, scratching and removing any obstruction present within said pipes; - at least a cable winding drum (10) inside the machine, comprising two side walls (12) and a central pulley (20) with several grooves (19); these grooves (19) being adapted for accommodating and maintaining separate the spiroidal cables (11) included in the milling machine; said cable winding drum (10) allowing the transport of said plurality of cables (11) to sites where cleaning or purging is required; said drum (10) being further designed to ensure easy manual rewinding of the cables (11) used, by means of a handle (15) or a common cable reel system engaged laterally to one of said two side walls (12); - a plurality of bearings (21) with balls, installed between said pulley (20) and said side walls (12) of the cable winding drum (10), adapted for allowing a smoother unwinding and coiling of the cables (11) used, by reducing the friction between the side walls (12) of the drum (10) and said central pulley (20) with several grooves (19); - at least a spindle (13), installed laterally to one of the two side walls (12) of said cable winding drum (10), capable of rotating to transmit rotational motion of the motor to said cable (11); said spindle (13) further including an adapter to facilitate connection with cables (11) of different cross-sections.
  2. 2. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to the claim 1, characterized in that said spiroidal cables (11) adapted for insertion into the pipes are further adapted for being reinforced by modifying/adjusting their coating layer (18); wherein, a plurality of additional coating layers (18) can in fact be inserted externally to these cables (11), to increase their cross-section and rigidity; wherein, the modification/adjustment of said coating layer (18) takes place by inserting the cable (11) inside an additional sheath, by screwing.
  3. 3. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cable winding drum (10) is adapted for rewinding the cable (11) after use, in a completely automatic manner, by means of a common cable reel system.
  4. 4. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cable winding drum (10) has a height between 40 and 80 cm, preferably 60 cm, a width between 35 and 75 cm, preferably 55 cm, and a depth between 15 and 45 cm, preferably 30 cm, making the milling machine portable thanks to its compact dimensions which facilitate transport and stowage inside any vehicle.
  5. 5. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cable winding drum (10) comprises a plurality of wheels adapted for facilitating the handling and displacement/dragging of the milling machine during the cleaning operations of the pipes treated.
  6. 6. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a tool cable (11) designed for coupling a camera cable to the milling cable (11) in use; said camera being equipped with a wireless connection to a remotely located display/screen.
  7. 7. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removably installed “cable-pusher” accessory capable of allowing the automatic advancement of each cable (11).
  8. 8. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an external motor unit (10’) equipped with wheels and connectable to said cable winding drum (10) in order to transmit a rotational motion thereto; said external motor unit (10’) comprising an electric motor capable of converting electrical energy received from a plurality of accumulators (17), in kinetic energy, transmitting a rotational motion to the plurality of spiroidal cables (11) which are adapted for rotating inside the pipes to be cleaned.
  9. 9. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to claim 8, characterized in that said external motor unit (10’) comprises a CPU (14), capable of recognizing the presence of obstacles or obstructions inside a tube, by detecting the power consumed by the electric motor to maintain a certain number of revolutions.
  10. 10. Pipe cleaning milling machine, according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises, on said external motor unit (10’), an electrical energy absorption sensor connected to an acoustic and/or light signaling system capable of being activated in the event that the milling machine was exceeding an upper threshold of electric energy absorption as a result of contact with a particularly resistant obstruction.

Description

“Pipe cleaning milling machine” Description Field of the art The invention refers to an innovative machine designed for cleaning the sediment present inside pipes, more in particular the present patent application reveals a milling machine provided with several spiroidal cables of different cross-sections, adapted to rotate and vibrate, removing any impurity present inside the treated pipes, regardless of the dimensions of said pipes. Prior art Milling techniques have constantly evolved over time, and today they are a processing method used for a wide range of applications. In addition to traditional applications, today milling is a very valid alternative for producing machining which was once carried out exclusively by means of turning, drilling or tapping. It is very important to select the right machine for the choice of milling method. Plane grinding/milling or slot milling can be performed on 3 -axis machines, while 4 or 5-axis machines are required for milling 3D profiles. Today, with technological development, turning centers often allow milling operations to be carried out thanks to rotating and motorized tools, at the same time machining centers can also be provided with a turning function. These machines undoubtedly ensure greater flexibility, but the stability with respect to a traditional milling machine can represent a problem. Milling is commonly used to perform cleaning operations within long ducts which are difficult to treat and maintain. The most modern milling machines use the same principle as traditional machines, however using long cables to be inserted inside the pipes to be cleaned and purged. The maintenance and cleaning of hydraulic pipes generally involves systems with special end fittings, such as augers and cutters, which are fixed to the ends of the cables for cleaning drains. One of the more recent developments which has proven effective in cleaning drains has been a high-speed system known in the art as “FlexShaft” FlexShaft systems involve the use of a drill connected to a flexible metal cable composed of multiple thin wires wrapped inside a polymer tube. The cable normally spins between 1500 and 3500 rpm, but provides a minimum torque at the end of the cable where the cleaning accessory is located. The cable is inserted into a drain channel or in another position and pushed into the drain until an obstruction is encountered; at that point, the user applies power to the machine to spin the cleaning accessory to slowly clean the pipe. The user is required to treat the obstruction slowly, as this system does not provide sufficient torque to quickly release the obstruction. The system adopted to date uses a relatively high rotation speed of the cleaning attachment to scrape the inside of the pipe and ultimately remove the obstruction. Although satisfactory in many respects, a need remains for a new and optimized cleaning system which does not exclusively use the Flex Shafi cable. Furthermore, the milling machines used in the current state of the art include only one cable, which is adapted to determine the success of cleaning ducts; if the pipes have different crosssections, or are smaller with respect to the cross-section of the cable, thus making the cable used unsuitable for correct cleaning, the same cannot be carried out using a milling machine, causing obvious inconvenience. In the current state of the art, to clean the ducts, it is necessary to have a plurality of milling machines, each equipped with a cable of different cross-section, requiring the purchase of multiple machines. Another problem linked to the current state of the art is the frequent need for machine downtime if cable replacement or repairs are necessary. There does not appear to be any innovation linked to the milling machines of the present invention on the market, nor among the patents already published, which, thanks to the use of several cables, can avoid any machine downtime during machining. Even US patent 2020/0238345, published on June 30, 2020, does not solve the aforesaid problems, as it describes a milling machine provided with a winding drum equipped with a single cable, which forces the user to buy multiple milling machines to clean pipes of different cross-sections. Therefore, the object of the present patent application is to claim a milling machine comprising a plurality of cables, so as to clean different pipes with the same machinery. Description of the invention According to the present invention, a pipe cleaning milling machine is created which effectively solves the above problems. The milling machine object of the invention is adapted to clean and treat pipes with different cross-sections, thanks to the presence of a plurality of spiroidal cables wound on a cable winding drum inside the device. Using a special selector, the user must select the desired type of cable among those already included in the milling machine, based on the cross-section of the pipes to be treated. The ca