DE102013002636A1 - Device for jet cleaning of unit, particularly of gas turbine jet engines of airplane, has jet nozzle with introduction stop, which limits depth of insertion of jet nozzle into opening, where twist element is arranged to introduction stop - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a lance-shaped jet nozzle (40) for insertion into holes, particularly control- and inspection openings. The jet nozzle comprises an introduction stop (44), which limits the depth of insertion of the jet nozzle into the opening, where the insertion stop is rotatably mounted with respect to the jet nozzle. The introduction stop is axially movable with respect to the jet nozzle. A twist element is arranged to the introduction stop, and is azimuthally designed rotatable relative to the introduction stop. An independent claim is included for a method for jet cleaning of a unit, particularly of turbines and gas turbine jet engines.

Description

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 11.

A gas turbine includes one or more compressor stages that compress the ambient air, a combustor that burns fuel along with the compressed air, and one or more turbine stages to supply the compressors. The expanding combustion gases drive the turbine and result in a thrust for propulsion.

Jet engines nowadays have in most cases a turbofan located upstream of the compressor stages and much larger in diameter than the compressor stages. The turbofan is also powered by the turbine stages and allows a significant portion of the air passing through the engine as a so-called secondary air flow to bypass the compressor stages, combustor and turbine stages. Through this secondary air flow, the efficiency of an engine can be significantly increased and the noise level can be reduced.

At airports and at low altitudes, the air contains foreign particles in the form of, for example, aerosols, pollen, insects, hydrocarbons from other aircraft and industry, and salts near the sea. These particles follow the path of the compressed air and settle on the various components in this area. This contamination leads to a change in the properties of the boundary layer air flow of the compressor components. In addition, the pollution of an aircraft jet engine leads to a reduction in the efficiency and thus to increased fuel consumption and to an increased burden on the environment.

Various methods with different blasting agents for cleaning contaminated surfaces are known from the prior art. As a blasting agent find, in addition to the high pressure water, glass beads, slag, sands or salts in a blasting agent, such as water or compressed air application.

A disadvantage of these cleaning technologies that deposit the residues in the turbine to be cleaned.

Also known is the cleaning with CO ₂ pellets, CO ₂ particles or CO ₂ snow (hereinafter called "dry ice") and compressed air as an energy source. It is advantageous when cleaning with dry ice as a blasting agent that no or only a slight abrasive cleaning is recorded. However, this low abrasiveness restricts the field of application for this cleaning technology, so that it can not be used effectively for the persistent impurities of turbines.

After WO 2003 10 1667 A1 Dry ice pellets are used as a solid abrasive for cleaning surfaces. The dry ice pellets act as a soft, not very abrasive blasting agent, causing no damage to the surface to be cleaned. The thermoelectric voltage between the contamination and the component to be cleaned, caused by the temperature of about -78 ° C of the dry ice pellets, leads to detachment of the contamination.

The font US 5,868,860 describes a method in which a high pressure cleaning fluid is blown into the rotating engine.

In US Pat. No. 6,394,108 A flexible hose is pushed with a nozzle between the engine blades and pulled back under pressure with simultaneous cleaning. The disadvantage here is that the cleaning effect is low because the blades can not be moved.

For the removal of contaminants, especially in gas turbine engines, was in WO 2005/120953 discloses an arrangement in which water is blown into the engine from a number of nozzles for cleaning. The disadvantage here is that the water settling in the engine can freeze in winter.

DE 10 2008 021 746 A1 describes a process in which dry ice is used in various structures for cleaning. Since dry ice immediately sublimes on impact, cleaning remains limited to a small area of the turbine.

In DE 60 2005 003 944 T2 For example, a system for washing an aircraft turbo engine is described by blowing water from various adjustable nozzles, the action of which is controlled by cameras, into the engine.

In DE 20 2005 021 369 U1 a three-dimensional device for spraying and cleaning the engine with hot water is described.

Out WO 2009/132847 A1 It is known that jet engines of an aircraft can be cleaned with solid carbon dioxide.

DE 10 2010 045 869 A1 describes a method in which a cleaning nozzle is introduced on a lance through inspection openings and radially is moved and the cleaning agent, preferably dry ice is blown at an angle to the blades and vanes. The disadvantage here is that the nozzle is moved manually and the effect can not be controlled.

In Scripture DE 10 2011 015 252 A1 a lance is described which has two or more opposite openings from which the dry ice can emerge as a cleaning agent. The lance is passed through the inspection and maintenance openings between the engine components for cleaning.

DE 10 2008 019 892 A1 describes a method; in which various abrasive substances can be blown through maintenance openings on the engine parts to be cleaned. The disadvantage here is that residues of the cleaning agent can remain in the engine.

Also in DE 20 2005 021 819 U1 a mobile cleaning device based on the spraying with water will be described.

In DE 10 2008 047 493 A1 describes a method that works in two steps. In the first step, a cleaning foam or a foamable cleaning agent is brought into the engine. After a certain exposure time, the agent is washed out and the engine is moved.

In DE 602 21 166 T2 a similar process is described, in which an antistatic agent is additionally introduced.

In US 2002/0 124 874 A1 describes a method for cleaning the engine blades by a hose with a spray nozzle is introduced into the stationary engine and with the aid of the nozzle, a cleaning agent is sprayed.

The required for the function of the engine air enters the fan. As already described above, the fan is exposed to contamination by insects, pollens and remains of bouncing birds, etc. The fouling of the fan can be removed relatively easily by conventional means.

Behind the fan is the core engine compressor, which compresses the air to high pressure, with simultaneous increase in temperature. The temperature increase in a high pressure compressor may be 500 ° C. It was recognized ( DE 20 2004 021 476 U1 ), that the compressor, in contrast to the fan, is exposed to other types of dirt. The high temperature makes particles easier to hold on the surface and harder to remove. Analyzes have shown that the impurities in the core engine compressor are hydrocarbons, remnants of deicing fluids, salts, etc.

After the cited prior art no satisfactory solution, especially for residue-free cleaning with an aggressive, d. H. highly effective, but still sparing blasting has shown, is sought after a process for cleaning preferably components of turbines and gas turbines, especially gas engines with a blasting abrasive or blasting agent, which has a controllable aggressiveness and thus removes the impurities from surfaces as possible without residue and Component itself not damaged.

The air fleet has a variety of aircraft types from various manufacturers. The engines are supplied by various manufacturers, with the engines differ in shape, size and performance. This leads to a large possible combination width of engines in different types of aircraft. This is perceived as a disadvantage in terms of cleaning since the size and design of the cleaning devices must be tailored to the particular engine. It is therefore a particular object of the invention to simplify the cleaning of the engines.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a significantly better method and apparatus for cleaning devices, preferably turbines, in particular of gas turbine engines, which makes it possible in a simple manner, including the parts to be cleaned even when introduced into control and inspection openings and effectively clean.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 11. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims.

In this case, the inventor has recognized that for the comprehensive and effective blast cleaning of equipment, preferably of turbines and gas turbine jet engines, with a blasting medium, the controlled guidance of a lance-shaped blasting nozzle is required. In previously used lance-shaped jet nozzles this was not possible. They were inserted into the control and revision openings and then manually adjusted the insertion depth and the azimuthal angle.

In contrast, it is now provided that the lance-shaped jet nozzle has an insertion stop which limits the insertion depth of the jet nozzle into the opening, wherein the insertion stop with respect to the jet nozzle is rotatably arranged and / or wherein the insertion stop ( 44 ) with respect to the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged axially movable and / or wherein on the insertion stop a torsion element is arranged, which is formed azimuthally opposite the insertion stop rotatable. As a result, a controlled rotation and / or axial adjustment of the jet nozzle relative to the opening take place, for which purpose preferably an automatic or semi-automatic adjustment takes place, for which purpose corresponding motorizations are carried out, as are well known to the person skilled in the art. An essential element is thus the controlled adjustability of the position of the jet nozzle within the opening, to which the insertion stop is used.

For axial adjustability, for example, an axial slide bearing or a rack and pinion gear connection is suitable. For a direct azimuthal adjustment of the insertion stop relative to the jet nozzle needle roller bearing or a planetary gear is used, for example. For a combined adjustment of the axial and azimuthal position, for example, a screw is suitable.

Preferably, means are provided for fixing the axial and / or azimuthal position of the insertion stop with respect to the opening, wherein these means preferably comprise an elastic element or a suction cup. The elastic element is preferably formed as a centering with respect to the opening, whereby a safe, accurate and consistent positioning of the jet nozzle is carried out in the opening.

In an advantageous development it is provided that the rotational mobility and / or axial mobility of the insertion stop relative to the jet nozzle is formed lockable, preferably in the form of a Schraubarretierung. Then, the position of the jet nozzle within the opening can be selectively set to clean at least a certain area for a long time.

It is particularly preferred if the axial and / or azimuthal position of the insertion stop with respect to the jet nozzle is variably adjustable, preferably between the jet nozzle and the insertion stop a positive guide is provided which rotation of the jet nozzle relative to the insertion stop in an axial longitudinal displacement of the jet nozzle causes the insertion stop. As a result, accurate adjustment can also be made in the axial direction of the jet nozzle, resulting in a very precise overall cleaning. This precision is further increased by the specified positive control. In this case, an automation can also be made.

Furthermore, it is useful if the azimuthal position of the torsion is formed lockable relative to the insertion stop. As a result, the blasting agent jet can be directed from the blasting nozzle in a targeted manner.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the insertion stop and / or the rotating element is designed to be exchangeable, in order to adapt the jet nozzle to different opening diameters.

It is particularly advantageous if deflecting means are provided for deflecting the blasting medium, wherein the deflecting means are preferably designed so that the blasting medium is deflected in two opposite directions. As a result, areas of the device which are not in the opening direction can also be specifically cleaned. In this context, it is preferred if the deflecting means are designed to be removable, so that the areas lying in the opening direction can also be specifically cleaned.

In this context, it is also expedient if the deflection means comprises a three-sided prism or two deflection surfaces, which are arranged so that the blasting agent is deflected in the same two directions in the same two directions, wherein the connecting line of the directions is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the jet nozzle. As a result, moments cancel each other, so that no bending forces act on the jet nozzle, so that increases their life.

Preferably, a rotatable connection for a blasting medium line is provided, so that the blasting medium line can be arranged to rotate relative to the blasting nozzle. As a result, no moments are transmitted to the blasting medium line.

It is particularly advantageous if the length of the jet nozzle is variable, in particular modular or telescopic, the length being fixable. As a result, the jet nozzle can be easily adapted to different device sizes.

In a preferred development, it is provided that the device has a connection for a gaseous sheath flow for the blasting agent and a loading means is provided, which has an inner blasting medium guide section and an outer sheath flow line section with respect to a flow axis for the blasting medium, the sections being preferred are arranged concentrically with each other. With the help of this envelope current can be done on the one hand, a parallelization or focusing of the blasting agent. On the other hand, the envelope current could be formed as a dried and heated gas stream.

Independent protection is claimed for the inventive method for blast cleaning device, preferably of turbines and gas turbine jet engines, with a blasting agent leading device, the device has a lancet-shaped blasting nozzle for insertion into openings, in particular control and / or inspection openings, which is characterized in that the lance-shaped jet nozzle is arranged with an introduction stop for limiting the insertion depth of the jet nozzle into the opening, wherein the introduction stop is arranged rotatably with respect to the jet nozzle and / or wherein the insertion stop ( 44 ) with respect to the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged axially movable and / or wherein on the insertion stop a rotating element is arranged, which is formed azimuthally opposite the insertion stop rotatable. It is then particularly preferred that during cleaning a continuous rotation of the jet nozzle takes place about the longitudinal axis. In particular, the device according to the invention is used.

In connection with these objects according to the invention, the inventor has further recognized that an aggressive cleaning method, in particular for turbines, can preferably be provided with the participation of water ice.

Cleaning processes that use water as a cleaning agent or that use water as a cleaning aid can no longer be used at temperatures below 5 ° C.

Procedures using solid additives such as coal dust or glass beads or chemical agents may cause residues to remain in the turbines and cause damage.

Although the use of dry ice for cleaning allows cleaning below 5 ° C outside temperature, but the disadvantage of dry ice is to sublimate immediately when hitting a surface or an object. The blasting with solids, z. As sand or glass beads, known billiard effect, is not observed when using dry ice.

The method according to the invention for blast cleaning can then be designed as cold blast cleaning, preferably of components of turbines and turbines, in particular gas turbine engines, with solid particles, and is then characterized by the fact that the solid particles comprise water ice particles mixed into a pressure medium of gas and / or water to form the abrasive. This makes cold blast cleaning particularly gentle and at the same time aggressive.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the water ice particles are mixed with dry ice particles. As a result, the temperature stability of the blasting agent can be increased. In addition, the low temperature of the dry ice causes thermal stress between the contaminant and the component to be cleaned, which also leads to the detachment of the contaminant.

It is advantageously provided that at least some water ice particles have at least one different temperature with respect to the other water ice particles, wherein the temperature is in the range -10 ° C and -130 ° C, preferably in the range -20 ° C and -120 ° C and in particular from the range -30 ° C and -120 ° C is selected. This achieves the effect of having different water ice particles of different temperature in the blasting agent, the higher temperature water ice particles being softer and the lower temperature ones harder, whereby the cleaning effect can be specially adjusted.

It is preferably provided that at least some water ice particles and / or at least some dry ice particles have at least one different particle size with respect to the other water ice particles or dry ice particles, wherein the particle size is preferably selected from the range 0.1 mm to 25 mm, in particular particles 3 mm to 7 mm and particles with 8 mm to 13 mm particle size can be selected. This also allows the cleaning effect to be adjusted specifically. For example, water ice particles that are lower in temperature, and thus harder and more brittle, can be made smaller in particle size than higher temperature ones, which are softer. For example, water ice particles with a temperature of -70 ° C with a particle size of about 5 mm and water ice particles with a temperature of -40 ° C with a particle size of about 10 mm could be provided.

Suitably, the gas is formed dried, wherein it is preferably provided that the dew point of the gas should correspond to a temperature of -30 ° C to -70 ° C, preferably from -30 ° C to -50 ° C, in particular from -40 ° C. , This prevents the formation of unwanted condensate. The temperature of the gas should be as low as possible, but preferably at least in the range of -15 ° C to + 40 ° C.

It is particularly advantageous if the blasting medium is surrounded by a sheath flow as the core jet, which is preferably a dried gas stream, wherein the sheath flow should preferably have a temperature of + 20 ° C to + 80 ° C, in particular from + 60 ° C to + 80 ° C. As a result, there is a heating of the component to be cleaned. By contrast, if the component to be cleaned is not heated, the heat capacity decreases as a result of the removal of heat during the transition of the water ice and dry ice particles from the solid to the gaseous state. This leads to a deterioration of the cleaning performance and the formation of condensate. To avoid the deterioration of the cleaning performance, the enveloping stream is dried and heated in dependence on the contaminant. From this dry and hot sheath stream, the blasting agent is coated. The blasting agent is not damaged by the hot sheath flow because it is only exposed to the aforementioned temperature for a short time at the high flow rate and the short distance of the blasting agent generating device to the blasting gun and forms an insulating gas envelope around the individual particles due to the Leydenfrost phenomenon. The hot and dry envelope stream, after leaving the blasting medium from the blasting nozzle, absorbs the moisture from the environment and thus prevents condensation on the surface of the component to be cleaned.

In this context, it makes sense if the sheath flow is set in parallelizing or focusing the blasting medium. This allows a particularly efficient and targeted cleaning done.

Furthermore, it may have an improving effect if the blasting agent or the solid particles are provided pulsed in time, in particular temporally uniformly or temporally pulsed unevenly. As a result, it is achieved that water, condensate or the like introduced from the cleaning process into the component is again discharged without residue from the component. For this purpose, it is particularly preferably provided that only the sheath flow is irradiated in the blasting agent breaks. Blasting agent pulses of from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, preferably 10 minutes, and blasting agent pauses of from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, preferably 10 minutes, are preferably used.

Appropriately, at least some of the water ice particles are formed edged. In contrast to a spherical or rounded training so an improved cleaning effect is achieved because it linear impulses are transmitted to the surfaces to be cleaned, the "abhobelnd" act, while in rounded training only compacting punctiform pulses would act.

It is further highly preferred that the turbine to be cleaned is driven during cleaning, wherein preferably the speed of the turbine is adjusted so that sets a maximum cleaning effect. Three effects play a role here. On the one hand can be achieved by the rotation of the turbine wheels areas of the turbine inside, which would otherwise be covered. This is particularly beneficial that the individual turbine wheels rotate mostly at different speeds. On the other hand, due to the impulses transmitted to the blasting agent by the turbine wheels, a flow effect can occur. In addition, there is also an alternating deflection of the blasting agent, which also improves the distribution of the abrasive to the areas to be cleaned.

While thus the thermal effect and the mechanical action of the dry ice particles are used once in the normal known dry ice blasting, now the higher abrasive power of water ice is shared with dry ice particles and also the centrifugal effect and multiple grinding become effective.

Preferably, the irradiation of the blasting medium into the turbine to be cleaned takes place at different angles of incidence, wherein preferably angles from the range 0 ° to 50 ° to the longitudinal axis of the turbine are selected. Then the dirt can be removed very effectively.

In a highly preferred embodiment, it is provided that at least some of the water ice particles are formed at a cooling rate of 0.1 to 10 cm / h, preferably from 5 to 10 cm / h, wherein the cooling is carried out in particular in countercurrent process with liquid nitrogen. This embodiment is based on the finding that in order to achieve the highest possible cleaning performance on the component to be cleaned, the particles should not be destroyed as much as possible after hitting a surface in such a way that they no longer have a cleaning effect on a subsequent surface. The particles should thus have the highest possible impulse stability. This is achieved by using crystals as small as possible, ie. H. are formed as amorphous as possible. This training can be achieved by the highest possible cooling rate (comparable to shock freezing). The cooling rate W is defined as the quotient of the distance between the particle core and the particle surface and the time required for the temperature to fall by 10 ° K.

The device according to the invention for blast cleaning can preferably be developed as a device for cold blast cleaning, preferably of components of turbines and turbines, in particular gas turbine engines, with solid particles, which is then characterized in that means for providing solid particles comprising water ice particles, means for providing a pressure medium Gas and / or water and means for Mixture of Festköperpartikel and the pressure medium are provided for forming the blasting agent, wherein the means for providing the water ice particles are preferably adapted to provide at least some water ice particles with respect to the other water ice particles having at least one different temperature. Preferably, this device is designed for carrying out the method according to the invention.

In an advantageous development it is provided that means for mixing water ice and dry ice particles are provided, which are adapted to mix different adjustable proportions of water ice particles with respect to the dry ice particles, wherein preferably a container is provided with a partition with variably adjustable partition wall position. This ensures that the cleaning effect can be tailored to the pollution requirements and component ratios.

Preferably, the device is adapted to simultaneously provide at least two different particle sizes of the water ice particles and / or the dry ice particles.

It is particularly advantageous if the device is adapted to provide water ice particles with at least two different temperatures, the temperatures preferably in the range -10 ° C and -130 ° C, preferably in the range -20 ° C and -120 ° C and in particular in Range -30 ° C and -120 ° C lie. Above all, the cryogenic water ice particles have a high Abrassivität.

Furthermore, it is preferred, when the device is adapted to envelop the blasting agent with an enveloping stream, wherein the enveloping stream is preferably formed as a dried compressed gas stream and / or wherein the enveloping stream is preferably formed parallelizing or focusing for the blasting agent.

Most preferably, it is provided that for a cooling of at least some of the water ice particles nitrogen cooling means are provided, wherein the nitrogen cooling means preferably comprise a profiled trough strip with nitrogen countercurrent cooling.

Hereinafter, once more preferred embodiments will be described in more detail:
In a first particular embodiment of the invention, methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning turbines or gas turbine engines using the lance-shaped jet nozzle according to the invention, wherein a solid aggressive cleaning agent with a water jet or an extremely dry compressed air jet continuously or at regular or irregular intervals, with special inventive Devices directly into the turbine or in the gas turbine engine, or is indirectly blown through control and maintenance openings in the area to be cleaned, using as a cleaning agent, a mixture of edged water ice particles in different sizes and shapes and CO ₂ particles is used directly manufactured before use and specially adapted to the cleaning task.

This lance-shaped jet nozzle can also be used for cleaning the fan area and the flow area of the circulating air, wherein blasting agents are blown into the engine directly from the front at different angles.

It has been recognized that water ice hardens with decreasing temperature, at the same time the elasticity decreases and the brittleness increases. The transition temperature can be assumed to be -35 ° C. In the range of 0 ° C to -35 ° C, the water ice can be regarded as predominantly elastic and below -35 ° C as predominantly brittle.

In principle, the cleaning can be done with stationary or moving engines. The movement of the engine can, as is well known, be done by external drive sources. The most favorable speed for cleaning the corresponding area must be determined in agreement with the engine. It is favorable if the speed is varied in predetermined ranges in order to achieve the most favorable centrifugal force effect.

Taking into account the mentioned effects, it has proven to be most advantageous if the water ice particles have different size, and thus a different kinetic energy and if they are used with different temperatures and thus with different brittleness or elasticity.

It is known that when pressure is applied to water ice, water is formed and acts as a lubricant (skating effect). It does not matter if the pressure is applied to the water ice or if the water ice hits a surface with pressure. Thus, if a water ice particle hits the surface to be cleaned, it is partially cleaned, and at the same time a thin film of water is formed which causes the following water ice particles to slip off. If the jet air is dried and has a very low dew point, the resulting water film can be absorbed by the jet air. This leaves the area to be cleaned dry.

However, it is not excluded that the used water ice is pressed by the jet air into existing gaps, corners or holes and thaws and thus also the cleaning impaired. In order to avoid this, in addition to the jet air, another stream of dry air is blown onto the surface to be cleaned as an enveloping jet.

This effect is assisted by adding the blasting medium to the gas flow at certain intervals, evenly or unevenly, and blowing it on to the surface to be cleaned. Thus, two advantages are achieved, first, the surface is dried and secondly reheated and thus reduces the possibility of condensation.

In a second particular embodiment of the invention, the device according to the invention has two main groups: i) a cold group for the production, processing, storage and provision of the water ice and ii) a blasting plant with grinder, metering and jet nozzle.

In the cold group, the water ice coming from a water ice maker at a temperature of about -6 ° C is further cooled in one or more stages so that it has a hardness and elasticity defined for cleaning. After reaching the desired temperature, it is stored at this temperature. During preparation, the water ice, with different temperatures, is transported in special transport boxes.

In the blasting plant, the water ice is mixed after mixing with CO ₂ particles so that it maintains its hardness reached by the cooling. The CO ₂ particles have less of a cleansing task but they should prevent the formation of water. The water ice with different temperatures and the CO ₂ particles are entered separately in a two-chamber hopper.

The following feed and dosing unit regulates the material throughput, which is comminuted separately in an exchangeable crusher plant. The crusher plant is designed to produce water ice particles and CO ₂ particles of different sizes. Since the CO ₂ particles are also comminuted, the water produced by the shear forces is immediately frozen again or the formation of water is prevented. The crushed blasting agent falls through a collection well in which mixing occurs in the metering unit and is added to the processed blasting air. The blasting agent amount can also or additionally be regulated by the adjustment of the rotational speeds of the crusher plant. According to the cleaning task and the dependent of their nozzle shape is a blasting material with different grain sizes and hardnesses (different temperatures and different materials) ready.

The jet nozzles are determined in their shape and size by the cleaning task.

For the cleaning of the fan and the fan area a jet nozzle with high throughput is needed. For this purpose, the coming from the blasting machine, laden with blasting agent, air flow is enclosed at the nozzle exit as a core jet of a sheath flow of equal or greater volume. This double flow is now directed into the engine according to the cleaning task and directed over the surfaces.

For example, two variants are possible for the cleaning of the compressor, combustion and turbine areas. A variant is realized by the blowing of the blasting agent mixture through the fan area in the compressor stage. A second variant provides for the injection of the blasting agent mixture through the inspection openings. Basically, all accessible openings of the engine are suitable for introducing the blasting agent, mainly the engine inlet, but also all maintenance openings or Boroskoplöcher. For this purpose, the lance-shaped jet nozzles according to the invention are used with the insertion stop.

These lance-shaped jet nozzles preferably consist of a tube which has a polygonal prism, preferably a wedge-shaped two-sided prism, at one end with which it is guided into the inspection opening. Thus, the mass flow is steered evenly to two sides and prevents an additional bending moment. The other end of the tube is connected to the blasting gun with a swivel joint. Below the swivel is a threaded piece on the tube. The length of the thread is determined by the possible working length.

For cleaning, the closure of the inspection opening is removed and replaced by a guide bushing. The guide bush has an internal thread that corresponds to that of the threaded part on the pipe.

While in normal dry ice blasting, the blasting agent is pressed by the jet air after contact with the surface to be cleaned to the sides and is no longer needed, the blasting agent in the turbine cleaning, due to the geometry of the guide and compressor blades, regardless of the Type of blasting agent feed, forcibly guided between the blades. This forced guidance is supported by the jet air. Due to the positive guidance, which is supported by the rotation of the turbine, the water ice particles, which are mainly responsible for the cleaning, are led several times over the surfaces to be cleaned.

In continuation of the invention, the mixture of water ice particles and CO ₂ particles can not be pressed into the turbine with compressed air but with a stream of water, as described with compressed air. This has the advantage that the water ice particles are guided past the blade surfaces by the flow and the non-compressibility of the water, and the inevitably occurring flow losses are compensated by the resulting CO ₂ gas. The CO ₂ gas is produced by the sublimation of the CO ₂ particles which is brought about by the contact with the relatively warm water.

The advantage of this development of the invention is that the surface of the components to be cleaned is not damaged despite the increased aggressiveness. Another advantage is that the cleaning of the dirt and the areas to be cleaned can be adjusted. The smoothing of the surface during cleaning and the resulting improved flow conditions reduce fuel consumption and thus save costs.

A further advantage is that the use of the present invention is independent of the position of the engine or the turbine.

Since the inventive method is more aggressive than the known methods, the life of the engine or the turbine is increased because the operating temperature of the engine can be lowered.

Reducing the operating temperature reduces the burden on the environment as NO _x formation decreases with decreasing engine operating temperature.

Unless otherwise stated, the specified individual features can be combined with one another as desired, wherein in particular features of the method can also define the device and vice versa.

The features of the present invention and other particular advantages will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the figures. Here are purely schematic:

1 the inventive method according to a preferred embodiment in a block diagram representation,

2 the refrigeration unit of the device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment in section,

3 the blasting machine of the device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment in section,

4 the lancet-shaped jet nozzle of the device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment in section and

5 various working positions for the jet nozzle of the device according to the invention.

In 1 is the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention 100 in a preferred embodiment shown purely schematically in a block diagram representation. It can be seen that from the compressor 58 Coming compressed air in the dryer 59 is dried to a dew point of about -40 ° C. Part of the dried compressed air passes as jet air 63 directly to the blasting machine 12 , The residual air is in the heater 60 heated and through the air hose 37 to the jacket nozzle 36 at the jet nozzle 35 guided.

The water ice 2 is from the water rice producer 1 Coming at about -5 ° C, in the cooling block 4 cooled to about -25 ° C and in special containers 64 bottled. These containers 64 be in cooling chambers 11 at different temperatures, in the range of -20 ° C to about -130 ° C stored.

In preparation for cleaning become the special containers 64 from the cooling chambers 11 in water ice transport boxes 62 relocated and to the blasting machine 12 brought. The CO ₂ pellets are in CO ₂ boxes 61 at the blasting machine 12 provided. In the blasting machine 12 become the water ice particles 2 and the CO ₂ pellets filled separately, crushed, mixed and the jet air 63 admixed. The blasting agent produced as water ice CO ₂ air mixture is through the blasting hose 32 the blasting gun not according to the invention and only shown by way of example 33 fed. At the blasting gun 33 is the jet nozzle 35 with the jacket nozzle 36 assembled. The of the heater 60 in the air hose 37 coming air is through the jacket nozzle 36 from the blasting gun 33 emerging nuclear jet 39 as envelope current 38 superimposed.

Even if here a transport or the transfer of water ice and dry ice particles by means of containers 64 and boxing 61 . 62 takes place, it can also be provided that this is accomplished by means of conveyor belts and separate coolant.

Instead of the blasting gun 33 can also be a swivel joint 34 with the blast hose 32 get connected. At the swivel joint 34 is then the lance-shaped jet nozzle according to the invention 40 attached. To illustrate the changeability are the blasting gun 33 and the swivel 34 shown in dashed lines.

In 2 is the refrigeration unit of the device according to the invention 100 in a preferred embodiment purely schematically shown in section. It can be seen that in an ice maker 1 manufactured water ice 2 with a temperature of about -6 ° C on the introduction chain 3 falls. The water ice 2 has a relatively moist surface. To prevent block formation with further cooling is the water ice 2 on the introduction chain 3 in the cooling block 4 transported. Below the introduction chain 3 is the collection plate 5 for the excess water from the ice maker 1 , In the cooling block 4 falls the water ice 2 from the introduction chain 3 on the cold chains 41 and is further cooled in several steps to a certain temperature, preferably -25 ° C. The cold chains 41 are staggered so that the transfer from one chain to another can be done without problems. The cooling is done by circulating air. The fan 6 under the cooling block 4 sucks the air through the pipe 7 on the top surface 8th and pushes them through the cold block 9 , in which the air is cooled again, through the base 10 again in the cooling block 4 ,

That from the cooling block 4 leaking water ice 2 is added in portions to special transport containers 64 bottled and in different cooling chambers 11 further cooled and stored at the set temperature between -25 ° C and -130 ° C.

In 3 is purely schematic the blasting machine 12 the device according to the invention 100 in a preferred embodiment shown in section. It can be seen that the blasting machine 12 in an insulated housing 13 is mounted and through the refrigeration unit 14 cooled to a temperature well below -5 ° C. The funnel 15 is used swinging freely and with a shaker 16 Mistake. The funnel 15 has a sliding partition 50 , The partition 50 shares the hopper 15 in two chambers, a CO ₂ particle chamber 51 and a water ice basket 52 whose size, depending on the desired mixing ratio, can be made variable. Under the hopper 15 is the feeding and dosing unit 17 with the rotary valve 53 , to regulate the mass flow 18 in the crusher plant 19 , The rotary valve 53 is about the wave 65 with the controllable engine 66 connected. Between hopper 15 and feeding and dosing unit 17 is a gate valve 48 provided by the cylinder 49 is moved and stops the supply of material during pauses, malfunctions or emergency stop immediately. The crusher plant 19 is interchangeable, so that the most favorable for the cleaning of particle sizes can be made. In addition, the crusher wheels 54 and editions 55 through various side dishes 56 . 57 (Supplement anvil 56 or supplement crusher wheel 57 ) freely selectable in their distances on their axis and thus allow the production of a water-ice CO ₂ particles mixture 20 with particles of different sizes and kinetic energy.

The crushed water ice CO ₂ particles mixture 20 passes through the collection channel 21 for dosage 22 , The collection channel 21 is to avoid or eliminate abrasive bridges with air nozzles 23 Mistake.

The dosage 22 consists of the fixed base disk 24 with the air inlet nozzle 27 and the likewise fixed cover disk 26 with the blasting medium nozzle 25 and the blasting agent opening 28 , Between the cover disk 26 and the ground disk 24 the dosing disc moves 29 that by engine 30 is driven.

At the blasting medium nozzle 25 becomes the connection pipe 31 with the blast hose 32 attached. At the other end of the blast hose 32 is the blasting gun 33 or the connector 34 , To the blasting gun 33 or the connector 34 becomes the jet nozzle 35 connected by the jacket nozzle 36 is enclosed. The jacket nozzle 36 gets through the air hose 37 Compressed air for the formation of the envelope current 38 fed. The envelope current 38 envelops the out of the jet nozzle 35 upcoming core ray 39 , The jet nozzle 35 can through the blasting gun 33 manually or by a robot in a known manner, are guided.

In 4 is purely schematically the lance-shaped jet nozzle according to the invention 40 the device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment shown in section.

It can be seen that the lance-shaped jet nozzle 40 through the rotatable connection sleeve 34 with the blast hose 32 connected is. At the opposite side of the lance-shaped jet nozzle 40 is the prism 42 for deflecting the blasting medium 20 on the blades 43 assembled. The lance-shaped jet nozzle 40 will be in the socket 44 guided. So that the blade surfaces 45 to be cleaned evenly, is the socket 44 with an internal thread 46 and the lance shaped jet nozzle 40 with an external thread 47 Mistake. This creates a positively driven continuous rotation of the jet nozzle 40 about its longitudinal axis during axial insertion or removal by means of a rotary movement of the bush arranged in, for example, a control opening 44 ,

Furthermore, it can be advantageously provided that the rotational mobility between socket 44 and jet nozzle 40 is formed lockable. If the jack 44 For example, additional an outer circumferential surface (not shown), which is opposite to the socket 44 is rotatably mounted, then the jet nozzle 40 at the same axial insertion depth within the socket 44 to be turned around. This allows the jet nozzle 40 be rotated controlled in a certain insertion depth in the component to be cleaned. To switch to the axial Einstecktiefenveränderung the rotational mobility of the lateral surface relative to the socket 44 be lockable.

In addition, also for the lance-shaped jet nozzle 40 be provided (not shown) that the blasting agent 39 from a sheath current 38 is surrounded.

The socket 44 may be provided with an outer flexible ring member (not shown) serving as a centering and fixing means in the opening. The socket 44 and / or this ring element may be designed exchangeable to the jet nozzle 40 to adapt to different opening diameters.

The present is the jet nozzle 40 formed with a fixed length, wherein in 4 not the entire length is shown, but only hinted at by the interruption. It may preferably be provided a flexibility of this length, for example by a modular or telescopic structure.

In 5 are different working positions for the jet nozzle according to the invention 40 the device according to the invention 100 shown purely schematically in section. Also are possible positions for the comparative blasting gun 33 shown, but of course also from the jet nozzle according to the invention 40 can be taken.

For cleaning, that will be in the cooling chambers 11 Water ice stored at different temperatures 2 and the CO ₂ pellets in the blasting system 12 crushed and with the help of dosing 29 added to the air flow and through the jet hose 32 to the blasting gun 33 transported. The crushed water ice CO ₂ particle mixture 20 with the air flow occurs as a blasting agent in the position 71 at high speed as a nuclear jet 39 on the surface of the fan to be cleaned 65 , To reduce moisture and prevent excessive cooling, part of the air coming from the compressor is in the heater 60 heated to about 70 ° C and in the blasting gun 33 with the help of the jacket nozzle 36 the core ray 39 as a sheath beam 38 superimposed. This is a fanning of the core steel 39 decreases and a higher volume flow through the turbine 68 cleverly. With the taking of different positions 71 to 74 become the blades of the fan 65 and the compressor 66 subjected to different angles.

The compressors 66 , the combustion chamber 67 and the turbine 68 For example, with the help of the lance-shaped jet nozzle 40 through the inspection and inspection openings in the positions 75 . 76 . 77 getting cleaned. For this purpose, the closure of the respective opening is removed and through the socket 44 replaced. Through the internal thread 46 becomes the lance-shaped jet nozzle 40 moved forward evenly and the blasting agent with the help of the prism 42 evenly directed to the blades. The two-sided division of the blasting agent prevents a one-sided moment and avoids damage to the blade surfaces. In addition, a very effective cleaning, because the beam pulse limited only to small solid angle ranges.

Of course, the lance-shaped jet nozzle could 40 also at the positions 71 to 74 be used.

From the foregoing, it has become clear that with the present invention, a method and an apparatus 100 be prepared for blasting, especially for cold blast cleaning, with which the cleaning is particularly effective and optimally adjustable in relation to the respective boundary conditions, which in particular the cleaning of components of turbines, turbines and gas turbine engines 68 can be done very quickly and thoroughly and regardless of weather conditions.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Wassereiserzeuger

2

water ice

3

introduction chain

4

cooling block

5

cold chain

6

fan

7

management

8th

cover surface

9

cold block

10

Floor space

11

cooling chambers

12

blasting Machine

13

casing

14

refrigeration unit

15

hopper

16

Jogger

17

Feeding and dosing unit

18

mass flow

19

crusher plant

20

Water ice CO ₂ particle mixture

21

collecting duct

22

dosage

23

air nozzle

24

base disc

25

jet nozzle

26

cover disc

27

Air inlet nozzle

28

Beam center opening

29

metering

30

engine

31

connecting pipe

32

ray tube

33

blasting gun

34

swivel

35

jets

36

jacket nozzle

37

air hose

38

sheath flow

39

core jet

40

lance shaped jet nozzles

41

cold chain

42

prism

43

shovel

44

Rifle

45

blade surfaces

46

inner thread

47

external thread

48

Gate valves

49

cylinder

50

partition wall

51

CO ₂ chamber

52

Wassereiskammer

53

rotary valve

54

crusher wheels

55

Side dishes

56

Supplement anvil

57

Supplement crusher wheel

58

compressor

59

dryer

60

heater

61

CO ₂ box

62

Water ice transport box

63

jet air

64

transport container

65

fan

66

compressor

67

combustion chamber

68

turbine

69

main axis

70

minor axis

71

Jet position of the nozzle

72

Jet position of the nozzle

73

Jet position of the nozzle

74

Jet position of the nozzle

75

Cleaning position for lance-shaped jet nozzle

76

Cleaning position for lance-shaped jet nozzle

77

Cleaning position for lance-shaped jet nozzle

100

Apparatus for cold jet cleaning

L

Longitudinal axis of the jet nozzle 40

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2003101667 A1 [0008]
• US 5868860 [0009]
• US 6394108 [0010]
• WO 2005/120953 [0011]
• DE 102008021746 A1 [0012]
• DE 602005003944 T2 [0013]
• DE 202005021369 U1 [0014]
• WO 2009/132847 A1 [0015]
• DE 102010045869 A1 [0016]
• DE 102011015252 A1 [0017]
• DE 102008019892 A1 [0018]
• DE 202005021819 U1 [0019]
• DE 102008047493 A1 [0020]
• DE 60221166 T2 [0021]
• US 2002/0124874 A1 [0022]
• DE 202004021476 U1 [0024]

Claims (11)

Contraption ( 100 ) for blasting equipment, preferably turbines and gas turbine jet engines ( 68 ), with a blasting medium ( 39 ), the device ( 100 ) a lance-shaped jet nozzle ( 40 ) for insertion into openings, in particular control and / or inspection openings, characterized in that the lance-shaped jet nozzle ( 40 ) an introductory stop ( 44 ), the insertion depth of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is limited in the opening, wherein the insertion stop ( 44 ) with respect to the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged rotatably and / or wherein the insertion stop ( 44 ) with respect to the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged axially movable and / or wherein on the insertion stop a torsion element is arranged, which is formed azimuthally opposite the insertion stop rotatable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that means are provided for fixing the axial and / or azimuthal position of the insertion stop with respect to the opening, said means preferably comprising an elastic element or a suction cup. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotational mobility and / or axial mobility of the insertion stop relative to the jet nozzle is formed lockable, preferably in the form of a screw lock. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axial and / or azimuthal position of the insertion stop ( 44 ) opposite the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is variably adjustable, preferably between the jet nozzle ( 40 ) and the introductory stop ( 44 ) a forced operation ( 46 . 47 ) is provided, which is a rotation of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) opposite the insertion stop ( 44 ) in an axial longitudinal displacement of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) opposite the insertion stop ( 44 ) causes. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the azimuthal position of the rotating element relative to the insertion stop is formed lockable. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that deflecting means ( 42 ) for deflecting the blasting agent ( 39 . 20 ) are provided, wherein the deflection means ( 42 ) are preferably formed so that the blasting agent ( 39 . 20 ) is deflected in two oppositely extending directions, wherein the deflection means are in particular designed to be removable. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the deflection means a three-sided prism ( 42 ) or two deflecting surfaces, which are arranged so that the blasting agent ( 39 . 20 ) is deflected the same amount in the two different directions, wherein the line connecting the directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rotatable connection ( 34 ) for a blasting line ( 32 ) is provided, so that the blasting medium line ( 32 ) opposite the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is rotatable can be arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jet nozzle is variable in length, in particular modular or telescopic, wherein the length is fixable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a connection for a gaseous sheath flow for the blasting agent and a loading means is provided, which has an inner blasting agent guide portion and an outer sheath flow line portion with respect to a flow axis for the blasting agent the sections are preferably arranged concentrically to each other. Method for blast cleaning equipment, preferably turbines and gas turbine jet engines ( 68 ), with a blasting device leading device ( 100 ), the device ( 100 ) a lance-shaped jet nozzle ( 40 ) for insertion into openings, in particular control and / or inspection openings, characterized in that the lance-shaped jet nozzle ( 40 ) with an introduction stop ( 44 ) for limiting the insertion depth of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is placed in the opening, wherein the insertion stop ( 44 ) with respect to the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged rotatably and / or wherein the insertion stop ( 44 ) with respect to the jet nozzle ( 40 ) is arranged axially movable and / or wherein on the insertion stop a rotating element is arranged, which is formed azimuthally opposite the insertion stop rotatable, preferably during cleaning, a continuous rotation of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) about the longitudinal axis (L) and / or axial displacement of the jet nozzle ( 40 ) along the longitudinal axis (L), in particular a device ( 100 ) is used according to one of the preceding claims.

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