Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor and control cleaning systems are disclosed. One disclosed example method includes detecting initial contamination of workpieces before cleaning and detecting residual contamination of workpieces after cleaning. The example method also includes determining, via a processor, a system malfunction from a comparison of the initial contamination with a first threshold value and from a comparison of the final contamination with a second threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsating pressurized fluid jet are disclosed. One disclosed example includes a line system having at least one nozzle with at least one nozzle orifice from which a pulsating fluid jet of pressurized fluid emerges, and a chamber having a pressure wave generating device to generate fluid pressure waves, where the chamber is in fluid communication with the line system through an outlet opening for the generated fluid pressure waves. The disclosed example also includes a setting device for controlling the amplitude of the fluid pressure waves in the line system upstream of the at least one nozzle orifice where the setting device sets a quotient of a path length of the fluid pressure waves between the outlet opening and the at least one nozzle orifice, and the wavelength of the fluid pressure waves in the line system.

Abstract: Nozzle apparatus and methods for treating workpieces are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a nozzle module and a first nozzle chamber disposed within the nozzle module. The first nozzle chamber has a first nozzle opening and is to deliver a relatively high pressure fluid to the first nozzle opening. The example apparatus also includes a second nozzle chamber disposed within the nozzle module and having a second nozzle opening, the second nozzle chamber to deliver a relatively low pressure fluid to a second nozzle opening. A first flow of the low pressure fluid at least partially contacts a second flow of the high pressure fluid. The second flow is directed onto a workpiece.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for generating a pulsed jet of a liquid fluid comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a blocking element arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which cyclically closes and opens a fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which device enables an improved mechanical action on an object subjected to the pulsed jet, it is proposed that the device comprises at least one bypass, through which a liquid fluid can also be fed to the fluid outlet during a closing phase of the blocking element.

Abstract: Nozzle apparatus and cleaning apparatus having such nozzle apparatus are disclosed. An example method for flood-washing a workpiece in a cleaning container includes providing of a cleaning container in which the workpiece is arranged and simultaneously impacting the workpiece using a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream. The first fluid stream being directed from a first nozzle chamber of a nozzle apparatus having a slit-shaped nozzle opening. The first fluid stream includes a liquid cleaning medium. The second fluid stream being directed from a second nozzle chamber of the nozzle apparatus. The second nozzle chamber fluidly coupled with the first nozzle chamber. The second fluid stream includes a liquid cleaning medium. The second fluid stream includes a jet direction which is warped at an acute angle or substantially perpendicular relative to the jet direction of the first fluid stream.

Abstract: In order to produce a particularly efficient device for deburring and/or cleaning a work piece that is dipped in a fluid medium comprising a fluid discharge device for producing a high pressure fluid jet, it is proposed that the device should comprise a gas discharge device for the production of a gas flow which at least partially envelops the fluid jet.

Abstract: An apparatus controls the temperature of objects such as workpieces after a cleaning operation. The apparatus has a controlled temperature zone (14), which is formed as a cooling and/or heating zone and in which the objects can be subjected to an incident flow of gaseous fluid. The controlled temperature zone (14) is formed in a chamber (12) which can be subjected to a fluid flow (58) which flows into the chamber (12).

Abstract: An apparatus determines soiling of an object and includes a rinsing zone for rinsing off dirt particles built up on an object with a fluid. A collecting arrangement includes a retaining device for capturing the dirt particles rinsed off from the object and a measuring device measures a physical parameter of the captured dirt particles. A transport system moves the dirt particles captured with the retaining device to the measuring device to permit measuring the physical parameter of the captured dirt particles.

Abstract: In order to provide a filter device for filtering a fluid medium containing solids, comprising a backflushing filter and a flushing line, by means of which fluid backflushed during a backflushing phase from the backflushing filter can be supplied to a further treatment mechanism, in which the discharging of dirt from the backflushing filter is simplified, it is proposed that the backflushing filter should have a coarse dirt outlet which is connected to the flushing line so that coarse dirt which has arrived through the coarse dirt outlet into the flushing line can be supplied to the further treatment mechanism together with the backflushed fluid during the backflushing phase.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for generating a pulsed jet of a liquid fluid comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a blocking element arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which cyclically closes and opens a fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which device enables an improved mechanical action on an object subjected to the pulsed jet, it is proposed that the device comprises at least one bypass, through which a liquid fluid can also be fed to the fluid outlet during a closing phase of the blocking element.

Abstract: To provide an installation for cleaning and/or deburring workpieces, comprising a treatment region configured to enable a cleaning treatment and/or a deburring treatment to be performed on a workpiece therein, a loading device for transferring the workpiece from an outer area of the installation into the treatment region and an unloading device for transferring the workpiece from the treatment region into the outer area of the installation, with which installation there is achieved a high workpiece throughput with a favourable cleaning and/or deburring result, it is proposed that the loading device and/or the unloading device comprises at least one treatment device configured to enable the workpiece to be treated during the transfer between the outer area of the installation and the treatment region of the installation.

Abstract: In order to provide a process container for carrying out a cleaning process, a drying process, a deburring process, a coating process and/or a coating removal process on a workpiece in the interior of the process container, comprising a wall delimiting the interior of the process container, which is usable in a maintenance-friendly and flexible manner, it is proposed that the process container comprises at least one medium passage, by means of which a medium is guidable through the wall of the process container, at least two different process elements of different types being adaptable to at least one of the medium passages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation for cleaning and/or degreasing manufactured parts. The installation applicator includes a first outlet nozzle connected to a device for producing vapor in order to produce a central jet consisting of the pressurized water vapor and a second outlet nozzle surrounding the first nozzle. The second nozzle is connected to a device for producing pressurized air in order to produce a peripheral jet consisting of the pressurized air. The nozzles form a composite treatment jet made of the central jet of pressurized water vapor and the peripheral jet of pressurized air with the peripheral jet surrounding the central jet.

Abstract: In order to produce a cleaning plant for cleaning work pieces which comprises at least one cleaning station in which the workpiece is subjected to a cleaning process in such a manner that the cleaning process can be organized in a flexible manner and easily adapted to changes in the workpiece, it is proposed that the cleaning plant should comprise at least one manipulating device which picks up a workpiece prior to treatment in a treatment area of the cleaning station, supplies the workpiece to the treatment process within the treatment area of the cleaning station and passes on the workpiece after the treatment in the treatment area of the cleaning station.

Abstract: In order to produce a cleaning device which cleans in a particularly effective manner wherein the cleaning device comprises a cleaning chamber for accommodating a workpiece requiring cleaning and a fluid transfer device for transferring at least one fluid into the cleaning chamber and/or out of the cleaning chamber and wherein the fluid transfer device comprises at least one nozzle in the form of a slotted nozzle extending along a slot axis and said fluid is arranged to be fed into the cleaning chamber or fed out of the cleaning chamber by means of said fluid transfer device in a direction transverse to the slot axis, it is proposed that the cleaning device comprise a slotted nozzle moving device for moving at least a part of the slotted nozzle.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for generating a pulsed jet of a liquid fluid comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a blocking element arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which cyclically closes and opens a fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, which device enables an improved mechanical action on an object subjected to the pulsed jet, it is proposed that the device comprises at least one bypass, through which a liquid fluid can also be fed to the fluid outlet during a closing phase of the blocking element.

Abstract: In order to provide a device for treating a fluid containing solids which has been flushed back from a reversible flow filter, comprising a sedimentation device for separating solids from the flushed back fluid by a process of sedimentation in a sediment collecting region which enables solids to be removed in a manner free from filter-aids and which exhibits as small a degree of fluid loss as possible, it is proposed that the sediment collecting region is arranged to be subjected to a positive pressure and/or a negative pressure in order to remove residual fluid from the sediment collecting region.

Abstract: In order to produce a cleaning device which cleans in a particularly effective manner wherein the cleaning device comprises a cleaning chamber for accommodating a workpiece requiring cleaning and a fluid transfer device for transferring at least one fluid into the cleaning chamber and/or out of the cleaning chamber and wherein the fluid transfer device comprises at least one nozzle in the form of a slotted nozzle extending along a slot axis and said fluid is arranged to be fed into the cleaning chamber or fed out of the cleaning chamber by means of said fluid transfer device in a direction transverse to the slot axis, it is proposed that the cleaning device comprise a slotted nozzle moving device for moving at least a part of the slotted nozzle.

Abstract: In order to produce a particularly efficient device for deburring and/or cleaning a work piece that is dipped in a fluid medium comprising a fluid discharge device for producing a high pressure fluid jet, it is proposed that the device should comprise a gas discharge device for the production of a gas flow which at least partially envelops the fluid jet.

Abstract: A manufacturing system including an apparatus in which a plurality differently configured workpieces requiring manufacturing operations are processed. The apparatus includes a work surface configured to receive apparatus components and a plurality of differently configured workpieces, a tool table adjacent the work surface providing support for tooling and apparatus components required to process various manufacturing operations on the workpieces, and a robotic manipulator positioned adjacent to the work surface and the tool table and having a gripping device configured to grip at least one of the apparatus components. Also, an automated feed system optionally included in the system for supplying component parts to the manufacturing operation. Also, a method of assembling first and second differently configured workpieces.