US 12,226,808 B2
Automatic spraying mechanism for cleaning air inlet louvers of cooling towers
Kal M. Smiley, Dhahran (SA); Farooq N. Jwesm, Dammam (SA); Abdullah A. Fuwaires, Dammam (SA); and Turki A. Zahrani, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Mar. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/190,744.
Prior Publication US 2024/0326100 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. B08B 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC B08B 3/024 (2013.01) [B08B 2203/027 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for automatically spraying a cleaning fluid onto at least one louver of a cooling tower, the louver having an outwardly facing generally planar surface, the apparatus comprising:
a spray head comprising a spray head inlet for hydraulic connection of the cleaning fluid, a spray head outlet for directing the cleaning fluid at the planar surface of the louver, and a movable mount for positioning the spray head proximate the planar surface of the louver;
a carriage frame attached to the cooling tower proximate the louver;
the movable mount being movably mounted on the carriage frame and movable in at least two orthogonal directions along the planar surface of the louver;
a control system for controlling movement of the movable mount on the carriage frame and supply of the cleaning fluid to the spray head so as to cause the cleaning fluid to be sprayed at preselected portions of the louver at preselected times; and
a monitoring subsystem coupled to the control system, the monitoring subsystem comprising:
motion sensors configured to detect motion within the louver of the cooling tower and send a motion readiness state to the control system based on the detected motion; and
a motion interlock configured to prevent the control system from controlling movement of the movable mount and supply of the cleaning fluid to the spray head based on the motion readiness state.