“Refrigerator compressor processing device”

Field of the invention

[0001] This invention relates, in general, to a refrigerator compressors processing device and, more particularly, to a hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, applicable to the field of refrigerator compressors recycling.

State of the art

[0002] When refrigeration machines reach their end of life, it is necessary to recycle them, which means they need to be dismantled, all their components being safely and carefully separated, minimising waste as well as their impact on the ecological footprint.

[0003] The compressors that equip refrigeration machines are mostly hermetically sealed, that is, they have a metallic casing that completely seals the engine and the compressor itself, as well as the other components, such as the crankshaft, which transforms the rotary movement of the electric motor into a translation motion of the piston rod of the compressor cylinder, the springs to absorb the compressor’s vibration, the inlet and discharge valves, among others, preventing any type of refrigerant leakage to the outside.

[0004] In order to access the inside of the compressor and thus recycle it, mainly focussing on the motor windings, made of particularly expensive copper, it is necessary to cut the casing, dividing it into two parts.

[0005] The sealed compressor casings that equip the refrigerators can be of various shapes and sizes, i.e., they can have a more cylindrical structure or a more oval structure, which requires that their cutting be carried out by a solution adaptable to various shapes.

[0006] Initially, the cut was carried out manually using angle grinders, a labour intensive, dangerous and physically demanding process for the operator, resulting in a low efficiency that does not meet the current mass production demands.

[0007] With natural progress, more technologically advanced solutions emerged, although in no way comparable to the present invention, namely cutting solutions using high temperature gases, such as plasma, which brought benefits in terms of efficiency and cutting quality, but which produce volatile gases, potentially harmful to health and to the environment and which, due to the high working temperature, can also ignite the refrigerant fluid. Furthermore, and since the compressor casing is not a flat surface, it is very difficult to maintain a constant distance between a cutting torch and the compressor casing, which can lead to molten material flowing into the compressor, making its subsequent recovery difficult.

[0008] As alternatives, automatic cutting solutions using cutting disks, which typically comprise a place for fixing the compressor by means of jaws on an hydraulically oil driven gripper, in order to immobilise the compressor before the pressure exerted by the cutting disc on its surface; a motor controlled by a variable-frequency drive, or a servomotor, to rotate the compressor; a laser sensor, or a contact sensor with a measuring rod under tension - with an associated linear displacement transducer - to determine the shape of the compressor; a large cutting disc or, alternatively, three or four smaller cutting discs. In these cases, the constant depth of cut is obtained either by vertically moving the cutting disc(s) towards the compressor or by moving the compressor support table itself towards the cutting disc(s).

Object of the invention

[0009] The object of this invention is to provide a processing device to recycle refrigerator compressors, namely hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors. In the refrigerator compressors processing device, the refrigerator compressors are automatically cut by means of double rotation, with variable speed and adjustment to the shape of the compressor.

[0010] The device object of the invention enables cutting the hermetically sealed compressors casing found in refrigeration machines automatically, with high efficiency and in an environment-friendly way, which makes this device extremely attractive in face of the current industrial mass production demands.

[0011] According to the invention, the refrigerator compressors processing device allows overcoming the disadvantages of the previously presented solutions.

[0012] First, as it is an automatic solution, it allows overcoming the inefficiency and poor safety issues derived from manual cutting.

[0013] Secondly, it does not produce the harmful gases that the plasma cutting solution produces, as it uses a cutting disc to cut the casing, greatly reducing the working temperature and the problems this could cause.

[0014] Lastly, compared to the other cutting disc cutting solutions using the previous technique, it has the advantage of using two loading and immobilising support sets for compressors, which move alternately between the loading and the cutting areas, which allows reducing the time between cuts, given that, while cutting is carried out in one of the support sets, the other is available to be loaded, unlike conventional solutions, whose compressor is loaded and its format read only after the previous compressor has been cut, as it uses only one support to immobilise the compressors.

[0015] It also has the advantage of increasing operator safety, since its interaction with the refrigerator compressors processing device is carried out entirely in the loading area, far from the cutting area.

[0016] Given the above-mentioned advantages, it is thus proposed a device which allows cutting the refrigerator compressors casing in an automatic, environmentally friendly and, above all, highly safe and productive way.

Description of the invention [0017] The refrigerator compressors processing device object of this invention comprises:

- One base structure, which can be levelled, comprising at least one ramp, at least one removable platform, at least one lower tray for water and oil collection, at least one water pump, at least one upper tray for water and oil collection, at least one electrical panel that follows the movement of the rotating lower bridge, at least one control panel to control the operation of the refrigerator compressors processing device, at least one laser sensor, at least one hydraulic oil power unit to control the compressors immobilisation grippers and the immobilisation brake of the rotating lower bridge, at least one hydraulic oil power unit to control the cutting disc positioning, at least one control panel;

- One structural tower, fixed to the mounting base by means of a flange, to support all the refrigerator compressors processing device components. The structural tower comprises fixed guides that allow the electrical wiring to be guided, at least one drive motor to drive the indexing rotating table, and at least one access to its interior;

- One lower rotating bridge that sustains two support sets, used for loading and immobilising compressors, and alternately moving to the loading and cutting areas, located on opposite positions on the refrigerator compressors processing device, each support set comprising an hydraulically driven gripper for immobilisation of the compressor to be cut, a rotating shaft and subsequent transmission to rotate the compressor and a servomotor that produces the torque necessary to rotate the rotating shaft and provide constant return information on the rotation angle to the programmable logic controller of the process;

- One linear drive motor for each of the referenced support sets, which allows the exact positioning of the area to be cut in the refrigerator compressor;

- One motorised rotating indexing table, which allows each support set to be positioned alternately in the loading and cutting areas by 180° alternating reverse rotations;

- One support table on the static upper bridge, which supports at least one rotating cutting disc and the rotating drive motor of said cutting disc; this support table moves vertically by means of at least one hydraulic cylinder, controlled by the process’s programmable logic controller, to a position continuously adjusted to obtain a constant cutting depth.

[0018] At the same time as one compressor, immobilized in the support set positioned in the cutting area, is cut off, it is possible to load another compressor into the other support set positioned in the loading area, which allows minimising the time between cuts and make the most of the refrigerator compressors processing device.

Advantages of the invention

[0019] From each recycled refrigerator results an electric refrigerator compressor, which can and should be rehabilitated and reused. This electric refrigerator compressor, comprising mainly ferrous materials encapsulated in a welded sealed casing, as originally manufactured, poses a challenge of opening by cutting, because it cannot be accepted without it being ‘open’, as a secondary raw material in the metalworking and foundry sectors, since it can constitute and generate accidental explosions due to its shape and its high airtightness.

[0020] Studies and tests developed by inventors have made it possible to obtain a high- performance cutting solution without any need for prior preparation or removal of any component of the refrigerator compressors, when previously disconnected from the corresponding refrigerator. According to this invention, the refrigerator compressors processing device allows, under normal conditions, to carry out at least 70 (seventy) to 80 (eighty) cuts of electric refrigerator compressors per hour, which generates, on the one hand, a reduction in labour and cutting costs and, on the other hand, an increase in productivity, thus ensuring increased operational advantages, which makes it more advantageous from a financial point of view, faster, more efficient and with greater use of components. The refrigerator compressors processing device also allows the automatic cutting of hermetically sealed refrigerator compressors without causing pollution, which makes the refrigerator compressors processing device environmentally friendly. Finally, it provides the operator with greater safety and protection than devices of this kind currently on the market, in addition to allowing valuable non-ferrous metal materials, such as copper, to be recovered and recycled, thus maximising the ‘cost vs. benefit’ ratio.

Summary description of drawings

[0021] Below will now be a more detailed description as an example, but without limitation as to its scope, of a hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device in accordance with the invention with the assistance of the enclosed drawings, which show:

- In Fig. 1, a right-side perspective view of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Fig. 2, a left-side perspective view of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Fig. 3, a right-side view of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Fig. 4, a perspective view of the structural tower of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Fig. 5, a perspective view of the static upper bridge, with exploded view of the cutting module of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Fig. 6, an exploded perspective view of the lower rotating bridge and of the support sets comprising hydraulic driven grippers of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Fig. 7, an exploded perspective view of one of the support sets and of the immobilisation gripper of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention; - In Figs. 8 and 9, perspective views of the hydraulic oil power unit that provides pressurised hydraulic oil to control the movement of the compressor’s immobilisation grippers and the immobilisation brake of the lower rotating bridge of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, in accordance with this invention;

- In Figs. 10 and 11, perspective views of the hydraulic oil power unit that supplies pressurised hydraulic oil to control the movement of the cutting disc support table of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors device, in accordance with this invention.

Detailed description of the currently preferred assembly

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a right-side perspective view of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, showing the base structure, which can be levelled, and showing a ramp 1.1, a removable platform 1.2, a lower tray 1.3 for water and oil collection, a water pump 1.4, an oil hose 1.5, an upper tray 1.6 for water and oil collection. [0023] The cooling water falls on the ramp 1.1 and, due to gravity, flows together with the oils from the inside and from surface of the compressors to the lower tray 1.3.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a left side perspective view of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, showing the base structure, which can be levelled, and showing a control panel 2.1, a laser sensor 2.2, an electrical panel 2.3; two gripper control pedals 2.4 and a general electrical control and distribution panel 2.5, the latter being placed outside the main body of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows some of the main components of the main body of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, marked in the structural tower assembly A, the static upper bridge assembly B, the lower rotating bridge assembly C, the support set D, the hydraulic oil power unit E and the hydraulic oil power unit F.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows the structural tower A.9 supporting the main body components of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device, which comprises the base A.7 to stand on the floor and which can be levelled by levellers A.8, the connecting wiring (not shown) of the aforementioned general electrical control and distribution panel 2.5, which passes under the base A.7 (see Fig. 2) into the cylindrical section of the structural tower A.9, and ascends through it, and enters in a cable drag chain (not shown) which works on the fixed guide A.2 and extends over the rail support C.5 (see Fig. 6). Said wiring extends vertically and passes close to the support C.5 (see Fig. 6) and ends in the electrical panel 2.3. [0027] Said structural tower A.9 further comprises a foot mounting A.l of the static upper bridge B.11, a fixed guide A.2, an electric motor A.3, an access door A.4, two brake paddles A.5, individually arranged and offset by 180° in relation to the axis of the cylindrical section of the structural tower A.9, an indexing rotating table A.6, a mounting base A.7 and levellers A.8. The fixed guides A.2 allow guiding the cable drag chain that contains the electrical wiring, the electric motor A.3 drives the indexing rotating table A.6 and the access door A.4 allows access to the interior of the structural tower A.9.

[0028] The structural tower A.9 is fixed to the base A.7. The foot mounting A.1 supports the static upper bridge B.l 1 which, in turn, supports the support table B.7.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows the static upper bridge B.l l, which supports, at its opposite ends, the control panel 2.1 (Fig. 2) and the support table B.7 of the cutting disc B.4, used for cutting the compressor casing, its rotation being driven by the electric motor B.6, whose driving pulley B.2, coupled to the electric motor B.6 shaft, transmits the movement to the driven pulley B.14 by transmission belts (not shown). The driven pulley B.14 is coupled to a rotating shaft supported on the bearing B.15 and transmits the rotation to the cutting disc B.4, housed in the shield B.3.

[0030] The control panel 2.1 enables monitoring process variables, as well as controlling the process, and sends signals to a programmable logic controller (not shown) included in the general electrical control and distribution panel 2.5, generated through the graphical interface and the control buttons mounted on the control panel 2.1. All components supported by the support table B.7 are moved linearly and vertically by the rod of the hydraulic cylinder B.13, a rod that is attached to the support table B.7, transmitting its linear movement to it, guided by the ball bushings B.8 along vertical linear guides B.10.

[0031] The opposite ends of the static upper bridge B.l l are the equipment’ s two main areas: the loading area, the area where the operator loads the compressors to be recycled and controls the equipment, located on the side of the control panel 2.1, and the cutting area, located on the side of the cutting disc B.4, where the cutting of the compressor casing to be recycled is carried out. The support table B.7 supports, on its upper face, the electric motor B.6, whose shaft has coupled, at its end, the driving pulley B.2, housed in the shield B.l. On the underside of the support table B.7 is fixed the bearing B.15 which, in turn, supports a rotating shaft which transmits movement to the cutting disc B.4. The driven pulley B.14 is coupled at the opposite end of the shaft.

[0032] The articulated hoses B.5 which, when in operation, are directed towards the contact area between the cutting disc B.4 and the compressor in cut, (not represented in this position in Fig. 5) receive the water retained in the lower tray 1.3 due to the drive of the water pump 1.4 (Fig. 1) to cool the cutting disc B.4.

[0033] In Fig. 6, the two support sets D.13 are shown, each resting on a mounting table C.l. This mounting table C.l has the capacity of linear translation driven by the linear electric motor C.3, being guided by the horizontal linear guides C.2. The translation of the table C.l is performed by the linear electric motor C.3 which receives electrical energy from the electrical panel 2.3 as a result of the electrical signals sent by a selector knob on the control panel 2.1 to the general electrical control and distribution panel 2.5 (Fig. 2), during the compressor loading phase. This selector knob will be pressed according to the relative position of the cutting area required on the compressor housing in relation to the laser sensor 2.2, mounted on the lower face of the control panel 2.1 (Fig. 2). Turning the selector knob to the left or right will cause a translation motion of the table C. l forward or backward, respectively.

[0034] The incidence of laser light from the laser sensor 2.2 (Fig. 2) on the compressor casing indicates the area where the cut will be carried out, since laser sensor 2.2 is positioned exactly on the opposite side of the cutting disc B.4, and with exactly the same distance in relation to the rotation axis of the rotating lower bridge C.4.

[0035] The control panel 2.1 also includes a momentary contact button, which sends an electrical signal to the general electrical control and distribution panel 2.5 validating the loading of the compressor in the support set D.13 in the loading area, properly immobilised and gripped by the gripper D.l jaws and with the cutting area properly determined.

[0036] Fig. 7 shows the gripper D.l in detail, for supporting and gripping the compressors to be cut, comprising two jaws, each with a curved section, which comes into contact and tightly and stably fixes the compressor housing. Each jaw is attached to the actuation element of each hydraulic cylinder D.3, arranged on the back of the plate D.2, communicating with the gripper D.1 through the plate’s D.2 grooves, promoting the rest of the gripper D.1 on the front of the plate D.2. In the central area of the plate D.2, there is also a stop D.8 to backrest the compressor to be cut. Plate D.2 is screwed on the front of the housing D.4 which, in turn, is fixed by screws on the rack D.5. The back side of the housing D.4 is screwed on the front of the rack D.5, and the back side of the rack D.5 is screwed onto the protective housing D.7. On the inside upper part of the protective housing D.7 is a rotary joint D.6, mounted on the joint support D.9 fixed to the housing D.4.

[0037] The linear movement of each of the actuating elements of the hydraulic cylinders D.3, which results in a radial movement towards each of the gripper D.l jaws in relation to the centre of the plate D.2, is performed by the compressed hydraulic fluid provided by the hydraulic oil power unit E (Fig. 3), mounted on a base placed on one side of the rotating lower bridge C.4, on the opposite side to where the electrical panel 2.3 is mounted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0038] The stop D.8, fixed on the plate D.2, serves as a compressor rest, which is to be tightened and immobilised by the gripper D.l jaws, moved linearly by the application of a hydraulic pressure differential in the hydraulic cylinder D.3 chambers, attached to the corresponding jaw. The simultaneous linear movement towards or away from the two gripper D.1 jaws in relation to the centre of the plate D.2 is provided by the flow divider D.12, which receives the pressurized hydraulic oil supplied by the hydraulic oil power unit E and divides it into the two hydraulic cylinders D.3.

[0039] Each of the gripper D.l jaws have a curved section, which adheres to and supports the compressor housing, enabling the compressor’s uniform and stable tightening. The hydraulic pressure applied keeps the compressor immobilised during the cutting phase, counteracting the pressure exerted on the compressor by the cutting disc B.4.

[0040] The gripper D.l jaws are bonded to the plate D.2 which, in turn, is attached to the housing D.4. The rotation of this assembly is carried out by the servomotor D. l l, whose shaft is coupled to the reducer D.10 and transmits its rotation to it. In turn, the reducer D.10 transmits the rotation to the housing D.4 through the rack D.5.

[0041] The rotary joint D.6, fixed to the joint support D.9 which, in turn, is fixed to the housing D.4, enables compensating for the relative movement between the rotation of the flow divider D.12 and the oil hoses 1.5 that carry pressurised hydraulic oil necessary to move the gripper D.1 jaws, supplied by the hydraulic oil power unit E.

[0042] Now referring to Figs. 4, 6 and 7, all rotating and linear (radial) drive components of the gripper D. l jaws are encapsulated in the housings D.7 and D.4. In turn, the protective housing D.7 is fixed onto table C.l which, in turn, has translation capacity due to the linear electric motor C.3, which is guided by the horizontal linear guides C.2.

[0043] The horizontal linear guides C.2 and the linear electric motor C.3 are fixed to the lower rotating bridge C.4. The lower rotating bridge C.4 is supported by the indexing rotating table A.6, driven in rotation by the motor A.3 which, in turn, is fixed to the structural tower A.9. With a 180° rotation, the lower rotating bridge C.4 allows movement of the compressors installed on the support sets D.13 from the loading area to the cutting area, and vice versa. [0044] Figs. 8 and 9 show the hydraulic oil power unit E comprising an hydraulic pump E.1, responsible for moving the hydraulic oil from the reservoir E.2 to the accumulator E.9, where it is pressurised and stored; a safety valve E.8 to limit the pressure of the supplied hydraulic fluid, which returns the fluid moved by the hydraulic pump E.l to the reservoir E.2 when it reaches the maximum permissible pressure value, caused by an increase in the resistive load; an accumulator E.9, capable of storing the pressurised fluid, offers it in accordance with the needs; a 2-way 2-position directional valve E.3 which, when its solenoid is activated, does not allow the passage of hydraulic fluid and, consequently, leads to the filling of the accumulator E.9; when the hydraulic fluid reaches a given pressure value, the solenoid is deactivated, allowing the passage of hydraulic fluid that, as it is a path of lesser resistance, causes the hydraulic fluid to return to the reservoir E.2; a pressure sensor E.4 which indicates to the programmable logic controller that the fluid is within the pressure intervals intended for the solenoid of the 2-way 2-position directional valve E.3 to be activated.

[0045] The hydraulic oil power unit E also comprises two 4 (four)-way 3 (three)-position directional valves E.6 and E.7 for control of the circulation and direction of the hydraulic oil for the hydraulic cylinders D.3 chambers of the compressors loading and immobilisation supporting sets D.13. When it is necessary to make the linear movement of the gripper D.l jaws to approach the centre of the plate D.2, which consists of a movement of approach to the compressor, the right solenoid Y2 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is activated, switching the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 to the position that allows the pressurised hydraulic oil stored in the accumulator E.9 to pass to the hydraulic cylinders D.3 chambers further away from the centre of the plate D.2, while the opposite chambers are connected to the return line to the reservoir E.2, creating a pressure differential that generates the linear movement of the gripper D.l jaws towards the centre of the plate D.2.

[0046] The linear movement of the gripper D. l jaws to move away from the centre of the plate D.2, which consists translated into a movement away from the compressor, the left solenoid Y1 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is activated, switching the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 to the position that allows the pressurised hydraulic oil stored in the accumulator E.9 to pass to the hydraulic cylinders D.3 chambers closer to the centre of the plate D.2, while the opposite chambers are connected to the return line to the reservoir

E.2, creating a pressure differential that originates the linear movement of the gripper D.l jaws in the opposite direction to the centre of the plate D.2.

[0047] The hydraulic oil power unit E also allows the hydraulic drive of the brake C.6 which, by applying pressure on the brake paddle A.5, prevents the movement of the lower rotating bridge C.4 when desired. For this purpose, when it is necessary to engage the brake C.6, the solenoid of the 3-way 2-position directional valve E.5 is activated, causing the pressurised hydraulic oil stored in the accumulator E.9 to pass through the opening of the 3-way 2- position directional valve E.5, going to the upper chamber of the brake cylinder C.6 and overcoming the force of the spring located in the opposite chamber. When the lower rotating bridge C.4 is to be released, then the 3-way 2-position directional valve E.5 solenoid is deactivated and the upper brake chamber C.6 is connected to the reservoir E.2, making the hydraulic fluid in that chamber being expelled by the restitution of energy from the lower chamber spring.

[0048] Figs. 10 and 11 show the hydraulic oil power unit F, which supplies the hydraulic fluid for the displacement of the hydraulic cylinder B.13. The hydraulic oil power unit F comprises an hydraulic pump F.1 which drives the hydraulic oil from the reservoir F.4 to the accumulator F.6, where it is pressurised and stored; a safety valve F.3 limits the pressure of the hydraulic oil supplied, driving the fluid compressed by the pump F.1 back to the reservoir

F.4, when it reaches the maximum allowable pressure value, caused by an increase in resistive load; an accumulator F.6, capable of storing the pressurised fluid, makes it available as needed; a 2-way 2-position directional valve F.2 which, when its solenoid is energised, does not allow the passage of hydraulic fluid and, consequently, is carried out to fill the accumulator F.6; when the fluid reaches a given pressure value, the solenoid is no longer energised, allowing the passage of hydraulic fluid which, as it is a path of lesser resistance, causes the hydraulic oil to return to the reservoir F.4; a pressure sensor F.5 indicates to the programmable logic controller that the fluid is within the pressure intervals intended to energise the solenoid of the 2-way 2-position directional valve F.2.

[0049] The hydraulic oil power unit F further comprises a proportional directional valve F.7 which can vary the hydraulic fluid flow that passes from the accumulator F.6 to the hydraulic cylinders B.13 chambers, done by varying the percentage of its opening, controlled by an analogue signal sent by the programmable logic controller to its coil, a signal calculated through the mapping carried out in the loading between the laser sensor 2.2 data and the servomotor D.11 rotation angle. The position of the table B.7 is monitored by the sensor B.9, mounted on a support that is attached to the static upper bridge B and whose detection element follows the movement of the table B.7.

[0050] The refrigerator compressors processing device also comprises a water pump 1.4, which sends the water retained in the lower tray 1.3 to the articulated hoses B.5, which are, in turn, directed to the contact area between the cutting disc B.4 and the compressor in cut (not shown in this position), to cool the cutting disc B.4. Due to gravity, the cooling water falls to the ramp 1.1, eventually draining to the tray 1.3, together with the hydraulics fluids coming from the inside and the surface of the compressors. Using a water and oil separator device, a device that is not part of this invention, the water and oil mix from the process and which is in the lower tray 1.3 can be sent to that device, returning only water to the lower tray 1.3. In addition to these, the device also comprises an upper tray 1.6 for retention of the water and oil projected.

[0051] In the upper area of the lower tray 1.3, there is also a removable platform 1.2, which enables raising and changing the cutting disc B.4 without having to remove the lower tray 1.3.

[0052] After completion of the compressor cut, the gripper D.1 jaws open, that is, they move linearly in the opposite direction to the centre of the plate D.2 and, due to gravity, the compressor drops to ramp 1.1. From here, the compressor, whose casing is separated in two, can be taken, for example, by a conveyor to other recycling stations.

[0053] Below is a description of the automatic casing cutting process of hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors with the processing device of this invention, with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.

[0054] The compressor to be cut is placed between the two gripper D.1 jaws of the support set D.13 in the loading area, leaning the compressor base against the stop D.8. When the compressor is pressed against the stop D.8, the closing pedal of the gripper’s 2.4 control pedals assembly on the floor must then be pressed. From this moment, the right solenoid Y2 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is activated, switching the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 to the position that allows the pressurised hydraulic oil stored in the accumulator E.9 to pass to the hydraulic cylinders D.3 chambers farthest from the centre of the plate D.2, while the opposite chambers are connected to the return line to the reservoir E.2, creating the pressure differential necessary for the linear movement of the gripper D. l jaws to the centre of the plate D.2 applying pressure against the compressor.

[0055] The closing pedal of the gripper’s 2.4 control pedals assembly should be pressed until the compressor is tightly clamped and immobilised by the gripper D.1 jaws. At this moment, the right solenoid Y2 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is deactivated, the valve returning to its rest position, with no hydraulic fluid coming out or going into either hydraulic cylinder D.3 chambers, which enables maintaining the gripper D.l jaws position.

[0056] If any adjustment is needed, the opening pedal of the gripper’s 2.4 control pedals assembly can be pressed, releasing the compressor. From this moment, the left solenoid Y1 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is activated, switching the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 to the position that allows the pressurised hydraulic fluid stored in the accumulator E.9 to pass to the hydraulic cylinders D.3 chambers closer to the centre of the plate D.2, while the opposite chambers are connected to the return line to the reservoir E.2, creating the pressure differential necessary for the linear movement of the gripper D.1 jaws on the opposite direction to the centre of the plate D.2, releasing the pressure against the compressor. After adjusting the compressor, it is necessary to repeat the closing steps of the gripper D.l jaws.

[0057] With the compressor already tightly fixed and immobilised by the gripper D. l jaws, it is necessary to fine-tune the compressor surface area where the cut will be made. On the underside of the control panel 2.1 there is a laser sensor 2.2 positioned exactly on the opposite side of the cutting disc B.4 and exactly with the same distance as the cutting disc B.4 to the rotating lower bridge C.4 rotation axis. The laser’s 2.2 light focuses on the compressor and indicates where the cut will be made, so that, in this way, it will be possible to adjust the cutting position on the control panel 2.1, moving the table C. l horizontally by driving the linear electric motor C.3.

[0058] As soon as the desired position is reached, it is confirmed on the control panel 2.1 and the profile reading function of the compressor to be cut is activated. At this stage, the servomotor D.l l performs a 360° rotation, which will translate into a 360° rotation of the compressor immobilised by the gripper D.1 jaws. At the same time that the necessary torque for the displacement of the compressor is made, the servomotor D.l l sends constant feedback information of the rotation angle of its axis to the process’s programmable logic controller, enabling it to map the values read by the laser sensor 2.2 and the compressor’s rotation angle.

[0059] With the height profile acquired, i.e., with the 360° rotation completed, and if there is no compressor being cut on the support set D.13 located in the cutting area, the indexing rotating table A.6 motor A.3 is activated and rotates the rotating lower bridge C.4 180°, monitored by an encoder (not shown) which communicates with the general panel 2.5, moving the support set D.13 previously located in loading area to the cutting area, and the support set D.13 previously located in cutting area to the loading area.

[0060] With the rotation of the rotating lower bridge C.4 completed, the rotation of the servomotor D.l l starts, which transmits the rotation to the housing D.4 by means of the reducer D.10 and the rack D.5, which results in the rotation of the compressor. At the same time, the vertical displacement of the support table B.7 and, therefore, of the cutting disc B.4 starts - which, in turn, rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the compressor - in order to cause the contact between the cutting disc B.4 and the compressor casing, causing the compressor housing to be cut. In order to obtain the desired cutting depth along the entire perimeter of the compressor, it is necessary to carry out a continuous positioning adapted to the format of the compressor, this positioning being provided by the hydraulic cylinder B.13, whose rod is attached to the support table B.7 and moves it.

[0061] During the entire cutting phase, the right solenoid Y2 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is activated and the gripper D.l jaws continue to grip the compressor, so as to keep it stationary, overcoming the pressure exerted by the cutting disc B.4 on the compressor. Also, during this phase, the 3-way 2-position directional valve E.5 solenoid is activated, and the brake C.6 exerts pressure on the brake paddle A.5, preventing any type of movement of the indexing rotating table by the vibration imposed by the contact pressure between the cutting disc B.4 and the compressor. [0062] When the cut is finished, the left solenoid Y1 of the 4-way 3-position directional valve E.6 is activated, causing the gripper D. l jaws to distance themselves from the centre of the plate D.2, which no longer tighten and grip the compressor which, due to gravity, falls onto the ramp 1.1 and then onto the lower tray 1.3 for water and oil retention.

[0063] Because the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device has two support sets D.l 3 with hydraulically driven grippers D.l, located on opposite sides, while the cut is carried out on one side, it is possible to place, on the opposite side, a new compressor and carry out all the necessary previously mentioned adjustments, thus increasing the productivity of the hermetically sealed electric refrigerator compressors processing device. In this way, when the compressor’s cutting cycle ends, another one is quickly started with a new 180° (one hundred and eighty degrees) rotation, in the opposite direction to the previous rotation.

[0064]

Component Description

1.1 Ramp

1.2 Removable platform

1.3 Lower tray

1.4 Water pump

1.5 Oil hose

1.6 Upper tray

2.1 Control panel

2.2 Laser sensor

2.3 Electrical panel

2.4 Gripper control pedals

2.5 General electrical control and distribution panel

A Structural tower assembly

A.l Foot mounting

A.2 Guide

A.3 Electric motor

A.4 Access door

A.5 Brake paddle

A.6 Indexing rotating table

A.7 Base

A.8 Levellers

A.9 Structural tower

B Upper bridge assembly

B.l Shield

B.2 Driving pulley

B.3 Shield

B.4 Cutting disc

B.5 Articulated hoses B.6 Electric motor

B.7 Support table

B.8 Ball bushing

B.9 Linear reading sensor

B.10 Vertical linear guides

B.l l Static upper bridge

B.12 Eyebolts

B.13 Hydraulic cylinder

B.14 Driven pulley

B.15 Bearing Lower bridge assembly

C. l Table

C.2 Horizontal linear guides

C.3 Linear electric motor

C.4 Rotating lower bridge

C.5 Support

C.6 Brake

D Support set

D.l Gripper

D.2 Plate

D.3 Hydraulic cylinder

D.4 Housing

D.5 Rack

D.6 Rotary joint

D.7 Protective housing

D.8 Stop

D.9 Rotary joint support

D.10 Reducer

D.l l Servomotor

D.12 Flow divider

D.13 Support set

E Hydraulic oil power unit

E. l Hydraulic pump

E.2 Oil reservoir

E.3 2-way 2-position directional valve

E.4 Pressure sensor

E.5 3-way 2-position directional valve

E.6 4-way 3-position directional valve

E.7 4-way 3-position directional valve

E.8 Safety valve

E.9 Accumulator Y 1 Left solenoid

Y2 Right solenoid

F Hydraulic oil power unit

F.l Hydraulic pump

F.2 2-way 2-position directional valve

F.3 Safety valve

F.4 Oil reservoir

F.5 Pressure sensor

F.6 Accumulator

F.7 Proportional directional valve