Rigid lance cleaning system and method therefor
AssigneeNLB Corp.
InventorMatthew S. Marschall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rigid lance cleaning system includes rigid tubular lances that are movable between retracted and extended positions for delivering a cleaning fluid. Flexible hoses are connected to respective rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid. A hose reel is configured to dispense the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances extend and collect the flexible hoses when the rigid tubular lances retract. A frame movably supports the rigid tubular lances and a drive system is configured to selectively extend and retract the rigid tubular lenses.
Claims30
A rigid lance cleaning system comprising:
- rigid tubular lances moveable between retracted and extended positions for delivering a cleaning fluid;
- flexible hoses connected, respectively, to the rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid to the rigid tubular lances;
- a hose reel configured to dispense the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances extend and collect the flexible hoses when the rigid tubular lances retract;
- a frame that moveably supports the rigid tubular lances;
- and
- a drive system configured to selectively extend and retract the rigid tubular lances.
A method of cleaning tube bundles using a rigid lance cleaning system, comprising:
- moving rigid tubular lances between retracted and extended positions relative to tube bundles;
- moving flexible hoses in unison with the rigid tubular lances, the flexible hoses being connected, respectively, to the rigid tubular lances;
- dispensing the flexible hose from a hose reel when the rigid tubular lances extend and collecting the flexible hose on the hose reel when the rigid tubular lances retract;
- selectively supplying high pressure cleaning fluid through the hose reel to the flexible hoses to deliver the cleaning fluid to the rigid tubular lances;
- moveably supporting the rigid tubular lances within a frame;
- and
- selectively actuating a drive system to extend and retract the rigid tubular lances relative to the tube bundles.
A rigid lance cleaning system comprising:
- rigid tubular lances moveable between retracted and extended positions for delivering a cleaning fluid;
- a pitch adjuster arranged with the rigid tubular lances and configured to change a spacing between centerlines of the rigid tubular lances;
- flexible hoses connected, respectively, to the rigid tubular lances for delivering the cleaning fluid to the rigid tubular lances;
- a hose connector drive system fluidly connecting each individual flexible hose to a corresponding one of the rigid tubular lances;
- a hose reel configured to dispense the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances extend and collect the flexible hose when the rigid tubular lances retract, the hose reel including circumferential slots that each receive one of the flexible hoses;
- a frame that moveably supports the rigid tubular lances and an operator platform, the frame including at least one latch configured to selectively secure the operator platform at a desired position;
- and
- a drive system configured to selectively extend and retract the rigid tubular lances, the drive system including first and second hydraulic actuators configured to respectively move the rigid tubular lances and the hose reel, and the first and second hydraulic actuators are hydraulically interconnected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.