Fire tube implement, system, and method
OwnerPhil Madroninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some illustrative embodiments of a fire tube implement for extraction and insertion of a fire tube may include an elongate shaft that is configured to extend outward and to be received within an opening in the fire tube. In some embodiments, the elongate shaft may carry at least one extender that is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position normal to a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft. The at least one extender may be configured to engage an internal surface of the fire tube within the opening when the at least one extender is in the extended position. In some embodiments, a stabilizer may be laterally disposed from an exterior surface of the elongate shaft and securable to the fire tube. The elongate shaft may be operable by a powered machine.
Claims23
An implement for extraction and insertion of a fire tube associated with a heater treater, comprising:
- an elongate shaft comprising an exterior surface and a longitudinal axis;
- an extender carried by the elongate shaft, the extender moveable between an extended position and a retracted position normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, a portion of the extender outwardly disposed from the exterior surface of the elongate shaft when the extender moves toward the extended position;
- and
- an actuator configured to move the extender between the retracted position and the extended position, and to cause the extender to engage the fire tube when in the extended position.
A method for extraction and insertion of a fire tube associated with a heater treater, comprising:
- extending an elongate shaft coupled to a powered machine into an opening of the fire tube;
- engaging an extender from the elongate shaft with an internal surface of the fire tube;
- and
- moving the fire tube relative to the heater treater while the extender is engaged with the fire tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.