Hydraulic centre pintle puller
AssigneeCanadian Natural Upgrading Limited
InventorsJason WELLER, Jeff SCHILLER, Vaibhav PANDEY, Andrew MACKOWSKI, Michael EZEKIEL
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for removing a centre pintle from the bore of a machine. The apparatus comprises a pulling assembly and an elongate freezer assembly insert sized for insertion into the centre pintle bore, to form a space between the freezer assembly insert and the wall of the centre pintle bore. The space holds liquid nitrogen to contract the pintle enough to release the interference fit between the pintle and the machine bore, so that the pintle can be pulled out of the bore. The apparatus and method conserve liquid nitrogen, reduce machine down time and are safer than known methods for removal of a centre pintle.
Claims13
An apparatus for removing a centre pintle from the bore of a machine, the centre pintle having a centre pintle bore having a wall, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a pulling assembly for pulling the centre pintle out of the bore of the machine;
- b) an elongate freezer assembly insert sized for insertion into the centre pintle bore to form an annular space between the freezer assembly insert and the wall of the centre pintle bore, the freezer assembly insert being configured for connection to the centre pintle;
- c) the annular space having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end sealed to prevent water leakage therethrough and the top end configured for introduction of water or liquid nitrogen into the annular space;
- and
- d) a connector connected to the pulling assembly and to the freezer assembly insert, such that a pulling force by the pulling assembly on the connector will pull the freezer assembly insert, and thereby the centre pintle when connected to the freezer assembly insert, out of the bore of the machine.
A method of removing a centre pintle from the bore of a machine comprising:
- a) inserting a freezer assembly insert into a central bore of the centre pintle so as to form an annular space between an outer wall of the freezer assembly insert and a wall of the central bore, the annular space having a sealed bottom;
- b) connecting the freezer assembly insert to the centre pintle;
- c) dispensing water into the annular space;
- d) dispensing liquid nitrogen into the annular space after the water is dispensed;
- e) allowing the liquid nitrogen to contact the wall of the central bore of the pintle until the centre pintle contracts enough to release an interference fit between the centre pintle and the bore of the machine;
- and
- f) after the centre pintle contracts, pulling upwards on the freezer assembly insert, to pull the centre pintle out of the bore of the machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.