Heat exchanger tube cleaning element capturing device with hinged retainer

Abstract

A heat exchanger (1) has a plurality of fluid flow tubes (5) secured adjacent their ends by tube sheets (6, 7). Cleaning elements (18) are adapted to shuttle back and forth in the tubes and are adapted to be captured by elongated molded plastic slotted baskets (17). The generally uninterrupted basket chamber (25) terminates in an outer end portion defined by the basket body to which is integrally mounted a cleaning element retainer in the form of a closure (26). The closure is pivotally mounted to one side of the end of the basket body by a living hinge (27) which permits swinging of the closure between a fully open position wherein the open-ended basket chamber is unobstructed for cleaning element installation and removal, and a fully closed position which retains the cleaning element within the basket during outward fluid flow. The closure is held in closed position by an integral latch (28, 29) on the side of the basket diametrically opposite the living hinge (27).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.