Back to results
US 4,763,376 AGranted
Maintenance inspection submersible transport apparatus
AssigneePene-Tech, Inc.
InventorsEdwin C. Spurlock, Jr., William M. O'Neill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneePene-Tech, Inc.
InventorsEdwin C. Spurlock, Jr., William M. O'Neill
Estimating the term…
A pipe cleaning apparatus for cleaning large diameter pipe comprises a frame coaxially supported within the pipe. A plurality of legs and arms are mounted to the frame and are extendible to engage the interior surface of the pipe. The legs include drive wheels for advancing the apparatus through the pipe. The arms include attachments mounted on the distal end thereof for cleaning and inspection of the interior surface of the pipe. Multiplexing and electrical power is provided to the apparatus from a remote control facility. A hydrolift assembly suspended from the bottom of the apparatus is provided to remove debris accumulated in the pipe. A one atmosphere detachable vessel may be mounted to the frame for transporting divers to the work site within the pipe.
Apparatus for cleaning the interior of conduits comprising;
Apparatus for cleaning the interior surface of a conduit by removing foreign material and forming debris therein, said apparatus comprising a framework for being supported within a conduit, support means connected to said framework for engaging the interior surface of a conduit for movably supporting said framework therein, means for moving said framework in a conduit, rotatable means mounted on said framework for contacting a foreign material and removing it from an interior surface of a conduit forming debris therein, removal means for removing the debris formed in a conduit, said removal means comprising a hydrolift body having a forward end and an outlet end, means suspending said hydrolift body from the bottom of said framework, said forward end of said hydrolift body including a forward edge for scooping up debris from the bottom of a conduit, hydraulic pumps mounted on said hydrolift body, nozzle means on said hydraulic pumps for blowing water into the forward end of said hydrolift body to force water and debris into the hydrolift body, crushing means in said hydrolift body for crushing debris and forming a slurry with the water, and pump means connected to the outlet end of the hydrolift body to pump the slurry from the hydrolift body for disposal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.