Multi-lange tube bundle cleaner
AssigneeServ-Tech, Inc.
InventorsRichard W. Krajicek, Robert R. Cradeur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An essentially self-contained mobile tube cleaning machine which is remotely operable so that there is no need for operating personnel to be in close proximity to cleaning nozzles or other high pressure lines during tube cleaning operations. As a consequence, significantly higher water pressures and significantly higher water flow rates can be utilized thereby not only accelerating the rate of cleaning but also the efficiency and the effectiveness of the cleaning operation. Through the provision of a nozzle head at the end of an articulatable boom, it is possible to adjust the location of the nozzle through movement of the boom in order to clean the face of a tube bundle, the shell side of a tube bundle and the interior of the tubes themselves.
Claims10
Multi-lance cleaning means for use in cleaning tubes of a tube bundle including:
- an elongate chambered frame having an elongate channeled lance housing extending along the top thereof;
- a hollow manifold block slidably mounted in said lance housing;
- a plurality of tube cleaning lances slidably longitudinally positioned in said lance housing, fluidly connected at their rear ends to the hollow of said manifold block and longitudinally alignable with a corresponding plurality of tubes of a tube bundle, the interiors of which are to be cleaned;
- a plurality of flexible water hoses connectable with a pressured water supply means extending into the chamber of said elongate chambered frame and fluidly interconnected with the hollow of said manifold block;
- a drag chain mounted in said chamber of said elongate frame and connected at its free end with said manifold block, said plurality of hoses being nested in said drag chain;
- hydraulically actuatable power means operably connected with said drag chain for independently moving the same in response to hydraulic pressure;
- and
- remotely actuatable control means operably connected with said power means for moving said drag chain in response to a signal to thereby simultaneously move said cleaning lances in response to movement of said drag chain.
In combination, an upstanding base and a multi-lance tube cleaner:
- said upstanding base comprising a boom;
- articulatable support means depending from the end of said boom and interconnecting the end of said boom with said multi-lance tube cleaner adjacent the mid point thereof for wholly supporting said multi-lance cleaner above the ground;
- said multi-lance tube cleaner comprising:
- an elongate chambered frame having an elongate channeled lance housing extending along the top thereof;
- a hollow manifold block slidably mounted in said lance housing;
- a plurality of tube cleaning lances slidably longitudinally positioned in said lance housing and connected at their rear ends to said manifold block in fluid communication with the hollow therein and longitudinally alignable with a corresponding plurality of tubes of a tube bundle, the interiors of which are to be cleaned;
- a plurality of flexible water hoses fluidly interconnected with a source of pressure water extending into the chamber of said elongate chambered frame and fluidly interconnected with the hollow of said manifold block, whereby the pressure of incoming water will be equalized in the hollow of said manifold block before flowing through said tube cleaning lances;
- endless chain means mounted in said chamber of said elongate frame;
- a drag chain mounted in said chamber of said elongate frame, said drag chain being connected at one end thereof with said manifold block and at the other end thereof with said endless chain means, said plurality of hoses being nested in said drag chain;
- fluidly actuatable endless chain power means mounted in said elongate chamber and operably connected with said endless chain means whereby movement of said endless chain means by said power means will correspondingly move said drag chain, said hollow manifold and said cleaning lances;
- and
- remotely actuatable control means operably connected with said power means for activating the same.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.