US 5,018,544 AGranted

Apparatus for cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles

AssigneeOhmstede Mechanical Services, Inc.

InventorsThomas B. Boisture, Larry D. McGrew, James D. Jeffrey, Robert G. Wetzel, Gene P. Livingston, Robert A. Baten

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A mobile tube bundle cleaning apparatus comprised of a truck mounted fluid and hydraulic pressure sources including high pressure pumps and diesel engines. The apparatus further includes a trailer mounted tube bundle cleaning system including an articulable mobile crane, outriggers for stabilizing the trailer during cleaning operations and a system for supporting and rotating a tube bundle during cleaning operations. The apparatus further includes a remote control pedestal from which an operator may control the fluid pressurizing system, the crane and the operation of the tube bundle rotating system.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for cleaning a heat exchanger tube bundle using fluids comprising:

a first mobile base having a water reservoir to store the fluids from an external fluids source;
means for pressurizing the fluids mounted on said first mobile base;
a second mobile base proximate said first mobile base, said second mobile base having a longitudinal axis and longitudinal edges;
an articulated crane supported on said second mobile base and adapted for movement along said longitudinal axis of said second mobile base and capable of discharging the fluids toward the tube bundle;
means for delivering the fluids from said pressurizing means to said crane;
means for discharging the fluids having conduit means extending from said delivery means, said discharge means being mounted on said crane and capable of discharging the fluids toward the tube bundle;
and
means for stabilizing said second mobile base and for supporting and rotating the tube bundle, the tube bundle being aligned substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said second mobile base.

5 more elements

The apparatus for cleaning a heat exchanger tube bundle using fluids comprising:

a first mobile base having a fluids reservoir to store the fluids from an external fluids source;
a first means for pressurizing the fluids mounted on said first mobile base;
a second means for pressurizing the fluids mounted on said first mobile base proximate said first pressurizing means;
a second mobile base proximate said first mobile base, said second mobile base having a longitudinal axis;
a crane assembly supported on said second mobile base capable of movement along said longitudinal axis of said second mobile base and capable of discharging the fluids toward the tube bundle;
means for delivering the fluids from said first pressurizing means to said crane;
means, mounted on said crane assembly, for discharging the fluids, having conduit means extending from said delivery means capable of discharging the fluids toward the tube bundle;
means for stabilizing said second mobile base;
means for moving said crane along said longitudinal axis of said second mobile base;
and
means for supporting and rotating the tube bundle, the tube bundle being aligned substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said second mobile base.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/489,001Filed 6 Mar 1990
Granted: 28 May 1991
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

F28G 9/00
Cleaning by flushing or washing
B08B 9/0323
Using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid: arrangements specially designed for simultaneous and parallel cleaning of a plurality of conduits
B08B 9/0433
Moved by externally powered mechanical linkage, e.g. pushed or drawn through the pipes: provided exclusively with fluid jets as cleaning tools
B66C 23/54
Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in…:…