Apparatus for cleaning the inner surfaces of tubes in operating multi-tube heat transfer devices
AssigneeBarry Bros. Specialised Services Pty. Ltd.
InventorRobert W. Vowles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for cleaning tubes in an array of such tubes (162, 175) such as heat exchanger or condenser units that will allow such cleaning action to be undertaken without removing the unit containing the array of tubes from normal service, the apparatus being adapted to be mounted in a head space zone of the unit and comprising a launcher (159, 192) movable on the head space zone to align with the tubes to be cleaned, the launcher being arranged to receive sequentially projectiles (1) from a projectile supply path (11) and to transfer same in a sealed manner to a pressurized fluid delivery path (89, 39) passing through the launcher (159, 192) so that the projectile is aligned with a tube to be cleaned.
Claims11
A projectile launcher adapted for use in tube cleaning apparatus, said launcher comprising a launcher barrel having a muzzle end adapted for movement towards a tube to be cleaned, a fluid delivery path extending through said launcher and said launcher barrel, a projectile transfer duct arranged to sequentially supply projectiles to said launcher along a projectile supply path transverse to said fluid delivery path, and a projectile transfer mechanism adapted to transfer a said projectile from said projectile supply path into alignment with said fluid delivery path while maintaining said projectile supply path sealed from said fluid delivery path, said transfer mechanism comprising a breech block mechanism located in said fluid delivery path, said breech block mechanism comprising a breech block member arranged for movement within a breech chamber, said breech block member being movable from a first position where a said projectile is received therein from said projectile supply path to a second position where said projectile is aligned with said fluid delivery path.
Apparatus for cleaning an array of tubes having open ends at at least one end of said array, and at least one end cover enclosing a head space adjacent said tube open ends, said apparatus comprising a projectile launching mechanism adapted to be mounted within said head space for movement therein to align and engage projectile delivery means selectively with an open end of a said tube of the array of tubes to be cleaned, projectile supply means for moving projectiles sequentially to a position adjacent said launching mechanism, a pressurized liquid passage passing through said projectile launching means, a projectile transfer mechanism enabling sequential sealed transfer of a said projectile from the projectile supply means to said pressurized liquid passage, and means for supplying a flow of pressurized liquid along said pressurized liquid passage to move a said projectile located therein into and through said tube to be cleaned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.