Shifting mechanisms for fluid jet decoking tools
AssigneeFlowserve Management Company
InventorsDaniel O. Arzuaga, Jagadish Janardhan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool is described herein. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them.
Claims15
A mode-shifting apparatus in a fluid jet decoking tool, said apparatus comprising:
- a diversion plate configured to provide selective fluid communication between a source of pressurized decoking fluid and a first nozzle and a second nozzle;
- a control rod coupled to said diversion plate;
- a shifting mechanism comprising an actuator sleeve cooperative with said diversion plate through said control rod such that a change in decoking fluid pressure imparted to said apparatus produces selective rotary movement in said diversion plate;
- and
- a biasing member comprising a first axially-biased spring and a second axially-biased spring that are each responsive to changes of said decoking fluid pressure such that said first spring maintains said diversion plate and said decoking tool in a state of axial separation during at least a portion of time that corresponds to an increase in pressure in said source of pressurized decoking fluid present at said diversion plate, while said second spring cooperates with said control rod and said shifting mechanism to rotate said diversion plate during said increase in pressure.
A mode-shifting apparatus in a fluid jet decoking tool, said apparatus comprising:
- a diversion plate configured to provide selective fluid communication between a source of pressurized decoking fluid and a first nozzle and a second nozzle;
- a control rod coupled to said diversion plate, wherein said control rod comprises a ratcheting mechanism;
- a shifting mechanism comprising an actuator sleeve engaged with said ratcheting mechanism of said control rod, wherein said actuator sleeve is engaged with an actuator pin carrier and an axially-biased shifting spring, and wherein a change in decoking fluid pressure imparted to said apparatus produces selective rotary movement in said diversion plate;
- and
- an axially-biased lifting spring responsive to changes of said decoking fluid pressure and cooperative with said shifting spring such that said lifting spring maintains said diversion plate and said decoking tool in a state of axial separation during at least a portion of time that corresponds to an increase in pressure in said source of pressurized decoking fluid present at said diversion plate, while said shifting spring cooperates with said control rod and said shifting mechanism to rotate said diversion plate during said increase in pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.