US3595256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vessel-cleaning apparatus
Assignee: Ethyl Corp
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Filing: 1968-11-22
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cleaning the interior walls of a vessel utilizing fluid under high pressure. The portion of the device carrying the fluid nozzle assembly is adapted to be inserted through an opening into the interior vessel. The apparatus may utilize one or more nozzle assemblies mounted on a support frame which is rotatable around the vertical axis of the vessel by a drive mechanism that remains outside of the vessel being cleaned. A support assembly has a fixed portion resting on the cleaning apparatus and permits rotation of the portion of the apparatus within the vessel that carries the high pressure nozzle assemblies. A reciprocating mechanism is carried by the rotating portion of the apparatus whereby the nozzle angle may be continually changed to provide movement of the nozzles about the radial axis of the vessel being cleaned. By simultaneous rotation of the nozzle assemblies around the axis of the vessel movement of the nozzle head through a radial arc, the high pressure fluid from the nozzles cleans the entire area of the vessel without excessive overlap. For elongated, cylindrical vessels, a plurality of nozzles are provided for cleaning the upper and lower half of the vessel, respectively. Such nozzles can be operated independently or simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Waltman
- 👤 Charles A Cook
- 👤 Carl R Hillman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:12
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/08; B08B9/093; B08B9/0936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by means of a fluid under pressure, the combination comprising: a. a generally rectangular upper framework for lifting said apparatus; b. a support assembly for supporting said apparatus on said vessel attached to the lower end of said upper framework, said assembly having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion; c. a first high-pressure rotating joint assembly for supplying said fluid mounted above and attached to said rotatable portion of said support assembly; d. at least two conduits for said fluid extending from said rotating joint through said rotatable portion of said support assembly into the interior of said vessel; e. at least one nozzle head assembly connected to each of said conduits through a second rotatable joint and mounted to be movable around the radial axis of said vessel; f. a linking assembly attached at its lower portion to said nozzle assemblies and having its upper end extending above the rotatable portion of said support assembly; g. a first device assembly connected to the upper end of said linking assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies can be moved about the radial axis of said vessel; and h. a second drive assembly coupled to the rotatable portion of said support assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies , together with the other assemblies attached to said rotatable portion, can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by means of a fluid under pressure, the combination comprising: a. a generally rectangular upper framework for lifting said apparatus; b. a support assembly for supporting said apparatus on said vessel attached to the lower end of said upper framework, said assembly having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion; c. a first high-pressure rotating joint assembly for supplying said fluid mounted above and attached to said rotatable portion of said support assembly; d. at least two conduits for said fluid extending from said rotating joint through said rotatable portion of said support assembly into the interior of said vessel; e. at least one nozzle head assembly connected to each of said conduits through a second rotatable joint and mounted to be movable around the radial axis of said vessel; f. a linking assembly attached at its lower portion to said nozzle assemblies and having its upper end extending above the rotatable portion of said support assembly; g. a first device assembly connected to the upper end of said linking assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies can be moved about the radial axis of said vessel; and h. a second drive assembly coupled to the rotatable portion of said support assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies , together with the other assemblies attached to said rotatable portion, can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by means of fluid under pressure, the combination comprising: a. a generally rectangular upper framework for lifting said apparatus; b. a support assembly for supporting said apparatus on said vessel attached to the lower end of said upper framework, said assembly having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion; c. a first high-pressure rotating joint assembly for supplying said fluid mounted above and attached to said rotatable portion of said support assembly; d. at least one conduit for said fluid extending from said rotating joint through said rotatable portion of said support assembly into the interior of said vessel; e. at least one nozzle head assembly connected to said conduit through a second rotatable joint and mounted to be movable around the radial axis of said vessel; f. a linking assembly attached at its lower end to said nozzle assembly and having its upper end extending above the rotatable portion of said support assembly; g. a first drive assembly connected to the upper end of said linking assembly whereby said nozzle assembly can be moved about the radial axis of said vessel, said first drive assembly including a rotary to linear motion converter whereby said linking assembly may be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said vessel; and h. a second drive assembly coupled to the rotatable portion of said support assembly whereby said nozzle assembly, together with the other assemblies attached to said rotatable portion, can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
259 words
In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by means of fluid under pressure, the combination comprising: a. a generally rectangular upper framework for lifting said apparatus; b. a support assembly for supporting said apparatus on said vessel attached to the lower end of said upper framework, said assembly having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion; c. a first high-pressure rotating joint assembly for supplying said fluid mounted above and attached to said rotatable portion of said support assembly; d. at least one conduit for said fluid extending from said rotating joint through said rotatable portion of said support assembly into the interior of said vessel; e. at least one nozzle head assembly connected to said conduit through a second rotatable joint and mounted to be movable around the radial axis of said vessel; f. a linking assembly attached at its lower end to said nozzle assembly and having its upper end extending above the rotatable portion of said support assembly; g. a first drive assembly connected to the upper end of said linking assembly whereby said nozzle assembly can be moved about the radial axis of said vessel, said first drive assembly including a rotary to linear motion converter whereby said linking assembly may be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said vessel; and h. a second drive assembly coupled to the rotatable portion of said support assembly whereby said nozzle assembly, together with the other assemblies attached to said rotatable portion, can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
195 words
In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by means of a fluiD under pressure, the combination comprising: a. an upper framework for lifting said apparatus; b. a support assembly for supporting said apparatus on said vessel attached to said upper framework, aid assembly having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion; c. a first high-pressure rotating joint assembly for supplying said fluid attached to said rotatable portion of said support assembly; d. at least two conduits for said fluid extending from said rotating joint through said rotatable portion of said assembly into the interior of said vessel; e. at least one nozzle head assembly connected to and communicating with each of said conduits mounted to be movable around the radial axis of said vessel; f. a linking assembly attached to said nozzle assemblies and to a first drive assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies can be moved about the radial axis of said vessel; and g. a second drive assembly coupled to the rotatable portion of said support assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies together with the other assemblies attached to said rotatable portion, can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a vessel by means of a fluiD under pressure, the combination comprising: a. an upper framework for lifting said apparatus; b. a support assembly for supporting said apparatus on said vessel attached to said upper framework, aid assembly having a rotatable portion and a fixed portion; c. a first high-pressure rotating joint assembly for supplying said fluid attached to said rotatable portion of said support assembly; d. at least two conduits for said fluid extending from said rotating joint through said rotatable portion of said assembly into the interior of said vessel; e. at least one nozzle head assembly connected to and communicating with each of said conduits mounted to be movable around the radial axis of said vessel; f. a linking assembly attached to said nozzle assemblies and to a first drive assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies can be moved about the radial axis of said vessel; and g. a second drive assembly coupled to the rotatable portion of said support assembly whereby said nozzle assemblies together with the other assemblies attached to said rotatable portion, can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of said vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 3 where at least one of said nozzle head assemblies is positioned to clean the upper portion of said vessel and at least one of said nozzle head assemblies is positioned to clean the lower portion of said vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said nozzle head assemblies is provided with at least two oppositely directed ports for ejecting said fluid against the interior walls of said vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first drive assembly is provided with a transmission whereby the rate at which said nozzle head assemblies move about the radial axis of said vessel can be varied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second drive assembly is provided with a transmission whereby the rate of rotation of said nozzle head assemblies about the longitudinal axis of said vessel may be varied.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where at least one of said nozzle head assemblies is positioned to clean the upper portion of said vessel and at least one of said nozzle head assemblies is positioned to clean the lower portion of said vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said nozzle head assemblies is provided with at least two oppositely directed ports for ejecting said fluid against the interior walls of said vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first drive assembly is provided with a transmission whereby the rate at which said nozzle head assemblies move about the radial axis of said vessel can be varied.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second drive assembly is provided with a transmission whereby the rate of rotation of said nozzle head assemblies about the longitudinal axis of said vessel may be varied.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a cutoff device for said first drive assembly is provided which is adapted to be actuated by said linking assembly to stop said first drive assembly after said linking assembly moves said nozzle head assembly through a predetermined arc.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |