Tube plugging tool positioner

Claim 2

A tube plugging tool positioner comprising a locating member adapted for movement through a tube of a heat exchanger with a tube plugging tool and for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger at the remote end of the tube to locate the tube plugging tool, said locating member comprising means for permitting movement of the tube plugging tool through the tube notwithstanding the presence of impediments to such movement and means adapting the tube plugging tool for withdrawal from the tube notwithstanding the presence of impediments to such withdrawal, said locating member further comprising a body extending axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube and a member supported on the body for pivotal movement between a position wherein it extends substantially axially of the tube and a position wherein it extends radially outwardly from the body for engagement with the remote end of the tube.

Claim 3

A tube plugging tool positioner comprising a locating member adapted for movement through a tube of a heat exchanger with a tube plugging tool and for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger at the remote end of the tube to locate the tube plugging tool, said locating member comprising means for permitting movement of the tube plugging tool through the tube notwithstanding the presence of impediments to such movement and means adapting the tube plugging tool for withdrawal from the tube notwithstanding the presence of impediments to such withdrawal, said locating member further comprising a body extending axially of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end thereof and a spring mounted on the body and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom to a position normally located further radially outwardly from the body than the wall of the tube so that the locating member moves through the tube with the tube plugging tool even though it engages an impediment to such movement and then snaps outwardly as the body clears the remote end of the tube for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger to position the tube plugging tool.

Claim 4

A tube plugging tool positioner comprising a locating member adapted for movement through a tube of a heat exchanger with a tube plugging tool and for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger at the remote end of the tube to locate the tube plugging tool, said locating member comprising means for permitting movement of the tube plugging tool through the tube notwithstanding the presence of impediments to such movement and means adapting the tube plugging tool for withdrawal from the tube notwithstanding the presence of impediments to such withdrawal, said locating member further comprising a body extending axially of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end thereof and a spring mounted on the body and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom to a position normally located further radially outwardly from the body than the wall of the tube so that the locating member moves through the tube with the tube plugging tool even though it engages an impediment to such movement and then snaps outwardly as the body clears the remote end of the tube for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger to position the tube plugging tool.

Claim 5

The tube plugging tool positioner according to claim 2 wherein the locating member comprises a generally V-shaped length of wire extending outwardly and rearwardly from opposite sides of the body and adapted for deformation to permit withdrawal of the tube plugging tool from the tube.

Claim 6

The tube plugging tool positioner according to claim 2 wherein the locating member comprises a pair of leaf springs mounted on opposite sides of the body and each extending first outwardly and rearwardly and then inwardly and rearwardly to provide camming surfaces which adapt the tube plugging tool for movement both into the tube and out of the tube even though the leaf springs engage impediments to such movement.

Claim 7

The tube plugging tool positioner according to claim 1 wherein the locating member has a length greater than the diameter of the tube, wherein the locating member is supported for pivotal movement about an axis extending perpendicularly to the axis of the tube, and further including spring means connected between the locating member and the body for urging the locating member to rotate relative to the body, and means for preventing further rotation of the locating member when the locating member extends subsTantially perpendicularly to the axis of the tube.

Claim 8

The tube plugging tool positioner according to claim 1 further comprising means supporting the locating member on the body for pivotal movement to a position wherein it extends substantially longitudinally of the tube when the tube plugging tool is rotated to a first orientation and for pivotal movement to a position wherein it projects radially outwardly from the axis of the tube by a distance greater than the radius of the tube when the tube plugging tool is rotated to a second orientation.

Claim 9

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; and a locating member comprising a length of wire mounted on the body and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom to a distal end normally located further radially outwardly from the body than the wall of the tube so that the locating member moves through the tube with the tube plugging tool even though it engages an impediment to such movement and snaps outwardly as the body clears the remote end of the tube for engagement with a portion of the heat exhanger to position the tool plugging tool.

Claim 10

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; and a locating member comprising a length of wire mounted on the body and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom to a distal end normally located further radially outwardly from the body than the wall of the tube so that the locating member moves through the tube with the tube plugging tool even though it engages an impediment to such movement and snaps outwardly as the body clears the remote end of the tube for engagement with a portion of the heat exhanger to position the tool plugging tool.

Claim 11

The tube plugging tool positioning apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the locating member further comprises a generally V-shaped length of wire extending outwardly and rearwardly from opposite sides of the body to distal ends normally separated by a distance which is greater than the diameter of the tube.

Claim 12

The tube plugging tool positioning apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the generally V-shaped length of wire is relatively yieldable so that the tube plugging tool is adapted for withdrawal from the tube by deformation of the length of wire.

Claim 13

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; a locating member which is greater in length than the diameter of the tube; means supporting the locating member on the body for pivotal movement about an axis extending through the locating member and perpendicularly to the axis of the tube; spring means for urging the locating member to rotate relative to the body about the axis; and means mounted on the body for preventing further rotation of the locating member under the action of the spring means when the locating member extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the tube.

Claim 14

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; a locating member which is greater in length than the diameter of the tube; means supporting the locating member on the body for pivotal movement about an axis extending through the locating member and perpendicularly to the axis of the tube; spring means for urging the locating member to rotate relative to the body about the axis; and means mounted on the body for preventing further rotation of the locating member under the action of the spring means when the locating member extends substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the tube.

Claim 15

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; a locating member; and means supporting the locating member on the body for pivotal movement to a position wherein it extends substantially axially of the tube when the tube plugging tool is rotated to a first orientation and for pivotal movement to a position wherein it extends radially outwardly from the axis of the tube by a distance greater than the radius of the tube when the tube plugging tool is rotated to a second orientation.

Claim 16

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; a locating member; and means supporting the locating member on the body for pivotal movement to a position wherein it extends substantially axially of the tube when the tube plugging tool is rotated to a first orientation and for pivotal movement to a position wherein it extends radially outwardly from the axis of the tube by a distance greater than the radius of the tube when the tube plugging tool is rotated to a second orientation.

Claim 17

The tube plugging tool positioning apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the locatIng member supporting means comprises a shear pin so that the tube plugging tool is adapted for withdrawal from the tube by fracture of the shear pin.

Claim 18

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; and a locating member comprising a leaf spring mounted on the body and extending rearwardly and outwardly therefrom to a position normally located farther radially outwardly from the body than the wall of the tube so that the locating member moves through the tube with the tube plugging tool even though it engages an impediment to such movement and then snaps outwardly as the body clears the remote end of the tool for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger to position the tube plugging tool.

Claim 19

In combination with a tube plugging tool of the type adapted for movement by an elongate rod through a tube of a heat exchanger to form a plug at the remote end of the tube, apparatus for positioning the tube plugging tool relative to the remote end of the tube comprising: a body projecting axially from the distal end of the tube plugging tool for movement therewith through the tube and out the remote end of the tube; and a locating member comprising a leaf spring mounted on the body and extending rearwardly and outwardly therefrom to a position normally located farther radially outwardly from the body than the wall of the tube so that the locating member moves through the tube with the tube plugging tool even though it engages an impediment to such movement and then snaps outwardly as the body clears the remote end of the tool for engagement with a portion of the heat exchanger to position the tube plugging tool.

Claim 20

The tube plugging tool positioning apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the locating member further comprises a second leaf spring mounted on the opposite side of the body from the first leaf spring and extending rearwardly and outwardly from the body to a position normally separated from the corresponding portion of the first leaf spring by a distance in excess of the diameter of the tube.

Claim 21

The tube plugging tool positioning apparatus according to claim 14 wherein both leaf springs comprise portions extending rearwardly and inwardly from the separated portions so that the tube plugging tool is adapted for withdrawal from the tube even though the leaf springs engage empediments to such withdrawal.