US3740790A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning waveguide and similar pipes
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for cleaning waveguide and similar pipes comprises a piston having inlet and outlet gas ports therein joined by passages through the piston and gas seals and gas deflecting means located on opposite sides of the outlet ports. When pressurized gas is introduced against a seal, it is directed into the inlet port, through the passage and out the gas outlet port. The gas is then directed by the gas deflecting means at relatively high velocity along the inner surface of the waveguide thereby driving any contaminants along the waveguide. The high velocity gas flow along the inner surface provides both a moisture absorbing effect and a moisture driving effect for more efficient cleaning. The pressure differential across the gas seal propels the device forward through the waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 D Koppes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:52
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/053; B08B9/055; B08B9/0553
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for cleaning contaminants from waveguide and similar pipes comprising, in combination: a piston having a series of gas inlet and outlet ports therealong and gas passages through said piston interconnecting respective associated ones of said inlet and outlet ports; gas seals mounted around said piston between said associated ones of said inlet and outlet ports and contacting the interior surface of said waveguide around the entire periphery therewith to form gas-tight seals therewith so that said piston can be propelled through said waveguide by introducing a pressurized gas against said seal, said seal causing said gas to enter said inlet port, travel through said passage and exit said outlet port; and gas deflectors mounted around said piston adjacent said outlet ports so that said outlet ports are located between said seals and said deflectors, said deflectors having outer peripheries spaced from said interior surface and forming gas flow nozzles therewith so that said gas exiting said outlet port is directed through said nozzle at a relatively high velocity along said interior surface thereby removing said contaminants from said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for cleaning contaminants from waveguide and similar pipes comprising, in combination: a piston having a series of gas inlet and outlet ports therealong and gas passages through said piston interconnecting respective associated ones of said inlet and outlet ports; gas seals mounted around said piston between said associated ones of said inlet and outlet ports and contacting the interior surface of said waveguide around the entire periphery therewith to form gas-tight seals therewith so that said piston can be propelled through said waveguide by introducing a pressurized gas against said seal, said seal causing said gas to enter said inlet port, travel through said passage and exit said outlet port; and gas deflectors mounted around said piston adjacent said outlet ports so that said outlet ports are located between said seals and said deflectors, said deflectors having outer peripheries spaced from said interior surface and forming gas flow nozzles therewith so that said gas exiting said outlet port is directed through said nozzle at a relatively high velocity along said interior surface thereby removing said contaminants from said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seal comprises a flexible material for wiping and cleaning said interior surface as said apparatus is propelled through said waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including first means for regulating the pressure of said gas introduced against said seal; and second means for regulating the pressure of said gas exiting said nozzle so that the speed of said apparatus through said waveguide can be controlled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including pressure regulating means in said passages for controlling the pressure differential across said seals so that the speed of said apparatus through said waveguide can be controlled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for cleaning waveguide and similar pipes compriSing, in combination: a body; a seal on said body for supporting said body within said waveguide, said seal forming a gas-tight seal with the interior surface of said waveguide so that said apparatus can be propelled through said waveguide by introducing a pressurized gas against said seal, said body having passages and outlet ports therein through which said pressurized gas can move to bypass said seal; and a disc mounted on said body adjacent said outlet port opposite said seal, said disc forming an annular-type orifice with said interior surface so that said gas is directed through said orifice at a relatively high velocity along said surface whereby contaminants are removed from said surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for cleaning waveguide and similar pipes compriSing, in combination: a body; a seal on said body for supporting said body within said waveguide, said seal forming a gas-tight seal with the interior surface of said waveguide so that said apparatus can be propelled through said waveguide by introducing a pressurized gas against said seal, said body having passages and outlet ports therein through which said pressurized gas can move to bypass said seal; and a disc mounted on said body adjacent said outlet port opposite said seal, said disc forming an annular-type orifice with said interior surface so that said gas is directed through said orifice at a relatively high velocity along said surface whereby contaminants are removed from said surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1855646A
Cited
US3659305A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |