US3750339A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pipe cleaning apparatus
Assignee: Pangborn Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-20
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-12-20
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for cleaning the interior of a pipe or like tubular object, a working unit which moves longitudinally through the pipe has a throwing wheel for discharging abrasive particles against the interior surface of the pipe. As the working unit moves through the pipe, the spent abrasive is collected and returned to the throwing wheel for reuse.
Inventors
- 👤 C Barnes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:42
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24C; B24C3/00; B24C3/32; B24C3/325; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/043; B08B9/045; B08B9/053; B08B9/057; F; F16; F16L; F16L2101/00; F16L2101/10; F16L2101/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A working unit adapted to be inserted into the interior of a pipe or tubular object for cleaning the interior surface thereof comprising: a. a frame; b. means supporting said frame to permit rotational movement of a pipe with respect thereto; c. an abrasive blasting means mounted on said frame and adapted to throw abrasive particles against the interior surface of a pipe when said working unit is inserted therein; d. means for feeding abrasive particles to said abrasive blasting means; e. a conveyor system mounted on said frame adjacent said abrasive blasting means for collecting abrasive particles thrown from said abrasive blasting means, said conveyor having a conveying surface adapted to be adjacent to and substantially conforming with the interior surface of the pipe and adapted to carry abrasive particles upwardly in the direction of rotation of the pipe, said conveyor adapted to convey projected abrasive particles to said feeding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A working unit adapted to be inserted into the interior of a pipe or tubular object for cleaning the interior surface thereof comprising: a. a frame; b. means supporting said frame to permit rotational movement of a pipe with respect thereto; c. an abrasive blasting means mounted on said frame and adapted to throw abrasive particles against the interior surface of a pipe when said working unit is inserted therein; d. means for feeding abrasive particles to said abrasive blasting means; e. a conveyor system mounted on said frame adjacent said abrasive blasting means for collecting abrasive particles thrown from said abrasive blasting means, said conveyor having a conveying surface adapted to be adjacent to and substantially conforming with the interior surface of the pipe and adapted to carry abrasive particles upwardly in the direction of rotation of the pipe, said conveyor adapted to convey projected abrasive particles to said feeding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveying surface comprises an endless flexible belt, and said conveyor includes a plurality of rollers with said belt trained therearound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including means for driving said belt at a speed sufficient to move the conveyor surface at about the same speed as the interior surface of the pipe when said pipe is rotated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said belt includes a plurality of cleats for contacting the interior surface of said pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said feeding means comprises a trough and a screw conveyor disposed within said trough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said abrasive blasting means includes a centrifugal throwing wheel adapted to have an axis of rotation above the axis of rotation of the pipe and substantially perpendicular thereto when said working unit is cleaning said pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes a plurality of substantially vertically aligned members forming a first and second compartment, said abrasive blasting means being mounted within said first compartment, and said conveyor being mounted within said second compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said surface comprises an endless flexible belt, and said conveyor includes a plurality of rollers mounted between a pair of vertical members with said belt trained therearound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said feeding means comprises a trough with a screw conveyor disposed therein
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said conveyor is adapted to discharge spent abrasive into said trough, said trough extending between said first and second compartments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said belt includes a plurality of cleats for contacting the Interior surface of said pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 including means for driving said conveyor and said screw.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |