US3794051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube cleaning system
Assignee: Hydro Vel Services Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-17
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1990-09-17
Abstract
Abstract In a tube cleaning system, a pair of long, straight, small diameter, thin wall lances extend in parallel from a common cleaning fluid manifold to a pair of spray discharge heads. The lances are automatically moved into, through, and out of a pair of heat exchanger tubes by a lance drive system. The lance drive system comprises structure for moving the lances through the tubes and for simultaneously applying straightening forces thereto, apparatus for controlling both the extent of movement of the lances and the flow of cleaning fluid through the lances, and circuitry for automatically reversing and re-reversing the direction of movement of the lances upon engagement of either lance with an obstruction in its respective tube. The lance drive system is mounted on a frame which includes structure for aligning the lances with a pair of heat exchanger tubes prior to each operating cycle of the tube cleaning system.
Inventors
- 👤 C Lee
- 👤 E Shanklin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:50
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28G; F28G15/00; F28G15/04; B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/032; B08B9/0321; B08B9/0323; B08B9/04; B08B9/043; B08B9/0433; F28G1/00; F28G1/16; F28G1/163; F28G9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a system for cleaning the interior of a heat exchanger tube, the improvement comprising: means for advancing a tube cleaning lance into the interior of a heat exchanger tube; means responsive to movement of the lance into the tube for directing a cleaning fluid through the lance and into the tube; means responsive to the movement of the lance through the entire length of the tube for retracting the lance out of the tube, means for applying straightening forces to the lance during the advancing and retracting movements thereof, and means for positioning the lance in alignment with a heat exchanger tube and means for preventing actuation of the positioning means when the lance is positioned within the interior of a heat exchanger tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a system for cleaning the interior of a heat exchanger tube, the improvement comprising: means for advancing a tube cleaning lance into the interior of a heat exchanger tube; means responsive to movement of the lance into the tube for directing a cleaning fluid through the lance and into the tube; means responsive to the movement of the lance through the entire length of the tube for retracting the lance out of the tube, means for applying straightening forces to the lance during the advancing and retracting movements thereof, and means for positioning the lance in alignment with a heat exchanger tube and means for preventing actuation of the positioning means when the lance is positioned within the interior of a heat exchanger tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
A tube cleaning system comprising: a tube cleaning lance having an axis; means for locating the lance in mutually perpendicular directions relative to its axis and thereby aligning the lance with various tubes to be cleaned; means for moving the lance axially and thereby reciprocating the lance into and out of the tubes; means for sensing resistance to movement of the lance through a tube; means responsive to the sensing of a predetermined resistance for reversing the direction of movement of the lance relative to the tube; means for subsequently re-reversing the direction of movement of the lance; and means for preventing operation of the lance locating means wHenever the lance is reciprocated into a tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A tube cleaning system comprising: a tube cleaning lance having an axis; means for locating the lance in mutually perpendicular directions relative to its axis and thereby aligning the lance with various tubes to be cleaned; means for moving the lance axially and thereby reciprocating the lance into and out of the tubes; means for sensing resistance to movement of the lance through a tube; means responsive to the sensing of a predetermined resistance for reversing the direction of movement of the lance relative to the tube; means for subsequently re-reversing the direction of movement of the lance; and means for preventing operation of the lance locating means wHenever the lance is reciprocated into a tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tube cleaning system according to claim 2 wherein the lance movement direction reversing means comprises means for moving the lance in the reverse direction to a retracted position, and wherein the lance direction of movement re-reversing means comprises means for maintaining the lance in the retracted position for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tube cleaning system comprising: a tube cleaning lance having an axis; means for locating the lance in mutually perpendicular directions relative to its axis and thereby aligning the lance with various tubes to be cleaned; means for moving the lance axially and thereby reciprocating the lnace into and out of the tubes; means for directing a cleaning fluid through the lance and into a tube whenever the lance is positioned in the tube; and means for preventing operation of the lance locating means whenever the lance is reciprocated into a tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A tube cleaning system comprising: a tube cleaning lance having an axis; means for locating the lance in mutually perpendicular directions relative to its axis and thereby aligning the lance with various tubes to be cleaned; means for moving the lance axially and thereby reciprocating the lnace into and out of the tubes; means for directing a cleaning fluid through the lance and into a tube whenever the lance is positioned in the tube; and means for preventing operation of the lance locating means whenever the lance is reciprocated into a tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
202 words
A tube cleaning system comprising: a pair of elongate, straight, tube cleaning lances each having an axis; means for supporting the lances and for reciprocating the lances into and out of a pair of tubes to be cleaned; a frame; front and rear vertical positioning mechanisms for moving the lance support and reciprocating means vertically relative to the frame; front and rear horizontal positioning mechanisms for moving the lance support and reciprocating means horizontally relative to the frame; means for orienting the frame and thereby aligning the lances with the tubes; means responsive to the axial positioning of the lances for preventing operation of the vertical and horizontal positioning mechanisms whenever the lances are reciprocated into the tubes; means for maintaining the straightness of the lances during reciprocation thereof into and out of the tubes; means responsive to movement of the lances into the tubes for directing a cleaning fluid through the lances and into the tubes; means responsive to interference with the movement of either lance for terminating the movement of the lances into the tubes; and means responsive to movement of the lances through the entire lengths of the tubes for initiating retraction of the lances out of the tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
202 words
A tube cleaning system comprising: a pair of elongate, straight, tube cleaning lances each having an axis; means for supporting the lances and for reciprocating the lances into and out of a pair of tubes to be cleaned; a frame; front and rear vertical positioning mechanisms for moving the lance support and reciprocating means vertically relative to the frame; front and rear horizontal positioning mechanisms for moving the lance support and reciprocating means horizontally relative to the frame; means for orienting the frame and thereby aligning the lances with the tubes; means responsive to the axial positioning of the lances for preventing operation of the vertical and horizontal positioning mechanisms whenever the lances are reciprocated into the tubes; means for maintaining the straightness of the lances during reciprocation thereof into and out of the tubes; means responsive to movement of the lances into the tubes for directing a cleaning fluid through the lances and into the tubes; means responsive to interference with the movement of either lance for terminating the movement of the lances into the tubes; and means responsive to movement of the lances through the entire lengths of the tubes for initiating retraction of the lances out of the tubes.
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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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |