US3835520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube pulling apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-10
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a tube pulling apparatus capable of removing a tube from a pair of tube sheets of a tube-in-shell heat exchanger. A hydraulic cylinder retracts a pull rod which expands a set of gripping jaws against the interior of a tube in a tube sheet. The pull rod then continues to retract while a standoff collar braces the apparatus against the tube sheet. Sufficient force is developed to overcome the hoop stresses of the tube in the tube sheet, and the stressed tube portion is pulled free of the tube sheet without damage to the tube sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 W Sismore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:03
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/02; B23P19/025; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4935; Y10T29/49352; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for removing a tube from a tube sheet, comprising: a radially expansible gripping jaw for insertion into the tube; means for radially expanding said jaw into internal engagement with the tube; power pulling means connected to said jaw for pulling said jaw away from the tube sheet; and standoff means for bracing said power pulling means against the tube sheet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for removing a tube from a tube sheet, comprising: a radially expansible gripping jaw for insertion into the tube; means for radially expanding said jaw into internal engagement with the tube; power pulling means connected to said jaw for pulling said jaw away from the tube sheet; and standoff means for bracing said power pulling means against the tube sheet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said expanding means comprises a conical wedge sleeve adjacent said gripping jaw, said wedge sleeve being drivingly connected to said power pulling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power pulling means comprises a single action hydraulic cylinder having means for connection to a hydraulic pump, and a mandrel shank drivingly connected to said cylinder and to said segmental gripping jaw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said single action hydraulic cylinder includes bias means for returning said mandrel shank from a pulled position to a normal extended position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3, which further includes bias means for holding said segmental gripping jaw in position within the tube until said jaw has been expanded into engagement with the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said segmental gripping jaw includes a plurality of angularly disposed biting teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes adjustable means for limiting the extent of radial expansion of said jaw within the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for removing a tube from a tube sheet, comprising: a mandrel shank having a forward head; a tapered wedge sleeve positioned circumjacent said shank and adjacent said head; an expansible segmented gripping jaw disposed around said shank and spaced from said tapered wedge sleeve; means connected to said mandrel shank for first pulling said tapered wedge sleeve toward said jaw until said jaw expands into internal engagement with the tube and, then pulling said jaw with said shank to remove the tube from the tube sheet; standoff means for bracing said power pulling means against the tube sheet; and bias means for holding said jaw in position within the tube while said jaw is being expanded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for removing a tube from a tube sheet, comprising: a mandrel shank having a forward head; a tapered wedge sleeve positioned circumjacent said shank and adjacent said head; an expansible segmented gripping jaw disposed around said shank and spaced from said tapered wedge sleeve; means connected to said mandrel shank for first pulling said tapered wedge sleeve toward said jaw until said jaw expands into internal engagement with the tube and, then pulling said jaw with said shank to remove the tube from the tube sheet; standoff means for bracing said power pulling means against the tube sheet; and bias means for holding said jaw in position within the tube while said jaw is being expanded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3628246A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |