US3836015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube bundle extractor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-29
•
Granted: 1974-09-17
•
Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A tube bundle pulling or pushing mechanism consisting of an elongated framework adapted to be suspended from a crane hook and including a pair of rails which support the tube bundle and a car movable along the rails to pull or push the bundle. The framework consists of two parts shiftable with respect to one another, one part being a base frame including the rails, crossbeams supporting the rails and extending to either side of them, and a pair of longitudinally extending outrigger beams joining the ends of the crossbeams. The outrigger beams are holow, and slidable within each is a link beam having ears at both ends projecting upwardly through longitudinal slots in the outrigger beam. The sliding beam belongs to the second part of the framework, the cradle, which further includes vertical tension bars joining the four ears at their lower ends and connected to a rectangular superstructure at their upper ends. The superstructure also includes a brace supporting an eye member which receives a crane hook. A pair of linear actuators disposed on the outrigger beams and having their pistons connected to the sliding beams permits the cradle to be moved relative to the base frame. Also disclosed are novel means for connecting a pulling member which is offset from the center of a bundle of U-tubes to the end sheet of such bundle through a cluster of holes at the center of the end sheet; novel and remotely controlled means for both aligning the extractor with the heat exchanger shell and securing abutting ends of the two structures together against vertical loads; novel means for clamping such two ends together to prevent relative longitudinal movement; improved means for adjusting the width of the extractor to accommodate tube bundles of various diameters; new and improved means for remotely and safely controlling a set of dogs which depend from a movable car and selectively interlock the car with the base frame; and a plurality of auxiliary power means for moving the car along the rails relatively rapidly, after the prime mover on the car has done the major job of breaking loose from a heat exchanger a tightly fitting bundle of tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 B Travis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:26
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/02; B23P19/022; B23P19/024; F; F28; F28G; F28G13/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113; Y10T29/53117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A tube bundle extractor comprising a framework elongated along its longitudinal direction and including both means for suspending the extractor from a support and a base portion adapted to support a tube bundle, said framework comPrising a pair of portions selectively slidable with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction but otherwise secured together, a car supported on and movable along the longitudinal direction of the base of the framework, means for detachably securing one end of the framework to the shell of a heat exchanger so that the two members (framework and heat exchanger) are vertically and longitudinally aligned and the base of the extractor is in position to receive and support a tube bundle being pulled from or inserted into the shell, power means on said car to pull said tube bundle from the shell or insert it therein, and hydraulic means on said framework to shift one portion thereof in the longitudinal direction relative to the other, whereby the center of gravity of said extractor and any tube bundle supported thereon may be disposed approximately directly below said support, said hydraulic means comprising a linear actuator having its cylinder secured to one of the portions of the framework and its extensible piston secured to the other said portion, said linear hydraulic actuator being disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the framework.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A tube bundle extractor comprising a framework elongated along its longitudinal direction and including both means for suspending the extractor from a support and a base portion adapted to support a tube bundle, said framework comPrising a pair of portions selectively slidable with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction but otherwise secured together, a car supported on and movable along the longitudinal direction of the base of the framework, means for detachably securing one end of the framework to the shell of a heat exchanger so that the two members (framework and heat exchanger) are vertically and longitudinally aligned and the base of the extractor is in position to receive and support a tube bundle being pulled from or inserted into the shell, power means on said car to pull said tube bundle from the shell or insert it therein, and hydraulic means on said framework to shift one portion thereof in the longitudinal direction relative to the other, whereby the center of gravity of said extractor and any tube bundle supported thereon may be disposed approximately directly below said support, said hydraulic means comprising a linear actuator having its cylinder secured to one of the portions of the framework and its extensible piston secured to the other said portion, said linear hydraulic actuator being disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the framework.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 in which said pair of framework portions are a base framework and a cradle, said cradle interlockingly supporting said base framework and including said suspension means, and in which said cylinder of the linear hydraulic actuator is secured on one of said framework portions, either said cradle or said base, and its extensible piston secured to the other framework portion, said hydraulic cylinder and piston being disposed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the framework so that movement of the piston out of or into its cylinder moves the cradle relative to the base framework.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
257 words
A tube bundle extractor framework elongated along a longitudinal axis and comprising a cradle, a base frame, and a linear said cradle comprising (a) a superstructure including means above the longitudinal axis for suspending the extractor from a support such as a crane hook, (b) two pairs of tension bars pendent from the superstructure, one pair on each side of said axis, and (c) a link beam extending longitudinally and connecting the lower ends of each pair of link bars, said base frame comprising (d) a pair of longitudinally extending outrigger beams disposed in transversely spaced relationship at substantially the same locations as said link bars, said outrigger beams being hollow and receiving said link beams within themselves in slidable relationship, there being longitudinal slots in the upper wall of each outrigger beam receiving the connections between each tension bar and the sliding link bar, (e) a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced crossbeams extending transversely between and secured at their ends to said outrigger beams, and (f) a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending main rails supported by and secured to said crossbeams, said main rails being capable of supporting a tube bundle and means movable along the rails to push or pull such a bundle, said linear actuator comprising (g) a hydraulic cylinder and (h) mating linearly extensible piston, one of which is secured to the base frame and the other to the slidable link beam, said linear actuator being disposed so that extension or retraction of the piston slides the cradle longitudinally relative to the base frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
257 words
A tube bundle extractor framework elongated along a longitudinal axis and comprising a cradle, a base frame, and a linear said cradle comprising (a) a superstructure including means above the longitudinal axis for suspending the extractor from a support such as a crane hook, (b) two pairs of tension bars pendent from the superstructure, one pair on each side of said axis, and (c) a link beam extending longitudinally and connecting the lower ends of each pair of link bars, said base frame comprising (d) a pair of longitudinally extending outrigger beams disposed in transversely spaced relationship at substantially the same locations as said link bars, said outrigger beams being hollow and receiving said link beams within themselves in slidable relationship, there being longitudinal slots in the upper wall of each outrigger beam receiving the connections between each tension bar and the sliding link bar, (e) a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced crossbeams extending transversely between and secured at their ends to said outrigger beams, and (f) a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending main rails supported by and secured to said crossbeams, said main rails being capable of supporting a tube bundle and means movable along the rails to push or pull such a bundle, said linear actuator comprising (g) a hydraulic cylinder and (h) mating linearly extensible piston, one of which is secured to the base frame and the other to the slidable link beam, said linear actuator being disposed so that extension or retraction of the piston slides the cradle longitudinally relative to the base frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 which further includes an auxiliary prime mover in the form of an endless chain and a motor on same framework, together with a chain clamp secured to the nether side of the car to engage the teeth of said chain, said chain being disposed beneath the path of travel of the car from the rear end of the framework to approximately the forward end thereof and about midway between said rails, said auxiliary chain and motor having the capacity to move said car and attached tube bundle when the tube bundle is not tightly bound to its shell by corrosion or fRiction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 which further includes an auxiliary prime mover in the form of chain on said framework and a motor on said car, said motor driving a sprocket having teeth engaging the chain, said chain being disposed longitudinally parallel to the center line of the extractor centered between said rails, the ends of the chain being fixed to the framework so that operation of the motor and sprocket causes the car to walk along the chain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 which further includes an auxiliary prime mover in the form of a rack and pinion drive, there being racks being mounted on the base framework and corresponding pinions being mounted on shafts depending from the car and driven by one or more motors mounted on the car.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
272 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 in which the power means on said car comprise a hydraulic cylinder fixed to the car and an extensible-retractable piston extending longitudinally from said cylinder, said extractor further including means for connecting said piston to a bundle of U-tubes, said connecting means comprising a. a T-shaped attachment member having for the crossbar a connecting plate with openings therethrough for the passage of threaded connectors to be received in tapped holes in the end sheet of such a tube bundle, b. a leg or base secured to and projecting rearwardly from the crossbar and having a transverse opening therethrough, c. a pin having a flat surface extending through said transverse opening, d. a pair of parallel vertical links spanning the base of the T-member and partially blocking the opening therethrough, e. a pair of T-members disposed at opposite ends of said pair of levers and each pivotally secured thereto, and f. a spacer block parallel and adjacent the crossbar of each end T-member, said spacer blocks each presenting a vertical surface facing forwardly of the levers to contact the vertical surface of said tube sheet, and g. a number of jackscrews connecting each spacer block to the adjacent T-member crossbar for adjusting the position of said block, whereby when said pin is passed through the leg opening of the center T-member with its flat surface contacting the back edges of the levers said jackscrews may be adjusted to form a rigid connection to the tube bundle, the lower of said jackscrew spacers also being pivotally secured to a clevis secured to the end of said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 in which said detachable securing means includes means for aligning and securing said framework to the heat exchanger from which a tube bundle is to be withdrawn or into which it is to be inserted, said alignment and securing means comprising a matching pair of subassemblies on each side of the base framework to be coupled to points on the front flange of the heat exchanger shell at opposed points thereon, each subassembly including a linear hydraulic actuator having a cylinder secured to the base frame and a piston extending longitudinally forwardly therefrom, a sheave rotatably mounted on the base frame forwardly of the cylinder on a horizontal axle, and a cable secured to the free end of the piston and passing through the sheave to be secured to an opening in the flange, said actuators being remotely controlled to lift or lower the forward end of the framework relative to the heat exchanger flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 in which said means for detachably securing the framework to the shell of a heat exchanger comprises fixed jaws and pivoted jaws, one of each forming a pair on opposite sides of the framework, said fixed jaws being secured to and projecting upwardly from the base framework near the forward end thereof in a common transverse plane, said pivoted jaws each being mounted on pins passing through the base framework on opposite sides thereof and in a common transverse plane spaced forwardly of the fixed jaws, each said jaw being linked to a hydraulic piston which pivOts the jaw between an inoperative position in which it is received in a recess in the base and an operative position in which it projects upwardly from the base and is spaced forwardly of the fixed jaw by the thickness of the heat exchanger shell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 9 further improved by mounting each of said pivoted jaws on a pin passing through an inner rail of a telescoping pair of rails forming a part of said base framework, and in which said hydraulic piston is linked to said pivoted jaw while the cylinder from which it extends is secured to the outer or fixed rail, whereby said clamp amy be used to accommodate various thicknesses of shells by extending the piston to simultaneously extend the inner rail and pivoted jaw until the latter is positioned behind the shell when the fixed jaw abuts the front of the shell, then retracting the piston to both raise the pivoted jaw to its upwardly projecting position and retract both inner rail and pivoted jaw until the latter engages the back surface of the shell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 in which said detachable securing means includes a pair of shell clamps on opposed sides of the framework, each clamp comprising a fixed jaw projecting upwardly from the forward end of the framework in a common transverse plane, a linear hydraulic actuator having its cylinder secured longitudinally to the framework abaft of the end thereof and its piston extending forwardly toward the end of the framework, a sliding framework member telescopically disposed within the base frame and secured to said piston for longitudinal movement therewith, and a jaw mounted on said sliding framework member, said jaw and member being adjustably connected so that the jaw has a disengaged position in which it lies below the upper edges of the sliding member and an engaged position it which it projects above said sliding member, in position to engage the back side of the heat exchanger shell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 in which said framework includes both a cradle and a base framework, the base framework including a pair of longitudinally elongated outrigger beams and a multiplicity of crossbeams joined to said outrigger beams while said cradle comprises a superstructure of crossbeams and longitudinal beams joined at their corners, together with a multiplicity of vertical tension bars extending upwardly from the outrigger beams to the superstructure, both said crossbeams between the outrigger beams and said crossbeams of the superstructure being made of telescoping parts detachably pinned together by pins extending through aligned openings in the telescoping parts, whereby the distance between said tension bars over the rails may be adjusted to accommodate tube bundles of various diameters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
The tube bundle extractor of claim 1 further comprising improved dog means for securing said car to the base portion of the frame during a power stroke of the car-mounted power means, said dog means comprising a number of dogs pivotally secured to the underside of the car and having both a lowermost operative position in which it engages members of the base frame to prevent longitudinal movement of the car in one direction, and an uppermost non-operative position in which it is free of contact with the base frame, said dog being moved between said positions by a remotely controlled linear hydraulic actuator having its cylinder pivotally secured to the underside of the car and its extensible piston pivotally connected to the dog, said actuator being spring-biased so that the piston will be extended to push the dog to its lowermost position in the absence of hydraulic pressure in the cylinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
The improved tube bundle extractor of claim 13 in which there are two said sets of dogs and hydraulic actuators, one said set of dogs being disposed so that in their lowermost position they prevent forward movement of the car while the other set is disposed so that in their lowermost position they prevent rearward movement of the car, the actuators being hydraulically interlinked so that when one set of dogs is in its uppermost position the other set is in its lowermost position.
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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) | 1977-09-16 | 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 |