US3850692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for simultaneously cleaning a plurality of tubes having open ends
Assignee: Olin Corp
•
Filing: 1973-06-19
•
Granted: 1974-11-26
•
Expires: 1993-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for cleaning the inside of tubes which achieves a high production level and avoids manual operation. The method includes the steps of: intermittent and automatic advancing of a group of tubes from a storage station to a work station; clamping the tubes firmly at the work station; making a fluid-tight connnection with an open end of individual tubes within the group; introducing fluid under pressure into all tubes of the group simultaneously to flush the interior of the tubes; breaking the fluid-tight connection; advancing the group of tubes to a collection station; and repeating the above steps intermittently and automatically.
Inventors
- 👤 Allman D Van
- 👤 R Voss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:12
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/032; B08B9/0321; B08B9/0328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A METHOD OF CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF TUBES HAVING OPEN ENDS WHICH COMPRISE: PROVIDING A QUANTITY OF TUBES IN A STORAGE STATION; PLACING SEVERAL OF SAID TUBES ON A CONVEYOR; ADVANCING SAID CONVEYOR TO A FIXED WORK STATION; CLAMPING THE TUBES FIRMLY AT SAID WORK STATION EXTENDING A PLURALITY OF MOUTH PORTIONS OF A CLEANING APPARATUS LOCATED AT SAID WORK STATION TO COMMUNICATE WITH AN OPEN END OF SAID TUBES; SECURING A FLUID-TIGHT CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID MOUTH PORTIONS AND SAID OPEN ENDS; SIMULTANEOUSLY INTRODUCING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO ALL OF SAID TUVES AND FLUSHING THE INTERIOR OF SAID TUBES; MOVING SAID MOUTH PORTIONS AWAY FROM SAID OPEN ENDS TO BREAK THE FLUID-TIGHT CONNECTION; ADVANCING SAID TUBES FROM SAID WORK STATION TO A COLLECTION STATION; AND REPEATING THE ABPVE STEPS INTERMITTENTLY AND AUTOMATICALLY.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A METHOD OF CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF TUBES HAVING OPEN ENDS WHICH COMPRISE: PROVIDING A QUANTITY OF TUBES IN A STORAGE STATION; PLACING SEVERAL OF SAID TUBES ON A CONVEYOR; ADVANCING SAID CONVEYOR TO A FIXED WORK STATION; CLAMPING THE TUBES FIRMLY AT SAID WORK STATION EXTENDING A PLURALITY OF MOUTH PORTIONS OF A CLEANING APPARATUS LOCATED AT SAID WORK STATION TO COMMUNICATE WITH AN OPEN END OF SAID TUBES; SECURING A FLUID-TIGHT CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID MOUTH PORTIONS AND SAID OPEN ENDS; SIMULTANEOUSLY INTRODUCING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO ALL OF SAID TUVES AND FLUSHING THE INTERIOR OF SAID TUBES; MOVING SAID MOUTH PORTIONS AWAY FROM SAID OPEN ENDS TO BREAK THE FLUID-TIGHT CONNECTION; ADVANCING SAID TUBES FROM SAID WORK STATION TO A COLLECTION STATION; AND REPEATING THE ABPVE STEPS INTERMITTENTLY AND AUTOMATICALLY.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is air under pressure of 10 to 100 pounds in each tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein a plug of material is blown through each tube at said work station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein six tubes are cleaned per cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein less than 12 tubes are cleaned per cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 including a time delay after clamping but before making said fluid-tight connection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 including a time delay after making said fluid-tight connection but before introducing said fluid under pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tubes are maintained in separate spaced relationship on said conveyor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |