US3901252A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube cleaning apparatus
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1974-08-07
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-08-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suitable for cleaning a tube bundle, such as those found in heat exchangers. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of tubular lances are fastened at the rear end into interconnecting channels of a manifold block. The manifold block and lances are completely enclosed within a hollow, squared beam, with the block being slidable in the beam. An air-operated cable cylinder is mounted on the beam above the block. Cable segments in the cylinder are attached to opposite sides of a piston and to opposite ends of the manifold block. Upon actuation of the cable cylinder by an air-operated valve, which is tripped by a follower at the front end of the lances, the manifold block is moved from a forward position to a retract position. In the forward position of the manifold block the lance tips are inserted in the tubes of the bundle and a high pressure water stream is directed through the manifold block and into each lance. The high force of the water stream which discharges from each lance loosens solid deposits which build up in the tube bundle.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry J Riebe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:44
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: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
An apparatus for cleaning the tubes of a tube bundle, which includes the combination of: a hollow, elongate beam; at least one tubulaR lance member which is enclosed by the hollow beam; the lance having a front end adapted for inserting the lance into a tube, the lance having a rear end which is connected into one of the interconnecting channels of a manifold member, and the lance defining a conduit for carrying a liquid stream from the manifold into the tube; the manifold member defining a block which is enclosed by the hollow beam and which is slidable within the beam, the manifold including several interconnected channels within the block which are adapted for carrying a liquid stream through the block and into the lance; a liquid inlet line which has one end connected into a liquid source, which has an opposite end that is positioned within the hollow beam, and which is connected into one of the interconnecting channels of the manifold block; a drive means which is mounted on the hollow beam, and which is operatively connected to the manifold block, the drive means being adapted for moving the manifold block to a forward position in which the front end of the lance is inserted into the tube, and to a retract position in which the front end of the lance is withdrawn from the tube; a stroke limiting means which is mounted on the elongate beam, which is operatively connected to the drive means, and which is adapted to actuate the drive means to move the manifold block from the forward position to the retract position; a follower means which is enclosed by the hollow beam, which is slidable within the beam, which is mounted on the lance member ahead of the manifold block, and which is adapted to contact the stroke limiting means when the manifold block reaches the forward position, to thereby actuate the stroke limiting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
323 words
An apparatus for cleaning the tubes of a tube bundle, which includes the combination of: a hollow, elongate beam; at least one tubulaR lance member which is enclosed by the hollow beam; the lance having a front end adapted for inserting the lance into a tube, the lance having a rear end which is connected into one of the interconnecting channels of a manifold member, and the lance defining a conduit for carrying a liquid stream from the manifold into the tube; the manifold member defining a block which is enclosed by the hollow beam and which is slidable within the beam, the manifold including several interconnected channels within the block which are adapted for carrying a liquid stream through the block and into the lance; a liquid inlet line which has one end connected into a liquid source, which has an opposite end that is positioned within the hollow beam, and which is connected into one of the interconnecting channels of the manifold block; a drive means which is mounted on the hollow beam, and which is operatively connected to the manifold block, the drive means being adapted for moving the manifold block to a forward position in which the front end of the lance is inserted into the tube, and to a retract position in which the front end of the lance is withdrawn from the tube; a stroke limiting means which is mounted on the elongate beam, which is operatively connected to the drive means, and which is adapted to actuate the drive means to move the manifold block from the forward position to the retract position; a follower means which is enclosed by the hollow beam, which is slidable within the beam, which is mounted on the lance member ahead of the manifold block, and which is adapted to contact the stroke limiting means when the manifold block reaches the forward position, to thereby actuate the stroke limiting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive means is an air-operated cable cylinder, the cylinder including cable segments in which one end of each segment is attached to opposite sides of a piston positioned within the cylinder and the other end of each cable segment is attached to opposite ends of a bracket member which is mounted on the manifold block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes at least two tubular lance members, the lance members being positioned in side-by-side relation and being enclosed by the hollow beam, each lance having a front end adapted for inserting the lance into a tube, each hance having a rear end which connects into one of the interconnecting channels of the manifold block, and each lance defining a conduit for carrying a liquid stream from the manifold block into the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the hollow beam has a square cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stroke limiting means is an air-operated valve which actuates the piston member of the cable cylinder.
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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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |