US4392524A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing a tube core from and inserting same into a heat exchanger
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-12-09
•
Granted: 1983-07-12
•
Expires: 2001-12-09
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus is used in combination with a heat exchanger having a horizontally elongated and longitudinally removable tube bundle. The apparatus comprises an elongated vehicular base provided with wheels and capable of rolling on the ground in a predetermined direction longitudinal of the base. An upright vertically telescoping column is supported on the base and defines an upright axis. An elongated support to one side of the upper end of the column and defines a horizontal axis and the support can rotate about the upright axis, so that the horizontal axis can be parallel or transverse to the elongated base. A carriage is displaceable axially along the support and adapted to engage the end of the bundle. The carriage can be displaced axially along the support when engaged with the bundle to displace the bundle along the support. The single apparatus is able to extract the tube bundle unassisted, transport it to and from the cleaning location, and reinsert it into the heat exchanger.
Inventors
- 👤 Ludwig Bauch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:27
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28G; F28G15/00; F28G15/02; B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/02; B23P19/022; B23P19/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In combination with a heat exchanger having a horizontally elongated and longitudinally removable tube bundle, an apparatus comprising: an elongated vehicular base provided with wheels and capable of rolling on the ground in a predetermined direction longitudinal of said base; an upright vertically telescoping column supported on said base and defining an upright axis; an elongated support to one side of the upper end of said column and defining a horizontal axis; means for rotating said support about said upright axis, whereby said horizontal axis can be parallel or transverse to said elongated base; a carriage displaceable axially along said support and adapted to engage the end of said bundle; and means for displacing said carriage axially along said support when engaged with said bundle to displace said bundle along said support.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
In combination with a heat exchanger having a horizontally elongated and longitudinally removable tube bundle, an apparatus comprising: an elongated vehicular base provided with wheels and capable of rolling on the ground in a predetermined direction longitudinal of said base; an upright vertically telescoping column supported on said base and defining an upright axis; an elongated support to one side of the upper end of said column and defining a horizontal axis; means for rotating said support about said upright axis, whereby said horizontal axis can be parallel or transverse to said elongated base; a carriage displaceable axially along said support and adapted to engage the end of said bundle; and means for displacing said carriage axially along said support when engaged with said bundle to displace said bundle along said support.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said column has upper, lower, and intermediate vertically telescoping parts, said apparatus further comprising means for vertically relatively telescoping said parts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said elongated support is fixed on said upper part to one side thereof and can move into a lower position virtually resting on said vehicular base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said means for rotating said support includes a turntable on said base carrying said lower part for rotation through 360° about said upright axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said means for displacing said carriage on said elongated support includes a hydraulic motor on said carriage having a pinion and at least one rack on said support meshing with said pinion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising on said support at least one vertically expansible prop displaceable axially along said support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said support is axially slidable on said column and is provided with at least one hydraulic cylinder connected between said support and said column, whereby said cylinder can expand and contract to axially displace said support on said column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said vehicular base is provided with an engine and a pump driven thereby, said means for displacing including a hydraulic motor powered by said pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said support has a front end provided with a clip engageable with said heat exchanger to fix said support relative to said heat exchanger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said support includes a pair of axially extending and horizontally spaced I-beams having upper flanges on which said carriage is displaceable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein said means for displacing said carriage includes a hydraulic motor on said carriage having a pinion and at least one rack on one of said upper flanges and meshing with said pinion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said tube bundle has at one end a flange, said carriage being formed with a seat complementary to said flange.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising on said support at least one vertically expansible prop provided with a rollers riding on said support and displaceable axially along said support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said support has a back end provided with a lifting tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2730320A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |