US4550466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning elements for inside cleaning of the tubes of tube-type heat exchangers and method of manufacturing same
Assignee: Taprogge GmbH
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Filing: 1983-05-16
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Granted: 1985-11-05
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Expires: 2003-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A cleaning element for cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes by being carried along by a cooling water stream and automatically squeezed through the tubes by the cooling water stream, includes a sphere foamed in a closed mold, the sphere being formed of an open-cell sponge rubber core and an open-pore water-permeable skin integral with the core.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunther Schmitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:57
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/04; B08B9/053; B08B9/055; B08B9/0552; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/005; F; F28; F28G; F28G1/00; F28G1/12; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; B29K2105/045; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/74; B29L2031/7406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
Cleaning element for cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes by being carried along by a cooling water stream and automatically squeezed through the tubes by the cooling water stream, comprising a sphere with a center foamed in a closed mold, said sphere being formed of an open-cell sponge rubber core being condensed toward the surface of said sphere into a gradually denser open-pore water-permeable skin integral with said core.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
Cleaning element for cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes by being carried along by a cooling water stream and automatically squeezed through the tubes by the cooling water stream, comprising a sphere with a center foamed in a closed mold, said sphere being formed of an open-cell sponge rubber core being condensed toward the surface of said sphere into a gradually denser open-pore water-permeable skin integral with said core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said skin has a smooth surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said sphere has a structured surface with different levels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said sphere has a structured surface with depressions formed therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said sphere has a structured surface with raised portions formed thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Cleaning element according to claim 5, wherein said surface has open pores, at least between said raised portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said sphere has a structured surface with depressions formed therein and raised portions formed thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said sphere has a structured surface with knubs formed thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Cleaning element according to claim 1, wherein said sphere has a structured surface with lamellar webs formed thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Cleaning element according to claim 9, wherein said webs are in the form of hexagonal honeycombs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1214853A
Cited
US3543324A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |