Patent ID: 6575122
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: F23J,F28G

Abstract:
An oscillation drive assembly for a sootblower for cleaning internal surfaces of a combustion device, of the type having a frame assembly, a lance tube having one or more nozzles for directing a jet of fluid cleaning medium against the internal surfaces of the combustion device to be cleaned, the lance tube mounted to a carriage movable along the frame assembly for extending the lance tube into and retracting the lance tube from the interior of the combustion device, the oscillation drive assembly comprising:a lance hub coupled to the lance tube, and the lance tube and the lance hub being rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a first drive pin coupled to the lance tube hub and displaced from the first axis; a drive gear rotatable about a second axis of rotation and having a second drive pin displaced from the second axis; a drive train causing the drive gear to undergo rotational movement; and a connecting rod coupled to both the first and the second drive pins whereby rotation of the drive gear drives, the lance tube hub, and the lance tube for rotational oscillation movement in a manner which produces a non-uniform rate of rotational movement of the lance tube and wherein the angular position of the lance tube nozzles relative to the internal surfaces of the combustion device is phased with the non-uniform rate of rotation to provide a desired rate of progression of the jet of blowing medium along the surfaces to be cleaned.