Patent ID: 6227215
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: B08B

Abstract:
A pipe cleaning device comprising:a storage tank for storing a prescribed volume of cleaning solution therein, said storage tank being connected to one end of a pipe an inside of which is to be cleaned;at least one sealed tank connected to another end of said pipe for storing said cleaning solution and pollutant removed from said inside of said pipe and discharged from said other end of said pipe during a cleaning stage;means for supplying a gas to said at least one sealed tank to cause discharge of said cleaning solution and pollutant stored therein in a recovery stage;feed means for selectively feeding said cleaning solution from said storage tank, through said pipe, to said at least one sealed tank in said cleaning stage, and for selectively feeding said cleaning solution and pollutant from said at least one sealed tank,through said pipe, through a filter means, to said storage tank in said recovery stage;said filter means disposed between said other end of said pipe and said storage tank for filtering out said pollutant from said cleaning solution when fed from said at least one sealed tank to said storage tank;wherein said feed means comprises switching means for switching flow of said cleaning solution and flow of said cleaning solution and pollutant so that said cleaning solution is fed from said storage tank through said inside of said pipe and to said at least one sealed tank is said cleaning stage, and so that said cleaning solution and pollutant is fed from said at least one sealed tank,through said pipe, through said filter means, to said storage tank in said recovery stage; andwherein said feed means further comprises means for pressurized pulsing of flow of cleaning solution during said cleaning stage and for releasing said pressurized pulsing during said recovery stage, so that said gas in said at least one sealed tank causes said cleaning solution and pollutant to flow from said at least one sealed tank through said pipe, through said filter means, to said storage tank, and so that said prescribed volume of cleaning solution is retained.