Patent ID: 6832406
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: B08B

Abstract:
A machine that performs surface preparation of pipelines by stripping coating therefrom, comprising:a vacuum shroud having a main wall that surrounds a longitudinally-extending section of a pipeline; said vacuum shroud having end walls that are apertured to receive said pipeline; a plurality of equidistantly and circumferentially spaced apart nozzle openings formed in said main wall; an ultra high pressure water nozzle positioned within each of said nozzle openings; a carrier assembly for causing said vacuum shroud to travel along said pipeline in a predetermined direction; said carrier assembly including a frame having a leading end that circumscribes said pipeline, a trailing end that circumscribes said pipeline, and interconnecting frame members that interconnect said leading end and said trailing end to one another; oscillating means for oscillating said vacuum shroud in a first rotational direction to a first angular position and in a second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction to a second angular position as said vacuum shroud travels along said pipeline; said oscillating means including a ring gear that circumscibes said pipeline, said ring gear being mounted to said vacuum shroud; a first and a second motor means mounted to said frame in circumferentially spaced relation to one another, said first and second motor means driving a first gear train and a second gear train, respectively, that meshingly engage said ring gear at circumferentially spaced apart locations; said vacuum shroud having a position of equilibrium mid-way between said first and second angular positions; a vacuum opening formed in said main wall; a vacuum hose having a leading end connected to said vacuum opening and a trailing end adapted to be connected to a remote source of negative pressure; a filter trap for collecting debris stripped from said pipeline by water from said ultra high pressure water nozzles, said filter trap disposed between said vacuum opening and said remote source of negative pressure; whereby said debris is collected within said filter trap and is not discharged into the atmosphere.