Storage apparatus for cleaning lance

A storage apparatus for one or more cleaning lances is provided. The storage apparatus can be utilized in connection with a driving apparatus that controls the cleaning movements of a cleaning lance with respect to certain industrial equipment such as a heat exchanger. The driving apparatus can be utilized to feed an additional length of the cleaning lance to the tubes of exchanger or to retract the cleaning lance from the tubes of the exchanger. The storing apparatus can be utilized to store the cleaning lance, regulate the distribution and movement of the cleaning lance, and prevent tangling or snagging of the cleaning lance during the cleaning process.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This subject matter relates generally to the cleaning of industrial equipment, and more particularly, to an apparatus for storing and for regulating and controlling the movement of one or more lances for cleaning heat exchangers, piping, tubing and other equipment found in industrial facilities.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heat exchangers are used in industrial facilities. Over time, these heat exchangers tend to develop residue on the surfaces of the tubes, tube sheets, tube support plates and other internal structural parts. This residue can have an adverse effect on the operational performance of the exchangers. The same problem can arise for piping, tubing and other equipment found in industrial facilities. A cleaning method for this equipment involves the controlled application of high pressure water and/or chemical streams to the affected areas of the equipment. One or more cleaning lances can be utilized to supply the high pressure water and/or chemical streams to the equipment. It is desired to have an apparatus for storing these lances and for regulating and controlling the movement of these lances.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the technology disclosed herein.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments hereinafter described, an apparatus for storing a cleaning lance is provided. In an illustrative embodiment, the apparatus can include an enclosure, an aperture formed in the enclosure and sized such that the cleaning lance is passable through the aperture, a spool disposed within the enclosure and operatingly connected to the enclosure for rotation of the spool about an axis, the spool having a rim with at least one channel formed therein for holding the cleaning lance, a contact surface on the rim of the spool, and an engagement wheel disposed adjacent to the spool with a contact surface for contacting the contact surface on the rim of the spool and applying frictional force to the spool upon rotational movement of the spool. In an illustrative embodiment, the engagement wheel can be adjustable between an elevated position and a lowered position, whereby the contact surface of the engagement wheel contacts the contact surface of the rim of the spool when the engagement wheel is in the lowered position and the spool rotates in one direction to wind the cleaning lance onto the spool, and the contact surface of the engagement wheel does not contact the contact surface of the rim of the spool when the engagement wheel is in the raised position and the spool rotates in another direction to unwind the cleaning lance from the spool. In another illustrative embodiment, the engagement wheel can be adjustable between a lowered position where the contact surface of the engagement wheel contacts the contact surface of the rim and drives the spool to rotate and wind the cleaning lance onto the spool, and an elevated position where the contact surface of the engagement wheel does not contact the contact surface of the rim.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments hereinafter described, a system for retracting a cleaning lance away from a heat exchanger is also provided. The system can comprise a cleaning lance, a storage apparatus and a driving apparatus. The storage apparatus for storing the cleaning lance can comprise an enclosure, a spool disposed within the enclosure and rotatable about an axis, the spool having a rim with a contact surface formed thereon for holding the cleaning lance, an aperture formed in the enclosure and sized such that a segment of the cleaning lance is passable through the aperture, and a motorized engagement wheel disposed adjacent to the spool with a contact surface thereon for contacting the contact surface on the rim of the spool and applying frictional force to the spool to rotate the spool about the axis. The driving apparatus can be motorized and can advance the cleaning lance in the direction of the storage apparatus.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments hereinafter described, a method of retracting a cleaning lance is also provided. According to these illustrative embodiments, a spool can be provided that is capable of rotational movement. The spool can have a rim with a contact surface. An engagement wheel can be provided that is capable of rotational movement. The engagement wheel can have a contact surface. Upon rotational movement of the spool, the contact surface of the rim of the spool can contact the contact surface of the engagement wheel to apply frictional force to the contact surface of the rim of the spool and can grip the contact surface of the rim of the spool as the cleaning lance is wrapped around the spool. The rotational movement of the spool can be continued even after there is a restriction to movement of the cleaning lance, such that the contact surface of the rim of the spool can slip against the contact surface of the engagement wheel. Once the restriction to movement of the cleaning lance is removed or substantially removed, frictional force can continue to be applied to the spool upon rotational movement of the spool such that the contact surface of the engagement wheel can regrip the contact surface of the rim of the spool and the cleaning lance is further wrapped onto the spool.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments hereinafter described, a method of retracting a cleaning lance is also provided. A spool can be provided that is capable of rotational movement. The spool can have a rim and a contact surface. An engagement wheel can be provided that is capable of rotational movement. The engagement wheel can have a contact surface. The cleaning lance can be advanced towards the spool, and the contact surface of the spool can be contacted with the contact surface of the engagement wheel to apply frictional force to the contact surface of the spool such that the contact surface of the engagement wheel grips the contact surface of the spool and causes rotational movement of the spool. The cleaning lance can be disposed onto the spool. The rotational movement of the engagement wheel can be continued while there is a restriction to movement of the cleaning lance towards the spool, such that the contact surface of the engagement wheel slips against the contact surface of the spool. The restriction to movement of the cleaning lance can be removed or substantially removed. Frictional force can be applied to the contact surface of the spool with the engagement wheel such that the contact surface of the engagement wheel regrips the contact surface of the spool, and the cleaning lance can be further disposed onto the spool.

While certain preferred illustrative embodiments will be described herein, it will be understood that this description is not intended to limit the subject matter to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the subject matter defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to the cleaning of industrial equipment, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for storing and for regulating and controlling the movement of one or more lances for cleaning heat exchangers, piping, tubing and other equipment found in industrial facilities. The subject matter is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments of the apparatus and method are shown. The apparatus and method may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the apparatus and method to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now toFIGS. 1-11, illustrative embodiments of a storage apparatus10for one or more cleaning lances15is provided. In certain of the illustrative embodiments, for example, as shown inFIG. 1, storage apparatus10can be utilized in connection with a driving apparatus5that controls the cleaning movements of cleaning lances15with respect to certain industrial equipment such as, but not limited to, a heat exchanger. A representative example of driving apparatus5can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0155174 published Jun. 30, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Driving apparatus5can be utilized to feed cleaning lance15to the tubes of the heat exchanger, or to retract cleaning lance15from the tubes of heat exchanger as desired. Storing apparatus10can be utilized to store cleaning lances15, regulate the distribution and movement of cleaning lances15, and prevent tangling or snagging of cleaning lances15during the cleaning process. In general, driving apparatus5, storage apparatus10and cleaning lances15can comprise a system that can be used to clean a variety of types of pipes, tubing and equipment used in industrial facilities, in certain illustrative embodiments.

In an illustrative embodiment as shown inFIG. 2, storage apparatus10can include a spool25onto which one or more cleaning lances15can be wound or unwound as spool25rotates about an axis28. For example, spool25can rotate in one direction to wind cleaning lance15onto spool25, or spool25can rotate in another opposite direction to unwind cleaning lance15off of spool25.

In certain illustrative embodiments, spool25may have a rim26on its outer perimeter with an outer surface27disposed thereupon. One or more channels or grooves30may be formed within outer surface27. Each channel30can hold a cleaning lance15therewithin, such that cleaning lance15is held within channel30as it is being wound onto, or off of, spool25. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2, apparatus10has two channels30aand30band two cleaning lances15aand15b. In general, channel30may have a variety of shapes, such as concave, curved, circumferential, or V-shaped, so long as channel30is capable of holding cleaning lance15therewithin. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2A, channel30ahas a pair of retaining walls35a,36aand a base37apositioned therebetween, and channel30bhas a pair of retaining walls35b,36band a base37bpositioned therebetween, such that cleaning lance15sits securely between retaining walls35a,36aand adjacent base37a, and between retaining walls35b,36band adjacent base37b, respectively. In other embodiments, rim26does not need to be on the outer perimeter of spool25but can be in any location that allows for storage of cleaning lance on spool25.

In an illustrative embodiment, spool25can sit within an enclosure40. For example, spool25can be rotatably mounted within enclosure40so that it revolves about an axis of rotation. Enclosure40can comprise a base45and a cover50. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, enclosure40may be utilized to cover, enclose and protect spool25and cleaning lances15disposed thereon. In an illustrative embodiment, cover50of enclosure40can be removed as needed to provide access to cleaning lance15. For example, inFIG. 2cover50is removed from base45and enclosure40is in the open configuration, while inFIG. 3, cover50is secured onto base45and enclosure40is in the closed configuration.

In an illustrative embodiment, one or more guide apertures55can be formed in enclosure40. Cleaning lance15can pass through guide aperture55as lance15extends or retracts with respect to apparatus10. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 3, enclosure40has two guide apertures55aand55bfor cleaning lances15aand15b, respectively. Guide apertures55can preferably prevent cleaning lance15from moving out of position or otherwise becoming tangled or disengaged from apparatus10during operation.

In an illustrative embodiment, apparatus10can also include an engagement unit60. As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, engagement unit60can be disposed adjacent to enclosure40. Engagement unit60can include at least one engagement wheel65capable of rotational movement. The rotational movement of engagement wheel65can be powered by, for example, a motor80such as an air motor, or by an electrical power source or any other power source as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In certain illustrative embodiments, motor80can power a drive belt85that can drive or affect the rotation of engagement wheel65. Engagement wheel65can preferably rotate in either a forward or reverse direction, as desired. In a preferred embodiment, a user of apparatus10can adjust and/or control the rotational speed of engagement wheel65(in RPMs or other suitable units) as desired.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, enclosure40can have a window70formed therein that exposes a section of spool25. Engagement wheel65can be moveably positioned with respect to, and/or so that it is adjacent to, window70. For example, engagement unit60can have an air powered cylinder90that can move engagement wheel65towards or away from window70. In certain illustrative embodiments, engagement wheel65can be positioned so that an outer surface75of engagement wheel65can directly contact outer surface27of spool25through window70. For example, engagement wheel65can contact outer surface27of spool25when engagement wheel65is in the “raised” or “open” position. Also, engagement wheel65can move away from, and not contact, outer surface27of spool25when engagement wheel65is in the “lowered” or “closed” position, in certain illustrative embodiments.

In certain illustrative embodiments, engagement wheel65can display certain desired “grip and slip” properties when it contacts spool25. For example, engagement wheel65can grip outer surface27of spool25firmly enough to apply pressure to spool25and promote rotational movement of spool25, but also, engagement wheel65can slip with respect to outer surface27of spool25if the forward or reverse movement of cleaning lance15somehow becomes restricted.

In an illustrative embodiment, engagement wheel65is capable of rotating spool25to retract cleaning lance15at the same rate that driving apparatus5retracts cleaning lance15from the tubes of the exchanger. In an illustrative embodiment, these rates are both up to thirty (30) inches per second when constant, but can vary in the range from zero (0) to thirty (30) inches per second on the instroke. In general, the speed at which lances15aand15bare retracted from the tubes of exchanger by driving apparatus5can vary based on, for example, fouling or other obstructions within the tube, slippage of lances15due to oil or grease, or other impediments to movement. If there is no resistance on lance15, then engagement wheel65can provide a sufficient amount of torque or frictional force on spool25to grip spool25and create a constant speed retraction that is equal or substantially equal to the speed at which lance15is retracted from the exchanger. Alternatively, if cleaning lance15encounters a snag or other resistance that impairs the constant speed retraction of lance15, then engagement wheel65can continue to rotate, but will preferably slip over the surface of spool25so that spool25will only rotate according to the speed at which cleaning lance15is being fed to apparatus10. Thus, engagement wheel65will provide a sufficient amount of torque or frictional force against spool25to support a variable speed retraction, dependent upon the speed at which cleaning lance15is being fed to apparatus10. This prevent cleaning lance15from becoming tangled with respect to spool25. As cleaning lance15works through the resistance, engagement wheel65will continue to slip against spool25and rotate at variable speed until the resistance is removed and spool25can ramp up to desired full speed setting. Engagement wheel65can then regrip spool25. By adjusting the tension on engagement wheel65, a user can control the torque or frictional force of engagement wheel65against spool25to allow for control of slippage and provide enough grip so that engagement wheel65only slips when desired, and spool25does not pull on lance15any more than lance15is able to retract.

Engagement wheel65can have a slippery contact surface in certain illustrative embodiments. Engagement wheel65may be formed of compound rubber, polyethylene or other polymer material, or have a coating of such material formed thereupon, to prevent damage to spool25when some minimal slippage and/or friction does occur, in certain illustrative embodiments.

If a user wishes to feed cleaning lance15to exchanger for cleaning, the air pressure can be released from air cylinder90, and engagement wheel65will move away from spool25thus allowing spool25to freewheel on the out stroke.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the control mechanisms of driving apparatus5and storage apparatus10can be linked such that, for example, when a command is given to driving apparatus5to retract cleaning lances15, a simultaneous command can also be given to storage apparatus10to move engagement wheel65into the appropriate position and/or rotational speed for operation. Also, driving apparatus5and storage apparatus10can be physically connected to each other, in certain embodiments, so that storage apparatus10does not tip over when driving apparatus5pulls on cleaning lance15.

The illustrative embodiments of storage apparatus10described herein advantageously provide freewheeling on the outstroke and a set amount of torque or frictional force so as to maintain a variable winding speed in the range from zero to thirty inches per second on the instroke. The torque or frictional force can be adjusted according to the operating conditions, such as high levels of oil, grease etc. The variable speed wind-up operates like a spring loaded reel but without any significant resistance on the outstroke. A spring loaded reel can wind the spring tightly while the cleaning lance is being unreeled, but as the spring winds tighter, the oils on the cleaning lance will cause significant slippage. The apparatus described herein also advantageously prevents tangled or snagged lances, and thus avoids the problem of users reaching out to handle the tangled or snagged lances which is a safety concern.

It is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or illustrative embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the subject matter is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.