and other Deposits from Steam-boiler and other Tubes.
Year: 1887

page_text: and other Deposits from Steam-boiler and other Tubes.
I HERBERT LESTER CURRIER of 138 Broad Street, Lynn, Massachusetts United
States of America, mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to means for removing the scale and other deposits from either
the inner or outer side of boiler-tubes; and it consists in a novel construction and
arrangement of parts as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed, the object being
to produce a more effective device for this purpose than is now in ordinary use.
The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understood by all
conversant with such matters from the following explanation, reference being had to
the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1, is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved tube cleaner in position
for use, the steam and sand pipes being shown as broken off, and a portion of the
boiler head and a tube represented in section;
Figure 2 an end elevation of the cleaner ; and
Figure 3 is vertical longitudinal section showing a
improvement.
modification of my
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of
the drawing.
A represents the nozzle considered as a whole, and B, the boiler-tube.
The nozzle consists of a metal tube d, provided at its rear end with an insulating
handle, z, and having a downwardly projecting branch pipe, y, screw threaded at its
outer end to receive a steam-pipe C.
An ordinary steam-valve z is disposed in the pipe d, near where the branch pipe y,
enters it.
The inner end or mouth t, of the pipe d, converges slightly so that the steam
therefrom will be thrown with greater force somewhat after the manner of the ordinary
hose nozzle.
A bulb or large pipe D, provided at its rear end with a downwardly projecting
branch pipe m, is secured around the pipe d, being arranged concentrically there-

page_text: with, and in such a manner that its mouth, t is slightly forward of the opening of
the branch pipe, m, into said bulb.
A sand pipe H, is attached to the mouth of the branch pipe m.
0
The bulb D, is provided with an annular flange i, around its mouth p.
Four triangular shaped studs or guides 9, are radially disposed on, and secured
at their bases equidistant from each other, to the flange i and to an annular ring h
Figure 2 leaving air spaces b, between said ring and flange.
The purpose of the triangular studs
is to "centre
9,
the nozzle and enable it to
be held firmly against the mouth of the boiler tube B when in use.
The object of the openings b, is to permit currents of air to enter the mouth of
the tube B, when said tube is so large that the ring / comes in contact therewith,
and the spaces between said studs are closed.
I preferably form the nozzle A, with its bulb D, flange i, studs 9, pipe d, ring h,
and branch pipes y, m, integral, or cast in one piece, but I do not confine myself
thereto as the parts named may be made separately, and united by any suitable
means.
In the use of my improvement the nozzle is attached by means of the branch
pipe y, to a steam-pipe C, which connects with a boiler dome, or apparatus for
supplying and forcing steam into the tube, d.
The sand pipe, H, is also attached to the branch pipe m, connecting it with a
supply of fine sand, preferably finely granulated quartz.
The operator then grasps the handle, and inserts the studs g of the nozzle in the
opening or mouth of the boiler tube, B.
Steam being admitted into the pipe d, by opening the valve z, it passes through the
mouth t, into the bulb or large pipe D, and thence into the tube B.
The steam in passing the opening of the branch pipe m, tends to form a vacuum in
the bulb D, thereby creating a strong draft upward through the branch pipe m which
causes the sand to be rapidly drawn through the pipe H, into said bulb where it is
caught by the jet of steam from the pipe d, and thrown by it with great force against
the interior walls of the boiler tube, the steam and sand forming a "sand blast"
which removes the scale collected thereon, and carries it forward until it falls out at
the other end of the tube.
As the steam and sand rush into the boiler tube they tend to create a vacuum
therein, thereby causing air to be drawn into said tube through the openings b, and
between the studs g in the direction of the arrow 5, in Figure 1.
"
The air thus admitted assists in carrying forward the displaced deposits and also
prevents to a large extent the back pressure or cushioning"
"of the steam in the
boiler tube.
In the modification shown in Figure 3, the pipe d¹ is provided with an insulating
covering to form a handle ¹ of the nozzle, and has its rear end screw threaded to
receive the steam pipe C¹.
The forward end of the pipe d', is enlarged to form the bulb or chamber D¹, which
is open at its outer end and provided at its top with a funnel-shaped hopper m¹ by
means of which sand is introduced into the bulb.
The bulb is divided into two annular chambers ', and 2, by a horizontally arranged
tube g', which is slightly larger in diameter than the tube d', and is secured at its
inner end to the walls of said bulb, its outer end being open and terminating at the
mouth of the nozzle.
A guide K, in the shape of a truncated cone, is arranged horizontally within the
tube g¹, being centrally secured at its smaller end to the walls of said bulb directly
opposite the opening of the pipe d¹ by braces (not shown) so that its base stands in
the same vertical plane as the mouth of the nozzle.
The pipe d', with the bulb D¹, partition g³, guide K, and hopper m² are preferably
cast integral or in one piece.
Steam is admitted to the pipe d', through the pipe C², and passes through the
chamber h¹, into the boiler tube, its course being deflected against the interior walls
of said tube by the cone-shaped guide K.

page_text: A draught is thereby created in the chamber and sand being introduced into the
hopper m², by any suitable means, it will be thrown with great force against the
walls of the boiler tube, and the deposit or scale thereon removed, as above
described.
"E
وو
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. The improved process hereindescribed of removing scale and other deposits
from the walls of boiler tubes, the same consisting essentially in projecting a
"
sand-blast or current of steam or air carrying sand against the walls of the tubes
substantially as set forth.
66
Second. In a device of the character described, the nozzle A, consisting of the
pipe d, provided with the valve z, and branch pipe y, in combination with the bulb or
tube D, provided with the branch pipe m, studs g, and ring h; the pipe d, being
inserted in the pipe D, substantially as set forth.
Third. In a device of the character described the bulb, D, provided with the branch
pipe m,
for admitting sand thereto, and having the flange, the triangular studs g,
radially disposed in said flange, and the annular ring or collar h, secured to said studs
in combination with the pipe d, provided with the valve z, handle, and branch pipe y,
the pipe d, being inserted in the pipe D, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes the combination of the following
instrumentalities viz.: A tubular body provided with a branch pipe for admitting
steam thereto, a valve for closing said steam pipe: a bulb secured to said body and
having a branch pipe for admitting sand thereto; and a guide or guides secured to
said bulb, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes, the combination of the following
instrumentalities, viz.: A tubular body provided with a branch pipe for admitting
steam thereto: a valve for closing said steam pipe; a bulb secured to said body and
having a branch pipe for admitting sand thereto: triangular shaped radially disposed
studs or guides secured to said bulb; and an annular collar or ring secured to the
base of said studs so as to leave air openings between said ring and bulb, substantially
as described.
Sixth. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes the combination of the following
instrumentalities viz. a tubular body: a bulb secured to said body and divided into
two chambers by a horizontally arranged tubular partition; a hopper opening
into the outer chamber of said bulb for admitting sand: and a cone shaped deflecting
guide, horizontally disposed within the inner chamber, and secured at its smaller end
to the walls of said bulb, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 9th day of September 1887
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.