Improvements in Tools for Cleaning Boiler Tubes and other like purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tools for Cleaning Boiler Tubes and other like
purposes.
I, JOHN HENRY VOORHEES, Lumber Dealer, of 151 Keap Street Brooklyn,
in the County of Kings and State of New York, United States of America,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of the invention is to provide a tool or an implement especially
adapted for cleaning the interior of tubes, and to so construct the said tool that it
may be loosened within the tube, or whereby the cutting edges may be brought to
a greater or a less contact with the interior surface of the tube for the purpose of
removing scale therefrom, or any extraneous matter that may have adhered to the
interior of said tube. Another object of the invention is to provide for an adjust-
ment which will enable the tool to be fed lengthwise of the tube in a desired ratio,
the longitudinal adjustment of the tool being thoroughly under the control of the
operator.
It is also the object of the invention to so construct the cleaning tool that it may
have a similar cutting action to that of a like tool in a lathe, whereby every
vestige of scale may be removed, and if necessary a scale or shaving may be
taken from the metal of the tube, insuring a speedy and perfect removal of all
obstructions.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the
several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the
claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the interior of a boiler, its setting or casing being
in section, likewise one of the boiler tubes in which the improved cleaner is shown
as introduced and in side elevation ;
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the simple form of the tool, parts
being broken away, and the support for the tool and the tube in which the tool is
to be operated being shown in section;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through the tool, the supports and the
tube into which the tool is introduced;
Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a partial side elevation and partial sectional view of a modified form
of the tool, the modification consisting principally in the driving mechanism for
the tool;
Figure 6 is a transverse section through the modified form of the tool, the section
being taken practically on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a portion of the modified form of the tool
illustrated in Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a further modified form of the tool, the supports
and tube being in section, and parts of the tool itself being broken away;
Figure 9 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

page_text: Figure 10 is a partial side elevation and partial sectional view of a further
modified form of the tool; and
Figure 11 is a transverse section taken practically on the line 11-11
of Figure 10.
In the simplest form of the device, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the said
device comprises a casing tube 11, having an exterior thread 12 made therein, and
an expansion rod 13 or its equivalent, located within the aforesaid tube, an
adjusting device for the rod, and cutters operated by the aforesaid expansion rod
or device. The boiler A, shown in Figure 1, is that of the usual construction, and
the tubes a³ are supported at their forward ends in a tube sheet a, and beyond the
said tube sheet the ordinary front plate a' is provided, having the ordinary openings
therein, registering with the tubes and normally closed by the plugs a. When a
tube is to be cleaned, the ordinary plug at at the end of the tube is removed from
the boiler casing, and a guide sleeve B is introduced into the said opening, as shown
in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and the said sleeve is provided with an interior thread 10,
having suitable pitch, to mesh with or engage with the exterior thread 12 on the
casing tube of the cleaning device.
The outer end of the expanding rod or device 13 is carried beyond the outer end
of the casing tube, and has an exterior thread 15, the threaded portion of the
expanding rod or device being loosely passed through a cap 14, closing the outer
end of the casing tube, and a nut 16, preferably a thumb nut, is placed upon the
threaded end of the expanding rod engaging with the aforesaid cap 14, and by
manipulating the nut 16 the expanding rod may be made to travel inward within
the casing tube 11, or outward therefrom. The inner end of the expanding rod 13
is flattened, and is given a tapering or wedge form, as shown at 16 in Figure 3,
and this tapering or wedge portion of the expanding tube is adapted to effect
an adjustment of the cutters 18 and 18, which are employed for cleaning the
interior of the tube.
These cutters, as shown in Figure 4, are placed face to face, and each cutter is
provided upon its inner face with a recess, so as when the two recesses are brought
together to neatly receive the flattened or expanding surface 16 of the expanding
rod or device 13. Each cutter 18 and 18 at opposite ends is provided with a
cutting surface or edge 19, and the said cutting edge or surface may be in alignment
with the body of the cutters, or may be at an angle thereto, as shown in Figure 4.
The cutting surfaces 19 are usually made at an angle to the body of the cutters, to
provide for the filing down or wearing away of the said cutting surfaces when
brought in frequent operation.
The cutting surfaces when at an angle to the body portion of the cutters, project
outward in opposite directions, so that as the tool is turned in the tube the cutters
will remove the scale, or any material that may cling to the inner face of the tube,
the material being removed practically in shifting the foriner.
The body portions of the two cutters 18 and 18ª extend outward through
openings 17 made in diametrically opposite sides of the casing tube 11, and these
openings are of such dimensions as to prevent the side movement of the cutters yet
admit of the cutters being adjusted lengthwise or in direction of their ends, to any
desired measure.
It is evident that when the expanding rod 13 is drawn outward, bringing the
wider portion of its expanding surface in engagement with the recessed portions of
the cutters, the said cutters will be adjusted end wise in proportion to the increased
width of their expanding medium, and that when the expander is caused to travel
inward within the casing tube, the said cutters may be dropped endwise or be
forced in that direction by contact with the interior of the tube, the contraction
being such as to prevent the cutters operating in the tube, or contacting but very
slightly with its inner face; and the operator at the outer end of the tool may
readily determine the extent to which the cutters are to be adjusted, by the
amount of resistance which is afforded to the cutters during the operation of cleaning
a tube.

page_text: It is further evident that by reason of the wedge portion of the expanding rod
engaging with the shoulders of the cutters, the action of the expander upon said
cutters will be uniform and so directed as to centre them. It may also be observed,
that if the cutters are sufficiently expanded a scale or shaving of metal may be
removed from a tube, leaving the tube as clean as when first introduced.
The tool may be turned in any desired manner, the simplest form of the device
for turning being shown in Figures 1, 2, 8 and 9, in which it will be observed that
a handle is employed, comprising two members 20 and 21, which are made to fit
closely around the outside of the casing tube 11, being secured firmly together by
bolts 22, or their equivalents, the sections of the handle extending in opposite
directions. Ordinarily two bolts are employed to secure one side portion of the
handle sections together, while a single bolt only at the opposite side of the tube
need be used, in which event the bolt is passed through a clamping plate 22ª placed
at opposite sides of the sections of the handle, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. It is
obvious that as the casing tube is revolved or turned through the medium of the
handle or otherwise, it will be fed within the pipe to be cleaned, by reason of its
thread connection with the fixed conducting sleeve B.
The extreme outer end of the casing tube 11, when the tube is adapted for work
in the boiler, is supported upon a suitable bracket B', as shown in Figure 1.
In Figures 5, 6 and 7, I have illustrated a slight modification in the exterior
contour of the tube casing, and the manner in which it is to be given its rotary
movement. The conducting or feed sleeve B is used in connection with this
modified form, as described with reference to the more simple form of the device.
In the modified form, the exterior thread 11 is interrupted at opposite sides by
longitudinal grooves 24, and a sleeve 25 is loosely mounted upon the casing tube,
the sleeve having feathers or splines or ribs 26, adapted to travel in the grooves 24
of the aforesaid casing tube, as illustrated in Figure 6, so that as this sleeve is
turned, the casing tube will receive like movement and may slide end wise through
the sleeve while turning. A beveled gear 27 is securely fastened on the sleeve 25,
as shown in Figure 5, and a collar 28 is loosely mounted on the sleeve 25 between
the gear 27 and a flange 29 at the inner end of the aforesaid sleeve 25 of the body
of the tool.
The collar 28 preferably has stay rods 30 projected from it, one of which rods
may be attached to an overhead support and one to a floor support, for the purpose
of holding the collar 28 stationary; and in the said collar preferably two shafts 31
are journaled, extending therefrom in opposite directions, being supported by
bracket arms 32, connected with or secured to the aforesaid collar, as shown in
Figure 6; and each shaft 31 has a beveled pinion 33 secured thereto, the said
pinions meshing with the teeth on the beveled gear 27; and either of these shafts
may bé revolved by attaching to their outer ends a crank 34, or any equivalent of
the same, as is likewise shown in Figure 6.
Under this construction it will be observed that considerable power may be
brought to bear upon the body of the tool to rotate the same, with comparatively
little output of power on the part of the person or persons located at the crank 34.
The cutting portion of the tool, and the manner of expanding the cutters in this
modified form, are the same as in the more simple form first described.
In Figure 81 have illustrated a further modification in the construction of the
body portion of the tool, in which the casing tube 35 has plain exterior surface,
and is preferably reinforced by a collar 36 located where the cutters pass through
the said casing tube; and the casing tube has a second tube 37 loosely mounted
thereon, the said second or outer tube having an exterior thread 38, which is
engaged by the interior thread of the conducting or feed sleeve B. The expanding
device and the cutters in this form of the tool are the same as those heretofore
described, and the handle C is shown as attached to the inner or main casing
tube 35 near its outer end, and in the said handle an opening 23 is made, adapted
to receive a slide 39, which is secured upon the outer tube 37 near its outer end, so
that when the said handle is turned, the outer tube will be virtually locked to the

page_text: inner or main casing tube by reason of the connection between the former and the
handle C, and when it is desired to turn the cutters in the tube without advancing
or withdrawing them, this may be accomplished under this modified form of the
tool by simply withdrawing the locking arm or bracket 39 from engagement with
the handle C:
In Figures 10 and 11 I have illustrated another modified form of the device, in
which the casing or tube 40 has a smooth exterior surface, the cutters and the
expanding device remaining as heretofore described; and the casing tube is passed
through the connecting sleeve B' having a plain bore instead of the threaded bore
shown in the corresponding sleeves B.
The outer end portion of the casing tube 40 in this latter form of the tool is
located within a locking or clutch sleeve 41. This locking or clutch sleeve has
teeth 42 made upon its inner face, and is provided with a slot 43 in its upper surface,
receiving a dog 44, likewise toothed upon its under edge so as to engage with the
casing tube 40. Ears 44" are located upon the locking sleeve 41 near each end of
the slot 43, and a lever 45 is pivoted between the aforesaid ears, having an arched
foot, adapted when the lever is moved in a certain direction to press the dog 44
inward against the casing tube, causing it to bite thereon, and also causing the
teeth of the locking sleeve at the bottom of its interior surface to engage with the
casing tube 40, so that a further movement of the lever 45 in the same direction
will turn the locking sleeve and likewise turn the casing tube of the tool; and the
ratchet connection thus formed between the locking sleeve and the casing tube will
serve to feed the latter forward within the tube to be cleaned, especially since the
opposing faces of the locking sleeve 41 and the conducting sleeve B¹ are beveled
for close engagement one with the other; therefore at each rotary movement of
the locking sleeve, the tool proper acted upon by the locking or clutch sleeve, will
receive end movement together with its rotary movement. The lever 45 may' be
operated through the medium of a crank 46 and link 47, or in any other desired
manner, it being especially intended for the application of power.
Under the construction shown in Figure 5, the stationary sleeve 28 is preferably
connected by a chain 48 with the front sheet of the boiler, in order that the said
stationary sleeve may not move outward while the tool is in operation, since the
tendency of the said sleeve would be to move in that direction, especially when
subjected to a severe strain.
It is obvious that the tube cleaning tool described in any of its forms designated,
may be economically constructed, and expeditiously and conveniently applied to
any boiler, and operated in such manner as to thoroughly clean a tube from one end
to the other.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
1. A device, for cleaning the interior of tubes, or for similar purposes, the same
consisting of blades held in sliding connection, and an expander controlling the
movement of the said blades, as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a device for cleaning tubes, or for similar purposes, blades arranged in
sliding engagement, and an expander of substantially wedge shape, operating to
impart end movement to the said blades, as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a device for cleaning tubes and for like purposes, blades arranged side by
side and provided with registering recesses in their opposing faces, and a tapering
expander having movement in the recessed portion of the blades, whereby the outer
or cutting surfaces of the blades may be moved inward or may be moved outward
in an opposite direction, as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a device for cleaning the interior of tubes, or for similar purposes, a
conducting sleeve, a tube arranged to be fed through the said sleeve, blades
mounted in the said tube and extending beyond its sides, the blades being mounted
to slide inwardly or outwardly from the tube, and an expanding device operating

page_text: to carry the blades outward, or permit of their inward movement, the expanding
device being capable of operation from the exterior of the tube in which it is
enclosed and in which the knives are located, as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a device for cleaning the interior of tubes, and for other purposes, an
exteriorly threaded casing, an interiorly threaded conducting sleeve receiving the
said casing, knives or blades having end movement within the said casing and
extending beyond the sides of the same, an expander consisting of a rod located
within the casing and having a wedge section mounted to slide between the blades
or knives, and means, substantially as described, for imparting end movement to
the said expander, as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes, or for similar purposes, a casing having
diametrically opposite slots, knives or blades having sliding connection and mounted
to have end movement in the said casing, the ends of the knives or blades extending
through the aforesaid slots, the said knives or blades having registering recesses in
their inner faces, an expander located within the casing, having a wedge surface
entering the recesses in the kuives or blades, and means, substantially as
described, for giving end movement to the expander, as and for the purpose
specified.
7. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes, or for similar purposes, a casing having
diametrically opposite slots, and knives or blades having sliding connection and
mounted to have end movement in the said casing, the ends of the knives or blades
extending through the aforesaid slots, the said knives or blades having registering
recesses in their inner faces, an expander located within the casing, having a wedge
surface entering the recesses in the knives or blades; means, substantially as shown
and described, for giving end movement to the expander, conducting sleeve
arranged to fit the casing and adapted to be attached to a fixed support, and a
device for imparting rotary movement to the said casing, as and for the purpose
specified.
8. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes, or for like purposes, the combination,
with a sleeve adapted to be attached to a fixed support and having an interior
thread, of an exteriorly threaded casing, the thread of the casing being adapted to
that of the sleeve, knives or blades in sliding engagement and mounted in the said
casing in such manner as to have end movement, the knives or blades extending
beyond the exterior of the said casing, an expander having a wedge section, the
said expander being located within the casing and the wedge section being arranged
to pass between the blades or knives to impart end movement to the same, a
regulating device for the expander, and means, substantially as described,
for imparting rotary movement to the casing, as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a device for cleaning tubes, and for like purposes, the combination of a
conducting sleeve, a tube arranged to be fed through the said sleeve and provided
with opposite openings, cutters mounted in the tube and projecting out through the
openings thereof, the cutters having their shanks reduced and formed with shoulders
whereby an opening is formed between them, a tapering expanding device working
in the opening between the shanks of the cutters, and means for operating the
expanding device, substantially as described.
10. In a device for cleaning tubes and for like purposes, the combination of an
internally threaded sleeve, an externally threaded tube working in the said sleeve
and provided with opposite openings at its inner end, cutters in the tube and
projecting through the openings thereof, the said cutters having their shanks
reduced and provided with shoulders forming an opening between the said shanks,
a rod having a wedge shaped end working in said opening, the said rod extending
out beyond the tube, and means, for moving the rod end wise, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
11. In a device for cleaning tubes and for like purposes, the combination of an
internally threaded sleeve, an externally threaded tube working in the sleeve and
provided with opposite slots in its inner end, means for imparting rotary motion to
the tube, cutters in the tube and projecting through the openings therein, the said

page_text: cutters having their shanks reduced and provided with shoulders to form an opening
between them, & rod, having a wedge-shaped end working in said opening, the said
rod extending out beyond the end of the tube, and means for imparting end wise
motion to, the rod, substantially as set forth.
12. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes and for like purposes, the combination
of an internally threaded sleeve, an exteriorly threaded tube working in the sleeve
and provided with opposite slots at its inner, end, mechanism for turning the tube,
cutters arranged in the tube and, projected through the slots thereof, the said
cutters being arranged side by side and provided with an opening between them, a
wedge-shaped expanding rod working in the said opening and serving to move the
cutters end wise in opposite directions, and means for operating the said rods,
substantially as described.
13. In a device for cleaning boiler tubes and for like purposes, the combination,
with plates each having the rear face of its shank reduced, the reduced portion
extending from the end of the shank opposite that carrying the blade to a point
.beyond the centre of the shank and terminating in a shoulder, the shanks being
placed together with the reduced portion of one resting upon the unreduced portion
of the other, whereby the opening will be formed between them, and a tapered
expander movable in the opening between the shanks of the blades and adapted to
engage the shoulders of the shanks of the blades to move them end wise in opposite
directions, substantially as described.
Dated this 21th dor of November 1806
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.