Patent ID: 7252095

Claim:
A system comprising a mobile flushing unit and a gas turbine engine comprising a fan, a plurality of compressors, a combustion chamber, and a turbine including an annular rear turbine frame supporting a bearing which rotatably supports an aft end of a shaft, the gas turbine engine also including at least one workpiece, which is a tube, wherein the gas turbine engine has been in service and the tube includes blockage as a result of this operation of the gas turbine engine; and the mobile flushing unit comprises the following elements enclosed within a portable device: a first tank for holding a cleaning fluid mounted to the device; a second tank for holding water connected to the first tank and mounted on the device; two flexible hoses attached to the unit, each hose having only one opening at each end, and connected to each end of the tube such that the fluid circulates through the hoses; a cleaning fluid level indicator, and a first breather with an activated charcoal filter on the first tank; a water level indicator and a second breather with an activated charcoal filter on the second tank; a heater connected to the first tank for heating the first tank to a desired temperature; within the device a filtration system to collect debris removed from the workpiece; an air supply; a control system to monitor liquid level in each tank, monitor temperature of the cleaning fluid and switch selection from cleaning fluid to water; drains for draining of the cleaning fluid and the water; and a pump, valve and conduit system coupling the elements for selective: connection to and flowing of compressed air through the hoses and the workpiece; pumping of the cleaning fluid through the hoses and the workpiece for a predetermined amount of time; ceasing of cleaning fluid flow, followed by purging with air to remove the cleaning fluid from the workpiece; pumping of water through the hoses and the workpiece for a predetermined amount of time; and ceasing of water flow, followed by another purge with air to remove the water from the workpiece, wherein debris removed from the workpiece is collected by a filter of the filtration system, wherein the unit is attached to the tube and the mobile flushing unit cleans the tube.