AU604515B2

AU604515B2 - Device for cleaning pipelines

Info

Publication number: AU604515B2
Application number: AU82703/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nikolai Alexeevich Gurov; Ilya Lvovich Jurovitsky; Valentin Mikhailovich Kornev; Mikhail Alexandrovich Shevchuk; Leonid Gedalievich Slez; Jury Ivanovich Tjurin; Eleonora Davydovna Uchitel
Original assignee: MAKEEVSK INZH STR I; Makeevsky Inzhenerno Stroitelny Institut
Current assignee: Makeevsky Inzhenerno Stroitelny Institut
Priority date: 1987-09-23
Filing date: 1987-09-23
Publication date: 1990-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-23
Also published as: DE3775780D1; EP0333859A4; BR8707888A; EP0333859A1; FI892510A0; WO1989002790A1; AU8270387A; JPH02501365A; EP0333859B1; ATE71001T1; FI892510A

Abstract

A device for cleaning pipelines comprises a casing (1) inside which, along its longitudinal axis, are mounted an inlet chamber (2) connected to a compressed-air source, a pumping chamber (4) intended to be connected to the pipeline and a piston (5). Two auxiliary chambers (6, 7) are mounted in the casing (1), separated from each other by the piston (5) provided with an air venting system. The first auxiliary chamber (6) is connected to the atmosphere. The second auxiliary chamber (7) is connected to the pumping chamber (4) through an air supply means provided inside a valve (14) of the pumping chamber (4), and to the inlet chamber (2) through a central passage (12) made in the piston (5). The cross-sectional area of the piston (5), facing the second auxiliary chamber (7) is larger than the end-face surface facing the inlet chamber (2), but smaller than the butt-end surface of an annular flange on the piston (5), facing the second auxiliary chamber (7). The casing (1) on the side where the pumping chamber (4) is located in the compressed-air discharge zone, is provided with through-passages (27), whose longitudinal axes coincide with the reactive force vector of the compressed-air flow.

Description

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AU-AI-82703/87 This docurnant cii~aiis 0"W' amendments miado iul t B-CENIIIPHASI 013r \H113A11151 Section 49 and is con, CT IHTE' F1EKTN'A1bHO1 1 COSCTBEHHO 1 I if ME)K2IIYHA g 3Af3K' rI4K, HHA ORECTUT1" COf(O I nJ 'l fEPAU414 (POT) (51) Me zAyMapo2IaRi Kjiaccji(hiImauwu (11) Horuiep ruewjinapoaiiofif ny6jnmaium: WO 89/02790 II306peTeHIIMj 4: Al (43) ,lia'a Niewayiapomiiofi ny6jun;aixii: B08B 9/04, 5/02, E03F 9/00 6 anpenqi 1989 (06.04.89) (21) HoNiep NieW* Ynaporniof 3aa1BK11: POT! 5U87/00105 CH-UK, Mikhail Alexandrovich, Zhdanov TIOP141I l0pIii MBaHOBMtI [SU/SU1. )K..aHOB3 (22) /AaTa Ne.AYapo~iiofi no~ai: 341000, nip. MeTanJr~yproa, zt. 43, KB3. 20 (SU) [TJU- 23 ceHT516p~i 1987 (23.09.87) RIN, Jury Ivanovich, Zhdanov FYPOB HiiKonafl AneKCeeBH~q [SU/SU]; )KnaHoa3 341032, yn. 3-- (71) 3a.9B1Tejib 8cexyxa~autiwlX 2ocj'dapcnw, Kpv US): reJlbca, it. 1, Ua. 6 (SU) [GUROV, Nikolai Alexeevich, MAKEEBCKHI4 IIH)KEHEPHO-CTPOI4TEJlb- Zdanov IOPOB14LWI4I4 H4JIbq J~bBOB141- [SU/ HblM 14I-CTI'ITYT [SU/SU]; MaKeeBKa 339023, SU]; ao11-euK 340000, yfi. Lerno0cKHeB, Zt. 127, rioc. .Ll3ep)K14HCK~rO (SU) [MAKEEVSKY INZH-E- KB3. 35 (SU) [JURO'VITSKY, Ilya Lvovich, Donetsk NERNO- STROITELNY INSTITUT, Makeevka (SU (74) ArelnT: TOPFOBO-lPOMbIIJIEHHA5I fAJIATA (72) Il3o6peTaTeint, n COOP; MOCIC1a 103735, yn. Kyf46bliweBa, i. 5/2 (SU) H43o6peTaTeJu/3a3B11TejmI (inca lb/O 6.11.9 US): CjIE3 [THE USSR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND JleoHl4it reJibeBHtL [SU/SU]; MaKeeBKa 339000, INDUSTRY, Moscow yn. OCTpoBcKoro, at. 3/18, KB. 39 (SU) [SLEZ, Leonid Gedalievich, Makeevka Y'-II4TEJIb 3ne- (81) YKa3aiibe rocyiaaPCTBa: AT (ea3ponef4CK14fi naTeHT), o~opa aUa13b1,a13Ha [SU/SU]; MaKeeBKa 339023, AU, BE (eaporiefiCK144 naTeHT), BR, OH (eapon eanloc. .LI3ep)KlHcKoro, yni. 4LoHeUKa5, it. 4, KB. 1 (SU) cK1114 naTeHT), DE (e13poniefCK14fi niaTeH-T), Fl, FR [UCHITEL, Eleonora Davydovna, Makeevka (eaponeficKnfl naTeHT), GB (eaponefticKfi flaTeHT), KOPHEB BaiteHTH4H Mm~xafinoawi [SU/SU]; )Kaa- JP, IT (eaponefdcKw f naTeHT), LU (eaporiefcmif na- HOB 341000, rip. JReHH141a, an. 87, KB3. 57 (SU) [KOR- TeHT), NL (eaponefICKI~ naTeHT), SE (e13ponef4cxnfi NEV, Valentin Mikhailovich, Zhdanov IJIEB- naTeHT), US MIYK Mixamn AnieicaHnpo13H4 [SU/SU]; XaiaHoB3 341035, rip. MeTajinyproB3, i. 204, KB3. 8 (SU) [SHEV- ORy6tIrnCoaaa I C oniqemoti 0 Ate.9ICdyHapodH.Af noucKe (54) Title: DEVICE FOR CLEANING PIPELINES a. J. P. 1 J UN 19. UTRLA (54) Ha~nle Il3otipeTeH11.: YCTPOf4CTBOJIl51 O4Il4CTKH4 TPYBOflPOBOaDOB AUIALA

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(57) Abstract A device for cleaning pipelines comprises a casing inside which, along its, longitudinal axis, are mounted an inlet chamibr,(2) c6nnecfed'i6 aconpre'ssed-air source, a pumping chamber intended to be connected to the pipeline and a pitn()T uxiliary. chimlbers are mhounte-d in the casing'(1), separat ed .1from each other by the piston provided with'an'air venting system. The first auxiliary chamber is connected to the atmposphere. The second auxiliary chamber (7) is connected to the* pump Iing chamb'er'W4)''hiough in- tair.siippiy m eans: pirovided,. inside, a valve (14)L of the pumping chambeor and~to thle inlet ch~mb~i (2jihirough 9f central passdge rnade in'ihe piston The ecss-sectional area of the piston facing the secdftd auxiliary' chamibef(7) is larger than the en'd-face~sufiface "fac~ng the inlet chamber but smaller than the butt-enid surface of an annular flange, on the piston fai'n the se cdfid ,auxiliary chamber.,(7). ,The casing on the side where the pumping chamber (4)'is located in the' copressed~airdischarge.zond, is provided with t hrough-passages whose longitudinal axes coincide with the reactive force vector of the comp ressed-air~flow.

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0 Bonlraptis IT Hianwi NO HO'PBerhms BJ BearnH JP Ano Hu RO PyMblrniR BR Epa3HanHS KP Kope~kas HaPOo-o.LemoipaTHqeCKasR SD CyJaaK CF,. UeHTpanbHoa4pHKaHCKax Pecny6rnHca Pecny6rniia, SE LUBeLWR CG KoHra,, %IW KopeficxaR Pecny6rnHKa SN' CeiHer'aii CH Wn~e~tapHil- LI JIHXTCHWUTeftH WU COBeTCIKi CoMo CM KamePYH LK IlPH JlaHKa TD- qIaa DE 0bencpaTBHan Pccny6rnHKa repmaHHH LU ThioKcem6ypr. TG Toro, DKUrnnMC MoHaxo ,oUS 0 CoeAHncHHble lilTaTbi AMePIIKH Fl $HAaHHR. MG Maj~araccap Fl 4>~XA9 VERIFIED TRANSLATION OF 9-7?76/:9 7 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPELINES Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to water supply and discharge systems, and more particularly to apparatus for cleaning pipelines.

Background of the Invention There is known an apparatus for cleaning pipelines UA 173,678) having a housing accommodating lengthwise thereof an inlet chamber communicating with a source of compressed air, a pressure chamber communicable with a pipeline to be cleaned, and a piston. The piston is disposed inside the pressure chamber and includes two parts of different diameters rigidly interconnected by a rod.

The piston of the smaller diameter is arranged in a hole of~ a ball valve in the zone of a filter provided downstream of the pressure chamber. The piston rod has a spring bearing by one end against the piston of larger diameter, and by the other end against the seat of the ball valve.

The pressure of air in the pressure chamber acts to move the piston in the direction of the feed flow of compressed air. The piston of smaller diameter leaves the hole of the ball valve thereby reducing resistance to the movement of liquid through the hole of the ball valve and promoting accelerated movement of the piston. The piston of larger diameter opens the hole in the housing of the pressure chamber, whereas the compressed air present therein "explodes" to the outside medium. Under the action of the spring and hydrostatic pressure of liquid the piston returns to the initial position to raise the balls of the valve, the liquid passes through the filter to the space under the piston, and the process is repeated.

This apparatus is used mostly for cleaning face zones of water wells. It can also be used for cleaning only pressure pipelines conveying liquids with a relatively low concentration of suspended matter providing the apparatus is moved along the pipeline surface being cleaned. The pressure of air, in the pressure chamber, and consequently parameters of the explosion are determined by the force of the pring and hydrostatic pressure of liquid, and are therefore not controlled.

AtS.

-2- In view of the aforedescribed, the prior art apparatus cannot be used for cleaning any -type of pipelines for the following reasona: the provision of a spring undex high dynamic loads exerted on the moving parts limits the service life of the known apparatus and brings changes to the operating conditions of the apparatus; this known appai ratus cannot be used for cleaning municipal and industri~al sewage pipelines die to the absence of an excessive hgydroplastic pressure therein; the provision of a filter and a ball valve prevents the use of the known apparatus for cleaning pipelines conveyngliquids having a high concentration of suspended matte r; the absence of an independed drive for moving this prior art apparatus makes it impossible to use it for cleaning pipelines having portions to be cleaned wherethrough a pull rope cannot be drawn.

Summary of the Invention The present invention aims at providing an apparatus for cleaning pipelinevi which would be so constructed as to ensure automatic ccatrol over the parameters of the pneumatic explosion, clean chambers, independent travel of the apparatus along the surface being cleaned~ lack of influence of the hydrostatic pressure of liquid on the operating parameters of the apparatus, and operation of the apparatus under a wide range of air pressure.

The aims of the invention are attained by that in an apparatus for cleaning pipelines having a housing accommodating in line with the axis thereof an inlet chamber communicating with a source of compressed air, a pressure chamber communicating with the pipeline being cleaned, and a piston, according to the invention, the housing is provided with two auxiliary chambers separated by the piston having an air venting system, the first of these chambers communicating with the outside medium, the second auxiliary chamber communicating with the pressure chamber through an air feeding means provided in a valve of the pre",sure -3chamber and with the inlet chamber through a central passage made in the piston, the area of an end face of this I piston facing the second auxiliary chamber being greater than the area of an end face thereof facing the inlet chamber, although smaller than an area of the end face of an annular projection at the piston facing the second auxiliary chamber, whereas provided at the housing at the side of the pressure chamber in the zone of discharge of compressed air are through passage with the longitudinal axes of each of these passages coinciding with the vector of the reactive force of the flow of compressed air.

In order to ensure that the pressure chamber is duly filled with compressedi 4 r to a preset pressure, the means for feeding air isodefinetd by a longitudinal passage communicating with the second auxiliary chamber, and radial holes communicating with the longitudinal passage and with the pressure chamber.

Preferably, the air venting system of the piston has the form of passages arranged about the periphery of the end face of the piston facing the inlet chamber and communicating this chamber with an annular recess made at the outer surface of the piston, arnd communicating with the outside medium by way of a through hole made in the housing in the zone of the inlet chamber at the point when an underpressure is developed in the second auxiliary chamber.

This arrangement of the air venting system of the piston allows to reduce the damping effect of the piston at the inlet chamber and attain a faster response of the piston.

In order to reduce the damping effect of the air entering the inlet chamber, as well as to increase the time of return of the piston to the initial position and consequently to ensure a more complete utilization of the volume of the pressure chamber, it is necessary that the inlet chamber be provJIed with a means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air.

When the proposed apparatus for cleaning pipelines operates at low pressures of compressed air, it is prefer- O able that the meanp for controlling the flow rate of com- 1< pressed air should include at least one longitudinal passage made in an end face of the housing in the zone of the inlet chamber and communicating with the source of' compressed air, and at least one rod member rigidly affixed on said end face of the piston at the side of the inlet chamber, the longitudinal axis of this rod member coinciding with the axis of the longitudiLnal passage closable by the rod member at the point when sa uriderpressure is developed in the second auxiliary chamber.

When the proposed apparatus for cleaning pipelines operates within a wide range of compressed air pressure, it is advisable that the means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air has the form of at least one passage made in the housing in the zone of the inlet chamber communicating by one end with the source of compressed air and by the other end, closable by the outer surface of the piston at the point when an underpressure is developed in the second auxiliary chamber, communicating with the inlet chamber.

Alternately, the second auxiliary chamber has the form of a high pressure hose.

This arrangement of the second auxiliary chamber makes it possible to apply the apparatus for cleaning pipelines conveying liquids having a high concentration of suspended matter thanks to that part of the housing with a large number of through holes, including the inlet chamber and the first auxiliary chamber accommodating the piston, can be arranged outside the pipeline being cleaned.

Preferably, in the zone of the second auxiliary chamnber the valve is provided with an annular projection defining an additional chamber between the second auxiliary chamber and pressure chamber.

This arrangement of the valve in combination with the second auxiliary chamber in the form of' a high pressure hose allows to increase the time for an underpressure to be developed in the pressure chamber, which ensures a more complete utilization of the energy of compressed air.

Advisably, the air feeding means is defined by a passage communicating the second auxiliary chamber with the additional chamber, and longitudinal passages made i~n the annular projection communicating the additional chamber with the pressure chamber at the point when the pressure chamber is filled with compressed air, each of' these longitudinal passages having a non-return valve.

Such an arrangement of the air feeding means is necessary for preventing leaks of compressed air from the pressure chamber to the second auxiliary chamber fashioned as a high pressure hose.

In order to reduce the damping effect of' compressed air in the additional chamber, that is to accentuate the response of' the valve and consequently increase the force of pneumatic explosion, the valve is preferably provided with an air venting system in the form of at least one passage arranged at the periphery of the end face of' the Valve facing the second auxiliary chamber, closed at the side of the second auxiliary chamber and communicating with the additional chamber, and an annular recess made in the housing in the zone of the second auxiliary chamber communicating by way of a through hole in the valve with its passage at the point when an underpressure is developed in the pressure chamber, and by way of throtigh passages made in the pressure chamber in the zone of the second auxiliary chamber having each a safety valve with the outside medium.

In view of the aforedescribed, the proposed apparatus for cleaning pipelines is intended for cleaning pipelines arid vessels of a range of designations, including industrial pipelines for conveying liquids having a high concen- .1 tration of suspended matter. Twvo alternative modifications of the proposed apparatus Pre possible, particularly one used mainly for cleaning pipelines carrying li'quids containing a relatively moderate concentration of suspended matter, and one employed for cleaning pipelines that carry liquids containing a high concentration of suspended matter.

The apparatus according to the invention can operate at a wide range of 3 to 20 MPa pressures of air ensuring an auto- Smatic control over the pressure in the pressure chamber.

;7A -6- In addition, the apparatus~ is capable of' independed movement providing for cleaning elongated pipelines. The apparatus breaks deposits formed at the inner surfaces of pipelines by shock waves gener-ated in the liquid conveyed through the pipe by initiating pneumatic explosions. it can also operate in contaminated media, and shock waves generated by pneumatic explosions are capable of breaking deposits of virtually any hardness thereby brining the throughput capacity of pipelines to the rated values.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to various specific embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an apparatus for cleaning pipelines according to the invention at the point when chambers thereof are filled with compressed air; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a piston of the proposed apparatus; Fig. 3 is a view taken along the arrow A in F~ig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part of the proposed apparatus with means for controlling the flow rate of air; Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of part of the proposed apparatus with means for controlling the flow rate of air; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of -the proposed apparatus for cleaning pipelines with a second auxiliary chamber in the form of a high pressure hose-;- Fig* 7 is an enlarged view of part of the proposed apparatus with a venting system of the valve when the second auxiliary chamber has the form of a high pressure hose; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the proposed apparatus at the point when a.n underpressure is developed in the second auxiliary and pressure chambers; and Fig. 9 is a section taken along the line IX-IX in _O Fig. 8.

/7 Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention An apparatus foe cleaning pipelines Comprises a housing 1 (Fig.' 1) eccommodatlng lengthwise of' its axis an inlet chamber 2 communicating through an adapter 3 with a source (not shown) of' compressed air, a pressure chamber 4 intended to communicate with the pipeline (.not shown) being cleaned, and a piston 5. Provided in the housing 1 between the inlet chamber 2 and pressure chamber 4 are two auxiliary chambers 6, '7 separated by the pistona 5 of a variable diameter in terms of its length.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the area of' an end face 8 of the piston 5 facing the second auxiliary chamber7 (Fig. 1) is greater than the area of' the end face 9 (Fig, 2) facing the inlet chamber 2 (Fig, but smaller than the area of' an end face 10 (Fig. 2) of' an annular collar projection 11 of the piston 5 facing the second auxiliary chamber 7 (Fig. 1).

I The piston 5 has a central passage 12 communicating the inlet chamber 2 with the second auxiliary chamber 7.

The first auxiliary chamber 6 continuously communicates with the outside medium via through holes 13 made in the housing 1.

A valve 14 is provided in the housing 1 in the zone of' the pressure chamber 4. The valve 14 includes a head, member 15, a rod 16, and a tailpiece '17.

The second auxiliary chamber 7 communicates with the pressure chamber through an air feeding meanis provided in the valve 14.

The air feeding means is defined by a longitudinal passage 18 and radial holes 19. The longitudinal passage 18 is provided in the head 15 and rod 16 of the valve 14, and communicates with the second auxiliary chamber 7. The radial holes 19 communicate the longitudinal passage 18 with the pressure chamber 4.

The piston 5 has an air venting system in the form of passages 20 (Fig, 2) and an annular recess 21, made at the outer surface of the piston 5. The passages 20 (Figs 2, 3) are arranged about the periphery of the end face 9 of the 0\ A -8piston 5, and communicate the annular recess 21 with the inlet chamber 2 (Fig. When the annular recesses 21 are brought in registration with through holes 22 made in the housing 1 in the zone of the inlet chamber 2, this chamber 2 communicates with the outside medium.

The inlet chamber 2 has a means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air of various suitable design.

In instances, when the proposed apparatus for cleaning pipelines operates at low pressures of the compressed air, the means for controlling the flow rate of compressed ait is fashioned as at least one longitudinal passage 23 (Fig. made in the housing 1 in the zone of the inlet chamber 2, and at least one rod 24 rigidly affixed to the end face 9 of the piston 5 at the side of the inlet chamber 2. In the herein described modifitd forma of the means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air two such rods 24 and two longitudinal passages 23 are used.

The longitudinal axes of the rods 2/4 are in line with the axes of the longitudinal passages 23. One end of each longitudinal passage 23 communicates through the adapter 3 with the source (not showm) of compressed air. The other end of each passage 23 communicates with the inlet chamber 2. TLwo guide rods 25 are provided at the end face 9 of the piston 5 at the side of the inlet chamber 2 to ensure the coaxiality of the rods 24 and longitudinal passages 23.

For operation of the proposed apparatus for cleaning pipelines within a wide range of air pressures it is preferable to use a means for controlling the feed rate of compressed air fashioned as at least one passage 26 made in the housing 1 in the zone of the inlet chamber 2.

One end of the passage 26 communicates through the adapter 3 with the source (not shown) of compressed air, whereas the other end thereof communicates with the chamber 2. Advisably, the optimum number of passages 26 is four or six.

In the herein proposed modification four passages 26 are used.

The pressure chamber 4 (Fig. 1) communicates with a pipeline (not shown) via through passages 27 made in a head 00 28 of the housing 1.,The longitudinal axis of each through -9passage 27 is in line with the vector of reactive force of the flow of compressed air'.

In cases when the apparatus is applied for cleaning pipelines transferring liquids having a high concentration of suspended matter, the second auxiliary chamber 7 can be fashioned as a hose 29 (Fig. 6) capable of withstanding high pressures. Such an arrangement of the second auxiliary chamber 7 (Fig. 1) entails structural modifications of the valve 14. Referring again to Fig. 6, the head 15 of the valve 14 has an annular projection 30 defining additional chamber 31 between the high pressure hose 23 and pressure chamber 4.

The means for feeding compressed air in this embodiment the valve 14 is formed by a passage 32 (Fig. 7) made in the head 15 of the valve 14 to communicate the high pressure hose 29 with the additional chamber 31, and longitudinal passages 33 made in the annular projection 30 and communicating the additional chamber 31 with' the pressure chamrber 4 at the point when this chamber 14 is filled with compressed air. A non-return valve 34 is provided in each longitudinal passage 33.

The valve 14 has an air venting system in the form of at least one passage 35 arranged at the periphery of an end face 36 of the valve 14 facing the high pressure hose 29, closed at the side of the high pressure hose 29 and communicating with the addiditional chamber 31, and an annular recess 37 provided in the housing 1 in the zone of the high pressure hose 29. When an underpressure occurs in the pres- I sure chamber 4, the annular recess 37 communicates via the 30 thtrough hole 38 in the head 15 of the valve 14 with its passage 35. The annular recess 37 communicates with the out" side medium via through passages 39 made in the housing 1 in the zone of the high pressure hose 29. Each through passage 39 accommodates a safety valve The apparatus for cleaning pipelines embodying the present invention operates as follows.

Whfen the apparatus is to be used with low pressures V of compressed air and1 relatively low concentration of sus- Opp ii pended matter in the liquid to be pumped, the aforedescribed first modified form of the means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air is preferably employed, where the compressed air is conveyed thLrough the adapter 3 (Fig. 4) to enter the inlet chamber 2 through the longitudinal passages 23.

When the apparatus operates at a wide range of air pressures, the second modified form of the means for controlling the feed rate of compressed air is preferable.

In this case the compressed air is conveyed from the source (not shown) of compressed air through the adapter 3 (Fig. 5) to the inlet chamber 2 along the passages 26 and through the axial hole 41.

The force of compressed air exterted on the end face 9 causes the piston 5 to be moved to a seat 42 of the housing 1. Therewith, the compressed air flows from the inlet chamber 2 (Fig. 1) along the central passage 12 of the piston 5 to the second auxiliary chamber 7, wherefrom it is delivered through the longitudinal passage 18 of the valve 14 and radial hole 19 in the rod 16 to the pressure chamber 4.

Subsequent to attaining the required pressure in the pressure chamber 4, and consequently in the second auxiliary chamber 7, the force of pressure exerted on the end face 8 (Fig. 2) of the piston 5 exceeds the pressure ,-:;erted by compressed air on the end face 9 of the piston 5. The piston 5 (Fig. 8) starts to travel toward the inlet chamber 2 departing from its seat 42. As the piston 5 departs from its seat 42, the pressure of compressed air propagates to the end face 10 (Fig. 2) of the annular projection 1.1 of the piston 5. Thanks to a difference between surface areas 8 and 10 of the piston 5 a sudden increase in the velocity of the piston 5 takes place to cause virtually sudden opening of the through hole 43 (Fig. 8) in the housing 1, which results in an underpressure (pressure drop) in the second auxiliary chamber 7o An increase in the travel velocity of the piston (fast response) is facilitated by the venting system and i -Ir let chamber although smaller than the area of the end fac- (10) of an annular projection (11) at the piston /2 11 the system for controlling the flow rate of compressed air.

As the annular recess 21 of the piston 5 is brought in registration with the hole 22 in the housing 1 in the zone of the inlet chamber 2, the pressure of air in the lather is reduced thanks to the escape of compressed air therefrom along the passages 20 to the outside medium, whereby damping of the piston 5 in the inlet chamber 2 is prevented.

The system for controlling the flow rate of compressed air acts to reduce the flow area for feeding compressed air to the inlet chamber 2 from the source (not shown) of compressed air as the piston 5 moves toward the inlet chamber 2, thereby reducing the damping effect on the piston When using the first modification of the system for controlling the flow rate of compressed air, the longitudinal passages 23 are closed by the rods 24, whereas in the second modification of this system the passages 26 are blocked by the body of the piston By virtue of a difference in pressures in the second auxiliary chamber 7 and pressure chamber 4, the valve 14 is caused to more promptly move toward the second auxiliary chamber 7. The compressed air is therefore caused to flow through the passages 44 (Fig. 9) to the head 28 (Fig. 8) of the housing 1, wherefrom it "explodes" to the outside.

After reducing the pressure in the second auxiliary chamber 7, the piston 5 is acted upon by the pressure of compressed air entering through the reduced flow section to slowly move toward the second auxiliary chamber 7. As soon as the flow area of all the longitudinal passages 23 (Fig. 4) opens with reference to the first modification, or the flow area of the passages 26 (Fig. 5) opens with reference to the second modification of the means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air, a sudden increase in the velocity of the piston 5 toward the second auxiliary i a chamber 2 (Fig. 1) takes place during which the piston f~ .i *1 12 blocks the through holes 43 and 22. This causes an increase in the pressure of compressed air in the second auxiliary chamber 7, whereby the valve 14 moves until its tailpiece 17 stops against the seat 45 of the head 28 of the housing 1, and the operation cycle is repeated.

When it is necessary to clean a pipeline transferring a liquid containing a high concentration of suspended matter, the second aforedescribed modification of the second auxiliary chamber 7 in the form of the high pressure hose 29 (Fig. 6) is preferable. Compressed air here flows along the high pressure hose 29 through the passage 32 (Fig. 7) in the head 15 of the valve 14 to enter the additional chamber 31, and then to flow through the non-return valves 34 in the longitudinal passages 33 made in the annular projection 30 at the head 15 of the valve 14 and enter the pressure chamber 4. The non-return valves 34 serve to prevent leaks of air from the pressure chamber 4 to the additional chamber 31.

The time spent by the valve 14 to move toward the pressure chamber 4 is substantially longer than the time of movement of the valve 14 toward the high pressure hose 29. This is mainly due to that the area of the end face 36 of the head 15 of the valve 14 at the side of the pressure chamber 4 is greater than the area of the end face of the head 15 of the valve facing the length pressure hose 29.

As the valve 14 moves toward the high pressure hose 29, compressed air flows the additional chamber 31 tihrough the passage 35, hole 38, annular recess 37 and through passages 39 in the housing 1 to the outside medium to reduce the damping effect of compressed air in the additional chamber 31 and enhance the response of the valve 14.

The safety valves 40 provided in the through passages 39 prevent the venting system from contamination.

When employing the high pressure hose 29, operation of the proposed apparatus proceeds in a similar manner.

During each "explosion" caused by the reactive force produced by air jets escaping from the through passages 27 7~1 1il -c -4 13 (Fig. 8) the apparatus moves forward along the surface of the pipeline being cleaned.

Each such "explosion" generates an air bubble which in turn produces shock waves in the liquid to break deposits from the inner surface of a pipeline or a vessel.

The arrangement of all the through holes 22, 13, 43 communicating, respectively, the inlet chamber 2 and two auxiliary chambers 6, 7 with the outside medium at the side of feeding compressed air rather than at the side of air discharge as is the case with the prior art apparatus, ensures that these chambers are free of contaminants.

The proposed apparatus can be used for cleaning industrial pipelines intended to transfer liquids containing a high concentration of suspended matter.

The present invention can also find application for cleaning various vessels, such as suction chambers of pumping plants, reservoirs of water-cooling towers, settling tanks, etc.

The frequency of "explosions" is controlled by selecting the flow area of the central passage 12 of the piston i v

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Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning pipelines having a housing accommodating in line with the axis thereof an inlet chamber communicating with a source of compressed air, a pressure chamber intended for com- munication with the pipeline being cleaned, and a piston characterized in that the housing is provided with two auxiliary chambers 7) separated by the piston having an air venting system, the first such chamber communicating with the outside medium, the second auxiliary chan,.ber communicatiug with the pressure chamber through an air feeding means provided in a valve (14) of said pressure chamber and with the in- let chamber through a central passage (12) made in the piston the area of an end face of this piston at the side of the second auxiliary chamber being great- er than the area of an end face thereof facing the in- let chamber although smaller than the area of the end face (10) of an annular projection (11) at the piston facing the second auxiliary chamber whereas pro- vided in said housing at the side of the pressure chamber in the zone of discharge of compressed air are through passages (27) with the longitudinal axes of each of these passages coinciding with the vector of the reactive force of the flow of compressed air.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the air feeding means is defined by a longitudinal passage (18) communicating with said second auxiliary chain- ber and radial holes (19) communicating with the lon- gitudinal passage (18) and pressure chamber

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the air venting system of the piston has the form of passages (20) arranged about the periphery of the end face of the piston facing the inlet chamber and communicating this chamber with 'n annular recess (21) made at the outer surface of the piston and coin- municating with the outside medium by way of a through hole (22) made in said housing in the zone of the inlet y 15 chamber at the point when an underpressure is deve- loped in the second auxiliary chanber

4. An appratus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the inlet chamber is provided with a means fo for controlling the flow rate of compressed air.

An apparatUs as calimed in claim 4, characteriz- ed in that the means for controlling the flow rate of compressed air comprises at least one longitudinal pas- sage (23) made in an end face of the housing in the zone of the inlet chamber and communicating with the source of compressed air, and at least one rod member (24) rigidly affixed to the end face of the piston at the side of the inlet chamber the longitudi- nal axis of this rod member coinciding with the axis of the longitudinal passage (23) closable by the rod member (24) at the point when an underpressure is developed in the second auxiliary chamber

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the means for controlling the flow rate of comp- ressed air has the form at least one passage (26) made in the housing in the zone of the inlet chamber (2) communicating by one end with the source of compressed air and by the other end closable by the outer surface of 1p' ?-5SCre& crof the piston at the point of n drpoukin the se- cond auxiliary chamber communicating with said inlet chamber

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second auxiliary chamber has the form of a high pressure hose (29). 30

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the valve (14) has in the zone of the auxiliary chamber an annular projection (30) defining an addi- tional chamber (31) between the second auxiliary chamber and said pressure chamber

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the air feeding means is defined by a passage (32) communicating the second auxiliary chamber with the ~,additional chamber and by longitudinal passages (33) I ~1 16 made in the annular projection (30) and communicating the additional chamber (31) with the pressure chamber at the point when the pressure chamber is filled with comp- ressed air, each of these longitudinal passages having a non-return valve (34). An apparatus as claimed in claim 8,characterized in that the valve (14) is provided with an air venting system in the form of at least one passage(35) arranged at the periphery of the end face of the valve (14) facing the second auxiliary chamber closed at the side of the second auxiliary chamber and communicating with the additional chamber and an annular recess (37) made in the housing in the zone of the second auxilia- ry chamber and communicating by way of a through hole (38) in the valve (14) with its passage (35) when an un- prseeseuris developed in the pressure chamber and by way of through passages (39) made in the housing in the zone of the second auxiliary having each a safety valve (40) communicating with the outside medium. 7 11 1 1 Advisably, the air feeding means is defined by a pas- iri-l~ l i 17 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPELINES Abstract An apparatus for cleaning pipelines comprises a housing accommodating lengthwise of its longitudinal axis an inlet chamber communicating with a source of compressed air, a pressure chamber intended to effect communication with a pipeline being cleaned, and a piston The housing has two auxiliary chambers 7) separated by the piston equipped with an air venting system. The first auxiliary chamber communicates with the outside medium. The second auxiliary chamber com- municates with the pressure chamber via an air feed- ing means arranged inside a valve (14) of the pressure chamber and with the inlet chamber via a central passage (12) made in the piston The area of an end face of the piston facing the second auxiliary cham- ber is greater than an end face thereof facing the inlet chamber but smaller than the area of an end face of an annular projection at the piston facing the second auxiliary chamber Through passages (27) are provided at the housing at the side of the pressu- re chamber in the zone of discharging, the compressed air, the longitudinal axis of each such passage coincid- ing with the vector of reactive force of the flow of com- pressed air. -P

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