US1266140A - Flue-cleaner. - Google Patents

Description

R. J. MONTGOMERY.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

Patented May 14,1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET l.

8.1. MONTGOMERY.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

1 ,Q66, 1 @G. Patented May 14, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

R. I. MONTGOMERY.

I FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

136,140 Patented May14,1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3- Zait Malaya '5',

R. J. MONTGOMERY.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

Patented May 14,1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

i fi fii" W 1.?

ROBERT J. MONTGOMERY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELITE-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14:, 1918.

Application filed February 23, 1915. Serial No. 10,063.

To aZZ whom it may concern: v

is it known that I, Bonner J. Mox'r- GUMERY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flue-Cleaners, of whicln the following is a specification, refi'arence being had to the accompanylng drawings.

This invention relates to fine cleaners and is especially designed for use for cleaning the fines of a tubular boiler, although it can be used for cleaning tubes under any other circumstances, as desired. The invention relates particularly to that type of flue cleaners involving the use of a rotary cutting device which is adapted to be projected into or through a flue by the use of steam, yielding means being provided for returning the cleaning tool after it has been projected through the flue. principal objects of my invention to prov de means in a device of this type for protecting from the moisture and the pressure of the steam the housing and the apparatus located therein by which the flexible means for returning the cutting tool is actuated. W

It another object of my invention to provide a stop device which may be automatically brought into action for stopping the movement of the reel and the forward movement of the cable when the cutting device reaches the end of its forward movement. such automatic stop being adapted to operate without strain upon the reel. yielding cushioning means being preferably interposed. It is another object of my inven tion to provide an improved form of indi cating device by which the operator is enabled to determine readily the position of the cutting tool in the tube being cleaned. it is another object of my invention to provide improved yielding means against which the cutting tool is brought to rest upon its return to normal position after a cleaning operation.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved form of cutting tool for use with devices of this type. It is another object of my invention to provide a new and improved form and arrangement of parts by which the device as a whole shall be very strong and compact. It is another object of my invention to improve the It is one of the means for adjustably supporting the flue cleaner. It is another object of my invention to improve flue cleaners in sundry details hereinafter pointed out.

The preferred means by which I have accomplished my objects are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and are hereinafter specifically described. That which I believe to be new and desire to cover by this application is set forth in the accompanying claims.

In the drawings Figure l is a side view of my improved device, showing a fragmentary portion of the tube of a tubular boiler, and showing in cross-section the trolley-track by which the device is supported;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the housing which contains the mechanism at the rear of the device, being substantially a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section. showing the inside face of one ofthe side walls of the housing, together with the mechanism mounted thereon, being taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal central vertical section through the rear part of the device. being taken substantially on line l& of

Fi but showing the parts in changed position with the cable extended at full length;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail, being a view taken substantially at line in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view, showing the mounting of the spring buffer device which serves as a stop at the end of the forward movement of the cutting device, being a section taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. i;

Fig. 7 is a view of the housing with one of the side walls thereof removed, being taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail, being a longitudinal central sectional view of the for ward end of the device, with the cutting tool projected out of normal position relative thereto;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail showing the means forcentering the cable-inolosing pipe in the steam-pipe, being substantially a section taken on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail, being a perspective view of the bracket forming the of the cutting tool as the view being taken showing a fragmentary view of a boiler tube with the cutter in operative position therein; and

Fig? is H top View of the bracket-1nen1- ber "by which one cndot the supporting chain 'adjustahly held.

Referring to the several figures ot' the drawings lllWlltCll corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference oharactcrs,- indicates a housing (see Fig. 1) extending forward from which is a steam pipe 21 provided at its front end with a tapering engaging'meniber adaptedto be insertedinthe end of a tlue AS best shown in Figs. 4: and f fth-e steam pipe 21 has extendingthroughita smaller pipe 24; through which a cable 25 is adapted to run, the pipe serving toprotect'the cable from the steam as hereinafter described. The cable '25 has revolubly connected to its forward end'means adapted to'be rotated by steam passing torwardthrough thepipe QLsuch means comprising a cutting device 26 to be hereinafter described. The rear end ot' the cable 2:5 is-adapted to-be wound upon a reel 27 revolubly mounted in the housing 90, such reel being rotated for permitting the iorwanl movement of the cutting device 26 against the action of a spring 28 which series at the end otthe'torward movement of the cutting deviceto rewind the cable upon the reel for retracting the rotary cutting device. in indicating de vice 29 is provided for indinting the positionof the cutting devicerelative'to the end of the stcanipipe 21, and a steam valve 30'is provided-for shutting oii the steam as desired when the rotary cutting device reaches the end of its stroke as shown by the indicating device '29. The device as'a whole'is adapted to be supported by a iieXible chain or cable 31. secured to the device as a whole atstwo points and running over a pulley suspended from a trolley operating upon atraclt 3 extending transversely of the boiler at the. 'endt-hereot at which access is had for cleaning the "tines.

The housing '20 comprises a drum-like portion 535 closed at one side by a head 36 formed integral therewith and closed at its other side by head 3'7 adapted to be secured in position thereon by means of screws or in any other suitable manner.

The. housing also comprises a bracket 38 steam pipe thereto. As, is best shown in Figs. 7 and 10, the bracket 38 comprises also atriangular corner plate 38 by which is materially reinforced. its best shown in Figs. 10 and 11. the drum-member the side-closure plate 86 and the bracket 38 are so formed as to fit snugly together for forming a tight housing. As is best shown in Fig. l. the rear end of the pipe is inserted'in the for wanlemlotthc tubular portion being held therein by means of screw-threads, forming thus atight jointbetween them. A. Y-counection it) is connected by means of screw-threads upon theit'orward end of the-tubular portion. 39, in the forward end of which connection the rear end of the steam pipe 21 is secured by means of v threads. A steam pipe ll is also connec by means or screw-threads to the "Y -coin nection l0. leading therefrom in diagonal direction and being secured by chnnping blocks i2%3 to the drum-portion oi: the housing. Ihe steam valve is connected to the. lower end of the steam pipe -1, a pipe etbeing provided-for nnecting the valve 30 with any suitable source of lire steam. By reason of the triangular notion aitorded by the diagonallydisposedpipe t1. the vertically-disposedfront portion of the drum '35, and the'horiZontally-disposed*tubular portion 39, the parts are verystrongly reinforced so as to be insured againsz breakage under anynorinal conditions of use.

The ineanstor supporting the device and for handling it in use comprise handle of wood or other suitable poor condnctor'ot heat secured between two brackets l6-7 which are-preferably secured by means at screws to therear portion-0t the drum Anothersimilar handle e8 is secured upon the construction the steam pipe :21 by means of brackets 4:9-4y0 comprising split-sleevesattheir lower ends adapted to be tightened upon said pipe. The forward end of the flexible connection snwliieh in the construction shown is in the 1 01111 01 :1 chain. connected to the pipe 21hr means of a split-sleeve 51 adapted to be tightened about the pipe. The rein-end of the chain 31 is .cablysecured by means of a* block 52 secured upon the drum 35. its best shown in Fig. 15, the block 52 revolnbly supports arollcr underwhich the chain 31 adapted to run, from which roller the chain extends rearwardly into position be tween two lugs its will be readily understood. the lugs serve to holdthe chainagainstlongitudinal movement under the roller At the same time the rear end of the chaininaybe readily lifted out of position between the said lugs. whereupon the chain can be adjusted as desired to van lit) Cir

neceneo the length of thesupporting.portionithereof as desired whereupon the chain can-again be quicl'rlyand easil; brought =into operative engagementwitlrsaid lugs. In the construction shown thehan'clle is made hollow whereby the rearend of the chain is adapted to-extend=through the handle so as to be kept out of theway.

As is'best shown inFi-gs. 8 and 9, the forward end ofthe pipe Qtis centered in the steam pipe-21 by means of screws 56 extending radially/through the pipe 21 into contact with thepipe 2st. Asis bestshown in Fig. 6, the tapering engaging member 22 is secured upon the forward end'of the steam pipe 21 by means of-screw threads whereby it is adjustable slightly longitudinally of the pipe. A conical spring 57 is secured by means of screws 58 within the engaging member 22 and extending forward'frorn the front end of the steam pipe -2l, as is best shown in said Fig. 8.

The rotary cuttingdevice 26 is-secured tothe forward end o'f thecable 25in the construction shown through the medium of a rod '59 to which the forward end of the able is aflixed in any suitablemanner (see Fig. ll). The rod 59 is'provided with a head 60 which is adapted to be brought into contact with the forward' end of the conical spring 57 for cushioning the rearward movement of the cutter 26 and the cable 25, thus cushioning also the corresponding movement of thereel-Q'I. As is clearly shown in said Fig. 1%, the rotary cutting device is revolubly mounted upon the forward end ofthe rod 59. being secured thereon by means of nuts 61, or in any'other suitable manner.

As is shown clearly in Figs. 12'and 13, the rotary cutter 26 comprises a hub portion 62 by which it is revolubly mounted upon the rod 59. Fixedly secured upon'the hub 62 i a plate 63 cut and twisted into the form of a fan or propeller. pon each of the blades 6i thus formed by the plate'63, upon the rear edge thereof in the direction .of'rotation of the cutter, thereisfixe'd a cutting device '65, one edge of whichis turned to extend forwardythus providinga plurality of cutting edges adapted to engage the soot or other matter deposited-upon the inner surface of the flue-as is'shown in Fig-14. As is clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the front edge of each of the blades 64: overlaps the-rear edge of the adjacent cntting'device 65, by reason of which the steam projected against the rotary cutter is rendered -more"efi'ective for producing rotation of the-said rotary cutter. As isbest shownin Fig. 2, the reel 27 is mountedin the housing 26 by-means of a shaft 66 which is suitably journale'din the side walls 36"and 37, the reel 27 being revolubly mounted upon said shaft by means of a hub 67 formed integrally-therewith. As is clearly shown in sziidFigpQ the inner end &

of the spring 2S .lS 'ifixedly attached to the shaft 66, the outerend of said spring being secured in any suitable manner to the inner periphery of:the drum-portion 'ofthe reel 27, as:is shown in :Fig. l. Upon the outer end of the shaft 66 adjacent to theside member fixed aratchet wheel 68 which is held against rotation relative tothe shaft, in'thc construction shownsaid ratchet wheel h avi an angular bearing upon said shaft. A dog 69 is pivotally mounted upoirthe plate 36 adja cent totheratchet wheel 68 and adapted to be turned into-operative engagement therewith, as is shown in Fig 5. l l ith the dog 69 in engagementwith the ratchet wheel 68 so asto hold the shaft 66 against rotation in clockwise direction in Fig. 5, whereby the ma id: shaft is held against rotation in counterclockwise direction in Fig. l, the spring 28 serves to resist rotation of thereel 27 in counterclockwise direction in Fig. 'l. The shaft 66 is shown in Figs. 1 :and 2:projecting beyond the plate 37 of the housing, being square in cross-section for the engagement of a suitable turning tool by which the shaft 66- is adapted to be rotated relative to the t-eel 27 for-tightening or loosening the tension of the spring-Q8 as desired.

The cable is designed to be of such a length as to correspond to the length of fines which are to be cleaned, the entire length of cable being-designed to be run out from the reel upon each actuation of the cleaning dc vice 26. The means for attaching the rear end of the cable-25 tothe reel and for yieldingly stopping the forward movement of theicablc and "therotary'movcment of the reel at the end of-the forward movement of the rotary cutting device comprises an arm 70 pivotally mounted upon the reel 27 and adapted to move between its extended position as shown in Fig. i and itsretracted po sition as shown in'Fig. '7. As is clearly shown in Fig. l, the connection of the rear end of the cable 25 to the arm 70 is such that when the cable extends forward directly from the arm in its extended position as shown in- Fig. l, the free portionof the cable is directly in alinement with that por tion of the cable embraced by the arm 70, whereby the likelihood ofiundue wear upon the cable at the point of its connection to the arm is reduced to a minimum. In the constructionshown the arm 70 is mounted ina slot through the drum-portion of the i reel 27, being pivotally mounted by'means of a pin 71 supported by the web of the reel 27 andb a suitable bracket 72 mounted uponsaid web. As will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 4, when the reel 27 is rotated in clockwise direction from the position shown in saidfigure the arm' TO is adapted to move inward so as to be almost wholly retracted from its extended posit-iomthe upper edge of the-arm 70 being curved to conform approximately to the curvature of the drum-portion of the reel 27.

As will be readily understood, when the reel 27 is rotating; in counterclockwise direction in Fig. l in the process of unwinding the final coil of cable 25 from the reel, as the reel 27 approaches the position shown in lli l the arm will be extended by the pull of the cable thereon into the position shown in said figure. Shortly before the arm 70 reaches the position shown in said iig. l the said arm is brought into contact with the head of a butler 73 which is mounted in a recess 7% at one side of they tubular portion 2-39 or the bracket-3S, a spring 75 being mounted in said recess to yieldingly resist the forward movement of the buffer therein. The butter '73 is held against turning in the recess Ti and against withdrawal therefrom by means of a key 76 suitably secured upon the bracket 38 with its inner end engaging a suitable groove 77 in the said butler.

lhe indicator 29 is mounted upon the outer end of a pin 78 journaled in the plate having mounted upon its inner end a gear 79, .neshing with which is a pinion 80 which mounted upon a pin 81 journaled at one end in the plate 37 and at the other end in a suitable bracket 82 secured to said plate 37. Fixed upon the pin 81 is another gear 83 which meshes with a gear S-l lined upon the hub 67 or the reel 27. lhe indicating device 2 9 is thus geared down relative to the reel 27 whereby in the can s'truction shown the said device 2-9 is adapted to be 'iven one complete rotation. for each rota n of the reel 27 for unwinding such length of cable to enable the cut-- ting device 26 to clean a twenty-tour foot flue. A graduated plate 85 is fixed upon in the construction shown, aoapted to cooperate with the arrow upon the indicator for showing the extent by which the cutting device 26 has been projected forward.

In the operation of the device, when the cutting device '26 approaches the end of its operative stroke as is indicated to the attendant by the position of the indicator 29, the attendant through the use of a braking device can slow down the rotation of the reel so as to be able to close the valve 80 at the proper interval. This braking device comprises a lever 86 pivotally mounted upon the inner face of the plate 37, the turned end 8'? of which lever is adapted to be brought into engagement with the inner periphery of the drum-portion of the reel 27. The lever 86 is normally held out of operative position by a spring 88 attached to the lever 86 and to the plate 37. A stop 89 is mounted upon the plate 37 adjacent to the lever 86 adapted to hold the lever 86 the plate 37,

against the action of the spring 88 in approximately an operative position.

iv the use of my improved construction involving the pipe 2% surrounding the cable 25 at the point where the steam enters the rear end of the steam pipe 21, the steam is prevented from entering the housing 26, the resistance which the steam encounters in its forward movement by reason of being brought into contact with the rotary cutter being insuilicient to cause reversal of direction of the flow of the steam such as would be necessary to cause the steam to low rearwardly through the pipe 24.

/Viile l have shown the pipe as extending the full length of the pipe 21, l do not wish to restrict mysel; to that particle lar construction except as hereinafter specifically claimed inasmuch as it is believed that a length of pipe :r-l about the cable at the rear end of th device such as to direct toe team forward along the pipe 21. would unu r certain conditions or use be sutlicient for preventing the flow of the steam buckward within the pipe 2 without ex ending such pipe Zlto the forward end of the pipe 21. Moreover I do not wish to restrict myself at all to having the flexible connector extend through the steam-pipe except as hereinafter specifically claimed, the essential feature being that the flexible connector be brought to proper pot ion relative to the cleaning device 26 which is in position to be iged to advantage by the steam, the o. t being such that the steam has ll ll lllll riot-er flow past the point where the hesmle connector and the steam are brought 0 move along parallel or coincident niths whereby the steam is caused to coninue its forward flow without danger of changing direction to flow backward along the advancing cable. V

ll'hile l have described my improved device in both the specification and claims as being operable by steam and as being op crated by a supply of steam from any suitable source and desire tohave the device operated by steam for the use with which it is primarily designed, it will be understood that i do not wish to restrict myself to the use of steam, but that the word steam used in the specification and claims is eunt to include and too ver the use of any other appropriate fluid under pressure, and my claims are to be construed accordingly.

ll hat 1 claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. in a line cleaner, the combination oi a pipe, a smaller pipe extending through said first-named pipe, means for feeding fluid. under pressure to the rear end portion of said firstsnamed pipe about said secondnamed pipe, means for closing the rear end of said first-named pipe about said smaller pipe in rear of the point of admission of said fluid under pressure, a flexible connector extending loosely through said smaller pipe and closed off thereby from the fluid under pressure in said first-named pipe except at the open front end portion of said smaller pipe, and a cleaning device connected to the forward end portion of said flexible connector and adapted to be projected along a flue by the force of the fluid under pressure delivered through said firstnamed pipe to the flue in rear of the cleaning device.

2. In a flue cleaner, the combination of a pipe, a tapering discharge nozzle of greater diameter than that of said pipe secured on the forward end of said pipe, a smaller pipe extending through said flrst-named pipe and into said nozzle, closure means for closing the rear end of said first-named pipe about said smaller pipe, means for feeding fluid under pressure to the rear end portion of said first-named pipe in front of said closure means, such fluid under pressure being free to move forward within said firstnamed pipe about said smaller pipe, a flexible connector 'extending loosely through said smaller pipe and closed off thereby from the fluid under ,pressure in said firstnamed pipe except at the open front end of said smaller pipe, said flexible connector being adapted to move freely through said smaller pipe, and a cleaning device connected to the forward end portion of said flexible connector and adapted to be projected along a flue by the force of fluid under pressure delivered through said firstnamed pipe to the flue in rear of said cleaning device.

3. In a flue cleaner, the combination of a pipe, a smaller pipe extending through said first-named pipe, a housing communicating with the rear end portion of said secondnamed pipe, said housing being completely closed except for its communication with said pipe, means for feeding fluid under pressure to the rear end portion of said first-named pipe about said second-named pipe, means for closing the rear end of said first-named pipe about said second-named pipe in rear of the point of admission of said fluid under pressure, a flexible connector extending loosely through said second pipe and closed off thereby from the fluid under pressure in said first-named pipe except at the open forward end portion of said smaller pipe, means located within said housing for drawing said flexible connector backward through said second-named pipe, and a cleaning device connected to the forward end portion of said flexible connector and adapted to be projected along a flue by the force of the fluid under pressure delivered through said first-named pipe to the flue in rear of said cleaning device.

at. In a flue cleaner, the combination of a cleaning device adapted to be projected along a flue by the force of fluid delivered to the flue in rear of said cleaning device, a flexible connector connected to said cleaning device and adapted to be projected into said flue with said cleaning device, a head operatively connected with said cleaning device, means for delivering fluid to a flue to be cleaned, and a conical spring carried by said fluid-delivery means against which said head is adapted to be brought for stopping the rearward movement of the flexible cona nector upon its withdrawal from the fluid.

5. In a flue-cleaner, the combination of a pipe, an engaging member fixed on the forward end of said pipe, a conical spring secured in said member, a rod having a head adapted to be brought into engagement with the forward end of said spring, a cleaning device revolubly mounted on the forward end of said rod, said cleaning device being adapted to be projected along a flue by the force of fluid delivered to said pipe in rear of the cleaning device, a flexible connector connected to said rod and adapted to be projected into said flue with said cleaning device, and means for retracting said flexible connector.

ROBERT J. MONTGOMERY. Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. FURNNER, W. H. DE BURK.

\Bopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G.

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