US2315133A

US2315133A - Pipe line cleaner

Info

Publication number: US2315133A
Application number: US277507A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur H Rincy; Louis J Weber
Original assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Current assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Priority date: 1939-06-05
Filing date: 1939-06-05
Publication date: 1943-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1960-03-30

Description

March 30, 1943. A, RlNEY E TAL 2,315,133

PIPE LINE CLEANER Filed June 5, 1939 L. J. WEBER Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE LINE CLEANER Arthur H. Riney and Louis J. Weber, Bartlesville, Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1939, Serial No. 277,507

9 Claims.

. of the piping. Ihe substances so deposited will gradually build up until they Will eventually not only restrict and reduce ow, but will also contaminate slugs of diiferent fluids that may be passed through the line. If it is desired to use the same pipe line to carry a quantity of white gasoline or like product, the deposits of parafln must be completely removed, otherwise the gasoline will become tainted. A gasoline which has been contaminated in this manner cannot be used but must iirst be reprocessed at the receiving end of the pipe line in order to extract the adulterating components. This is obviously an expensive procedure, as it necessitates a costly duplication of equipment and eiort.

Numerous attempts have been made to rectify this condition by means of mechanical devices which are passed through the line to scrape off the deposits on the pipe wall, thus lowering the frictional resistance to ow. By the use of conventional types of Scrapers, pipe lines may now be kept free .from thick deposits which ltend. to hinder flow. On the other hand, experience has proven that these devices do not completely clean the interior wall of the piping as they allow films of the objectionable substances to remain on the inner surface of the piping. These films are as undesirable as thick deposits from the viewpoint of contamination and must be removed before a second iluid can be transported without danger of adulteration. One method of removing these lms is by running a slug of a suitable cleansing solution through line to dis- -solve and carry away the undesirable coating.

all of which are constructed and arranged into a unitary assembly. Means are provided to impart a rotary motion to one of the brushes with the result that it will vigorously scour the inner surface of the pipe line and in that way remove either heavy or thin lms. A series of spaced baffles intermediate the ends of our cleaner are designed slightly smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the piping. The fluid which propels the cleaner through the pipe line will attain a higher velocity as it passes through the annular region between these baiiles and the pipe walls, thereby creating additional scouring action. In the practice of our invention we recommend the use of gasoline as the propelling fluid as it is a good solvent for paraffin. Therefore, bymeans of the solvent effect and high velocity of the gasoline between the baiiies and the pipe wall and by virtue of the scouring and scrubbing action of the rotating brush, We are able to more thoroughly clean a pipe line than has been possible heretofore. When deposits inside aline havek been permitted to build up to an appreciable extent, the best results can be obtained by first passing the usual type of scraper therethrough in order to remove the major portion of the material and then employing our cleaner to remove the remaining comparatively thin coating.

It is the primary object of this invention to remove material which is'deposited on the inside wall of piping in the course of normal service.

Another object of our present invention is to thoroughly remove comparatively thin lms of undesirable substances from the interior of a pipe line or similar conduit system.

The present invention has for a further object the provision of a pipe line cleaning device which is simple and compact in design, rugged in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

These and additional objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description and annexed drawing which represents a longitudinal cross section view through the center of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The device of this invention is depicted in the drawing as having its major portion disposed in a pipe l0 and moving therethrough in the direction of the arrow, with the rear cleaning elements in close contact with the internal surface of the pipe and a valve mechanism in full open position.

Referring to the drawing, we have. denoted therein a section of pipe I Il which is to be cleaned -ameter of the pipe.

'member and annular space 38.

some other-known method. Mounted near each end of the central body is a pair of :dexible wipingdiscs |4, which are made of rubber or any like substance, and a wire brush I5. It will be noted that the peripheral surfaces of the :dexible discs arefrustro-conical in shape; and, also that the'forw'ard' discsare provided with one or more fluid passagewaysl. Through the cooperation of nuts |1 and I8 and back-up plates I9, 23 and 2|, the corresponding disc and brush assemblies are maintained in proper position on the central body. Truncated cone shaped baffles 22 are attached to tubular member and are designed so that the diameter of the larger end is somewhat smaller than the internal di- The open end of tubular member |I is beveled inwardly at 23 to serve as a valvek seat for a valve 24, whichis removably attached to one end of a valve stem 25 through the coaction of a shoulder 26, a metal ringv 21 and a nut 28. The other end of `the valve stem is slidably supported in'Y a flanged sleeve 29 which is in threaded engagement with a partition 3|).` This `partition is threadedly connected to the inside .wall of the tubular member and is provided with a series of fluid ducts 3|.` An externally threaded an,-

nular vring 32, having'an opening 33 to receive an actuating wrench (not shown), locks the partition in the `desired position. Referring back to the valve, it is seen that it is normally maintained in open position by a compression springv 34 which is concentrically'arranged with respect to the stem between a flange 35 and sleeve 29.'

When valve 24 is fully open, its relative'position with respect to its seatl23 may be readily altered by merelyy adjusting sleeve 29, partition 30,'or both.r An end nut 36 `is employed to vary vthe force exerted byVV compression spring 34.

of the pipe walls. During the passage of our device vthrough pipe III, the forward assembly of flexible discs I4 and brush l5 tends to wipe off and brush some of the deposits. Through the cooperation of rollers 43 and sleeve 39, brush 42 is caused torotate and thoroughly scrub the inside of the pipe. It is evident that while the wiping and brushing action of the forward and rear disc andbrush assemblies is in the direction of the axis of the pipe, brush 42 revolves about the pipe axis, thus assuring more thorough cleaning. A portion of the propelling fluid normally flows by valve 24, into tubular member through' ports 31 and thence into annular space 38. This part of the fluid exerts a pressure on the bailles 22; and, in passing between the larger end of each baille and /the' pipe, the velocity of the fluid will be increased, thereby creating a washing action on the pipe wall. The fluid then passes through brush `42, uid passages I8 and front brush,|5. The material which is removed from the pipe wall is carried through and beyond v our device by the fluid, and collections of matevirtue ofthe above described construction, itis evident that our valvel has a wide range of adjustability. A series of fluid ports 31 establishes communication with the interior of the tubular A cylindrical sleeve 39, concentric with shaft l2, is free to rotate on bearings 4Il`.'r Onev end of` this sleeve bears against a frictionless .ring 4| while the other end bears against plate 2|. wire brush 42 is mounted'on" this sleeve between a xed back-up plate 43 and a removable back-up lplate 44 which is held against the brush by a nut 45. A plurality of spring 'arms 46 are aiiixed to sleeve 39 and are' forked at their ends 41 to receive rollers 48 which are journaled uponl pins 49. The periphery'ofeach roller is serrated as Yindicatedy by 'reference numeral^5|l in order to Vaiord greatertraction when pressed against the inner surface'of the pipe. With the axesof the rollers `disposed at an'r angle to the direction of movement of our cleaner through the pipe line, 'L a rotary motion is imparted'to'y sleeve 39 and .k brush 42 during the cleaning procedure.

For the'purpose of outlining the operation of the instant invention, let us first assume that only a comparatively thin layer orl accumulation of the contaminating material is present in the pipe. Our cleaner is inserted in the pipe and is propelled by a suitable slug" of'liquid, preferablyfgasolineunder pressure, in the direction o indicated by the arrow in the drawing. The principle of operation of our cleaner is based on I a combined wiping, washing and cross brushing rial will not be collected either inside or directly in front of the cleaner.

The rate' of travel of the cleaner through the pipe is dependent upon the internal diameter of tubular member and the number and size of ducts 3| and ports 31.' The slower the cleaner moves with respect to the velocity of the fluid, the more fluid must pass\therethrough. Conversely, if less fluid passes through the cleaner, the cleaner will travel faster 'n the piping. 'I'he valve arrangement is employed to insure a predetermined rate of travel and to prevent the device from becoming stuck in the line. Should movement of the cleaner become hindered by an obstruction, such as a thick layer of deposit, the pressure of thefiuid will partially or completely close valve 24 against rthe action of spring 34. Consequently, less fluid enters tubular member resulting in a greater pressure drop across the cleaner and an increase in pressure on the back end of the cleaner. This increased pressure on the back end of our device will urge the same past the obstruction, at which time the valve will reopen and the cleaner will again function in a normal manner.

From theforegoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of our presentinvention will be readilycoxnprehended by persons skilled in thel art. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to be taken Vas a. preferred example of the same and that lvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention as defined by the appended'claims.

1. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body including a tubular member; cleaning meansincluding an impervious piston connected to thecentral body; a normally vopen valve associated with Ythe tubular member;

and-means responsive to a'predeterrnined rise in pressure behind the piston for actuating the valve to close the same. i l

2. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body including a tubular member; a valve associated with the tubular member; spring'urged means for normally maintaining the valve in open position; said means being responsive to fluid pressure to close the valve and control the flow of fluid therethrough; and

cleaning means including an impervious piston connected to the central body.

3. A iiuid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body including a tubular member; cleaning means including an impervious piston connected to the central body; cleaning means rotatably connected to the central body; a normally open valve associated with the tubular member; and means responsive to a predetermined rise in pressure behind the piston for actuating the valve to close the same.

4. A uid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body including a tubular member; a valve associated with the tubular member; spring urged means for normally maintaining the valve in open position; said means being responsive to iluid pressure to close the valve and control the flow of fluid therethrough; cleaning means including an impervious piston xedly connected to the central body; and cleaning means rotatably connected to the central body.

5. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body including a tubular member; a pair of cleaning means connected to the central body, at least one of the cleaning means including an impervious piston; a baille on the central body intermediate the cleaning means; a passage in the tubular member for transmitting fluid from one end of the central body to the baille; a normally open valve associated with the tubular member; and means responsive to a predetermined rise in pressure behind the piston for actuating the valve to close the passage.

6. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body including a tubular member; a pair of cleaning means iixedly connected to the central body, each cleaning means including a pair of`wiping discs and a brush mounted therebetween; a baille on the central body intermediate the cleaning means; a passage in the tubular member by-passing one of the pair of wiping discs; normally open valve means connected to the tubular member, said valve means being adapted to close the passage upon rise in lpressure behind the discs; and cleaning means rotatably connected to the central body.

7. A iiuid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central body includlng a tubular member and a shaft member; a pair oi.' cleaning means fixedly connected to the central body, each cleaning means including a pair of wiping discs and a brush mounted therebetween; a baille on the central body intermediate the cleaning means; a passage in the tubular member for transmitting fluid from one end of the central body to the baiile; a normally open valve assoelated with the tubular member; means responsive to uid pressure for closing the valve to control the passage of uid therethrough; and cleaning means rotatably mounted on the shaft member, said last mentioned means including a sleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft, a brush attached to the sleeve and a plurality of rollers inclined with relation to the axis of the pipe for cooperating with the sleeve and the interior wall of the pipe to impart rotary motion to the brush which is attached to the sleeve.

8. A liquid actuated pipe cleaning device comprising a central body; a driving piston connected to the central body and adapted to engage the inner wall of a pipe in which the device is used; a passage for by-passing a portion of the actuating liquid past the piston; baille means associated with the central body for directing the by-passed liquid toward the pipe wall to obtain a flushing action; a valve in the passage; spring urged means for normally maintaining the valve in open position; said valve being adapted to close the passage upon rise in pressure behind the piston if the movement of the device through the pipe is stopped by an obstruction; and cleaning means connected to the central body.

9. A liquid actuated pipe cleaning device comprising a central body; a driving piston connected to the central body and adapted to engage the inner wall of a pipe in which the device is used; a passage for by-passing a portion oi the actuating liquid past the piston; baille means associated with the central body for directing the by-passed liquid toward the pipe wall to obtain a ushing action; a valve in the passage; spring urged means for normally maintaining the valve in open position; said valve being adapted to close the passage upon rise in pressure behind the piston if the movement of the device through the pipe is stopped by an obstruction; cleaning means fixedly connected to the central body; and cleaning means rotatably connected to the central body.

ARTHUR H. RINEY. LOUIS J. WEBER.