US2741878A - Mobile pipe cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Description

April 17, 1956 c. F. MORAIN 2,741,878

MOBILE PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l O n I- HH *5 ':.t::::::: i

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INVENTOR CLIFFORD E MORAIN ATTORNEY April 17, 1956 c. F. MORAlN 2,741,878 I MOBILE PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CLIFFORD F. MORAIN ATTORNEY United States Patent MOBILE PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS Clifiord F. Morain, Youngstown, Qhio Application March 10, 1953, Serial No. 341,545 1 Claim. (CI. 51-14 The present invention relates to pipe and tube cleaning apparatus of the type frequently employed in the construction and maintenance of pipe line systems, and more particularly to certain improvements in such apparatus whereby the same is adapted for convenient movement from one site of operation to another as may be required in the construction or servicing of a cross-country pipe line, for example.

Cleaning and reconditioning of sections of pipe and tubing, it has been found, can be advantageously accomplished through the use of abrasive blast equipment which is arranged to cause a continuous stream of abrasive material to be impinged upon the exterior surface of th e pipe while the latter moves relative to the stream. In particular, shot blasting, wherein discrete metal particles are impinged upon the surface of the pipe, has been found to be especially effective as a method of cleaning dirt, oxide scale, and other matter from the exterior surface of pipe.

In the economical operation of shot blast equipment, howevenprovision must be made for separating the shot particles from the dirt and other foreign matter so that the shot may be recovered and reused. Conventional shot blasting equipment therefore commonly combines with a blasting cabinet suitable separating means including elevator means for conveying the spent shot from the bottom of the cabinet to a receiver or hopper positioned above the blasting cabinet. The shot particles are then subsequently controllably fed into the blast cabinet and impinged on the article or articles to be cleaned.

Generally, the apparatus required for separating spent shot particles from other foreign matter, and particularly the elevator means employed therewith, is of considerable size and bulk and When in assembled relation is of considerable height. Thus, the use of this particular type of apparatus in the manner herein contemplated has been thought to be impractical due to substantial difiiculties in disassembling and storing the apparatus for transportation from one site of operation to another, it being understood that bridge underpasses and other places of restricted height clearance substantially preclude the transportation of such apparatus in an assembled condition.

Accordingly, it is the ultimate object of the present invention to provide a substantially self-contained mobile pipe cleaning unit, including a conventional shot blast cabinet and ancillary equipment, which is characterized by certain modifications and improvements by means of which the cleaning equipment may be readily disassembled to permit transportation of the apparatus from one site to another and quickly and easily reassembled at a new site of operation. The above object also contemplates the provision of apparatus of the type described which is so modified and arranged that a minimum amount of disassembly time and eifort is required to ready the apparatus for transportation, and a like minimum of assembly time and effort is required to subsequently condition the apparatus for use at a new site of operation.

More particularly, it is an object of the present inventionto provide an operative combination of a complete abrasive blast plant, including recovery means for the abrasive material, with a motor vehicle or detachable vehicle-drawn trailer whereby to provide a substantially self-contained mobile cleaning unit which may be easily transported from place to place.

In connection with the above object, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a substantially self-contained mobile pipe cleaning unit comprising an abrasive blast plant and a motor vehicle or trailer wherein the blast plant may be permanently assembled on the bed of the vehicle or trailer, but to a certain extent foldable or'collapsible with respect thereto so that in contemplation of moving the unit from one place to another the plant may be readily collapsed to permit passage of the unit through restricted clearance areas.

More specifically, the present invention teaches the combining of a complete abrasive blast plant with a vehicle or trailer in such manner that those parts of the plant which in assembled relation protrude excessively from the vehicle may be readily pivoted into inoperative positions within or substantially within the peripheral limits of the vehicle so that the same may be moved freely from place to place.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a complete substantially self-contained mobile cleaning unit of thetype above described which may be easily and economically constructed. And in this respect the invention contemplates the use in combination with convetn tional blast plant apparatus of a conventional tractor drawn semi-trailer which is modified in accordance with the teachings of the invention to foldably or collapsibly mount the blast plant apparatus. As will hereafter become apparent I may profitably utilize this same trailer in the additional capacity of a carrier for all or substantially all of the conveyor apparatus which is commonly employed in connection with pipe cleaning apparatus of the general type contemplated.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawing wherein is disclosed a certain preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a self-contained mobile pipe cleaning unit constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1,

showing the apparatus as in actual use;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion ofdFig ure 2 illustrating details of construction thereof; an

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section view taken generally along line IVIV of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing the numeral 1%) designates generally an elongated trailer which is preferably a conventional semi-trailer of the type commonly utilized for transporting a plurality of automobiles from place, to place. In accordance with the teachings of the invention the trailer 10 has been removed of its original superstructure so that only the lower shell portion 11, including the wheels 12, remain of 1 the original apparatus. The shell portion 11 in accordance with usual construction, comprises a substantially flat load supporting bed 13 with relatively low side walls 14-. The wheels 12 are conventionally located nearthe rear of the elongated trailer.

Mounted on the trailer. 10 substantially directly above the wheels 12 is a conventional shot blast cabinet 15 which is supported above the bed 13 by legs16. In accordance with usual construction the cabinet 15 is provided with a funnel-like lower wall 17 having an opening therein and a duct 18 leading from the opening through which refuse and spent abrasive shot may flow from the cabinet. ,Also in accordance with usual construction the cabinetlfi is provided with a suitable hopper or reservoir 19 for shot or other abrasive material, which hopper is positioned in fixed relation above the top wall of the cabinet. A motor 20 (see Figure 2) is also mounted on the cabinet 15 for operating a suitable centrifugal device, not shown, forming a part of the cabinet assembly, so that shot from the hopper 19 may be injected into the cabinet in .a high velocity stream.

Cleaning of pipe, for example, in the cabinet 15 is accomplished by causing separate lengths .of pipe 21 to pass transversely through the cabinet, the pipe being continuously rotated about its longitudinal axis, so that all surface areas of the pipe are exposed to the high velocity stream of abrasive material issuing from the hopper 19 into the cabinet. Openings 22 are provided in opposite side walls of the cabinet 15 to permit passage of the pipe therethrough. And in accordance with preferred practice suitable replaceable templates 23 may be provided for various sizes of pipe so that the openings 22 may be varied in conformity with size of the pipe being cleaned at any time. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the openings are aligned transversely of the principal axis of the elongated trailer 10 so that pipe sections 21 may be moved transversely of the trader during cleaning operations as illustrated in Figure 2.

To carry the pipe sections through the cabinet 15 1 provide suitable conveyor devices as shown at 24 and 24. And in the present embodiment of the invention motive power for the conveyors 24 and 24',is furnished by an electric motor 25 mounted on the rear side wall of the cabinet 15. The motor 25 is provided with power shafts Which extend from each end thereof and which are operatively con ected with individual variable speed transmissions 26 and 27 of any suitable type. The output shafts of the transmissions 26 and 27 are connected in driving relation to conveyors 24 and 24 respectively so that an operator may independently vary the speed of travel of pipe sections on either of the conveyors 24 or 24' as may be desired. Thus, it is often preferred to cause the pipe sections to approach and leave the cabinet 15 at relatively high speed while passing through the cabinet at a relatively slow speed, and this may be accomplished with the present apparatus by appropriate manipulation of the transmissions 26 and 27 as will be understood.

In the practical and economical operation of abrasive cleaning apparatus of the type herein contemplated it is necessary to recover the spent abrasive shot for subsequent reuse, and this of course necessitates separation of the shot from dirt, scale and other foreign matter which collects in the cabinet 15. Accordingly, it is common practice .to provide a suitable elevator device 28, comprising an elongated vertical duct 29 having a continuous bucket type conveyor belt 30 therein, which operates to collect the spent abrasive and refuse from the cabinet, raise the same substantially above the cabinet and supply hopper 19 therefor so that separation of the abrasive and subsequent deposit of the same in the hopper may be accomplished. Of course, it is possible to utilize other procedures for separation of the abrasive shot, but all such procedures contemplate elevation of at least the shot so that the same may be deposited in the hopper 19.

The specific apparatus employed for separating the shot from the refuse carried along therewith forms no part of the present invention and will therefore not be described in detail. However by way of general description the apparatus may comprise, in addition to the elevating mechanism 28, a centrifugal device, not shown, positioned at or adjacent the upper end of the duct 29 which device is adapted to act upon the heterogeneous mixture of mateit t rials to eiIect a separation thereof and to direct the separated materials into separate outlet passages. Thus, it is contemplated that reusable :abrasive shot will be directed rearwardly of the duct 29 into the rear portion of a hoodlike enclosure 34, the hood having an opening in its bottom wall communicating with the hopper 19 whereby the separated shot particles are discharged directly into such hopper and retained therein for subsequent reuse. Heavy foreign particles are directed into the forward portion of the hood 34 and into a receiving bin 31 located beneath such forward portion whereby such foreign particles may be collected :and periodically disposed of. Lighter foreign particles are directed into a receiving bin 32 opening into the 'upper forward portion of the hood 34. And these particles are also collected and periodically disposed of.

To eliminate dust and other fine matter it is conven tional to provide a suitable filter cabinet 33 which communicates with the upper end portion of the elevator mechanism 28 through an air system comprising ducts 35 and 36 and blower 37, the latter being powered by motor 38. In the ordinary operation of the apparatus, air is circulated rapidly through this system, causing dust and other fine lightweight particles to be removed from the elevator mechanism 28 and carried to the filter cabinet 33 wherein there is conventionally provided suitable means, not shown, for filtering and collecting such dust for subsequent removal at periodical intervals.

Upon inspection of Figure .l of the drawing it will .be immediately observed that while the bulk of the com ponents of the shot blast plant are positioned fairly within the normal outlines of the trailer structure the elevator mechanism extends considerably above the other parts of the apparatus and also considerably above practical clearance limits so that transportation of the apparatus in the thus assembled relation would be wholly impractical if not impossible. Accordingly I have provided for the convenient disassembly of the apparatus to the extent that the elevator mechanism may be positioned well within normal clearance limits so that the apparatus may be transported as desired.

Thus, referring now to Figure 4, it will be observed that the mechanism 28 is secured to the trailer 10 by means of a pivotal support 39 which connects the mechanism 28 adjacent the lower end thereof. And preferably the support 39 is located somewhat above the lower end extremity of the duct 29 so that the latter normally extends downwardly through a suitable opening provided in the bed 13 of the trailer. This arrangement permits the entire plant apparatus to be supported at a lower level whereby to improve the general stability of the combined mobile unit as will be understood. This factor is important in that increased road speeds are thus provided and transportation of the unit from place to place is facilitated accordingly.

By pivotally supporting the elevator mechanism in the manner above described it is possible, in preparation of moving the mobile unit to a new location, to pivot the entire mechanism 28 forwardly into the position shown in broken lines in Figure 1, wherein the mechanism is wholly or substantially wholly within the peripheral confines of the trailer 10. The described mounting arrangement of course contemplates certain features of construction which provide additional and more rigid support for the mechanism 28 when the same is in operative position, which means are of a generally quickly disconnectible type, and other arrangements, also of a disconnectible type for providing operative communication between the elevator mechanism and the blast cabinet 15 and filter cabinet 33.

For example, to assist in supporting the elevator mechanism 28 in operative position I have secured rearwardly extending arms 40 to the hood 34, which arms are adapted to engage the upper surface of a rigid supporting platform '41 extending upwardly from the blast cabinet 15. Bolts 42 are employed to releasably fasten the arms 40 to the support 41 so that the mechanism 28 may be easily secured in place or released for retraction as may be the case.

As additional support for the mechanism 28 I may utilize one of the cross beam members 43 of a superstructure framework 44 which is constructed on the trailer for the primary purpose of strengthening the shell 11 so that the same may be adequate for supporting the relatively heavy cleaning plant in travel over rough terrain. As illustrated in Figure 3, the cross beam member 43 is removably secured to the superstructure 44 by means of bolts 45. And the arrangement, as illustrated in Figure l, is such that the beam 43 supports the mechanism 28 against pivotal movement into a retracted position as long as the same is bolted in place. However, to ready the mobile unit for travel the beam 43 may be readily removed. as will be apparent.

A second cross beam 46, provided for general strengthening and support, also must be removed in order to pivot the elevator mechanism 28 into retracted position, and this member may be secured in the same manner as member 43 as will be readily apparent.

As shown in Figure 4, the elevator mechanism 28 is provided adjacent its lower end with a short duct portion 47 leading upwardly toward the downwardly directed duct 18 leading from the blast cabinet 15. The ducts 47 and 18 are arranged to be spaced from each other when the apparatus is in assembled relation so that there will be no interference therebetween when the elevator mechanism 28 is pivoted between operative and retracted positions. Thus, to complete the passage between the cabinet and elevator 28 I provide a separable coupling 49 which normally connects the ducts 47 and 18, but which may be readily removed to permit retraction of the mechanism 28.

Suitable removable connections, not shown, are also provided for each of the air ducts 35 and 36 so that the same may be disconnected and disassembled from the mechanism 28 to permit retraction of the same.

To assist in raising and lowering the elevator 23 when necessary I have provided a winch device 48 which is mounted on the rigid support 41. A chain of flexible cable 49 connects the winch 48 and elevator 28. Power means, not shown, may be employed, if desired, to operate the winch.

Located at the extreme forward end of the trailer 10 and mounted transversely with respect thereto is a conventional electric power generating device 50 comprising a gas or oil powered engine coupled with an electric generator. This apparatus is utilized to supply electric power for operating the various electric motors which are employed in my cleaning unit. The equipment may thus be operated independently of external sources of electric power as is often necessary in normal use of the apparatus.

It will be noted in respect to the apparatus herein described that a trailer of the type contemplated i. e. the type commonly used for transporting a plurality of automobiles, is, when reconstructed in the manner taught by the invention, admirably suited for combination with an abrasive blast cleaning plant to form a self-contained mobile cleaning unit. Thus, in trailers of this type it is common to locate the wheels 12 substantially toward the rear. And I may conveniently locate the heavy cleaning plan apparatus over the wheels to thereby obtain a favorable loading of the trailer. Since these trailers are normally of substantial length it is possible, with the blast plant apparatus positioned over the wheels, to pivot the elongated elevator mechanism 28 into a substantially horizontal retracted position within the confines of the trailer so that the entire apparatus may be conveniently transported from place to place; a conventional semi-tractor truck being utilized for this purpose as will be understood.

For a cleaning plant of adequate size for processing pipe of various sizes up to in the order of twelve inches in diameter a standard automotive trailer provides ample space to house the entire plant, including the forwardly extending retractor elevator mechanism, and normally there is sufficient additional space to mount a moderately sized electric generating plant and to store most or all of the conveyor apparatus 24 and 24 when the same is not in use.

Another advantageous feature of the invention resides in the pivotal mounting of the elevator mechanism 28 at a point spaced above its lower end extremity so that the components of the cleaning plant may be positioned as low as possible to improve the stability of the unit on the road. This construction combined with the normal low suspension of trailers of the type contemplated provides a wholly satisfactory arrangement for a mobile cleaning unit.

It will be understood that the pivotal mounting of the elevator at a point spaced from its lower end extremity so that the lower end portion projects downwardly through the bed of the trailer does not interfere with the portability of the unit since the portion of the elevator which extends below the bed is retracted upwardly when the elevator is pivoted into horizontal position. And if necessary an excavation may be prepared to receive the lower end of the elevator if the same projects below the lower edge of the wheels 12. Such excavation would, of course, be additional to that shown in Figure l which is sometimes provided so that the cleaning unit is positioned as close as possible to ground level to facilitate handling of pipes.

It should be understood, however, that the single embodiment of my invention herein disclosed and specifically described is intended to, be representative only. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claim in determining the full spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

A self-contained mobile pipe cleaning unit comprising in combination a movable trailer-type vehicle having a highly elongated load supporting portion including an elongated load supporting bed, a plurality of supporting wheels positioned at the sides of said bed adjacent the rearward end thereof and having axes of rotation above the level of said bed, an abrasive blast plant comprising a blasting cabinet and an elongated normally vertically disposed elevating mechanism for carrying abrasive material from the lower to the upper end of said cabinet, said blasting cabinet and elevator mechanism being positioned on said bed substantially between said wheels, said elevating mechanism being positioned adjacent to and immediately forward of said blasting cabinet, means mounting said entire elevating mechanism for pivotal movement on said bed about an axis transverse and in the same plane to the principal axis of said bed, said bed having an opening therein intermediate its ends for receiving the lower end of said elevating mechanism, means including said blasting cabinet and a rigid superstructure on said load supporting portion for rigidly securing said elevating mechanism and for connecting said elevating mechanism and said cabinet in operative relation when said mechanism is in a vertical position, and said elevation mechanism resting on and generally directly supported by said bed in the inoperative and horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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