US3771187A

US3771187A - Non-clogging tube cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US3771187A
Application number: US00277981A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Dillinger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-08-04
Filing date: 1972-08-04
Publication date: 1973-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-13

Abstract

A hydraulically operated device for concurrently rotating and longitudinally moving an apertured cutting member through a tubular member to remove and flush viscous material from the interior thereof. The flush water discharges from the apertures at a first pressure that is greater than the second pressure exerted by the cutting member on the viscous material as the latter is removed from the tubular member, and as a result the viscous material has no tendency to enter the apertures and plug the latter.

Description

United States Patent 1191 lling r 1 Nov. 13, 1973 [5 1 NON-CLOGGING TUBE CLEANING DEVICE 2,803,842 8/1957 Fuller 1s/104.1 R

[76] Inventor: Lester L. Dillinger, 218 Fourth St.,

Seal Beach, Calif 90740 Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-William C. Babcock [22] Filed: Aug. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 277,981 [57] ABSTRACT A hydraulically operated device for concurrently re- 52 us. 01. 15/104.1 R, 248/126 rating and longitudinally moving an apertured cutting [51] Int. Cl B08b 9/02 member through a tubular member to remove and 58 Field of Search 15/10405, 104.09, flush viscous material from the interior thereof. The 15/104 R 04 C, 10411, 10416, 1042, flush water discharges from the apertures at a first 88 pressure that is greater than the second pressure exerted by the cutting member on the viscous material [56] References Cited as the latter is removed from the tubular member, and UNTED STATES PATENTS as a result the viscous material has no tendency to enter the apertures and plug the latter. 1,475,989 12/1923 Easterday 15/104.l R 1,476,901 12/1923 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures McCarty l5/lO4.l R

2555:? VOID 1 NON-CLOGGING TUBE CLEANING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Non-clogging tube cleaning device.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, it has been common practice to clean solid foreign material from the interior of tubular members by a rotating drill or cutting member that is apertured to have flushing water discharged therethrough. The flushing water removes severed foreign material from the interior of the tubular members. However, when the above-described operation is carried out with previously available apparatus on tubular members containing viscous material, the material soon enters the apertures to the extent that they become plugged,

and flushing water cannot be discharged into the tubular members to remove severed material. Operation of a cleaning device under such conditions results in the cutting member being rotated into binding engagement with the viscous material that is sought to be removed.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to supply a device for cleaning viscous material from the interior of a tubular member by rotating and driving an apertured cutting member longitudinally therethrough, and with the assurance that the apertures will not be clogged by viscous material engering the same to obstruct the flow of flushing water during the cleaning operation.

A still further object of the invention is to so movably support the tube cleaning device on a vehicle that tubes in a heat exchanger, boiler or the like may have foreign material removed therefrom without moving the equipment containing the tubes from the position it normally occupies.

A further object of the invention is to supply a vehicle mounted tube cleaning device that may be transported easily and conveniently from one job site to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A tube cleaning device that is preferably movably supported on a vehicle, and is particularly adapted for removing viscous foreign material from the interior of a tubular member due to concurrent rotation and longitudinal movement of an apertured cutting member therethrough. As the cutting member is rotated, flushing water is discharged through the apertures therein at a first pressure that is greater than a second pressure exerted by the cutting member on the foreign material, and as a result there is no tendency for the-viscous material to enter the apertures to block and clog the same to the extent that flushing water cannot discharge therefrom.

The device includes a piston-supporting hydraulic cylinder assembly that has a cutting member supporting piston rod associated therewith, and power means for rotating the piston rod and cutting member as the cutting member moves longitudinally through the tubular member. The piston subdivides the interior of the cylinder into first and second confined spaces in which a hydraulic liquid is maintained at the same pressure,

' but due to a differential in surface areas of the first and second faces of the piston exposed to the liquid in the first and second confined spaces the cutting member exerts a second pressure on the foreign material as the cutting member moves longitudinally in the tubular 2 member that is less than a first pressure exerted by the liquid as the latter discharges from apertures in the cutting member. Thus, there is no tendency for viscous material in the tubular member to enter the apertures to obstruct and block the latter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tube cleaning device mounted on a vehicle to permit the device to be transported to a position adjacent the tubular members that are to have foreign material removed from the interior thereof;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the vehicle with the tube cleaning device in the first position as shown in FIG. 1 in which it will be transported;

FIG. 3 is a second end view of the vehicle, with the tube cleaning device adjusted to a desired height, and the cleaning device being laterally movable at this height to permit tubular members positioned at this height to be sequentially cleaned of foreign material within the confines thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tube cleaning device;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the tube cleaning device;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary, longitudinal crosssectional view of a second end portion of the device;

FIG. 7 isa transverse cross-sectional view of the device taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal crosssectional view of a first end portion of the device; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system used in the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The tube cleaning device A, as shown in detail in FIGS. 4 to 9 inclusive, includes a hydraulic cylinder B that on a first end thereof is closed by a first end portion assembly C and on a second end by a second end portion assembly D. A piston E is slidably and sealingly mounted in cylinder B and subdivides the interior thereof into first and second confined spaces F and G of variable volume. A piston rod H is connected to piston E and extends longitudinally through second confined space G and second end portion D to terminate in'a first end on which a bladed cutting member or drill J is mounted that has apertures 10 therein through which flushing water or other desired liquid is discharged during the cleaning of foreign material from the interior of an elongate tubular member (not shown). The apertures 10 are in communication with a longitudinal bore 12 in .piston rod H and a longitudi- 'nal bore 14 in piston E. The piston rod H and cutting member J during a tube cleaning operation are rotated by a prime mover K, such as an air motor, which, as may be seen in FIG. 4,"is located adjacent the second end portion D.

The piston E has a longitudinal passage L therein that is in communication with a piston-supported check valve M. Check valve M permits liquid under pressure in first confined space F to flow through passage L to second confined space G. The first end surface N of piston E that partially defines first confined space F is substantially larger than a second end surface 0 of piston E that partially defines second confined space G.

First and second openings 11 and 13 are formed in cylinder B adjacent first and second end portions C and D. A two-position valve P is provided that includes a housing 17 in which first, second, third and

fourth ports

18, 20, 22 and 24 are formed. A rotatable valve member 25 is disposed in housing 16. First and

second passages

26 and 28 are formed in valve member 24.

A power driven pump Q has the suction side thereof connected by a pipe 30 to a liquid reservoir R. The discharge sideof pump Q, as shown in FIG. 9, is connected by a'first conduit 32 to first port 18. Second port 20 is connected by a second conduit 34 to first opening 11. Third port 22 has a third conduit 36 extending therefrom to reservoir R. The fourth port 24 has a fourth conduit 38 that extends therefrom to second opening 13. l

When valve P is in the first position shown in FIG. 9, first passage 26 establishes communication between third and

fourth ports

22 and 24, and second passage 28 between first and

second ports

18 and 20. Liquid under pressure now flows through first and

second conduits

32 and 34 to first confined space F. Liquid under pressure in first confined space F opens check valve M to allow liquid to flow into second confined space G to fill the same. The liquid in the first and second confined spaces F and G would be at the same pressure if liquid were not allowed to escape from the second confined space G.

However, it will be seen in FIG. 9 that when valve P is in the first position, first passage 26 establishes communication between third and

fourth ports

22 and 24, and liquid in second confined space G can flow therefrom through second opening 13 and third and

fourth conduits

36 and 38 to return to reservoir R. To maintain the pressure on liquid in second confined space G at substantially the pressure of the liquid in first confined space F, a back pressure valve S is included in third conduit 36.

Although the pressure on liquid in first and second confined spaces F and G is the same when valve P is in the first position shown in FIG. 9, the piston E, piston rod H, and cutting member J will be forced to the left as viewed in this figure due to the differential in size of the first and second piston end surfaces N and O. The greater the ratio between end surfaces N and O the greater will be the pressure that the cutting member J exerts on the viscous foreign material (not shown) that is being removed from the interior of a tubular member (not shown). Water under pressure discharges from first confined space F through bores 12 and 14 to apertures 10. The pressure of the water as it discharges from apertures is always greater than the pressure the cutting member J exerts on the foreign material (not shown) being removed from a tubular member (not shown), and as a result the foreign material, even though of an extremely viscous nature, cannot enter the apertures 10 to clog the same. During the cleaning operation the prime mover K rotates the cutting member J by means that will be explained later in detail.

After foreign material has been removed from a tubular member (not shown), and it is desired to retract the cutting member, the valve P is placed in the second position. In the second position first passage 26 establishes communication between first and

fourth ports

18 and 24 and second and third valve ports and 22. Water under pressure now flows into second confined space G to move piston E, piston rod H and cutting member J towards first end portion C. Check valve M prevents water flowing from second confined space G into first confined space F. Water in first confined space F is forced therefrom through second conduit 34, second passage 28 and third conduit 36 to return to reservoir R. Due to the differential in size of first and second piston end surfaces N and O, the water in first confined space F is not discharged therefrom at sufficient pressure to open back pressure valve S. Third conduit 36 has a bypass 40 that forms a part thereof that extends around valve back pressure valve S, with liquid flow through the bypass being controlled by a manually operated valve 42. Valve 42 is opened when cutting member I is'being retractd from a tubular member (not shown) and is closed when a tubing cleaning operation is in progress. To permit continuous operation of pump Q, a bypass 44 connects first conduit 32 and pipe 30, with the bypass 44 including a pressure relief valve 46 that is set to open at slightly higher pressure than that at which liquid is discharged by pump Q to first conduit To transport the tube cleaning device A to a site where a number of tubes are to be cleaned, such as the tubes of a heat exchanger or the like, the device A may be conveniently mounted on a vehicle T such as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The vehicle T, as illustrated, is a trailer that includes an elongate frame 48 supported by conventional means on a pair of pneumatic tired wheels 50. The vehicle T has a hitch 52 secured to the forward end of frame 48 for moving the vehicle to a desired location. Four spaced uprights 54 are secured to the frame 48. The upper ends of the uprights 54 are connected by end pieces 56 and side pieces 58. End pieces 56 pivotally support a longitudinally extending rod 60 therebetween. The rod 60 has two longitudinally spaced first links 62 depending therefrom, which first links on their lower ends are pivotally connected by pins 64 to the upper ends of second links 66. The lower ends of second links 66 are connected to cylinder B.

The rearwardmost pair of uprights 54, as shown in FIG. 2, have a pair of sleeves 68 slidably mounted thereon. Sleeves 68 support a cross piece 70 therebetween, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The rearward portion of vehicle T rotatably supports a reel 72 that may be rotated by a crank 74. The reel 72 is engaged by a cable 76. The cable 76 engages two elevated laterally spaced pulleys 77 supported'from the rearward end piece 56. A section 76a of the cable 76 extends downwardly, with the free end of the cable being secured to the cross piece 70. A transverse ring 78 is rotatably supported at a fixed longitudinal position on cylinder B, with the ring 78 capable of rolling laterally on the cross piece 70. By rotating reel 72, cross piece 70 may be raised or lowered to a desired elevation, and removably held at this elevation by conventional means such as a ratchet and pawl (not shown). When the cross piece 70 is at a desired elevation the tube cleaning device A may be moved laterally within the confines of vehicle T to longitudinally align cutting member J with a tubular member (not shown) that is to be cleaned. During the time the'cleaning device A is being transported, the cleaning device is lowered to rest on forward and rearward transverse portions 48a and 48b of frame 48, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. When the tubing cleaning device A is in the transporting position illustrated in FIG. 1, the forward end of the device is removably engaged by a conventional clamp 80 that is secured to the vehicle. A longitudinal tubular member 82 is rigidly supported from end pieces 56. Tubular member 82 is secured by conventional means (not shown) to the heat exchanger or other equipment (not shown) that is having the tubes (not shown) thereof cleaned, to hold the vehicle T in fixed longitudinal spacing relative to such equipment.

In detail, the structure of the tube cleaning device A, as illustrated in the drawings, is as follows: The first end of cylinder B has threads 84 formed thereon that are engaged by threads 86 defined on a cylindrical shell 88. Shell 88 on its outer end develops into a transverse flange 90 that has a plate 92 held in sealing abutting contact therewith by screws 94. A tapped tubular boss 96 extends outwardly from shell 88. The boss 96 is engaged by a threaded end 98 of second conduit 34.

Piston E, as shown in FIG. 8, includes an intermediately shouldered rigid body 100 that has bore 14 extending longitudinally therethrough. The forward portion of bore 14 has threads 14a formed therein that engage threads 102 on the rearward end of piston rodH.

The rearward end of body 100 has threads 104 defined thereon that are engaged by a nut 106. A piston body 108 is mounted on the rearward portion of body 100 and gripped between nut 106 and a circumferential transverse shoulder 109 defined on body 100. Piston body 108 has lontitudinally spaced groves 110 defined therein in which resilient rings 111 are disposed that slidably and sealingly engage the interior surface 112 of cylinder B as the piston body 108 moves longitudinally I and rotatably relative thereto. The portion 114 of piston rod I-I forwardly of threads 102 is of non-circular transverse cross section, as shown in FIG. 7

Second end portion D, as shown in FIG. 6, is in the form of a plug 116 that has external threads 118 thereon that engage threads 120 formed on the interior surface of the second end of cylinder B. Plug 116 has a first longitudinal bore 122 therein that rotatably supports a sleeve 124, which sleeve has a flange 126 on the rearward end thereof. Sleeve 124 projects forwardly from cylinder B and has a pulley 127 mounted thereon that is engaged by an endless belt 128 that is driven by a second pulley 131 that forms a part of prime mover K. The prime mover K is preferably an air motor that is supplied air under pressure through a conduit 130. A protective guard 132 encloses pulley 127, belt 128. and the driving portion (not shown) of prime mover K. A second bore 134 of non-circular transverse cross section extends longitudinally through sleeve 124. Second bore 134 is slidably engaged by portion 114 of piston rod I-I. When sleeve 124 is rotated by prime mover K, the piston rod I-I, piston E, and cutting member .I are concurrently rotated. The cutting member J may be of any desired bladed configuration.

The use and operation of the cleaning device has been previously described in detail and need not be repeated.

I claim:

1. A non-clogging device for removing and flushing viscous material from the interior of an elongate tubular member that includes:

a. an elongate hydraulic cylinder assembly that includes an elongate cylindrical shell having first and second closed end portions in which first and second openings are defined, a piston slidably and sealingly mounted in said shell that subdivides the interior thereof into first and second' confined spaces of variable volume that are in communication with said first and second openings, a tubular sleeve rotatably and sealingly mounted in said second end portion, said sleeve having a longitudinal bore of non-circular transverse cross section therein, a piston rod of non-circular transverse cross section that extends from said piston through said second confined space-and said bore in said sleeve to terminate exterio rly of said hydraulic cylinder assembly in a free end, alongitudinal passage in said piston that connects said first and second confined spaces, a check valve on said piston that permits liquid under pressure in said first confined space to flow to said second confined space, a bore extending longitudinally through said piston rod and piston to maintain communication between said first end of said piston rod and said first confined space, with said piston having'first and second end surfaces that partially define said first and second confined spaces, and said first surface being of substantially greater area than said second surface;

b. an apertured cutting member mounted on said first end of said rod and in communication with said bore through which water may discharge under pressure from said first confined space;

c. a power driven pump having a suction and discharge;

d. a liquid reservoir connected to said suction;

e. a valve assembly that includes a housing having first, second, third and fourth ports therein, a rotatable valve member in said housing that is capable of occupying first and second positions, said valve member having first and second passages therein, said first and second passages when said valve member is in said first position establishing communication between said third and fourth ports and.

said first and second ports respectively, and said first and second passages when said valve member is in said second position establishing communication between said first and fourth ports and said second and third ports, respectively;

f. first, second, third and fourth conduits,'said first I conduit connecting said discharge of said pump to said first port, said second conduit extending between said second port and said first opening, said third conduit connecting said third port to said reservoir, and said fourth conduit extending from said fourth port to said second opening;

g. a back pressure valve in said third conduit set to open at a pressure slightly greater than the pressure said pump discharges liquid into said first confined space;

h. a valved bypass connected to said third conduit and extending around said back pressure valve; and

i. power means for rotating said cutting member when said valve is in said first position and said bypass is closed, where liquid from said pump dis charges through said first and second conduits to fill said first and second confined spaces with liquid at the same pressure, but said piston, piston rod and cutting member being moved away from said first end to bring said cutting member into rotatable pressure contact with foreign material in a tubular member due to the differential in size of said first and second end surfaces, with said pressure contact being less than the pressure at which liquid discharges from said apertures to flush cut material from said tubular member and said material due to 2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said power means includes:

a motor that occupies a fixed position relative to said cylinder;

I k. avrotatable member rigidly secured to said sleeve and disposed exteriorly of said cylinder; and transmission means for transferring power from said motor to said rotatable member to rotate said sleeve. 7

3. A device as defined in claim 2 in which said rotatable member is a pulley, and said transmission means is an endless belt that engages said pulley and a driven pulley that is rotated by said motor.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 that further includes:

a substantially horizontal frame;

k. wheel means for movably supporting said frame;

first means for moving said frame to a position adjacent a plurality of horizontally disposed tubes that v are to be cleaned; and

m. second means for movably supporting said device in a longitudinal position above said frame to per mit said piston rod to be sequentially aligned with each of said tubular members to permit said cutting member to move longitudinally through said tubular members to remove foreign material therefrom. 5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said second means includes:

n. a pair of end pieces and a pair of side pieces that are connected to one another;

0. a plurality of uprights that support said end-pieces and side pieces at a fixed position above said frame and parallel thereto;

p. an elongate member rotatably supported between said end pieces;

q. a plurality of longitudinally spaced first links secured to said elongate member and depending therefrom;

. a plurality of second links having upper and lower ends, said upper ends pivotally connected to said first links, and said lower ends secured to said cylinder;

. a ring rotatably supported in a transverse position on the exterior of said cylinder;

. two sleeves that slidably engage two of said uprights that support one of said end pieces;

. a horizontal cross piece that extends between said sleeves, and which cross piece movably supports said ring; and

. means for raising and lowering said cross piece to dispose said device at a desired elevation relative to said frame, with said device being laterally adjustable to said uprights at said desired elevation by rolling said ring along said cross-piece to cause pivotal movement of said first and second links and said elongate member.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 that further includes:

w. means for holding said frame at a fixed position relative to said tubes being cleaned.

7. A non-clogging device for removing and flushing viscous material from the interior of an elongate tubular member that includes:

a. an elongate hydraulic cylinder assembly that includes a cylindrical shell having first and second ends, said shell having first and second parts therein adjacent said first and second ends, a first end piece that closes said first end, and a second end piece that closes said second end, said second end piece having a longitudinal first bore therein;

b. a driven rotatable sleeve rotatably and sealingly mounted in a fixed longitudinal position in said first bore, said sleeve having a second bore of noncircular transverse cross section extending longitudinally therethrough, said sleeve extending outwardly beyond said second end piece;

0. a prime mover for rotating said sleeve; d. a piston slidably mounted in said shell that subdivides the interior of said cylinder assembly into first and second confined spaces of variable volume, said piston having a passage therein that communicates with said first and second confined spaces, said piston having first and second oppositev sides that partially define said first and second confined spaces;

. a check valve-supported from said piston that permits flow of a liquid from said first to said second confined spaces;

f. a piston rod of non-circular transverse cross section in said cylindrical shell that extends from said second side of said piston through said second confined space to slidably and sealingly engage said second bore in said sleeve and extend from said hydraulic cylinder assembly to terminate in a first end, said rod having a third longitudinal bore therein that is in communication with a fourth longitudinal bore in said piston, 'with said second side of 'said piston due to said piston rod extending therefrom being of substantially less area than said first side;

g. a rotatable cutting member mounted on said first end of said piston rod, said cutting member having apertures therein that are in communication with said third bore;

h. a power driven pump having a discharge and suction;

a liquid reservoir connected to 'said suction of said P p;

a two-position valve having first, second, third and fourth valve ports, said valve when in a first position establishing communication between said first and second valve ports and said third and fourth valve ports and said valve when in a second position establishing communication between said first and fourth valve ports and said second and third valve ports;

k. first, second, third and fourth conduits, said first conduit extending between said pump discharge and said first valve port, said second conduit connecting said second valve port and said first port in said shell, said third conduit extending between said third valve port and said reservoir, and said fourth conduit extending between said fourth valve port and said second port in said shell, with said valve when in said first position permitting liquid under pressure to discharge from said pump through said first and second conduits to said first confined space to fill the same and flow through said fourth and third bores to discharge from said apertures in said cutter to flush viscous material cut from the interior of said tubular member by said cutter as the latter, said piston rod, and sleeve are rotated by said prime mover, with said check valve allowing liquid in said first confined space to flow through said passage in said piston to said second confined space from which said liquid flows through said second port in said shell, said fourth conduit, said fourth and third ports in said valve and said third conduit to return to said reservoir, with said valve when in said second position allowing liquid from said pump to discharge through said first and fourth conduits to said second confined space to move said piston and piston rod towards said first end to withdraw said cutting member from said tubular member, and liquid in said first confined space discharging therefrom through said second and third conduits to return to said reservoir;

l. a pressure relief valve in said third conduit that maintains the pressure of liquid in said second confined space at substantially the same pressure as liquid in said first confined space when said valve is in said first position, with the the longitudinally directed pressure of said cutting member on said viscous material being less than that of the liquid discharging from said apertures, and said longitudinal pressure being determined by the differential in areas of said first and second sides of said piston, with said apertures not clogging by viscous material flowing thereinto due to the pressure of the water discharging therefrom being greater than the pressure exerted by said cutting member as the latter moves longitudinally into said tubular member; and

m. a normally closed valved bypass connected to said third conduit and extending around said relief valve, said valved bypass when opened permitting liquid in said first confined space to be discharged conduits into said second confined space.

Claims

1. A non-clogging device for removing and flushing viscous material from the interior of an elongate tubular member that includes: a. an elongate hydraulic cylinder assembly that includes an elongate cylindrical shell having first and second closed end portions in which first and second openings are defined, a piston slidably and sealingly mounted in said shell that subdivides the interior thereof into first and second confined spaces of variable volume that are in communication with said first and second openings, a tubular sleeve rotatably and sealingly mounted in said second end portion, said sleeve having a longitudinal bore of non-circular transverse cross section therein, a piston rod of non-circular transverse cross section that extends from said piston through said second confined space and said bore in said sleeve to terminate exteriorly of said hydraulic cylinder assembly in a free end, a longitudinal passage in said piston that connects said first and second confined spaces, a check valve on said piston that permits liquid under pressure in said first confined space to flow to said second confined space, a bore extending longitudinally through said piston rod and piston to maintain communication between said first end of said piston rod and said first confined space, with said piston having first and second end surfaces that partially define said first and second confined spaces, and said first surface being of substantially greater area than said second surface; b. an apertured cutting member mounted on said first end of said rod and in communication with said bore through which water may discharge under pressure from said first confined space; c. a power driven pump having a suction and discharge; d. a liquid reservoir connected to said suction; e. a valve assembly that includes a housing having first, second, third and fourth ports therein, a rotatable valve member in said housing that is capable of occupying first and second positions, said valve member having first and second passages therein, said first and second passages when said valve member is in said first position establishing communication between said third and fourth ports and said first and second ports respectively, and said first and second passages when said valve member is in said second position establishing communication between said first and fourth ports and said second and third ports, reSpectively; f. first, second, third and fourth conduits, said first conduit connecting said discharge of said pump to said first port, said second conduit extending between said second port and said first opening, said third conduit connecting said third port to said reservoir, and said fourth conduit extending from said fourth port to said second opening; g. a back pressure valve in said third conduit set to open at a pressure slightly greater than the pressure said pump discharges liquid into said first confined space; h. a valved bypass connected to said third conduit and extending around said back pressure valve; and i. power means for rotating said cutting member when said valve is in said first position and said bypass is closed, where liquid from said pump discharges through said first and second conduits to fill said first and second confined spaces with liquid at the same pressure, but said piston, piston rod and cutting member being moved away from said first end to bring said cutting member into rotatable pressure contact with foreign material in a tubular member due to the differential in size of said first and second end surfaces, with said pressure contact being less than the pressure at which liquid discharges from said apertures to flush cut material from said tubular member and said material due to the higher pressure of said liquid discharging from said apertures having no tendency to enter the latter, and said valve when in said second position and said bypass opened permitting liquid from said pump to discharge under pressure into said second confined space to move said piston, piston rod and cutting member towards said second end to retract said cutting member from said tubular member, and liquid in said first confined space being discharged through said second and third conduits and bypass to return to said reservoir.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said power means includes: j. a motor that occupies a fixed position relative to said cylinder; k. a rotatable member rigidly secured to said sleeve and disposed exteriorly of said cylinder; and l. transmission means for transferring power from said motor to said rotatable member to rotate said sleeve.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 that further includes: j. a substantially horizontal frame; k. wheel means for movably supporting said frame; l. first means for moving said frame to a position adjacent a plurality of horizontally disposed tubes that are to be cleaned; and m. second means for movably supporting said device in a longitudinal position above said frame to permit said piston rod to be sequentially aligned with each of said tubular members to permit said cutting member to move longitudinally through said tubular members to remove foreign material therefrom.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said second means includes: n. a pair of end pieces and a pair of side pieces that are connected to one another; o. a plurality of uprights that support said end-pieces and side pieces at a fixed position above said frame and parallel thereto; p. an elongate member rotatably supported between said end pieces; q. a plurality of longitudinally spaced first links secured to said elongate member and depending therefrom; r. a plurality of second links having upper and lower ends, said upper ends pivotally connected to said first links, and said lower ends secured to said cylinder; s. a ring rotatably supported in a transverse position on the exterior of said cylinder; t. two sleeves that slidably engage two of said uprights that support one of said end pieces; u. a horizontal cross piece that extends between said sleeves, and which cross piece movably supports said ring; and v. means for rAising and lowering said cross piece to dispose said device at a desired elevation relative to said frame, with said device being laterally adjustable to said uprights at said desired elevation by rolling said ring along said cross-piece to cause pivotal movement of said first and second links and said elongate member.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 that further includes: w. means for holding said frame at a fixed position relative to said tubes being cleaned.

7. A non-clogging device for removing and flushing viscous material from the interior of an elongate tubular member that includes: a. an elongate hydraulic cylinder assembly that includes a cylindrical shell having first and second ends, said shell having first and second parts therein adjacent said first and second ends, a first end piece that closes said first end, and a second end piece that closes said second end, said second end piece having a longitudinal first bore therein; b. a driven rotatable sleeve rotatably and sealingly mounted in a fixed longitudinal position in said first bore, said sleeve having a second bore of non-circular transverse cross section extending longitudinally therethrough, said sleeve extending outwardly beyond said second end piece; c. a prime mover for rotating said sleeve; d. a piston slidably mounted in said shell that subdivides the interior of said cylinder assembly into first and second confined spaces of variable volume, said piston having a passage therein that communicates with said first and second confined spaces, said piston having first and second opposite sides that partially define said first and second confined spaces; e. a check valve supported from said piston that permits flow of a liquid from said first to said second confined spaces; f. a piston rod of non-circular transverse cross section in said cylindrical shell that extends from said second side of said piston through said second confined space to slidably and sealingly engage said second bore in said sleeve and extend from said hydraulic cylinder assembly to terminate in a first end, said rod having a third longitudinal bore therein that is in communication with a fourth longitudinal bore in said piston, with said second side of said piston due to said piston rod extending therefrom being of substantially less area than said first side; g. a rotatable cutting member mounted on said first end of said piston rod, said cutting member having apertures therein that are in communication with said third bore; h. a power driven pump having a discharge and suction; i. a liquid reservoir connected to said suction of said pump; j. a two-position valve having first, second, third and fourth valve ports, said valve when in a first position establishing communication between said first and second valve ports and said third and fourth valve ports and said valve when in a second position establishing communication between said first and fourth valve ports and said second and third valve ports; k. first, second, third and fourth conduits, said first conduit extending between said pump discharge and said first valve port, said second conduit connecting said second valve port and said first port in said shell, said third conduit extending between said third valve port and said reservoir, and said fourth conduit extending between said fourth valve port and said second port in said shell, with said valve when in said first position permitting liquid under pressure to discharge from said pump through said first and second conduits to said first confined space to fill the same and flow through said fourth and third bores to discharge from said apertures in said cutter to flush viscous material cut from the interior of said tubular member by said cutter as the latter, said piston rod, and sleeve are rotated by said prime mover, with said check valve allowing liquid in said first confined space to flow through said passage in said piston to said second confined space fRom which said liquid flows through said second port in said shell, said fourth conduit, said fourth and third ports in said valve and said third conduit to return to said reservoir, with said valve when in said second position allowing liquid from said pump to discharge through said first and fourth conduits to said second confined space to move said piston and piston rod towards said first end to withdraw said cutting member from said tubular member, and liquid in said first confined space discharging therefrom through said second and third conduits to return to said reservoir;