US3817262A

US3817262A - Tube cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US3817262A
Application number: US00278565A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Caradeur; J Cardone; E Broussard
Original assignee: Cesco Inc
Current assignee: MAINTECH INTERNATIONAL Inc A CORP OF TX; Cesco Inc
Priority date: 1971-02-17
Filing date: 1972-08-07
Publication date: 1974-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-18

Abstract

A tube cleaning device including a water lance and a movable carriage with a driving mechanism for extending and retracting the lance, lance guides and conduit supplying water under pressure to the lance; the driving mechanism being located close to the lance tip when the lance is in its retracted position.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Caradeur et al.

[ June 18, 1974 [54] TUBE CLEANING DEVICE 690,878 1/1902 gem 83/661 1 Inventors: Robert Camdw, Sulphur; John 5:323:52? 1851331 613218111: :Jiiii: iii/1225i Qardfllle, Lake Charles, both of 3,184,774 5/1965 Burch 15/317 La; rn st Broussard, s o 3,208,460 9/1965 Heinicke 134/168 (3 x Tex. 3,389,713 6/1968 Pittman 134/167 C Assignee sco Inc Houston e 3,448,477- 6/1969 Ricordeau et a1. l5/l04.l

3 a [22] Ffled: 1972 Primary ExaminerRobert Bleutge [21] Appl. No: 278,565 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jack R. Springgate; Joe E.

Related us. Application Data 1 Edwards Gay [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 116,121, Feb. 17.

1971, abandoned. ABSTRACT [2%] $5.31. (g A tube cleaning device including a water lance and a f C 24 6 C 167 C movable carriage with a driving mechanism for ex- 1 0 arc C C tending and retracting the lance, lance guides and conduit supplying water under pressure to the lance; the driving mechanism being located close to the [56] uNlTE D ga r gs giqrENTs lance tip when the lance is in its retracted position.

473,821 4/1892 Carbis 15/1049 X 16 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures 6a 45 n I /24 HA z 44 I 74 W v i 1L 1 1 up I 720 L/za 42 48 I /Z/ PATENTEDwm In 3.817262 sum: or? v JOHN E. CAEDONE INVENTORS BY v I zzfis PAIENTEDJun 1a m 3.8 17262 sumanrT R BEIPT I? CRADEU/P ERNEST E. BEOUSSAPD JOHN E. CA ooA /E I N VEN TOR-5:

PATENTEDM 18 mm 13.8 1 7262 saw a or? Poet-RT A. CRADEUR E RNEST E. BPOUSSAED Joy/v 5. CAR/poms INVENTORS.

PATENTEDJummM 3.817262 "SHEETkflF'! ROBERT R CRADEUR. ERNEST E. BROUSSAED JOHN. E. CARDONE [NVENTORS BY F PATENTEDJummu 3'817'262

sum

7 or 7 TUBE CLEANING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of our prior co-pending application Ser. No. 116,121 filed Feb. 17, 1971, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The interior of tubes which become fouled with deposits are commonly cleaned by inserting lances or FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the spring loading structure of the lance positioning means.

pipes with spray tips thereon into the fouled tubes and applying water under pressure to the lance so that the water is jetted from the tip with sufficient velocity to clean the deposits from the interior of the tubes. Prior tube cleaning devices have been very cumbersome so that the tubes to be cleaned, such as, heat exchanger tubes, are brought to the device rather than bringing the device to the tubes. Further, the point of application of force to extend the lances hasbeen at the end of the lance opposite its spray tip. Because the lances are usually relatively small in diameter and long, considerable support is required to avoid buckling of the lances as they are driven into the tubes.

SUMMARY The present invention relates to an improved water jet type tube cleaning device.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved tube cleaning device with a positioning of the lance drive to minimize buckling of the lance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tube cleaning device for cleaning tubes in a plant without having to remove the tubes from their installed position in the plant.

A further object is to provide an improved tube cleaning device with lances which are easily and quickly inserted within the tubes of a tube and shell type heat exchanger to clean the interior of the tubes quickly and simply.

Still another object is to provide an improved tube cleaning device with lances that are simply guided with the proper spacing to enter the tubes to be cleaned.

Still a further object is to provide an improved tube cleaning device having a water lance to which sufficient axial force may be applied to force the lance through blocked tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages are hereinafter set forth and explained in the description of the structure shown in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved tube cleaning device of the present invention in position for cleaning the tubes of a heat exchanger.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lance drive and guiding structure with the carriage cover removed.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2 to illustrate the position of the lance driving means. FIG. 4 is a partial elevation view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2 to illustrate the position of the lance driving means.

FIG.5 is a partial sectional view illustrating the spray tip of a lance within a tube.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lance positioning and guiding means.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the: lance spacing plate.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the lances being guided into tubes of a heat exchanger to show the function of the lance positioning means and the lance spacing plate.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the lance guiding means to show the spray containing chamber.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lance and hose support to illustrate the manner in which it may be collaped for moving.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view illustrating a moditifed form of tube cleaning device of the present invention illustrating another form of support for the outer ends of the lances.

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of a modified form of lance drive in which both rolls are powered.

- FIG. 14 is an end view of the lances to show the modified form of lance manifold block.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a modified form of lance driving device to illustrate its component parts and the relative simplicity of its assembly.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the lance drive rollers and the adjustable roller loading. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified lance guiding structure.

FIG. 18 is an elevation view of the lance guiding structure taken along line 18-l8 in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the modified lance support structure with portions broken away to show the lance water manifold connection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The tube cleaning device of the present invention includes the lance driving and guiding device 10, the lance supporting device 12 and water supply means which delivers water to the water blasting spray lances 14. In FIG. 1, the complete portable tube cleaning device is shown positioned for cleaning the tube and shell heat exchanger 16. The function of the cleaning device is to remove dirt and deposits from the interior of the tubes'by inserting the lances 14 into the tubes of the exchanger l6 and delivering high velocity water jet sprays to the interior of the tubes as the lances 14 are moved into and retracted from the tubes. The lances 14 are shown in their retracted position in FIG. 1 with their outer or manifold end being supported by the chains 18 from the

arms

20 and 22 of the support device 12. The lances are supplied with water under high pressure by hose 24 to the manifold 26 on the outer end of the lances 14. The hose 24 is supported on the second arm 22 of the support device 12. I

The

arms

20 and 22 of the support device 12 each I have a double pivot mounting about the

pins

28 and 30 which connect the arms to the column 32 and about the

pins

34 and 36 which are positioned at an intermediate point on the arms as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11. This double pivot mounting allows the chain 18 and hose 24 to move with the lances 14 as they are driven into the tubes of the heat exchanger 16 providing support for and high pressure water to the lances.

The lance driving and guiding device 10 includes the base 38, the column 40 supported by the horizontal carriage 42 on base 38 and the vertical carriage 44. The

base 38 includes the parallel members 46 and the leg 48 which is pivotally mounted to members 46 and extends rearwardly (away from exchanger 16) therefrom. The members 46 provide the ways for the rollers 50 on carriage 42 so that carriage 42 is movable along the length of the members 46.

The vertical carriage 44 is movable vertically on the column 40 by rotation of crank 52 which drives the gear 54 by connection through the gear box 56 and the gear 54 being in engagement with the rack 58 on the side of column 40 determines the position of carriage 44.

The lance driving means is supported on the carriage 44 under the cover 45 and includes the driving roll 60 driven by suitable means as hereinafter described and the idler roll 62. As shown, rolls 60 and 62 are grooved to receive the lances 14 between them. The idler roll 62 exerts a force toward the driving roll 60 to assure driving engagement with lances 14. This force is controlled by rotating the screw 64 to preset the desired force exerted on roll 62 by the spring 66. The air motor 68 which is controlled by valve 70 connects through the gear box 72 to provide the driving means for the driving roll 60. The motor 68 is reversible so that the lances 14 may be positively driven axially in either direction. Air is supplied to valve 70 and motor 68 through the hoses 74.

The lances 14 as best shown in FIG. 2 extend through the bushings 76 mounted in the bracket 78 and into engagement in the grooves of the

rolls

60 and 62. The guiding and positioning means receive the lances 14 on the opposite side of the

rolls

60 and 62 and guide the lances 14 into the interior of the tubes to be cleaned. The guiding and positioning means includes a means for presetting the spacing of the lances to the tube spacing of the heat exchanger to be cleaned. Also, the guiding and positioning means assures that the lance guiding means are in alignment with the tubes before the lances are extended.

The lance guiding and positioning means includes the guide tubes 80 through which the lances 14 extend and the extendable arms 82 positioned on either side of the guide tubes 80. The lance spacing plate 84 is secured by screws 86 to tubes 80 and the arms 82 are slidable therethrough. The lance spacing plate 84 defines the four holes through which the tubes 80 and the arm 82 extend and the center-to-center distances, a in FIG. 8, are all equal and the same as the tube spacing of the tubes to be cleaned. To change the spacing of the lances 14 and the positioning arms 82, the screws 86 which lock the plate 84 on the tubes 80 are released and a new plate 84 having the desired spacing is installed on tubes 80 and arms 82. The tapered indexing tips 88 are secured to the ends of arms 82. The tips 88 by being tapered function to locate the guides 80 in alignment with tubes to be cleaned by entering an adjacent tube as best shown in FIG. 9. The arms 82 are actuated to extended position by the lever 90 so that the tips project beyond the end of the guide tubes 80. Also, the arms 82 are springloaded so that one may be extended while the other is retracted to align the lances with the outer two tubes in a row as shown in FIG. 9.

The spring loading structure for the arms 82 is shown in FIG. 7. This structure includes the bushing 92 threaded on the arms 82 and secured in the sleeve 94 which extends a portion of the way through the interior of the tubular mandrel'96. The rod 98 extends into the opposite end of the mandrel and terminates in the plug 100 within sleeve 94. The spring 102 surrounds rod 98 and engages the inner end of sleeve 94 and the washer 104 which is held on rod 98 by the pin 106. Thus, as lever 90 is moved to the rear, the arms 82 are moved forward. If one or both of the indexing tips 88 engage the tube sheet rather than within one of the tubes, the rod 98 moves forward within the tubular mandrel 96 and sleeve 94, compressing spring 102 without damaging the tips 88 or the tube sheet of the heat exchanger 16.

The spray tips 108 on the lances are shown in FIG. 5. They thread into the forward end of the lances 14 and are provided with the forward opening 110 to direct a high velocity water jet axially in the tube and the side openings 112 to direct high velocity water jets outward and to the rear. These high velocity jets are designed to perform a maximum amount of cleaning of the deposits from the interior of the tubes. When the tube cleaning device is in operation, it is generally preferred to keep the water flowing from the jets but because of the rearwardly directed openings, the operator and equipment are generally sprayed thoroughly unless some provision is made to dissipate the spray jets as the lances are removed from, and inserted into the next tubes to be cleaned. Near the ends of each of the tubes 80, box structure 114 is secured in the tubes 80 as best seen in FIG. 10. Each of the box structures 114 has a drain tube 1 16 extending the lower side thereof so that when the spray tips 108 are withdrawn into the tubes 80, the water from the spray out the side openings 112 collects in the box 114 and drains out through the drain tube 116. Thus, the box structure 114 functions as a chamber for containing and dissipating the high velocity water jets when the lance tips 188 are not within the tubes being cleaned.

The lance and hose support and hose support 12 is made to be collapsible as shown in FIG. 11 so that it may be easily moved from one location to another. Support 12 includes the base leg 118, the side legs which are pivotally secured to leg 118, the column 32 which is pivotally secured to leg 118, and the

arms

20 and 22 which extend from section 122 which is pivotally mounted on the top of column 32. With all of these pivotal connections, the support 12 folds into a small bundle of substantially parallel members and by using aluminum structural members, the bundle is sufficiently light so that it may be carried by two men.

In operation, the lance driving and guiding device 10 is assembled in position for driving the lances 14 into the tubes of heat exchanger 16. The support device 12 is erected in its desired position in relation to the device 10. A supply of air is provided to the air hoses 74 so that the lances may be inserted through the bushings and are driven by the roll 60 into the tubes 80. The lances 14 are supported by the chains 18 as they are inserted. When the lances 14 have been moved into tubes 80 a preselected distance so that their spray tips 108 are still within tubes 80, the chain 124 is tightened and secured to the slot 126 in bracket 78. The chain 124 is also secured to the sliding double loops 128, which surrounds the lances 14 and to the manifold 26. Thus, this chain 124 provides a stop to the retraction of the lances 14. This stop prevents the lances 14 from being completely withdrawn from the tubes 80.

With the lances l4 installed and water under pressure supplied to the lances 14 through the hose 24 and the manifold 26, the carriage 44 is adjusted vertically and the carriage 42 is adjusted transversly so that the indexing tips 88 on arms 82 which have been extended by actuation of lever 90 engage the tubes in heat exchanger 16 to position guide tubes 80 in alignment with the tubes to be cleaned. The valve 70 is actuated to drive the lances 14 into the tubes. When the lances 14 have passed to the end of the tubes of heat exchanger 16, the valve 70 is reversed to retract the lances 14. The

carriages

42 and 44 are then moved as required to position the lances 14 in alignment with the next tubes to be cleaned.

When the tubes of heat exchanger 16 have all been cleaned, the

hoses

74 and 24 are disconnected from the supply of air and water, the chain 124 is removed from the slot 126 and the lances 14 are completely removed from the driving and guiding device and disconnected from the chains 18. The support device 12 is folded for moving to the next location where the tube cleaning device is to be used. The driving and guiding device may be disassembled by lowering carriage 44 and then jacking column 40 out of engagement with carriage 42. Leg 48 is folded against the members 46 and the device 10 may be moved as three separate pieces, the column 40, the carriage 44 and the carriage 42 and its ways. When moved to the next location, the device 10 is easily reassembled. In the event a longer column 40 is needed, a column having two sections with a suitable joint such as a pin and box joint therebetween may be used to allow the carriage 44 to be positioned higher. In such instances, the length of chains 18 should be adjusted to provide proper support for the lances.

The tube cleaning device illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 is similar to the device previously described except that it is provided with a more uniform support for the lances along their entire length and also with dual driving rolls as distinguished from the one driving and one idling rolls previously described.

The improved lance support means are shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 and include a tray 130 supported on standards 132 and from thedrive unit 134 as shown and having the channels 136 secured to the outer edges of the tray 130. The channesl 136 are positioned with their legs extending outwardly from tray 130. A plurality of hollow members, such as tubes 138 each having a longitudinal slot 140 extending along its length at the upper portion thereof are positioned on the tray 130. The lances 142 are adapted to slide through the tubes 138 and the slots 140 in each tube 138 are provided to allow the duct 144 to slide therein. Ducts 144 connect between each of the lances 142 and the manifold block 146 to deliver water to the lances 142 from the hose In order to minimize the resistance to movement of the lances 142, the manifold block 146 is supported by the carriage 148. The carriage 148 has wheels 150 which engage in the channels 136 and has structure 152 connecting to the manifold block 146. The carriage 148 thus provides a rolling support for the manifold block 146 and the ends of the lances to which the block connects.

With this type of lance support, even extremely long lances will be supported against bending when a force is applied at one end tending to move the lance in a direction toward its other end. It should be noted that as shown the slots in the tubes 138 should be smaller than the diameter of the lances 142 to avoid the movement of the lances out of their supported position within the tubes 138. The cross sectional shape of the hollow members may be of any convenient shape to accommodate one or more lances therein.

The improved lance drive 153 shown in FIG. 13 includes the same components as the device previously described except that it has been modified to deliver power to both

rolls

154 and 156. The motor 158 connects to a gear train within the housing 160. The adjustable upper roll 156 and the lower roll 154 are both in driving connection with such gear train so that both rolls will impart motion to the lances. It should be noted that the

rolls

154 and 156 are designed to drive three lances at the same time while the previously described drive unit was shown driving only two lances. Such drive units may be made to drive four or more of such lances.

The modified lance driving and guiding device 200 and lance supporting device 202 illustrated in FIG. 15.

are totally portable and comparatively easy to assemble and disassemble. The driving and guiding device 200 includes the base 204 in which the base carriage 206 is movably mounted. The base carriage 206 is adapted to receive the pedestal or column 208 on which is mounted the vertically movable carriage 210 and the guiding and driving unit 212 is adapted to be mounted on the carriage 210. The lance supporting device 202 includes the pipe 214 which is supported at one end by the stand 216, and at the other end by insertion of the pin 218 into a hole (not shown) in the support 220 on the driving unit 212.

The base 204 includes the jack 222 which functions to raise or lower one side of the base 204 to provide the desired positioning of column 208. Also jack 222 by extending to the rear of base 204 provides additional reaction support to allow the lances to be forced with considerable force through clogged and blocked tubes.

The column 208 is suitably secured to the base carriage 206. Carriage 210 is mounted. on column 208 and includes the upwardly projecting pins 224 and the table 226 on which the driving unit 212 is supported. The hand crank 228 on driving unit includes a clutching connection with the gearing in the carriage 210 which allows the vertical position of the driving unit 212 to be set by the hand crank 228.

The end of the pipe 214 supported on the driving unit 212 is open as shown to expose the lances entering the driving unit 212. The stand 216 is vertically adjustable so that the pipe 214 may be maintained substantially level at all vertical positions of the driving unit 212.

Since the function of the drive rollers is to impart sufficient force to the lances to allow them to be forced through clogged and blocked tubes, the

rollers

230 and 232 as shown in FIG. 16 are provided with

knurled grooves

234 and 236. An example of suitable knurling is provided in a 9/32 inch radius, 3/32 inch deep groove by a number 3kOO coarse knurling tool. The screw 238 which extends through the threaded plate 240 on the case 242 of driving unit 21 adjusts the force which the springs 244 exert to clamp the lances 246 between the

rollers

230 and 232. In one unit, it was found that sufficient lance force could be developed by having a spring force on the

rollers

230, 232 in the range from 52 pounds to 400 pounds. Such clamping force, together with the knurled engagement of the lances by the roller grooves, has allowed the development of lance forces of 270 pounds. In the

rollers

230, 232 illustrared either one or both of the rollers may be driven as previously described.

A modified form of lance guiding device is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 which has lateral adjustability of the lance spacing. The guiding device 248 includes the plate 250, the slotted hood 252, which is supported from the driving unit 212, the guide tubes 254, the guide sleeves 256, means for adjusting the lateral spacing of the guide sleeves, and the means for moving the guide tubes forward to engage their tapered tips 258 into the end of a tube bundle to be cleaned. The guide tubes provide support for the lances from a point adjacent to the drive rollers to the tubes being cleaned to assure that the lances do not bend or buckle and to thereby assure that all of the force imparted to the lances by the drive rollers is exerted on the lance tips to force them through blocked or clogged tubes.

With hood 252 secured to the driving unit, the sleeves 256 are restrained against axial movement by the studs 260 which extend through the slots 262 in hood 252 and are secured in position by nuts 264. Slight loosening of nuts 264 allow lateral movement of the sleeves 256 and thus this mounting of the guide sleeveprovides the means for adjusting the lateral spacing of the guide tubes 254 and accommodating the spacing of the lances 246 to the tube spacing to be cleaned.

The lever 266 is pivotally mounted to the lugs 268 on hood 252 and is connected by link 270 to the plate 250 to which the guide tubes 254 are secured by the studs 272. Thus as the lever 266 is moved in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 18 the guide tubes 254 are moved forward (to the right) to have their tips 258 engage within the tubes being cleaned. Opposite-movement of the lever retracts the guide tubes 254.

The lances 246 are supplied with water as previously explained through the hose 274 and the manifold plug 276. The manifold plug 276 is adapted to slide freely within support pipe 214 and is provided with suitable passages communicating from the hose connection to the lances.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the improved tube cleaning device of the present invention provides a drive for water jetting lances which isnear the spray tip end of the lance when it is retracted. Also, the device provides for quick and simple alignment of the lances with tubes to be cleaned without having to remove the structure in which such tubes are positioned. The improved device also is easily disassembled and moved by men to render it portable in comparison to the tube cleaning devices of the prior art. Further, the device of the present invention provides sufficient driving force on the lances to allow them to be forced through blocked and clogged tubes, with the driving force being applied near the entrance to the tube being cleaned and with the lances being supported completely between the driving force and said tube entrance.

What is claimed is:

l. A tube cleaning device, comprising a movable carriage,

means for moving said carriage horizontally and vertically,

at least one water jet lance having a jet tip, and

a lance driving means carried by said carriage,

the engagement of said lance driving means being near said jet tip as said lance is initially extended by said driving means into a tube to be cleaned,

a tube closely supporting substantially the entire length of said lance from said driving engagment to the tube to be cleaned.

2. A tube cleaning device according to claim l, in-

cluding means for supplying high pressure water to said lance.

3. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, in-

cluding means for supporting the end of said lance away from said jet tip when said lance is retracted.

4. A tube cleaning device according to claim 3,

wherein said lance supporting means, said carriage and said moving means are all readily disassembled and folded into portable components.

5. A tube cleaning device according to claim 3,

wherein said lance supporting means includes a base,

a column pivotally connected to said base and adapted to be secured in an upright position,

at least one arm pivotally connected to the upper end of said columm, and means depending from said arm to support the lance.

6. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said driving means includes,

a driving roll, an idler roll in rolling engagement with said driving roll, said rolls adapted to receive at least one lance interposed between said rolls, and means for rotating said driving roll in both directions to extend and retract said lance. 7. A tube cleaning device according to claim 6, including means for adjustably loading said idler roll against said driving roll. 8. A tube cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein each of said rolls defines at least one groove, said water jet lance being received between said rolls in said grooves. 9. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, including means for limiting the retraction of said lance whereby said lance is maintained in engagement with said driving means. 10. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said driving means includes opposed rollers having a mating groove into which said lance is to be received, the groove in each roller being knurled, and means for urging said rollers onto a lance to assure sufficient driving engagement to force the lance through a blocked tube. 11. A tube cleaning device, comprising a movable carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally and vertically, at least one water jet lance having a jet tip, a lance driving means carried by said carriage,

the engagement of said lance driving means being 14. A tube cleaning device according to claim 13, in-

near said jet tip as said lance is initially extended by cluding said driving means into a tube to be cleaned, and spring loading means for biasing said arms outwardly,

and means for guiding and positioning said lance includ- 5 means for extending and retracting said arms into ing at least two tubes supported by said carriage and from engagement with tube openings. and extending away from said driving means in the 15. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, direction in which said lances are to be extended. wherein said carriage moving means includes a column, 12. A tube cleaning device according to claim 11, a base, wherein each of said tubes includes rollers supporting said column in rolling engagement a box enlargement near the outer end thereof, with said base, said box enlargement having a drain to dissipate rea rack secured to said column, and

verse water flow from the jet tip of the lance in said a pinion mounted on said carriage in engagement tube. 5 with said rack for moving said carriage vertically 13. A tube cleaning device according to claim 11, inon said column. cluding 16. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1,

extendable arms supported by said carriage and exwherein said driving means includes tending in the same general direction and on the a pair of opposed driving rolls adapted to receive at sides of said guiding tubes, least one lance in driving engagement therebesaid arms having a tapered tip which is to engage and tween,

center on a tube opening in a tube bundle t0 posimeans for rotating said driving rolls in both directions tion said guide tubes in alignment with other tube to extend and retract said lance. openings in said tube bundle.

UNITED STATES IIATENT OFFICE Q CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3.817.762 D te June 18, 1974 Inventor(s) 'Robert R. 'Cradeur, John E. Cardone and Ernest E. Q I Broussard It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

r. I w

, The'heading of the cover page "Caradeur et al." should be Cradeur et al.

-On the-cover page, left side, line 2, under Inventors:

"Robert 'Caradeur" should be Robert R. Cradeur Signed and Scaled this ninth Day of March 1976 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Aflisfing Offic Commissioner oj'Patents and Trademarks

Claims

1. A tube cleaning device, comprising a movable carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally and vertically, at least one water jet lance having a jet tip, and a lance driving means carried by said carriage, the engagement of said lance driving means being near said jet tip as said lance is initially extended by said driving means into a tube to be cleaned, a tube closely supporting substantially the entire length of said lance from said driving engagment to the tube to be cleaned.

2. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, including means for supplying high pressure water to said lance.

3. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, including means for supporting the end of said lance away from said jet tip when said lance is retracted.

4. A tube cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein said lance supporting means, said carriage and said moving means are all readily disassembled and folded into portable components.

5. A tube cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein said lance supporting means includes a base, a column pivotally connected to said base and adapted to be secured in an upright position, at least one arm pivotally connected to the upper end of said columm, and means depending from said arm to support the lance.

6. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said driving means includes, a driving roll, an idler roll in rolling engagement with said driving roll, said rolls adapted to receive at least one lance interposed between said rolls, and means for rotating said driving roll in both directions to extend and retract said lance.

7. A tube cleaning device according to claim 6, including means for adjustably loading said idler roll against said driving roll.

8. A tube cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein each of said rolls defines at least one groove, said water jet lance being received between said rolls in said grooves.

9. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, including means for limiting the retraction of said lance whereby said lance is maintained in engagement with said driving means.

10. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said driving means includes opposed rollers having a mating groove into which said lance is to be received, the groove in each roller being knurled, and means for urging said rollers onto a lance to assure sufficient driving engagement to force the lance through a blocked tube.

11. A tube cleaning device, comprising a movable carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally and vertically, at least one water jet lance having a jet tip, a lance driving means carried by said carriage, the engagement of said lance driving means being near said jet tip as said lance is initially extended by said driving means into a tube to be cleaned, and means for guiding and positioning said lance including at least two tubes supported by said carriage and extending away from said driving means in the direction in which said lances are to be extended.

12. A tube cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein each of said tubes includes a box enlargement near the outer end thereof, said box enlargement having a drain to dissipate reverse water flow from the jet tip of the lance in said tube.

13. A tube cleaning device according to claim 11, including extendable arms supported by said carriage and extending in the same general direction and on the sides of said guiding tubes, said arms having a tapered tip which is to engage and center on a tube opening in a tube bundle to position said guide tubes iN alignment with other tube openings in said tube bundle.

14. A tube cleaning device according to claim 13, including spring loading means for biasing said arms outwardly, and means for extending and retracting said arms into and from engagement with tube openings.

15. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said carriage moving means includes a column, a base, rollers supporting said column in rolling engagement with said base, a rack secured to said column, and a pinion mounted on said carriage in engagement with said rack for moving said carriage vertically on said column.

16. A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said driving means includes a pair of opposed driving rolls adapted to receive at least one lance in driving engagement therebetween, means for rotating said driving rolls in both directions to extend and retract said lance.