US3817262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube cleaning device
Assignee: MAINTECH INTERNATIONAL Inc A CORP OF TX
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Filing: 1972-08-07
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 R Caradeur
- 👤 J Cardone
- 👤 E Broussard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:21
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28G; F28G1/00; F28G1/16; F28G1/163; B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/02; B08B9/027; B08B9/032; B08B9/0321; B08B9/0323; B08B9/04; B08B9/043; B08B9/0433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tube cleaning device according to claim 1, including means for supplying high pressure water to said lance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tube cleaning device according to claim 6, including means for adjustably loading said idler roll against said driving roll.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |