US4292731A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tube removal machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-03-31
•
Granted: 1981-10-06
•
Expires: 2000-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A machine is provided for removing the entire length of a tube from a heat exchanger or the like, after the expanded end portions thereof have been extracted a short distance from the outer face of the tube sheet, utilizing a power driven chain conveyor with toothed links which engage and grip the outside of the tube, wedging the tube into a coacting trough or shoe which can be applied to the tube at a selected location along its length and draws the tube through the machine and clear of the exchanger.
Inventors
- 👤 Burt Filer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:23
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; B23P19/02; B23P19/022; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49821; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53113
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A tube removal machine for positioning in front of a tube sheet comprising a housing, a longitudinally elongated member carried in said housing and extending from said tube sheet for engagement under pressure along one side face portion of a tube to be removed, and means in said housing for advancing the tube to be removed, said means including a driving member carried on an endless chain having a rigid portion for gripping engagement with the opposite side face portion of said tube from that with which said elongated member is in engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A tube removal machine for positioning in front of a tube sheet comprising a housing, a longitudinally elongated member carried in said housing and extending from said tube sheet for engagement under pressure along one side face portion of a tube to be removed, and means in said housing for advancing the tube to be removed, said means including a driving member carried on an endless chain having a rigid portion for gripping engagement with the opposite side face portion of said tube from that with which said elongated member is in engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said driving member comprises a driving and a driven sprocket, an endless chain on said sprockets, said portion for engagement with said tube having a tooth carried by said chain, and a member in engagement with said chain for retaining said tooth in engagement with the tube to be removed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated member has portions for retaining the tube therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated member is of inverted V-shape in transverse cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated member comprises a plurality of rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 5 in which said rollers are rotatably carried in an inverted channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated member is connected to said housing by a plurality of removable bolts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 7 in which said bolts are adjustable for varying the force applied on said elongated member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tube removal machine as defined on claim 7 in which resilient members are provided in engagement with elongated member for urging said member into tube engagement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 6 in which resilient members are provided in engagement with said channel for urging said rollers into tube engagement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said housing comprises a plurality of housing portions, and said housing portions are separable for access to said advancing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 11 in which said member for retaining said chain provides a spacer for said housing portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 2 in which one of said sprockets urges said tooth into gripping engagement with the tube to be removed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 2 in which said endless chain has a plurality of teeth carried thereby.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 2 in which said sprockets are journalled in said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated member has an end face for engagement with a tube sheet from which a tube is to be removed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 1 in which said driving member comprises a supporting plate and a driving sprocket, an endless chain carried on said plate and said sprocket, said portion for engagement with said tube having a tooth carried by said chain, said supporting plate positioning said chain for retaining said tooth in engagement with the tube to be retained.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tube removal machine as defined in claim 17 in which said supporting plate has an arcuate end for guiding and retaining said chain and said sprocket is disposed at the opposite end of said plate from said arcuate end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2167818A
Cited
US3339710A
Cited
US3837062A
Cited
US3924316A
Cited
US4095335A
Cited
US4125928A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-05 | 1985-04-06 | 1985-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-05 | 1989-04-06 | 1989-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-05 | 1993-04-06 | 1993-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |