Abstract:
An apparatus for insertion in an enclosed space, including: a tube with: first and second substantially straight portions including first and second ends of the tube, respectively; and a curved portion connecting the first and second portions. The apparatus includes: a plurality of nested segments at least partially disposed within the first substantially straight portion of the tube and connected to the first substantially straight portion; and a first actuator engageable with the tube to displace the first and second substantially straight portions of the tube into and out of the enclosed space through an opening into the enclosed space. The tube is arranged to accept a hose passing through the tube, and a distal segment from the plurality of nested segments is connectable to the hose.
Abstract:
A guide tube pitch adjustment apparatus for aligning distal ends of lance guide tubes in registry with tube openings in a heat exchanger tube sheet is disclosed. A guide tube pitch clamp assembly carried within and supported from a housing. The pitch clamp assembly has at least two V-blocks fastened to a threaded rod. One V-block is fastened to a portion of the threaded rod having right hand threads, and another V-block is fastened to another portion of the threaded rod having left hand threads. Each of the V-blocks supports a portion of one of the guide tubes, and a cross bar clamp within the housing is oriented to span across the V-blocks and adjustably hold the portions of the guide tubes in a spaced relationship such that spacing between the distal ends of adjacent guide tubes may be adjusted by rotation of the threaded rod.
Abstract:
A nozzle assembly comprises a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; and a switching valve cartridge disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and direct fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. The cartridge comprises a cylindrical cartridge case having a front portion and a cup shaped rear portion, a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the cup shaped rear portion of the cartridge case, and a biasing member within the cartridge case between the front portion of the case and the poppet urging the poppet away from the front portion of the cartridge case.
Abstract:
A nozzle assembly comprises a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; and a switching valve cartridge disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and direct fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. The cartridge comprises a cylindrical cartridge case having a front portion and a cup shaped rear portion, a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the cup shaped rear portion of the cartridge case, and a biasing member within the cartridge case between the front portion of the case and the poppet urging the poppet away from the front portion of the cartridge case.
Abstract:
A flow path switching valve is disclosed that can be operated remotely simply by turning flow on and off. A mid portion of the body has at least one passage therein leading from a central axial bore to one or more external ports each having a tractor nozzle. The valve outlet connects the axial bore to a cleaning nozzle. A poppet member is received in the central axial bore. In a first position, the poppet member directs fluid flow through the outlet to the cleaning nozzle connected to the outlet. The poppet member, when in a second position, closes the central axial bore through the outlet end of the valve body and permits fluid flow through the tractor nozzles. Selection of the different flow paths is made by simply reducing flow through the valve below a predetermined fluid flow threshold and then increasing the flow rate above the threshold.
Abstract:
An apparatus for retarding rotation of a nozzle includes a hollow housing, a rotary shaft within the housing, a rotatable rotor on the rotary shaft free to move axially along the shaft, and a cam assembly coupling the rotor and shaft together in the housing such that rotor rotation on the shaft causes the cam assembly to displace the rotor axially on the shaft in a first direction. A set of springs on the shaft biases the rotor in a second direction opposite the first direction on the shaft. Finally, a viscous fluid disposed between the rotor and the housing generates a drag on rotor rotation with the shaft. Relative rotation of the rotor with respect to the shaft in conjunction with a variable gap between the rotor and housing are used to slow and thus control rotary nozzle speed.
Abstract:
A system for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose. A first portion of the hose is disposable about the drum and a guide arm engages a second portion of the hose. An actuator assembly rotates a cage and the guide arm so that the guide arm rotates relative to the cage such that the hose is rotated. Relative rotation in one direction causes the first portion of the hose to uncoil from the drum and displace along the guide arm and causes a third portion of the high pressure hose in an output port to displace out of the output port away from the guide arm. Relative rotation in an opposite direction causes the second portion of the high pressure hose to coil about the drum and causes the third portion of the high pressure hose to displace into the housing.
Abstract:
A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
Abstract:
A system for distinguishing target metal objects from each other in close proximity to each other. The method includes transmitting a first sinusoid signal via a first transmit coil to a first receive coil in close proximity to the first transmit coil; transmitting a second sinusoidal signal at a second frequency and amplitude different from the first frequency and amplitude to a second receive coil arranged in close proximity to the second transmit coil and in close proximity to the first receive coil such that received signals in the first and second receive coils include first and second frequency signals from the other of the first and second transmit coils. The received signals are separated via frequency domain multiplexing. The signals are compared to detect a presence of the target having a signal magnitude different from the first received signal and the received second signal and a known reference point.
Abstract:
A multiple flexible high pressure fluid cleaning lance drive apparatus includes at least a first drive motor having a first drive shaft, a spline drive roller mounted on the first drive shaft, a plurality of cylindrical guide rollers extending parallel to the spline drive roller, an endless belt wrapped around the spline drive roller and the plurality of guide rollers, and one or more follower roller modules each supporting a plurality of follower rollers for pressing against a single flexible lance. Each follower roller module independently presses its follower rollers toward the endless belt to grip the flexible lance sandwiched therebetween. Each module has an elongated block shaped housing having a central axis, a plurality of pneumatic cylinders and a piston rod carried in each pneumatic cylinder supporting a pair of spaced follower rollers that ride on the flexible lance captured between the endless belt and the follower rollers.