Apparatus, System and Method for Cleaning Inner Surfaces of Tubing
First Claim
1. A cleaning system for cleaning tubes, the system comprising:
- a string of multiple cleaning apparatuses in electrical communication with each other and configured to be mounted along a length of a tube;
a primary control module that is in electrical connection with a first cleaning apparatus in the string of multiple cleaning apparatuses; and
each one of the cleaning apparatuses comprising an acoustic transducer, a releasable clamping mechanism to mount the transducer to the tube and an electronic device to control the transducer;
wherein the electronic device is configured to receive a data command from the primary control module.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Cleaning the inside surfaces of tubes in a cracking furnace, or other type of structure with tubes, is very difficult and time consuming. An acoustic energy cleaning apparatus is provided that is clamped onto a tube, and a liquid solvent is filled within the tube. The cleaning apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer that causes cavitation of the liquid inside the tube, which dislodges material build-up. The apparatus also includes a rigid seal cover that encompasses a lower portion of a transducer housing, and an annular resilient seal positioned within and below the seal cover. The apparatus also includes an injection hole that fluidly connects a space, defined at least by the annular resilient seal and a bottom surface of the acoustic transducer, to an external environment. A user injects gel into the injection hole.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cleaning system for cleaning tubes, the system comprising:
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a string of multiple cleaning apparatuses in electrical communication with each other and configured to be mounted along a length of a tube; a primary control module that is in electrical connection with a first cleaning apparatus in the string of multiple cleaning apparatuses; and each one of the cleaning apparatuses comprising an acoustic transducer, a releasable clamping mechanism to mount the transducer to the tube and an electronic device to control the transducer; wherein the electronic device is configured to receive a data command from the primary control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for cleaning a tube in a furnace, the method comprising:
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filling the tube in the furnace with a liquid; mechanically cleaning multiple portions an exterior surface of the tube, the multiple portions space apart from each other along a length of the tube; activating the cleaning apparatuses via a primary control module that is in electrical communication with the cleaning apparatuses; deactivating the cleaning apparatuses; flushing the tube with new liquid; and removing the cleaning apparatuses from the tube.
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13. An acoustic energy cleaning apparatus for cleaning an interior surface of a tube, the apparatus comprising:
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a transducer housing that houses an acoustic transducer; a rigid seal cover that encompasses a lower portion of the transducer housing; an annular resilient seal positioned within and below the seal cover; an injection hole that fluidly connects a space, defined at least by the annular resilient seal and a bottom surface of the acoustic transducer, to an external environment, the injection hole having an opening to receive an injection of gel; and a clamp to mount the transducer housing to the tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A cleaning system for a tube, comprising:
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the tube comprising a mechanical receiver positioned at an opening in a wall of the tube; a removable plug that is mechanically fastenable and removable from the mechanical receiver; a cleaning apparatus that is mechanically fastenable to the mechanical receiver in place of the removable plug, and is subsequently removable from the mechanical receiver; the cleaning apparatus comprising an electromechanical device to at least one of vibrate the wall of the tube and excite liquid within the tube; and a wire extending from the cleaning apparatus to provide electric power to the electromechanical device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification