Storage apparatus for cleaning lance

摘要

A storage apparatus for one or more cleaning lances is provided. The storage apparatus can be utilized in connection with a driving apparatus that controls the cleaning movements of a cleaning lance with respect to certain industrial equipment such as a heat exchanger. The driving apparatus can be utilized to feed an additional length of the cleaning lance to the tubes of exchanger or to retract the cleaning lance from the tubes of the exchanger. The storing apparatus can be utilized to store the cleaning lance, regulate the distribution and movement of the cleaning lance, and prevent tangling or snagging of the cleaning lance during the cleaning process.

主权项

1. An apparatus for storing a cleaning lance, the apparatus comprising:
an enclosure; a spool disposed within the enclosure and rotatable about an axis, the spool having a rim with a contact surface formed thereon and at least one channel formed therein for holding the cleaning lance; an aperture formed in the enclosure and sized such that a segment of the cleaning lance is passable through the aperture; and an engagement wheel disposed adjacent to the spool and outside the enclosure with a contact surface thereon for contacting the contact surface on the rim of the spool and applying frictional force to the spool when the spool rotates about the axis, the engagement wheel being adjustable between a raised position where the contact surface of the engagement wheel contacts the contact surface of the rim and drives the spool to rotate and wind the cleaning lance onto the spool, and a lowered position where the contact surface of the engagement wheel does not contact the contact surface of the rim, the enclosure having a window formed therein such that the contact surface of the engagement wheel contacts the contact surface of the rim through the window when the engagement wheel is raised, the contact surface of the engagement wheel being capable of (i) slipping against the contact surface of the spool and continuing the rotational movement of the engagement wheel when there is a restriction to movement of the cleaning lance and (ii) regripping the contact surface of the spool upon removing or substantially removing the restriction to movement of the cleaning lance.