Driving apparatus for one or more cleaning lances

摘要

A driving apparatus can be utilized to control the cleaning movements of one or more cleaning lances with respect to certain industrial equipment such as a heat exchanger. For example, driving apparatus can be utilized to feed an additional length of cleaning lance to the tubes of exchanger, or to retract cleaning lance from the tubes of exchanger as desired. In general, driving apparatus can be used to clean a variety of types of pipes, tubing and equipment used in industrial facilities.

主权项

1. An apparatus for advancing a cleaning lance, the apparatus comprising:
a drive unit having a drive wheel, the drive wheel having at least one channel that engages the cleaning lance; an idler unit having at least one idler wheel; an opening between the drive wheel and the at least one idler wheel such that the cleaning lance is positionable along a linear axis in the opening; a contact surface on the at least one idler wheel for contacting the cleaning lance and applying pressure to the cleaning lance; and a contact surface on the at least one channel for contacting the cleaning lance and applying frictional force to the cleaning lance such that the cleaning lance is bent by the pressure from the at least one idler wheel on a radius around the drive wheel and advanced upon rotational movement of the drive wheel, wherein the contact surface of the at least one channel and the contact surface of the at least one idler wheel grip the cleaning lance therebetween in a manner whereby the drive wheel will continue to rotate while slipping against the cleaning lance upon encountering an obstruction and then will advance the cleaning lance when the obstruction is cleared.