U.S. patent number 3,645,452 [Application Number 05/032,290] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-29 for tank cleaner.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The B. F. Goodrich Company. Invention is credited to Albert L. Stoeckel, Alfred F. Zoltai.
United States Patent |
3,645,452 |
Stoeckel , et al. |
February 29, 1972 |
TANK CLEANER
Abstract
A portable high-pressure tank-cleaning apparatus with telescopic
sections adjustably secured to a base section. A cleaning head is
mounted at the end of the forwardmost section and is positioned
upon extension of the telescopic sections. The adjustability of the
telescopic sections on the base permits the cleaning head to be
positioned at different positions in the tank.
Inventors: |
Stoeckel; Albert L. (Euclid,
OH), Zoltai; Alfred F. (Elyria, OH) |
Assignee: |
The B. F. Goodrich Company (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
21864135 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/032,290 |
Filed: |
April 27, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/227;
134/168R; 239/265; 239/587.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B08B
9/0936 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B08B
9/093 (20060101); B08B 9/08 (20060101); B05b
003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/160,162,164,165,225,227,264,265,587 ;134/167,168 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Mar; Michael Y.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable tank-cleaning apparatus comprising: support means for
attachment to a tank or vessel; a plurality of nested telescopic
sections supported by said support means; means operatively
connected to said sections to provide for extending and retracting
said telescopic sections relative to said support means and to each
other to provide a compact unit which facilitates removal and
insertion of said portable cleaning apparatus into the tank or
vessel; spray nozzle means mounted on one of said telescopic
sections for rotation thereon; said telescopic sections having
passageway means interconnected therein and therethrough; said
passageway means connected to said spray nozzle for delivering
high-pressure fluid to said spray nozzle means; and motive drive
means mounted on the lower most section of said sections connected
to said spray nozzle means; said motive drive means operative upon
energization for rotating said spray nozzle means through a
changing pattern of movement; and power means connected to said
motive drive means for energizing said motive drive means.
2. A portable tank cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1
wherein said telescopic sections are rotatable and pivotally
secured to said support means.
3. A portable tank cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 1
wherein said support means has an annular race; an annular support
is journaled in said race for rotational movement therein; a
spherically shaped housing is journaled in said annular support for
pivotal movement thereon and operative to support said telescopic
sections; said nozzle means and said motive drive means include
spray nozzles mounted on a first bevel gear rotatable about the
axis of a second bevel gear rotatable and wherein said second bevel
gear has a plurality of teeth differing in number than said first
bevel gear.
4. A portable tank-cleaning apparatus comprising: support means for
attachment to a tank or vessel; a support base mounted on said
support means; a housing pivotally mounted on said support base;
clamp means interconnecting said support base and said housing to
permit relative pivotal movement therebetween and simultaneous
rotation therewith; a plurality of nested telescopic sections
supported by said housing; a cleaning head mounted on one of said
telescopic sections for directing pressurized fluid therefrom onto
the interior walls of the vessel to be cleaned; first
power-operated means mounted on said one telescopic section and
connected to said cleaning head for changing the position of said
head relative to said one telescopic section; and second
power-operated means connected to said telescopic sections to
extend and retract said sections relative to each other to extend
and locate said cleaning head into position in a vessel for use and
to facilitate the removal and insertion of said portable cleaning
apparatus into the tank or vessel.
5. A portable tank-cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 4
wherein said support means has an annular guideway, said support
base has an annular guide received by said guideway, said housing
having a pair of spaced trunnions journaled in said support
base.
6. A portable tank-cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 5
wherein said apparatus has storage means mounted thereon for
receiving and dispensing fluid-conducting means to said telescopic
sections for directing high-pressure fluids to said cleaning
head.
7. A portable tank-cleaning apparatus comprising: support means for
attachment to a tank or vessel; an annular support journaled in
said support means for rotation therein; bracket means secured to
said annular support; a spherical-shaped housing mounted in said
annular support for movement therein; a tubular support member
secured to said housing for movement therewith, clamping means
interconnecting said bracket means and said tubular support for
securing said tubular support member and annular support for
simultaneous rotation or to permit relative movement therebetween;
indicia on said support means and said brackets to provide visual
indication of the relative position of said annular support and
said tubular support member; a handle secured to said tubular
support for manipulating said tubular support and said housing;
telescopic sections supported by said tubular support for extension
therefrom and retraction thereto; power-operated means connected to
one of said sections for retracting and extending said sections;
spray nozzle means mounted on said one section for rotation; motive
drive means connected to said nozzles for rotating said nozzle
through a changing pattern of movement.
8. A portable tank-cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 7
wherein said spherical-shaped housing has a pair of trunnions
journaled in said annular support for pivotal movement thereon; a
storage reel secured to said tubular support member; a hose wound
on said reel and connected to said one section for movement
therewith, and a cable interconnected with said reel and said one
section to retract and let out said sections relative to said
housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a high-pressure cleaning apparatus and
more particularly to a portable and adjustable tank-cleaning
apparatus with telescopic sections to facilitate the positioning of
the apparatus's cleaning head to different locations so that the
head can direct a high-pressure stream of fluid against all
interior surfaces of a chemical processing vessel.
In the chemical processing industry large storage and processing
tanks or vessels are utilized which must be periodically cleaned.
Interior surfaces of such tanks or vessels invariably become
contaminated and fouled due to the chemicals processed therein. In
polymerization of polyvinyl chloride, for example, cleaning of
processing vessels, is necessary after the completion of each batch
polymerization process. In addition to the interior surface walls
of such tanks, the interior of such chemical processing tanks may
contain baffles, crevices, agitators and agitator blades and the
like, which also must be cleaned. Cleaning periodically is
necessary so as to prevent contamination of succeeding
polymerization batches and to assure a consistent quality
product.
Cleaning of the interiors of such tanks is normally accomplished by
manually scrapping the interior walls, baffles and agitator blades
in such tanks. Manual methods are time consuming, ineffective for
thorough cleaning due to the inherent deficiencies of a manual
operation and additionally subjects wall surfaces to scratches and
mars due to the use of scrappers. Hand lances utilizing
high-pressure nozzles have been used to supplement the hand
scrapping to clean the interiors of tanks; however, an operator
using a hand lance is essentially still a manual operation wherein
the operator maneuvers the hand lance, which maneuvering is
rendered difficult by the length of such lances and the
inaccessibility from the exterior thereof. Operating a hand lance
outside the vessel makes it impossible to reach all interior
surfaces within the vessel. A hand lance invariably creates a "fog"
which further hampers the operator from observing the interior of
the tank. Hand lances are further difficult to maneuver and, due to
the high-pressure system, create an ever present danger to
operating personnel. Numerous safety procedures are necessary with
manual operations, such as locking out the agitator motor and panel
switch to render the agitators inoperable, connecting an exhaust
hose to the tanks prior to cleaning and exhausting the interior
thereof for at least 20 minutes to assure that the toxic fumes
therein are all exhausted, since such fumes are heavier than air,
locking various valves and engaging safety alarms for the sole
purpose of protecting operators working within and around the
vessel. The operator has difficulty climbing into the tank
requiring considerable effort and maneuvering. Accordingly, such
manual cleaning methods employed are time-consuming, cumbersome,
dangerous, a health hazard and are further inadequate for providing
the necessary clean surfaces within the vessels. Efforts to
mechanize the cleaning of tanks by cleaning apparatus has
encountered difficulty in handling of the portable apparatus due to
the limited availability of overhead space in the processing plants
compared to the size of tanks being cleaned. These and other
disadvantages are no longer encountered in practicing this
invention.
The advantages realized with this invention are numerous. A manual
cleaning operation is eliminated which avoids occupational hazards,
health hazards and further eliminates inherent deficiencies of hand
operations such as fatigue and carelessness. A portable cleaning
apparatus with nozzle is inserted into the tank and adjusted for
the desired position within the tank and then operates without
operator manipulations, which apparatus effectively cleans all
interior surfaces and is further easily manipulated into and out of
the tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention a portable, high-pressure jet
spray apparatus with telescopic and adjustable features is provided
for rapidly and effectively positioning the apparatus within the
vessel. The jet nozzles on this extreme end of the telescopic
apparatus are driven by gear means such that the rotating jet
nozzles revolve through a predetermined geometric pattern for
directing high-pressure sprays to all surfaces within the tank
effectively cleaning the interior of the tank.
To clearly illustrate this invention, reference will henceforth be
made to the embodiment of this invention shown in the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a cleaning apparatus within a
tank, showing the tank in cross section.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of the
cleaning apparatus showing the swivel joint with the support in
cross section.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of the
cleaning apparatus similar to FIG. 3; however, showing the upper
portion 90.degree. from that shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the swivel joint with the
support in cross section.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the upper portion of the support showing a
portion of the upper cleaning apparatus which houses the telescopic
sections.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the telescopic
sections of the cleaning apparatus with intermediate portion broken
away to more clearly show the details of the sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
there is shown a tank or vessel 10 which receives the jet-cleaning
apparatus to be described. The tank 10 is suitably secured to the
floor 48 extending downwardly therethrough. The upper portion of
vessel 10 has a circular flange 11 defining a manhole 12 for entry
into the inside of vessel 10. The portable cleaning apparatus
includes a support base or support means 13 which is suitably
secured to the flange 11 as by suitable bolts 14.
Support means 13 has an inner annular guideway 15 which journals
for rotation therein an annular support member 16. The upper
surface 17 of support 13 has suitable indicia thereon, as shown in
FIG. 6. Annular member 16 has a pair of spaced recesses as at 18 on
its upper surface and an annular seal 19 on its inner periphery.
Suitably secured to the annular support member 16 for rotation
therewith are a pair of spaced upwardly extending brackets 20
(FIGS. 3 and 4). The upper end portions of each bracket 20 is
arcuately shaped and recessed as at 21, with indicia 22 thereon.
Annular support member 16 has a pair of diametrically spaced bores
25 therein operative to receive the respective trunnions 26--26 of
a spherical shaped housing 27. The annular support member 16 is
shown as a one-piece member for simplicity of illustration and it
may be of a two-piece split construction to simplify the reception
of the trunnions 26--26.
Spherical shaped housing 27 has a centrally located bore 29
extending therethrough to receive the reduced end portion 30 of an
elongated tubular support 31, which support 31 is suitably secured
to the housing 27 for movement therewith. Spherical housing 27 has
a second bore 34 (FIG. 6) to provide for the passage of an airhose
35 (FIGS. 2 and 3) for a purpose to be described. Tubular support
31 has an annular ring 36 closely adjacent to the reduced end
portion 30. Mounted on support 31 for movement toward and away from
such support 31 are a pair of clamping blocks 37 that are operated
by respective handles 40, which upon tightening thereof secures the
tubular support 31 from rotation, whereas upon loosening of the
clamping block 37, as best seen in FIG. 4, permits the pivotal
movement of the tubular support 31 along with spherical housing 27
relative to the brackets 20 and the annular support member 16 about
the trunnions 26--26. As an example of the movement of spherical
housing 27 and the tubular support 31 relative to the annular
support member 16, note FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein the tubular support
31 is shown in the vertical position and thence in inclined
position. Clamping block 37 has an indicator 41 thereon which
registers with the indicia 22 on bracket 20 to indicate the degree
of tilt or incline.
Annular ring 36 of support 31 has an abutment 45 integral therewith
with an eye hook 46 suitably connected thereto for connection to a
hook of a hoist for manipulation of the cleaning apparatus into and
out of the vessel or tank. Extending outwardly from ring 36 is a
handle 47 by which the operator can pivot the apparatus about
trunnions 26--26. The upper end portion of the tubular support 31
has secured to it a bracket 49 for a purpose to be described. An
annular washer 50 is secured to the upper inner periphery of
tubular support 31 to limit the outward movement of the telescopic
sections to be described. The lower end portion of tubular support
31 has inner peripheral groove 51 which receives a nylon bushing
52. The nylon bushing 52 and tubular support 31 are recessed to
house a key 55 that extends laterally therethrough.
Slidably mounted within tubular support 31 is an elongated tubular
member or telescopic section 56, which section 56 has an annular
recess 57 at its upper end portion which receives a nylon bushing
58. Tubular member or telescopic section 56 has a groove 59
extending substantially the full length thereof and operative to
receive the one end of key 55 to prevent relative rotation between
tubular member or telescopic section 56 and the tubular support 31.
The lower inner periphery of section 56 has an annular recess 60 to
receive an annular nylon bushing 61. The lower end portion of
section 56 and bushing 61 are suitably recessed to receive a key
65. The upper end portion of tubular member or telescopic section
56 has an annular plate 66 secured thereto operative as a stop
means. Slidably received within section 56 is an elongated tubular
member or telescopic section 67, which member or section 67 has an
annular recess 68 on its upper outer periphery to receive an
annular nylon bushing 69. The lower end portion of tubular member
or section 67 has an annular recess 71 on its inner periphery to
receive a bushing 72. Tubular member or section 67 has an elongated
keyway 73 extending substantially the full length thereof to
slidably receive key 65. Key 65 thus extends through tubular member
or section 56 into keyway 73 to prevent relative rotation between
tubular members 56 and 67 but permits sliding movement
therebetween.
Slidably received by tubular member or telescopic section 67 is an
elongated tubular member or telescopic section 75 having a central
bore 76 extending longitudinally therethrough. Tubular member or
section 75 has an elongated keyway 80 that extends for
substantially the entire length thereof, receiving a portion of a
key 81, which key 81 is secured to the lower end portion of tubular
member 67, thereby permitting relative sliding movement between
tubular members 75 and 67, but preventing relative rotation
therebetween. Tubular member or section 75 is recessed at one end
as at 77 to receive a bushing 82. A coupling 83 is threadedly
secured to the upper end portion of tubular member or telescopic
section 75 such that a hose 85 connected to coupling 83 may supply
pressurized fluid to the central bore 76.
Mounted on bracket 49 is a gear reduction unit 87 controlled by a
handle or hand crank 86 which controls the rotation of a storage
reel 88 upon which hose 85 may be wound. Reel 88 has provision for
the simultaneous winding up and storage of a cable 90 (FIG. 7)
which is connected to the bushing 82 and the tubular member or
section 75 via which the telescopic sections or tubular members 75,
67 and 56 may be collapsed or extended relative to the stationary
tubular member 31.
Suitably secured to the lowermost end portion of inner tubular
member or section 75 is a flange 92 and housing 93. Housing 93
supports an air motor 94 and transmission means 95.
A bevel gear 96 is suitably secured to housing 93. The output of
transmission means 95 is suitably connected to one end of a
right-angle swivel joint 97, such that rotation of joint 97 carries
with it a lower bevel gear 98 which in turn meshes with bevel gear
96 such that as joint 97 rotates about the axis of tubular member
75 and about the axis of stationary housing 93, bevel gear 98
travels about bevel gear 96. Secured to rotating bevel gear 98 for
rotation therewith is a T-fitting 100. High-pressure spray nozzles
101 and 102 are secured to the end portions of T-fitting 100 to
receive pressurized fluids from hose 85 via tubular members 75, 67
and 56 for a purpose to be described. The pressurized fluid to hose
85 may be supplied from a centralized pressure source or via a
separate pump, not shown. The airhose 35 which passes through the
spherical housing 27 has one end connected to air motor 94 and the
other end connected to a suitable pressure source.
Upon activation of air motors 94, rotation of spray nozzles 101 and
102 are effected through lower bevel gear 98, meshing with bevel
gear 96. The number of teeth on stationary bevel gear 96 is
different than the number of teeth on rotational bevel gear 98. As
an example, stationary bevel gear 96 can have 105 teeth with a 16
diametrical pitch and a 20-degree pitch angle, while bevel gear 98
can have 104 teeth with a 16 diametrical pitch and a 20-degree
pitch angle. In such example, the geometric spray pattern of lower
nozzles 101-102 changes continuously upon one complete revolution
of gear 98 such that the changing geometric pattern, in cooperation
with the telescopic sections and the repositioning of the cleaning
apparatus, is able to clean effectively the entire interior surface
of the vessel and the parts therein. A clamping means 109 (FIG. 4)
is threadedly mounted on the support means 13 to assure a means for
preventing the rotation of the support member 16 once the rotated
position is adjusted relative to the support means 13.
In the operation of the apparatus described, assuming that the
cleaning apparatus is in a collapsed position, as shown in phantom
lines in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 7. The apparatus with the hook 46
permits the manipulation of the cleaning apparatus, as by an
overhead crane for positioning into the vessel, even where the
overhead clearance space is limited, due to the compactness of the
telescopic sections. Support base 13 is positioned on the flange 11
and secured thereto as by clamps 105 and bolts 14. Handle 86 is
then rotated to unwind steel cable 90 which lowers the housing 93
and the tubular member 75, which is effected due to gravity because
of its weight. Section 75 moves downwardly initially, carrying with
it its upper bushing 78 until bushing 78 engages bushing 72 secured
to section 67, thereby carrying section 67 downward therewith.
Section 67 moves downward until its upper bushing 69 comes in
contact with section 61, thereafter carrying section 56 downwardly
therewith until its outer bushing 58 contacts bushing 52 secured to
the lowermost end portion of stationary tubular member 31 which
extends the cleaning apparatus to its fullest extension for
cleaning as shown in FIG. 1. Cleaning fluid is then pumped under
high pressure of about 3,000 to 6,000 p.s.i. via hose 85 which
transmits the cleaning solution under high pressure to jet nozzles
101 and 102. Air motor 94 is activated to rotate gear 98 via
transmission means 95 such that nozzles 101 and 102 rotate in a
predetermined geometric pattern which covers as much of the entire
interior surfaces of the tank as possible from one position, taking
into consideration that certain areas are prevented from being
reached as by the obstructions of the baffles and the agitator
blades 107 and its central drive shaft 108. Upon completion of the
rotation of gear 98 and the return of jet nozzles 101 and 102 to
their original position, the operator may then loosen clamping
block 37 and pivot the housing 27 about trunnions 26--26 as by
manipulation of handle 47 such as to position the cleaning
apparatus in the extended position shown in phantom lines in FIG.
1. The cleaning operation is then continued. It should be noted
that the recesses 18--18 in the support 13 facilitate the pivotal
movement of the cleaning apparatus in the tank. The operator may
reach other portions of the tank, depending on the locations of the
baffles, the type of agitators therein, the type of chemical used
and the degree of buildup within the tank.
The operator may manipulate the cleaning device rotating the
cleaning device via handle 47 by swinging spherical housing 27,
together with annular support 16 relative to support base 13 in
guideways 15, which permits a 360.degree. rotation therebetween.
Thereafter the operator may collapse the cleaning apparatus by
rotating handle 86 which retracts the respective sections or
tubular members 75, 67 and 56 to the position shown in FIG. 7 so
that the collapsed unit may assume one of several positions for
cleaning, one of which is shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1. This is
achieved by rotating handle 47 which rotates the cleaning apparatus
in annular support 13 or by unclamping block 37 and pivoting the
cleaning apparatus on trunnions 26--26 and reclamping the blocks 37
to assure the operator that the cleaning apparatus will retain its
adjusted position.
Although a specific embodiment and a preferred mode of operation of
the invention has been hereinbefore described, it is understood
that the subject invention is not limited thereto since variations
and modifications thereof can be made without departing from the
principles of the invention.
* * * * *