Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the outer surface of a pipeline (10, 10B, 10C) including a self propelled carriage (28, 28B, 28C) supported on the pipeline for movement. A housing (30, 30B, 30C) forms an enclosed cleaning chamber about the pipeline and the cleaning material along with entrained waste material removed from the pipeline may be conveyed by a suitable conduit (40) from a discharge opening in the bottom of the housing (30, 30B, 30C) for separation of the cleaning material and waste material and return of the separate water to the housing in a recirculation system. The embodiment of FIGS. 11-15 is particularly adapted for use with high pressure water and includes a plurality of nozzle units (91C) mounted externally on the housing (30C) with each unit (91C) having a hydraulic fluid drive motor (96C) operatively connected to a nozzle (94C) for pivoting of the nozzle (94C) back and forth in an arcuate path. High pressure water is supplied to a tube or tubular shaft (90 C) connected to the nozzle (94C).

Abstract: A carriage (28-28B) has rollers (58-58B) supported on the outer surface of a pipeline (10) for movement therealong in the cleaning operation for the pipeline. A nozzle assembly (86-86B) is mounted for oscillating movement relative to a supporting frame in a direction concentric to the outer peripheral surface (58) of the pipeline (10) with fluid discharge nozzles (104-104B) mounted on the nozzle assembly for discharge of pressurized fluid against the surface of the pipeline (10). In one embodiment (FIGS. 2-7) an enclosed cylindrical nozzle assembly (68) has rollers (96) thereon mounted on an outer fixed cylindrical housing for oscillating movement. In other embodiments (FIGS. 8-10 and FIGS. 11-12) fixed U-shaped yokes (61A, 61B) are positioned alongside pipeline (10) and support the nozzle assembly (68A, 68B) for oscillation.

Abstract: A coating removal machine or carriage (22) for a pipe (10) has an enclosed housing (44, 46, 48, 50) extending about front and rear tool carriers (74, 76) which rotate in opposite directions about the pipe (10) and have coating removal tools (116, 118, 120) for removing the coating material from the pipe (10). The removed coating material (12) is collected in removable bags (66) beneath the machine (22) for disposal at a separate remote disposal site. A dust collector (28) has a vacuum line (32) extending to the enclosed housing (44, 46, 48, 50) to remove minute coating particles which are suspended in air or air borne. One embodiment (FIGS. 10 and 11) is provided for a fixed installation. Another embodiment (FIGS. 13-15) includes water under pressure discharged from nozzles (63B) to remove the coated material (12) from the pipe (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the outer periphery of a pipe (10) by a carriage (28) travelling along the pipe (10). A housing (58) supported from an upper support frame (56) of the carriage (28) includes a pair of housing halves (58, 60) pivotally connected to each other and forming an enclosed chamber about the pipe (10). Nozzles (94) on the housing (58) are spaced about the pipe (10) for the discharge of a cleaning material in a high velocity stream against the outer surface of the pipe (10). A lifting head (114) connected to the housing halves (58, 60) pivots the halves (58, 60) to an open position and also lifts the carriage (28) from the pipe (10). An embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10 includes a housing (58B) mounted on rollers (85B) of carriage frame (56B) for oscillation of housing (58B) and nozzles (94B) in an arcuate stroke relative to the carriage frame (56B).

Abstract: A self propelled carriage (28) has a housing (30) comprised of a center body section (51) and a pair of side sections (52) hinged (54) to the body section (51). Side sections (52) may be swung to an open "clamshell" like position for lowering of the carriage (28) onto the pipe (10) for travel along the pipe (10). Nozzles (72) for the discharge of abrasive particles, such as sand, are mounted for oscillating movement in a predetermined stroke to cover a predetermined outer surface area of the pipe (10) for cleaning the pipe and for providing a rough finish for the application of a coating.

Abstract: A self propelled carriage (28) has a housing (30) comprised of a center body section (51) and a pair of side sections (52) hinged (54) to the body section (51). Side sections (52) may be swung to an open "clamshell" like position for lowering of the carriage (28) onto the pipe (10) for travel along the pipe (10). Nozzle (72) for the discharge of abrasive particles, such as sand, are mounted for oscillating movement in a predetermined stroke to cover a predetermined outer surface area of the pipe (10) for cleaning the pipe and for providing a rough finish for the application of a coating.