Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them. The diversion plate may be temporarily unseated from an adjacent surface of the mode shifting apparatus prior to relative rotation between them such that both rotationally-induced forces and the need for relying upon a lubricating fluid to achieve damping between adjacent component surfaces may be reduced.

Abstract: A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool is described herein. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them.

Abstract: A decoking tool includes a tool body, a diverter plate, a diverter body, a plurality of flow paths and a shifting apparatus. The plurality of flow paths may include a clearing flow path, a cutting flow path and a boring flow path each having a nozzle. The nozzle that terminates the clearing flow path can be directed substantially upwards during normal operation. The shifting apparatus can be operatively coupled to the diverter plate and/or the diverter body such that upon operation of the shifting apparatus, the diverter plate and the diverter body rotate relative to one another to substantially align a selection orifice and at least one of a clearing orifice, a cutting orifice and a boring orifice to establish fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the respective nozzle.

Abstract: A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them. The diversion plate may be temporarily unseated from an adjacent surface of the mode shifting apparatus prior to relative rotation between them such that both rotationally-induced forces and the need for relying upon a lubricating fluid to achieve damping between adjacent component surfaces may be reduced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a decoking tool may include a tool body, a diverter plate, a diverter body, a plurality of flow paths and a shifting apparatus. The plurality of flow paths may include a clearing flow path, a cutting flow path and a boring flow path each having a nozzle. The nozzle that terminates the clearing flow path can be directed substantially upwards during normal operation. The shifting apparatus can be operatively coupled to the diverter plate and/or the diverter body such that upon operation of the shifting apparatus, the diverter plate and the diverter body rotate relative to one another to substantially align a selection orifice and at least one of the at least one clearing orifice, the at least one cutting orifice and the at least one boring orifice to establish fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the respective nozzle.

Abstract: A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool is described herein. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them.