Abstract: A retractable sootblower having an open frame. The frame includes an inboard end wall, an outboard end wall and a pair of opposingly positioned side panels. The side panels are seamless and mounted to interconnect the inboard and outboard end walls together. The side panels cooperating with the end walls to generally define a rectangularly shaped structure which encloses the carriage and lance tube of the sootblower. The generally open top and bottom of the frame allows for substantially unobstructed access from above and below to the carriage and lance tube. The sootblower also includes a dry lance hub which eliminates various problems associated with lubricant deterioration.

Abstract: A retractable sootblower having an open frame. The frame includes an inboard end wall, an outboard end wall and a pair of opposingly positioned side panels. The side panels are seamless and mounted to interconnect the inboard and outboard end walls together. The side panels cooperating with the end walls to generally define a rectangularly shaped structure which encloses the carriage and lance tube of the sootblower. The generally open top and bottom of the frame allows for substantially unobstructed access from above and below to the carriage and lance tube. The sootblower also includes a dry lance hub which eliminates various problems associated with lubricant deterioration.

Abstract: A retractable sootblower having a substantially open frame. The frame includes an inboard end wall, an outboard end wall and a pair of opposingly positioned side panels. The side panels are seamless and mounted to interconnect the inboard end and outboard end walls together. At least one truss extends between the side panels. The side panels cooperating with the inboard and outboard end walls to generally define a rectangularly shaped box for enclosing the carriage and lance tube of the sootblower. This box has a generally open top and bottom which provides substantially unobstructed access from above and below to the carriage and lance tube. The sootblower also includes a mechanism for adjusting the backlash between the drive rack and gear.

Abstract: A retractable sootblower having a substantially open frame. The frame includes an inboard end wall, an outboard end wall and a pair of opposingly positioned side panels. The side panels are seamless and mounted to interconnect the inboard end and outboard end walls together. At least one truss extends between the side panels. The side panels cooperating with the inboard and outboard end walls to generally define a rectangularly shaped box for enclosing the carriage and lance tube of the sootblower. This box has a generally open top and bottom which provides substantially unobstructed access from above and below to the carriage and lance tube. The sootblower also includes a mechanism for adjusting the backlash between the drive rack and gear.

Abstract: A soot blower of the long retracting type includes a box beam within which a lance tube is longitudinally movable by means of a carriage suspended on rollers to travel along an integrated rack/track assembly secured to the inner walls of the box beam. Such rack/track assemblies have longitudinal rails on their tops for the rollers and longitudinal racks secured to the bottoms of the rails. The racks are engaged by underlying walking pinions journaled in the carriage and positioned directly beneath the rollers. In a modification, the combined rack/track assemblies include bottom rail surfaces in addition to top rail portions, and bottom rollers are employed in addition to the pinions and top rollers. In another modification, the carriage is supported by an I-beam the bottom flanges of which constitute the tracks, a single rack being secured to the underside of such bottom flange.

Abstract: The carriage of a retracting soot blower has a driven shaft rotatable to move the carriage along a supporting frame to project and retract a lance tube and to simultaneously rotate the lance tube. The driven shaft is driven from a drive shaft powered by a stationary reversible motor. The driven shaft is connected to the drive shaft by a drum and cable assembly including a double drum assembly on the drive shaft, another double drum assembly on the driven shaft, and an idler pulley at the front of the frame. Upon rotation of the drive shaft in one direction the carriage is moved to project the lance tube by a first cable having its opposite end portions wrapped about and secured to drive and driven drums and an intermediate portion trained over the idler pulley. Upon rotation of the drive shaft in the opposite direction, the carriage is moved to retract the lance tube by a second cable having its opposite end portions wrapped about and secured to drive and driven drums.