Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus has an integral drum formed of inner and outer layers of resilient material and a rigid layer in between. Holes are formed through the drum in a spiral pattern around the drum. A wire is engaged in each hole, the wire having opposing ends and three bends. One end of the wire is inside the drum with an adjacent portion lying circumferentially on an inner surface of the drum. A portion of the wire outside the drum is aligned in an opposite circumferential direction as the portion of the wire inside the drum. A retaining cylinder sandwiches the end inside the drum between itself and an inside surface of the drum, holding the wire stable. The end of the wire inside the drum is in close proximity to ends of adjacent wires, which inhibits rotation of a wire in its hole in the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping the liner of a tape, which has been peeled from the backing of a tape, around a pipe or other object in the same operation that the backing is applied. The apparatus includes a frame having at least two spaced apart bars which direct the path of the liner to an offset position which is parallel to and behind the portion of the backing which is currently being applied to the pipe. The liner is then wrapped around the pipe over the backing which has been wrapped around the pipe just in advance of the liner. The liner may also be perforated or otherwise treated before application to the pipe.

Abstract: A robotic crawling device that can traverse vertical and overhead surfaces while carrying other equipment. The device preferably includes a platform (10) that remains a substantially fixed distance from the surface. The platform (10) rides on a crawling mechanism which includes an outer housing (56) and an inner housing (46) positioned within the outer housing (56). A turning mechanism can be mounted with the inner housing (46) to allow the device to be advanced in any direction.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for contacting a surface to be cleaned comprising a plurality of bent wires (10) mounted with a resilient mounting member (11) and adapted to be moved to a cutting position when the mounting member (11) is rotated or otherwise moved relative to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for contacting a surface to be cleaned comprising a plurality of bent wires mounted with a resilient mounting member and adapted to be moved to a cutting position when the mounting member is rotated or otherwise moved relative to the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed capable of wrapping both cold-applied and hot-applied strips of sheet material in tape form around a pipe or conduit having a generally circular cross-sectional external shape. The apparatus includes a frame having a desired number of frame cross members for structural support and having a hinged rotatable frame portion; a plurality of guide roller assemblies connected to the frame; a guide roller tensioning assembly; a sheet material feeding assembly; a sheet material tensioning assembly; a guide roller angular adjustment assembly, adjustable to vary the angle of the guide rollers with respect to the conduit being wrapped for varying the amount of sheet material overlap; a cold-applied tape backing material take off and wrapping assembly, and a burner assembly, alternatively attachable to the frame instead of the cold-applied tape backing material take off and wrapping assembly, when hot applied tape is used.

Abstract: Pipe wrapping and coating apparatus, wherein one or more rolls of tape for wrapping the pipe are mounted on spindles supported by pivotal frames whereby the frames and the rolls of tape carried thereby pivotally self-adjust angularly so that the tape is wrapped flatly onto the pipe automatically and the overlap of adjacent tape wraps is made uniform automatically. The apparatus is supported by an adjustable wheeled carrier adapted to support the apparatus weight when the apparatus is mounted on pipes of diverse sizes. The apparatus includes a reservoir for dispensing coating material prior to wrapping, and includes novel coating application means.

Abstract: Pipe wrapping apparatus of the so-called hand-wrapping type, having a rotating ring structure which carries spindle apparatuses, each carrying a roll of pipe wrapping tape. The apparatus includes take up spindles for accumulation of the backing stripped from tapes which have backing, and includes brake devices for controlling the tension at which the tape is wound onto the pipe. While the apparatus is of the so-called hand-wrapping type, it may be power driven. The apparatus also provides for applying a coat of primer or other precoating material onto the pipe prior to the application of the tape. A notable feature of the invention is the provision of self-balancing spindles through the use of which the tape is consistently applied to the pipe without wrinkles or other misalignments of the tape and with uniform overlap of courses.