DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF TUBES

Abstract

A device for cleaning the interior of tubes. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Description

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2010/007822, filed on Dec. 21, 2010, which claims priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 007 948.0, filed on Feb. 12, 2010; Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 010 281.4, filed on Mar. 7, 2010; Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 010 280.6, filed on Mar. 7, 2010; Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 010 282.2, filed on Mar. 7, 2010; and Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 052 517.0, filed on Nov. 26, 2010. International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2010/007822 was pending as of the filing date of this application. The United States was an elected state in International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2010/007822.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a device for cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, in one possible embodiment cooling tubes of industrial coolers.

2. Background Information

Background information is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information and publications are prior art.

Coolers of this type are found for example in power generation installations or chemical plants. In power generation installations the heat exchangers are used for example as so-called condensers. There they serve to liquefy the exhaust steam. This makes possible a closed coolant circuit.

Modern condensers in power generation installations are found as water-cooled surface condensers. They possess tube bundles. Cold cooling water is fed through the cooling tubes of the exhaust steam condensers. The exhaust steam condenses on the external jacket surface of the cooling tubes. There can be a large number of cooling tubes in a condenser. It is not unusual for there to be 20,000 cooling tubes for the condensers of a power plant.

Depending on the design, the cooling water in the cooling tubes may be warmed by about eight to ten degrees Celsius.

The cooling water is mainly taken from the surroundings.

In order to limit contamination of the condensers, the cooling water is purified before it flows into the cooling tubes.

Cooling the steam results in a reduced pressure in the condenser which is usually called a vacuum, although strictly speaking it is not generally a vacuum. This reduced pressure is of great importance for the efficiency of the steam-powered power plant. To a great extent the efficiency is determined by the pressure drop between the pressure (in the direction of flow of the steam) before the steam turbine and the pressure behind the steam turbine. As the cooling of the steam depends on the heat transfer in the cooling tubes, there also results a dependence of the reduced pressure on the heat transfer. At the same time it should be taken into account that the heat transfer of the cooling tubes is diminished by pollution or contamination of the inner surfaces of the cooling tubes.

In spite of filtering the cooling water, pollution of the inner surfaces of the cooling tubes is unavoidable or substantially unavoidable with conventional condensers. Consequently there is always or occasionally a need or desire to clean conventional condensers.

Depending on the medium to be cooled or heated which is passed through the cooling tubes, deposits occur in the cooling tubes in spite of the filtration. This is the case with water itself. The major constituent of the deposits from water is lime scale, in so far as the water has not been softened.

However, substantial deposits of manganese, iron and silica also occur on steel, stainless steel, titanium or brass tubes.

Copper cooling tubes are also popular.

Copper has considerable corrosion problems. Contact with oxygen leads to the formation of copper oxides. Oxygen is often present in cooling water as well as in the steam.

In general, the deposits also lead to a deterioration of the heat transfer of the cooling tubes. This degrades the cooling power or efficiency.

Deposits can cause corrosion, also known as fouling. Therefore, cleaning the cooling tubes may be necessary and/or desired for improving the heat transfer. If the corrosion remains ignored, porous deposits are formed that can compound the corrosion such that it can be considered as pitting corrosion.

Various cleaning devices for cleaning the interior of cooling tubes are known which are intended to improve the heat transfer again and which are intended to reinstate the cooling power. Scrapers that are slid individually or severally though the cooling tubes are also known.

The scrapers have different shapes. Sprung hook shapes are repeatedly found, wherein the hooks are connected on one end to the scraper and on the other, hook-shaped end slide on the inner wall of the cooling tube. The sharper the hooks, the better is the cleaning action. In some cases the hooks on the contact ends are called blades.

The scrapers can have various shapes and can also be combined with brushes.

Moreover, the ends of the hooks which contact the inner surface of the cooling tube are matched to this surface, i.e. curved.

There are also scrapers that are partially or wholly designed as brushes, similarly scrapers that firstly tear grooves into the deposits in order to be subsequently able to better remove the residue.

The scrapers may be configured to be moved through the cooling tubes with pressurized water.

For this the scrapers are designed at one end in the shape of a piston. Piston-shaped, because there is no defined piston clearance. Rather, it is essential or may be desired to bear in mind that the deposits have different thicknesses. The piston-like end may be configured to adapt to this. This is normally achieved with sealing lips at the end of the scraper. The sealing lips can be distributed with a low clearance on the circumference. The passage linked to the clearance for the pressurized water can be utilized in order to initially rinse forward the deposits scraped off by the hooks/blades from the cooling tube being cleaned.

For the pressurized water application, it is known to use devices that protrude with a tubular end into the cooling tubes/heat exchanger tubes. These devices are also called guns. The guns have a nozzle at the front with which the guns are manually pressed into the opening of a cooling tube. At the same time a cap-like sealing part of the gun is pressed against the cooling plate, in which the cooling tubes are maintained.

For a water pressure up to twenty bar, depending on the water pressure, the required and/or desired force to sealingly press the gun can easily correspond to a substantial part of the body weight of a cleaner or can even exceed this, depending on the surface on which the pressure develops.

Even if the gun is tilted in a cooling tube, thereby making it easier to hold the gun, there remains an enormous physical effort for a cleaner.

In addition, the physical effort increases even more, the more difficult the posture of the operator. These difficulties are clearly demonstrated if one realizes that the freedom of movement in front of the cooling tubes is sometimes very little, for example five hundred millimeters and/or requires or desires that the gun be held at head height and even above one's head.

In practice, the operators have to take a break, time and time again.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

An object of the present application may be to simplify and to facilitate for the cleaning personnel the handling of the device called a gun.

SUMMARY

This may be achieved according to the present application in that the end of the gun projecting into the cooling tubes/heat exchanger tube or the part that projects into the cooling tubes/heat exchanger tube is provided with a spreading mechanism. By spreading the end of the gun that projects into the cooling tube, the gun can be clamped and fixed there, such that the cleaner is totally or partially relieved from the described pressure. With a total relief, one may speak of a complete self-clamping or self-locking against release.

The spreading mechanism can have different forms.

One possible embodiment of the present application involves the use of elastic material located annularly on the end projecting into the cooling tube. Pressing together results in a thickening, with which the gun is clamped and fixed in the cooling tube. The elastic material can be rubber or resilient plastic such as elastomers.

The elastic material can be used in the form of conventional O-rings. In this regard it is possible to arrange a plurality of rings one behind the other in the axial direction. Other profiles can also be used. In one possible embodiment of the present application, profiles which may be used are those which show an oblong cross section in a section running in the axial direction. Such cross sections can possess for example straight and/or round and angular surfaces. These include right angled cross sections and oval cross sections.

Exactly right angled cross sections or substantially right angled cross section are often used.

Shapes of this type, like other shapes, can be economically produced with appropriate lot sizes. For small lot sizes, the shapes with adequate strength of the rubber or elastomer can be cut out of solid material. An adequate strength can be determined by one or a few experiments. Rubber and elastomers for example that find use for conventional hose lines according to DIN 73411 exhibit adequate strength. In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, the shapes can be formed for example by a hose section. In this regard, convenient hoses have a wall thickness of at least one millimeter, or at least one and one-half millimeters, or at least two millimeters, or at least two and one-half millimeters.

Rubber and elastomeric hoses of this type are commercially available, also with fiber reinforcement. This lengthens the possible service life and increases the serviceability.

The nominal widths (inner diameter)/wall thicknesses/external diameters in millimeters of commercial hoses are: an inner diameter of ten millimeters, a wall thickness of three and one-half millimeters, and an external diameter of seventeen millimeters; an inner diameter of thirteen millimeters, a wall thickness of three millimeters, and an external diameter of nineteen millimeters; an inner diameter of sixteen millimeters, a wall thickness of three and one-half millimeters, and an external diameter of twenty-three millimeters; an inner diameter of nineteen millimeters, a wall thickness of four millimeters, and an external diameter of twenty-seven millimeters; an inner diameter of twenty-five millimeters, a wall thickness of four and one-half millimeters, and an external diameter of thirty-four millimeters; an inner diameter of thirty-two millimeters, a wall thickness of five millimeters, and an external diameter of forty-two millimeters; an inner diameter of thirty-eight millimeters, a wall thickness of six and one-half millimeters, and an external diameter of fifty-one millimeters; an inner diameter of forty-five millimeters, a wall thickness of seven and one-half millimeters, and an external diameter of sixty millimeters; and an inner diameter of fifty millimeters, a wall thickness of seven and one-half millimeters, and an external diameter of sixty-five millimeters.

They compare for example with commercial cooling tubes with nominal widths in millimeters of fifteen; twenty; twenty-five; thirty-two; forty; fifty; and sixty-five.

Once polluted, the opening width of the cooling tube is however reduced. Nonetheless, one can start with the nominal width because, before positioning a gun in the cooling pipes, the scraper may be initially pressed into the cooling pipe and the cooling pipe may be freed of the restricting deposit for a distance required and/or desired for the positioning.

For example, hose sections with the following external diameters can be directly used, or indirectly used after machining the external jacket, for the spreading in the tube opening according to the present application:

Hose external diameter (mm) Tube nominal width (mm)
17                          15; 20;
19                          20;
23                          20; 25;
27                          25;
34                          32;
42                          40;
51                          50;
65                          65;

When selecting the starting material for the described production from hose sections, a sufficient clearance for introducing the gun into the tube line must be or should be respected. The movement can theoretically be small. However, a clearance (here meaning the difference from the inner diameter/nominal width of the tube) is often at least one-half of a millimeter, or at least one millimeter, or at least one and one-half millimeters, or at least two millimeters.

The hose sections are curved in the radial direction against the inner wall of the pipe. This can be carried out for example by axially pressing them together.

In order that the end faces of the hose section when pressed together are gently impacted with pressure, a sheet metal cap is provided on the end faces of the hose section. The sheet metal cap may comprise thin metal sheet, for example with a thickness of less than/equal to 0.6 millimeter, or less than/equal to 0.4 millimeter, or less than/equal to 0.3 millimeter.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, the sheet metal cap covers at least fifty percent, or at least seventy percent, or at least ninety percent of the end face belonging to the hose section.

It is also beneficial if the sheet metal cap surrounds the hose section on the relevant end with an edge of at least two millimeters, or at least four millimeters, or at least six millimeters in the axial direction.

The circular, elastic, spreadable materials with the above described oblong cross sections also have generally no particular tendency to roll even under the extreme water pressures that occur.

The elastic material can be deformed with the help of an actuator piston that presses the elastic material for example with a moveable flange/block on the gun against a flange/flange fixed on the gun or presses together the elastic material between two moveable flanges/blocks on the gun or widens the circular material from the inside. Each block/flange forms a thrust face and can be formed by already present or additional parts.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, it may be possible to provide a moveable sleeve with a block in order to make a moveable block or to form the block with the moveable sleeve. At the same time the sleeve can completely or partially form the nozzle and/or completely and/or partially form the water conduit of the gun for the nozzle.

Alternatively the sleeve can be completely or partially slidably arranged on the nozzle and/or be completely and/or partially slidably arranged on the water conduit of the gun.

The following design is provided: the piston is arranged in a cylinder. The pressurized water supply is flange mounted onto the cylinder before the piston in the direction of movement of the piston. The piston rod has a hollow design and serves as the water supply for the nozzle of the gun.

The nozzle is seated at the end of the piston rod that movably projects out of the cylinder. In this way the piston rod penetrates the front end of the cylinder. A movable sleeve is externally seated on the piston rod. A plurality of O-rings are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction between the sleeve and nozzle. The external diameter of the nozzle, the O-rings and the sleeve is that much lower than the inner diameter of the cooling tube to be cleaned taking into account the maximum pollution of the inner surface of the tube.

A stress on the piston from the pressurized water causes the piston to move and through the piston creates a strain on the piston rod, such that the strain also acts on the nozzle and the nozzle is moved against the O-rings, whereas the sleeve abuts onto the end face of the cylinder and cannot give way substantially, such that the O-rings are deformed by increasing their diameter and press against the inner wall of the tube.

In the variant of the embodiment with the widening, for example a conical or an otherwise tilted spike is suitable for the widening and can also have a sleeve shape and acts in the central opening of the elastic and in one possible embodiment in the axial direction on the fixedly arranged elastic material. The spike specified for the widening can again be moved with a piston or with another mechanism. In this regard, drives can also be used. The drives can be pressurized water-driven drives or compressed air-driven drives. The drives can be controlled in the same way through the drive medium or through intermediate valves as in the other embodiments.

The drive is optionally powered with water or another medium, e.g. with compressed air.

If water is used, then pressurized water can be used, which is produced with the same pump that also supplies the water for moving the scraper or for rinsing the cooling tube.

If the same water is used for moving the scraper and for actuating the piston, then valves are placed to allow the pressure to be adjusted in the supply line to the nozzle and in the supply line to the piston. The cleaning operation and the locking of the gun in the cooling tube can be optimized by adjusting the pressure in the nozzle and in the piston. A good calibration can already be found with few adjustments.

Once a good calibration is obtained then a remaining pressure distribution between nozzle and piston can also be used.

The use of a valve in the gun is indeed known. What is not known, however, is the branch connection of pressurized water for the piston and the intercalation of an additional valve.

The branch connection of pressurized water for the piston is in one possible embodiment located before the valve for regulating the pressurized water for the nozzle. As a result, the position of the gun can be maintained in the cooling tube independently of whether the pressurized water sweep of the nozzle has begun, is interrupted, continued or stopped.

If the valve in the gun supply line to the piston can assume at the same time an on or off position, and if this valve can be locked in the desired position just like the valve in the supply line to the nozzle, then still further possibilities are created.

This allows a plurality of guns to be simultaneously or substantially simultaneously operated by one cleaner. This multiplies the performance of the cleaner.

At the same time the valves may be equipped with a pressure limiter. With the pressure limiter the gun can react automatically if it meets a blockage. The pressure limiter can then react to an increased pressure and bring the valve into the off position, in which the supply of pressurized water to the nozzle is interrupted. One can then attempt to clear the scraper by means of pulsating pressure and/or with an increased pressure by actuating the valve or adjusting the valve, before the scraper is otherwise shaken loose or is laboriously moved backwards.

The pressure limiter can likewise react to a fall in pressure if a scraper falls out of the cooling tube at the end of the cleaning. This type of fall in pressure likewise triggers the valve in the supply line to the nozzle and the pressurized water supply is interrupted.

The scraper can be shaken free by means of two guns, if a valve position is also provided on the valves of both guns in which the pressurized water supply is interrupted and in which the water supply to the nozzle is ventilated. The second gun can then be introduced at the cooling tube entrance and actuated in turn with the gun at the cooling tube entrance, such that the stationary scraper can be impinged alternately from one side and the other side with pressurized water. According to at least one possible embodiment of the present application, when one side is impacted with pressure the supply line to the nozzle on the other side is ventilated.

The actuation of the valve can be optionally electrically/electronically controlled. Various functions of the valve can be controlled with one chip.

The control can react to specific operating pressures in front of and behind the valve.

The control can effect the pressure changes required and/or desired for a shaking process.

The control can also react to the abovementioned operating pressure that occurs when the scrapers have traveled through a cooling tube and have left the cooling tube. The control can react faster and more securely than the operator and switch the gun to the off position, such that a loss in pressure is avoided, minimized, and/or reduced. This may be important when a cleaner is handling a plurality of guns at the same time.

The control can also include a safety switch that switches off if a gun has not found an adequate seating in a tube. This is because the gun with a high pressure spray could be a danger to the cleaning personnel.

The control can moreover display each operational state optically and/or acoustically and/or by vibrations. The optical displays can be formed by light emitting diodes. The vibrations by magnets, the acoustics by miniaturized load speakers. Furthermore each operating pressure can be measured with pressure sensors and processed by the control. Displacement sensors can also be coupled to the control. This can be used inter alia for switching off the guns if they do not succeed in finding the correct position in a cooling tube.

Commercial chips are capable of receiving the required and/or desired programs. The power consumption of these chips is so low that a button cell suffices. The control can be permanently or removably encapsulated in the gun. The power source in the form of the button cell or in other form is exchangeable and protected against moisture in the gun. The moisture protection is achieved by appropriate sealing gaskets.

Guns may be supplied with pressurized water with the same pump. A pump unit may be equipped with a pressure vessel arranged between the pump and guns. The pressure ratios are then equilibrated even for irregular demands for pressurized water.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, wherein compressed air is provided to actuate the piston, another compressed air supply for the gun is provided to the piston of the gun in addition to the pressurized water supply for the nozzle.

The compressed air is produced with a compressor. A compressed air vessel is in one possible embodiment between compressor and guns. This evens out the pressure ratios and facilitates the connection of various guns.

Another embodiment of the present application provides pumpable or inflatable bellows instead of pistons and rings in the front area, with which the gun projects into a cooling tube. The bellows simplify the constructional expense of the gun.

Like the piston, the bellows can be impinged with pressurized water or compressed air and controlled.

The guns with the spreadable area are optionally seated on the entrance side as far in the cooling tubes such that there is a gap between the plate on the entrance side in which the cooling tubes are held together.

The seating of the guns of the present application in the cooling tubes is optionally also chosen such that the spreadable area reaches over the entrance side plate of the cooler. The consequence is a relief from the spreading pressure for the cooling pipe, because a significant part of the spreading pressure is taken up by the entrance side plate.

The water guns make the cooling tubes accessible even generally in the narrowest of space. In this regard, the guns can be put into position with for example a rod or with long tongs. The guns can also be operated at some distance with the rod or long tongs.

Furthermore embodiments of the present application are based on the recognition that considerable effort is required and/or desired to insert the scraper.

The scrapers are actually inserted before the gun into the pipe line to be cleaned. Here the resistance has to be overcome or should be overcome from the deposits in the cooling tube which work against the insertion of the scraper. The scraper is usually hammered into the cooling tube with a wooden hammer. This is also extremely tiring, because one generally has to work or may work in a very confined space. The cleaner has little room in which to swing to hammer in the scraper.

According to the embodiments of the present application, the work is substantially facilitated with the help of a compressed air-driven chipping hammer or with the help of a hydraulically driven chipping hammer or with the help of an electric chipping hammer.

Commercially available hammers can also be used.

As mentioned above, pressurized water is available due to the described cleaning with scrapers and pressurized water. Consequently, generally no other source of pressurized water is needed and/or desired for the hammer. The permissible pressure for operating the hammer can be made available by the optional use of pressure limiting valves.

Compressed air is also usually available in large commercial sites. Alternatively, compressed air can easily be produced with a transportable compressor.

The same applies for electricity to drive an electric hammer. The current is optionally generated with a generator.

On the selected commercially available chipping hammer its chisel is exchanged for a special tool for thrusting the scraper or is converted into a special tool.

The chisel is converted by producing a sleeve or a rod with a blind hole. The internal diameter of the sleeve and the diameter of the blind hole are matched to the pointed chisel diameter, such that they can be fastened onto conventional pointed chisels.

Other commercially available chisels can also be used instead of the pointed chisel. These include, in at least one possible embodiment, flat chisels that are treated on the cutting edge such that they fit into an above described blind hole or into the above described tube opening. Conventional chisels are hardened or hardened and quenched, such that machining is difficult. Nonetheless, other possible treatment methods are available. These include for example grinding and electrical discharge machining.

The sleeve or rod can be fastened by bolts to the pointed chisel or to other prepared conventional chisels.

The sleeve or rod can also be shrunk onto the corresponding end of the chisel.

However, the sleeve or rod may be adhesively bonded to the corresponding end of the chisel. Various adhesives are suitable for this. The suitable adhesives include for example cyano-acrylate adhesives, such as those used for securing screws. The cyano-acrylate adhesives are chemically curing adhesives. In addition to these, physically setting adhesives also exist. The correct adhesive can be chosen by means of a few experiments.

The combination of a sleeve or rod with a conventional chisel yields a tool combination that firstly fulfills the desired function, namely pushing the scraper into the tube and secondly, fulfills the desired function, namely the trouble-free and safe mounting of the tool in the chipping hammer. The second function is achieved by using the corresponding chisel part for mounting the tool in the chipping hammer.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, the sleeves or rods on the scraper side are matched to the shape of the corresponding end of the scraper. Most scrapers have a shaped contact surface, on which the scrapers are usually beaten into the cooling tube. There are different reasons for the shaping. The embodiments of the present application may rely on the shaping in order to guide the scraper as it is inserted into the cooling tube and to prevent, restrict, and/or minimize any jamming. Jammed scrapers can easily remain stuck. Eliminating such failures requires and/or desires an extreme effort. In addition, once the failure has been eliminated the scrapers may be inoperative.

Independently of whether the scraper remains stuck, there is a danger that the jam damages the scraper. Damaged scrapers are no longer as effective as undamaged scrapers for the cleaning.

One embodiment may be gained, wherein the length of the tool of the present application on the end that projects out of the rotary hammer is set to be at least equal to the minimum length, with which the gun has to penetrate or may penetrate into the cooling tube, in order to drive the scraper in the above described form through the cooling tube.

Up to now it appears that the minimum length may not be maintained when the scraper is conventionally impact driven.

The minimum length is optionally preserved in that a collar is provided to the sleeve or rod which with the rotary hammer can be made to fit on the end of the cooling tube. The front end of the sleeve or rod before the collar then defines the extent to which the scrapers have been driven into the tube.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, the collar may be located on the hammer side of the sleeve end or rod end.

It is expected that a tool of the present application be capable of driving different scrapers that are destined for the same cooling tube into these cooling tubes and that the same tool is also suitable for driving scrapers into at least one other cooling tube with a larger or smaller nominal width.

When the sleeve or rod on the end that is destined to penetrate into the cooling tube is matched to the smallest available scraper diameter, such that other scrapers can also be driven with the tool into the encountered cooling tube.

The present application has also recognized that considerable work awaits the cleaning personnel after the scraper has been withdrawn. On leaving the cooling tube, the dislodged deposits and the withdrawn scrapers are concentrated in a pile. In this regard, the scrapers have to be separated from the deposits for the following reasons:

• • due to the subsequent waste removal of the deposits
  • due to the re-use of the scrapers
  • to determine whether a scraper has not been withdrawn from a cooling tube and may perhaps even be stuck and becoming fast and/or immovable.

The amount of deposits resulting from a cleaning procedure can weigh much more than one ton depending on the size of the cooler.

In the context of waste disposal, the question may arise of whether a waste material is homogeneous.

The scrapers have to be laboriously picked out of the deposits. To do this the cleaners wade deeply through deposits and have to rummage around with their hands in the deposits. At the same time searching around the outlet of the cooling pipe is much more difficult due to the confined space.

The confined spaces at the outlet of the cooling pipe result from the constructional design of the cooler. The cooling tubes namely form a tube bundle, wherein the various cooling tubes are fixed upstream and downstream in common plates. The upstream cooling water must be distributed or should be distributed to the various cooling tubes. This occurs in a low volume chamber upstream of the cooling pipes.

The discharged cooling water is either combined and fed into a duct or the cooling water is subjected to further cooling in an additional downstream cooler. In this case a small volume intermediate chamber or overflow chamber is provided between both chambers. There are more than constructional reasons for this chamber. At least one possible embodiment of this chamber and the combined feeding of the cooling water and the subsequent renewed division of the cooling water onto the cooling tubes of the downstream cooler include a mixing of the cooling water.

Also, if no further cooler is present downstream, a chamber is located at the outlet of the cooler. Its role is then to collect the outflowing cooling water and to divert it away.

The upstream chamber of a cooler and the downstream chamber are usually accessible through small manholes.

According to the present application, the cleaning work is simplified and facilitated, wherein the scraper together with water and deposits coming out of the cooling tubes are screened off from the mixture. In this regard, the screening can occur before the mixture is collected on the floor of the chamber.

The screening can be carried out at different heights.

In the case that the cooling tubes terminate at a relatively short distance from the floor of the chamber, it can be required and/or desired to carry out the screening in the short distance.

According to the present application, the scraper is optionally screened off. Here the sieve can be composed of diverse stable elements that can be assembled through each manhole into the chamber. With the assembly, a gap is often left below so that the deposits carried out of the cooling tubes can fall through the sieve. In at least one possible embodiment, a device is provided between the container wall of the cooler and the sieve, said device being able to carry away the deposits that have fallen through.

Conveyors for example are suitable for this which are moved back and forth over the floor of the container. The back and forth movement can be effected for example with a rod, on which flaps are flexibly fastened, such that the flaps fold up in one direction of movement and leave the material, and in the other direction of movement fold out and take the material away.

For a usual outlet at the deepest part of the chamber, the device, starting from the outlet in the one circumferential direction, has a different conveying direction than in the other circumferential direction. This is then utilized to be able to convey in each circumferential direction to the outlet. This means the hinges of the flaps are arranged, such that in a movement that is in the direction away from the outlet they fold in, and in a movement that is in the direction towards the outlet they fold out.

For a curved container the rod can be provided with the same curvature as the container. Then, in spite of the curvature, the rod can realize the back and forth movement in the circumferential direction.

The cleaning of the intermediate chamber of deposits can be supplemented by a slit-shaped outlet that where possible extends over the whole or a substantial part of the axial length of the intermediate chamber.

If the containers of the cooler do not possess an adequate outlet, the deposits to be disposed of can even be conveyed as far as the manhole, if the device is enclosed in the area of the side wall of the container.

The sieve is, in at least one possible embodiment, made of wire mesh, on which the deposits carried out of the cooling tubes are not substantially retained and fall through.

The mesh size of the sieve is generally smaller than the diameter of the scraper to be collected, smaller than 0.7 times, or smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper to be collected. This is intended to prevent, restrict, and/or minimize the scraper from being stuck or jammed in the sieve.

Having said that, the mesh size should be large enough to essentially ensure or promote that the deposits carried out of the cooling tubes fall through.

The device can be driven by means of conventional hoist motors.

Chain drives, spindle drives, rack and pinion drives as well as crank drives and eccentric drives are suitable, for example.

The motors can be driven hydraulically, with compressed air or electrically. Pressurized water is available due to the above described cleaning with scrapers and pressurized water. Permissible pressures can be matched with pressure limiting valves.

In large installations compressed air is also usually available and can optionally be used for the drive. Alternatively, compressed air can easily be produced with a transportable compressor.

The same is true for electricity that can optionally be generated with a transportable generator.

The sieving is generally carried out with a highly flexible net that can be easily passed through the manholes. The net may have the same mesh size as the sieve.

The net can be mounted in various ways. Magnets and/or other mechanical clamps or hooks can be assembly auxiliaries.

The net is optionally laid out on the container floor and lifted up from time to time in order to collect on the net the scrapers that come out, before the accumulation of deposits is too great for the net to be lifted up by hand.

Intermediate cleaning of the intermediate chamber or the chamber downstream from the cooling tube bundle under the sieve or under the net can be totally or partially dispensed with if the volume of the chamber under the sieve or net is enlarged, in one possible embodiment if the outlet is designed as a funnel. A funnel outlet is in one possible embodiment provided that extends over at least fifty percent of the axial length, or over at least seventy percent, or over at least ninety percent of the axial length. The funnel generally extends in the circumferential direction over a circumferential angle of at least ten degrees, or over at least twenty degrees, or over at least thirty degrees, based on a circumferential angle of three hundred sixty degrees for the total circumference.

The constructional measures for building the intermediate chamber or the chamber downstream of a cooler are easier for new constructions than for modifications.

By increasing the size of the chamber below the sieve/net, the sieve/net can remain at least during the whole cleaning procedure if the volume of the chamber below the sieve/net is large enough to receive the dragged out deposits. The sieve/net can even be arranged to remain in the chamber if deposits from the above described device fall through the sieve/net and/or are sufficiently discharged from the chamber by the action of the described funnel.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further herein below. When the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present application is shown in the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a gun and a cooling tube;

FIG. 2 shows an elastic rubber ring with a central fiber reinforcement;

FIG. 3 shows an elastic rubber ring with a central fiber reinforcement with the rubber ring being deformed after axial compression;

FIG. 4 shows a device of the present application without a cooling tube;

FIG. 5 shows the device of the present application of FIG. 4 at a different view;

FIG. 6 shows the device of the present application of FIG. 4 in a perspective view;

FIG. 7 shows a situation when introducing a scraper into a cooling tube that is maintained with other tubes in a plate;

FIG. 8 shows a chamber that connects two coolers to one another; and

FIG. 9 shows a chamber that connects two coolers to one another.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

The cleaning device of the present application somewhat grossly resembles conventional water guns for cleaning cooling tubes.

A cooling tube 15 is illustrated in the drawing as a dashed line. The cooling tube 15 belongs to a plurality of similar cooling tubes that are arranged together in a cooler. In this regard, the right end of the cooling tube in the view is maintained along with the similar ends of the other cooling tubes in a plate (not shown) of the cooler.

In the view, the cooling tube 15 is shortened in the illustration.

The left end of the cooling tube 15 in the view is maintained with the similar ends of the other cooling tubes in another plate.

In the example, water flows through the inside of the cooling tubes and flue gases from a combustion unit (not shown) flow around the exterior of the tubes. Here, the flue gases give up a substantial part of their heat through the cooling tube to the water.

During the cooling operation, deposits are formed in the cooling tubes, thereby requiring the cooling tubes to be cleaned on the inside.

For the internal cleaning, scrapers (not shown) are pushed into the right end of the cooling pipe 15 in the view.

The scrapers are pushed through the cooling tube 15 with pressurized water until the scrapers fall out of the cooling tube 15 at the left end of the cooling tube 15.

The pressurized water is pressed into the cooling tube 15 with a self-clamping device in the cooling tube 15. The self-clamping device includes a cylindrical housing 16 with a pressurized water connection 12, as well as with a tube 17 that possesses an inlet opening 18 for the pressurized water and extends into the cooling tube 15 to a conical nozzle 9. The external diameter of the nozzle 9 is greater than that of the tube 17. A screw connection is provided for the nozzle 9 with the tube 17 thereby allowing the nozzle 9 to be exchanged. The exchange is necessary and/or may be desired in order for the device to fit other cooling tubes that have a smaller or larger inner diameter. The exchangeable parts also include O-rings 5 and adapter sleeves 10 and 19. These parts are likewise seated on the tube 17. The adapter sleeves determine the position of the O-rings and their distance away from the housing 16. In cooling tubes with a low strength the O-rings can be placed in the area of the inlet side plate, in which the cooling tubes are maintained. This plate then takes up a considerable part of the forces associated with clamping the device in the cooling tube 15.

The tube 17 simultaneously and/or substantially simultaneously forms a piston rod for a piston 20 that is slidingly arranged in the cylindrical housing 16. The piston 20 itself possesses an O-ring that seals the gap between piston 20 and housing 16.

The housing 16 on the left end 3 in the view can be opened or closed with a cap 4. Furthermore, the piston 20 protrudes through the cap 4 with a pin 11.

The device of the present application also possesses a control block with a switch 13 and an actuating lever 2 that is flexibly held on the switch 13 and in the operational state is supported on the pin 11.

For a cleaning procedure the device is pushed with the nozzle 9 into the cooling tube until the housing abuts against the plate, in which the inlet side of the cooling tube 15 is maintained.

The actuating lever 2 is then brought into the illustrated position, in which a valve (not shown) is opened and pressurized water flows into the housing 16. The pressurized water then fills up the interior of the housing and the pressurized water is forced through the opening 18 into the piston rod configured as a tube that guides the pressurized water to the nozzle 9. From there the pressurized water comes out of the nozzle 9 into the cooling tube 15.

As soon as a pressure builds up, the piston moves to the right in the view towards the cap 4. Here, the piston rod is entrained and the O-rings 5 are pressed together between the sleeves 10 and 19.

As a result of their position between the sleeves and on the piston rod they can deform outwards. This causes the device to spread out and the device is self-clamped in the cooling tube.

As a result of the self-clamping, the device of the present application no longer needs or desires to be held by the cleaning personnel during operation. This relieves the cleaning personnel from heavy physical work. This applies to difficulty accessible cooling tubes.

It also opens the possibility for a single person to operate a plurality of devices in parallel or substantial parallel.

Moreover, water pressures can be used that were previously incontrollable or uncontrollable for cleaning cooling tubes.

This applies for example for pressures of above/equal to thirty bar.

An elastic rubber ring 31 with a central fiber reinforcement is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rubber ring is made by cutting a section through a water hose. The rubber ring is provided instead of the O-rings of the FIGS. 1, 4 to 6. The rubber ring 31 is seated at the same place on the piston rod configured as a sleeve. The external jacket of the piston rod is dashed and designated with 33.

The rubber ring 31 is seated on each end of the sheet metal cap 32.

The sheet metal caps 32 distribute the pressure from the axial compression of the rubber ring 31 uniformly onto the end faces of the rubber ring.

The deformation of the rubber ring after axial compression is shown in FIG. 3. It can be clearly seen that the rubber ring is both curved outwards as well as inwards. The outward curvature produces a contact pressure on the illustrated dashed inner wall of the cooling tube 30. This causes the desired locking of the gun in the cooling tube.

FIG. 7 shows the situation when introducing a scraper into a cooling tube 139 that is maintained with other cooling tubes in a plate 140.

A scraper is intended to be inserted into the cooling tube 139, wherein a plastic lip 137 and a spike 138 belonging to the scraper are illustrated. The plastic lips 137 are formed by a material that has a W-shaped cross section, whose outer edge is slit many times on the circumference, such that the edge can fold itself in as the scraper is pressed into the cooling tube 139. In this way the plastic lips 137 slide on the inner wall of the cooling tube.

The plastic lips 137 are centrally riveted on the spike 38.

The spike 138 carries various metallic tools (not shown) for cleaning deposits from the inner wall of the tube.

In the example, the scraper is pressed into the cooling tube 139 by means of a sleeve 134. The sleeve 134 possesses a head 136 that fits the corresponding end of the scraper and helps when centering the scraper, as the scraper pushes into the cooling tube 139.

The sleeve 134 covers the working end of a single point threading tool 133.

In this regard, a cyano-acrylate adhesive 135 is provided between the single point threading tool 133 and sleeve 134. In the example the adhesive has the product name Loctite and is known as a securing means preventing the loosening of screws.

The single point threading tool 133 is seated with its other end in the tool holding fixture 131 of a compressed air hammer 130. The tool holding fixture grips with a feather key (not shown) into a groove 132 of the tool end. The compressed air hammer 130 presses the scraper into the cooling tube without substantial effort of the cleaning personnel.

On pressing in the scraper, the deposits present at the end of the tube are disposed of in the cooling tube.

The pressing in is terminated as soon as the collar 141 of the sleeve 134 reaches the end of the cooling tube 139. This position essentially ensures or promotes that the gun described in FIG. 1, when inserted into the tube end, finds sufficient purchase for the above described clamping.

In the example, the compressed air hammer is a small hammer weighing 1.4 kilograms with the name Yokota BRH 6. The locating bore for the chisel on the hammer has a typical diameter of 10.2 millimeters. The tool of the present application on the hammer side has the same dimensions as the otherwise provided chisel. That means, a size 10 tool shank.

In the example, the sleeve 134 has an external diameter of 14 millimeters and is thus smaller than the nominal width 15 (including any tolerances), such that the sleeve is suitable for the majority of existing cooling tubes.

The diameter of the collar 141 is, however, greater than the nominal width of the cooling tube, for which the tool is intended.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a chamber that connects two coolers to one another.

FIG. 8 shows a section of the chamber that connects an upstream cooler with a downstream cooler. The upstream cooler possesses cooling tubes 239 that are surrounded by a jacket 242 and maintained together in a plate 231.

Cooling tubes 238, a jacket 237 and a plate 233 from the downstream cooler are illustrated. The jacket and plate 237 and 233 have the same function as the jacket and plate 242 and 231.

Between both plates 231 and 232 is arranged another jacket 234 that is connected by means of flanges 230 and 232 with the aforesaid edges of the plates 233 and 231. The jacket 234 forms an intermediate chamber or transition chamber between the two coolers.

In operation, cooling water is pressed through the supply lines 238 of the upstream cooler. At the same time exhaust steam (not shown) is pressed through the cavity that is within the jacket 237 and the cooling tubes arranged therein. The cooling tubes take up a part of the heat in the exhaust steam and transfer the heat to the cooling water that is flowing through the cooling pipe 238.

The exhaust steam accrues from the operation of a steam installation of a steam turbine, which drives a generator that produces electricity.

The cooling water discharged from the upstream cooler into the intermediate chamber is mixed in the chamber and newly distributed is pressed into the cooling pipe 39 of the downstream cooler.

In the example, the illustrated cooler is cleaned at regular intervals. In this regard, intervals are understood to mean the number of operational hours. In other examples, cleaning is carried out after having identified a falling under-pressure in the cavity of the cooler. In this regard, the falling under-pressure is regarded as a corollary of deposits in the cooling pipes which hinder the heat transfer and reduce the cooling efficiency of the cooler.

The cooler is taken out of service for the cleaning. This usually means the same as an operational shutdown of the power plant. However, the operational shutdown can be avoided, restricted, and/or minimized if the power plant has another reserve cooling installation that can be switched on.

When the cooler is taken out of service, the steam supply is switched off and also the cooling water supply. The cooling water present in the coolers is drained off. This is carried out through discharge openings at the lowest of the intermediate chambers. The discharge opening is formed by a port 236 and a flange 235. The flange 235 is for connecting suitable lines or hoses.

After the cooling water has been discharged, the cooling pipes 238 described above can start to be cleaned of their deposits.

During cleaning, the scrapers leave the cooling tubes 238 with a considerable speed. The same is true for the cleaning water. Water and scrapers strike against the opposite plate 231 and fall down more or less at normal pressure.

After contacting the jacket 234 the water flows to the drain.

Here, deposits are also carried away.

The scraper and the deposits that have not been carried away are collected on a coarse net placed in the lower part of the intermediate chamber. FIG. 8 illustrates (dashed line) the contour 240 of the net.

Other possible contours 240 (dashed lines) of the net are also illustrated in FIG. 8.

In the example, the net is held in the depicted place by magnetic strips.

In the example, the cleaning procedure is interrupted as soon as a substantial layer of deposits from the cooling tubes has formed on the net; the net is then lifted up and extricated from the scrapers that have been collected therein. In the example, the deposits lying in the intermediate chamber are then pushed into the discharge opening. A slider can be used for this.

In the example, the pushing is assisted by rinsing with water.

In other examples the intermediate chamber is cleaned solely by rinsing with water.

After the intermediate chamber has been cleaned, the net is again stretched out in the intermediate chamber and the cleaning of the cooling tubes with scrapers and water is continued.

The present application relates to guns and similar devices for cleaning cooling tubes, which guns are clamped in the tubes during the cleaning operation.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water flow and wherein the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube is provided with a spreading mechanism for clamping the device in the heat exchange tube.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water inflow, wherein a compressed air hammer or a hydraulic hammer or an electric hammer is used to drive in the scraper into the heat exchanger tube.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water flow, wherein a sieve or net is used for separating the scraper emerging out of the heat exchanger tubes from the slurry emerging with the scrapers.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein elastically deformable material is used as the spreading mechanism.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein elastic rings with round and/or straight cross sectional surfaces and/or corners in the cross sectional surfaces are used, in one possible embodiment with an oblong cross section in an axial section.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a full cross section or a hollow cross section.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising O-rings, or rings with an oval or right-angled cross section.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the elastic material is made of rubber or elastomers.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a fiber-reinforced elastic material.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a hose section.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the wall thickness of the hose section is: at least one millimeter, in one possible embodiment at least one and one-half millimeters, in one possible embodiment at least two millimeters, or at least two and one-half millimeters.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein hoses in compliance with DIN 73411 are used as the starting material for the hose section.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the hose starting materials exhibit the following external diameters for tubes with the following internal diameters/tube openings:

Hose external diameter Tube opening
17                     15; 20;
19                     20;
23                     20; 25;
27                     25;
34                     32;
42                     40;
51                     50;
65                     65;

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the play between the part of the device that can be pushed into the cooling tube and the internal diameter of the tube is: in one possible embodiment at least one-half millimeter, in one possible embodiment at least one millimeter, in one possible embodiment one and one-half millimeters, or in one possible embodiment at least two millimeters.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the hose sections can be arched upwards in the radial direction against the inner wall of the tube.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the radial upward arching is by an axial compression.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the jacket surfaces of the hose sections are machined.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein sheet metal caps are on the end faces of the hose sections.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the sheet metal caps cover: in one possible embodiment at least fifty percent, in one possible embodiment at least seventy percent, or in one possible embodiment at least ninety percent of the associated end face of the hose section.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the sheet metal caps envelop the hose sections with a rim of: in one possible embodiment at least two millimeters, in one possible embodiment at least four millimeters, or in one possible embodiment at least six millimeters, in the axial direction.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the thickness of the sheet metal is less than/equal to: in one possible embodiment 0.6 millimeter, in one possible embodiment millimeter, or in one possible embodiment 0.3 millimeter.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the elastic material is deformed by an actuator piston.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a motorized deformation drive.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the elastic material is arranged between two thrust faces, of which at least one of the faces is moveable, such that the elastic material can undergo a thickening when compressed.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein a displaceable pin is used for widening the elastic material.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein inflatable or pumpable bellows are arranged on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tube.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the same pressurized water for actuating the piston or the same pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or the same pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used for cleaning the heat exchanger tube.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein separate pressurized water for actuating the piston or separate pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or separate pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used from the pressurized water provided for cleaning the heat exchanger tube.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein there is a common pressurized water source for the cleaning water and for the pressurized water that serves the clamping, but the arrangement of the actuatable valves before the water inlet into the heat exchanger tube and before the piston or the deformation drive or before the inflatable bellows is independent.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein compressed air is used for actuating the piston or the motorized deformation drive or the inflatable bellows.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein valves having a pressure limiter and a switch connection of the pressure limiter with the off-switch are used for the supply of pressurized water.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a shaker switch.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising exchangeable parts on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tubes in order to fit to different inner diameters.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising an exchangeable nozzle in the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube, in one possible embodiment with a screw connection.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising sleeves for adjusting the gap between the elastic material and the inlet of the heat exchanger tube.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein at least one sleeve is arranged with the circular elastic material on the part of the device that projects into the heat exchanger tube.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising exchangeable sleeves.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the piston possesses a tubular piston rod that at the same time wholly or partially forms the water supply line to the nozzle.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a piston housing with a pressurized water connection on the housing cover in the area of the piston rod that is wholly or partially formed as the water supply line to the nozzle and an opening in the piston rod which connects the housing interior that is impinged with pressurized water with the interior of the tube of the piston rod.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a water-supplying device formed as a gun, in one possible embodiment a gun with a plurality of switches and/or valves.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising pressure sensors on the water-supplying device.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising path sensors on the water-supplying device for measuring the position of the water-supplying device in the heat exchange tube.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a control system, in which the various sensors and switches of the water-supplying device are linked together.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device wherein the control system reacts to the pressure drop as the scraper leaves, and switches off the gun.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the control system reacts to an insufficient pressure build up with an inadequate seating in the cooling tube, and switches off the gun.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a pressure-change switching of the control system for shaking loose stationary scrapers.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the cleaning, wherein tools are used having one end that fits the chisel-mounting fixture of the hammer and the other end that fits the corresponding end of the scraper.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the cleaning, wherein a tool is used that is provided with a collar at a distance from the scraper side end, wherein the distance is at least equal to the minimum size for inserting the scraper.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the cleaning, wherein a hammer is used with a fixture for a size 10 tool shaft and with a collar diameter that is larger than the nominal width of the largest cooling tube, for which the tool is intended.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the cleaning, wherein a commercially available chisel is used that on the scraper side is surrounded by a sleeve or is seated in the blind hole of a rod.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the cleaning, wherein the chisel is adhesively bonded to the sleeve or the rod.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the cleaning, wherein a sleeve or rod is used with an external diameter that is smaller than the nominal width fifteen millimeters of a cooling tube.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein a sieve or net is used that can be assembled before cleaning the interior and afterwards can be disassembled.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein a sieve or net is permanently or removably assembled and the deposits that have fallen through the sieve or net are discharged from the section of the chamber.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a sieve made of wires.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the mesh size of the sieve or net is smaller than the diameter of the scraper, in one possible embodiment smaller than 0.7 times the diameter of the scraper, or in another possible embodiment smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the sieve is composed of a plurality of elements.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein conveying equipment is provided under the sieve or net whose conveying direction is directed towards the outlet port that is provided.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising at least one rod that can move in the longitudinal direction, said rod having movable flaps that fold in when the rod moves contrary to the conveying direction and fold out when the rod moves in the conveying direction.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the net is clamped or comprising hooks to hang up the net.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising magnetic strips for fastening the net.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, comprising a funnel-shaped outlet port at the lowest point in the chamber.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device wherein the funnel extends in the axial direction of the chamber: in one possible embodiment over at least fifty percent of the chamber length, in another possible embodiment over at least seventy percent of the chamber length, or in yet another possible embodiment over at least ninety percent of the chamber length.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein the funnel extends in the circumferential direction of the chamber over a circumferential angle of: in one possible embodiment at least ten degrees, in another possible embodiment over at least twenty degrees, or in yet another possible embodiment over at least thirty degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of three hundred sixty degrees.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent applications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patent applications and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

The following patents, patent applications or patent publications, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein: DE 69812512T2, EP698423A, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,170,997, 2,418,509, 2,734,208, 4,281,432, DE69507221T2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,963, SU1414-482-A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,488, DE69200433T2, U.S. Pat. No. 1,598,771, DE698121511T2, U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,041, EP1391680, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,085,376, 5,966,768, 5,960,505, 5,528,790, 5,305,488, 4,891,115, 4,643,248, 4,413,370, 4,178,649, 4,069,534, 3,939,519, 2,734,208, 2,170,997, 1,612,842, 1,218,005, U.S. D523596S.

An example of a scraper which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present application, may possibly be found in the following patent: DE 69507221 T2.

The patents, patent applications, and patent publications listed above in the preceding are herein incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety except for the exceptions indicated herein. The purpose of incorporating U.S. patents, Foreign patents, publications, etc. is solely to provide additional information relating to technical features of one or more embodiments, which information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in the pages of this application. However, words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the embodiments therein are not incorporated by reference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patent applications, and patent publications, are not considered to be incorporated by reference herein.

The corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 007 948.0, filed on Feb. 12, 2010, having inventors Falk JARESCH and Karl-Heinz GRUETER, and DE-OS 10 2010 007 948.0 and DE-PS 10 2010 007 948.0, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 010 281.4, filed on Mar. 7, 2010, having inventors Falk JARESCH and Karl-Heinz GRUETER, and DE-OS 10 2010 010 281.4 and DE-PS 10 2010 010 281.4, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 010 280.6, filed on Mar. 7, 2010, having inventors Falk JARESCH and Karl-Heinz GRUETER, and DE-OS 10 2010 010 280.6 and DE-PS 10 2010 010 280.6, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 010 282.2, filed on Mar. 7, 2010, having inventors Falk JARESCH and Karl-Heinz GRUETER, and DE-OS 10 2010 010 282.2 and DE-PS 10 2010 010 282.2, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2010 052 517.0, filed on Nov. 26, 2010, having inventors Falk JARESCH and Karl-Heinz GRUETER, and DE-OS 10 2010 052 517.0 and DE-PS 10 2010 052 517.0, and International Application No. PCT/EP2010/007822, filed on Dec. 21, 2010, having WIPO Publication No. WO 2011/098112 and inventors Falk JARESCH and Karl-Heinz GRUETER, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, for the purpose of correcting and explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the above corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications and publications, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

The purpose of incorporating the corresponding foreign equivalent patent application(s), that is, PCT/EP2010/007822, German Patent Application 10 2010 007 948.0, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 281.4, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 280.6, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 282.2, and German Patent Application 10 2010 052 517.0, is solely for the purpose of providing a basis of correction of any wording in the pages of the present application, which may have been mistranslated or misinterpreted by the translator. However, words relating to opinions and judgments of the author and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the embodiments therein are not to be incorporated by reference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned word in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patent applications, and patent publications, are not generally considered to be incorporated by reference herein.

Statements made in the original foreign patent applications PCT/EP2010/007822, German Patent Application 10 2010 007 948.0, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 281.4, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 280.6, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 282.2, and German Patent Application 10 2010 052 517.0 from which this patent application claims priority which do not have to do with the correction of the translation in this patent application are not to be included in this patent application in the incorporation by reference.

Any statements about admissions of prior art in the original foreign patent applications PCT/EP2010/007822, German Patent Application 10 2010 007 948.0, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 281.4, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 280.6, German Patent Application 10 2010 010 282.2, and German Patent Application 10 2010 052 517.0 are not to be included in this patent application in the incorporation by reference, since the laws relating to prior art in non-U.S. Patent Offices and courts may be substantially different from the Patent Laws of the United States.

All of the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water flow and wherein the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube is provided with a spreading mechanism for clamping the device in the heat exchange tube.

2. The method of cleaning according to claim 1 with a cleaning device, including at least one of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq) are: Hose external diameter Tube opening/internal diameter 17 15; 20; 19 20; 23 20; 25; 27 25; 34 32; 42 40; 51 50; 65 65;

(a) elastically deformable material is used as the spreading mechanism;

(b) elastic rings with round and/or straight cross sectional surfaces and/or corners in the cross sectional surfaces are used, in particular with an oblong cross section in an axial section;

(c) said cleaning device comprising a full cross section or a hollow cross section;

(d) said cleaning device comprising O-rings, or rings with an oval or right-angled cross section;

(e) said elastic material is made of rubber or elastomers;

(f) said cleaning device comprising a fiber-reinforced elastic material;

(g) said cleaning device comprising a hose section;

(h) the wall thickness of the hose section is one of: at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; at least 2 mm; and at least 2.5 mm;

(i) hoses in compliance with DIN 73411 are used as the starting material for the hose section;

(j) the hose starting materials exhibit the following external diameters for tubes with the following internal diameters/tube openings:

(k) the play between the part of the device that can be pushed into the cooling tube and the internal diameter of the tube is one of: at least 0.5 mm; at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; and at least 2 mm;

(l) the hose sections can be arched upwards in the radial direction against the inner wall of the tube;

(m) the radial upward arching is by an axial compression;

(n) the jacket surfaces of the hose sections are machined surfaces;

(o) sheet metal caps are on the end faces of the hose sections;

(p) the sheet metal caps cover one of: at least 50% of the associated end face of the hose section; at least 70% of the associated end face of the hose section; and at least 90% of the associated end face of the hose section;

(q) the sheet metal caps envelop the hose sections with a rim of one of: at least 2 mm in the axial direction; at least 4 mm in the axial direction; and at least 6 mm in the axial direction;

(r) the thickness of the sheet metal is less than/equal to one of: 0.6 mm; 0.4 mm; and 0.3 mm;

(s) the elastic material is deformed by an actuator piston;

(t) said cleaning device comprising a motorized deformation drive;

(u) the elastic material is arranged between two thrust faces, of which at least one of the faces is moveable, such that the elastic material can undergo a thickening when compressed;

(v) a displaceable pin is used for widening the elastic material;

(w) inflatable or pumpable bellows are arranged on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tube;

(x) the same pressurized water for actuating the piston or the same pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or the same pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(y) separate pressurized water for actuating the piston or separate pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or separate pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used from the pressurized water provided for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(z) there is a common pressurized water source for the cleaning water and for the pressurized water that serves the clamping, but the arrangement of the actuatable valves before the water inlet into the heat exchanger tube and before the piston or the deformation drive or before the inflatable bellows is independent;

(aa) compressed air is used for actuating the piston or the motorized deformation drive or the inflatable bellows;

(ab) valves having a pressure limiter and a switch connection of the pressure limiter with the off-switch are used for the supply of pressurized water;

(ac) said cleaning device comprising a shaker switch; (ad) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable parts on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tubes in order to fit to different inner diameters;

(ae) said cleaning device comprising an exchangeable nozzle in the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube, in particular with a screw connection;

(af) said cleaning device comprising sleeves for adjusting the gap between the elastic material and the inlet of the heat exchanger tube;

(ag) at least one sleeve is arranged with the circular elastic material on the part of the device that projects into the heat exchanger tube;

(ah) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable sleeves;

(ai) the piston possesses a tubular piston rod that at the same time wholly or partially forms the water supply line to the nozzle;

(aj) said cleaning device comprising a piston housing with a pressurized water connection on the housing cover in the area of the piston rod that is wholly or partially formed as the water supply line to the nozzle and an opening in the piston rod which connects the housing interior that is impinged with pressurized water with the interior of the tube of the piston rod;

(ak) said cleaning device comprising a water-supplying device formed as a gun, in particular a gun with a plurality of switches and/or valves;

(al) said cleaning device comprising pressure sensors on the water-supplying device;

(am) said cleaning device comprising path sensors on the water-supplying device for measuring the position of the water-supplying device in the heat exchange tube;

(an) said cleaning device comprising a control system, in which the various sensors and switches of the water-supplying device are linked together;

(ao) the control system reacts to the pressure drop as the scraper leaves, and switches off the gun;

(ap) the control system reacts to an insufficient pressure build up with an inadequate seating in the cooling tube, and switches off the gun; and

(aq) said cleaning device comprising a pressure-change switching of the control system for shaking loose stationary scrapers.

3. The method of cleaning according to claim 1 with a cleaning device, including all of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq) are: Hose external diameter Tube opening/internal diameter 17 15; 20; 19 20; 23 20; 25; 27 25; 34 32; 42 40; 51 50; 65 65;

(a) elastically deformable material is used as the spreading mechanism;

(b) elastic rings with round and/or straight cross sectional surfaces and/or corners in the cross sectional surfaces are used, in particular with an oblong cross section in an axial section;

(c) said cleaning device comprising a full cross section or a hollow cross section;

(d) said cleaning device comprising O-rings, or rings with an oval or right-angled cross section;

(e) said elastic material is made of rubber or elastomers;

(f) said cleaning device comprising a fiber-reinforced elastic material;

(g) said cleaning device comprising a hose section;

(h) the wall thickness of the hose section is one of: at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; at least 2 mm; and at least 2.5 mm;

(i) hoses in compliance with DIN 73411 are used as the starting material for the hose section;

(j) the hose starting materials exhibit the following external diameters for tubes with the following internal diameters/tube openings:

(k) the play between the part of the device that can be pushed into the cooling tube and the internal diameter of the tube is one of: at least 0.5 mm; at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; and at least 2 mm;

(l) the hose sections can be arched upwards in the radial direction against the inner wall of the tube;

(m) the radial upward arching is by an axial compression;

(n) the jacket surfaces of the hose sections are machined surfaces;

(o) sheet metal caps are on the end faces of the hose sections;

(p) the sheet metal caps cover one of: at least 50% of the associated end face of the hose section; at least 70% of the associated end face of the hose section; and at least 90% of the associated end face of the hose section;

(q) the sheet metal caps envelop the hose sections with a rim of one of: at least 2 mm in the axial direction; at least 4 mm in the axial direction; and at least 6 mm in the axial direction;

(r) the thickness of the sheet metal is less than/equal to one of: 0.6 mm; 0.4 mm; and 0.3 mm;

(s) the elastic material is deformed by an actuator piston;

(t) said cleaning device comprising a motorized deformation drive;

(u) the elastic material is arranged between two thrust faces, of which at least one of the faces is moveable, such that the elastic material can undergo a thickening when compressed;

(v) a displaceable pin is used for widening the elastic material;

(w) inflatable or pumpable bellows are arranged on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tube;

(x) the same pressurized water for actuating the piston or the same pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or the same pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(y) separate pressurized water for actuating the piston or separate pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or separate pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used from the pressurized water provided for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(z) there is a common pressurized water source for the cleaning water and for the pressurized water that serves the clamping, but the arrangement of the actuatable valves before the water inlet into the heat exchanger tube and before the piston or the deformation drive or before the inflatable bellows is independent;

(aa) compressed air is used for actuating the piston or the motorized deformation drive or the inflatable bellows;

(ab) valves having a pressure limiter and a switch connection of the pressure limiter with the off-switch are used for the supply of pressurized water;

(ac) said cleaning device comprising a shaker switch;

(ad) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable parts on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tubes in order to fit to different inner diameters;

(ae) said cleaning device comprising an exchangeable nozzle in the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube, in particular with a screw connection;

(af) said cleaning device comprising sleeves for adjusting the gap between the elastic material and the inlet of the heat exchanger tube;

(ag) at least one sleeve is arranged with the circular elastic material on the part of the device that projects into the heat exchanger tube;

(ah) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable sleeves;

(ai) the piston possesses a tubular piston rod that at the same time wholly or partially forms the water supply line to the nozzle;

(aj) said cleaning device comprising a piston housing with a pressurized water connection on the housing cover in the area of the piston rod that is wholly or partially formed as the water supply line to the nozzle and an opening in the piston rod which connects the housing interior that is impinged with pressurized water with the interior of the tube of the piston rod;

(ak) said cleaning device comprising a water-supplying device formed as a gun, in particular a gun with a plurality of switches and/or valves;

(al) said cleaning device comprising pressure sensors on the water-supplying device;

(am) said cleaning device comprising path sensors on the water-supplying device for measuring the position of the water-supplying device in the heat exchange tube;

(an) said cleaning device comprising a control system, in which the various sensors and switches of the water-supplying device are linked together;

(ao) the control system reacts to the pressure drop as the scraper leaves, and switches off the gun;

(ap) the control system reacts to an insufficient pressure build up with an inadequate seating in the cooling tube, and switches off the gun; and

(aq) said cleaning device comprising a pressure-change switching of the control system for shaking loose stationary scrapers.

4. A method of cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water inflow, wherein a compressed air hammer or a hydraulic hammer or an electric hammer is used to drive in the scraper into the heat exchanger tube.

5. The method of cleaning according to claim 4 with a cleaning device, including at least one of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) are:

(a) tools are used having one end that fits the chisel-mounting fixture of the hammer and the other end that fits the corresponding end of the scraper;

(b) a tool is used that is provided with a collar at a distance from the scraper side end, wherein the distance is at least equal to the minimum size for inserting the scraper;

(c) a hammer is used with a fixture for a size 10 tool shaft and with a collar diameter that is larger than the nominal width of the largest cooling tube, for which the tool is intended;

(d) a commercially available chisel is used that on the scraper side is surrounded by a sleeve or is seated in the blind hole of a rod;

(e) the chisel is adhesively bonded to the sleeve or the rod;

(f) a sleeve or rod is used with an external diameter that is smaller than the nominal width 15 mm of a cooling tube;

(g) including at least one of (1) and (2), wherein (1) and (2) are: (1) a sieve or net is used that can be assembled before cleaning the interior and afterwards can be disassembled; and (2) a sieve or net is permanently assembled and the deposits that have fallen through the sieve or net are discharged from the section of the chamber;

(h) said cleaning device comprising a sieve made of wires;

(i) the mesh size of the sieve or net is one of: smaller than the diameter of the scraper; smaller than 0.7 times the diameter of the scraper; and smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper;

(j) the sieve is composed of a plurality of elements or components;

(k) conveying equipment is provided under the sieve or net whose conveying direction is directed towards the outlet port that is provided;

(l) said cleaning device comprising at least one rod that can move in the longitudinal direction, said rod having movable flaps that fold in when the rod moves contrary to the conveying direction and fold out when the rod moves in the conveying direction;

(m) the net is clamped or comprising hooks to hang up the net; and

(n) said cleaning device comprising magnetic strips for fastening the net.

6. The method of cleaning according to claim 4 with a cleaning device, including all of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) are:

(a) tools are used having one end that fits the chisel-mounting fixture of the hammer and the other end that fits the corresponding end of the scraper;

(b) a tool is used that is provided with a collar at a distance from the scraper side end, wherein the distance is at least equal to the minimum size for inserting the scraper;

(c) a hammer is used with a fixture for a size 10 tool shaft and with a collar diameter that is larger than the nominal width of the largest cooling tube, for which the tool is intended;

(d) a commercially available chisel is used that on the scraper side is surrounded by a sleeve or is seated in the blind hole of a rod;

(e) the chisel is adhesively bonded to the sleeve or the rod;

(f) a sleeve or rod is used with an external diameter that is smaller than the nominal width 15 mm of a cooling tube;

(g) including at least one of (1) and (2), wherein (1) and (2) are: (1) a sieve or net is used that can be assembled before cleaning the interior and afterwards can be disassembled; and (2) a sieve or net is permanently assembled and the deposits that have fallen through the sieve or net are discharged from the section of the chamber;

(h) said cleaning device comprising a sieve made of wires;

(i) the mesh size of the sieve or net is one of: smaller than the diameter of the scraper; smaller than 0.7 times the diameter of the scraper; and smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper;

(j) the sieve is composed of a plurality of elements or components;

(k) conveying equipment is provided under the sieve or net whose conveying direction is directed towards the outlet port that is provided;

(l) said cleaning device comprising at least one rod that can move in the longitudinal direction, said rod having movable flaps that fold in when the rod moves contrary to the conveying direction and fold out when the rod moves in the conveying direction;

(m) the net is clamped or comprising hooks to hang up the net; and

(n) said cleaning device comprising magnetic strips for fastening the net.

7. A method of cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water flow, wherein a sieve or net is used for separating the scraper emerging out of the heat exchanger tubes from the slurry emerging with the scrapers.

8. The method of cleaning according to claim 7 with a cleaning device, including at least one of (a), (b), and (c), wherein (a), (b), and (c) are:

(a) said cleaning device comprising a funnel-shaped outlet port at the lowest point in the chamber;

(b) the funnel extends in the axial direction of the chamber over at least one of: 50% of the chamber length; 70% of the chamber length; and 90% of the chamber length; and

(c) the funnel extends in the circumferential direction of the chamber over a circumferential angle of at least: 10 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; 20 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; and 30 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees.

9. The method of cleaning according to claim 7 with a cleaning device, including all of (a), (b), and (c), wherein (a), (b), and (c) are:

(a) said cleaning device comprising a funnel-shaped outlet port at the lowest point in the chamber;

(b) the funnel extends in the axial direction of the chamber over at least one of: 50% of the chamber length; 70% of the chamber length; and 90% of the chamber length; and

(c) the funnel extends in the circumferential direction of the chamber over a circumferential angle of at least: 10 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; 20 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; and 30 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees.

10. Apparatus configured to perform the method of cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes according to claim 1, wherein scrapers or the like are configured to be pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water flow and wherein the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube is provided with a spreading mechanism for clamping the device in the heat exchange tube.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 with a cleaning device, including at least one of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq) are: Hose external diameter Tube opening/internal diameter 17 15; 20; 19 20; 23 20; 25; 27 25; 34 32; 42 40; 51 50; 65 65;

(a) elastically deformable material is used as the spreading mechanism;

(b) elastic rings with round and/or straight cross sectional surfaces and/or corners in the cross sectional surfaces are used, in particular with an oblong cross section in an axial section;

(c) said cleaning device comprising a full cross section or a hollow cross section;

(d) said cleaning device comprising O-rings, or rings with an oval or right-angled cross section;

(e) said elastic material is made of rubber or elastomers;

(f) said cleaning device comprising a fiber-reinforced elastic material;

(g) said cleaning device comprising a hose section;

(h) the wall thickness of the hose section is one of: at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; at least 2 mm; and at least 2.5 mm;

(i) hoses in compliance with DIN 73411 are used as the starting material for the hose section;

(j) the hose starting materials exhibit the following external diameters for tubes with the following internal diameters/tube openings:

(k) the play between the part of the device that can be pushed into the cooling tube and the internal diameter of the tube is one of: at least 0.5 mm; at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; and at least 2 mm;

(l) the hose sections can be arched upwards in the radial direction against the inner wall of the tube;

(m) the radial upward arching is by an axial compression;

(n) the jacket surfaces of the hose sections are machined surfaces;

(o) sheet metal caps are on the end faces of the hose sections;

(p) the sheet metal caps cover one of: at least 50% of the associated end face of the hose section; at least 70% of the associated end face of the hose section; and at least 90% of the associated end face of the hose section;

(q) the sheet metal caps envelop the hose sections with a rim of one of: at least 2 mm in the axial direction; at least 4 mm in the axial direction; and at least 6 mm in the axial direction;

(r) the thickness of the sheet metal is less than/equal to one of: 0.6 mm; 0.4 mm; and 0.3 mm;

(s) the elastic material is deformed by an actuator piston;

(t) said cleaning device comprising a motorized deformation drive;

(u) the elastic material is arranged between two thrust faces, of which at least one of the faces is moveable, such that the elastic material can undergo a thickening when compressed;

(v) a displaceable pin is used for widening the elastic material;

(w) inflatable or pumpable bellows are arranged on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tube;

(x) the same pressurized water for actuating the piston or the same pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or the same pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(y) separate pressurized water for actuating the piston or separate pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or separate pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used from the pressurized water provided for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(z) there is a common pressurized water source for the cleaning water and for the pressurized water that serves the clamping, but the arrangement of the actuatable valves before the water inlet into the heat exchanger tube and before the piston or the deformation drive or before the inflatable bellows is independent;

(aa) compressed air is used for actuating the piston or the motorized deformation drive or the inflatable bellows;

(ab) valves having a pressure limiter and a switch connection of the pressure limiter with the off-switch are used for the supply of pressurized water;

(ac) said cleaning device comprising a shaker switch;

(ad) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable parts on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tubes in order to fit to different inner diameters;

(ae) said cleaning device comprising an exchangeable nozzle in the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube, in particular with a screw connection;

(af) said cleaning device comprising sleeves for adjusting the gap between the elastic material and the inlet of the heat exchanger tube;

(ag) at least one sleeve is arranged with the circular elastic material on the part of the device that projects into the heat exchanger tube;

(ah) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable sleeves;

(ai) the piston possesses a tubular piston rod that at the same time wholly or partially forms the water supply line to the nozzle;

(aj) said cleaning device comprising a piston housing with a pressurized water connection on the housing cover in the area of the piston rod that is wholly or partially formed as the water supply line to the nozzle and an opening in the piston rod which connects the housing interior that is impinged with pressurized water with the interior of the tube of the piston rod;

(ak) said cleaning device comprising a water-supplying device formed as a gun, in particular a gun with a plurality of switches and/or valves;

(al) said cleaning device comprising pressure sensors on the water-supplying device;

(am) said cleaning device comprising path sensors on the water-supplying device for measuring the position of the water-supplying device in the heat exchange tube;

(an) said cleaning device comprising a control system, in which the various sensors and switches of the water-supplying device are linked together;

(ao) the control system reacts to the pressure drop as the scraper leaves, and switches off the gun;

(ap) the control system reacts to an insufficient pressure build up with an inadequate seating in the cooling tube, and switches off the gun; and

(aq) said cleaning device comprising a pressure-change switching of the control system for shaking loose stationary scrapers.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 with a cleaning device, including all of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq) are: Hose external diameter Tube opening/internal diameter 17 15; 20; 19 20; 23 20; 25; 27 25; 34 32; 42 40; 51 50; 65 65;

(a) elastically deformable material is used as the spreading mechanism;

(b) elastic rings with round and/or straight cross sectional surfaces and/or corners in the cross sectional surfaces are used, in particular with an oblong cross section in an axial section;

(c) said cleaning device comprising a full cross section or a hollow cross section;

(d) said cleaning device comprising O-rings, or rings with an oval or right-angled cross section;

(e) said elastic material is made of rubber or elastomers;

(f) said cleaning device comprising a fiber-reinforced elastic material;

(g) said cleaning device comprising a hose section;

(h) the wall thickness of the hose section is one of: at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; at least 2 mm; and at least 2.5 mm;

(i) hoses in compliance with DIN 73411 are used as the starting material for the hose section;

(j) the hose starting materials exhibit the following external diameters for tubes with the following internal diameters/tube openings:

(k) the play between the part of the device that can be pushed into the cooling tube and the internal diameter of the tube is one of: at least 0.5 mm; at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; and at least 2 mm;

(l) the hose sections can be arched upwards in the radial direction against the inner wall of the tube;

(m) the radial upward arching is by an axial compression;

(n) the jacket surfaces of the hose sections are machined surfaces;

(o) sheet metal caps are on the end faces of the hose sections;

(p) the sheet metal caps cover one of: at least 50% of the associated end face of the hose section; at least 70% of the associated end face of the hose section; and at least 90% of the associated end face of the hose section;

(q) the sheet metal caps envelop the hose sections with a rim of one of: at least 2 mm in the axial direction; at least 4 mm in the axial direction; and at least 6 mm in the axial direction;

(r) the thickness of the sheet metal is less than/equal to one of: 0.6 mm; 0.4 mm; and 0.3 mm;

(s) the elastic material is deformed by an actuator piston;

(t) said cleaning device comprising a motorized deformation drive;

(u) the elastic material is arranged between two thrust faces, of which at least one of the faces is moveable, such that the elastic material can undergo a thickening when compressed;

(v) a displaceable pin is used for widening the elastic material;

(w) inflatable or pumpable bellows are arranged on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tube;

(x) the same pressurized water for actuating the piston or the same pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or the same pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(y) separate pressurized water for actuating the piston or separate pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or separate pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used from the pressurized water provided for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(z) there is a common pressurized water source for the cleaning water and for the pressurized water that serves the clamping, but the arrangement of the actuatable valves before the water inlet into the heat exchanger tube and before the piston or the deformation drive or before the inflatable bellows is independent;

(aa) compressed air is used for actuating the piston or the motorized deformation drive or the inflatable bellows;

(ab) valves having a pressure limiter and a switch connection of the pressure limiter with the off-switch are used for the supply of pressurized water;

(ac) said cleaning device comprising a shaker switch;

(ad) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable parts on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tubes in order to fit to different inner diameters;

(ae) said cleaning device comprising an exchangeable nozzle in the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube, in particular with a screw connection;

(af) said cleaning device comprising sleeves for adjusting the gap between the elastic material and the inlet of the heat exchanger tube;

(ag) at least one sleeve is arranged with the circular elastic material on the part of the device that projects into the heat exchanger tube;

(ah) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable sleeves;

(ai) the piston possesses a tubular piston rod that at the same time wholly or partially forms the water supply line to the nozzle;

(aj) said cleaning device comprising a piston housing with a pressurized water connection on the housing cover in the area of the piston rod that is wholly or partially formed as the water supply line to the nozzle and an opening in the piston rod which connects the housing interior that is impinged with pressurized water with the interior of the tube of the piston rod;

(ak) said cleaning device comprising a water-supplying device formed as a gun, in particular a gun with a plurality of switches and/or valves;

(al) said cleaning device comprising pressure sensors on the water-supplying device;

(am) said cleaning device comprising path sensors on the water-supplying device for measuring the position of the water-supplying device in the heat exchange tube;

(an) said cleaning device comprising a control system, in which the various sensors and switches of the water-supplying device are linked together;

(ao) the control system reacts to the pressure drop as the scraper leaves, and switches off the gun;

(ap) the control system reacts to an insufficient pressure build up with an inadequate seating in the cooling tube, and switches off the gun; and

(aq) said cleaning device comprising a pressure-change switching of the control system for shaking loose stationary scrapers.

13. Apparatus configured to perform the method of cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes according to claim 4, wherein scrapers or the like are configured to be pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water inflow, wherein a compressed air hammer or a hydraulic hammer or an electric hammer is used to drive in the scraper into the heat exchanger tube.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 with a cleaning device, including at least one of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) are:

(a) tools are used having one end that fits the chisel-mounting fixture of the hammer and the other end that fits the corresponding end of the scraper;

(b) a tool is used that is provided with a collar at a distance from the scraper side end, wherein the distance is at least equal to the minimum size for inserting the scraper;

(c) a hammer is used with a fixture for a size 10 tool shaft and with a collar diameter that is larger than the nominal width of the largest cooling tube, for which the tool is intended;

(d) a commercially available chisel is used that on the scraper side is surrounded by a sleeve or is seated in the blind hole of a rod;

(e) the chisel is adhesively bonded to the sleeve or the rod;

(f) a sleeve or rod is used with an external diameter that is smaller than the nominal width 15 mm of a cooling tube;

(g) including at least one of (1) and (2), wherein (1) and (2) are: (1) a sieve or net is used that can be assembled before cleaning the interior and afterwards can be disassembled; and (2) a sieve or net is permanently assembled and the deposits that have fallen through the sieve or net are discharged from the section of the chamber;

(h) said cleaning device comprising a sieve made of wires;

(i) the mesh size of the sieve or net is one of: smaller than the diameter of the scraper; smaller than 0.7 times the diameter of the scraper; and smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper;

(j) the sieve is composed of a plurality of elements or components;

(k) conveying equipment is provided under the sieve or net whose conveying direction is directed towards the outlet port that is provided;

(l) said cleaning device comprising at least one rod that can move in the longitudinal direction, said rod having movable flaps that fold in when the rod moves contrary to the conveying direction and fold out when the rod moves in the conveying direction;

(m) the net is clamped or comprising hooks to hang up the net; and

(n) said cleaning device comprising magnetic strips for fastening the net.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 with a cleaning device, including all of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) are:

(a) tools are used having one end that fits the chisel-mounting fixture of the hammer and the other end that fits the corresponding end of the scraper;

(b) a tool is used that is provided with a collar at a distance from the scraper side end, wherein the distance is at least equal to the minimum size for inserting the scraper;

(c) a hammer is used with a fixture for a size 10 tool shaft and with a collar diameter that is larger than the nominal width of the largest cooling tube, for which the tool is intended;

(d) a commercially available chisel is used that on the scraper side is surrounded by a sleeve or is seated in the blind hole of a rod;

(e) the chisel is adhesively bonded to the sleeve or the rod;

(f) a sleeve or rod is used with an external diameter that is smaller than the nominal width 15 mm of a cooling tube;

(g) including at least one of (1) and (2), wherein (1) and (2) are: (1) a sieve or net is used that can be assembled before cleaning the interior and afterwards can be disassembled; and (2) a sieve or net is permanently assembled and the deposits that have fallen through the sieve or net are discharged from the section of the chamber;

(h) said cleaning device comprising a sieve made of wires;

(i) the mesh size of the sieve or net is one of: smaller than the diameter of the scraper; smaller than 0.7 times the diameter of the scraper; and smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper;

(j) the sieve is composed of a plurality of elements or components;

(k) conveying equipment is provided under the sieve or net whose conveying direction is directed towards the outlet port that is provided;

(l) said cleaning device comprising at least one rod that can move in the longitudinal direction, said rod having movable flaps that fold in when the rod moves contrary to the conveying direction and fold out when the rod moves in the conveying direction;

(m) the net is clamped or comprising hooks to hang up the net; and

(n) said cleaning device comprising magnetic strips for fastening the net.

16. Apparatus configured to perform the method of cleaning the interior of heat exchanger tubes according to claim 7, wherein scrapers or the like are pushed through the heat exchanger tubes by means of pressurized water and wherein the scrapers are initially inserted into the heat exchanger tubes and then a nozzle is positioned in the heat exchanger tubes and the scrapers are impinged with the pressurized water from said nozzle, wherein the nozzle is equipped with a water supply line, wherein a valve and/or a pump is provided for controlling the water flow, wherein a sieve or net is used for separating the scraper emerging out of the heat exchanger tubes from the slurry emerging with the scrapers.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 with a cleaning device, including at least one of (a), (b), and (c), wherein (a), (b), and (c) are:

(a) said cleaning device comprising a funnel-shaped outlet port at the lowest point in the chamber;

(b) the funnel extends in the axial direction of the chamber over at least one of: 50% of the chamber length; 70% of the chamber length; and 90% of the chamber length; and

(c) the funnel extends in the circumferential direction of the chamber over a circumferential angle of at least: 10 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; 20 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; and 30 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 with a cleaning device, including all of (a), (b), and (c), wherein (a), (b), and (c) are:

(a) said cleaning device comprising a funnel-shaped outlet port at the lowest point in the chamber;

(b) the funnel extends in the axial direction of the chamber over at least one of: 50% of the chamber length; 70% of the chamber length; and 90% of the chamber length; and

(c) the funnel extends in the circumferential direction of the chamber over a circumferential angle of at least: 10 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; 20 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees; and 30 degrees, based on a total circumferential angle of 360 degrees.

19. The method of cleaning according to claim 1 with a cleaning device in an electric power plant, including at least one of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y), (z), (aa), (ab), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af), (ag), (ah), (ai), (aj), (ak), (al), (am), (an), (ao), (ap), and (aq) are: Hose external diameter Tube opening/internal diameter 17 15; 20; 19 20; 23 20; 25; 27 25; 34 32; 42 40; 51 50; 65 65;

(a) elastically deformable material is used as the spreading mechanism;

(b) elastic rings with round and/or straight cross sectional surfaces and/or corners in the cross sectional surfaces are used, in particular with an oblong cross section in an axial section;

(c) said cleaning device comprising a full cross section or a hollow cross section;

(d) said cleaning device comprising O-rings, or rings with an oval or right-angled cross section;

(e) said elastic material is made of rubber or elastomers;

(f) said cleaning device comprising a fiber-reinforced elastic material;

(g) said cleaning device comprising a hose section;

(h) the wall thickness of the hose section is one of: at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; at least 2 mm; and at least 2.5 mm;

(i) hoses in compliance with DIN 73411 are used as the starting material for the hose section;

(j) the hose starting materials exhibit the following external diameters for tubes with the following internal diameters/tube openings:

(k) the play between the part of the device that can be pushed into the cooling tube and the internal diameter of the tube is one of: at least 0.5 mm; at least 1 mm; at least 1.5 mm; and at least 2 mm;

(l) the hose sections can be arched upwards in the radial direction against the inner wall of the tube;

(m) the radial upward arching is by an axial compression;

(n) the jacket surfaces of the hose sections are machined surfaces;

(o) sheet metal caps are on the end faces of the hose sections;

(p) the sheet metal caps cover one of: at least 50% of the associated end face of the hose section; at least 70% of the associated end face of the hose section; and at least 90% of the associated end face of the hose section;

(q) the sheet metal caps envelop the hose sections with a rim of one of: at least 2 mm in the axial direction; at least 4 mm in the axial direction; and at least 6 mm in the axial direction;

(r) the thickness of the sheet metal is less than/equal to one of: 0.6 mm; 0.4 mm; and 0.3 mm;

(s) the elastic material is deformed by an actuator piston;

(t) said cleaning device comprising a motorized deformation drive;

(u) the elastic material is arranged between two thrust faces, of which at least one of the faces is moveable, such that the elastic material can undergo a thickening when compressed;

(v) a displaceable pin is used for widening the elastic material;

(w) inflatable or pumpable bellows are arranged on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tube;

(x) the same pressurized water for actuating the piston or the same pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or the same pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(y) separate pressurized water for actuating the piston or separate pressurized water for the motorized deformation drive or separate pressurized water for the inflatable bellows are used from the pressurized water provided for cleaning the heat exchanger tube;

(z) there is a common pressurized water source for the cleaning water and for the pressurized water that serves the clamping, but the arrangement of the actuatable valves before the water inlet into the heat exchanger tube and before the piston or the deformation drive or before the inflatable bellows is independent;

(aa) compressed air is used for actuating the piston or the motorized deformation drive or the inflatable bellows;

(ab) valves having a pressure limiter and a switch connection of the pressure limiter with the off-switch are used for the supply of pressurized water;

(ac) said cleaning device comprising a shaker switch;

(ad) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable parts on the part of the device that projects into the cooling tubes in order to fit to different inner diameters;

(ae) said cleaning device comprising an exchangeable nozzle in the part of the device that projects into the heat exchange tube, in particular with a screw connection;

(af) said cleaning device comprising sleeves for adjusting the gap between the elastic material and the inlet of the heat exchanger tube;

(ag) at least one sleeve is arranged with the circular elastic material on the part of the device that projects into the heat exchanger tube;

(ah) said cleaning device comprising exchangeable sleeves;

(ai) the piston possesses a tubular piston rod that at the same time wholly or partially forms the water supply line to the nozzle;

(aj) said cleaning device comprising a piston housing with a pressurized water connection on the housing cover in the area of the piston rod that is wholly or partially formed as the water supply line to the nozzle and an opening in the piston rod which connects the housing interior that is impinged with pressurized water with the interior of the tube of the piston rod;

(ak) said cleaning device comprising a water-supplying device formed as a gun, in particular a gun with a plurality of switches and/or valves;

(al) said cleaning device comprising pressure sensors on the water-supplying device;

(am) said cleaning device comprising path sensors on the water-supplying device for measuring the position of the water-supplying device in the heat exchange tube;

(an) said cleaning device comprising a control system, in which the various sensors and switches of the water-supplying device are linked together;

(ao) the control system reacts to the pressure drop as the scraper leaves, and switches off the gun;

(ap) the control system reacts to an insufficient pressure build up with an inadequate seating in the cooling tube, and switches off the gun; and

(aq) said cleaning device comprising a pressure-change switching of the control system for shaking loose stationary scrapers.

20. The method of cleaning according to claim 4 with a cleaning device in an electric power plant, including at least one of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n), wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), (m), and (n) are:

(a) tools are used having one end that fits the chisel-mounting fixture of the hammer and the other end that fits the corresponding end of the scraper;

(b) a tool is used that is provided with a collar at a distance from the scraper side end, wherein the distance is at least equal to the minimum size for inserting the scraper;

(c) a hammer is used with a fixture for a size 10 tool shaft and with a collar diameter that is larger than the nominal width of the largest cooling tube, for which the tool is intended;

(d) a commercially available chisel is used that on the scraper side is surrounded by a sleeve or is seated in the blind hole of a rod;

(e) the chisel is adhesively bonded to the sleeve or the rod;

(f) a sleeve or rod is used with an external diameter that is smaller than the nominal width 15 mm of a cooling tube;

(g) including at least one of (1) and (2), wherein (1) and (2) are: (1) a sieve or net is used that can be assembled before cleaning the interior and afterwards can be disassembled; and (2) a sieve or net is permanently assembled and the deposits that have fallen through the sieve or net are discharged from the section of the chamber;

(h) said cleaning device comprising a sieve made of wires;

(i) the mesh size of the sieve or net is one of: smaller than the diameter of the scraper; smaller than 0.7 times the diameter of the scraper; and smaller than 0.5 times the diameter of the scraper;

(j) the sieve is composed of a plurality of elements or components;

(k) conveying equipment is provided under the sieve or net whose conveying direction is directed towards the outlet port that is provided;

(l) said cleaning device comprising at least one rod that can move in the longitudinal direction, said rod having movable flaps that fold in when the rod moves contrary to the conveying direction and fold out when the rod moves in the conveying direction;

(m) the net is clamped or comprising hooks to hang up the net; and

(n) said cleaning device comprising magnetic strips for fastening the net.