Abstract: Piping such as oil country tubular goods are passed to an external cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of rotating brushes for cleaning the pipe exterior. The pipe is transported longitudinally by a conveying apparatus which also causes transverse rotation of the pipe. A brush is contained at the end of a conductive spear and the pipe is passed over the brush while rotating to clean the internal surface thereof. Once the pipe is fully disposed on the spear, electrically conductive clamps attach to the spear just behind the brush. Current is passed through the spear to produce a circumferential magnetic field in the pipe wall which field is later sensed to determine the existence of anomalies in the pipe structure. The pipe is then removed from the spear by movement over the internal cleaning brush caused by activation of the conveying apparatus in a direction opposite to its original motion which again effects cleaning of the inside surface of the pipe.

Abstract: Method of decoking furnace tubes using a turbulent stream of impact resistant, particle-enriched gas. Non-angular, non-abrasive particles are entrained at a concentration of about 0.1 to about 10 pounds per pound of gas, and the gas is introduced into the inlet end of the furnace tubes at a gas flow rate corresponding to an outlet gas velocity of from about 5,000 feet per minute up to sonic velocity of said gas, preferably at an outlet gas velocity of about 14,000 to 40,000 feet per minute.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing or freezing out a component of a mixture composed of a liquid and a dissolved or suspended solid material, or both, by passing the mixture upwardly through a column containing a mass of insoluble solid particles having a specific gravity greater than that of the mixture; by heat exchange to a cold fluid, indirectly cooling the mixture to a temperature at which the component crystallizes or freezes out of solution, as it flows upwardly in the column; said component being the liquid or dissolved solid material; and said flow of the mixture through the column being at a sufficient velocity to fluidize the insoluble solid particles into turbulent action to scour the column inside surface and thereby prevent build up thereon of the crystallized or frozen out component.Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for cleaning generally cylindrical articles of irregular configuration and, particularly, for cleaning straps of the type used to hold magnetic tape and supplied by manufacturers for use with magnetic tapes. The method is performed by an apparatus which comprises exterior and interior nozzles resiliently mounted along the inside and outside of the cylinder, or ring, and form means to blow and suck dirt from the article being cleaned.

Abstract: A metal blade on a rotary cleaning tool for cleaning heat exchanger tubes, is insulated from companion cutting blades circularly spaced on the tube. A direct current voltage of low level is applied through the flexible cable and central shaft of the cleaning tool and is a part of a circuit including a current amplifier input and the heat exchanger tube being cleaned. As the tool removes foreign matter from the tube, the resistance to current flow from the insulated blade to the tube decreases, and the current level increases. The current signal, which is thereby an input signal analog of the thermo conductance from the sensor blade to the tube, is converted to a voltage analog. The voltage analog signal is then rectified to smooth out the effect of sensor bounce and rotational effects of mechanical drive system for the tool.

Abstract: An implement for cleaning bolt tracks in a sailboat includes a fabric covered core for insertion into a bolt line track and a narrower skirt secured thereto in which longitudinally separated grommets are defined. The insertion core is engaged in the bolt line track and reciprocally moved therealong by means of a halyard secured to one grommet and a tag line secured to the other. Cleaning or lubricating agents may first be applied to said implement.

Abstract: The cleaner includes an elevator for moving a tire vertically toward a stationary cleaning head which is made up of spreader rollers for spreading the tire beads a sufficient distance to admit a powered cleaning brush, along with cleaning fluid application and removal apparatus, into the tire interior during such tire movement. The elevator further supports and rotates the tire with respect to the brush during cleaning while the spreader rollers, together with additional fixed guide rollers, maintain the tire vertical and in alignment with the brush. The elevator lifts each tire from a horizontal conveyor which alternately discharges a cleaned tire and receives a fresh one. During cleaning, the brush is movable transversely along an arcuate path within the tire interior at selected contact pressure and is driven alternately in opposite directions. The cleaner is suited for usage in a system for producing self-healing tires.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the steam condenser type or the like includes a plurality of bundles of tubes through which cooling water is pumped. The downstream ends of the tubes open into a chamber and these ends have basket-brush assemblies thereon. A water back-flow cover traverses progressively across the tube ends, with the cover being fluidically connected to a pump. The pump inlet receives water from the chamber and pumps it back through the tubes at a high pressure, carrying the cleaning brushes with it. When the said cover has passed particular tubes, the brushes in the latter are reversed in direction and carried downstream and back to their original position. The pump may be disposed to suck the water upstream through the tubes, or may be disposed to supply water from upstream of the condenser to the downstream tube ends.

Abstract: A metal blade on a rotary cleaning tool for cleaning heat exchanger tubes, is insulated from companion cutting blades circularly spaced on the tube. A direct current voltage of low level is applied through the flexible cable and central shaft of the cleaning tool and is a part of a circuit including a current amplifier input and the heat exchanger tube being cleaned. As the tool removes foreign matter from the tube, the resistance to current flow from the insulated blade to the tube decreases, and the current level increases. The current signal, which is thereby an input signal analog of the thermo conductance from the sensor blade to the tube, is converted to a voltage analog. The voltage analog signal is then rectified to smooth out the effect of sensor bounce and rotational effects of mechanical drive system for the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a heat exchanger during operation thereof. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes through which a first fluid is conducted from an inlet end to an outlet end in indirect heat transfer relationship with a second fluid disposed on the outside of the tubes intermediate the inlet and outlet ends of the tubes. Further, the heat exchanger includes an inlet chamber for the first fluid communicating with the inlet ends of the tubes, and a tube sheet for supporting the inlet ends of the tubes and isolating the inlet chamber from the second fluid, the inlet ends of the tubes extending into the inlet chamber beyond the tube sheet.

Abstract: Chemical decontamination of equipment contaminated with radioactive material, such as components and systems, particularly water-cooled nuclear reactors, by pretreating with alkaline permanganate, rinsing with demineralized water, treating with a citrate-oxalate solution, rinsing with demineralized water, and post-treating with an acidified hydrogen peroxide solution containing suspended inert particles. Solutions desirably contain no sulfur. The decontamination solution with a pH of about 3.5 and other preferred operating conditions are recited.

Abstract: To remove fluid and/or particulate debris from a pipeline, a Bingham plastic fluid plug is passed through a pipeline and the fluid and/or debris are collected by the plug. The plug is pushed through the pipeline with a scraper which in turn may be pushed by liquid or gas pressure. Where the fluid to be removed is water, the Bingham plastic fluid plug employed preferably is a composition of water and a xanthan gum, and the gum may be cross-linked with a multivalent metal. Where the fluid to be removed is a hydrocarbon, the Bingham plastic fluid plug employed preferably is a composition of a mineral oil and an organo-modified smectite, and may also include a particulate filler such as powdered coal.

Abstract: Method of decoking furnace tubes of serpentine configuration using a turbulent stream of impact resistant, non-angular, non-abrasive particles entrained in a gas stream. The particles are entrained at a concentration of 0.1 to 1.0 pounds per pound of gas and the gas is introduced into the inlet end of the furnace tubes at a gas flow rate corresponding to an outlet gas velocity of 14,000 to 20,000 feet per minute.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the in situ, internal cleaning of a hollow, variable diameter, air and dirt evacuation duct which is coupled to a vacuum creating system. The apparatus comprises a fluid emitting member receivable in the duct for dislodging dirt and scale which might accumulate on the inside wall of the duct. Mechanism is provided for drawing the fluid emitting member through the duct including a line, coupled to the fluid emitting member, passing from the inlet to the outlet of the duct. An expansible and contractible member is received by the duct and is responsive to a differential pressure being created by the vacuum creating system to expand outwardly into intimate engagement with the internal wall of the duct and to move in a downstream direction whereby the line and fluid emitting member are moved through the duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for interlocking the controls on flow control valve process lines entering or leaving a pipeline pig launcher or receiver to prevent opening of the launcher-receiver closure when there is pressure in the launcher-receiver vessel and to prevent inadvertent admission of flow into the vessel while the closure is not in place.

Abstract: In a cleaning system for heat exchanger tubes each tube has a chamber at its end for capturing a tube cleaning element such as a brush that is subject to being propelled in opposite directions through the tube by reversing the direction of fluid flow therein. Novel means are provided for enabling access to the tube through the chamber for such purposes as replacing brushes and admitting a flaw detector to the tube.

Abstract: A method of removing contaminants from the surface of an article is comprised of the steps of providing abrasive particles comprised of a material having the characteristic of reacting with oxygen to form predominately gaseous products of reaction and directing the abrasive particles in impingement onto the contaminated surface. The method is particularly applicable in removing contaminants from the internal components of air-breathing machines such as gas turbine engines. The abrasive particles may be entrained in an air stream flowing through the gas turbine engine whereby the particles are directed in impingement against the contaminated components. The abrasive particles may be comprised by carbon content of at least 70% by weight and a volatile content of less than 8% by weight and may also have an erosivity within the range of 0.004 grams to 0.15 grams.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning nuclear fuel elements to remove carbonized pitch residue and the like, the cleaning operation preferably being conducted within an enclosure to permit containment of the removed residue, each fuel element being introduced into the enclosure through an airlock, the end surfaces and lateral surfaces of the fuel element being cleaned and one or more longitudinal passages within the fuel element being cleaned by means of a probe unit for initially determining the configuration and position of the longitudinal passages and causing cleaning elements to be aligned with the respective longitudinal passages and extended therethrough, the flow resistance of those longitudinal passages designed for gas flow being monitored by a gauging unit, clean fuel elements being removed from the enclosure through another air-lock.

Abstract: Movable means are provided interiorly of a rotating confined line on a substantially horizontal plane through which reactant fluids, such as liquids and gases, flow and react, whereby inherently to inhibit the adherence of particulate matter within the line and effect enhanced contact and intermingling of the liquid maintained in the form of a pool therein with the gas during rotation of the line.The movable means comprise relatively solid objects which bounce and tumble within the line to contact the interior of the line. The relatively solid objects, which may be in the form of chains, wires, cables or any other solid media whether consisting of separate or joined components, also function to prevent the liquid, maintained in the pool and/or passing through the line from assuming a dry or precipitate state as it is splashed or otherwise distributed about the entire interior periphery of the line.

Abstract: Pipeline tool for closing an open end of a pipeline and which is suitable for use with a pipeline clearing sphere for clearing a pipeline has a tubular member for holding one or two spheres side by side and an aperture in the wall of the tubular member to release gas trapped therein and pipes for supplying compressed air to launch the spheres.

Abstract: A residual melt of liquid silicon is removed from a crucible containing the ame by immersing in the melt a capillary body of carbon felt, the melt being absorbed by the capillary body, and removing the capillary body and absorbed melt from the crucible.

Abstract: A system for cleansing spinning turbines of a spinning machine which includes driving a cleansing device having a telescoping tube assembly provided with a rotary cleansing brush at one end thereof from spinning turbine to spinning turbine located at respective spinning stations of the spinning machine, inserting the one end of the telescoping tube assembly with the rotary cleansing brush provided thereat into the respective spinning turbine, and connecting the other end of the telescoping tube assembly to a source of compressed air.

Abstract: A method for removing heat-insulating material, at least some of which is frangibly caked, from an ingot mold before removal of the hot ingot from the mold comprising the steps of providing a low-pressure vacuum, conducting the vacuum through a rigid, manually manipulatable, heat-resistant conduit, and simultaneously fragmentizing the caked heat-insulating material with, and applying the low-pressure vacuum through, the rigid conduit for removing the heat-insulating material.

Abstract: Pipeline tool for closing an open end of a pipeline and which is suitable for use with a pipeline sphere for clearing a pipeline has a tubular member for holding two spheres side by side and pipes for supplying compressed air to launch the spheres individually.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus, having a motor, a rotatable scouring head, an inflatable collar, a frame fixed to the motor and collar, a swivel coupling on the frame, and a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure to the inflatable collar through the swivel coupling, is introduced into a pipe to be cleaned. The collar is inflated to fill the pipe cross-section. Fluid is then supplied under pressure into the pipe to propel the apparatus through the pipe and to actuate the motor thereby rotating the scouring head which scours the inner wall of the pipe.

Abstract: Scale particles of vinyl polymer which accumulate on the inner surfaces of the polymerization reactor and are peeled therefrom are removed by placing a net into the reactor through an opening in the reactor and entrapping the particles within the strands of the net whereby the particles are removed from the reactor when the net is withdrawn.

Abstract: The wire-like, severed welding seam burr is removed from a, possibly, coiled pipe by filling the pipe with water under pressure the water containing solid particles and removing the burr with removal of the water as a column from the pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for washing out the interiors of truck and trailer bodies. A washer head is carried on an elongate boom which is mounted on a pedestal for traversing movement along a horizontal axis. The boom is moved by means of a drive motor which is in engagement with a chain having its opposite ends secured to opposite ends of the boom. The washer head includes a frame which is mounted on an end of the boom for pivotal movement between elevated and lower positions. The frame is constructed in a four-bar linkage arrangement for movement through a lateral angle to accommodate any misalignment as the boom enters the trailer. A cam engages a hoist arm connected with the frame of the washer head, and a motor is controlled to rotate the cam for raising and lowering the washer head. The washer head mounts a brush which is operated as the boom withdraws from the trailer interior.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for washing out the interiors of truck and trailer bodies. A washer head is carried on an elongate boom which is mounted on a pedestal for traversing movement along a horizontal axis. The boom is moved by means of a drive motor which is in engagement with a chain having its opposite ends secured to opposite ends of the boom. The washer head includes a frame which is mounted on an end of the boom for pivotal movement between elevated and lower positions. The frame is constructed in a four-bar linkage arrangement for movement through a lateral angle to accommodate any misalignment as the boom enters the trailer. A cam engages a hoist arm connected with the frame of the washer head, and a motor is controlled to rotate the cam for raising and lowering the washer head. The washer head mounts a brush which is operated as the boom withdraws from the trailer interior.