Rotary Tool Patents (Class 15/104.09)
  • Patent number: 11559134
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cleaner head includes a first rotor, a second rotor, and a contact surface. The first rotor can be rotationally driven in a state where an outer peripheral surface of the first rotor is in contact with a sheet that includes organic fiber and is formed on a base, and can remove a part of the sheet from the base. The second rotor is arranged next to the first rotor in a direction along a rotation axis of the first rotor, and is rotated together with the first rotor in a state where the second rotor is not in contact with the sheet. The contact surface is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the second rotor at a position away from the sheet around the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kenya Uchida, Yuma Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11162919
    Abstract: A sensor assembly communicatively coupled to a processing device is configured to be disposed within and move along a pipe configured to flow a fluid. The sensor assembly includes a tubular housing configured to be centrally retained within the pipe. The tubular housing includes an outer diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the pipe. The sensor assembly also includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements coupled to and distributed evenly along an external surface of the tubular housing to define a gap between an outer surface of the ultrasonic elements and an internal surface of the pipe. The ultrasonic elements are configured to transmit ultrasonic signals and sense ultrasonic signals reflected from the internal surface of the pipe to sense corrosion and scale buildup information inside the pipe. The ultrasonic elements are configured to transmit the information to the processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Aziz U. Rehman, Taher L. Al-Jundi, Mansour M. Al-Ajji, Isa H. Al-Mudaibegh
  • Patent number: 10028767
    Abstract: An arthroscopic or other surgical cutter has features which facilitate fabrication by ceramic molding. The arthroscopic cutter includes a cutter body having a longitudinal axis and a window, an interior channel, and a plurality of cutting edges extending radially outwardly from an outer surface thereof. The features include non-helical, longitudinally aligned cutting edges, controlled thicknesses of the cutting edges, controlled heights of the cutting edges, controlled areas of the windows, controlled diameters of the internal channels, controlled rake angles of the cutting edges, and other parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: RELIGN Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Germain, Kyle Klein, Jan Echeverry
  • Patent number: 10024045
    Abstract: An improved drill bit is a drill bit designed for use with a drain snake unclogging apparatus for sewer pipes having an arrowhead shaped point attached to a short drill bit sized for sewer pipes and having helical grooves along its length for material that has been cut or loosened by the pointed chisel bit to move rearward through the grooves away from the clogged material. The bit is more effective for solid plugs within a pipeline in that it cuts the clogging material into pieces instead of being design for gripping and pulling the clog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventor: Wayne Lee Clary
  • Patent number: 9951559
    Abstract: A rotation unit includes a main shaft that is rotated around its longitudinal axis by a rotating motor. The main shaft includes a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft arranged inside the outer shaft. The outer shaft is supported by a body of the rotation unit and is arranged to transmit axial forces, whereas the inner shaft is arranged to transmit rotation and torque. A rock drilling unit and method for rock drilling is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventor: Tapio Ukonjärvi
  • Patent number: 9625285
    Abstract: A multi-piece sonde configuration for use in troubleshooting a pipe and providing precise location of the problem includes a sonde carrier having a first end adapted to attach to a line and a second opposite end adapted to attach to a troubleshooting device. The multi-piece sonde can include a first carrier having a sonde housing with a central fluid passageway and a sonde transmitter operably positioned about the central fluid passageway. A second carrier can include a housing with a central fluid passageway and a power source carried by the second carrier. A flexible connector has a central fluid passageway and first and second opposing ends, and the first carrier is operably connected to the first end of the flexible connector and the second carrier is operably connected to the second end of the flexible connector. An electrical connection between the power source and the sonde transmitter can be carried by the flexible connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Tinlin
  • Patent number: 9371637
    Abstract: A disclosed powered drain unclogging device, system and method comprises a rotational power source and an attachment having a first end detachably coupled to the rotational power source and a second end comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed laterally from a tip thereof in a spiral tip pattern and a helical body pattern configured to drive the rotating tip into a drain and grab and retain debris therefrom. The disclosed method comprises driving the rotating tip into a drain based on an interaction of the spiral arrangement of the protrusions proximal the tip with an inside of the drain walls. The method further includes unclogging debris from the drain via a grabbing and retaining action of the debris by the sharp barbs of the attachment and the driving action thereof. The protrusions comprise bristles and barbs which sway and adjust to varying drain diameters. A splash guard protects the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Robert C V Chen, Tiffany Y W Chen
  • Patent number: 8863432
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a cartridge chamber of artillery, including: a rotary member having a power supply part mounted thereinto and a motor rotated by receiving the power from the power supply part; a cleaning member having a rotary body operated cooperatively with the rotation of the motor, slant cleaning parts coupled slantly to the front portion of the outer periphery of the rotary body, and parallel cleaning parts coupled to the rear portion of the outer periphery of the rotary body; and a handle member coupled to the rear portion of the rotary member in such a manner as to be adjusted in length in a telescoping manner, whereby the slant portion and the parallel portion formed on the internal peripheral surface of the cartridge chamber are all cleaned at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Publication number: 20140223679
    Abstract: Described is a drain cleaner assembly, including: a clamp knob having a central cavity therein for accommodating a drain snake; a spout having a central cavity therein for accommodating the drain snake; the spout having at least one gripper cavity therein; at least one gripper disposed in the at least one gripper cavity; the clamp knob and the spout being attached to one another and also being displaceable with respect to one another to achieve at least two orientations, the at least two orientations comprising: a first orientation wherein the clamp knob contacts the at least one gripper and forces the at least one gripper into securing contact with the drain snake; and a second orientation wherein the clamp knob permits the at least one gripper to transition within the at least one gripper cavity to be out of securing contact with the drain snake. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL WIRE SPRING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael M. Silverman, Paul Korvick
  • Patent number: 8763298
    Abstract: A combination brush and jag comprising a stem, a set of short bristles having first longitudinal length and a first transverse diameter; a set of long bristles having a second longitudinal length and a second transverse diameter; the set of short bristles and long bristles positioned adjacent to each other and secured in between the stem, wherein the first transverse diameter is smaller than the second transverse diameter and a bore diameter and the first longitudinal length is approximately the same as or shorter than the second longitudinal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Shane Smith
  • Publication number: 20140150822
    Abstract: A method and a device for cleaning an area (48) located inside a restriction (46) by means of a mechanical cleaning tool (1). The restriction (46) having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the area (48) to be cleaned. The method includes the steps of moving the cleaning tool (1) into or through the restriction (46); moving a mechanical cleaning body (18) radially out into abutment against the area (48) to be cleaned; rotating the cleaning body (18) relative to the area (48) to be cleaned; moving the mechanical cleaning body (18) radially in from the area (48) which has been cleaned; and moving the cleaning tool (1) out from the restriction (46).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Aker Well Service AS
    Inventor: Espen Osaland
  • Publication number: 20140053353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for a cartridge chamber of artillery, including: a rotary member having a power supply part mounted thereinto and a motor rotated by receiving the power from the power supply part; a cleaning member having a rotary body operated cooperatively with the rotation of the motor, slant cleaning parts coupled slantly to the front portion of the outer periphery of the rotary body, and parallel cleaning parts coupled to the rear portion of the outer periphery of the rotary body; and a handle member coupled to the rear portion of the rotary member in such a manner as to be adjusted in length in a telescoping manner, whereby the slant portion and the parallel portion formed on the internal peripheral surface of the cartridge chamber are all cleaned at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Patent number: 8607395
    Abstract: A device for cleaning carboys, kegs, and similar containers is disclosed. The device includes a pair of cleaning pads pivotally attached to a rod. Each pad has a fabric exterior, a stiffening insert, and the absorbent sponge. The insert and sponge are placed on one side of the fabric exterior. The opposite side of the fabric exterior is folded over the stiffening insert and the sponge and then sewn together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan F. Karasek
  • Patent number: 8561243
    Abstract: A cleaning tool device (1) for a pipe (10), the cleaning tool (1) being moved internally in the pipe (10) while rotating about substantially the center axis (12) of the pipe (10), and the cleaning tool (1) being provided with a leading cleaning body (2) at its free end portion (4), and there being arranged, close behind the free end portion (4), a tool support (6) which is arranged to bear on the internal jacket surface (16) of the pipe (10), the tool support (6) being provided with at least one rotatable support cleaning body (8?, 8?, 8?? and 8??).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Aker Well Service AS
    Inventor: Espen Osaland
  • Patent number: 8551254
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung K. Park, Karl Eaton Abele, Jason Robinson
  • Publication number: 20130205523
    Abstract: A cleaning tool (100) for a pipe is provided comprising a substantially cylindrical body (102) and a plurality of holes within the body section (102) for receiving resilient biasing means. A plurality of bristle heads (104) extend radially from the body. Each bristle head (104) is movable between an extended position and an inward position and the biasing means bias the bristle heads in the direction of the extended position. A housing may be provided for each resilient biasing means that is received in each of the plurality of the holes in the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL BRUSHWARE LIMITED
    Inventor: Jane Palmer
  • Patent number: 8458845
    Abstract: A pipe cleaning device having a base; a plurality of bristles disposed on the base; and a connecting component disposed on the base, the connecting component is generally rectangular in cross section and has a first channel disposed therein, the connecting component is for engaging a standard attachment piece on a snake cable, the attachment piece being generally U-shaped with a first wing and a second wing each extending upwardly from a base platform, wherein a second channel is disposed in the first wing and a third channel is disposed in the second wing; wherein the connecting component can be inserted in between the first wing and the second wing such that the first channel is aligned with the second and third channel, wherein a screw can be threaded through the first, second, and third channel to secure the base to the snake cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Robert E. Tabieros
  • Patent number: 8453289
    Abstract: A gutter cleaning robot can traverse rain gutters to agitate and remove debris. The gutter cleaning robot is equipped with a debris auger at a front end that contacts and ejects the debris, and has a drive system for propelling the gutter cleaning robot along the rain gutter. The debris auger can include a spiral screw or various other forms of auger, and may be interchangeable by the user so as to enhance the effectiveness of the gutter cleaning robot in various environments or modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: James Lynch
  • Patent number: 8434256
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel having striations formed on an inner surface of the gun barrel includes a cleaning means that is in contact with the inner surface of the gun barrel as being moved by a drive means installed inside a cylindrical main body. The cleaning means includes a main member having a circular plate on which a plurality of insertion holes is formed along its circumference; a rotating member formed inside the circular plate and having a motor and a rotating gear interlocking with the motor; and cleaning members formed to be inserted into the insertion holes, respectively, to clean the inner surface of the gun barrel and having lower sides interlocking with the rotating gear, respectively, to be rotated. The apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel is rotated at high speed with an appropriate pressure along the groove part of the gun barrel accurately, and thus a wide area can be cleaned in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Patent number: 8387194
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a gas tube includes an actuator and a plunger head attached to the actuator. The actuator is configured to reciprocate the plunger head along a longitudinal axis of the gas tube between a retracted position and an extended position and to rotate the plunger head from a first angular position to a second angular position. A method of cleaning a gas tube includes positioning a plunger head including a plurality of longitudinally extending tines in the gas tube, rotating the plunger head relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas tube, and scraping deposits from an interior surface of the gas tube using longitudinally extending edges of the tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 8365336
    Abstract: A rotatable root saw blade for routing through a sewer line for purposes of cutting debris or roots from the interior wall of the sewer line includes a body having an arcuate portion having a forward cutting edge which moves along a substantially circular path when rotated, and the forward cutting edge defines a series of V-shaped teeth therealong. Each V-shaped tooth has a leading cutting edge and a trailing edge which meet at an apex. The leading cutting edge of each tooth is substantially parallel to the direction of axial movement of the saw blade along the length of the sewer line, and the trailing edge of each tooth forms an angle with the direction of axial movement of the blade which is between about 22° and 63°. Furthermore, a notch is defined between each successively-arranged pair of teeth wherein the notch has a depth of between about 0.5 and 1.0 inches as measured from the apex of an adjacent tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony C. Morris
  • Patent number: 8347445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote controlled robot for cleaning inner walls of a duct, more specifically, to a remote controlled robot comprising: a cart movable in the duct by remote control; at least one first link pivotally connected to the cart, which is relatively rotatable to the cart; a first driving unit to drive the first link to relatively rotate to the cart; at least one second link pivotally connected to the first link, which is relatively rotatable to the first link; a second driving unit to drive the second link to relatively rotate to the first link; and a cleaning means installed at the second link for separating dusts from the inner walls of the duct, thereby enabling to clean the upper inner-walls and the bottom inner-wall of the duct simultaneously, and to continuously proceed with the cleaning in case of the height change of the duct to reduce cleaning time thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: IBS Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Wook Park
  • Patent number: 8261397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible wire (100), which is inserted in a pipe and rotated in a high speed to remove scale produced in a pipe by striking. A flexible wire (100) for removing pipe scales comprising: a main wire (110) having plural wires twisted in a spiral direction as one body, wherein the main wire (110) has an overall straight shape; and an auxiliary wire (120) having plural wires twisted in a spiral direction as one body, of which a diameter is substantially smaller than a diameter of the main wire (110), wherein the auxiliary wire (120) is secured to the main wire (110) and has an overall repeated S-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: E2ST Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 8196251
    Abstract: A gutter cleaning robot can traverse rain gutters to agitate and remove debris. The gutter cleaning robot is equipped with a debris auger at a front end that contacts and ejects the debris, and has a drive system for propelling the gutter cleaning robot along the rain gutter. The debris auger can include a spiral screw or various other forms of auger, and may be interchangeable by the user so as to enhance the effectiveness of the gutter cleaning robot in various environments or modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: James Lynch
  • Patent number: 8146284
    Abstract: A combination brush and jag (100) comprising a stem (14), a set of short bristles (62) having a first transverse diameter (61); a set of long bristles (64) having a second transverse diameter (63); the set of short bristles (62) and long bristles (64) positioned adjacent to each other and secured in between the stem (14); and a patch (71) to cover the set of short bristles (62). The first transverse diameter (61) is smaller than the second transverse diameter (63). The first transverse diameter (61) is also smaller than the bore diameter 1 or 8 of a bore (73) so as to define a circular gap (3) approximately the size of the thickness of the patch (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Shane Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 8146196
    Abstract: A machine for pipe maintenance, which travels forward through a pipeline and effectively removes foreign substances sticking to the inside of a pipeline, using friction members 70 that are moved along the inside of the pipeline by a rotator assembly 30 and rotated by rotating shaft assemblies 50, which come in contact with the inside of the pipeline is disclosed. Further, rotating shaft assemblies 50 and a rotator assembly 30 are respectively rotated by first and second rotating units 40, 60, such that it is possible to maximize the effect of removing foreign substances in the pipeline by smoothly rotating the friction members 70, and also improve durability by preventing an erroneous operation and damage due to load that is applied during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: KMC Robotics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sangyoung Seo
  • Patent number: 8101026
    Abstract: The invention is an elongated device which prepares pipes and fittings for bonding in a matter of seconds. This unit attaches to a drill and embodies brushes which clean both the interiors and exteriors of pipes and fittings varying in size. The vertical brush's unique folding assembly allows quick and easy access to the exterior brush without the removal of any parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Maurice Dale Brooks
  • Publication number: 20110271470
    Abstract: A brush assembly for cleaning a surrounding tubular member. The brush assembly includes a brush portion that is rotationally moveable with respect to a central tool mandrel and debris chamber. The brush portion includes at least one brush and a stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hern, Courtney J. Hartmann, Thomas M. Ashy
  • Publication number: 20110240058
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus device for mechanically loosening scale inside a pipe arranged to convey hydrocarbon fluids from a production zone in a well, in which an actuator arranged in a housing includes an axially movable stem which extends through at least part of the housing and is provided with at least one cam, at least one cutting means is arranged radially movable in a recess in the housing, the cam bearing, by the axial movement of the actuator towards a first extreme position, against the cutting means, applying to it a push force directed radially outwards. There is also described a method of mechanically loosening scale inside a pipe arranged to convey hydrocarbon fluids from a production zone by using the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Jarle Jonassen, Ann Jeanett Jonassen Ellingsen
  • Patent number: 7993309
    Abstract: A luer cleaner (100) including a generally hollow body (112) having an open first end (104), a closed second end (106), and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough between the first end and the second end. The first end (104) is sized to receive therein a luer connector (190) proximal end and includes a plurality of bristles (134) extending generally toward the longitudinal axis sufficiently to engage the outer surfaces of the luer proximal end disposed therein. The second end comprises a compressible reservoir (166) containing a fluid (168), wherein, when the second end is compressed, the fluid is transmitted from the reservoir toward the first end through passageways to wet the luer proximal end. A method for cleaning luer connectors is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Schweikert
  • Publication number: 20110179592
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel having striations formed on an inner surface of the gun barrel includes a cleaning means that is in contact with the inner surface of the gun barrel as being moved by a drive means installed inside a cylindrical main body. The cleaning means includes a main member having a circular plate on which a plurality of insertion holes is formed along its circumference; a rotating member formed inside the circular plate and having a motor and a rotating gear interlocking with the motor; and cleaning members formed to be inserted into the insertion holes, respectively, to clean the inner surface of the gun barrel and having lower sides interlocking with the rotating gear, respectively, to be rotated. The apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel is rotated at high speed with an appropriate pressure along the groove part of the gun barrel accurately, and thus a wide area can be cleaned in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Publication number: 20110168207
    Abstract: A combination brush and jag (100) comprising a stem (14), a set of short bristles (62) having a first transverse diameter (61); a set of long bristles (64) having a second transverse diameter (63); die set of short bristles (62) and long bristles (64) positioned adjacent to each other and secured in between the stem (14); and a patch (71) to cover the set of short bristles (62). The first transverse diameter (61) is smaller titan the second transverse diameter (63). The first transverse diameter (61) is also smaller than the bore diameter 1 or 8 of a bore (73) so as to define a circular gap (3) approximately the size of the thickness of the patch (71).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Shane Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 7958664
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a gun barrel having striations, which includes a cleaning device that comes in contact with the inner surface of the gun barrel as it is moved by a drive device installed inside a cylindrical main body. The cleaning device includes (i) a plurality of divided plates that fit atop the striations as a saddle and are slanted to correspond to a slope of the striations, (ii) cleaning members fixed to outer peripheries of the respective divided plates that come in contact with the inner surface of the gun barrel, and (iii) a cam device that converts a rotation of a drive motor installed inside the main body into a rectilinear movement in order to move the respective divided plates upward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Publication number: 20110107535
    Abstract: A cleaning tool device (1) for a pipe (10), the cleaning tool (1) being moved internally in the pipe (10) while rotating about substantially the centre axis (12) of the pipe (10), and the cleaning tool (1) being provided with a leading cleaning body (2) at its free end portion (4), and there being arranged, close behind the free end portion (4), a tool support (6) which is arranged to bear on the internal jacket surface (16) of the pipe (10), the tool support (6) being provided with at least one rotatable support cleaning body (8?, 8?, 8?? and 8??).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Espen Osaland
  • Patent number: 7935192
    Abstract: A rotatable, portable drum auger drain cleaning device includes a rotational control which is biased towards the off position. The rotational control device is utilized in conjunction with a motor and the drum to direct drum rotation. The rotational control is typically biased in the off position making it the default position. The rotational control must therefore be manually moved to either a forward or reverse position. When in the forward position, the rotational control can be locked, and when in the reverse position, the switch must be manually held in position or the switch will return to the off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: General Wire Spring Co.
    Inventors: David Silverman, Michael Silverman, Anton D. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7886399
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter. The impeller may have an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation oriented toward an inside corner of the gutter and the impeller drive facility may be adapted to rotate the impeller on the axis of rotation. Transport of the housing through the gutter may cause the impeller to travel along an axis of motion, the axis of motion differing from the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Karl Eaton Abele, Jason Robinson
  • Patent number: 7865995
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a gas tube includes an actuator and a plunger head attached to the actuator. The actuator is configured to reciprocate the plunger head along a longitudinal axis of the gas tube between a retracted position and an extended position and to rotate the plunger head from a first angular position to a second angular position. A method of cleaning a gas tube includes positioning a plunger head including a plurality of longitudinally extending tines in the gas tube, rotating the plunger head relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas tube, and scraping deposits from an interior surface of the gas tube using longitudinally extending edges of the tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 7827647
    Abstract: By providing a gear assembly employing drive gears which engage at least two associated gears for simultaneous rotation, with the gear assembly being constructed for axially driving the bush-bearing shaft/cable member, a new fully automatic, portable tube/conduit cleaning system is attached, with the components forming the system being capable of being easily held and carried to any desired job site. By employing this construction, the cleaning system of the present invention enables the shaft/cable carrying the rotating brush to be driven in both a forward and reverse direction, along the axis of the tube or conduit, making it easier for an operator to clean extremely difficult pipes and conduits, while also controlling the relative speed of the brush rotation. In the present invention, the elongated flexible shaft/cable is controllably fed at a low rate of speed, while the cleaning brush is rotated at a relative very high rate of speed, thereby achieving superior cleaning results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Brian Good
  • Publication number: 20100263144
    Abstract: A rotatable root saw blade for routing through a sewer line for purposes of cutting debris or roots from the interior wall of the sewer line includes a body having an arcuate portion having a forward cutting edge which moves along a substantially circular path when rotated, and the forward cutting edge defines a series of V-shaped teeth therealong. Each V-shaped tooth has a leading cutting edge and a trailing edge which meet at an apex. The leading cutting edge of each tooth is substantially parallel to the direction of axial movement of the saw blade along the length of the sewer line, and the trailing edge of each tooth forms an angle with the direction of axial movement of the blade which is between about 22° and 63°. Furthermore, a notch is defined between each successively-arranged pair of teeth wherein the notch has a depth of between about 0.5 and 1.0 inches as measured from the apex of an adjacent tooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony C. Morris
  • Patent number: 7725978
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a culvert includes a rod pushing and pulling machine, a rod string made from a series of extension rods coupled end to end, which rod string is mounted at a proximal end to the rod pushing and pulling machine. A debris removal tool is mounted on a distal end of the rod string. The debris removal tool may comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the rod having a coupling at its proximal end. A bucket is mounted at the distal end of the rod, which bucket has an end opening positioned so that movement of the bucket along the culvert scoops debris into the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Harr Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Harr
  • Patent number: 7707675
    Abstract: A pipe-cleaning device (1) comprising a cutting head (2) for cutting away material on the interior of a pipe, a body (111) on which the cutting head is rotatably mounted and drive means (3, 4) for driving the rotation of the cutting head (2) with respect to the body (111). In a first aspect the cutting head (2) is provided with one or more inwardly collapsible cutting elements (21) and the body (111) has a plurality of arrays of inwardly collapsible support elements (30) extending in longitudinal direction of the body (111) for supporting the body (111) on the interior of a pipe. In a second aspect the cutting head (2) comprises at least one first collapsible cutting element (21) which extends radially from a rigid central part (11), ends in a first cutting block (22) and is provided with at least one mass increasing element (22) at an intermediate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Rafaël Van Bogaert
  • Patent number: 7694377
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning a cylindrical or conical tube (2) having a smooth wall and placed in a horizontal or an inclined position, said device comprising: a cylindrical body (4) that has an axis X, that is suitable for being inserted axially into said tube, and that, around its periphery, has brush means (6, 7) for brushing the inside wall (1) of said tube (2); a rod (30) fastened to an end face of said body (4); and means for causing said rod (30) and said body (4) to turn about the axis X; said device being characterized by the fact that the cylindrical body (4) has a chamber (12) that is suitable for receiving a cleaning liquid and, on one of its generator lines, it has: a first orifice (14) opening out into a first end of a radial duct (17) which is disposed in said chamber (12) and whose second end (19) is disposed in the vicinity of that wall (20) of said chamber (12) which is situated facing said first orifice (14); and at least one second orifice (13, 15) open to the outside and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: R. Marchal & Cie
    Inventor: Bernard Bourrelly
  • Publication number: 20100000036
    Abstract: A game feeder cleaning device to clean a game feeder may include a shaft member including a spiral channel and a spiral projection member to clean the game feeder, and a base member to connect to the shaft member and to cooperate with the game feeder in order to prevent game feed from leaving the gamefeeder. The shaft member may include a substantially smooth surface at a proximal end of the shaft member, and the base member may include a side member. The side member may include a curved edge, and the shaft member may include a traverse arm member. The traverse arm member may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Shipley, Michael W. Bentley
  • Publication number: 20090320879
    Abstract: An apparatus for clearing tubing includes a grip assembly connected to the pair of rollers. The grip assembly is operable to move the rollers to engage the tubing therebetween. The movement of the grip assembly is limited such that a minimum tubing gap between the rollers is equal to approximately twice a wall thickness of the tubing. The rollers are moved along the tubing to clear obstructions. The apparatus can also include a clamp assembly having one or more plates that limits movement of the grip assembly to bring the rollers no closer than the minimum tubing gap. Alternately, the grip assembly can include first and second shell halves movable between open and closed positions with a channel defined therebetween, and the rollers are mounted in the grip assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SOUTHEAST MEDICAL DEVICES, LLC
    Inventor: Vance Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20090266380
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for reducing cumulative deposition and unwanted secondary thermal reactions in pyrolysis and other thermal conversion processes. In an embodiment, a system comprises a device, referred to as a reamer, for removing product deposits between thermal conversion and condensation operations of a pyrolysis process. The reamer may comprise, but is not limited to, a mechanical reciprocating rod or ram, a mechanical auger, a drill bit, a high-temperature wiper, brush, or punch to remove deposits and prevent secondary reactions. Alternatively or in addition, the reamer may use a high-velocity curtain or jet (i.e., a hydraulic or pneumatic stream) of vapor, product gas, recycle gas, other gas jet or non-condensing liquid to remove deposits. Preferably, the reamer removes deposits during the pyrolysis process allowing for continuous operation of the pyrolysis process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Barry Freel, Geoffrey Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7526827
    Abstract: A drain pipe cleaning apparatus includes a drive apparatus that includes a housing having a front end, a back end and a peripheral wall extending between the front and back ends. A drive shaft extends outwardly of the front end of the housing. The drive shaft is rotated about its axis when the drive apparatus is actuated. A pair of tethers is provided. Each of the tethers is attached to the drive shaft and extends to opposite directions with respect to each other. Each of a pair of cleaning members is attached to one of the tethers opposite of the drive shaft. The cleaning members scrape an inside surface of a pipe when the drive shaft is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Edward L. Bitterman
  • Patent number: 7520082
    Abstract: An automatic cleaning apparatus for a gun barrel, which includes a wheel contacting an inner surface of the gun barrel and a brush or non-woven fabric rotating against the inner surface of the gun barrel which is applied with a cleaning solution or anti-corrosive oil, and moves forward by rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Soosung Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Jin An
  • Publication number: 20090064432
    Abstract: A device and method of clearing non-fluid caulk from a caulk dispensing tube includes drilling a bit member through a thread cleaning device and into the solid caulk blocking the dispensing tube; then removing the bit member from the dispensing tube and reversing the rotational direction of the bit member, allowing the thread cleaning device to clear caulk off of the bit member after it has been removed from the dispensing tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Hank E. Pierson
  • Publication number: 20090044352
    Abstract: A machine for pipe maintenance, which travels forward through a pipeline and effectively removes foreign substances sticking to the inside of a pipeline, using friction members 70 that are moved along the inside of the pipeline by a rotator assembly 30 and rotated by rotating shaft assemblies 50, which come in contact with the inside of the pipeline is disclosed. Further, rotating shaft assemblies 50 and a rotator assembly 30 are respectively rotated by first and second rotating units 40, 60, such that it is possible to maximize the effect of removing foreign substances in the pipeline by smoothly rotating the friction members 70, and also improve durability by preventing an erroneous operation and damage due to load that is applied during the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Sangyoung Seo
  • Publication number: 20090031514
    Abstract: By providing a gear assembly employing drive gears which engage at least two associated gears for simultaneous rotation, with the gear assembly being constructed for axially driving the bush-bearing shaft/cable member, a new fully automatic, portable tube/conduit cleaning system is attached, with the components forming the system being capable of being easily held and carried to any desired job site. By employing this construction, the cleaning system of the present invention enables the shaft/cable carrying the rotating brush to be driven in both a forward and reverse direction, along the axis of the tube or conduit, making it easier for an operator to clean extremely difficult pipes and conduits, while also controlling the relative speed of the brush rotation. In the present invention, the elongated flexible shaft/cable is controllably fed at a low rate of speed, while the cleaning brush is rotated at a relative very high rate of speed, thereby achieving superior cleaning results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Good