Abstract: For cleaning at least one of the sides of the essentially vertical heat-transmitting walls between two fluids in a heat exchanger, solid particles are introduced into a stream of fluid, which particles are smaller than the distance between opposite walls defining the flow of fluid, said fluid with particles being introduced into part of a collection or distribution space above said walls and said particles being collected below said vertical walls and discharged from the heat exchanger. The particles are so heavy that they move downwards in the fluid even if this has an upward direction of flow between the walls. The particles are introduced above only part of the transverse plane above the vertical walls and switch means allow switching of said introduction to other parts of said transverse plane periodically. Thereby, the normal operation of the heat exchanger can continue with hardly any pressure loss during cleaning.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes two blowers connected in series, one upstream of the filter and the other downstream.

Abstract: An indicating ball catcher for use in a downhole drill pipe or tool string. The ball catcher comprises an upper body portion having an inlet opening smaller than any ball pumped thereto and a lower body portion. An elongated case interconnects the upper and lower body portions. A bypass is provided for allowing fluid flow around any ball caught in the apparatus and preventing the ball from being pumped therefrom. A reverse bypass may be provided so that fluid back flow is allowed without pumping the balls therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus can accommodate balls which have a larger cross-sectional area than an inner cross-sectional area of the case. The apparatus provides pressure indications at the surface when a ball reaches the upper body portion and when the ball enters the case.

Abstract: Described herein is a device for cleaning a sewer of a kind which, under action of the flowing sewage, is carried along the sewer by the sewage with a velocity less than the average velocity of sewage flow and which comprises a hollow cleaning ball immersing into the sewage and rolling on the bed or ceiling of the sewer. The outer surface of the cleaning ball has protrusions, the outer surface of the protrusions lie on an imaginary spherical surface. For adapting the effective weight of the cleaning ball to different levels of sewage in the sewer, several water through holes are distributed on the spherical wall of the cleaning ball which open into a sewage space within the hollow cleaning ball at a wall surface on which filth guiding ribs are. The filth guiding ribs end close to the openings of the water through holes.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning tubes in an array of such tubes (162, 175) such as heat exchanger or condenser units that will allow such cleaning action to be undertaken without removing the unit containing the array of tubes from normal service, the apparatus being adapted to be mounted in a head space zone of the unit and comprising a launcher (159, 192) movable on the head space zone to align with the tubes to be cleaned, the launcher being arranged to receive sequentially projectiles (1) from a projectile supply path (11) and to transfer same in a sealed manner to a pressurized fluid delivery path (89, 39) passing through the launcher (159, 192) so that the projectile is aligned with a tube to be cleaned.

Abstract: An automated cleaning device for beverage drafting/dispensing systems uses cleaning balls to clean tap lines. The cleaning balls are pushed through the lines by clean, pressurized water. The cleaning device includes a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder which is operated by means of an electric control system and solenoid valves. This dual-acting hydraulic cylinder is an integrated feature of a sliding valve system which retrieves the cleaning balls from a retention hopper through a cylindrical slide, inserting the cleaning balls alternately into either a tap line leading to a tapping cock or into a tap line leading to a keg, assisted by pressurized water. In the drafting/dispensing position, the sliding valve provides an uninterrupted connection between the two lines. The sliding valve can be operated from a remote switching location or manually.

Abstract: A snap-together vacuum cleaner housing comprises at least three discrete pieces which can be assembled and disassembled without the use of adhesive, fasteners, or tools. A lock ring comprises two semicircles of different radii. The lock ring encircles discrete portions of the housing and joins them together.

Abstract: A disposable dust bag for vacuum cleaners includes a mounting collar removably mounted on a vacuum cleaner connector through which dirt-laden air is delivered to the dust bag. The connector has a generally cylindrical outlet end and peripherally spaced projections extending from the outer surface thereof. The collar provides an opening sized to closely fit the outlet through the majority of its peripheral extent and which provides peripherally spaced enlarged portions adapted to clear the projections on the connector when the bag is installed and removed. The collar also provides an elastomeric diaphragm that tightly fits around the projections and forms a lip seal with the connector to prevent leakage of dirt-laden air back along the connector. An adaptor which fits on and grips the connector permits use of disposable bags with mounting structures not directly couplable with the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning pipelines for beverages and other flowable media has a four-way shuttle valve with two ports which are connectable to the ends of a pipeline. The shuttle of the valve is movable in the valve body between a first position in which an inlet for a fresh liquid cleaning agent is free to admit cleaning agent to one of the ports while the other port discharges spent cleaning agent into an outlet of the body, and a second position in which the direction of flow of cleaning agent through the pipeline is reversed. Movements of the shuttle between its positions are initiated by one or more spherical cleaning elements which are inserted into the pipeline and travel from one of the ports toward the other port or in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A disposable dust bag for vacuum cleaners and the like is disclosed which includes a mounting collar adapted to be removably mounted on a vacuum cleaner connector through which dirt-laden air is delivered to the dust bag. The connector has a generally cylindrical outlet end and peripherally spaced projections extending from the outer surface thereof. The collar provides an opening sized to closely fit the outlet through the majority of its peripheral extent and which provides peripherally spaced enlarged portions adapted to clear the projections on the connector when the bag is installed and removed. The collar also provides an inwardly extending elastomeric diaphragm having a centrally located opening substantially smaller than the outlet of the connector. During installation and removal of the bag on the connector, the enlarged portions of the collar opening are aligned with the projections on the connector and the collar is pressed over the connector until it is positioned behind the projections.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning pipelines of finite length with a liquid has a shuttle valve with a body having a liquid admitting inlet, a liquid discharging outlet and two hollow couplings connectable to the ends of a pipeline which requires cleaning. The body confines a shuttle which is reciprocable between two positions in the first of which liquid flows from the inlet to one of the couplings, through the pipeline between the couplings into the other coupling and then into the outlet. When one or more spherical or otherwise configurated cleaning elements in the pipeline cause the shuttle to assume its other position, the liquid flows from the inlet to the other coupling, through the pipeline into the one coupling and then into the outlet.

Abstract: A pipeline scraper comprising an elongated body defined by two complementary parts that form end portions and a reduced cross-section central portion, two wear segments surrounding and mounted on the central portion adjacent the end portions, and threaded means releasably fastening the components together.

Abstract: A two-way valve apparatus for a fluid distribution pipe adapted to be cleaned by scraping, comprising a ported tube containing a mobile abutment member for receiving a scraper, and a sleeve and a tubular confinement member fastened to and moving axially in unison with the abutment member to open and close the tube port.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a power brush which projects dirt particles directly into a specially formed and located vacuum nozzle in such a manner that low air consumption can be used. The vacuum nozzle has an inlet extending along the full axial length of the power brush. Inclined grooming brushes may be provided to eliminate wheel tracks. The front wall forwardly of the power brush may be modified to provide front edge cleaning. A cordless upright vacuum cleaner may advantageously be provided having a cleaning performance comparable with that of mains powered upright cleaners.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in vacuum cleaners, and is more in particular directed to the provision of a battery powered upright vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A ball strainer for foam rubber cleaning balls in a cleaning system for process piping includes a ball collecting and discharge chamber at the downstream end of the screen which is disposed wholly outside the wall of the pipe in which the screen is mounted. The chamber is dimensioned and oriented to completely eliminate the pinch point between the screen and the pipe wall. Mounting the collecting chamber on the outside of the pipe wall allows the use of a planar screen with a smooth elliptical edge which is of substantially simpler construction and offers a minimum resistance to cooling water flow.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner providing a detachable upright handle permits the vacuum cleaner to be used as an upright cleaner for cleaning rugs, carpets, and the like. A detachable portable hand cleaner handle is also provided which is mounted when the cleaner is to be used as a portable hand cleaner. A resiliently biased, releasable connector is mounted on the filter bag to detachably connect the filter bag to either of the handles. The connector is connected to the upright handle. The connector is resiliently connected to the bag so that the bag remains in proper extended position in all operating positions of the upright handle. A receiver having a socket and a mating blade on the handles permits the two handles to be selectively mounted on the power unit of the cleaner. The portable handle provides a shoulder strap which is retracted into the handle by a reel when not in use and is locked at any selected extended position when the shoulder strap is in use.

Abstract: A ball collecting apparatus for a pipe cleaning system utilizing circulating foam rubber balls includes a cylindrical housing having a rotary ball retaining screen disposed therein which is movable between a ball circulating position, a ball collecting and holding position, and a ball discharging position in a simple and efficient manner. In its recirculating position, a screen is disposed to permit the balls to flow directly from the housing inlet to the housing outlet for recirculation without interruption. When rotated to the collecting and holding position, the screen retains the balls thereon, prevents their passage through the housing outlet and preferably also prevents inadvertent entry of the balls into a ball discharge outlet. The discharge outlet is located near the bottom of the housing and rotation of the screen to the ball discharging position, along with appropriate closure of the flow inlet and outlet oepnings, allows the collected balls to be discharged by gravity and removed the system.

Abstract: To remove worn elastic balls from a cleaning installation for a tube bundle, this installation comprising between the outlet and the inlet of the tube bundle, a recycling circuit for the balls, recourse is had to a static separator for worn balls joined to a pipe connected in bypass to the recycling pipe system and equipped with a collecting basket. The separator is joined directly between two sections of the recycling pipe system and the openings of separation of the worn balls are bounded by the crests of parallel rails extending in parallel with the liquid flow of the pipe system, the downstream ends of the rails being terminated by discontinuities adapted to detach automatically from the rails balls penetrating partially between these rails without being able to pass between them and drawn by sliding along the rails.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric vacuum cleaner and the corresponding filter bag (7) which can be removed from a chamber (6) after opening and separating a socket connection. In order to achieve easier, cleaner handling upon changing the filter bag, the chamber (6) is separable by disengagement in a region of the shaft, about which the chamber can pivot, (14) after swinging separation from the filter bag (7).

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning pipelines for beverages has a shuttle valve with a body which is formed with a sleeve for a reciprocable shuttle. The body has a composite inlet for admission of fresh liquid cleaning agent, and an outlet for spent cleaning agent. Bayonet type connections are provided to separably connect the body with two adapters which are disposed at the ends of the sleeve and are separately connectable with the ends of a pipeline to be cleaned. The shuttle has two ports and two channels as well as two smaller-diameter extensions one of which is received in one of the adapters in a first end position and the other of which is received in the other adapter in a second end position of the shuttle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an upright-type electric vacuum cleaner which comprises a suction port body provided with a rotary brush and a main body case supported tiltably on the suction port body. Improvements are made in details such as the arrangement for supporting the main body case in the suction port body, the arrangements of mounting a handle onto the main body case, the configuration of a main body duct, the arrangement of a rotary brush, the arrangement of a cover of the main body case, and the arrangement of a T-shaped joint for connecting the main body duct and a dust filter means, thereby increasing the strength and rigidity of each of these parts and improving the performance of the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting emergency disconnection of a fluid transfer arm from a marine tanker manifold or other vessel to which the arm is connected, including means to purge the arm of fluid prior to disconnection in order to prevent fluid spillage.

Abstract: A disposable dust bag for vacuum cleaners and the like is disclosed which includes a mounting collar adapted to be removably mounted on a vacuum cleaner connector through which dirt-laden air is delivered to the dust bag. The connector has a generally cylindrical outlet end and peripherally spaced projections extending from the outer surface thereof. The collar provides an opening sized to closely fit the outlet through the majority of its peripheral extent and which provides peripherally spaced enlarged portions adapted to clear the projections on the connector when the bag is installed and removed. The collar also provides an inwardly extending elastomeric diaphragm having a centrally located opening substantially smaller than the outlet of the connector. During installation and removal of the bag on the connector, the enlarged portions of the collar opening are aligned with the projections on the connector and the collar is pressed over the connector until it is positioned behind the projections.

Abstract: System and method for controlling flow rate of a fluid through a tube of a heat exchanger, such as through condenser or evaporator tubes disposed within a respective condenser or evaporator in a refrigerator. Flow direction of fluid through the tube is reversed, e.g. by way of a directional control valve, which can move a brush disposed within the tube therethrough, to automatically clean the same. The system and method is capable of increasing the flow rate of the fluid through the tube at or during the flow directional change, to ensure, e.g., that a minimum velocity required to move the cleaning brush through the tube is reached.

Abstract: A rotary tube cleaning system having a rotary cutting tool attached to an elongated flexible drive wire for remotely cleaning the inside of elongated tubes, and method for its use. The tube cleaning system includes a special rotary cutting tool rigidly attached to an elongated flexible drive wire, which are rotatably driven through a slip clutch by variable speed rotary drive means. The tool has dual oppositely-facing cutting edges at its forward end and also has dual longitudinally separated cylindrical guide surfaces provided at the tool forward and rear ends. In the method for remotely cleaning the tubes using the rotating cutting tool, the tool is inserted into a thimble tube, rotated at 150-250 rpm and fed forward at 5-20 ft/min to cut or scrape any deposits from the inner wall of the tube. The tool is then removed and similarly inserted into other tubes in sequence to scrape and substantially remove accumulated material therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting cleaning bodies from a cooling liquid after flowing through the tubes of a heat exchanger as a pipe section casing with at least one layer of screens arranged in a V-shaped manner mounted to be pivoted for through-washing includes a device for receiving the cleaning bodies collected in a strip-like section from both screens and a guide member arranged above the device for aligning the cooling fluid flow more parallel to the screen surfaces directly upstream from the strip section. The apparatus is characterized in that the guide member is provided with two vortex members running parallel to the strip section with each vortex member being associated with one of the two screens to form one vortex zone with at least one point within the vortex zone terminating in an opening of a pipe for sucking off the cleaning bodies.

Abstract: A disposable bag for removal of dust vacuum cleaners comprised of a nonporous polymer composition sheeting sealed water tight for internally containing a quantity of water that functions as the dust removal media. The bag is configured for mounting internally within the external fabric bag customarily provided by the vacuum cleaner manufacturer. Discharge of dust laden air from the vacuum blower is connected to an air inlet on the bag from which an internal guide directs the air flow to within the body of water. Emerging from the water substantially dust free, the air is directed past baffles to eliminate entrained moisture before being discharged through an outlet opening to the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the inner surfaces of copper-alloy condenser tubes of a condenser through which seawater flows as a coolant by controlling a ferrous-ion injecting operation to inject ferrous ions into the coolant for forming a protective film on the inner surfaces of the condenser tubes, and a sponge-ball cleaning operation to clean the inner tube surfaces by passing sponge balls through the condenser tubes. During an initial period of exposure of the condenser tubes to the coolant after installation of the condenser tubes in the condenser, the ferrous ions are injected into the coolant to form the protective film on the inner surfaces of the condenser tubes until the polarization resistance of the condenser tubes has reached 10.sup.4 .OMEGA.cm.sup.2. Subsequently, the ferrous-ion injecting operation and the sponge-ball cleaning operation are executed while the polarization resistance and heat transfer rate of the condenser tubes are monitored.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent inproper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.

Abstract: A lightweight, upright, top-loading vacuum cleaner wherein a seal between the disk of a filter bag and a duct for conveying dirt-laden air to the bag is provided adjacent the outer peripheral edges of the disk resulting in the disk becoming an integral part of the seal while eliminating pressure differential across opposite sides of the disk. A portion of the duct extending into the filter bag is capable of being displaced to an open position for filter bag loading and unloading and is normally closed to maintain the seal by a latch which cooperates with the handle vacuum cleaner handle. The vacuum cleaner handle includes electrical components having projections which are releasably received and supported within an electrical receptacle supported by the vacuum cleaner housing.

Abstract: The invention provides an upper fill tube configuration for a vacuum cleaner that includes: a rigid upper fill tube that communicates, adjacent its upper end, with a dirt collecting receptacle; a flexible tube extending from the cleaner foot; communicating with the rigid upper fill tube and removably secured to it and a latch arrangement carried, in part, by the flexible tube and, in part, by the upper fill tube to releasably retain the two together.

Abstract: Pipes, tubes and the like, for example, in heat exchangers, can be cleaned internally using sonic energy, a relatively incompressible pig and a flushing liquid.The flushing liquid is supplied via a pressure outlet from a quick operating valve to one or more launchers for launching pigs. The launchers are mounted on either an x-y frame movable support or a rotary axis adapter and radially movable support for positioning the launchers with respect to the ends of the tubes to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner wherein the dirty air discharge outlet is connected by a hose through a lid inlet of a container which is partially filled with water and the hose end is suspended from said inlet to about 1/4" from the top of the water surface. The lower end of the suspended portion of said hose is projected at an angle onto the water surface to swirl it and effectively trap dust particles in the water. The remaining dust containing air passes through a secondary filter in the lid of the container before being discharged to the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A retrieval device (6) is disclosed for retrieving spherically shaped cleansing bodies cyclically circulated through the cooling system of a tubular heat exchanger (2). The device has a cylindrical housing (8) subdivided into two chambers (12,13) by a filter plate (11). The end (21) of a drain tube (14) reaches into a chamber (12), while ends (19,20) of a feed tube (5), a discharge tube (7) and a rinse tube (17), respectively, into a second chamber (13). Two exteriorly driven shafts (23,24) are centrally mounted in the housing (8) and each has adjustable valve plates (32,34 and 33,35) mounted to seal against the upper and lower tube ends (19,21 and 20,22). The device (6) has three operating modes which are set by rotating the shafts to only two operational positions.

Abstract: An apparatus (8) is provided for retrieving spherically shaped cleansing bodies circulated through the cooling system of a tubular heat exchanger. It has a cylindrical housing (11) into which feed and discharge tubes (6,9) and associated extensions (14,15) reach. To achieve simplified operation, valve plates (20,21) are mounted on a central shaft (18) to form a seal flush against the angularly inclined ends of pipe extensions (14,15) by appropriately rotating shaft (18). Further a sieve plate (24) is fixedly mounted in housing (11) perpendicular to shaft (18). Shaft (18) may be rotated through 180.degree. and has three operative settings. In a first, control setting extensions (14,15) and cutout (25) are closed, in a second, flow-through setting all three are open, and in a third, retrieval setting extensions (14,15) remain open while cutout opening (25) is closed.

Abstract: A vacuum exhaust dust collector for a standard upright vacuum cleaner is provided and consists of a cylindrical elongated tank holding water therein that has a plurality of air exhaust holes at an upper portion near its neck, at least one elastic band for attaching the tank to an elongated handle of the vacuum cleaner and a flexible elongated hose that has a screw cap near one end that engages with the neck and a retainer clamp at the other end which fits over an exhaust pipe of the vacuum cleaner allowing dust particles to be caught in the water within the tank whereby air exhausted will be dust free.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collecting device for cleaning members at the outlet of a heat exchanger, which is directly connected or, after passing through spacers or a bend, is reached by the flow from the outlet. In order to avoid speed peaks, in the often inhomogeneous flow, an intake aid is provided at the discharge point of the outlet, which is intended to render to flow uniform. As a result the screens conventionally used in the collecting device can have a smaller angle of inclination, which has an advantageous effect on the space requirements and the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is attached to the ends of a heat exchanger tube to capture a tube cleaning brush or sponge that has been propelled back and forth through the tube by reversing the direction of flow of the circulating cooling fluid. The apparatus includes a tubular synthetic polymer cage with perforated walls which receives the expelled cleaning element and holds it in alignment with the tube and a tandemly positioned tubular synthetic polymer adapter which is bonded at one end to an open end of the tube and which functions as a conduit for the movement of the cooling fluid and cleaning element between the tube and cage. The adapter and cage are coupled through lockable mating open ends which permit the cage to be removed manually and non-destructively, thereby providing fast and unobstructed access to the interior of the tube by test probes. A particularly secure coupling also is disclosed in which these mating open ends are the male and female elements of a snap fastener.

Abstract: A cleaning system is provided for an air conditioner or heater of the type having an air duct for conveying air with a fin-type heat exchanger transversely mounted in the air duct for heat exchange with the air conveyed in the duct. The cleaning system comprises a pair of tubes mounted horizontally across the air duct on opposite sides of and parallel to the heat exchanger adjacent the upper end of the sides of the heat exchanger. The pair of tubes each have a plurality of longitudinal slots therein for fan-shaped spraying of cleaning liquid from each of the slotted holes toward the heat exchanger. A cart with a tank of cleaning liquid can be rolled to a location adjacent the air duct. The cart has a pump for pumping liquid from the tank to the tubes and a hose for quick connection to either of the tubes.

Abstract: A lightweight broom having a rechargeable battery powered vacuum pump and a mounting assembly for pivotally mounting a nozzle. The mounting assembly and power assembly are spaced apart on a frame carrying both assemblies, and a filter bag arrangement is removably received therebetween. The filter bag arrangement includes a canister adapted to removably fit on a frame between the mounting assembly and the power assembly.

Abstract: A resilient support sustaining the upper terminus of a dirt collecting bag on the handle of an upright vacuum cleaner in which an extensible strap on the bag is fastened within a downwardly open recess on the handle maintaining the upper terminus of the bag completely within the handle recess.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a cleaning apparatus for a raw material transfer pipe of the type in which a cleaning member having a pressure-receiving recessed region coming into sliding contact with the inner wall of the transfer pipe for transferring a viscous or powdery raw material is fitted into the transfer pipe, and a pressurized fluid is supplied to the pressure-receiving recessed region of the cleaning member to pressure-feed the cleaning member inside the transfer pipe and to wipe off and remove any residue adhering to the wall of the transfer pipe. The present invention disposes integrally spherical guide members having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the transfer pipe at the front and rear regions of the cleaning member via elastic reduced diameter shaft regions.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) has a plurality of metallic fluid flow tubes (5) secured adjacent their ends by tube sheets (6, 7). A non-corrodible, erosion resistance, non-metallic elongated sleeve-like insert (30) is telescopingly mounted within a tube. The insert length corresponds closely with the length of the finite tube end section (21) subject to damage from fluid turbulence, which has been found to be in the range of about 5 to 12 inches depending upon the tube I.D. as well as fluid velocity and pressures. To prevent undesirable penetration of corrosive materials and gases into any void that may exist between the plastic insert and metallic heat exchanger tube, a filler (33) of adhesive epoxy or the like may be applied to fill the void. The insert (30) provides only a single element reduction in passage diameter. When a tube cleaning brush (25) and basket (26) system is also utilized, brush diameter reduction relative to the tube I.D. is minimized.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having end head elements has a plurality of fluid flow tubes secured adjacent their ends by tube sheet elements. Cleaning devices are adapted to shuttle back and forth in the tubes and are adapted to be captured by basket elements. A basket retaining plate is disposed outwardly of and parallel to a tube sheet element. A longitudinally compressible device is disposed between the retaining plate and at least one of the elements to compensate for misalignment of a tube sheet relative to the heat exchanger housing.

Abstract: An electric vacuum cleaner has a floor engaging unit, a generally vertically extending handle assembly pivotally affixed to the rear of the floor engaging unit, and a porous bag assembly mounted to the front of the handle assembly. The handle assembly is hollow to direct dust-laden air from the floor engaging unit to the bag assembly. A bottom plate, under the brush roll, has notches at its edges to enhance edge cleaning, and front wheels for the cleaner. Ridges are provided in the floor engaging unit to prevent improper assembly of the drive belt. The handle assembly is resiliently biased upwardly, and a release is provided thereon to enable relaxation of forces on the porous bag of the porous bag assembly, to facilitate changing of the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning the pipes of heat-exchangers by means of cleaning bodies, generally sponge balls. The removal and reintroduction of the cleaning bodies occurs with the aid of a device installed in the outlet pipe, which consists of a casing (1) with one or two screens (2) arranged within it. The screens (2) end on the downstream side at a pipe (3) with an opening (4). Inside this pipe (3) there is another pipe (5) with an opening (6) which preferably rotates continuously. The cleaning bodies (9) are collected in the inner pipe (5). A pressure water pipe (7) and a cleaning body outlet pipe (8) are connected to the outer pipe (3). When the inner pipe (5) is in the appropriate position, the cleaning bodies (9) are washed out of the inner pipe (5) by pressure water and introduced into the inlet pipe of the heat-exchanger via the cleaning body outlet pipe (8). A lock (11) is built into the cleaning body return pipe in order to introduce and remove the cleaning bodies (9).

Abstract: An improvement in apparatus for cleaning heat exchanger tubes wherein each tube has chambers at its opposite ends for capturing a tube cleaning element, such as a brush, which is adapted to move in opposite directions through the tube upon reversing the direction of flow of heat exchange fluid therethrough. The improvement comprises apparatus for detachably mounting the chambers to the ends of the respective tubes including a holder plate having openings formed therethrough at locations corresponding to locations of the ends of the heat exchanger tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning pipelines of finite length has a four-way flow reversing valve whose body admits a liquid cleaning agent from an inlet into one port and thence into a pipeline whence the cleaning agent flows back into the body by way of a second port and is discharged by way of an outlet. The valving element is a piston which is reciprocable between two end positions in one of which the flow of cleaning agent takes place as outlined above and in the other of which the cleaning agent flows first into the other port and returns into the body of the valve by way of the one port to be discharged by way of the outlet. The body of the valve is separably connected with the larger-diameter end portions of two cylindrical housings whose smaller-diameter end portions are separably connectable with the respective ends of the pipeline.

Abstract: A heat exchanger has a plurality of fluid flow tubes secured adjacent their ends by tube sheets. Cleaning elements are adapted to shuttle back and forth in the tubes and are adapted to be captured by baskets. A basket retaining plate is fixedly mounted, as by bolts or the like, outwardly of the tube sheet in an adjacent or proximate, generally parallel relationship to the outer face of the tube sheet. The retaining plate may be mounted either in spaced relationship from or in abutting relationship with the outer tube sheet face. The plate and its mount cooperate with the tube sheet to hold the baskets in fixed position relative to the tube sheet and tube ends. The outer capturing and holding portions of the baskets extend outwardly from the retaining plate. The baskets include central or intermediate portions which extend through openings in the plate and inner portions which terminate within the tube sheet openings.