Abstract: A rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel by transmitting impact energy. The rapper device includes a striker and an impacting device for impacting the striker which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel. The striker includes a piston section having a piston rod projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening in line with the impacting device. A piston head is slideable within a piston chamber in line with the passage opening. The piston chamber is operatively connected to a sealing gas supply. The piston head is a separate part with an aperture. The piston rod runs through the aperture, e.g., in a slideable arrangement.

Abstract: A method and a rapper device for cleaning a heat exchange surface in a pressure vessel. The rapper device includes a striker rod which has one end contacting the heat exchange surface in the pressure vessel and one end projecting out of the pressure vessel via a passage opening. The rapper device also includes an impacting device for impacting the projecting end of the striker rod. A section of the striker rod is slideably supported in a pressure chamber adjacent the passage opening. The pressure chamber is connected to a sealing gas supply maintaining the pressure in the pressure chamber at a higher level than the pressure in the pressure vessel. A bellows defines a pressure chamber around at least a section of the striker rod.

Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.

Abstract: A dual striker mechanism for a carpet-tapping machine comprises two striker grills which are mounted in a common body opposite one another so as to be pivotable about the longitudinal axis of their retaining rail. The tapping rods of the first striker grill thereby protrude into the gaps between the tapping rods of the second striker grill. The arrangement of the tapping rods of the two striker grills thereby forms a common horizontal plane. The striker grills are coupled to one another such that upon a clockwise pivoting motion of the first striker grill, the opposite one moves counter-clockwise. The drive motor for the striker grills generates an alternating pivoting motion about the longitudinal axis of the striker grills via an eccentric drive. The tapping rods of the two striker grills thereby move toward each other in their common substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.

Abstract: A rain-gutter cleaning system has an agitator head that is mounted to the top end of a long suction tube and pole and supported aloft by them. A vacuum pump on the ground is connected to bring rain-gutter debris down the suction tube and into a collection bag. The agitator head includes opposite, synchronized rotating paddles that tear and break up tangles and clogs encountered in a rain gutter and that helps direct the loosened debris down the throat of the suction tube. An optional camera mounted atop the agitator head allows an operator on the ground below to see the performance inside of the rain gutter on a small monitor screen.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device and method for removing ash from an interior surface of a radiant synthesis gas cooler. The device for removing ash includes a rapper actuator, a striker pin coupled to the rapper actuator including a proximal end and a distal end, and a striker target assembly disposed such that a proximal surface of the striker target assembly is in contact with the distal end of the striker pin and a distal surface is in contact with the surface of the radiant synthesis gas cooler.

Abstract: A motorized chimney sweep having a battery, a DC motor with twin drive shafts extending therefrom in opposite directions in a horizontal orientation, and two debris impacting members attached near a distal end of each drive shaft which are rotated through a generally vertical arc during use. In use, the debris impacting members rapidly strike debris which has built up within the shaft of a chimney to knock it free from the walls.

Abstract: A gutter washer comprising a wheel-shaped guide disposed rotatably on a cylindrical section of a nozzle is adapted to run on a roof gutter rim. The guide comprises a guide rim projecting radially from one end of a guide hub member, which rotates on the nozzle cylindrical section, and a plurality of lugs jutting radially from an opposite end of the hub member. Thus, the hub member becomes a circumferential track with the guide lugs running inside and the guide rim running outside of the gutter rim. When a gutter spike is encountered, the guide lugs step over it while keeping at least 2 lugs below the rim which is tangent to the circumferential track. A rigid tube is attached to the nozzle near the guide rim at a first tube end; the second tube end is adapted for connection of a garden water hose.

Abstract: A carpet wheel is provided for a rotary cleaning apparatus of the type having an electric motor in a housing, a brush member attached to a drive shaft of the motor, a holding tank for a liquid cleaning fluid and a handle extending at an angle upwardly from the holding tank. The carpet wheel comprises a circular shaped base member. Elements are on the base member in a pattern, for forming a plurality of radially extending grooves. The groove forming elements can be releasably positioned against the underside of the brush member, to be rotated thereabout. A plurality of balls are also provided. A structure is for rotatively carrying the balls in the base member, in spaced apart radially extending locations under every other groove, so that the balls will contact and roll upon a carpet.

Abstract: A surface finishing device having a vibration generater fixedly supported to a device body, a vibration transmitting member disposed at a lower position of the device body and a heat source incorporated in the vibration transmitting member. The invention also discloses a surface finishing device of the above type further having a fluid-agent outlet opening defined in or in the vicinity of the vibration transmitting means and for discharging a fluid agent or a solution containing the agent.

Abstract: A chimney cleaning tool for removing accumulations of foreign materials from the interior surfaces of smoke chambers and chimney flues of fireplaces and furnaces. The invention comprises a hub which is adapted to be rotated by a power driven rod, a single resilient multi-wire cable clamped to the hub and U-bolts with hex nuts for clamping the cable to the hub. The cable has loop shaped portions arranged in perpendicular relationship to the rotational axis of the hub which extend outwardly from the hub. When the tool is inserted into a chimney flue, rotated, and brought to bear against the interior surfaces of the flue, the outer portions of loops rapidly remove accumulated materials from the flue without damaging the flue. The invention can also be used for removing materials which accumulate on the walls of other conduits, such as sewers and oil well casings.

Abstract: A bottle and can picking apparatus includes a portable carrier frame, a rotatable member mounted on the carrier frame, a plurality of flexible loops attached to the rotatable member and extending radially therefrom for picking up the bottles, cans and other litter, a drive motor for driving the rotation of the rotatable member, and a waste receptacle for receiving and holding the litter picked up by the loops. As the carrier frame is moved over the ground and the rotatable member is rotated, the flexible loops come in sweeping contact with the ground, dislodging the litter and lifting it upwardly and rearwardly into the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A surface finishing device having a vibration generator fixedly supported to a device body, a vibration transmitting member disposed at a lower portion of the device body and a heat source incorporated in the vibration transmitting member. The invention also discloses a surface finishing device of the above type further having a fluid-agent outlet opening defined in or in the vicinity of the vibration transmitting member and for discharging a fluid agent or a solution containing the agent.

Abstract: A power apparatus for cleaning pine needles and other debris from overhead rain gutters while operated by an individual who is standing on the ground. A disk with protruding plastic apikes is attached to a gear assembly and electric motor. The disk rotates and throws debris from the gutter. A guard prevents said thrown debris from landing on the roof. The electric motor and gear assembly are located inside a housing which is at one end of a crossarm. A guide, fitting underneath said housing, can be adjusted to provide the proper amount of contact between the disk and debris laying in the bottom interior of the gutter. At the opposite end of said crossarm to the housing is a dislodge blade used to shift debris which may be unreachable by said disk especially debris located directly beneath gutter hangers. The dislodge blade is used to push this debris to a more accessible area of the gutter where the, disk is then used.

Abstract: This invention relates to the cleaning of chimneys such as those of wood burning fireplaces. An electric motor is supported from a frame. In one mode of operation, the frame is supported in a chimney by a long rod which is along the line of the axis of the shaft of the motor. A plurality of fixed chain links are welded to the plate on the shaft. Each fixed link has a second chain link attached thereto in the normal chain articulation manner. Each second link has a ball welded at the outer end. As the motor turns, the steel balls strike the build-up of deposits on the chimney walls and quickly cleans it as the device is raised and lowered by an operator using the long rod. The frame is also such that it can be turned sideways so that the shaft is horizontal. This is helpful in getting certain corners in certain type chimneys.

Abstract: A portable, motor-operated cleaning device for removing leaves and other debris from rain gutters on buildings. An electric motor is pivotally mounted on the end of a telescoping rigid tubular handle with the electric cord for the motor extending along the interior of the handle to a switch mounted on the opposite handle end. A plurality of short sections of flexible line are mounted on the motor shaft for rotation with a high velocity by the motor. Each of the sections of line have a preformed configuration having a portion which extends in a generally radially outwardly direction from the shaft and an integrally connected portion which then extends in a generally concavely curved direction toward the direction of shaft rotation. A bracket is mounted on the motor housing and has a pair of rollers which are mounted at right angles with respect to a third roller to provide for rolling engagement with the horizontal and vertical outer edges of a rain gutter.