US3851342A

US3851342A - Hydraulic pulse, scale-blocked-pipe cleaner

Info

Publication number: US3851342A
Application number: US00361574A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-18
Filing date: 1973-05-18
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03

Abstract

A cylindrical vessel has a multiple part bellows positioned axially therein. An axially positioned rod extends into the vessel and through the bellows from one end and is attached to the other end of the bellows. The end of the rod exterior of the vessel is connected to a crank driven by a variable speed motor. Piping connects the interior of the vessel with a hot water pipe to be cleaned of scale. By expanding and contracting the bellows, impulses are applied to the water which act to remove the scale from the pipe.

Description

atet 1 Dec. 3, 1974 HYDRAULIC PULSE, SCALE-BLOCKED-PIIPE CLEANER Charles A. Moore, 112 W. 193rd St., Mokena, 111. 60448 Filed: May 18, 1973 Appl. No.: 361,574

Inventor:

U.S. Cl 1/256, 134/169 C, 134/196 Int. Cl E03d 1l/00, B08b 9/02 Field of Search 4/255, 256, 257; 134/22 C, 134/24, 166 C, 167 C, 168 C, 169 C, 195, 134/196, 197

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1920 Ustrzycki et a1 4/255 10/1941 Kling 4/256 UX 10/1951 l-lamlett... 4/256 12/1957 Erling 134/169 C X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 288,586 9/1931 Italy 4 255 Primary ExaminerR0bert L. Bleutge Attorney, Agent, or FirmDarbo, Robertson & Vandenburgh 7 ABSTRACT A cylindrical vessel has a multiple part bellows positioned axially therein. An axially positioned rod extends into the vessel and through the bellows from one end and is attached to the other end of the bellows. The end of the rod exterior of the vessel is connected to a crank driven by a variable speed motor. Piping connects the interior of the vessel with a hot water pipe to be cleaned of scale. By expanding and contracting the bellows, impulses are applied to the water which act to remove the scale from the pipe.

19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEL DEC 3 I974 SHEET 1 W 2 HYDRAULIC PULSE, SCALE-BLOCKED-PIPE CLEANER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an embodiment of the invention being connected to a hot water pipe serving a bathtub;

FIG. 2 is a view taken at line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with the side cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a section taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the impulse generator.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding,

this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a pa-' tent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements.

For purposes of illustration the embodiment is depicted in connection with a hot water line serving a bathtub 10. The service piping of such a tub comprises a hot water line l2 and a cold water line ll. Each of these connects to a respective end of a manifold 14 having valves at the end to control the water flow from the service pipes to the center of the manifold. Usually the water lines will be provided with air chamber 16. At the center of the manifold there is a pipe 17 leading to a tank filling head 18. There is also likely to be a pipe 19 which leads to a shower extension pipe 20, in which event the filling head 18 has a diverter arm as illustrated.

Assuming that a hot water pipe 12 has become clogged with scale to an extent that only a trickle of water can flow therethrough, the cleaning operation as performed by me is to connect up to the clogged pipe. This can be performed by removing the hot water valve parts from manifold 14 and replacing them with an adapter and valve 25. Alternatively spout l8 is removed, and a valve (like 25) connected to the pipe 18 which had served the spout. The shower head is removed from pipe and replaced with a valve 23. The hot water valve on manifold 14 is opened. In either event, the hose 26 connects from the hot water connection, e.g. valve 25, to an impulse generator by which periodic positive and negative impulses are applied to the water column extending through hot water pipe 12.

Valve 23 is employed to remove air from the pipe 19.

It is desired to have as few air pockets as possible communicating with the water column being impulsed since these impair the abilityto effectively impulse that water column. However I have found that one or two air columns 16 are not sufficient to materially impair the process. Initially the impulses applied to the water column are relatively slow, e.g., 30-60 cycles per minute. These commence breaking the scale loose and thus the passage through the badly scaled hot water pipe commences to open up. As this happens, the frequency of the impulses should be increased. It is desirable to have the impulses applied at the natural resonant frequency of the system being impulsed. These impulses, plus the abrasive action of the loosened scale in the pipe serve to dislodge further scale. The process is continued until the pipe is clean. While this takes time, it is a much less expensive process than attempting to remove and replace the piping. Also it is a much easier and more satisfactory process than attempting to clean the pipes with acid.

As thus far described the process is prior art. The following description relates to the novel apparatus I have devised for carrying out this process.

The illustrated embodiment comprises a housing, generally 28. At the bottom end this housing is supported by a pair of wheels 29 and a foot 30. At the upper end are a pair of small wheels 31 to facilitate moving the housing when it is necessary to have it positioned horizontally. At the top is a hinged cover 32 to provide access to a control panel 33. One side 34 is removably affixed (as by means of screws) so that access may be had to the interior of the housing should servicing be necessary.

Within the housing is an impulse generator generally 37. This impulse generator comprises a vessel formed by cylindrical tube 38 and top and

bottom caps

39 and 40 threaded thereon using tapered pipe threads. Thus the vessel defines a chamber 41. Within the chamber is a bellows device (serving as an expansile means) comprising a plurality of individual stainless steel bellows 45. The bottom end of the lower bellows 45 is secured to a bottom cap member 46. The upper end of the upper bellows 45 is secured to a top cap member 47. This top cap member 47 is threaded into cap 39. In turn it holds a bushing 48 to provide a bearing for shaft 52. The bottom cap member 46 is threaded onto rod 52 as seen at 54. This connection is a water tight seal. Also threaded onto the rod is a guide nose 49 which is journaled in a sleeve 50 forming a part of the lower cap 40 so as to axially align the bottom end of the bellows while permitting it to reciprocate.

Intermediate each of the individual bellows 45 is an annular connector member 51 which is secured to each of the adjacent bellows. These intermediate connector members are journaled on a rod 52 and have openings 53 therethrough so that fluid (air) can pass from the (otherwise closed) interior of each individual bellows to the (otherwise closed) interior of the next adjacent individual bellows. The upper cap member 47 has openings 55 from the interior of the bellows to the exterior of the vessel to permit fluid (air) to move freely in and out of the interior of the bellows. This also provides relief should a bellows fail and the interior thereof fill with water.

A crank mechanism generally 58 is secured to the upper end of rod 52 to reciprocate the rod. This mechanism comprises a circular disc 59 eccentrically mounted on shaft 60 and attached thereto. A hoop 61 encircles disc 59 and has the disc journaled therein. The rod 52 is threaded into the hoop. Thus as shaft 60 rotates, the disc serves as a cam to move the hoop (and thus the rod) up and down. This is not solely a vertical motion; therefore the lower cap 40 of the vessel is journaled on a pin 62. Pin 62 is mounted on a metal frame 64 forming a part of the housing.

Shaft 60 is journaled in bearings 66 secured to frame 64. A sprocket 67 is also attached to the shaft. A variable speed motor 68 is mounted on frame 64. The output shaft of the motor carries a sprocket 69.

Sprockets

67 and 69 are connected by a chain 70. The speed of the output shaft of the motor can be varied by means of a control 71 mounted on control panel 33.

Conduit means are employed to connect the impulse generator 37 to the hot water pipe to be cleaned and to a drain. This conduit means includes a pipe 73 which connects to hose 26. At the end of this pipe 73 (with several intermediate elbows) is a tee 74. Extending from one side of the tee is a hose 76 which in turn connects to an elbow 77 on the impulse generator 37. Within elbow 74 is a screen 75 which permits free flow vertically through the elbow but which screens the water flowing to hose 76. Within chamber 41, above elbow 77, is a second screen 72. From the other side of the tee a pipe 78 connects to a pressure relief valve 79. The relief valve is set so that it does not open during normal operation. From the other side of the pressure relief valve (the two sides being in direct communication) there is an elbow 80 and a pipe 81 leading to a drain valve 82. At the downstream side of the drain valve is a pipe 83, a tee 84, a pipe 85, an elbow 86, a pipe 87 and a drain hose 88. From the relief outlet of the relief valve 79 a conduit 89 connects to tee 84. A tube 90 extends from tee 84 to an air bleeding valve 91. This valve has a handle accessible above the panel 33. The air bleeding valve connects to a body 92 on'which there is a pressure gauge 93. The body 92 also has a tube 94 extending from the body to the top portion of the chamber 41 of the impulse generator 37.

There is an operating handle 95 for drain valve 82. This handle is connected to the valve by a rod 96. An electrical cord 98 is provided to plug into a convenient electrical outlet to supply the electricity for motor 68. In the electrical circuit leading to motor 68 is a switch 99 by which the motor may be turned on and off. The electrical circuit is of a grounded type so that the motor 68, etc., is grounded.

As previously described herein, the impulse generator is connected to the hot water line to be cleaned by means of hose 26 and such other suitable plumbing fittings as may be required for the particular connection. The hose 88 is directed to a suitable drain (in the illustrated embodiment it is merely dropped into the bathtub). Electrical cord 98 is plugged into an electrical outlet. The hot water supply for the pipe to be cleaned is turned on. The static water pressure should preferably be at least lbs. per square inch and a more effective cleaning job is attained if the water pressure is greater than that. At 40 lbs./sq. in. (which oftentimes is the city supplied pressure) the cleaning is good and at 80 lbs./sq. in. it is better yet. The valve 23 in the shower head (if used) is opened briefly to discharge any air. Valve 82 is opened sufficiently long to remove any trapped air and then closed. Valve 91 is opened to remove any trapped air and-then closed.

The motor 68 is then started whereupon the bellows apparatus in the impulse generator supplies periodic positive and negative impulses to the water in chamber 41. That is, as the rod 52 descends (FIG. 4) the bellows expands and a positive (increasing pressure) impulse is applied to the water in chamber 41 and as the rod 52 goes upwardly the bellows contracts and a negative (decreasing pressure) impulse is applied to the water in the chamber. These impulses are transmitted through the water in the conduit means to the hot water pipe to be cleaned. As the cleaning process proceeds the speed of the motor is periodically adjusted to obtain (as nearly as possible) resonant impulsing of the water column. By observing pressure gauge 93 and adjusting the speed so that the pressure variations are the greatest, the speed equating to resonance is obtained. It may be desirable to occasionally, particularly during the early stages, open air valve 91 to make sure that there is no trapped air in the system. When the hot water pipe has been adequately cleaned, valve 82 is opened to permit the water from the hot water pipe to flow out the drain hose 88. The scale that was loosened during the cleaning process will be flushed out through hose 88 along with the water being discharged. Pressure relief valve 79 is employed to guard against damage in the event that loose scale in the pipe results in blockage.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for cleaning scale from the inside of a water pipe having water therein, said apparatus comprising an impulse generator for producing periodic positive and negative water pulses, means for connecting the impulse generator to the pipe for free communication between the impulse generator and the water in said pipe so that the water in the pipe is pulsed positively and negatively whereby the pipe is cleaned by said pulses in conjunction with the abrasive action of the loosened scale in said pipe, the improvement wherein said generator comprises:

a closed vessel defining a chamber in communication with said pipe; expansile means within said chamber for changing the volume of water within the chamber as said means expands and contracts, said expansile means defining an enclosed interior space having fluid therein, the exterior of the expansile means being in contact with the water in said chamber, means communicating with the interior space of the expansile means and the exterior of said chamber for permitting the fluid to flow in and out of said expansile means as the expansile means expands and contracts; and

power means connected to said expansile means to periodically expand and contract said expansile means.

2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including control means connected to said power means for adjusting the rate at which said expansile means expands and contracts.

3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said chamber has an uppermost part, and including an air bleeding device connected to said vessel and communicating with said uppermost part for removing air accumulations from said part.

4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, including conduit means connected to said vessel and having a portion extending from said vessel and adapted to be connected to said pipe for supplying said water communication therebetween, a drain connection, a drain valve, said conduit means extending from said portion to said valve and then from the valve to said drain connection, a pressure relief valve in said conduit means upstream of said drain valve and having a discharge connection, and a liquid conduit extending from said discharge connection to said conduit means downstream of said drain valve.

5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including a pressure gauge connected in communication with the water in said apparatus to indicate the pulses in the water, said air bleeding device being connected to discharge into said conduit means downstream of said drain valve, said conduit means all being at a lower elevation than said uppermost part.

6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including a housing, said vessel, said power means, and all of said conduit means except for said drain and pipe connections being within said housing, said control means and said gauge being exposed at the top of said housing, including operating means connected to said drain valve and having a handle exposed at the top of the housing, said air bleeding device including a valve having a handle exposed at the top of the housing, said housing having wheels on which it may be moved about.

7. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said expansile means comprises a bellows device having two ends, one end bearing against a part of the vessel, said power means being connected to the other end to move said other end toward and away from said one end.

8. ln an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said power means includes a rod extending through the side of said vessel, said one end and the interior of said bellows device and being connected to the other end of the bellows device, and crank means connected to said rod at the end thereof externally of said vessel for reciprocating said rod.

9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim ll, wherein said expansile means comprises a bellows device.

10. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said bellows device has two ends, one end bearing against a part of the vessel, said power means being connected to the other end to move said other end toward and away from said one end.

ll. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said power means includes a rod extending through the side of said vessel, said one end and the interior space of said bellows device and being connected to the other end of the bellows device, and crank means connected to said rod at the end thereof externally of said vessel for reciprocating said rod.

12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim ll, wherein said vessel is cylindrical about an axis, said rod being axially positioned, said bellows device comprising a plurality of individual bellows and a plurality of annular connector members alternating with the individual bellows, said connector members being journaled on said rod, and an annular cap member at said other end and secured to said rod,

means interconnecting said cap member and the adjacent end of said vessel and guiding said cap for movement along said axis.

13. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said chamber has an uppermost part, and including an air bleeding device connected to said vessel and communicating with said uppermost part for removing air accumulations therefrom.

14. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 12, including conduit means connected to said vessel and having a portion extending from said vessel and adapted to be connected to said pipe for supplying said water communication therebetween, a drain connection, a drain valve, said conduit means extending from said portion to said valve and then from the valve to said drain connection, a pressure relief valve in said conduit means upstream of said drain valve and having a discharge connection, and a liquid conduit extending from said discharge connection to said conduit means downstream of said drain valve.

15. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said one end of the bellows device is unitary with the adjacent end of the vessel, and said means for permitting fluid to flow in and out of said bellows device comprises an air passageway extending through said unitary end of the bellows and vessel.

16. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said bellows device comprises a plurality of individual bellows and a plurality of annular connector members, with a connector member being positioned between two bellows, said bellows being formed of stainless steel.

17. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including conduit means connected to said vessel and having a portion extending from said vessel and adapted to be connected to said pipe for supplying said water communication therebetween, a drain connection, a drain valve, said conduit means extending from said portion to said valve and then from the valve to said drain connection, a pressure relief valve in said conduit means upstream of said drain valve and having a discharge connection, and a liquid conduit extending from said discharge connection to said conduit means downstream of said drain valve.

18. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 17, including a pressure gauge connected in communication with the water in said apparatus to indicate the pulses in the water, and an air bleeding device connected to said vessel and to said conduit means downstream of said drain valve for bleeding air from said vessel to said drain connection, said conduit means all being at a lower elevation than said uppermost part.

19. ln an apparatus as set forth in claim 18, including a housing, said vessel, said power means, and all of said conduit means except for said drain and pipe connections being within said housing, said control means and said gauge being exposed at the top of said housing, including operating means connected to said drain valve and having a handle exposed at the top of the housing, said air bleeding device including a valve having a handle exposed at the top of the housing, said housing having wheels on which it may be moved about.

UN ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,85l,342 I Dat d December 3 1974 Invent r( Charles A MOOfe It is certified thet error-appears in the above-identified'patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: I

11206 West 193rd Street Inventor's address should read t Mokena, Illinois 60448-- Signed and seal-ed this 11th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest: v

. Y c. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C MASON mi sioner of Patents- Attestlng officer and Trademarks FORM po-wso (ad-s9) uscdMwbc 5 11.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING pFFlC E: I969 0-366-33

Claims

1. In an apparatus for cleaning scale from the inside of a water pipe having water therein, said apparatus comprising an impulse generator for producing periodic positive and negative water pulses, means for connecting the impulse generator to the pipe for free communication between the impulse generator and the water in said pipe so that the water in the pipe is pulsed positively and negatively whereby the pipe is cleaned by said pulses in conjunction with the abrasive action of the loosened scale in said pipe, the improvement wherein said generator comprises: a closed vessel defining a chamber in communication with said pipe; expansile means within said chamber for changing the volume of water within the chamber as said means expands and contracts, said expansile means defining an enclosed interior space having fluid therein, the exterior of the expansile means being in contact with the water in said chamber, means communicating with the interior space of the expansile means and the exterior of said chamber for permitting the fluid to flow in and out of said expansile means as the expansile means expands and contracts; and power means connected to said expansile means to periodically expand and contract said expansile means.

8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said power means includes a rod extending through the side of said vessel, said one end and the interior of said bellows device and being connected to the other end of the bellows device, and crank means connected to said rod at the end thereof externally of said vessel for reciprocating said rod.

9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said expansile means comprises a bellows device.

11. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said power means includes a rod extending through the side of said vessel, said one end and the interior space of said bellows device and being connected to the other end of the bellows device, and crank means connected to said rod at the end thereof externally of said vessel for reciprocating said rod.

12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said vessel is cylindrical about an axis, said rod being axially positioned, said bellows device comprising a plurality of individual bellows and a plurality of annular connector members alternating with the individual bellows, said connector members being journaled on said rod, and an annular cap member at said other end and secured to said rod, means interconnecting said cap member and the adjacent end of said vessel and guiding said cap for movement along said axis.

19. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 18, including a housing, said vessel, said power means, and all of said conduit means except for said drain and pipe connections being within said housing, said control means and said gauge being exposed at the top of said housing, including operating means connected to said drain valve and having a handle exposed at the top of the housing, said air bleeding device including a valve having a handle exposed at the top of the housing, said housing having wheels on which it may be moved about.