US3191211A - Soot blower mounting - Google Patents

Description

June 29, 1965 J. R. SAU-z Em. y 3,191,211

SOOT BLOWER MOUNTING Filed May 16. 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 29, 1965 J. R. sALTz ETAL 3,191,211

SOOT BLOWER MOUNTING Filed May 16. 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 #312,27 y WM June 29, 1965 J, R. SALTZ ETAL 31,191,211

sooT BLOWER MOUNTING Filed May 16. 1962 s sheets-sheet s /70` l Jahr F 5gg/51:20u. 7% //l// W M7 E' @262 7542er? F r @fr ww L@ #m @7% United States Patent C) 3,191,211 S001' BLQWER MUN'IING John R. Saltz, .lohn E. Clark, and Robert F. Ehrler, Fairfield County, (lhio, assigner-s to Diamond Power Specialty Corporation, Lancaster, Gillo, a corporation of hio v Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,100 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-317) The present invention broadly relates to fluid heater cleaners which are employed for discharging a pressurized cleaning medium against the heat exchanging surfaces of heat exchanger apparatus, and more particularly to an improved mounting mechanism for fluid heater cleaners of the long retracting or long travel type enabling movement thereof from an operative position to a position exteriorly of and contiguous to a wall of the heat exchanger apparatus to facilitate access to the operative components thereof as periodically required for inspection, service and maintenance.

Fluid heater cleaners -or soot blowers, as they are commonly referred to, of the so-called long retracting type, are adapted to be mounted exteriorly of a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus such as a steam boiler, for example, and are positioned with the forward end portion thereof disposed in alignment with a suitable port or wall box through the boiler wall. The soot blower is provided with an extensible lance tube that is adapted to be moved from a retracted position within the wall box to a projected position within the interior of the heat exchanger apparatus for discharging a pressurized cleaning medium such as air or steam, for example, against the heat exchanger surfaces to remove the accumulation of slag and other deposits therefrom. A long retracting type soot blower of the general type to which the present invention is applicable, is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,885,711, granted to De Mart on May 12, 1959, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Soot blowers of this type are particularly satisfactory for cleaning the surfaces of pendant type superheater and reheater bundles in large, high capacity steam boilers maintaining a continuous high thermal eiiiciency thereof. Conventionally, a plurality of soot blowers are employed which are arranged in staggered rows to provide substantially complete cleaning coverage of the heat exchanger surfaces.

In relatively high capacity steam generating plants, it is frequently necessary to employ soot blowers of the long retracting type having a lance travel of about 24 feet and sometimes as great as 40 feet or longer in order to reach and clean the heat exchanger surfaces in the gas passages. This necessitates a corresponding outboard overhang of the soot blower relative to the boiler wall of a distance slightly greater than the length of travel of the lance tube. In order to enable the power plant personnel to periodically inspect and service the components and the soot blowers, it has heretofore been necessary to provide suitable catwalks or supporting platforms extending outwardly from the boiler wall a distance corresponding to the outboard overhang of the soot blower. In some instances, the installation of such platforms is exceedingly difficult because of the presence of piping and other structural and control apparatuses positioned adjacent to the boiler wall causing interference with the platforms. In all cases, the erection of a structural steel framework exteriorly of the boiler wall and extending outwardly therefrom a distance corresponding to the overhang of the soot blowers and extending upwardly along the wall to a height corresponding to the uppermost row of long retracting soot blowers constitutes a costly investment.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved soot blower mounting mechanism is provided whereby the 3,l9 l ,Z ll Patented June 29, 1965 soot blower can be moved from the operative position to a service position disposed contiguous to the furnace wall overcoming the necessity of extending the structural framework and platforms outwardly to the end portions of the soot blowers. By virtue of this, the quantity of structural framework required is substantially reduced providing greater access to the soot blowers and minimizing interference with other heat exchanger components, accessories, controls, and piping.

It is accordingly, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved soot blower mounting mechanism which facilitates periodic servicing and inspection of soot blowers of the long retracting type and simultaneously obviates the need for an extensive and high cost supporting structure heretofore required for gaining access to the soot blower components.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting mechanism for soot blowers of a long retracting type which is simply operable to maintain the soot blower in appropriate alignment with a port or wall box in the wall of a heat exchanger apparatus during operation and which can be simply manipulated to move the soot blower to an inoperative or service position wherein the operative components thereof are readily accessible for inspection and service.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting mechanism for soot blowers of the long retracting type which provides for swinging movement of the soot blower from an operative position to a service position without necessitating any major disassembly of the cooperating components and enabling simple and etlicient return of the soot blower after service to the operative position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved soot blower mounting mechanism which is of simple design, of durable and compact construction, and of simple and economical manufacture and installation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a soot blower mounting mechanism constructed in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention and a long retracting type soot blower suspended therefrom mounted in the operative position exteriorly of and in alignment with a wall box through the wall of a heat exchanger apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the trolley and elevating mechanism in the mounting mechanism shown in FIGURE l and taken substantially along the line 2 2 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View of coacting alignment means on the framework and soot blower for maintaining the soot blower in appropriate alignment with the wall port while in the operative position;

PIG. 3A is a fragmentary side elevation view of another alternate satisfactory mechanism for elevating and lowering the soot blower relative to the mounting assembly;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view partly in section of the elevating mechanism shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a transverse vertical sectional view through w the gear box assembly of the elevating mechanism as shown in FIG. 3A and taken substantially along the line 3C thereof.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a long-travel or long-retracting type soot blower of the general type to which the present invention is .applicable may best be seen in FIGURE l. The soot blower generally indicated at 10 comprises an elongated beam 12 along the lower web portion of which a carriage 14 is movably mounted andV is disposed in bearing relationship against a race vof a thrust bearing 60 supported within a bearing block 62 adapted to move therealong to and from a rearward Y or retracted position as shown inFIGURE 1V to a forward or projected position. The carriagey 1S. incorporates suit-H zles in the forward end thereof impinge on the heat ex-` changer surfaces within the heat exchanger apparatus.

The pressurized cleaning medium is supplied to the rearward end portion of a feed tube 18 around which the lance tube ,16 is disposed in slidingy telescopic'r'elationship by means of a suitable supplyline 2t) connected to a remotely actuable valve 22 mounted on a cleaningv port or wall box 24 extending through a wall 26 of the heat exchanger Yapparatus such as a high pressurer steamv boiler. The, forward end of the lance tube 16 is suitfastened on a web 64 which is adapted to be secured to the upper surface of the beam 12 of the soot blower as shown in FIG. 2. The stepped sliaft 56 is rotatably. supported within the bearing block 62 by a sleeve bearing 66 mounted The portion of the steppedshaft 56 projecting above j `the surface of the bearing block62 is provided with a .driven sprocket 68 which is keyed or otherwise securely fastened thereon labout which a chain 70 extends having the other end thereof trained about a driving sprocket 72 i mounted'on an adjustable bearing block'74 amxed to a plate 76 adaptedfto be securely fastened to the upper surface of the beam 12 of the soot blower. The yadjustable bearing block 74 isV longitudinally movable on the plate 76 to effect appropriate tensioning of the chain 70 and is retained in the appropriate adjusted position by a suitably supported in a roller guide *bracket 28 while in the retracted and advanced positions andV during movement therebetween. v

The operation of the soot blower 10 can be accomplished manually or automatically in a preselcted phased operating sequence to achieve the vdesired cleaning cycle in accordance with the specific operating conditions of the heat exchanger apparatus. Reference is made-to the' aforementioned United States patent for furtherde'tails relating. to the structuralY and operating characteristics of a long-retracting type soot blower as shown in FIGURE l.

The mounting device comprising the'present invention as best seen in FIGURE l'3 is adapted to beV mountedky only a portion of the outward projectinglength of the soot blower 10 and comprising a plurality of structural beams 3) and upright columns 32 forming a rigid supporting network. A suitable catwalk or platform 34 is supported on the structural network as shown in phantom in FIG-f URE 1 Yand is disposed adjacent. to the boiler'wall 26 on VVwhich maintenance personnel can gain Vaccess to the mounting device and to the components of the soot? y blower 10'when disposed in a service position.

TheV mounting device comprises a framework includ-` ing a track or rail 3S formed by a pair of channel members 36 disposed in spaced substantially parallel relation-'1 ship and extending longitudinally from apositionabove the platform 34 to a position outward therefrom. The channel members 36 are maintained inappropriate transverse substantially parallel spaced relationship byf'a series,

of transverse'braces 37 afxed to the upper 'a'nge portions of the channel'members 36as best seen in FIG. 2.

A trolley 40 is movably mounted on the channel members 36 andincorporates a plurality of transverselyex-Q tending rollers 42 which are disposed in rolling bearing contact on the lower inner flangefaces of the channelV members 36. An upper angle iron Stringer 44 rextending longitudinally of and vertically spaced from' the lower ang'e of the channel members 36 is securely fastened to the inner surface of each ofthe channel members I36 and serves to restrain the rollers 42 from vertical movement relative to the track-35. f

The t'rolley 40 Vcomprises a base rollers 42 are rotatablysupported byV means of a series of shafts 48. A nut block 50 having a threadedfbre extending axially therethrough is securely mountedon the upper surface of the baseV plate 46 `in which a threaded shaft 52fis threadably engaged Vand rotatable lherein for movement up and down relative to the trolley l40. A universal joint 54 isY pivotally mounted on the lower projecting shank portion 'of the threadedshaft 52l and in turn is pivotally connected to a stepped shaft 56 extending downwardly therefrom. The stepped shaft 56 is provided with a shoulder 5S' at the base thereof which plate 46 onwhich Y' able adjusting screw'78 mounted on the plate 76 and having the vshank end thereof disposed in bearing contact against one side of the adjustable bearing block l74 as shown in'FIGURE l.. A suitableychain'cover 77 extends above and around the chain 70,. the driven sprocket 68, and the driving sprocket 72 toY avoid entry or deposition of any extraneous foreignj matter on the operative surfaces thereof. 1 Y

The projecting end of the shaft on which the driving sprocket 72 is mounted is provided with a suitable `tang e onwhich a wrench or other driving coupling can be removably connected for rotating-the driving sprocket causing a corresponding rotation ofthe driven sprocket 68. Rotation of the driven sprocket 68 effects a rotation ofthe threaded shaft 52 resulting thereby in afraising or lowering movement of the soot blower relative to the mounting mechanism. Y Y l Selectivevv rotation of the driving sprocket 72 can simply be achieved by anA operator positioned on the platform 34 at suchtime that'it is desired to move the soot blower from the raised or operative 'position as shown in solid lines in FIGURE l to a service positionwherein theentire soot blower is lowered to a position shown in phantom and thereafter pivoted about the universal joint 54 ,toa lateral position adjacent to the wall 26 of the heat exchanger apparatus in which position all components thereon are readily accessible for service or inspection.y Since'the entireweight of the soot blower 10 when in the service position is supported bythe trolley 40 connected yto the bearing block y62, it is preferred that the bearing block 62'benfastened to the beam 12 of the soot blower Aat a position substantially coinciding with the y center-of gravity of the soot blower avoiding any significant longitudinal pitching movement of the soot blower and enabling it to be longitudinally inclined to any desired angle to facilitate maintenance Aof the components thereof.` I Y Y Inv order to maintain the soot blower in appropriate longitudinal alignment with the wall box 24 onthe boiler wall while in the operativeposition, suitable coacting means are provided on lthe mounting device and the soot blower operative to engage the forward and rearward portions thereof maintaining they sootl blower -lockedfin the yappropriate operative position. lTherearward portion of the soot blower l10 as bestseen in VFIGURES 1 and 3 is guidablyconnected to the mounting devicerby means of a channelV rail 82 affixed to the ybearn12 of the soot blower and adapted'to coact with a guide frame 84 affixed to and depending from the outward end of the track 35. The channel rail 82 is securely fastened t0 4the upper surface of thebeam 12 and extends in substantially longitudinal alignment thereon from the outward end of the beamA 12 to a point' spaced rearwardly from the bearing block 62.

The. side surfaces ofthe upstandingv anges of the channelrail 82l are adapted to-.be ,disposedV in sliding guided relationship against the edges'of a pair of inwardly extending guide shoes 86 affixed to the guide frame 84. The upper edges of the channel rail 82 are adapted to be disposed in abutting relationship with a cross member 88 which serves as a stop for positively controlling the appropriate elevation of the rearward end portion of the soot blower when in the operative position. When the soot blower is lowered, the side iianges of the channel rail 82 simply slide downwardly and out of coacting relationship with the cross member 8S and the guide shoes 86 enabling unrestricted swinging movement of the soot blower about the universal joint 54.

The forward end of the soot blower is maintained in appropriate longitudinal alignment relative to the wall box 24 in the boiler wall 26 by means of a tubular leg 90 yaiiixed to and depending from the forward end of the track 35 as may be best seen in FIGURE l. The lower end portion -of the tubular leg 90 is adapted to receive an aligning pin 92 securely affixed to and upstanding from the upper surface of the beam 12 of the soot blower. The lower end portion of the tubular leg 90 and the upper projecting portion of the aligning pin 92 are provided with bores extending therethrough which are adapted to be aligned and receive a locking pin 94 for releasably securing the soot blower to the mounting device when in the operative position. To enable rearward movement of the soot blower relative to the mounting device when the locking pin 94 is removed, the lower rearward portion of the tubular leg 90 is provided with a slot 96 of a size suilicient to permit passage of the projecting end of the aligning pin 92.

By virtue of the construction of the mounting device as shown in FIGURES l-3, the soot blower can be simply moved from the operative or raised position as shown in solid lines to a service position positioned laterally of the boiler wall 26 and adjacent to the platform 34 along the side thereof. This is simply accomplished by first disconnecting a disconnect ilange 98 in the supply line 2i) and withdrawing the locking pin 94 from engaging relationship with the aligning pin 92 and the tubular leg 90. A suitable ratchet wrench can then be engaged on the tang 80 of the driving sprocket shaft and the soot blower lowered slightly so as to provide clearance between the upper edges of the channel rail 82 and the cross member 88 of the guide frame 84. The entire soot blower 10 can thereafter be moved rearwardly whereby the trolley 4G is moved from a position as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1 to a position to the left thereof, as viewed in FIGURE l and shown in phantom during which movement the forward projecting end of the lance tube 16 is withdrawn from the aperture in the wall box 24. During this movement, the aligning pin 92 passes through the slot 96 in the rearward lower portion of the tubular leg 90. Rearward movement of the soot blower is maintained in suitable axial alignment with the wall box 24 by virtue of the coaction between the gmide shoes 86 and the side surfaces of the flanges on the channel rail 82 -as shown in FIG. 3.

After the soot blower has been retracted so that the forward end of the lance tube 16 is 4clear of the wall box 24, further rotation of the driving sprocket '72 effects a lowering of the soot blower from the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE l to the position shown in phantom. When in the lowered position, the channel rail 82 and the aligning pin 92 on the beam 12 ofthe soot blower are disposed in clearance relationship with respect to the guide frame 84 and the tubular leg 90 thereby permitting the entire soot blower to be manually pivoted about the universal joint 54 and moved laterally toward the boiler wall 26 to a position above the platform 34. During the manual swinging movement and longitudinal movement of the soot blower to ia service position, the trolley 40 moves along the track 35 to a position shown in phantom along the right-hand side of the track as viewed in FIGURE 1. In this position all of the operative components of the soot blower 10 are readily accessible to inspection and service.` After servicing has been completed, the soot blower can be simply returned to the operative position and connected to the supply source of pressurized blowing medium by simply reversing the steps hereinabove described.

By virtue of the lowering and swinging movement provided by the mounting device shown in FIGURES 1-3, manual movement of the soot blower from the operative position to the service position can be accomplished so as to avoid interference with surrounding pipes and other structural members. In installations where a plurality of soot blowers of the long-travel type are employed in an aligned horizontal row positioned at spaced intervals, the lowering of a soot blower to a position as shown in phantom in FIGURE 1 enables that soot blower to be moved to a lateral position beneath adjacent soot blowers in the operative position without incuring any interference therebetween.

Another alternate satisfactory elevating mechanism is shown in FIGURES 3A to 3C which can be employed in lieu of the chain and sprocket elevating mechanism shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The elevating mechanism shown in FIGURES 31A-3C is adapted to be mounted on the beam 12 of the soot blower in a manner similar to that lof the chain and sprocket elevating mechanism hereinbefore described and is operative through a worm gear arrangement for manually and selectively rotating the threaded shaft 52 of the trolley 40 (FIGURE l) elfecting a relative raising or lowering of the soot blower assembly as required during movement thereof to and from an operative position and a service position.

The elevating mechanism as shown in FIGURES 3A- 3C comprises a gear box 169 which is mounted on a plate 162 securely aiixed to the upper flange surface of the beam 12 at substantially the center of gravity of the soot blower. The gear box comprises a housing 164 in which a vertical shaft 166 is rotatably journaled by means of anti-friction bearings 168. The shaft 166 is restricted from axial movement relative to the housing 164 by means of a nut 170 threadably engaged at the lower end thereof and a retainer ring 172 disposed at the upper end of the shaft and positioned in bearing relationship against the upper surface of the housing 164. The upper end of the shaft 166 is secured to the universal joint 54 as shown in FIGURE 3A for driving the threaded shaft 52 in a manner hereinafter described.

A worm screw 174 is mounted on a longitudinal shaft 176 rotatably journaled in the housing 164 and is secured thereto such as by a key 178. The worm screw 174 is disposed in meshing relationship with a worm wheel 180 rotatably aiiixed to the vertical shaft 166 such as by a key 182 for rotating the vertical shaft and the threaded shaft 52 in response to rotation of the worm screw 174.

Rotation of the shaft 176 and the worm screw 174 thereon is accomplished by a transmission shaft 182 rotatably supported on and extending longitudinally of the beam 12 in a manner as best seen in FIGURE 3A. The forward or inward end of the transmission shaft 182 extends to a point adjacent to the catwalk along the wall of the power boiler whereby it is readily accessible for manual rotation by applying a suitable wrench thereto. The transmission shaft 182 can comprise a single section or two or more sections which are supported and interconnected by one or more intermediate bearing supports such as the bearing support indicated at 184 as may be required when soot blowers of relatively long length are employed.

The intermediate bearing support 184 as best seen in FIGURE 3B comprises an upright standard 186 having its base iirmly aixed to the upper surface of the beam 12 and to the upper portion of which a pillow block 188 is secured. The pillow block 188 incorporates a stub shaft 190 to the projecting ends of which sectionsof the" transmission shaft 182 are removably secured such as by pins 1921- The transmission section adjacent'to the gear box 160 is coupled to the shaft 176 by means of a square engaging shank 194 disposed with and engaged by a socket 196 affixed to the shaft 175. 1 y

The other end of the transmission shaft 182 is`connected` toY ashaft 19S of a pillow block 263i) mounted' on a standard 202 Vin a manner as shown in FIGURE 3B. The opposite end of the shaft198 is provided with a square tang 204 which can be simply engaged by a suitable wrench or socket yfor lmanually rotating the transmission shaft effecting Aa raising and ylowering of the soot blower assembly relative to the mounting mechamsm. Y I

The-soot blower assemblyis locked in the fully elevated and operative position by means of a locking pin. 206 extending through a bore 298 through the. transmission shaft 182 and having its projecting shank end portionY engaged' within a bore 210 in a locking leg 212v affixed to the standard 262 ofthe terminal bearing support. Whenever it vis desired to rotate the transmission shaft to effect a lowering of the soot blower assembly in order that it can be moved to a service position contiguous to and laterally of the :boiler wall, it is only necessary to withdraw the Vlocking pin 206 enabling rotation of the transmissionshaft 182 by a wrench engaged on the square tang 204. The lowering and the swinging pivoting movement of the soot blower fromv the operative position to a service position is accomplished in the same manner as hereinbefore described in" connection with the chain and sprocket type elevating mechanism of the soot blower mounting device as shown in FIGURES 1 3. While it will be apparent that the'preferred embodiments herein illustrated are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it'will be appreciated that the 'in- 'vention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope o r fair meaningof the subjoined claims. f

What is claimed is: Y Y Y s *1.- A` heat exchanger cleaning apparatus. comprising a long retracting soot blower supported on a mounting mechanism disposed exteriorly of a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus, said soot blower comprising a first rail, afcarriage movably mounted on said first rail, a lance tube extending longitudinally of said first rail and carried by said carriage, .and means for moving said( carriage and said lancetube to and from a retracted position and a projected position, said mounting mechanism comprising a second rail extending frorna position adjacent to a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus to a position spaced outwardly therefrom, supporting means movably mounted on Vsaid second rail, connecting means for connecting said supporting means to said soot blower at substantially the center of gravity thereof,'elevating means for raising and lowering said connecting means and said soot prising a'isecond railV extending from a position adjacent to a wal-l of a heatexchanger apparatus to a position spaced outwardly therefrom, a trolley movably'mounted on said second rail, supporting'l means on said trolley including connecting means for pivotallyl connecting said first railto said trolley at substantially thek center of gravity of said4 soot blower, elevating means for raising andvlowering said supporting means and said soot blower suspended therefrom to and from ay vraisedfposition' and a lowered'position, coacting means onsaid first and said second rail for releasably engaging andmaintaining said first'V and saidsecond rail in substantial longitu'dinal alignedy relationship when said vsupporting means is in said raised position whereinsaid lance tube is disposed in alignment with a wall port in a heat exchanger apparatus, said coacting means disengageable when said supporting meansy is disposed in ysaid lowered'position permitting angular swinging and longitudnalfrnovement of. said soot blower relative to said second-'rail.

vSLA heat exchanger cleaning apparatus comprising a soot blower including a frame and a retractable lance tube adapted tobe disposed `in an operative position exforpivotably connecting said first shaft and saidsecond shaft together, a first pulley on said second vshaft,1'a second pulley spaced from'said rst pulley and adapted to be mounted on a forward portion of said soot blower dis- .posedcontiguous toa wall of a heat exchanger apparatus,

a flexible element trained aroundk said first pulley and said second pulley ,for rotating vsaid first pulley and said first shaft in response to rotation of said second pulley, means for'rotating said second pulleyeffecting rotation of said first shaft and up and downfmovernent thereof relative `tosaid trolley and a corresponding movement of said soot blower suspended therefrom to vand fromia raised position and a lowered position, and engaging vmeans onV said j framework' for releasably engagingtandl Vguidablyv mainblower'to and from a raised position and a lowered position, coacting means on said mounting mechanismand said soot blower for engaging and maintaining said first and said', second rail in longitudinal aligned relationship wherein said lance tube is disposed in alignment withl aY port in a wall'of a heat exchanger apparatus, said coacting means disengag'eable when said connecting means 1s Y taining said sootblower in analigned operativeu position relativel to a cleaning port when in said raised position and' for lreleasing said soot blower enabling longitudinal movementof said trolley and .said soot blower-suspended Y therefrom along said, rail land lateral swinging movement [thereof on saidconnecting means when in said lowered position to a service position disposed contiguous to a wall of-a heat exchanger apparatus. Y y

. VV4. AY heatr exchanger cleaning apparatus Vcomprising a soot blower includinga frame and a retractable lance tube adapted to be disposed in anoperative position exteriorly of and extending outwardly from a cleaning port in'fa wall of a heat exchanger and a mounting mechanism for supporting said, soot blower in saidA operative position Y and renablingmovement, thereof to a service position in said lowered position permitting angular swinging and longitudinal movement of said soot blower relative to said second rail. l l

2. A heat exchanger cleaning apparatus comprising a i long retracting sootblower supportedon amounting mechanism disposed exteriorlyofra wall of a heat yex-l changer apparatus, said soot blower comprising a first rail, a carriage movably mounted on said first rail, a lance tube extending longitudinally of said rst rail and carried by said carriage,l and means'for moving said carriage and said lance tube to andrfrom a retractedY position 'and a projectedV position, said mountingr mechanisrn'comadjacent ,to a Vrwall of va heat exchanger, said mounting rnechanisnr'comprising a framework .including a rail thereon adapted to rbe mountedadjacent to a wall of a heat exchangerr apparatus, a trolley on said rail and movable Vthe'realo'ng, a first Yshaft rotatably disposed. in threaded lengagement on said trolley, a second shaft rotatably con-nected to said sootblower at lsubstantially the center 'of gravity thereof, connecting means for pivotably Vconnecting said Yfirst shaft and saidy second shaft together, a first sprocket on said second shaft, a second sprocket -adapted to be rotatably mounted on said' soot blower at a position contiguous toajrwall of a heat exchanger apparatus, a chain trained around lsaid first and said second sprockets, means for rotating said second sprocket effecting rotation of said first sprocket and said first shaft for raising and lowering said soot blower suspended therefrom to and from a raised position and a lowered posif tion, a guide frame depending from said rail and adapted to guidably engage said soot blower when in said raised position maintaining appropriate alignment thereof relative to a cleaning port, a locking member depend-ing t from the opposite end of said rail adapted to releasably engage a forward portion of said soot blower when in said raised position and locking it in appropriate alignment with a cleaning port, said guide frame and said locking leg disposed in clearance relationship with said soot blower when in said lowered position enabling longitudiynal movement of said trolley along said rail and lateral swinging movement of said soot blower suspended from said connecting means to a service position spaced from said operating position.

5. A heat exchanger cleaning apparatus comprising a soot blower including a frame and a retractable lance tube adapted to be disposed in an operative position exteriorly of and extending outwardly from a cleaning port in a wall of -a heat exchanger, and a mounting mechanism for supporting said soot blower in said operative position and enabling movement thereof to a service position adjacent to a wall of a heat exchanger, said mounting mechanism comprising a framework including -a rail thereon extending above and longitudinally of said frame of said soot blower, a trolley on said rail and movable therealong, a first shaft rotatably disposed in threaded engagement on said trolley, a second shaft rotatably mounted on the soot blower, connecting means for pivotally connecting said first shaft and said second shaft together, a first pulley on said second shaft, a second pulley spaced from said first pulley and rotatably mounted on a forward portion of said `frame of said soot blower, a flexible element trained around said first and said second pulleys for rotating said first pulley and said second shaft in response to rotation of said second pulley, means for rotating said second pulley effecting rotation of said first shaft and up and down movement thereof relative to said trolley and a corresponding movement of said soot blowerv suspended therefrom to and from a raised position and a lowered position, and engaging means on said framework for releasably engaging and `gu-idably maintaining said soot blower in an aligned operative position relative to a cleaning port when in said raised position and for releasing a soot blower enabling longitudinal movement of `said trolley and said soot blower suspended therefrom along said rail and lateral swinging movement of said soot blower on said connecting means when in said lowered position to a service position disposed contiguous to a wall of a heat exchange-r apparat-us.

6. A heat exchanger cleaning apparatus comprising a soot blower including a frame and a retractable lance tube adapted to be disposed in an operative position exteriorly of and extending outwardly from a cleaning port in a Wall of a heat exchanger and a mounting mechanism for supporting said soot blower in said operative position and enabling movement thereof to a service position adjacent to a wall of a heat exchanger, said mounting mechanism comprising a framework including a rail thereon adapted to be mounted adjacent to a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus, a trolley on said rail and movable therealong, a first shaft rotatably disposed in threaded engagement on said trolley, a second shaft rotatably mounted on said soot blower at substantially the center of graiv-ty thereof, connecting means for pivotally connecting said first shaft and said second shaft together,

disposed in meshing relationship with said first gear means, shaft means connected to said second gear means and extending longitudinally of said soot blower to a point contiguous to a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus, means for rotating said transmission shaft effecting rotation of said first and said second shaft and up and down movement thereof relative to said ltrolley and a corresponding movement of said soot blower suspended therefrom to and from a raised position and a lowered position, `and engaging means on said framework for releasably engaging and guidably maintaining said soot blower in an aligned operative position relative to a cleaning port when in said raised posit-ion and for releasing said soot blower enabling longitudinal movement of said trolley and said soot blower suspended therefrom along said rail and lateral swinging movement thereof on said connecting means when in said lowered position to a service position disposed contiguous to a wall of the heat exchanger apparatus.

'7. A heat exchanger cleaning apparatus comprising a soot blower including a frame and a retractable lance tube adapted to be disposed in an operative position exteriorly of and extending outwardly from a cleaning port in a wall of a heat exchanger and a mounting mechanism for supporting said soot blower in said operative position and enabling movement thereof to a service position adjacent to a wall of a heat exchanger, said mounting mechanism comprising a framework including a rail thereon adapted to be mounted adjacent to a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus, a trolley on said rail and movable therealong, a first shaft rotatably disposed in threaded engagement on said trolley, a second shaft rotatably connected to said soot blower at substantially the center of gravity thereof, connecting means for pivotably connecting said first and said second shafts together, a Worm wheel on said second shaft, a worm screw disposed in meshing relationship with said worm wheel, a transmission shaft connected to said worm screw and extending longitudinally of said soot blower to a position contiguous to a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus, means for rotatably supporting said transmission shaft, means on the projecting end of said tr-ansmission shaft enabling engagement and rotation of said transmission shaft and said first shaft for raising and lowering said soot blower `suspended therefrom to and from a raised position and a lowered position, locking means for releasably locking said transmission shaft preventing inadvertent rotation thereof, and engaging means on said framework for releasably engaging said guidably maintaining said soot blower in an aligned operative position relative to a cleaning port when in said raised position and for releasing said soot blower enabling longitudinal movement of said trolley along said rail and lateral swinging movement of said soot blower suspended therefrom to a service position disposed contiguous to a wall of a heating exchanger apparatus.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 742,197 10/03 Jones 15-314 1,408,369 2/22 Linaker et al. 122-392 1,599,283 9/26 Phillips 15--316 2,668,978 2/54 De Mart 15--317 2,803,848 8/57 De Mart 15--317 FOREIGN PATENTS 504,871 4/20 France.

782,810 3/35 France.

27,141 12/02 Great Britain.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,191,211 June 29, 1965 John R. sanz et a1.

It is hereby Certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the Said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

.Column 3, line 5, for "l5" read 14 line 69, for "hereln" read therein column l0, line 48, for "said", flrst occurrence, read and Signed and sealed this 21st day of December 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD I. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

1. A HEAT EXCHANGER CLEANING APPARATUS COMPRISING A LONG RETRACTING SOOT BLOWER SUPPORTED ON A MOUNTING MECHANISM DISPOSED EXTERIORLY OF A WALL OF A HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS, SAID SOOT BLOWER COMPRISING A FIRST RAIL, A CARRIAGE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST RAIL, A LANCE TUBE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID FIRST RAIL AND CARRIED BY SAID CARRIAGE, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE AND SAID LANCE TUBE TO AND FROM A RETRACTED POSITION AND A PROJECTED POSITION, SAID MOUNTING MECHANISM COMPRISING A SECOND RAIL EXTENDING FROM A POSITION ADJACENT TO A WALL OF A HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS TO A POSITION SPACED OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, SUPORTING MEAN MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND RAIL, CONNECTING MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID SUPPORTING MEANS TO SAID SOOT BLOWER AT SUBSTANTIALLY THE CENTER OF GRAVITY THEREOF, ELEVATING MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID CONNECTING MEANS AND SAID SOOT BLOWER TO AND FROM A RAISED POSITION AND A LOWERED POSITION, COACTING MEANS ON SAID MOUNTING MECHANISM AND SAID SOOT BLOWER FOR ENGAGING AND MAINTAINING SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND RAIL IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNED RELATIONSHIP WHEREIN SAID LANCE TUBE IN DISPOSED IN ALIGNMENT WITH A PORT IN A WALL OF A HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS, SAID COACTING MEANS DISENGAGEABLE WHEN SAID CONNECTING MEANS IS IN SAID LOWERED POSITION PERMITTING ANGULAR SWINGING AND LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SOOT BLOWER RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND RAIL.

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