PITTMAN, Wanda Mary (Box 89 Mobile, Newfoundland & Labrador A0A 3A0, CA)
HORTON, Ian Robert (51 Greenleaf Road, Gan Guan Park, Singapore 6, 27934, SG)
PITTMAN, Carl Alexander (Box 89 Mobile, Newfoundland & Labrador A0A 3A0, CA)
PITTMAN, Wanda Mary (Box 89 Mobile, Newfoundland & Labrador A0A 3A0, CA)
HORTON, Ian Robert (51 Greenleaf Road, Gan Guan Park, Singapore 6, 27934, SG)
| CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for installing a compressible cleaning element into a pipe, the cleaning element having a first diameter larger than the diameter of the pipe, the apparatus comprising: a chamber for installing the cleaning element into the pipe, the chamber having a first end and a second end, the second end having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the cleaning element, the second end for hermetically and removably connecting to the pipe; a loader portion having an open first end for receiving the cleaning element and a second end for removably connecting to the first end of the chamber, the open first end having a third diameter larger than the diameter of the cleaning element; and a cap for removably connecting and hermetically sealing the first end of the chamber, the cap having a port being arranged to receive a pressure means for applying a pressure to force the compressible cleaning element out of the chamber and into the pipe. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of the chamber and the second end of the loader have the same diameter. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first end of the chamber and the first end of the cap have the same diameter. 4. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the port of the cap has a port nozzle for receiving an air hose from a pressure means. 5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the chamber has a flange extending externally from the chamber for a handhold for a user. 6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaning element is a ball. 7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-5 wherein the cleaning element is a ball, cube, or cylinder. 8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus further comprises pushing means for forcing the cleaning element into position within the chamber. 9. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the chamber and the loader portion are separate removably connected components. 10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-8 wherein the chamber and loader portion are integrated into a single unit. 11. A system for installing a compressible cleaning element into a pipe, the cleaning element having a first diameter larger than the diameter of the pipe, the system comprising: an apparatus and a pressure means, the apparatus comprising: a chamber for installing the cleaning element into the pipe, the chamber having a first end and a second end, the second end having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the cleaning element, the second end for hermetically and removably connecting to the pipe; a loader portion having an open first end for receiving the cleaning element and a second end for removably connecting to the first end of the chamber, the open first end having a third diameter larger than the diameter of the cleaning element; and a cap for removably connecting and hermetically sealing the first end of the chamber, the cap having a port being arranged to receive the pressure means for applying a pressure to force the compressible cleaning element out of the chamber and into the pipe. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first end of the chamber and the second end of the loader have the same diameter. 13. The system of claim 11 or 12 wherein the first end of the chamber and the first end of the cap have the same diameter. 14. The system of any one of claims 11-13 wherein the port of the cap has a port nozzle for receiving an air hose from a pressure means. 15. The system of any one of claims 11-14 wherein the chamber has a flange extending externally from the chamber for a handhold for a user. 16. The system of any one of claims 11-15 wherein the cleaning element is a ball. 17. The system of any one of claims 11-15 wherein the cleaning element is a ball, cube or cylinder. 18. The system of any one of claims 11-17 wherein the apparatus further comprises pushing means for forcing the cleaning element into position within the chamber. 19. The system of any one of claims 11-18 wherein the chamber and the loader portion are separate removably connected components. 20. The system of any one of claims 11-18 wherein the chamber and loader portion are integrated into a single unit. 21. A method for installing a compressible cleaning element into a pipe, the cleaning element having a first diameter larger than the diameter of the pipe, the method comprising: installing a loader portion to a chamber, the chamber for installing the cleaning element into the pipe, the chamber having a first end and a second end, the second end having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the cleaning element, the second end for hermetically and removably connecting to the pipe, and the loader portion having an open first end for receiving the cleaning element and a second end for removably connecting to the first end of the chamber, the open first end having a third diameter larger than the diameter of the cleaning element; loading the cleaning element into the loader portion and positioning the cleaning element into the chamber; remove loader portion; installing a cap to the chamber, the cap for removably connecting and hermetically sealing the first end of the chamber, the cap having a port being arranged to receive the pressure means; and applying a pressure from the pressure means to force the compressible cleaning element out of the chamber and into the pipe. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising applying a lubricating means to the internal walls of the loader and chamber. 23. The method of claim 21 or 22 wherein the chamber and the loader portion are separate removably connected components. 24. The method of claim 21 or 22 wherein the chamber and loader portion are integrated into a single unit. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a pipe cleaning element installation apparatus and method, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for installation of a cleaning element such as a wiper cleaning ball into a pipe for cleaning the pipe after passage of a substance such as cement.
BACKGROUND
Wiper cleaning balls are typically used to clean pipes of industrial systems such as pumping, dispensing, power plant machines and the like. The wiper cleaning balls are forced into and through the pipes to remove foreign substances, materials and other debris. The resistance and elasticity of the wiper cleaning ball passing through the pipe and working against the walls of the pipe work expel the undesired material. For example in the industrial construction industry wiper cleaning balls are installed into pipes of concrete pumping machines for after use cleaning.
Conventional installation processes typically requires manually forcing the wiper cleaning ball into the open end of the pipe to be cleaned. As the dimension of the wiper cleaning ball is typically in the range of twice the size of the diameter of the pipe, the wiper cleaning ball requires considerable physical force and skill to manually compress and install into the pipe. The manual process is time consuming.
There is a need for a pipe cleaning ball installation apparatus and method that resolves or at least alleviates problems associated with conventional methods of installing wiper cleaning balls into pipes for cleaning.
SUMMARY
An aspect of the invention is an apparatus for installing a compressible cleaning element into a pipe, the cleaning element having a first diameter smaller than the diameter of the pipe, the apparatus comprising a chamber for installing the cleaning element into the pipe, the chamber having a first end and a second end, the second end having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the cleaning element, the second end for hermetically and removably connecting to the pipe, a loader portion having an open first end for receiving the cleaning element and a second end for removably connecting to the first end of the chamber, the open first end having a third diameter larger than the diameter of the cleaning element; and a cap for removably connecting and hermetically sealing the first end of the chamber, the cap having a port being arranged to receive a pressure means for applying a pressure to force the compressible cleaning element out of the chamber and into the pipe.
In an embodiment, the first end of the chamber and the second end of the loader may have the same diameter. The first end of the chamber and the first end of the cap may have the same diameter. The port of the cap may have a port nozzle for receiving an air hose from a pressure means. The chamber may have a flange extending externally from the chamber for a handhold for a user. The cleaning element may have a shape of a ball, cube, or cylinder. The apparatus may further comprise pushing means for forcing the cleaning element into position within the chamber. The chamber and the loader portion may be configured as separate removably connected components or configured to be integrated into a single unit.
An aspect of the invention is a system for installing a compressible cleaning element into a pipe, the cleaning element having a first diameter smaller than the diameter of the pipe, the system comprising an apparatus and a pressure means, the apparatus comprising a chamber for installing the cleaning element into the pipe, the chamber having a first end and a second end, the second end having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the cleaning element, the second end for hermetically and removably connecting to the pipe; a loader portion having an open first end for receiving the cleaning element and a second end for removably connecting to the first end of the chamber, the open first end having a third diameter larger than the diameter of the cleaning element; and a cap for removably connecting and hermetically sealing the first end of the chamber, the cap having a port being arranged to receive the pressure means for applying a pressure to force the compressible cleaning element out of the chamber and into the pipe.
An aspect of the invention is a method for installing a compressible cleaning element into a pipe, the cleaning element having a first diameter smaller than the diameter of the pipe, the method comprising installing a loader portion to a chamber, the chamber for installing the cleaning element into the pipe, the chamber having a first end and a second end, the second end having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter of the cleaning element, the second end for hermetically and removably connecting to the pipe, and the loader portion having an open first end for receiving the cleaning element and a second end for removably connecting to the first end of the chamber, the open first end having a third diameter larger than the diameter of the cleaning element; loading the cleaning element into the loader portion and positioning the cleaning element into the chamber; remove loader portion; installing a cap to the chamber, the cap for removably connecting and hermetically sealing the first end of the chamber, the cap having a port being arranged to receive the pressure means; and applying a pressure from the pressure means to force the compressible cleaning element out of the chamber and into the pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that embodiments of the invention may be fully and more clearly understood by way of non-limitative examples, the following description is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate similar or corresponding elements, regions and portions, and in which:
FIG. 1A-B show a perspective view (FIG. 1A) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 1 B) of a launching chamber portion of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2A-B show a perspective view (FIG. 2A) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 2B) of a loading funnel portion of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3A-B show a perspective view (FIG. 3A) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 3B) of a launching cap portion of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4A-B show a perspective views of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus with loading funnel portion for receiving a wiper ball (FIG. 4A) and a perspective view of the wiper cleaning ball apparatus with launching cap portion of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus (FIG. 4B) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5A-E shows a the path of a wiper cleaning ball during different stages of the progression of the wiper cleaning ball through the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus (FIG. 5A-D) and through the pipe (FIG. 5E) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart diagram of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1A-B show a perspective view in FIG. 1A and a cross-sectional view in FIG. 1 B of a launching chamber portion 10 of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The launching chamber 10 comprises a first end 28, a chamber portion 26 and a second end 22. The first end 28 is arranged to connect to a loading funnel 12 and a launching cap 14. The second end 22 is arranged to connect to a pipe 16. A flange 24 is provided between the chamber portion 26 and the second end 22. The flange provides additional rigidity to the apparatus and also provides a hand hold for the user for aligning and connecting the launching chamber with the pipe 16.
FIG. 1 B shows a cross-sectional view of the walls 27,29 and internal surfaces of the launching chamber 10. The internal walls 27 of the chamber portion 26 show a 15° gradient slope from the diameter of the chamber portion of the chamber internal walls 27 to the diameter of the second end 29 of the chamber portion for connecting to the pipe 16. For example the diameter of the loading chamber portion 26 may be 3.85" (97.79 mm), and the diameter of the second end 29 of the loading chamber may be 2" (50.8 mm). The overall length of the launching chamber portion may be for example 17.3" (439.42 mm) with the second end portion being about 8" (203.2 mm) and the chamber portion being about 6" (152.4 mm). The thickness of the walls may be for example in the range of 0.5" (12.7mm) or thinner depending on the application. It will be appreciated that the second end 22 of the launching chamber 10 may be arranged to connect to the end of the pipe 16 such that the diameter of the internal walls may be the same size or different larger or smaller size as the diameter of the pipe to allow the compressible cleaning element to enter the pipe from the launching chamber portion under pressure.
The first end of the launching chamber may be arranged with camlock male arrangement to secure the launching chamber 10 with the loading funnel 12 and the launching cap 14. The internal walls of the apparatus may be arranged to be smooth and continuous. For example the diameter of the internal surfaces of the launching chamber portion 10 at the first end 28 are the same as second end 32 of the loading funnel portion 12.
FIG. 2A-B show a perspective view in FIG. 2A and a cross-sectional view in FIG. 2B of a loading funnel portion 12 of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The loading funnel 12 comprises a funnel portion 34 having a first open funnel end 36 and a second end 32. The second end 32 of the loading funnel is for connecting with the first end of the launching chamber 10, and may be arranged with a nipple for engaging the camlock male arrangement of the launching chamber 10. The overall length of the funnel portion may be for example 5.5" (139.7 mm), with the length of the funnel portion being about 5.5" (139.7 mm). The diameter of the open mouth of the funnel may be for example 5.75" (146.05 mm), while the diameter of the walls may show a gradient slope forming the funnel to the diameter of the second end of the loading funnel to connect with the launching chamber may be 3.85" (97.79 mm). The thickness of the walls may range for example from .86" (21.84 mm) or thinner and the overall diameter of the loading funnel may range from 6.625" (168.28 mm) at the open mouth first end to 5.56" (141.22mm) at the second end.
FIG. 3A-B show a perspective view in FIG. 3A and a cross-sectional view in FIG. 3B of a launching cap portion 14 of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The launching cap comprises first end 42 of the cap and cap portion side walls 44. The launching cap has a port 46 comprising a port nozzle 48 for hermetically connecting with a pressure means such as with an air hose, a quick release air coupling device or the like. The launching cap may have dimensions such as an overall length of 4" (101.6 mm) with an overall diameter of 5.56" (141.22 mm). The second end with internal side walls 47 may be arranged with like the second end 32 of the loading funnel as described above for connecting with the first end of the launching chamber 10, and may be arranged with a nipple for engaging the camlock male arrangement of the launching chamber 10.
The material of the components of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus may be fabricated out of different materials. For example the camlock fittings may be stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. The body of the funnel, launching chamber and cap may be standard carbon steel, such as 4130H, other alloy, stainless steel, fiberglass or the like.
FIG. 4A-B show a perspective view 18 of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus with loading funnel portion for receiving a wiper ball in FIG. 4A and a perspective view 20 of the wiper cleaning ball apparatus with launching cap portion of the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus (FIG. 4B) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Each component of the apparatus, i.e. the launching chamber 10, funnel loader 12, and launching cap 14, has an axis. Each component axis is aligned upon connection. The internal walls of each component once connected form continuous walls with the other adjoining component. Although the chamber 10 and the loader portion 12 are shown as separate removably connected units, of course it will be appreciated that the loading funnel and the launching chamber may be integrated together as a single unit and the launching cap may be arranged to fit the first end of the loading funnel portion of the integrated unit accordingly.
FIG. 5A-E shows the path of a wiper cleaning ball or morph ball 50 during different stages of the progression of the wiper cleaning ball through the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus (FIG. 5A-D) and through the pipe (FIG. 5E) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a flow chart diagram 100 of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method comprises installing 102 the loading funnel 12 to the launching chamber 10 as shown in FIG. 5A. The tool 18 comprises the launching chamber 10 and the loading funnel 12. The wiper cleaning ball 52 is shown in a relaxed state. A film of lubricant such as grease or the like may be applied to the internal walls of the loading funnel before insertion of the wiper cleaning ball 52.
The wiper cleaning bail 52 is loaded 104 into the loading funnel 12. A pusher 50 or pushing means is used to push the wiper cleaning ball 54 against the resistance of the ball coming into contact with the internal walls of the loading funnel 12 as shown in FIG. 5B. The pusher 50 is manually used by a user to force the wiper cleaning ball 56 to compress against the narrowing walls from the loading funnel 12 into the launching chamber 10. The pusher 50 used to position the wiper cleaning ball into position may take different forms and may be example a wooden, aluminum, plastic, steel or the like rod or even a user's hand or fist.
As soon as the wiper cleaning ball 56 is loaded into position as shown in FIG. 5C the loading funnel 12 is removed 106 and replaced with the launching cap 14 that is installed 108 onto the launching chamber as shown in FIG. 5D. The apparatus or tool 20 comprises the launching cap 14 and launching chamber 10. If the launching cap 14 is able to be installed, the wiper cleaning ball is properly loaded for launching and installation into the pipe. A pressure means 64 such as air compressor and the like for providing compressed air is hermetically connected 112 to the port nozzle 48 of the port 46 of the launching cap 10. The air pressure means may be an industrial air compressor that is well known in the industry. The air pressure means may supply for example a pressure of 100 psi of compressed air or other pressure as appropriate for a particular application. The second end of the launching chamber is hermetically connected 110 to a pipe 16 for cleaning. It will be appreciated that the pressure means may comprise an air hose connected to the port nozzle 48 with safety pins (not shown). The safety pins are installed to stop the air pressure hose from accidentally dislodging from the port nozzle 48. The pressure means 64 may be connected to the launching cap before or after the second end of the launching chamber is connected to the pipe 16.
The pressure means 64 is activated and released 114 to compress the wiper ball 60 from the launching chamber to the second end of the launching chamber to the pipe as shown in FIG. 5E. The pressure means is applied until the wiper ball 62 passes through the tool and enters the pipe 16. As soon as the ball is launched into the pipe 16 the air pressure means 64 is turned off. As soon as the ball is launched into the pipe, the wiper cleaning ball installation apparatus tool can be removed from the pipe. After the cleaning element ball 60 enters the pipe 16 and the apparatus is removed from the pipe, a means for advancing the cleaning element through the pipe such as a circulating head (not shown) or the like is installed on the pipe 16 which forces a fluid such as water and the like to force the cleaning element ball 60 through the pipe for the cleaning process. Such circulating heads are known in the industry. Once the ball reaches the end of the pipe and is removed from the pipe, the ball assumes a relaxed state like the ball 52 shown in FIG. 5A. The entire process may be repeated any number of times as required until the pipe is clean.
A wiper ball is described and shown for illustrative purpose herein as a sphere, however, it will be appreciated that the wiper ball may be any cleaning element or pig and can take different forms. For example, the cleaning element may be any shape such as a sphere, cylinder, cube, or any other shape. The material of the cleaning element may be any suitable material such as rubber, sponge, latex, sponge rubber, cellular rubber, cellular latex or the like. Additionally, the cleaning element may have different material densities. In the industry the material densities of the cleaning element are commonly referred to as soft, medium and hard densities. The wiper ball or cleaning element may have different sizes, for example 200-400 mm diameters for delivery lines or pipes with 100-200 mm diameters, respectively. For example the typical size of the wiper ball may be 7" (178mm) but may vary +/- 50mm. The typical size of the corresponding pipe diameter may be for example 5.5" (140mm) outer diameter with 4" (101mm) inner diameter, and could vary for example from 3.5" (89mm) to 6.625"(168mm) outer diameter with 2.6875 (68mm) to 5" (127) inner diameter.
The pipe cleaning ball installation apparatus may be used in any number of systems. For example, in industrial construction industry pipes in cement pumps require after use cleaning. Other types of systems that also require after use cleaning include drill pipes, delivery line systems, dispensing equipment, powerplant equipment, milking and dairy equipment, foodstuff equipment, and the like. While embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.
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