Fire Tube Installation Tool with Counterbalance Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The frequent removal and installation of large and heavy fire tube assemblies in heater treaters are cumbersome and pose safety concerns due to the need for long, thin pipes for leverage, which can cause damage and space constraints, especially when multiple heater treaters are close together.
Innovation Solution
A fire tube removal and installation tool with an elongated main shaft and cylindrical support members that fit within the fire tube, providing axial support and limiting lateral movement, along with a counterbalance system and handle assembly for controlled handling and balancing during installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long length of oil field pipe is inserted into the fire tube inlet to provide leverage for control, then the fire tube assembly can be controlled during installation and removal, but the pipe may strike the interior walls of the fire tube causing damage and creates safety concerns due to large movement of the free end
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated installation and removal tool as an intermediary device between the worker and the fire tube assembly. This tool includes a support member that fits within the fire tube and a control member that extends outward, providing mechanical advantage and control without requiring a long pipe that could strike the fire tube walls. The control member is coupled to the support member, allowing workers to manipulate the fire tube assembly safely and effectively.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple heater treaters are spaced close together, then space is utilized efficiently, but there is not enough room to insert a long length of pipe into the fire tube assembly for control
Solution Approach 1:
The installation and removal tool is segmented into distinct functional components: a support member that fits within the fire tube, a control member that extends outward for manipulation, and a coupling mechanism that connects them. This segmentation allows the tool to be compact enough for tight spaces while maintaining the necessary leverage and control functions. The support member portion fits inside the fire tube inlet, and the control member portion extends outward, distributing the functional requirements across different spatial zones.
3Productivity
If the free end of the fire tube is unsupported, then the fire tube assembly can be installed and removed, but the free end will tend to drop or dip down preventing passage through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The installation and removal tool provides counterbalancing support to counteract the gravitational force acting on the unsupported free end of the fire tube. The support member positioned within the fire tube inlet and the control member extending outward create a lever arm that allows workers to counterbalance the weight and maintain level orientation during installation and removal operations, preventing the free end from dropping or dipping down.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool is provided for removal and installation of a fire tube that extends into an opening in a wall of a heating vessel. The fire tube locates within an interior of the heating vessel when mounted thereto. The fire tube has a tube wall that defines a tube interior and has a mounting end for mounting the fire tube to the wall of the heating vessel. The tool has an elongated main shaft member having an insertion end and an opposite control end. A first support is mounted upon the insertion end that is configured for being closely received within the tube interior. A second support is mounted along the length of the main shaft member, the second support having a fire tube interface configured for engaging and releasably coupling to the mounting end of the fire tube. A lift coupling couples to the main shaft and locates between the second support and the control end of the main shaft member for coupling to a lift line. A counterbalance support carries removable weighting members, the counterbalance support being coupled to the main shaft by a counterbalance support spacing arm that extends laterally from the main shaft member.