Flexible Lance Positioner Frame with Guide Rails for Heat Exchanger Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lance positioner frames for heat exchangers are heavy, cumbersome, and space-consuming, limiting their feasibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, flexible lance positioner frame apparatus with a guide rail system that allows precise alignment and minimal space usage, featuring interchangeable air motor drive assemblies and a follower roller carriage to accommodate non-parallel rail alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional rigid frame structures are used for lance positioning, then structural stability is maintained, but weight and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into modular components including positioner support rails, guide rails, and interchangeable drive assemblies that can be independently positioned and assembled. This segmentation reduces overall weight while maintaining structural stability through precise modular connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible positioning mechanisms and thin-walled rail structures that provide sufficient structural integrity while minimizing weight. The flexible design allows adaptation to non-parallel rail alignments without requiring heavy rigid bracing.
2Strength
If heavy rigid frame assemblies are used, then structural rigidity is ensured, but ease of setup and operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame system incorporates movable and adjustable components including interchangeable air motor drive assemblies and follower roller carriages that can be easily installed and repositioned. This dynamic design maintains rigidity during operation while significantly improving setup convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail system is designed with universal mounting capabilities and interchangeable drive assemblies that can accommodate different lance configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single frame structure to serve multiple purposes while maintaining structural strength.
3Measurement precision
If conventional frame assemblies are used, then positioning capability is achieved, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system utilizes a three-dimensional guide rail configuration with vertical and horizontal adjustment capabilities. This spatial arrangement achieves precise lance positioning while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the overall frame assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The follower roller carriage and drive assemblies are designed to nest within or alongside the guide rail structure when not in use. This nested configuration reduces the effective space required while maintaining full positioning precision during operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If lightweight flexible structures are used, then ease of erection is improved, but structural reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lightweight frame is constructed from segmented modular components with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation enables easy erection while maintaining positioning reliability through precise modular assembly and interchangeable standardized parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs adjustable parameters including rail spacing, carriage positioning, and drive assembly configuration that can be optimized for different applications. These parameter adjustments maintain reliability while allowing easy adaptation and erection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning drive device adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet includes an upper guide rail carrying a movable carriage supporting a drive positioner rail having a drive support carriage and an air motor drive assembly fastened to each of the carriages, each air motor drive assembly comprising an air motor having a shaft driving a spur gear through a worm gear reducer, wherein the spur gear is carried within a spur gear housing fastened to the worm gear reducer, and the air motor assembly is fastened to the carriage via the spur gear housing. The spur gear housing is selectively rotatable on the carriage between a locked position with the spur gear engaging the rail to which the carriage is mounted and an unlocked position with the spur gear disengaged with the rail to which the carriage is mounted.