Three-Axis Heat Exchanger Cleaning Tool with Articulated Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial heat exchangers experience efficiency decline due to fouling in tubes, which requires periodic cleaning to maintain performance, but existing methods lack effective alignment and directional control for cleaning tools.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool with an articulated arm assembly and lance transport mechanism that moves along three axes, allowing precise alignment and directional adjustment of a lance within the heat exchanger tubes for effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a cleaning tool is used without precise alignment control, then the cleaning operation can be performed, but the cleaning effectiveness and heat transfer efficiency improvement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a three-axis control system (X, Y, Z axes) to enable precise positioning of the cleaning lance. The articulated arm assembly provides movement in two horizontal dimensions while the lance transport mechanism adds vertical dimension control, allowing the lance to reach any tube location with high precision without excessive mechanical complexity
2Measurement precision
If the cleaning lance is manually positioned, then the operation is simple, but the alignment accuracy and directional control are insufficient for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated three-axis control system that uses coordinated movement of the articulated arm assembly and lance transport mechanism. This mechanical substitution provides precise positioning accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
3Productivity
If existing cleaning methods are used without directional control, then the cleaning process can be completed, but the fouling removal effectiveness and heat transfer efficiency are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning system into two independent segments: the articulated arm assembly for horizontal positioning (X-Y plane) and the lance transport mechanism for vertical positioning (Z axis). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall cleaning productivity while managing device complexity through functional decomposition
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for cleaning a heat exchanger that includes a lance, and an articulated arm fixedly attached to the heat exchanger at a first end, and associated with the lance at a second end. The articulated arm has at least two joints so that the articulated arm can move the lance along two axes in a plane substantially parallel to the tube face of the heat exchanger. The tool further includes a lance transport mechanism attached to the second end of the articulated arm that moves toward and away from the tube face of the heat exchanger in a direction substantially perpendicular to the tube face, the lance transport mechanism attached to the lance so that the lance moves toward and away from the tube face along with the lance transport mechanism.