Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Pipe – tube – or conduit cleaner
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-01-16
Spisich, Mark (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Pipe, tube, or conduit cleaner
C015S104190
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173469
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for cleaning a pipeline or other conduit by removing dirt, scale, and/or extraneous matter from the inner wall of the pipeline. More particularly, the present invention relates to a polyurethane spring which is used to support the cleaning device against the inner wall of the pipeline.
2. Prior Art
Conventional devices of the type used to clean the inner wall of a pipeline generally include a body adapted to be moved longitudinally through the pipeline and a series of scraper elements mounted on the body for engaging the inner wall of the pipeline as the body is so moved. One or more cups may also be mounted on the body for sealably engaging the pipeline wall so that the body may be propelled through the pipeline by means of fluid pressure behind the cups.
The scraping elements may comprise brushes with stiff bristles, blades disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the body, or a combination thereof. In any case the scraping elements are tightly urged against the pipeline wall and are arranged about the body so as to scrape the entire circumference of the pipeline wall during a single pass of the device. In the past, the scraping elements such as the brushes with stiff bristles, have been mounted on the body by means of leaf springs which urge the brushes against the inner wall of the pipeline. The present invention involves the substitution of a polyurethane spring for the leaf spring heretofore employed.
A patentability search was conducted on the present invention and the following references were uncovered in the search:
Patent No.
Inventor
Dated
2,957,189
Nelson
Oct. 25, 1960
3,576,043
Zongker
Apr. 27, 1971
3,604,041
Ver Nooy
Sept. 14, 1971
5,052,652
Sevilleja et al
Oct. 1, 1991
5,208,936
Campbell
May 11, 1993
5,280,890
Wydra
Jan. 25, 1994
5,326,083
Wydra et al
Jul. 5, 1994
UK2,229,247 A
Kershaw
Sept. 19, 1990
RU420,356
Petr Prod
Aug. 26, 1974
RU1574289-A
Oil Product
June 30, 1990
Russian Patent No. 420,356, describes a hollow shaft and cleaning elements forming a hinged parallelogram. A cleaning brush is mounted on a parallelogram type structure which is metallic. The assembly is urged against the side of the pipe by means of an arrangement involving a central shaft, springs, etc.
Sevilleja et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,652, is relevant only in that it discloses a damping device which has a rectangular prismatic shape with rubber inserts. There is nothing in this patent to suggest that the damping device could be employed in a cleaning pig to urge the cleaning devices against the pipeline wall.
Zongker U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,043, in column 3, lines 27-34, talks about cups, bumpers, and scraper ribs being made of polyurethane. However, the spring members 17 are still described as “bowed leaf springs”.
Nelson U.S. Pat. No. 2,975,189 shows a parallelogram type arrangement for the cleaning brushes. Nevertheless, the cleaning brushes are still spring mounted by means of metallic springs.
Ver Nooy, U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,041, is deemed pertinent in that the base, blade and rod are described a being made of urethane. Nevertheless, the spring element 15 is still a leaf spring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,890 to Wydra shows a compression spring which can be made of an elastomer which is not specifically disclosed as a polyurethane, but which is believed to be an equivalent. There is no showing that his elastometric compression spring could be used to urge the cleaning brushes of a cleaning pig against the inner wall of the pipeline.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,083, also issued to Wydra, shows a compression spring formed of an elastomer. The same comments hold true as with respect to the last Wydra patent discussed.
Russian Patent No. 1574289-A, shows a parallelogram type arrangement. This reference still lacks the teachings of a polyurethane spring.
UK Patent No. 2 229 247 A, shows a polyurethane disc 12 supporting a plurality of cleaning fingers 19, capable of scraping scale or wax 11 from the inside of a pipeline 10. The cleaning fingers 19 appear to be made of metal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention involves a cleaning device, or cleaning pig, of the type used to engage the inner wall of a pipeline to remove rust, scale and other debris from the inner wall of the pipeline. This invention, briefly, involves the substitution of a polyurethane spring for the conventional leaf spring which has been heretofore used to urge the scraper elements, such as brushes, resiliently against the inner wall of the pipeline. More particularly, the polyurethane spring of the present invention comprises an elongated base member for attachment of the spring to the body of the cleaning pig. The spring also includes an outer side member disposed in spaced parallel relation with the inner base member and a plurality of cross members extending outwardly and rearwardly from the inner base member to and connecting with the outer side member. The cross members are essentially parallel to each other. The scraping elements, such as wire brushes, are attached to the outer side member and are resiliently urged against the inner wall of the pipeline by means of the polyurethane spring. The pressure of the spring against the outer side member is such as to cause the outer side member to move rearwardly and inwardly while the cross members cant in a rearward direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2957189 (1960-10-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 3576043 (1971-04-01), Zongker
patent: 3604041 (1971-09-01), Ver Nooy
patent: 5052652 (1991-10-01), Sevilleia et al.
patent: 5208936 (1993-05-01), Campbell
patent: 5280890 (1994-01-01), Wydra
patent: 5326083 (1994-07-01), Wydra et al.
patent: 2229247 (1990-09-01), None
patent: 420356 (1974-08-01), None
patent: 1574289 (1990-06-01), None
Dorman William S
Spisich Mark
LandOfFree
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