Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Background and Summary of the Invention
The invention is directed to a soot blower for cleaning the interior
surfaces of a boiler by discharging a suitable cleaning fluid from a nozzle against
such surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to new and improved
mechanisms for driving and guiding the lance tube mounting the fluid discharge
nozzle of the soot blower from a non-working position forwardly through a working
motion and return.
Typically, in a soot blower of the long retracting type, a lance tube
is moved through a long, e.g., 65 foot path of travel horizontally forward into
the heat exchange zone of a large public utility boiler. During the traveling
motion OI the lance tube, the tube is rotated about its longitudinal axis and a
cleaning fluicl is discharged through a nozzle mounted at the forwardmost end of
the tube so that the Eluid may be directed against various internal surfaces of
the boiler to remove undesirable soot Z3ecumulations. Accordingly, various means
are required for imparting movement to the lance tube and for guiding the long
lance tube as it enters and leaves the boiler.
It is one feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
to provide a novel cable drive system for the lance tube. Generally, the system
comprises a two-cable arrangement having first and second drive cables. The
first cable includes one end fastened to the traveling carriage which supports the
lance tube for horizontal movement. The first cable extends from the traveling
carriage around the pulley of a cable tensioner, mounted proximate to the rearmost
non-working position occupied by the traveling carriage, to a fastened relation
with a rotatable drum of a traversing drive assembly. The second cable also
includes an erKl fastened to the traveling carriage and extends from the traveling
carriage arounc~ the pulley of a second cable tensioner, mounted near the
forwardmost position occupied by the traveling calriage, to a fastened relation
with another part of the rotatable drum. In accordanee with a feature of the
preferred embodiment, the rotatable drum is provided with a grooved cylindrieal
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cable-receiving surface so that several complete cable wraps of each of the first
and second cables may be wound around the rotatable drum.
A suitable electric dri~e motor is mechanically connected to the
rotatable drum through appropriate gearing mechanisms whereby the drum may
be driven through a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation. When the rotatable
drum is rotated through a clockwise rotation, the second cable is taken up by
the rotating drum causing the cable to pull the traveling carriage forwardly,
thereby advancing the lance tube into the boiler. When the lance tube has been
fully inserted into the boiler, the rotatable drum may then be rotated in the
counter-clockwise direction causing the first cable to be wound onto the drum
whereby the first cable will pull the traveling carriage rearwardly back towards
the non-working position, thereby retracting the lance tube from the boiler.
Pursuant to the illvention9 the rotatable cable drum is positioned midway between
the rearwardmost and forwardmost points on the path of travel for the traveling
carri~e. Accordingly, the length of each of the rlrst and second cables may be
kept at a minimum. The central locatiorl of the rotatable drum and relatively
short length for each of the cables minimizes unwanted vibrations and harmonics
which may develop during operation of the cable drive system. Moreover, the
grooved surface for the cable drum prevents any section of either of the cables
from coming into direct contact with any other section of the cables to eliminate
cable scrubbing. This reduces wear and tear on the cables and lengthens the
useful worklife of the cables. To advantage, the cable tensioners are adjustable
to accommodate cable stretch thereby avoiding sagging of the cables to assure
long term successful operation of the cable drive.
As another feature of the preferred embodiment, a movable guide
system is provided to guide the cables onto and off the rotatable drum. The
guide assembly includes traveling assemblies that follow a complementary cable
across the surface of the drum to insure that the cable is properly received in
the grooved portions of the drum surface. The assemblies also tend to dampen
any vibrations in the cables to Eaeilitate their motion onto and off the drum.
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This acts to further reduce wear and tear on the cables and permits the cables
to be positioned close to the top of the soot blower housing with sufficient
clearance for the cable to pass into and out of the housingr.
In accordance with the invention, a reYolving roller assembly is provided
to guide the lance tube into and out of the boiler. The revolving roller assembly
is mounted adjacent the boiler at the lance-tube-receiving opening thereof and
comprises three rotatable rollers, each including a generally concave surface.
The rollers are rotatab]y mounted in a circular frame with each roller being in
a spaced, opposed relation to the other rollers. The rollers are arranged ancl
configured whereby the axis of each of the rollers forms an angle of approximately
60 with the axis of each of the adjacent two rollers. In this manner7 the
concave surfaces of the opposed rollers define a generally circular central opening
whereby the lance tube may be received through the opening to be suppo~ted
and guided by the rotatable rollers into the boiler. The circular frame mounting
the rollers is in turn rotatably mounted in a supporting structure so that, as the
rotating lance tube is guided into the boiler by the ro~lers, the entire circular
roller supporting frame may be rotated with the lance tube to substantially reduce
friction between the lance tube and guiding rollers.
Pursuant to a significant feature of the revolving roller assembly of
the invention, the circular frame comprises a modular construetion advantageously
arranged to accommodate repair and/or replacement of the rotatable rollers
without having to remove the lance tube from the assernbly. Generally, the
circular frame comprises a main cage component and several cage segments.
The cage segments are arranged to be selecti~ely, removably secured to main
cage component to provide the complete circular frame. Complementary portions
of each of the cage segments and the main cage component are formed whereby
the complementary portions define openings of predetermined configurations, when
the circular frame is flllly assembled, to thereby receive and securely mount the
rotatable rollers. Moreover, each of the cage segments is arranged and configured
to provide, along with certain of the complementary portions of the main cage
component, the entire sl~?port for one of the rollers. Accordingly, a particular
roller rnay be exposed for repair or removal from the roller assembly by s;mply
removing the single cage segment associated therewith. The above-described
modular, revolving roller assembly greatly enhances the operability of a soot
blower of the long retrac$ing type by simplifying and streamlining the procedures
necessary to repair and/or replace the rollers which engage and guide the lance
tube. A particular roller may be replaced in a minimum amount of time by
removing the particular cage segment, lifting the old roller and installing the
new roller. Such an operation may be performed with no need to withdraw the
lance tube from the roller assembly.
Accordingly, the present invention generally comprises a soot blower
including a rotatable lance tube movable along a path of travel between working
and non-working positions, and a revolving roller assembly to support and guide
said lanee tube during transverse movement along said path of travel, which
comprises (a) a main support structure, ~b) a roller supporting frame rotatably
mounted upon said main support structure, (c) a plurality of rollers rotatably
mounted within said rotatable roller supporting frame, (d) said rollers being
arranged and configured to define an opening, (e) said lance tube being arranged
to extend through said opening whereby said rotatable rollers support said lance
tube during transverse motion thereot and said roller supporting frame is rotated
by said lance tube upon rotation thereof, (f) said roller supporting frame comprising
a main cage component and a plurality of cage segments, (g) each of said cage
segments being selectively removably secured to said main cage component to
form the roller supporting frame, (h) said main cage component and the plurality
Oe cage segments each being formed to inelude complementary portions whereby
the complementary portions define openings of predetermined configurations, when
the main cage component and plurality of cage segments are secured to one
another to form the roller supporting frame, to thereby receive and securely
mount said rotatable rollers, (i~ each of said cage segments being arranged and
configured to provide, along with certain of the complementary portions of the
3U main cage component, the entire support for one of said rotatable rollers~ whereby
each of said rollers may be selectively exposed for removal from the roller
supporting frame by removing said one cage segment associated therewith from
the main cage component.
For a better understanding of the above and other features and
advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and to the accompanying
drawings.
Brief Description of the Dr wings
Figs. lA and lB together illustrate Q plQn view of a soot blower of
the long retracting type including a cable drive system of the present invention.
Figs. 2A and 2B when taken together provide a side view of the soot
blower of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the traversing drive assembly for the cables
of the cable drive system.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the traversing drive assembly of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the traversing drive assembly of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is an end view partially in cross section of a revolving roller
assembly used in conjunction with the cable drive system.
Fig. 7 is Q side view partiaIly in cross section of the revolving roller
assembly of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a plan view partly in cross section of the novel valve and
valve aetuator assembly of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the traveling carriage assembly of the soot
blower illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 10 is a partial, side cross sectional view of Fig. 9 taken generally
along line 10-10 of Fig. 9.
Fig. ll is an end view of the traveling carriage of Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 is Q side cross sectional view of the self-aligning bushing of
the present invention.
Fig. 13 is an end view of the bushing of Fig. 11.
Fig. 1~1 is a front view, partially in cross-section, of the modular
revolving roller assembly circular frame. The partial cross-section is taken
generfllly along line 14-14 of ~ig. 15.
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the circular frame of Fig. 14.
Fig. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of the circular frame of Fig.
14.
Pig. 17 is a bottom view of one of the cage segments of the circular
frame of Fig. 14.
~ ig. l8 is a side view of the main cage component of the circular
frame of Fig. 14.
~ ig. 19 is ~n end, cross-sectional view of the main cage component
talcen genera~ly along line 19-19 of Fig. 18.
Fig. 20 is a top view of the component of Fig. 18.
~tAII~_ D~ n~ of a Preferred ~mbodiments
Referring now to the drawings, and initally to Figs. lA, B and 2A,Bt
there is illustrated a soot blower generally indicated by the reference numeral
10. The soot blower 10 includes a main support frame 11 which defines a long,
housing-type channel to mount a horizontally movable traveling carriage 12, as
will appear. The traveling carriage 12 in turn rotatably supports a long, hollow
rotatable lance tube 13 such that horizontal movements of the carriage 12 will
advance the lance tube 13 through a working motion and return. The housing
11 is mounted adjacent the heat exchange portions of a large public utility boiler
(not specifically illustrated) in a well known manner with the lance tube 13 being
arranged and configured to travel from the housing 11 to the interior portions
oi the boiler to perform a soot removal operation, as discussed above. A revolving
roller assembly 73~ to be clescribed in more detail below, is mounted at the
forwardmost end of the housing 11 to support and guide the lance tube 13 as it
travels into ancl out of the boiler.
Io CABLE DE~I~E SYST-f~M
In accordance with the preferred embodiment o the invention,
horizontal motion is imparted to the traveling carriage 12 by a cable drive system
generally comprising a traversing drive assembly 14 and first and second drive
cables 15, 16. The first drive cable 15 includes an end fastened to a rotatable
drum 17 of the drive assembly 14 and is wrapped around the drum 17 through
several complete turns. The cable 15 extends from the drum to an idler pulley
18 which is adjustably fastened to the rear wall of the main support frame 11.
The adjustment of the idler pulley 18 may be accomplished by any suitable known
mechanical expedient which permits the idler pulley 18 to be selectively fixed
in a predetermined horizontal position. In the preferred embc~iment, a sheave
box assembly with a rear adjusting screw is utilized to adjustably mount an idler
pulley 18 to the housing structure 11. The idler pulley 18 may therefore ~unction
as a cable tensioner to rnaintain the drive cable 15 in a taut condition. Th
cable 15 extends from the idler pulley 18 to a rigid connection by cable connector
19 to the traveling carriage 12.
In a similar manner, the second drive cable 18 is mounted to the
rotatable drum 17 and extends after several turns around the drum 17 from the
drum 17 to a second idler pulley 20 adjustably mounted at the forwardmost end
of the main support structure 11. From the second idler pulley 20 the cable 16
continues to a rigid connection via cable connector 21 to the traveling carri~ge
12. As clearly illustrated in Figs~ 1 and 2, the drive cables 15, 16 are connected
to the traveling earriage 12 whereby they form a 180 angle with respect to one
another. In this manner, the second drive cable l6 may be utilized to pull the
traveling cQrriage 12 in a forward direction and the first drive cable 15 may act
to pull the traveling carriage in a reverse direction.
Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 through 5, the various
components of the traversing drive assembly 14 are mounted on a flat support
platform 22 which i~; attached to the housing-like support frame 11 as by welding.
The working components of the traversing drive assembly 14 include an electric
motor 23 which is mechanically eouplecl to the rotatable cable drurn 17 by a
suitable gear box 24 and gears 24a, 24b. I'he rotatable drum 17 is provided with
a grooved cable~receiving surface 28. The grooved pattern of the surface 28 is
of a generally continuous helical configuration so that as the drive cables 15, 16
are received onto the drum 17, they fit within the groove and are separated
from adjacent turns of the cables 15, 16 on the drum to prevent the cables 15,
16 from scraping against themselves and one another. This reduces friction and
lengthens the worklife of the cables 15, 16.
As should be understood, counter-clockwise rotation of the cable drum
17 by the motor 23 will wind the second cable 16 onto the drum causing the
second cable 16 to pull the traveling carriage 12 in a forward direction to advance
the lance tube 13 into the boiler. Clockwise rotation of the rotatable cable
drum 17 will have the opposite effect, that is, to pull the first cable 15 onto
the drum whereby the first cable 15 will pull the traveling carriage 12 in a
reverse direction to retract the lance tube 13 from the boiler. In either rotational
direction of the cable drum 16, the non-pulling cable will unwind from the drum
in an amount equal to the amount that the pulling cable is being wound onto the
drum so that the end of the non-pulling cable fastened to the tra~eling carriage
12 will move the carriage and not resist the pul]ing effect of the then pulling
cable. Accordingly, the present invention provides a mechanically straightforward
means for advancing and retracting the lanee tube 13 for a soot blowing operation.
Moreover, as evident in Figs. l and 2, the traversing drive assembly 14 is mounted
on the housing 11 at an area generally midway between the rearwardmost and
forwardmost point on the path of travel for the trave]ing carriage 12. In this
manner, the lengths of the driv0 cables 15, 16 are minimized to reduce the cost
and complexity for assemblying the soot blower. In addition, test runs on a
prototype of the invention indicate that the central location for the rotatable
drum 17 and relatively short len~ths for the drive cables 15, lt; provide a smooth
operation with minimal harrmonics and vibrations developing in the drive cables
15~ 16.
II. AUTOMATIC CABLE GUIDE SYSTEM
As another significant feature of the preferred embodiment of the
invention, an automatic guide system is provided adjacent the traversing drive
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assembly l4. The guide system comprises a pair of horizontally disposed,
diamond-shaped tracks 25, 26 which are mounted to the horizontal platform 22
by support blocks 27. Each of the diamond~haped tracks 25, 26 is arranged in
an opposed, spaced axially-aligned relation to the cable receiving surface 28; one
on each side of the drum 17. A roller assembly 29, 30 is movably mounted on
each of the tracks 25, 26, with each roller assembly including three pairs of
rollers 31.
All of the roller~ 31 are rotatably mounted on a complementary axle
32 and include one end 33 formed to a truncated, conical configuration. I~ach
pair of rollers 31 is arranged on the complementary axle 32 such that the conical
ends 33 of the rollers 31 of the particular pair face one another to define a
V-shaped track engaging surface. One pair of rollers 31 is mounted on an axle
32 disposed above the track 25, 26 to thereby engage the upper surface of the
track 25, 26 and the other two pairs are mounted on axles 32 disposed below
the track 25, 26 to thereby engage the lower surface of the track 25, 26.
Accordingly, the roller assemblies 29, 30 are movable back and forth along their
respective tracks 25, 26.
Pursuant to the preferred embodiment, each roller assembly 29, 30 is
formed with a transversely disposed, slot-~ike recess 34 to mount a shaft 35. A
pulley 36 is rotatably supported by each shaft 35 and includes a cable receiving
portion 37. The drive cables 15, 16 are arranged to engage the respective pulley
36 on the side of the drum 17 -from which the particular cable 15, 16 is wound
onto the grooved cable receiving surface 28. The taut condition of the cables
15, 16 insures that the cables 15, 16 remain in the cable receiving portion 37
of the pulleys 38 and the cables 15, 16 travel from the complementary pulley
36 to the drum 17.
As the pulling or non-pulling cable 15, 16 is wound onto or off of the
drum 17, the particular cable wi~l rnove transversely to the drum surface 28 ancl
the roller 30 will accordingly move along the respective track 25, 26 to follow
and guide the eable 15, 16 s~ia the puUeys 36 onto or from the drum 17. The
pulleys 36 will dampen any vibrations which may develop in the moving cables
15, 16 to facilitate a smooth motion for the cables 15, 16 as they move on or
off the grooved surface 28 and also insure that the cables 15, 16 are properly
received in the helical groo~le of the sur Eace 28. Moreover, the use of track
engaging rollers 31 above and below the traeks 25, 26 stabilizes the roller
assemblies 29, 30 to afford hi~hly reliable service.
III. TRAV~LING CARRIAGE
Referring now to Figs. 9 through 11, there is illustrated in detail the
traveling carriage assembly 12 for the lance tube 13. The carriage 12 includes
a main frame structure 38 provided with a hollow, cylindrical section 39 (Fig.
10) to rotatably support the lance tube 13. A set of roller bearings 40 are
interposed between the lance tube 13 and annular recesses formed within the
cylindrical section 39 so that the lance tube 13 is securely mounted and freely
rotatable within the traveling cari~iage 12.
A support extension 41 is mounted to the main frame structure 38 by
threaded bolts 42 to support a rotary drive electric motor 43. The motor 43 is
mechanically connected through a speed reducing gear box 44 to a bevel pinion
gear 45 which is in a meshing engagement with a bevel gear 46 mounted about
the outer circumference of the Lqnce tube 13. Operation of the motor 43 will
thereby impart a rotary motion to the lance tube 13.
To advantage, electrieal power is provided for the motor 43 by an
electrical rail 47 rnounted to and running the full length oE the housing 11. The
electric rail 47 is enclosed in a housing 47A which is supported from L-shaped
brackets 50 welded to the housing 11. ~ set of brush contacts 48 are mounted
to the main structure 39 of the carriage 12 by member 51 and extend from the
member 51 to within the rail housing 47A to engage the rail 47. Suitable
electric cables 49 interconnect the brush contacts 48 with the motor 43 to
energize the motor 43 when desired.
A cross beam member 52 is mounted to the top of the main structure
38 and supports an axle 53. The axle 53 extends from each side of the cross
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beam member 52 to mount a set of wheels 54. The wheels 54 are arranged to
engage track forming, L-shaped members 55 bolted to and e2ctending the full
length of the housing 11. In this manner, the carriage 12 may be moved
hori~ontally through the housing to advance and retract the lance tube 13.
The cross beam member 52 includes a cut-out portion 56 whereby a
cable connector member 57 is pivotally supported on an exposed portion of the
axle 53. The cable connector member 57 includes two outwardly extending wings
58, each of which hingedly mounts one of the cables 15, 16 to the carriage via
the cable connectors l9, 21, respectively. The pulling action of the cables 15,
16, as described above, will pull the axle 53 so that the wheels 54 roll along the
tracks 55 moving the carriage 12 through the housing 11.
IV. FEED PIPE BUSHINC~S
ln accordance with conventional design of a soot blower of the long
retracting type, a feed pipe 59 is arranged in a co-axial, telescoping relation
with the lance tube 13. The rearwardmost end of the feed pipe 59 is connected
to a valve assembly 60 (see Fig. 13 whereby a cleaning fluid, such as water,
steam or air, may be fed through the feed pipe 59 to the Lqnce tube interior,
as will appear. The feed pipe 59 is o sufficient length to maintain fluid
communication between the valve as~embly 60 and the lance tube interior for
the full advancing motion of the lance tube 13.
~ eferring once again to Figs. 9 and 10, the end of the lance tube
support 13a is provided with a glnnd mounting plate 61. Suitable packing material
62 is placed within a rearwarclly extending annular recess 63 formed in the interior
surface of the lance tube support 13a to provide a leak-tight seal between the
lance tube support and the co-axial feed pipe 59~ Accordingly, the cleaning fluid
discharged into the lance tube interior by the -~eed pipe 59 will not be able to
flow out the rear end of the lance tube support. A packing gland 64 is positioned
in a co-axial relation with the encl of the lance tube support 13a and is pressed
against the packing material 62 by a gland follower 65 to maintain the packing
material 62 securely in its sealing position. The gland follower 65 is in turn
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- bolted to the gland mounting plate 6-l to form a complete gland plate assembly.
Of course, the packing material 62, while forming a leak-tight seal, is arranged
to permit a relative sliding movement between the lance tube support 13a and
f eed pipe 59.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, novel
ring bushings 66, 67 are arranged at spaced positions around the feed pipe 59
and are received in annular lands 68, 69, respectively9 formed on the interior
surfaces of the lance tube support 13a. As discussed above and generally illustrated
in Figs. lA and 1~3 partially in phantom, the lance tube 13 is arranged in a
curved configuration outside the boiler which tends to create large radial forces
between the lance tube support 13a and co-axial feed pipe 59. These forces are
distributed primarily through the bushings interposed between the lance tube
support 13a and feed pipe 59. The bushings 66, 67 include generally convex outer
surfaces to permit slight pivoting movement between the feed pipe 59 and lance
tube support 13a to reduce the radial forces. Moreover, the conve~c surfaces aet
to provide a greater sur~ace area through which the radial forees rnay be
distributed. Thus, the novel, convex bushings 66, 67 greatly reduce friction and
wear and tear on the feed pipe 59 to facilitate improved working operation and
longer worklife for the soot blower 10. Moreover, each of the bushings 66, 67
include a curved recess 71 whereby a set screw 72 may be threadedly received
through the lance tube support 13a and screwed down to engage the bushing 66,
67 at the recess 71. Accordingly, a fine adjustment may be made to the axial
setting of the bushing 6G, 67 in accordance with the actual environment of the
particular soot blower 10.
V. REVOLVING ROLLER ASSEMBLY
Positioned at the forwar{Imost end of the soot blower 10, adjacent the
boiler opening (not shown), is a revolving roller assembly 73. The assembly 73
comprises a main support frame 74 which rotatably mounts a set of rollers 75
and includes upstanding front and rear walls 77, 78. A web-like circular frame
76 is positioned within the support frame 74 and rests upon the rollers 75. In
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this manner9 the frame 7X is rotatably mounted within the support frame 74 by
the rollers 75. Pursuant to the ;nvention, three axles 79, 80, 81 are mounted
within the web of the circular frame 76. The axles 79, S0, 81 are positioned
to define angles of approximately 60 with respect to one another and each
rotatably supports a roller 82, 83, 84 including a generally concave outer surface.
As clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, the above-described arrangement of
rollers 82, 83, 84 provides a central opening 85 arranged to receive -the lance
tube 13. Accordingly, as the lance tube 13 is moved into and out o~ the boiler
by the cable drive system, it will be supported and guided by the rotatable rollers
82, 83, 84 with a minimal amount of friction. Moreover, when the motor 23 is
operated to rotate the lance tube 13, the lance tube 13 will cause the circular
frame 76 to rotate upon the rollers 75 rather than rotate within the opening 85
defined by three supporting rollers 82, 83, 84 to greatly reduce friction between
the lance tube 13 and the revolving roller assembly 73.
Referring no~N to Eiig. 14, there is illustrated a highly advantageous
modular construction for the eircular frame 76. The frame 76 comprises a main
cage component 200 and three cage segments 201, 232, 203 which are each
removably secured to the main cage component 200 by bolts 204. Three roller
assemblies 2i)5, 206, 207 ~corresponding to the rollers 82, 83, 84 described above
and illustrated in Fig. 6) are removably mounted and secured between the main
cage component 200 and the cage segments 201, 202, 203. Pursuant to the
invention, each of the roller assemblies 205, 206, 207 is mounted between a
single, complementary cage segment 201, 202, 203 and the main cage component
200. In this marmer, a particular roller assembly 205, 206, 207 may be exposed
for repair and removal by unscrewing and removing the bolts 204 associated with
the complementary cage segment 201, 202, 203 and thereafter lifting the cage
segment 201, 202, 203 away from the main cage component 200.
To advantage, each of the roller assemblies 205, 206 207 comprises a
roller element 208 and a pair of spherical ro~ler bearing cartridges 209 rotatably
mounted to the ends of the roller elernent 208. Of course, each of the roller
13-
elements 208 is formed to include a roller surface having a generally concave
outer surface, as described above with respect to the corresponding rollers 82,
83, 84 and are arranged within the circular frame 76 to define, with the main
cage component 200, the central, lance tube receiving opening 85.
In the preferred embodiment, the bearing cartridges 209 comprise a
commercially available X BC-100 manufactured by The Rex Company, Bensenville,
Illinois. The roller element 208, bearing cartridge 209 construction for each
roller assembly 205, 206, 207 provides a roller component which may be mounted
between one of the cage segments 201, 202, 203 and the main cage component
200 whereby the bearing cartridges 209 of the particular roller assembly 205,
206, 207 are securely engaged by confronting portions of the complementary cage
segment 201, 202, 203 and the main cage component 200 and the roller element
208 is supported and freely rotatable between the rotatably, end mounted bearingcartridges 209.
To that end, and as clearly illustrated in Pigs. 16 207 the main cage
component 200 is formed to be in a generally triangular configuration with threeidentical cage segment mating portions 210. Each of the portions 210 is providedwith two, spaced generally semi-cylindricQl, bearing cartridge receiving surfaces
211. The semi-cylindrical surfaces 211 are each configured to closely receive
O one of the bearing cartridges 209 of d particular roller assembly 205, 206, 207.
Moreover, the surfaces 211 of each portion 210 are spaced from one another a
predetermined distance such that the roller element 208 of the mounted assembly
205, 206, 207 is freely rotatable between the semi-cyndrical surfaces 211. An
opening 212 is provided between each of the surfaces 211 of each portion 2:L0
and arranged and configured to freely receive the roller element 208 whereby
the concave, lance tube supporting surface of the roller element 208 partially
extends to within a central, circular opening 213 formed within the main cage
component 200 (See Fig. l4). In this manner, the mounted roller elements 208
and opening 213 define the lance tube receiving opening 85, discussed above.
3~ Referring now to Fig. 17, the lower surface 214 of each cage segment
201, 202, 203 is formed to a configuratiosl which corresponds to the configuration
of the opposed poltion 210 of the main cage component 200 upon which the cage
segment 201, 202, 203 is ~eceived and secured by the bolts 204. Accordingly,
each surface 214 includes a pair of spaced, generally semi-cylindrical surfaces
215 and a central opening 216. When the cage segment 201; 202, 203 is bolted
to the main cage component 200~ the semi-cyIindrical surfaces 215 will closely
overly, and with the corresponding surfaces 211, securely mount the bearing
cartridges 209 of a roller assernbly 20~, 20~, 207. In addition, the roller element
208 is freely rotatable within the opening 216. Pursuant to another feature of
the invention, a series of threaded openings 217, one associated with each surface
215, is formed completely through the cage segments 201, 202, 203. A set screw
218 is threadedly received within each of the threaded openings 217 and each
screw 218 may be screwed dou1n into the engagement with a beflring eartridge
209 to secure the roller assemblies 205, 206, 207 from longitudinal displacement
tSee Fig. 14).
As should be understood, the fully assembled circulflr frame 76 may
be rotatably mounted within the main support frame 74 upon the rollers 75 ~See
Eigs. 6 and 7). The revolving roller assembly 73 is positioned adjacent the front
end of the soot blower (see F;g. 28) to receive and guide the lance tube 13. In
the eVerlt that it becomes necessary to repair or replace a particul~r roller
assembly 205, 206, 207, the circular frame 76 is rotated until the assembly to
be replaced is positioned as, e.g., the roller assembly 205 in Fig. 14. The bolts
204 are removed and the complementary cage segment 201 is lifted away from
the main cage component 200. The roller assembly 205 may then be easily
removed and replaced with a m;nimum amount of downtime. In addition, the
replacement operation dlscussed above may be performed without having to remove
the lance tube 13 from the opening 85 inasmuch as the lance tube ;l3 will be
adequately supported by the remaining two roller assemblies 206, 207.
VI. VAL VE AND VALVE ACTUATOR
Referring now to E~ig. 8, the feed pipe 59 is in fluid communication
with the outlet passage 86 of a valve housing 87. The valve housing 87 includes
an internal web portion 88 which ~s in fluid communication with both the outlet
passage 86 and a source of cleaning fluid, sucl as water, air and/or steam (not
specifically illustrated). A bonnet 89 is mounted over the top of the valve housing
87 in a sealed relation to the internal web portion 88 whereby a sealed fluid
path is formed from the source of cleaning fluid to the interior of the feed pipe
59. A cy]indrical member 90 is mounted within the internal web portion 88 with
one end in a sealed relation to the bonnet 88 and the other end thereof including
an extension 92 of reduced diameter which is received within the outlet passage
86~ An annular valve seat 92 is formed within the cylindrical member 90 and
openings 93 are formed through the walls of the cylindrical rnember 90 to provide
fluid communication between the internal web portion 88 and the outlet passage
86 through the cylindrical member 90.
A tandem valve plug g4 is arranged for controlled axial movement
within the cylindrical member 90. The valve plug comprises a generally ho~low,
cylindrical main plug member 95 which includes a tapered valve surface 96 formed
at the lowermost end thereof. The tapered surface 96 is arranged to mate with
the annular valve seat 92 when the main valve plug member 95 is in its lowermost
position to close the valve. An inner plug member 97 is axiall~T received within
the main plug member 95 and is fixedly secured to the end of the valve ste m
98 arranged for controlled axial movement, as will appear. The generally hollow
main valve plug member 95 includes an inwardly extending, integral annular
member 99 which defines a relatively small circular opening 100. The circular
opening 100 includes a tapered valve seat 101 arranged to form a normally mating
relation with a tapered annular valve surface 102 formed at the lowermost end
of the inner plug member 97. In this manner, fluid ordinarily does not flow
through the hollow main valve plug 95.
A bushing 103 is threadedly mounted within the main valve plug member
95 at the topmost end thereof and is provided with fluid flow openings 115.
Unbalanced high pressure normally maintains the valve plug 94 in the closed
position. Moreover, a coil spring 104 is arranged in a co-axial relation to the
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inner plug member 97 and acts between the annular mernber 99 and a eollar 105
secured to the topmost portion of the inner plug member 97 to resist movement
of inner plug 97 within the main plug 95 away from the valve seat 10L to prevent
fluid leakage through the main valve plug 95 and insure the unbalanced state of
the plug. To further help maintain the valve in a closed position, a coil spring
108 is mounted in a co-axial relation to the s~alve stem 98 and acts between a
coUar 109 rigidly secured to the valve stem 98 and a housing llO enclosing the
valve stem 98. The spring is arranged to resist any opening movement of the
main valve plug 95.
A rack-forrning, cup-shaped member 106 is securely mounted to the
upper end of the valve stem 98 and is in meshing engagement with a pinion-forming,
rotatable lever 107 to forrn a valve actuator mechanism. As clearly illustrated
in F;g. 8, one end of the pinion-forming lever 107 is connected via a rod-locking
linkage system 111 to a cam member 112 pivotally mounted on a pin support
117. The traveling carriage assembly 12 includes a cam actuator arm 113 provided
with a cam roll bearing 114 which co-acts with the cam member 112 as the
traveling carriage 12 is moved in a soot blowing operation.
At the commencement of folward movement of the traveling carriage
12, by operation of the cable drive system, the cam roll bearing 114 is received
within a generally curved cam slot 118 formed within the cam member 112 by
sliding over the surface 120 into a cam-receiving portion 119. The forward
movement of the carridge 1~ will operate to cause the cam roll be~ring 114 to
pivot the cam member 112 in a counter-clockwise direction about the pin support
117 whereby the rod-locking linkage system 111 is moved to the left to rotate
pinion-forming rotatable lever 107 in the clockwise direction. This causes the
rack-forming, cup-shaped rnember 1t)6 to move to the right thereby displacing
the valve stem 9~ to lift the inner plug member 97 away Erom the valve seat
lnl. Consequently, high pressure fluid from the source of cleaning fluid will
now be able to flow through the hollow main valve plug 95 thereby equali~ing
the high pressure effec ts on both sides of the rnain valve plug 95. Continued
forward movement of the traveling carriage 12 wi~l move the cam roll bearing
114 further to the right causing the cam 112 to be pivoted ~o its forwardmost
"locked" position before the cam roll bearing 114 passes by the cam 112. The
final pivoting movement of the cam 112 eauses the valve stem 98 to eontinue
its leftward movement whereby the inner plug member 97 will engage the bushing
103 to easily lift the now-balanced main valve plug 95 from the valve seat 92
to fully open the valve, whereby the cleaning fluid may be discharged from the
feed pipe 59 to the interior of the lance tube 13.
The valve will remain in the open position until the traveling carriage
12 is returned by the cable drive system to its rearwardmost position within the
housing 11. Just prior to arl ival o~ the carriage 12 at the rearwardmost position,
the cam roll bearing 114 will be received within the cam slot 118 (the cam being
pivoted to its locked position wherein the opening of the slot 118 is in alignment
with the path of travel of the cam roll bearing 114~. When the cam roll bearing
114 approaehes the closed end of the slot 118, it wiU tend to pivot the cam 112
in a cloe}cTNise direction unlocking the cam and moving the rod linkage 111 to
the right. As should be understood, the rightwardmost position of the rod 111
rotates the pinion-forming lever 107 in a counter-clockwise direetion thereby
moving the valve stem to the left to move the inner valve plug 97 to its mating
relation with the valve seat 102 and thereafter to move the main valve plug 95
to its mating relation with the main valve seat 92 to fu~ly close the valve. The
cam roll bearing 114, will move out of the slot 118 of the cam by riding up along
the surface 120.
V II . CON CL USIO N
The present invention provides a highly advantageous integrated system
for accomplishing a soot blowing operation within a public utility boiler or the
like. Each of the various components of the system facilitates ease of operation
for the overall system with maximum efficiency and worklife potential. In
particular7 the revolving roller assembly modular construction provides a highly
efYective and convenient apparatus for guiding the lanee tube into and out of
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the boiler with a minimum amount of friction. Moreover, the modular construction
affords an extremely straightforward means for maintaining the roller assembly
with minimum downtime and maximum convenience. All of the various features
for a soot blower, as described above, provide a highly advantageous soot blowing
operation to maximize the efficient operation of a boiler thereby achieving energy
conservation in the production oî energy.
The above-described preferred embodiment of the invention is meant
to be representative only as certain changes therein may be made by persons
skilled in the art without departing from the clear teachings of the invention.
10 Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in
determining the full scope of the invention.
