Claims
- 1. Apparatus for extracting a heat exchanger tube assembly from a heat exchanger shell, comprising:
- an extractor frame;
- an extractor body movable with respect to the extractor frame and having a force transmitting member for connection to the heat exchanger tube assembly;
- an extraction drive member for linearly moving the extractor body with respect to the extractor frame;
- a plurality of rollers each secured to the extractor frame for supporting the extractor frame and the extractor body for manipulating the apparatus relative to the heat exchanger shell;
- a plurality of positioning drive motors each for rotating a selected one of the plurality of rollers to position the extractor frame and the extractor body with respect to the heat exchanger shell;
- a controller for selectively controlling actuation of each of the plurality of positioning drive motors independently of others of the plurality to drive motors and thereby rotate selected ones of the plurality of rollers for manipulating the apparatus relative to the heat exchanger shell.
- 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of powered steering units each for controlling pivotable orientation of a respective roller with respect to the extractor frame in response to the control means to steer the apparatus.
- 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of fluid powered cylinders secured to the extractor frame and each having a ground engaging pad for raising the extractor body to a desired elevation with respect to the heat exchanger shell for extracting the tube assembly.
- 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the force transmitting member comprises:
- a push/pull plate pivotably connected to an extractor body support and pivotable between a pull position for removal of the heat exchanger tube assembly and a push position for insertion of the heat exchanger tube assembly.
- 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
- the extractor frame including a plurality of spreader bar securing members; and
- a spreader bar for interconnecting with the spreader bar securing member for supporting the extractor frame and the extractor body from the spreader bar.
- 6. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the extractor body further comprises:
- an extractor body support; and
- an A-frame assembly pivotably connected to the extractor body support and positionable between an operable position for extracting the heat exchanger tube bundle at least partially from the heat exchanger shell, and an inoperable position whereby the A-frame assembly is pivoted away from the heat exchanger shell to increase the overall usable length of the assembly.
- 7. Apparatus for extracting a heat exchanger tube assembly from a heat exchanger shell and for reinstalling a heat exchanger tube assembly into the heat exchanger shell, comprising:
- an extractor frame;
- an extractor body movable with respect to the extractor frame and having a force transmitting member for connection to the heat exchanger tube assembly;
- an extraction drive member for linearly moving the extractor body with respect to the extractor frame;
- a plurality of rollers each secured to the extractor frame for supporting the extractor frame and the extractor body;
- a plurality of positioning drive motors each for powering a respective one of the plurality of rollers for manipulating the apparatus relative to the heat exchanger shell; and
- a plurality of powered steering units each for controlling pivotable orientation of a respective roller with respect to the extractor frame; and
- controller for actuating selected ones of the plurality of positioning drive motors and selected ones of the plurality of powered steering units to position the extractor frame and extractor body relative to the heat exchanger shell, the controller including a forward/reverse control for selectively actuating the respective positioning drive motor independently of others of the plurality of positioning drive motors to control both forward and reverse rotation of the respective roller.
- 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising:
- a plurality of fluid powered cylinders secured to the extractor frame and each having a ground engaging pad for raising the extractor frame and the extractor body to a desired elevation with respect to the heat exchanger shell for extraction and reinstalling the tube assembly.
- 9. The apparatus as define in claim 7, further comprising:
- an extractor body support; and
- an A-frame assembly pivotably connected to the extractor body support and positionable between an operable position for extracting the heat exchanger tube bundle at least partially from the heat exchanger shell, and an inoperable position whereby the A-frame assembly is pivoted away from the heat exchanger shell to increase the overall usable length of the assembly.
- 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the extractor body force transmittal member comprises:
- a push/pull plate pivotably connected to the extractor body support and positionable in a pull position for positioning behind a heat exchanger flange for extraction of the heat exchanger tube assembly, and in a push position for engaging the front of the heat exchanger flange for reinsertion of the heat exchanger tube assembly.
- 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising:
- an elongate carriage member for supporting the extractor body; and
- a selected one of a plurality of attachment end members for selective interconnection with the elongate carriage member and for interconnecting the extractor body and the heat exchanger tube assembly.
- 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the extraction drive member comprises:
- a plurality of extraction drive units each for linearly moving the extractor body relative to the extractor frame; and
- a plurality of rack and pinion assemblies each for cooperating with a respective extraction drive unit for linearly moving the extractor body relative to the extractor frame.
- 13. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising:
- one or more scissor jack assemblies for selectively elevating a supporting pad with respect to the extractor frame to support the heat exchanger tube assembly when removed from the heat exchanger shell.
- 14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, further comprising:
- each of the one or more scissor jack assemblies being movable laterally with respect to the extractor frame; and
- one or more guide mechanisms each for guiding a respective one of the one or more scissor jack assemblies during lateral movement with respect to the extractor frame.
Parent Case Info
This is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 08/192,370, filed on Feb. 7, 1994, is now U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,271.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
192370 |
Feb 1994 |
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