US 12,214,389 B2
Auto-indexing lance positioner apparatus and system
Joseph A. Schneider, Durango, CO (US); Adam Christopher Markham, Durango, CO (US); Scott Howell, Durango, CO (US); Daniel Szabo, Durango, CO (US); Cody Montoya, Aztec, NM (US); Jeffery R. Barnes, Ignacio, CO (US); and Cooper Hanley, Durango, CO (US)
Assigned to STONEAGE, INC., Durango, CO (US)
Filed by STONEAGE, INC., Durango, CO (US)
Filed on Aug. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/238,935.
Application 18/238,935 is a continuation of application No. 18/075,186, filed on Dec. 5, 2022, granted, now 11,738,378.
Application 18/075,186 is a continuation of application No. 17/004,934, filed on Aug. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,517,947, issued on Dec. 6, 2022.
Application 17/004,934 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/662,762, filed on Oct. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,441,856, issued on Sep. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/751,423, filed on Oct. 26, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0405646 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B08B 9/043 (2006.01); B08B 9/047 (2006.01); F28G 1/16 (2006.01); F28G 15/04 (2006.01); B08B 9/04 (2006.01); F28G 15/00 (2006.01); F28G 15/08 (2006.01)
CPC B08B 9/0433 (2013.01) [B08B 9/047 (2013.01); F28G 1/163 (2013.01); F28G 15/04 (2013.01); B08B 9/04 (2013.01); F28G 15/003 (2013.01); F28G 15/08 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flexible lance tractor drive apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a drive motor sensor coupled with at least one drive motor in the housing, wherein the drive motor sensor is configured to determine a first position of at least one flexible hose based on rotation of the at least one drive motor as it provides a driving force to convey the at least one flexible hose; and
a lance position assembly fastened to an end wall of the housing, the lance position assembly comprising:
a sensor roller having a roller portion adapted to engage at least one flexible lance hose passing through the housing and a magnetic ring portion; and
a magnetic sensor module operable to determine a second position of the at least one flexible hose based on magnetic field fluctuations in the sensor roller as the sensor roller moves along the at least one flexible lance hose, wherein conveyance of the at least one flexible hose is controlled based on the first position and the second position.