US 12,345,483 B2
Flexible tube cleaning lance positioner frame apparatus
Matthew B. Hastey, Durango, CO (US); Cody R. Montoya, Aztec, NM (US); and Joseph A. Schneider, Durango, CO (US)
Assigned to STONEAGE, INC., Durango, CO (US)
Filed by STONEAGE, INC., Durango, CO (US)
Filed on Jul. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/228,279.
Application 18/228,279 is a continuation of application No. 16/996,689, filed on Aug. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,713,932.
Prior Publication US 2024/0027149 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F28G 1/16 (2006.01); F28G 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC F28G 1/163 (2013.01) [F28G 15/02 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A frame apparatus for holding a flexible lance positioning and drive device adjacent to and spaced from a heat exchanger tube sheet, the apparatus comprising:
a guide rail;
a positioner support rail supported from the guide rail; and
a positioner support rail carriage movably mounted on the guide rail;
a flexible lance drive support carriage movably mounted on the positioner support rail; and
an air motor drive assembly fastened to the positioner support rail carriage and an air motor drive assembly fastened to the flexible lance drive support carriage, each air motor drive assembly comprising an air motor having an air motor shaft driving a gear reducer that drives a spur gear in a spur gear housing fastened to one of the flexible lance drive support carriage and the positioner support rail carriage, wherein:
each spur gear housing is selectively rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position,
the spur gear of the positioner support rail carriage engages the guide rail in the locked position and disengages the guide rail in the unlocked position, and
the spur gear of the flexible lance drive support carriage engages the positioner support rail in the locked position and disengages the positioner support rail in the unlocked position.