US 12,422,203 B2
Flexible lance drive apparatus with autostroke function
Travis Watkins, Hesperus, CO (US); Jeffery R. Barnes, Ignacio, CO (US); Daniel Szabo, Durango, CO (US); and Cody R. Montoya, Aztec, NM (US)
Assigned to STONEAGE, INC., Durango, CO (US)
Filed by STONEAGE, INC., Durango, CO (US)
Filed on Jan. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/412,888.
Application 16/119,586 is a division of application No. 15/270,926, filed on Sep. 20, 2016, abandoned.
Application 18/412,888 is a continuation of application No. 17/959,237, filed on Oct. 3, 2022, granted, now 11,874,077.
Application 17/959,237 is a continuation of application No. 16/663,149, filed on Oct. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,460,257, issued on Oct. 4, 2022.
Application 16/663,149 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/119,586, filed on Aug. 31, 2018, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/751,423, filed on Oct. 26, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/240,169, filed on Oct. 12, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0410663 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. F28G 1/04 (2006.01); B08B 9/04 (2006.01); B08B 9/043 (2006.01); B65G 43/04 (2006.01); F28G 3/16 (2006.01); F28G 15/00 (2006.01); F28G 15/04 (2006.01)
CPC F28G 1/04 (2013.01) [B08B 9/043 (2013.01); B08B 9/0433 (2013.01); B65G 43/04 (2013.01); F28G 3/163 (2013.01); F28G 15/003 (2013.01); F28G 15/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automatic blockage sensor circuit for controlling a drive motor configured to advance and retract at least one flexible lance, the apparatus comprising:
a first pressure transducer communicatively coupled with a forward air port of the drive motor, the first pressure transducer configured to generate a first signal based on a pressure at the forward air port;
a second pressure transducer communicatively coupled with a reverse air port of the drive motor, the second pressure transducer configured to generate a second signal based on a pressure at the reverse air port;
a microcontroller connected to the first pressure transducer and the second transducer, wherein the microcontroller is configured to:
determine a pressure differential while the drive motor is conveying the at least one flexible lance in a first direction, the pressure differential based on the first signal and the second signal,
compare the pressure differential to a threshold pressure, and
selectively energize a solenoid valve based on a result of the comparison, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to reverse pneumatic pressure connections to the drive motor when energized.