IP Library Granted Patent US 7,624,470
Granted Patent B2
US 7,624,470 · App. 10/919,857 · Granted Dec 1, 2009

Heat exchange coil cleaning apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,624,470
App. No.
10/919,857
Granted
Dec 1, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a heat exchange coil includes a gas-dispensing member having a cavity for carrying a gas and at least one orifice in communication with the cavity. An actuating device which couples to the gas dispensing member and moves the gas dispensing member relative to a coil such that the gas dispensed from the gas dispensing member through the at least one orifice removes dust and debris from the coil. A timer initiates operation of the gas-dispensing member and the actuating device at given time intervals.

Claims (43)

1. A cleaning system for cleaning a heat exchange coil, comprising

a heat exchange coil;

a gas-dispensing member having a cavity for carrying a gas and at least one orifice in communication with the cavity, wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having portions, which are coplanar and parallel;

an actuating device which couples to the gas dispensing member and moves the gas dispensing member relative to the coil such that the gas dispensed from the gas dispensing member through the at least one orifice removes dust and debris from the coil; and

a timer which initiates operation of the gas dispensing member and the actuating device at given time intervals.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having an adjustable length.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the gas-dispensing member communicates with a regulator, which controls a pressure of, dispensed gas.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 , further comprising a flexible tube connecting the regulator output to the gas-dispensing device.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having a shape which bounds a perimeter of the coil.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one solenoid, which controls gas, flow between the gas dispensing member and a supply.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the actuating device and the gas-dispensing member share a gas supply.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a contact switch mounted on the gas-dispensing member, which reactivates the timer when the gas-dispensing member reaches a position.

9. The system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising an additional tube for dispensing cleaning agent onto the coil.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the actuating device includes at least one pneumatic cylinder.

11. A cleaning system for cleaning a heat exchange coil, comprising

a heat exchange coil;

a gas-dispensing member having a cavity for carrying a gas and at least one orifice in communication with the cavity;

an actuating device which couples to the gas dispensing member and moves the gas dispensing member relative to the coil such that the gas dispensed from the gas dispensing member through the at least one orifice removes dust and debris from the coil;

a dust and debris collecting device that collects the dust and debris removed from the coil; and

a timer which initiates operation of the gas dispensing member, the collecting device and the actuating device at given time intervals.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having an adjustable length.

13. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having a shape which bounds a perimeter of the coil.

14. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having portions, which are coplanar and parallel.

15. The system as recited in claim 11 , further comprising at least one solenoid, which controls gas, flow between the gas dispensing member and a supply.

16. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the actuating device includes at least one pneumatic cylinder.

17. The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein the actuating device and the gas-dispensing member share a gas supply.

18. The system as recited in claim 11 , further comprising a contact switch mounted on the gas-dispensing member, which reactivates the timer when the gas-dispensing member reaches a position.

19. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the collecting device includes a dust collecting material disposed on an opposite side of the coil from the gas-dispensing member.

20. The system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the collecting device includes an irrigation system for maintaining the dust collecting material in a wet state.

21. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the collecting device includes a suction tube disposed on an opposite side of the coil from the gas-dispensing member.

22. The system as recited in claim 21 , wherein the collecting device includes orifices directed in a plurality of different directions.

23. The system as recited in claim 11 , further comprising an additional tube for dispensing cleaning agent onto the coil.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the gas-dispensing member communicates with a regulator, which controls a pressure of, dispensed gas.

25. The system as recited in claim 24 , further comprising a flexible tube connecting the regulator output to the gas-dispensing device.

26. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a heat exchange coil, comprising

a gas-dispensing member having a cavity for carrying a gas and at least one orifice in communication with the cavity;

an actuating device which couples to the gas dispensing member and moves the gas dispensing member relative to a coil such that the gas dispensed from the gas dispensing member through the at least one orifice removes dust and debris from the coil;

a timer which initiates operation of the gas dispensing member and the actuating device at given time intervals; and

a contact switch mounted on the gas-dispensing member, which reactivates the timer when the gas-dispensing member reaches a position.

27. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a heat exchange coil, comprising

a gas-dispensing member having a cavity for carrying a gas and at least one orifice in communication with the cavity;

an actuating device which couples to the gas dispensing member and moves the gas dispensing member relative to a coil such that the gas dispensed from the gas dispensing member through the at least one orifice removes dust and debris from the coil wherein the gas-dispensing member includes a tube having portions, which are coplanar and parallel; and

a timer which initiates operation of the gas dispensing member and the actuating device at given time intervals.

Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060037736A1 · Feb 23, 2006