Detonative cleaning apparatus mounting system

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning a surface within a vessel has an elongate combustion conduit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. The downstream end is associated with an aperture in the wall of the vessel and is positioned to direct a shockwave toward the surface. At least one hanger supports the combustion conduit at least one location along a length of the combustion conduit. A penetration conduit is positioned between the wall aperture and an associated portion of the combustion conduit. Means couple the combustion conduit to the penetration conduit so as to accommodate relative longitudinal movement and/or relative angular movement.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning a surface within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate combustion conduit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end associated with an aperture in a wall of the vessel and positioned to direct a shock wave toward said surface;   means for movably supporting the combustion conduit at one or more locations along a length of the combustion conduit;   a penetration conduit between the wall aperture and an associated portion of the combustion conduit; and   means for coupling the combustion conduit to the penetration conduit so as to accommodate at least one of relative longitudinal movement and relative angular movement.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the means for coupling accommodates both said relative longitudinal movement and said relative angular movement.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the means for coupling accommodates said relative longitudinal movement via a slip fit; and   the means for coupling accommodates the relative angular movement via flexing.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the means for coupling permits at least 0.1 m of said relative longitudinal movement and at least 1° of said relative angular movement, said relative angular movement being about a transverse horizontal axis.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein:
 the means for coupling provides no more than 1.0 m of said relative longitudinal movement and no more than 5° of said relative angular movement.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for coupling comprises:
 a bellows having an upstream end and a downstream end;   a plate secured to the bellows upstream end and having an aperture accommodating the combustion conduit in a slip fit; and   an upstream end flange of said penetration conduit secured to the bellows downstream end.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein:
 the plate is formed in exactly two segments.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein:
 the means for coupling further comprises a fibrous layer surrounding the combustion conduit within the bellows and the penetration conduit.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 means for restraining the combustion conduit against thrust movement.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the means for restraining comprises:
 at least two struts coupling the combustion conduit to a fixed building structure.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 each of the struts comprises a damper.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the dampers are hydraulic dampers.   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein:
 the dampers are resilient non-hydraulic dampers.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the means for movably supporting comprises one or more spring hangers.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the combustion conduit comprises a plurality of segments assembled end-to-end.   
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for cleaning a surface within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate combustion conduit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end associated with an aperture in a wall of the vessel and positioned to direct a shock wave toward said surface;   one or more hangers supporting the combustion conduit at one or more locations along a length of the combustion conduit;   a penetration conduit between the wall aperture and an adjacent portion of the combustion conduit; and   an expansion joint coupling the combustion conduit to the penetration conduit so as to accommodate relative angular movement.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the expansion joint is an elastomeric expansion joint.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the expansion joint is a metallic expansion joint.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein:
 the expansion joint has a downstream flange secured to an upstream flange of the penetration conduit;   the expansion device has an upstream flange secured to an apertured plate accommodating the combustion conduit in a slip fit having smaller clearance than a clearance between the combustion conduit and the penetration conduit.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising:
 means for transferring a recoil force to building structure bypassing the vessel wall.   
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein:
 the means comprise a vertically sliding engagement with the building structure.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein:
 the means comprise a resilient damper.   
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein:
 the means for transferring a recoil force includes a plurality of elastomer bumpers.   
   
   
       24 . An apparatus for cleaning a surface within a vessel, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate combustion conduit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end associated with an aperture in a wall of the vessel and positioned to direct a shock wave toward said surface;   one or more hangers supporting the combustion conduit at one or more locations along a length of the combustion conduit;   a penetration conduit between the wall aperture and an adjacent portion of the combustion conduit;   an expansion joint coupling the combustion conduit to the penetration conduit so as to accommodate relative angular movement; and   a damping unit for restraining the combustion conduit against thrust movement including a plurality of elastomer bumpers arranged on a rod, the rod engaging at least two struts coupling the combustion conduit to a fixed building structure.