Inflatable spreading tool

Abstract

Method of performing a maintenance operation on a process equipment having at least one bundle of elongated members that includes providing an inflatable spreading tool in a deflated condition, inserting the inflatable spreading tool between at least two of the elongated members, inflating the inflatable spreading tool so as to increase the separation between the elongated members. A system for use in facilitating a maintenance operation on a process equipment having at least one bundle of elongated members is also provided.

1 . A method of performing an operation on a process equipment having at least one bundle of elongated members comprising:
 (a) providing an inflatable spreading tool in a deflated condition;   (b) inserting the inflatable spreading tool between at least two adjacent elongated members, the adjacent elongated members being spaced an initial distance from each other;   (c) inflating the inflatable spreading tool to increase the distance between the adjacent elongated members.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including inserting a device between the adjacent elongated members, and subsequently deflating the inflatable spreading tool. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the device is an anti-vibration technology (AVT) device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the process equipment is a heat exchanger and the elongated members are tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable spreading tool includes a flat tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the flat tubular member is a flat hose. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the flat tubular member is a flat metallic tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable spreading tool is inflated with a gas. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable spreading tool is inflated with a liquid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable spreading tool includes a rigid strip to facilitate insertion between two adjacent elongated members. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the inflatable spreading tool is welded to form a closed end. 
     
     
         12 . A system for use in an operation on a process equipment having at least one bundle of elongated members comprising:
 an inflatable spreading tool including a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the tubular member having a deflated state and an inflated state; the tubular member sized to fit between at least two adjacent elongated members when deflated, the two adjacent elongated members being spaced an initial distance from each other, the inflatable spreading tool further including a coupling for fluid communication with a pressurizing source to inflate the tubular member to the inflated state, the tubular member capable of increasing the distance between the adjacent elongated members when the tubular member is in the inflated state.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a device sized to fit between at least two of the adjacent elongated members when the tubular member is in the inflated state. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the device is an anti-vibration technology (AVT) device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated members are tubes for a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is selected from a gas. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is selected from a liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular member is selected from a flat hose and a flat metallic tube. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular member is connected to a rigid strip to facilitate insertion between to adjacent elongated members. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a distal end of the inflatable spreading tool is welded to form a closed end.