Padeye or Tie-Down Cleaning System

Abstract

A padeye cleaning system includes a housing having an outlet designed to be positioned in communication with the opening in a padeye cover with a media inlet for introducing a pressurized media flow into the housing and through both the housing and the opening in the padeye cover for releasing a pressurized media flow into the padeye receptacle. A media exhaust port is provided for removing the released media flow from the receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A padeye cleaning system adapted for utilizing a pressurized particulate media flow as a cleaning agent, the system, comprising:
 a. a housing having a housing outlet opening designed to be positioned in communication with the opening in a padeye of the type being substantially flush mounted and having a recessed receptacle;   b. a media inlet for introducing a pressurized media flow into the housing and through both the housing and the opening in the padeye;   c. a media outlet for releasing the pressurized media flow into the receptacle; and   d. a media exhaust port for removing the released media flow from the receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 1 , further including a closed loop recirculating system wherein the exhausted media is reintroduced in the inlet pressurized media flow. 
     
     
         3 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the media inlet comprises a conduit extending through the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 3 , wherein the conduit is rotatable relative to the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 3 , wherein the conduit is axially movable relative to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 3 , wherein the conduit is rotatable and axially movable relative to the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 1 , the media outlet further including a nozzle for directing the media flow into the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle directs the media flow upward in the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle is positioned above the padeye and the nozzle directs the media down toward the upper surface of the padeye. 
     
     
         10 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 9 , wherein the nozzle is adapted for also directing media to an area surrounding the padeye. 
     
     
         11 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle directs the media flow horizontally in the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle directs the media flow downward in the receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The padeye system of  claim 1 , further including a seal between the housing outlet and the surface flush with the padeye top. 
     
     
         14 . The padeye system of  claim 13 , wherein the seal is a metal-to-metal seal. 
     
     
         15 . The padeye system of  claim 13 , wherein the seal is a resilient seal. 
     
     
         16 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 1 , further including a wheeled carriage for supporting the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 16 , further including an adjustment means for adjusting the distance between the housing and the padeye. 
     
     
         18 . A padeye cleaning system, comprising:
 a. a housing having a housing outlet opening designed to be positioned in communication with the opening in a padeye having a padeye cover and a receptacle;   b. a media inlet for introducing a pressurized media flow into the housing and through both the housing and the opening in the padeye;   c. a media outlet for releasing the pressurized media flow into the receptacle;   d. a media exhaust port for removing the released media flow from the receptacle; and   e. a wheeled carriage for supporting the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 18 , further including a closed loop recirculating system wherein the exhausted media is reintroduced in the inlet pressurized media flow. 
     
     
         20 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 18 , wherein the media inlet comprises a conduit extending through the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 20 , wherein the conduit is rotatable relative to the housing. 
     
     
         22 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 20 , wherein the conduit is axially movable relative to the housing. 
     
     
         23 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 22 , wherein axial movement of the conduit is functional to change the vertical position of the media outlet. 
     
     
         24 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 18 , the media outlet further including a nozzle for directing the media flow into the receptacle. 
     
     
         25 . The padeye system of  claim 18 , further including a seal between the housing outlet and the padeye cover. 
     
     
         26 . A padeye cleaning system, comprising:
 a. a housing having a housing outlet opening designed to be positioned in communication with the opening in a padeye having a padeye cover and a receptacle;   b. a media inlet conduit extending through the housing for introducing a pressurized media flow into the housing and through both the housing and the opening in the padeye;   c. a media outlet nozzle for releasing a directed pressurized media flow into the receptacle;   d. a media exhaust conduit port for removing the released media flow from the receptacle; and   e. a closed loop whereby the exhausted released media is reintroduced into the media inlet conduit.   
     
     
         27 . The padeye cleaning system of  claim 26 , further including a wheeled carriage for supporting the housing. 
     
     
         28 . The padeye system of  claim 28 , further including a seal between the housing outlet and the padeye cover.