Gregory R Calhoun

US Patent:

45718024, Feb 25, 1986

Filed:

Apr 30, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/605351

Inventors:

Gregory L. Calhoun - Apollo PA
Michael G. Brunner - Pittsburgh PA
Kevin L. Fields - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B23P 1526

US Classification:

291573R

Abstract:

Both an apparatus and a process for pulling tubes from a tubesheet with two relatively movable gripping means are disclosed herein. The apparatus of the invention is a tube puller which has upper and lower gripping means for gripping the section of the tube surrounded by the tubesheet. The two gripping means are mechanically linked together by means of an extendable connecting assembly. This assembly includes an outer sleeve where the lower gripping means is located, and a middle sleeve where the upper gripping means is located which is slidable a predetermined distance within the outer sleeve. In the process of the invention, a tube puller as heretofore described is inserted into the mouth of a tube. The lower gripping means is then engaged to the mouth of the tube. The upper gripping means is then engaged in a section of the tube beyond the tube mouth with the extendable connecting assembly in a contracted position.