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Chain Flail Used to Clean Encrusted Water Mains
Author(s) -
Jurgenson John
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.1986.tb01171.x
Subject(s) - flail chest , materials science , composite material , engineering , medicine , anatomy
This article describes a chain flail that was invented for cleaning an 8‐inch water main. The flail consists of a center shaft drilled to fit on the root cutter driver of a high‐velocity‐jet sewer cleaner. Three steel ball bearings, 1 3/4 inch (35 mm) in diameter, are welded to a 3/8 inch × 1 3/8 inch (0.38 mm × 35 mm) chain at 120 degree intervals around the shaft. The diameter of the flail arc is 8.5 inches (220 mm). The root cutter drives the flail at speeds of 600–800 rpm. The flail is inserted into the main through a 2‐foot (0.6 m) cut‐out section. The flail travels forward at 20–25 fpm (0.10–0.13 m/s), and is withdrawn at about 10 fpm (0.05 m/s). Suggestions for use of the flail are presented.