Electrically heated pipe thawing apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for thawing a pipe having a frozen blockage therein, the apparatus including a self-contained unit on wheels, the unit including a tank for holding water, an electric immersion heater in the tank for heating the water to a temperature of 100.degree.-150.degree. F., a pump supported on the unit, a foot switch connected to the pump, a pressure control connected to the pump, a reel of flexilbe polyurethane hose and a reel of return hose mounted on respective sides of the tank, and a conical coupling for connecting to one end of the frozen pipe, the coupling including a compression fitting for engaging around the flexible hose, and a T-shaped return fitting for connecting to the return hose. The flexible hose is pushed through the compression fitting towards the frozen blockage and emits a stream of water under pressure from the pump that erodes and eliminates the frozen blockage, and return water is pushed from the blockage back to the return fitting and through the return hose to the container thereby providing a closed loop system. A pressure relief and bypass valve connects the outlet side of the pump to the container through a bypass line. The system operates on ordinary house current. The closed loop system provides for no fluid leakage between the pipe, hoses and the container.