Multiple Distributors Supported For Relative Motion Or On Different Axes (one May Be Stationary) Patents (Class 239/243)
  • Patent number: 11457792
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a spray arm, and a spray arm. The spray arm includes an arm body that defines a plurality of channels that are partitioned from each other and that are configured to carry washing water and a plurality of spray holes configured to discharge washing water from the plurality of channels toward the washing objects. The spray arm further includes a chamber disposed vertically below the arm body and configured to communicate with the plurality of channels; a channel guider configured to supply washing water from the spray arm holder to the chamber; and a channel switch unit accommodated in the chamber and configured to open and close at least a portion of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Byeonghyeon Ju, Daegyu Kim, Seyoung Woo, Taehee Lee, Joonho Pyo
  • Patent number: 11375872
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber with an access opening, a sump fluidly coupled to the tub, and a liquid recirculation circuit fluidly coupling the sump to the treating chamber. The liquid recirculation circuit includes at least one rotating spray tube having a longitudinal body axis defining a rotational axis. The at least one rotating spray tube comprises a hollow tube having first and second opposing ends with the first end fluidly coupled to the liquid recirculation circuit and the second end comprising a drain valve. The hollow tube has a single wall and a longitudinal body axis defining a rotational axis and plurality of spray nozzles are arranged about the longitudinal body axis on an exterior of the single wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick T. Roderick, Antony M. Rappette, Daniel Lottinville, David Brightbill, Matthew Jaske, Rodney Welch, Michael Lagness
  • Patent number: 10130070
    Abstract: A washing machine (1) for washing animal cages and/or other equipment or accessories used in animal facilities and/or in research laboratories, comprising a washing chamber (2); a plurality of rods (3) arranged inside the washing chamber (2) and designed for spraying a fluid on a load to be washed, each rod (3) comprising a plurality of nozzles (4) for the inlet of said fluid in said washing chamber (2); pumping means associated with the rods (3) to feed the fluid to the nozzles (4); the machine 1 comprises a maximum of six of such rods (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: IWT S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luciano Savoia
  • Patent number: 9179818
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a spray arm assembly. The spray arm assembly defines an orifice for directing liquid out of the spray arm assembly. The orifice can selectively receive a nozzle with a particular outlet geometry. By selectively receiving the nozzle, a spray pattern of liquid exiting the orifice can be changed by replacing or modifying the nozzle without remanufacturing or replacing the spray arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Charles Boyer, Errin Whitney Gnadinger, Ronald Scott Tarr, Satish Kumar Raju Buddharaju
  • Patent number: 8840043
    Abstract: A rotary atomization coating device is provided with a rotary atomizing head including a paint storage and adapted to atomize paint supplied to the paint storage and to discharge the paint onto a work, and a paint supplying nozzle adapted to supply the paint to the paint storage. The rotary atomizing head includes a plurality of bell cups. Each of the bell cups includes, at a front face thereof, a paint discharging face adapted to thin the paint by a centrifugal force. The rotary atomizing head includes a plurality of paint supplying holes corresponding to the respective bell cups. The paint supplying holes are adapted to supply the paint from the paint storage to the respective paint discharging faces. A plurality of grooves extending along a radial direction of the rotary atomizing head are formed at circumferential portions of the respective paint discharging faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakazono, Junichi Fukuno, Masayuki Yamaguchi, Yusuke Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8814061
    Abstract: A rotary nozzle cleaning apparatus is provided with an improved stem enabling an optimum flow of pressurized fluid while retaining structural strength. The stem is tubular in shape and formed with a series of triangular openings through the wall thereof. Alternating triangular openings are oriented with their apexes facing downstream of the fluid with interspersed openings oriented with their apexes facing upstream. The triangular openings are isosceles in configuration. The stem may be formed integral with an inlet cap of the cleaning apparatus or as a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Tank Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Delaney, Andrew K. Delaney, Bentley F. Gleeson, Suneeth D. A. Molugu
  • Patent number: 8727237
    Abstract: An adjustable sprinkler system distributes water from a garden hose through a feed housing to a pair of pivotally attached arms. There is a sprinkler unit attached near the end of each arm. Each sprinkler unit has an interchangeable spray head attached that is specific to the desired watering pattern. By pivoting the arms away from one another, the sprinkler system is placed on either side of the base of the shrub or tree to be watered. This adjustable sprinkler system accommodates newly planted and existing small to large and short to tall trees and shrubs, provides a multitude of spray patterns at varying water volumes, and minimizes water waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Mark R. Natterer
  • Patent number: 8505302
    Abstract: The present application provides a premixer for a combustor. The premixer may include a fuel plenum with a number of fuel tubes and a burner tube with a number of air tubes. The fuel tubes extend about the air tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Balachandar Naidu, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Ertan Yilmaz, Benjamin Lacy, Christian Stevenson, David Felling
  • Patent number: 8459573
    Abstract: A fluid effects apparatus for producing a water display or show. The apparatus includes a base with a center point gimbal mechanism and a fluid outlet manifold with an inlet for receiving fluid. The fluid outlet manifold is pivotally supported upon the center point gimbal mechanism and includes a nozzle manifold with a pivotally mounted nozzle for dispersing the received fluid and a nozzle drive assembly coupled to the nozzle that selectively rotates the nozzle about its rotation axis. The drive assembly includes a motor mounted to pivot with the fluid outlet manifold upon the center point gimbal. The drive assembly includes an output drive element of the motor that is coupled to the nozzle to selectively rotate the nozzle. The nozzle manifold includes a second nozzle and switching means for selectively directing the received fluid to one of the two nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evelyn S. Wiseman, Theodore R. Carlsson, Jennifer Magill, Michael A. Layman, William T. Slusser, Jason A. Badger, Matthew A. Cotter, Charles P. Davis
  • Patent number: 8403240
    Abstract: The invention discloses a rotary waterfall shower comprising a hollow body, transversely arranged vane wheels, a front cover arranged on the front end of the body in a sealing way and a water division member which is arranged in the body in a sealing way and can cause the vane wheels to rotate, a pinion wheel is fixedly arranged on the front end of the vane wheels in an axial direction and is meshed with output gear wheels distributed in a central symmetry way, and each output gear wheel can drive one rotary water discharge component arranged on the front end of the front cover to rotate horizontally. Water sprinkled out from the water outlet of the rotary waterfall shower can be dynamically rotated to form gainly clusters of spiral waterfall water blooms, and the shower has the effect of gentle massage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tianyu Chen
  • Patent number: 8327642
    Abstract: The present application provides a premixer for a combustor. The premixer may include a fuel plenum with a number of fuel tubes and a burner tube with a number of air tubes. The fuel tubes extend about the air tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Balachandar Varatharajan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Ertan Yilmaz, Benjamin Lacy, Christian Stevenson, David Felling
  • Publication number: 20120298772
    Abstract: A spray assembly includes a power source, a motion control mechanism such as a cam box, and at least one spray head structured to apply a coating to a plurality of can ends. Each spray head includes a mounting member, a pivot member, a gun assembly including a plurality of spray guns, and a transfer mechanism for transferring a predetermined motion induced by the cam box from the cam box to the pivot member. Each of the spray guns applies the coating to the can ends in accordance with the predetermined motion. Preferably the predetermined motion as an oscillating motion transferred to the pivot member by belts, thereby oscillating the spray guns. The spray assembly may include a plurality of spray heads, wherein can ends of the same or different sizes are transferred in lanes to a corresponding one of the spray heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: DENNIS C. STAMMEN
  • Patent number: 8133328
    Abstract: A rotary apparatus and method is provided for cleaning liquid storage tanks, particularly above ground tanks. The rotary cleaning apparatus includes a Tee housing that is rotated around a vertical axis and a nozzle housing mounted to the Tee housing for rotation around a horizontal axis, resulting in a 360° spherical spray pattern. A set of downspray nozzles is mounted to the Tee housing at an angle to the vertical axis to rotate with the housing and generate a conical spray pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus draws liquid stored in the tank through a filter and pumps the filtered liquid through the rotary cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Gamajet Cleaning Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Delaney, Andrew K. Delaney, Bentley F. Gleeson, Minh Q. Le
  • Patent number: 8079532
    Abstract: An energy efficient water sprinkler has a housing with primary and secondary water chambers each with a turning wheel for translating the force of impacting water to rotational motion of a central shaft journal. Water is forced through a central channel in the rotating shaft and discharged from the housing. A portion of the discharged water is directed to deflection fins on the outer surface of the housing to further impart rotational or energy to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Baird
  • Patent number: 7997513
    Abstract: The present invention provides an oscillating faucet structure of a dual-outlet system to improve the shortcomings of a typical faucet of a dual-outlet system. The faucet structure includes a main body, seat post and combined footstock. A hollow groove is assembled within the seat post at top of the main body and used to accommodate the first and second water regulators. The main body has first and oscillating outlet heads, which can freely oscillate for flexible regulation. The combined footstock is assembled on top of the seat post of main body for mounting the second oscillating outlet head, thus enabling easy removal, repair or replacement of defective components with improved applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Jui-Chien Chen, Jui-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 7775220
    Abstract: A parts washer having a cleaning chamber and a receptacle into which parts to be cleaned are placed. The receptacle is rotatably mounted within the cleaning chamber and is rotated by a drive device. One or more spray manifolds are provided, each having a plurality of spray jets arranged to spray cleaning fluid onto the parts in the receptacle. The spray manifolds are moveably mounted within the cleaning chamber and are coupled to the drive device such that the drive device causes reciprocating motion of the spray manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Earl Fenton Goddard
  • Publication number: 20100186785
    Abstract: A fluid inlet for a dishwasher configured to help manage acoustic emissions is provided. The fluid inlet includes a nozzle that defines a plurality of relatively small-diameter orifices and a plurality of relatively large-diameter orifices. The large diameter orifices may define a diverging cross-section. The relatively small-diameter orifices may be interspersed in a plurality of clusters between the relative larger diameter orifices. The fluid inlet may further include an enclosure defining a vertically descending channel from the nozzle toward a bottom of a tub of the dishwasher and one or more dampers within the enclosure such that the water exiting the nozzle cascades down onto and over the dampers and out of the enclosures through one or more outlets of the enclosure to the bottom of the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Charles A. Goodyear, Mario Ascander Colon
  • Publication number: 20100006670
    Abstract: A device for ejecting an at least diphasic mixture includes an injection inlet for a liquid and a gas, a distribution chamber for producing a first liquid-gas mixture, an ejection nozzle of the first liquid-gas mixture in a main direction defined by an axis-vector. The ejection nozzle has a geometry comprising, on its length at least, a minimal section or neck at a location of the axis-vector. Among others things, due to the nozzle geometry, the expansion obtained inside the ejection nozzle allows the first liquid-gas mixture from the distribution chamber to be converted into a second mixture, according to the flow configuration, consisting for instance of a diphasic mist jet having an ejection range and liquid particle size that can be controlled according to the liquid and gas mass flow and to the absolute pressure at the injection inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicants: SIEMENS S.A.S., L'UNIVERSITE JOSEPH FOURNIER, LE CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHE SCIENTIFIQUE-LEGI
    Inventors: Thibaut Bourrilhon, Bernard Dusser, Patrick Fernandes, Jean-Paul Thibault
  • Patent number: 7624935
    Abstract: A water distribution plate and diffuser plate assembly for distributing a stream emitted from a sprinkler nozzle includes: a nonrotatable shaft having one end attached to a sprinkler component and an opposite end supporting first and second plates in axially spaced relationship for rotation about the shaft independent of one another. The first plate is axially adjacent the nozzle and formed with plural water distribution grooves shaped and arranged to divide a single primary stream emitted from the nozzle into a plurality of secondary streams. The second plate is downstream of the first plate and formed with plural diffuser elements arranged to be struck by at least some of the secondary streams exiting the first plate. The speed of rotation of one or both plates is slowed by viscous damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Nelson, George L. Sesser, Patrick T. Barry
  • Patent number: 7617992
    Abstract: An irrigation system (10) includes one or more alignment guides (38) and an irrigation unit (20). The irrigation unit (20) directs irrigation fluid (19) to at least a portion of an irrigation region (30). The irrigation unit (20) includes a nozzle (220), a sensor (260) that senses a change in position of a portion of the irrigation unit (20) relative to the alignment guides (38), and a unit control system (240). The sensor (260) can be an infrared sensor. The unit control system (240) receives information from the sensor (260) regarding the change in position and adjusts a flow rate of irrigation fluid (19) through the nozzle (220) and/or a position of the nozzle (220) relative to the alignment guides (38). The alignment guides (38) can be formed from a heat absorbing material that is sensed by the sensor (260).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Norman Ivans
  • Patent number: 7566012
    Abstract: A multi-functional sprinkling apparatus structure comprises an outlet mount with support lugs to fix on top of a water motor, and a water-guiding member transversely mounted to assembly holes of the support lugs. The assembly holes have water ducts fluidly connected to water-inlet passages of the water-guiding member. A rotary member with a channel and a water shield with actuation holes are pivotally mounted to the middle section of the water-guiding member. The channel of the rotary member has multiple outlets with spray nozzles attached thereto to generate various sprays, and recesses to engage with a movable elastic element mounted to the water-guiding member. The rotary member can be switched to change the outlet matching to a water-discharge orifice of the water-guiding member for a certain spray. The water shield can be bent to one side to adjust the angle of the water-guiding member and the rotary member for sprinkling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Yuan Mei Corp.
    Inventors: King Yuan Wang, Shun Nan Lo
  • Publication number: 20090114739
    Abstract: A bodyspray assembly is disclosed that provides a pivotable spray head mounted essentially flush with the surrounding enclosure wall. In one embodiment, a special tool is provided to rotate a waterway housing, to selectively couple the waterway housing to a source from the front of the assembly. In another embodiment, rotation of a spray face assembly rotates a waterway housing, to selectively couple the waterway housing to a source from the front of the assembly. The bodyspray assembly provides ball and socket type articulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Michael R. Furseth
  • Patent number: 7494071
    Abstract: An energy efficient water sprinkler has a housing with primary and secondary water chambers each with a turning wheel for translating the force of impacting water to rotational motion of a central shaft journal. Water is forced through a central channel in the rotating shaft and discharged from the housing. A portion of the discharged water is directed to deflection fins on the outer surface of the housing to further impart rotational or energy to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Shamrock Research & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery D. Baird
  • Patent number: 7427038
    Abstract: A dual-axis rotating sprinkler has a nozzle, an adjusting assembly, a rotating assembly and an adapting tube. The adjusting assembly is attached to the nozzle. Pivoting the adjusting assembly easily changes the elevation angle of the nozzle to change the spray area. The rotating assembly is attached to the adjusting assembly. The adapting tube is mounted around the rotating assembly, connects to the water pipe to allow the water passing through the adapting tube and filling into the rotating assembly. The water drives the rotating assembly to rotate the adjusting assembly. Therefore, the dual-axis rotating sprinkler rotates by the rotating assembly to spray in all directions and can be pivoted by the adjusting assembly to change the spray area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventors: Po-Hsiung Wang, Tzu-Meng Wang
  • Publication number: 20080164343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor nozzle, in particular for high pressure devices, having a nozzle housing which has a swirl chamber between a rear inflow opening for a fluid, in particular water, and a front outlet opening, with a front end of a rotor, which is inclined during operation toward a longitudinal axis, being supported at a bearing, in particular a cup-shaped bearing, in said swirl chamber and being able to be driven by fluid flowing into the swirl chamber to make a rotary movement around the longitudinal axis such that the fluid exits the nozzle housing via the outlet opening in the form of a conical jet, and having a gravity circuit which includes at least one movable switching element and which switches between at least two different operating modes by movement of the rotor nozzle in the space, wherein the gravity circuit is arranged in the front region of the rotor nozzle downstream of the swirl chamber, wherein the switching element releases the outlet opening and closes a functional opening o
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Anton Jager
  • Patent number: 7246756
    Abstract: A water sprinkler for irrigating lawn and garden areas has two axes of movement, one transverse to the other. A barrel moves or oscillates on one horizontal axis to direct water spray from nozzles carried on the barrel across the length of the area, and the nozzle outlets also simultaneously move or oscillate on axes transverse to the barrel axis to spray water across the width of the area. As the nozzle outlets move or oscillate in the two transverse directions, the ground area is irrigated uniformly over time by application of water in a criss-cross pattern. The area sprayed can be surprisingly large compared with single-axis oscillators, or the area may be limited to a single row or a narrow rectangular area, by adjustment of the barrel and outlet movement and/or the water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 6836700
    Abstract: A method, program embodied on a computer readable medium, and various systems are provided for generating a process trajectory. A normalized image of an object is displayed on a display device of a computer system, the object including a surface that is to be processed using an end effector. A number of predefined trajectories are stored in a memory of the computer system, each of the predefined trajectories defining a motion of the end effector to process a surface of one of a number of spatial definitions. A trajectory generation system is implemented to generate the process trajectory for the end effector to process the surface of the object by associating at least one of the predefined trajectories with the normalized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Robotic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Greene, Larry S. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6745955
    Abstract: A spraying apparatus is disclosed for spraying coating material onto an internal wall of a cylindrical structure having an opening. The apparatus includes a spraying assembly which has a first and a second end. A support is secured to the spraying assembly, the support being selectively movable relative to the opening of the structure for permitting movement of the second end of the spraying assembly axially relative to the structure. A first conduit has a first and a second extremity, the first extremity of the first conduit being connected to a source of a first component of the coating material. The second extremity of the first conduit is connected to the second end of the spraying assembly. A second conduit has a first and a second termination, the first termination of the second conduit being connected to a further source of a second component of the coating material. The second termination of the second conduit is connected to the second end of the spraying assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Remote Orbital Installations Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kronz
  • Patent number: 6651681
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for process washing of a process device is provided. The process washing apparatus includes a washing device that moves inside the process device. A washing medium of the washing device is led at least partly inside a body of the washing device in order to lead the washing medium to a target. The washing medium is sprayed to the target by nozzles disposed in the body of the washing device. The apparatus includes first and second supply assemblies for supplying the washing medium to the nozzles. Flow of the washing medium to the first supply assembly is controlled independently of flow of the washing medium to the second supply assembly, and the supply assemblies are capable of moving independently of one another. A method of operating the apparatus including controlling the flow of the washing medium and moving the supply assemblies independently of each other is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Aarne Hurskainen
  • Patent number: 6629649
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts movement to a fluid dispersing nozzle with a mechanism for converting rotational movement about an axis of rotation into orbital movement about the axis of rotation, and an elongate orbital member is connectable to the mechanism at one end and is connectable to a fluid nozzle at an opposite end from the mechanism. The orbital member provides orbiting movement of the opposite end in response to rotation of the mechanism about the rotational axis, and provides stationary centered positioning of the opposite end in response to a non-rotating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Schultz, Scott Taylor
  • Patent number: 6263888
    Abstract: A rotary nozzle device is described. The device includes plural rotatable hollow links which are mutually passable through, a pump for feeding a pressurized fluid into the hollow links, and at least one fluid injection port in at least one hollow link of the nozzle. Moreover, the fluid is injected from the injection port while the hollow link is rotated by the force of the fluid pressurized by the pump, and the motion of the injection port is set in chaotic state by adjusting a structural characteristic of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Nomura, Noboru Wakami, Kazuyuki Aihara
  • Patent number: 6257254
    Abstract: A high pressure pump (14) supplies cleaning fluid from a reservoir (12) to spray nozzles (20) inside a washing chamber (10). The spray nozzles (20) spray the cleaning fluid over a load to be cleaned. Used cleaning fluid is collected in a sump (30). A sump pump (32) drains the sump. The combination of the high pressure pump and sump pump provides more efficient cleaning of the load and eliminates the requirement for a deep sump beneath the washer. A vertical traveler (22), having a pair of counterbalanced spray arms (24), raises and lowers the spray nozzles counter cyclically; a detergent injection system (50) accurately meters a correct amount of detergent is added to the cleaning fluid; and a filtration device (34) filters suspended material from the used cleaning fluid and uses a portion of the cleaning fluid to clean itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Steris Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Rochette, Michel Lemay, Yves-André Theriault, Michel Emond, Mario Duchaine, Ghislain Parent, Nathalie Thibault
  • Patent number: 5944037
    Abstract: A water spray apparatus for a tableware washing machine is provided. The water spray apparatus sprays water to tableware in a tableware washing machine in which a washing space is formed for washing the contained tableware with the sprayed water. The water spray apparatus includes a water spray having a plurality of nozzles, for spraying water while rotating and moving in such a non-circular pattern that a rotational radius varies along the inner walls of the tableware washing machine body enclosing the washing space. The water spray apparatus can spray water to the corners which are dead zones when the rotary spray rotates and sprays water in the washing space. Thus, a washing effect of the tableware washing machine is enhanced and utility of the washing space is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim Sinyong, Jo Yungman
  • Patent number: 5871023
    Abstract: A fluid driven tank cleaning device is provided. The device includes an inlet that connects to a source of cleaning solution under pressure and a stem coupled to the inlet having a fluid receiving chamber. A hermetically sealed gear box is also provided which is coupled to the stem and has a secondary chamber separated from the receiving chamber by a common wall. A primary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the fluid receiving chamber is driven by an impeller which rotates in response to fluid entering the fluid receiving chamber. The primary drive shaft is magnetically coupled to a secondary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber. A gear train reduces the speed of the secondary shaft. A first output shaft rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber is connected to the secondary drive shaft via the gear train. The output shaft is magnetically coupled to a second output shaft which rotates a main housing relative to the stem about a first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Butterworth Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Sherman, Jr., Daniel G. Elko
  • Patent number: 5640983
    Abstract: A fluid driven tank cleaning device is provided. The device includes an inlet that connects to a source of cleaning solution under pressure and a stem coupled to the inlet having a fluid receiving chamber. A hermetically sealed gear box is also provided which is coupled to the stem and has a secondary chamber separated from the receiving chamber by a common wall. A primary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the fluid receiving chamber is driven by an impeller which rotates in response to fluid entering the fluid receiving chamber. The primary drive shaft is magnetically coupled to a secondary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber. A gear train reduces the speed of the secondary shaft. A first output shaft rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber is connected to the secondary drive shaft via the gear train. The output shaft is magnetically coupled to a second output shaft which rotates a main housing relative to the stem about a first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Butterworth Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Sherman, Jr., Daniel G. Elko
  • Patent number: 5603452
    Abstract: A stationary spreader (10) which is activated in response to a signal from a sensor (118) indicating a condition of the adjacent ground surface, is described. The stationary spreader includes a bin (12), a spreader housing (34) and a control box (106) which are removably mounted together. The bin holds the material to be spread and preferably has a stirrer (16) and an auger (18) which both act to move the material out of a dispensing opening (24) in the side (12D) of the bin. The spreader housing is mounted over the dispensing opening and includes a spreader assembly (38). The spreader assembly has a lifting motor (40), a pair of solenoids (62) and a spreader bucket (44). The lifting motor is mounted above and connected to the spreader bucket and acts along with the solenoids to vertically raise or lower the bucket. A spreader compartment (76) is located in the bottom of the bucket and houses the spreaders (86 and 88).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Harvey L. Hester
  • Patent number: 5441566
    Abstract: Methods and mechanisms for encrusting a load of coal to minimize loss of coal dust during transport of a coal load are provided. The mechanisms involve a device, apparatus, and injection unit for applying a rotating stream of aqueous binder composition with sufficient hydraulic force into a load of coal to create a thick protective crust. The binder composition may contain conventional binding agents, but preferably contains wood fibers for formation of the crust. The crust minimizes loss of coal during transport by providing a protective shield against air currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Jack M. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 5392990
    Abstract: A double-nozzle deluge gun has a pair of nozzles arranged side by side rotatably on a rotatable table and an inter-nozzle control unit for adjusting the inter-nozzle angle measured between two lines obtained by projecting the radiation center lines of the nozzles onto a horizontal plane. Each nozzle has a deflector which is positioned in front of the nozzle during the very short range mode. Each deflector has a side cover which prevents water having passed through the deflector from excessively spreading sideways. The inter-nozzle angle and the water pressure are adjusted in accordance with desired water-reaching ranges, so as to achieve an optimal watering pattern in any range. Thus, the double-nozzle deluge gun can be controlled in accordance with desired water-reaching ranges, so as to achieve an optimal watering pattern having an appropriate width in any range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hochiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Iwata, Toshihide Tsuji, Shuji Matsumoto, Katsuaki Tonomura
  • Patent number: 5346140
    Abstract: A spray gun mounting apparatus having a first reciprocal member and second and third spaced fixed members, whereby spray guns or attachment arms for spray guns may be selectably attached to two of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Eurotec Surface Coating System Ltd.
    Inventor: David H. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5328097
    Abstract: In order to reduce the undesired rotation of the nozzle body about its own longitudinal axis in a rotor nozzle for a high-pressure cleaning device comprising a casing having in a front wall a pot-shaped recess with a central opening therein, a nozzle body with a bore extending through it, the nozzle body being supported at a spherical end in the pot-shaped recess, extending in the longitudinal direction over part of the casing and having an outside diameter which is smaller than the inside diameter of the casing, and an inlet for a liquid opening tangentially into the casing and causing the liquid to rotate about the longitudinal axis in the casing so that the nozzle body rotates together with the rotating liquid and when doing so bears with a bearing surface at its circumference on the inside wall of the casing with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body at an incline to the longitudinal axis of the casing, it is proposed that the bearing surface of the nozzle body consist of a material with a coefficient
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Johann G. Wesch, Gerhard Dellert
  • Patent number: 5299743
    Abstract: A body spray nozzle is disclosed wherein the spray pattern can be easily adjusted and the nozzle can be oscillated in a support in a shower fixture. A movable valve element which is cup-shaped is positioned in a valve body and with the base thereof to the inlet side of a stationary valve element. Rotation of the movable valve element is effected from the front of the valve housing which directs different flow paths to a nozzle portion. Two or more of the body spray nozzles are interconnected with linkage members for oscillation by an oscillating source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Sieth, Michael D. Steinhardt, Kathleen S. DeKeyser, David K. Rische
  • Patent number: 5248094
    Abstract: A fluid jet cleaning system includes a nozzle body having an axis. A nozzle is adjustably mounted within the nozzle body, the nozzle disperses fluid streams along a centerline. An adjustment device adjusts a relative position between the centerline and the axis. The adjustment device includes longitudinally extendable rod members, configured to contact the nozzle to restrict motion of the nozzle towards each rod member. This adjustment system may be used in conjunction with regular fluid jet cutting systems or the abrasive cutting jet system. Abrasives are injected into the fluid within a chamber formed in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Jose P. Munoz
  • Patent number: 5103761
    Abstract: A plurality of paint spray guns are directed substantially perpendicularly toward respective vertically divided surfaces of a side panel of a workpiece such as an automotive body. The paint spray guns are spaced in a direction in which the workpiece is delivered and being disposed at different heights, respectively. Paint sprays are ejected from the paint spray guns toward the workpiece which is being delivered in the direction. Simultaneously, the paint spray guns are displaced back and forth perpendicularly to the direction and substantially parallel to the surfaces of the side panel to coat the surface respectively with the paint spray guns, thereby coating the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichirou Ishibashi, Kiyohiro Ichinose, Toru Yamamoto, Toshikazu Kashida
  • Patent number: 5092523
    Abstract: A fluid driven tank cleaning which includes a housing having a fluid receiving chamber, and inlet for connecting the receiving chamber to a source of fluid under pressure, and a secondary chamber separated from the receiving chamber by a common wall as a primary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the receiving chamber. A drive impeller is connected to the primary drive shaft and disposed within the inlet is provided for rotating the primary drive shaft in response to fluid entering the housing. A second drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber. A magnetic drive coupler is provided for magnetically coupling the primary shaft with the secondary shaft such that the secondary shaft will rotate in response to rotation of the primary shaft. A fluid nozzle assembly is rotatably mounted to the housing and is fluidly connected to the receiving chamber. A drive train is provided for rotating the fluid nozzle assembly in response to the rotation of the secondary shaft is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Sybron Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon A. Rucker, Bart D. Ancheta, Raymond H. Brown
  • Patent number: 4975189
    Abstract: In rotating disc filters used for example in the pulp and paper industry, one or more spray elements are positioned between adjacent discs to rotate about an axis parallel to the disc axis. This arrangement achieves greater washing coverage of the discs than prior systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventor: John A. Liszka
  • Patent number: 4930531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning the inside of a container.A rotor (10) has mounted on it at least one nozzle (12) oriented tangentially so as to cause the rotor to rotate when the said nozzle emits a jet (13) of liquid intended to clean the inside of the container. The rotor (10) is itself mounted on a rotating head (6) capable of rotating about an axis xx' not parallel with the axis yy' of the rotor, this head being provided with an auxiliary spout (7) which causes it to rotate about this axis xx', such that the whole of the inner surface of the container is scavenged. Preferably, the nozzle (12) and the auxiliary spout (7) are supplied with the same cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Tecnoma
    Inventor: Patrick J. Ballu
  • Patent number: 4872417
    Abstract: An automatic coating apparatus has a plurality of nozzle devices movable in X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions along tracks over a workpiece to be coated. One of the nozzle devices is displaceable with respect to the other nozzle device. Different coating materials are ejected from the nozzle devices toward the workpiece. Each of the nozzle devices has a nozzle which can be opened and closed by a valve operated by a cylinder mechanism. While a coating material is being ejected from one of the nozzle devices, the other nozzle device is closed. By thus selectively opening and closing the nozzle devices, the different coating materials can be coated successively on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takasi Kuwabara, Takeo Yoshiji, Masao Tegawa
  • Patent number: 4870921
    Abstract: A device for positioning a number of working implements, for example spray nozzles, to certain working or treatment point on a car body as the latter is supported by an overhead conveyor for travel between different working and assembly stations on a production line. The device comprises a vertically movable base structure and a working implement carrying frame movably supported on the base structure. Hydraulic jacks on the base structure are arranged to accomplish a vertical parallel movement of the frame up towad the underside of the car body until one of four contact sensors indicate contact with the later. A final vertical adjustment of the frame is accomplished by four vertical cylinders which raise the frame in a non-parallel movement until at least three of the four contact sensors indicate contact with the car body. The docking of the frame to the car body is completed by activating two expandable dowels which are introduced into openings in the car body bottom shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Dick L. Svensson, Claes-Erik Soderman
  • Patent number: 4805648
    Abstract: An automatic washing and sterilizing apparatus for a stable provided with shooting and spraying nozzles fixed on two cranes which can be moved right and left in the stable by means of two wires wound around wire drive wheels driven by a speed transmission system connected with motors. The nozzles are connected with pipes and valves to shoot or spray water or sterilizing solution selectively. The moving direction of the cranes is altered by two locating switches having a control bar to be touched by the plates of the cranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Tyh-Yuan Hour
  • Patent number: 4763836
    Abstract: Apparatus for precise water and liquid chemical application to agricultural fields is provided comprising a control platform with two motors, each motor driving a separate set of drive wheels. The speed of the first platform motor being selectable, the speed of the second motor being controlled by a variable frequency AC motor controller which receives a signal from a linear position transducer which senses the positional relationship of the control platform to a pre-determined path so as to maintain the platform on a pre-determined path. A second variable frequency AC motor controller receives a signal from a second linear position transducer between the control platform and a plurality of span sections supported by a plurality of motorized, wheeled towers which is operable to maintain alignment between the towers and the control platform, and the span sections are provided with switches operable to switch the motors of the towers on and off momentarily as required to keep them in alignment with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Inventors: William M. Lyle, James P. Bordovsky