With Binding Preventing Means Or Seal Patents (Class 239/259)
  • Patent number: 11433408
    Abstract: A multiple nozzle system and device that provides flow control, a nozzle base, the inclusion of a flare or a reversible flare, or a twister attachment, along with various desired directional arm(s) formed from nozzles or the combination of nozzles and elbows, for creating any desired directional angle(s) for each of the directional arm(s). Based on this invention, the water (or angled streams) exiting from the combination of the various directional arm(s) creates an unlimited number of possible resulting fountains or other visual water displays, spray patterns, or designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Willis Dane
  • Patent number: 9321067
    Abstract: A seal cartridge and a rotating nozzle assembly utilizing the seal cartridge are disclosed. The main seal member in the nozzle assembly is mounted as part of the seal cartridge. The seal cartridge is also easily removable from the rotating nozzle assembly without requiring the separate removal of the main seal member from the seal cartridge. This configuration allows a user to quickly install a new or rebuilt seal during an operation while minimizing or eliminating the necessity to manipulate small parts in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Schaer, III, David Shane Gregory, Kasi Amaravadi
  • Patent number: 8668155
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 8573599
    Abstract: A unitary cartridge seal assembly for a high pressure liquid sealing connection between two relatively rotatable liquid passage members of a rotary nozzle or a swivel and a tool having such an assembly. The assembly comprises a thimble shaped or cylindrical housing having a flanged retainer fitting within an axial orifice to hold the components together while allowing sufficient axial movement to insure complete sealing of the respective elements. The assembly provides “drop-in” replacement of wearable parts of the rotary face seal of a high pressure water jet blasting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 8544768
    Abstract: A fluid bearing nozzle assembly is disclosed that has a hollow cylindrical body, an inlet nut fastened to the cylindrical body, and a hollow tubular shaft member coaxially carried within the housing body and captured between the inlet nut and the body. The inlet nut has a stem portion extending into a central bore through the shaft member forming an inlet bearing area rotatably carrying the shaft member thereon. The shaft member has a spray head fastened thereto for rotation of the head with the shaft member. An inner wall of the housing body and an outer portion of the shaft have complementary shapes forming a regulating passage therebetween. The shaft has helical grooves that spiral around the shaft to one or both ends to impart rotation to the shaft and spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Publication number: 20130200177
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventor: STONEAGE, INC.
  • Patent number: 8434696
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 8251301
    Abstract: An improved seal for use in fluid systems such as a water jet system includes an outer seal point that is very close to an inner seal point. By spacing these two seal points very close together, the force on the seal is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer seal point is on an angled forward face of the seal that abuts a back-up ring angled face. The inner seal point is between the seal and an internal shaft which rotates relative to a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Trunick, Matthew O. Herhold
  • Patent number: 8220724
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 8016210
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Balanced Body, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 8006920
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the liquid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized liquid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the liquid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the liquid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a liquid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wright, John E. Wolgamott
  • Patent number: 7931034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray arm bearing (1) with a bearing element (2), for mounting a spray arm (20) and a flow-guide device (3), connected to the bearing element (2), whereby the bearing element (2) comprises a through opening for the passage of fluid. According to the invention, the base area (D2) of the flow-guide device (3) corresponds to the base area (D1) of the through opening or lies within the base area (D1) of the through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Friedrich Mack, Wolfgang Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100140376
    Abstract: An improved seal for use in fluid systems such as a water jet system includes an outer seal point that is very close to an inner seal point. By spacing these two seal points very close together, the force on the seal is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer seal point is on an angled forward face of the seal that abuts a back-up ring angled face. The inner seal point is between the seal and an internal shaft which rotates relative to a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel D. Trunick, Matthew O. Herhold
  • Publication number: 20100065658
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the liquid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized liquid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the liquid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the liquid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a liquid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: StoneAge, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wright, John E. Wolgamott
  • Patent number: 7635096
    Abstract: A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the liquid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized liquid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the liquid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the liquid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a liquid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: StoneAge, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wright, John E. Wolgamott
  • Patent number: 7600700
    Abstract: An improved seal for use in fluid systems such as a water jet system includes an outer seal point that is very close to an inner seal point. By spacing these two seal points very close together, the force on the seal is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer seal point is on an angled forward face of the seal that abuts a back-up ring angled face. The inner seal point is between the seal and an internal shaft which rotates relative to a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Trunick, Matthew O. Herhold
  • Patent number: 7546959
    Abstract: The cleaning nozzle according to the invention having a nozzle body (100) and a nozzle head (104) arranged on a shaft (106) rotatably seated on said nozzle body, and having a cavity (107), which extends in axial direction in said nozzle body (100) and which is connected with a pressurized water supply (102), by means of which cavity pressurized water supplied via the pressurized water supply (102) is guided to the nozzle head (104) and is discharged to the outside in said nozzle head (104) by at least one nozzle orifice (118), is formed especially by a friction brake comprising at least two disc elements (108, 110) that are in mechanical contact one with the other in the axial direction for restricting the rotational motion of the shaft (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventors: Hans Dieter Wagner, Simon Simpfendoerfer, Ulrich Simpfendoerfer, Martin Hurlebaus
  • Publication number: 20080054095
    Abstract: An improved seal for use in fluid systems such as a water jet system includes an outer seal point that is very close to an inner seal point. By spacing these two seal points very close together, the force on the seal is greatly reduced compared to the prior art. In the disclosed embodiment, the outer seal point is on an angled forward face of the seal that abuts a back-up ring angled face. The inner seal point is between the seal and an internal shaft which rotates relative to a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel D. Trunick, Matthew O. Herhold
  • Publication number: 20080054094
    Abstract: A water distribution plate and diffuser plate assembly for distributing a stream emitted from a sprinkler nozzle comprising: a 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 located adjacent the nozzle and formed with at least one water distribution groove shaped and arranged to divide a primary stream emitted from the nozzle into a plurality of secondary streams, and the second plate located downstream of the first plate and formed with at least one diffuser element arranged to be struck by at least some of the secondary streams exiting the first plate, and wherein speed of rotation of the first and second plates is braked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Nelson, George L. Sesser, Patrick T. Barry
  • Publication number: 20080054093
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Nelson, George L. Sesser, Patrick T. Barry
  • Patent number: 7086608
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a rotatable shaft that is secured at one end thereof in a housing, and that mounts a water distribution plate on an opposite end thereof, the shaft seal comprising a flexible annular member having a radially inner portion including at least one tapered lip extending in one direction along the shaft and adapted to engage the shaft, and a radially outer portion seated on a support in the housing; and at least one retainer overlying the seal and holding the seal in position on the support, the at least one retainer having a radially inner portion that substantially encloses the at least one tapered lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Lee A. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7025287
    Abstract: A seal arrangement for a rotatable shaft that is secured at one end thereof in a housing, and that mounts a water distribution plate on an opposite end thereof, the shaft seal comprising a flexible annular member having a radially inner portion including at least one tapered lip extending in one direction along the shaft and adapted to engage the shaft, and a radially outer portion seated on a support in the housing; and at least one retainer overlying the seal and holding the seal in position on the support, the at least one retainer having a radially inner portion that substantially encloses the at least one tapered lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Lee A. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7021392
    Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly having a sprinkler head with a through bore is coupled to a coupling member having a bore in fluid communication with said through bore of said sprinkler head. One of said sprinkler head and coupling member fits within the other. A groove is formed on the inner member for receiving a portion of a set pin slidingly engaged within the outer member. A seal between the inner and outer member provides a fluid-tight connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Allora International, LLC
    Inventors: Dean L. Bentzien, Guido Brusa
  • Publication number: 20030178505
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the accommodation of additional passages whilst retaining small dimensions in the case of a rotor nozzle, in particular, for a high-pressure cleaning device, comprising a casing and a rotor body which is arranged therein, has a flow-through channel and is accommodated with a spherical bearing part in a step bearing surrounding an exit opening of the casing, an end part which closes the casing on the side located opposite the step bearing and in which several, selectively closable passages are arranged which open from an inlet side into the interior of the casing accommodating the rotor body or into flow channels in the casing which lead to additional outlets of the casing, it is suggested that the end part widen in steps in its longitudinal direction leading from the interior of the casing to its inlet side, that the end part be inserted into a stepped receiving opening in the casing which widens correspondingly, that a seal be provided between end part and the inner wall of the receivi
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Binder, Thomas Hofer
  • Patent number: 6491238
    Abstract: A rotary spa jet, of the type which comprises a nozzle rotatably mounted within the end of a spa jet housing by a radial ball bearing, is provided with an internal flow guide to reduce impairment of the free rotation of the nozzle caused by debris in the spa water. The flow guide is positioned within the spa jet housing and acts on a portion of the water flow which reaches and flows through the radial ball bearing to flush and lubricate it. The flow guide includes one or more annular baffle walls which deflect water flow which reduce the amount of water that flows through the bearing and slows down its rate of flow to promote settlement and collection of debris before it reaches the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Swanson, Jack Buck, Paul Beaumont, Alan Sheard
  • Publication number: 20020063167
    Abstract: A rotary drive for a hydraulic tool includes a housing; a hydraulic connection on the housing; and a rotatable hollow shaft in the housing, having an axially extending center passage duct and being connected with a nozzle carrier. A sleeve is inserted from a hydraulic connection end of the housing into the passage duct. A seal consisting of at least one separate ring seal rests in a sealing manner on the wall of the passage duct and on the sleeve. A device exerts pressure on the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Applicant: Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Stoffers
  • Publication number: 20010028004
    Abstract: A dirt-resistant bearing system for a sprinkler unit with a rotatable turret having a central shaft extending into a support channel formed within an inner housing. The central shaft may be formed with a relatively upper shaft portion and a relatively lower shaft portion, and the support channel may be formed with an upper channel region and a lower channel region. A first bearing and sealing assembly may be fitted substantially around an outer perimeter of the upper shaft portion and in communication with the upper channel region, and a second bearing and sealing assembly may be fitted substantially around an outer perimeter of the lower shaft portion and in communication with the lower channel region. Another aspect of the invention provides a sprinkler head with a fitted serrated seal assembly. The fitted seal assembly may include an outer case having an interior region, and a pop-up sprinkler head turret mounted on a riser sleeve slidably mounted within the interior region of the outer case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Don Michael Kearby, Giles A. Kendall, Joseph U. Han, Derick C. Wright
  • Publication number: 20010017323
    Abstract: A nozzle for use in cleaning applications is provided. The nozzle has a rotatably supported nozzle body, on which one or more nozzle orifices are provided. The nozzle housing itself serves as the rotary drive, which is carried along by a fluid led into the housing with torque. In order to stabilize the drive action, at least one braking device is provided on the nozzle which generates a braking torque by fluid action, preferably through the recoil on a nozzle opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Roland Feller, Ernst Steinhilber
  • Patent number: 6059202
    Abstract: A high pressure liquid sealing connection between two relatively rotatable liquid passage members of a rotary nozzle or a swivel. The connection is formed by two abutting relatively rotatable annular coaxial sealing members forming a high pressure liquid passage between the relatively rotatable members. Both sealing members are carried and kept coaxial by a seal holder carried by one of the relatively rotatable passage members. Both sealing members are forced axially relative to the seal holder by high pressure liquid flow at the sealing connection to maintain a dynamic sealing relationship between the sealing members and to force one of the sealing members into sealing contact with and rotation with the other of the relatively rotatable passage members. As the other sealing member substantially wears away by relative rotation of the sealing members it is forced axially relative to the seal holder and toward the one sealing member to maintain the sealing integrity of the sealing connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Zink, John E. Wolgamott, Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 6027040
    Abstract: A nozzle head includes a nozzle carrier so mounted to a stationary housing as to allow rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis by a recoil action caused by pressure water exiting spray nozzles accommodated in the nozzle carrier, and a hollow shaft rotatably supported in the housing and secured to the nozzle carrier. The hollow shaft has a central passage for conducting pressure water to the spray nozzles; and has a pressure water connection proximate end face which is supported by a first sealing disk of highly wear-resistant material, e.g. ceramics. The first sealing disk is connected to the hollow shaft via a mounting so as to conjointly rotate with the nozzle carrier and hollow shaft during operation of the nozzle head. The shaft-distal end face of the first sealing disk bears upon a second stationary sealing disk which is also made of a highly wear-resistant material, e.g. ceramics, and received in a mounting which is fixed via a seal ring in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Paul Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Hermann Frye-Hammelmann
  • Patent number: 5810257
    Abstract: A rotating nozzle for use in whirlpools, spas, baths, pools and the like is disclosed wherein a nozzle comprising a rotating head and integral cylindrical pipe-shaped inlet is mounted directly within a mounting bracket using a ball bearing assembly. Inner and outer ball bearing races on the nozzle inlet and mounting bracket respectively journal the nozzle in the mounting bracket, and the outlets of the nozzle are aligned to dispel water in a manner to impart rotation on the nozzle. The inner and outer races house a set of ball bearings, and a spacer which maintains adequate separation of the ball bearings. The unitary design of the present invention is simpler than the prior art and requires fewer parts, and the reduction in frictional losses translates into a faster rotation and increased massage effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Thai T. Ton
  • Patent number: 5695123
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler comprising a supporting structure and a sprinkler head mounted for rotational movement on the supporting structure. The sprinkler includes an arc controller for controlling the magnitude of the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate and an arc adjuster for adjusting the arc controller to thereby adjust the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate. The arc adjuster includes an arc adjust member mounted for rotation with the sprinkler head and drivingly coupled to the arc controller to adjust the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate and an arc adjust driver for rotating the arc adjust member. The arc adjust member includes a plurality of seals integral with the arc adjust member and a pointer for providing an indication of one end of the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: James Hardie Irrigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Tuan Van Le
  • Patent number: 5531380
    Abstract: The nozzle device having a plurality of spray orifices comprises a nozzle support rotatably mounted about a rotation axis and driveable by the reaction force of pressurized water issuing from the orifices. The nozzle device may be used with high operating pressures, high temperatures, corrosive environments and high-rotational speeds. The current embodiment is particularly designed for cleaning surfaces. A fluid-conducting swivel includes an acceleration nozzle, deceleration nozzle, and support assembly for holding the acceleration and deceleration nozzle with their flow passageways aligned, allowing rotation of one of the acceleration and deceleration nozzles, and maintaining a space between the adjacent ends of the nozzle. The acceleration nozzle includes an acceleration nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow to such a velocity that the fluid creates a vena contracta, a substantially self-contained fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Earl E. Thompson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5501396
    Abstract: A cyclonic power wash system uses high pressure, high temperature water for selectively cleaning large, flat, concrete or asphalt surfaces. The sprayed water is reclaimed by vacuuming it through holes in the bottom of a reclamation ring attached to the underside of the mobile cyclone sprayer, filtering the vacuumed water and returning it to a storage tank for re-use by the system. The filtration tank initially filters out large matter in an inlet trough and smaller matter in a plurality of cascading chambers. A rotary union in the sprayer prevents the water, passing from the inlet of the rotary union to the discharge thereof, from leaking through or around a seal formed by pressing together a pair of hard, durable sealing surfaces, for example, silicon carbide, one of which is non-rotatably slidingly received in an upper recess of the union's fixed housing and the other, affixed to a spindle rotatably received and retained in a lower recess of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Cyclone Surface Cleaning, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rohrbacher, Judith M. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 5456413
    Abstract: A rotary water blast nozzle assembly includes an inner body member and a mandrel that supports a spray head having an internal bushing that rotates on the mandrel. Seals on the of the bushing are spaced at selected distance points from radial flow ports in its center. The resultant of operating pressure forces acting inward on the outside of the bushing between the seals, and gradually diminishing pressures acting outwardly in the clearance from the center toward the ends of the bushing, together with frusto-conically shaped sections of the bushing, cause uniform inward deflection that reduces the clearance in proportion to the operating pressure to inhibit leakby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Edward J. Stachowiak
    Inventor: Fife B. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5284298
    Abstract: A fluid-conducting swivel includes an upstream conduit, downstream conduit, and support assembly for holding the upstream and downstream conduit with their flow passageways aligned, allowing rotation of one of the upstream and downstream conduit, and maintaining a space between the adjacent ends of the conduit. The upstream conduit includes an acceleration nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow to such a velocity that the fluid creates a substantially self-contained fluid jet. The downstream conduit includes a deceleration nozzle for decelerating the velocity of the fluid flow and a downstream throat extending between the deceleration nozzle and the end of the downstream conduit adjacent the upstream conduit. The downstream throat receives the accelerated fluid from the upstream conduit and is sized to substantially prevent expansion of the accelerated fluid and thereby prevent fluid leakage and pressure loss between the upstream and downstream conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Fluid Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Henry T. Haynes, Earl E. Thompson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5104044
    Abstract: A hydroactuatable high speed spinner for car wash equipment and the like which is characterized by rugged, reliable design. The spinner is driven soley by water pressure, which may be on the order of 1,000 psi, wherein a unique turbine sleeve ensures high speed operation while still providing adequate pressure for scouring and washing by a relatively lightweight spray rotor carried on the sleeve in a sealed spinner assembly. As a consequence, effective cleaning is achieved with minimum water wastage and maximum conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Raymond E. Ratell, Jr
  • Patent number: 5060863
    Abstract: A nozzle head comprises a plurality of nozzles, a nozzle carrier rotatable about an axis and driveable by a reaction of a pressurized water discharged from the nozzles, a stationary housing, a hollow shaft extending through the housing and having a central passage, a sleeve extending through the central passage of the hollow shaft, the sleeve forming a supply conduit and extending to the region of the nozzle carrier. The sleeve has a free end which is closed and a transverse opening which opens into the supply conduit, the nozzle carrier having a plurality of passages extending from the transverse opening to the nozzles for supplying pressurized water, and the nozzles being arranged so that water jets discharged from the nozzles are interrupted into edge regions of a jet curve parallel to a displacement direction of the nozzle head relative to an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Paul Hammelmann
  • Patent number: 5024382
    Abstract: The self-rotating nozzle has a hollow shaft adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A body has an axial bore upon a central axis secured over one end of the shaft and has a counterbore. The shank with an end portion extends from the body into which the counterbore extends with the counterbore terminating in a pair of radial ports. A head bears against the body and is journaled upon the shank. A fastener upon the end portion retains the head against axial movement in one direction relative to the body. A fluid pressure chamber acts upon the head in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventors: Forrest A. Shook, Terry L. Henshaw
  • Patent number: 4971256
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler device having a fluid inlet adapted to be secured to a water line, a nozzle head defining a plurality of differently configured or sized outlet orifices therein, a body member disposed between the fluid inlet and the nozzle head, a bearing spindle at least partially disposed within the body member and selectively communicating the fluid inlet with one of the outlet orifices in the nozzle head for obtaining the desired water distribution therefrom. The bearing spindle is mounted for relative rotation between the bearing spindle and the body member. A ball drive is disposed within the body member. The ball drive is operatively connected to the nozzle head and responsive to fluid flow through the bearing spindle to the nozzle head for rotating the nozzle head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: William R. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 4971250
    Abstract: A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a housing having a water flow passage in which is disposed a flow control unit having one or more passages configured to control the volume and pressure of a stream, which strikes and rotates a self-propelled rotary distributor head rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for dividing each stream into a plurality of final streams, and rotating each of the final streams through a selected arc during the rotation of the rotary head, with a pressure compensated damping device in the housing connected to the rotary head by means of a shaft supported by a resilient member at the outlet for controlling the rotational velocity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4932590
    Abstract: A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a housing having a water flow passage in which is disposed a flow control unit having one or more passages configured to control the volume and pressure of a stream, which strikes and rotates a self-propelled rotary distributor head rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for dividing each stream into a plurality of final streams, and rotating each of the final streams through a selected arc during the rotation of the rotary head, with a damping device in the housing connected to the rotary head by means of a shaft supported by a resilient member at the outlet for controlling the rotational velocity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4923120
    Abstract: The nozzle device having a plurality of spray orifices comprises a nozzle support rotatably mounted about a rotation axis and drivable by the reaction force of pressurized water issuing from the orifices, whose rotational motion is braked by an eddy current brake, and a stationary housing having a pressurized water connector. The nozzle device may be used with high operating pressures, particularly in cleaning rust and eroding concrete. A seal against these high operation pressures between the stationary parts and the water-guiding rotation parts in the housing is provided. A stationary sleeve with a central passage in the housing extends from the pressurized water connector guiding pressurized water into the central duct of a hollow shaft connected to the nozzle support rotatably mounted in the housing. The central passage widens in diameter relative to the central duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Paul Hammelmann
  • Patent number: 4821961
    Abstract: The self-rotating nozzle has a hallow shaft adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A body has an axial bore upon a central axis secured over one end of the shaft and has a counterbore. The shank with an end portion extends from the body into which the counterbore extends with the counterbore terminating in a pair of radial ports. A head bears against the body and is journaled upon the shank. A fastener upon the end portion retains the head against axial movement relative to the body. A pair of spaced jet flow orifices are mounted upon outer portions of the head extending generally parallel to the central axis but on oppositely extending axes inclined at a small acute angle to axes parallel to the central axis to provide a balanced rotational reactive power torque to the head, there being a pair of fluid passages in the head communicating with the ports and with the orifices respectively, the orifices adapted to provide high velocity streams of pressurized fluid to a surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventor: Forrest A. Shook
  • Patent number: 4732323
    Abstract: According to the invention a seal is established between a rotary spray arm and a stationary pedestal support for the spray arm. Liquid from a pump, which forcibly delivers liquid to the spray arm is forced between cooperating parts of the spray arm and spray arm support in such a manner that a sealing split ring is urged both axially and radially relative to the rotational axis of the spray arm into sealing engagement with surfaces on both the spray arm and spray arm support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Wilbur W. Jarvis, John I. Smith
  • Patent number: 4715539
    Abstract: A high-pressure water jet tool useful in removing paint, rust, scale and other deposits from various surfaces such as a metal tank, is described. The tool is equipped with a rotary nozzle head carrying at least one, and preferably three or more, very small water jet orifices. A seal of special design is used in the tool to connect the non-rotating section of the water supply line to the rotating section of the line which supplies water to the nozzle head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: Curtis C. Steele
  • Patent number: 4671462
    Abstract: A sprinkler device including a body on which a tubular spindle is mounted for rotation about a rotational axis relative to the body. The spindle has a fluid inlet in the region of the body and includes a slanted portion projecting from the body at an angle to the rotational axis. A head is rotatably mounted on the slanted portion of the spindle in engagement with the body and includes a fluid discharge member which communicates with the interior of the tubular spindle. The slanted portion of the spindle and the engagement of the head with the body are such that when the spindle rotates relative to the body, the head and the discharge member rotate relative to the body about the rotational axis and also oscillate in a longitudinal direction with respect to the rotational axis during rotation about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Gerardus Johannes Kraaij
    Inventor: Joseph L. Badria
  • Patent number: 4301822
    Abstract: A self-aligning water jet receiver for a rotary spray arm rotatable about an axis of rotation on a dishwasher dish rack in which the rotatable spray arm is mounted on the dish rack and is rotated by the reaction force of water exiting through spray nozzles in the spray arm. An upwardly projected water jet supplies the water to the hollow spray arm. In this invention the liquid jet is received in a jet receiver that is mounted on the spray arm along the axis of rotation and is shiftable laterally by the force of the jet on the receiver to align the receiver coaxially with the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey L. Dingler
  • Patent number: 4266565
    Abstract: An upper spray arm is mounted to the underside of the upper dish rack of a dishwasher and rotates in response to a jet of water supplied through the lower spray arm. The upper spray arm mounting is provided with a self-aligning bearing which includes a stationary mounting platform attached to the upper dish rack and a flanged, cylindrical bearing connected to the spray arm. An enlarged bore in the mounting platform accommodates the bearing cylinder and permits radial movement of the bearing cylinder relative to the platform. The bearing flange transmits thrust forces to the stationary platform and slides radially relative to the platform to the extent the platform bore is larger than the bearing cylinder. Impetus for radial movement of the bearing and spray arm is produced by a bell shaped receiver located on the underside of the spray arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Whirpool Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent P. Gurubatham
  • Patent number: 4031971
    Abstract: A drilling assembly including a jet nozzle bit rotatable on a fluid supply shaft. The assembly includes a bearing housing protected by seals and vent ports to prevent fluid which has leaked between the fluid supply shaft and the jet nozzle bit from contaminating the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: Continental Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Miller