Abstract: A high pressure regulator is provided with a valve member, a seat member, and an actuator. The axial position of the seat member may be selectively fixed with respect to the body. The valve member is axially moveable with respect to the seat member, and includes a flange member for engaging a shoulder surface on the body for limiting movement of the sealing member relative to the seat member. The sealing member preferably has a very slight taper of less than 10.degree. for maximizing the sealing area with the seat member. A frustro-conical sealing bore in the seat member preferably has a long axial length which is at least 50% of a nominal diameter of the valve member in sealing engagement with an annular seal between the body and the valve member. The cap housing includes an interior deflection surface for deflecting fluid from the seating bore.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid pump 10 supplies fluids to a water blasting or cutting gun 14. The pump 10 is preferably of the in-line type, wherein both an inlet check valve 60 and a discharge check valve 62 move linearly along the axis 40 of the plunger 30 during a complete pumping cycle. A plurality of compression rods 42 are spaced circumferentially about a plunger housing 24, and press the plunger housing into sealing engagement with a suction valve seat 56, press the suction valve seat into sealing engagement with a pump discharge housing 36, press the pump discharge housing into sealing engagement with a discharge end plate 38. Seal ring 66 is provided for sealing between a front planar face 114 of the suction valve seat and a rear planar face 112 of the plunger housing. A weep path 116 extends radially outward from the seal ring 66 to release fluids which pass by the compressible seal ring.

Abstract: The high pressure system 10 is provided for outputting pressurized fluid to a source, such as a blasting gun 26. The system includes mechanical transmission 14 interconnecting a diesel engine 12 with a positive displacement pump 20. A programmable controller 30 is provided for receiving signals from a pressure transducer 34 and for controlling operation of an engine controller 44, a clutch controller 42, and a transmission shifter 46 to obtain the desired fluid pressure level output from the pump. The controller preferably communicates by wireless transmission technology, so that the controller 30 may be exterior of a sound abatement enclosure 28 surrounding the engine 12 and the transmission 14. Controller 30 may be operated to automatically shift the transmission in response to fluid pressure output from the pump. Alternatively, controller 30 may receive input instructions from the operator to shift the transmission to a desired gear.

Abstract: A control system 10 for monitoring operation of a high pressure plunger pump 12 includes a microprocessor-based controller 40 and a plurality of sensors. Inlet pressure transducers 48 output electrical signals to the controller at intervals of less than 1 millisecond, indicative of the instantaneous inlet pressure to the pump. The controller 40 shuts down pump operation if a number of instantaneous pressure signals within a selected time period exceeds a predetermined value, or if the average inlet pressure signal exceeds a preselected value. The control system 10 is substantially tamperproof, and stored data indicative of tampering, pump startup, pump shutdown, and pump alarm conditions are recorded in a memory for subsequent retrieval and analysis. The serial interface 82 allows communication between the system operating computer 68 and a setup/processing computer 84, which may optionally be remote from the control system by use of a modem.

Abstract: A swivel jet assembly 20 for a fluid distribution system delivers high pressure fluid from a pressurized fluid source to an object to be cleaned. A bearing housing 46 is removably affixed to a swivel body 32 having an inlet port 34 and a fluid transmission passageway 36 therethrough. A hollow shaft 40 has an upstream end positioned within the swivel body and a downstream end extending outward for engagement with a nozzle assembly 30. One or more nozzle jets 116, 118 are supported directly within a nozzle housing, and are angled for causing a torque in response to the high pressure discharged from the nozzle jets. A speed control device within the swivel housing includes a plurality of pins 58 each movable radially outward in response to centrifugal force for engagement with the swivel housing. The swivel is of the in line design, and a thrust bearing 66 is provided within the swivel housing upstream from the swivel speed control device.

Abstract: A swivel jet assembly 20 for a fluid distribution system delivers high pressure fluid from a pressurized fluid source to an object to be cleaned. A bearing housing 46 is removably affixed to a swivel body 32 having an inlet port 34 and a fluid transmission passageway 36 therethrough. A hollow shaft 40 has an upstream end positioned within the swivel body and a downstream end extending outward for engagement with a nozzle assembly 30. One or more nozzle jets 116, 118 are supported directly within a nozzle housing, and are angled for causing a torque in response to the high pressure discharged from the nozzle jets. A speed control device within the swivel housing includes a plurality of pins 58 each movable radially outward in response to centrifugal force for engagement with the swivel housing. The swivel is of the in line design, and a thrust bearing 66 is provided within the swivel housing upstream from the swivel speed control device.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided of the type useful for positioning in a fluid system between a high pressure pump and a fluid gun. The valve preferably includes a body having first and second flow paths therein, and first and second valve members for controlling the fluid flow through the respective flow paths. The first valve member is biased towards engagement with the first seat, and the second valve member serves to substantially restrict fluid flow through the second flow path to maintain a high pressure level upstream from the valve when the gun is deactivated. The second valve seat member may be easily replaced through an access port provided in the body, and adjustment of the second valve member to control the restricted orifice in the second fluid path is obtained with a rachet mechanism.

Abstract: A flow control valve is provided of the type useful for positioning in a fluid system between a high pressure pump and a fluid gun. The valve preferably includes a body having first and second flow paths therein, and first and second valve members for controlling the fluid flow through the respective flow paths. The first valve member is biased towards engagement with the first seat, and the second valve member serves to substantially restrict fluid flow through the second flow path to maintain a high pressure level upstream from the valve when the gun is deactivated. The second valve seat member may be easily replaced through an access port provided in the body, and adjustment of the second valve member to control the restricted orifice in the second fluid path is obtained with a rachet mechanism.

Abstract: A method for automatically cleaning a preheater rotor used in an electrical power plant is disclosed. The method includes controlling with a computer the cleaning of the rotor as well as calculating parameters such as a rate at which the rotor is to be rotated and a time to complete the rotor cleaning based on parameters entered by an operator. The method also controls the movement of a cleaning assembly along the radius of the rotor. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A quick disconnect forming a coupler for high pressure fluid lines that has a first hollow member attached to a second hollow member in fluid-tight relationship with an attachment collar having relatively coarse threads thereon for quick attachment and detachment of the first and second members. A cylindrical stop ring is threadedly attached to one of the members to form a second shoulder in spaced opposition to a first shoulder on one of the members such that the attachment collar can move axially only between the two shoulders. A resilient O-ring is formed in a recess on the second member and engages an annular recess on the attachment collar to resist movement of the attachment collar by vibration.

Abstract: A high pressure pump includes a housing having a pump chamber therein for receiving a pump piston, and a separate pressure housing having a liquid pressure chamber therein in fluid communication with a pump discharge flow line within an outlet housing. A force-transmitting piston is provided within the pressure housing and is movable along an axis substantially coincident with the central axis of the pump piston to place a desired load on each of a plurality of compression rods. The pump may be initially manufactured with the pressure housing, or a separate pressure housing may be added to an existing pump without modifying other pump components. According to the method of this invention, a control valve in a compression line is opened, the pump is activated, then the compression line is closed to maintain the compression rods under load.

Abstract: A power assisted dump valve for a high pressure nozzle system. The dump valve is formed from a unitary housing or valve body. A valve chamber in the valve body includes a slidable piston which, in a first position, closes an atmospheric channel and allows high fluid pressure to be present at the nozzle and, in a second position, opens the atmospheric channel and allows the input fluid to dump to atmosphere to remove the high fluid pressure at the nozzle. A resilient spring, in conjunction with the piston, causes a snap action when the piston closes the atmospheric channel thereby forming a good seal.

Abstract: A bleeder valve assembly in a very high pressure water gun system is provided with a body connected to the system and a removable core received within a bore in the body. The bore and core are sized to fit together snugly to define a fine gap therebetween to allow controlled bleeding of the high pressure to the outside of the body. The core is positioned within the bore to safely relieve high pressure without prematurely closing when the connected line is bled to a lower pressure.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid flow control valve that can accurately regulate the volume of fluid flow through the valve in discrete steps by means of a ratchet mechanism associated with a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has a sealing surface on one end for mating with a sealing surface on the output port to close the output port or open it as the shaft is rotated. The shaft is threadedly engaged with the body portion such that it can be rotated a limited portion during opening the valve so that it cannot be accidentally rotated out of the body portion and the valve disassembled. A bleed valve is associated with the hollow chamber to limit the maximum pressure in the valve chamber.

Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly in a very high pressure water gun is provided with a valve member between a pressure chamber and an outlet chamber which produces a quick pressure induced snap-off action just before closing which securely seats the valve member against leakage and erosion. Shortly after cracking the valve to an open position the pressure induced force is relieved and the regular biasing spring offers the only closing force. An improved high pressure seal is configured to seal with a short stem contact area designed to significantly reduce friction. A special safety bleeder valve bleeds to atmosphere independent of starting pressure.

Abstract: A novel pressurized fluid delivery system which has a single fluid inlet block for each plunger of a pump assembly and with an individual fluid inlet manifold and an individual fluid discharge manifold coupled by a valve body assembly to the fluid cylinder block. The three individual units, the fluid inlet manifold, the fluid outlet or discharge manifold, and the fluid cylinder block, are small in size and weight when compared to the single large fluid cylinder block of the prior art and thus are much less expensive to manufacture and are easier to handle. The novel valve assembly is less expensive to manufacture, has a lower restriction to fluid flow than prior art comparable valves and requires less suction feed pressure than the prior art valves.

Abstract: Tank car cleaning apparatus mountable on a tank car hatch and movable within the car to clean its interior, the apparatus including a rotatable mast with a movable arm connected thereto having a high pressure liquid nozzle mounted at its end for applying liquid under pressure to the car's interior to clean it, the arm movable from outside the car into its interior, and in one aspect, the nozzle itself articulable through an arc.

Abstract: In a self-propelled swivel for directing high pressure streams of water in a rotary path against a surface to be cleaned, a plurality of permanent magnets are mounted on a rotary cage and rotate in close proximity to a sleeve of electrically conductive material, generating eddy currents in such sleeve and hence heating the sleeve. Low pressure water leaking through a seal provided in the path of the high pressure water is diverted to cool the portion of a casing surrounding the heated electrically conductive sleeve to provide braking of the rotational speed of the rotating nozzle heads without creating excessive localized heating within the housing.

Abstract: A pump head having a manifold with a fluid inlet and outlet, suction and discharge valves mounted in a channels valve seat cartridge for controlling fluid flow, and a plunger mounted in a fluid cylinder adjacent the valve seat cartridge for pumping fluid through the pump head, and, in one embodiment, high strength valve springs. A spring for valves in a pump head and methods for treating them.

Abstract: An improved high pressure fluid delivery system has a self-propelled swiveling action with a magnetic speed control. A magnetic rotor assembly is fixed to a rotatable spindle having a nozzle containing head through which high pressure fluid is pumped. Slight angling of the nozzles produces rotational torque which is opposed by the action of the magnetic rotor assembly, the opposition increasing at increasing rotational speeds until an equilibrium rotational speed is achieved. A cylindrically-shaped cage of the magnetic rotor assembly also supports upper and lower bearings to provide for thrust generated by high fluid pressure. The magnetic breaking effect is produced by permanent magnets.