Abstract: An improved method for cleaning vertical walls includes providing a vacuum source to adhere the system to the vertical wall. The vacuum source removes fluid and removed material from the wall, and also adheres the system to the wall. A rotating fluid jet is positioned radially inwardly of the vacuum source and impinges high pressurized fluid off of the surface to be cleaned to remove material. In a preferred embodiment, a central portion is provided that mounts both the fluid source and the vacuum source. A base portion mounts motors for driving the system along the wall. The base portion rotates relative to the central portion such that the central portion does not move as the base portion turns on the wall to drive the system along the wall. In a further feature, an additional air flow system is provided to provide supplemental air flow to assist the vacuum when moving the fluid and removed material.

Abstract: An improved system for cleaning vertical walls includes a vacuum source to adhere the system to the vertical wall. The vacuum source removes fluid and removed material from the wall, and also adheres the system to the wall. A rotating fluid jet is positioned radially inwardly of the vacuum source and impinges high pressurized fluid off of the surface to be cleaned to remove material. In a preferred embodiment, a central portion mounts both the fluid source and the vacuum source. A base portion mounts motors for driving the system along the wall. The base portion rotates relative to the central portion such that the central portion does not move as the base portion turns on the wall to drive the system along the wall. In a further feature, an additional air flow system is provided to provide supplemental air flow to assist the vacuum when moving the fluid and removed material. In addition, a second embodiment of a seal for contacting the surface to be cleaned includes a plurality of brush bristles.

Abstract: The high pressure water cleaning lance or apparatus has a main channel with a high velocity nozzle at one end and a water dumping channel provided with a dump valve. The apparatus also includes a trigger control valve mechanism which is operated to direct water under extremely high pressure to the nozzle. A removable quick release pin connects the valve housing to the trigger housing. Removal of the release pin permits the operator to remove the valve assembly including a valve pin from the valve housing for repair or replacement purposes. The apparatus includes a trigger actuating lever carried on one end by the trigger housing for actuating the valve pin. The trigger actuating mechanism or assembly includes a lip and a cam surface which are spaced apart and are selectably engageable with a pair of opposed surfaces provided on the head of the valve pin. The trigger assembly also features a manual shut-off feature.

Abstract: A rotating head mounts a nozzle which creates cavitation in a pressurized fluid such that a surface may be quickly and efficiently cleaned. The rotation of the nozzle ensures a relatively wide cleaning path. The cavitation allows cleaning using only the pressurized fluid jet without any necessary abrasives, while still fully utilizing high rotational speeds. A preferred cavitating jet nozzle is also disclosed for producing cavitation in the pressurized fluid. The cavitating jet nozzle includes a pin received at a central position which lowers the pressure of the pressurized fluid such that cavitation bubbles form in the fluid. The pin is self-centering within the nozzle since it is free floating relative to a securing member which retains the pin in the nozzle. In addition, the pin preferably has an end face upstream of an outlet portion of the nozzle.

Abstract: A cavitating jet nozzle is disclosed for producing cavitation in a pressurized fluid such as a water used to clean a surface. The cavitating jet nozzle includes a pin received at a central position which lowers the pressure of the pressurized fluid such that cavitation bubbles form in the fluid. The pin is free-floating relative to a securing member which retains the pin in the nozzle, and is thus self-centering. The inventive cavitating nozzle is easily maintained since the pin is self-centering and need not be repeatedly centered. The pin preferably has an end face upstream of an outlet portion of the nozzle.

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.

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.

Abstract: A tool for a hydraulic breaker having a pressurized fluid system which coacts with the impact tool to break objects such as rocks or aggregate sections. The impact tool has a bore extending through a work engaging end. A conduit is routed into the bore and includes a nozzle at its terminal end adjacent the work engaging end of the tool through which high pressure water is directed at the object to be broken. The tubing extends through the sidewall of the tool and into the bore through a radially extending slot. The tubing is mounted on the housing of the hydraulic hammer by means of an elastomeric vibration-dampening mounting block. The tubing is connected by high pressure hose to a valve and pump capable of developing fluid pressure in the range of about 20,000 psi. The slot is elongated to permit indexing of the tool relative to the hammer. The tool is retained in the hammer by means of a tool retainer or socket.

Abstract: A system for circulating the fluid to and from a jet spray device and a method of cleaning weld smut using the jet spray device having a seal assembly through which a high pressure fluid is transferred to a rotatable tubular shaft having a plurality of tubular arms for spraying the fluid toward the base of a stud. The seal assembly includes a jacket having a cylindrical bore closed and sealed on first and second ends by front and rear end plates and annular sealing rings. An annular spring is mounted on a tubular shaft between first and second sets of annular sealing rings to urge said first and second sets of sealing rings into engagement with the front and rear end plates respectively. The annular spring permits fluid to flow from a fluid supply hose through a fitting formed in the jacket to the tubular shaft. A motor is provided for rotating the tubular shaft within the cylindrical bore and the tubular arms rotate about the stud.

Abstract: A fluid circulating apparatus for cleaning welding electrode wheels with a spray of fluid. A high pressure pump draws the fluid from a tank and distributes it to a plurality of welding stations where nozzles spray the fluid on the electrodes. Flow of water through the system is balanced by providing a dumping outlet through which fluid is released from the system when the welding machine is not performing a welding operation. A diverting valve is used to shift the fluid flow from the nozzles to the dumping outlet. An integrated fluid control system is disclosed for controlling both the welding machine and cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A high-pressure water cleaning device has an enclosure with an open bottom for movement over a floor surface and floor gratings. The cleaning device may be stationary, with objects to be cleaned moved past the enclosure. A rotating seal includes an upright spindle within said enclosure and secured thereto having an axial bore with a high-pressure water inlet and a series of radial discharge ports. A rotatable tubular body is journalled upon said spindle and has an internal annular high-pressure chamber communicating with the discharge ports and a series of radial outlets communicating with the chamber. Tubular arms mounting nozzles are laterally projected into said outlets for rotation with the body, the nozzles being adjusted for delivering streams of high pressure water within the enclosure at high pressure onto floor surfaces and gratings. The tubular body is power rotated.