Abstract: A nozzle body that provides a substantially uniformly distributed spray over 180.degree. at the discharge end in which the uniformly distributed spray in the form of solid cone is created by an inner nozzle and a uniformly distributed spray of a hollow cone is created by an outer nozzle and in which the spray from the inner and outer nozzles are immediately adjacent one another. The construction of the nozzle body is such that although the inner and outer nozzle each initially create their own spray pattern, the end result is a combined solid cone spray that could not be created by either the inner or outer nozzle alone. The nozzle body has a center vane for the inner nozzle to ensure an inner solid cone spray and may have a metering plate to direct some fluid to the outer nozzle so that the end result is a spray that is a solid cone with an angle substantially in excess of the cone created by the inner nozzle alone and having a coefficient discharge of approximately 0.99.

Abstract: An unloader valve in which the valve body has an inlet opening between an outlet opening and a by-pass opening and in which the flow of fluid is controlled by two valves, both of which open and close in relation to a single unitary plunger. The plunger is hollow from adjacent the inlet opening to the outlet opening so that fluid flows from the inlet opening through the hollow plunger to a check valve and the outlet opening. The plunger is presettably biased to close a by-pass valve between the inlet and by-pass openings, thus regulating the pressure at the outlet opening. The valve also contains an override piston, one surface of which is exposed to the outlet opening. When the output is shut off, the resulting outlet pressure drives this piston against the end of the plunger, and fully opens the by-pass valve to permit the fluid to flow from the inlet to the by-pass opening, thus not only protecting against excessive pressure build-up but also lowering the inlet pressure to a low unloading level.

Abstract: A novel center vane is disclosed for use in a full or solid cone spray nozzle. The vane has a solid center and specific parameters are set forth, in relation to the nozzle size and orifice diameter, for the vane geometry so that a solid spray cone of uniform distribution is obtained. In particular, we have found that when the orifice diameter is less than half of the nozzle diameter, the vane recess depth is a critical dimension to obtain a uniform fluid particle distribution in the solid cone spray and specifically have found that if the orifice diameter is equal to or greater than one-half the pipe or nozzle diameter, the vane recess depth should be one-fourth (0.25) of the pipe diameter, but if the orifice diameter is less than half of the pipe or nozzle diameter, the vane recess depth in inches should be equal to the orifice diameter squared divided by the nozzle diameter.

Abstract: A center vane is disclosed for a solid cone spray nozzle in which four generally U-shaped channels are symmetrically disposed around the vane axis and are skewed so that a line along their bottoms forms a 30.degree. angle to the vane axis. Specific parameters are stated for the vane geometry and for the geometry of the channels so that the vane will cause a solid spray cone of uniform distribution for a large range of volumetric flows, pressures and pipe diameters.

Abstract: An adapter to be fitted over the orifice of a nozzle the configuration of whose output it is desired to modify has a central bore aligned with the orifice of the nozzle. A shallow recess is provided in the output end of the adapter surrounding the orifice of its bore. The perimeter of the recess has the shape to be imparted to the nozzle output.

Abstract: A nozzle having intersecting perpendicular inlet and outlet axes is constructed with a cylindrical whirl chamber into which liquid is introduced from a transition passage. The latter is bounded by a flat surface of substantial width, with one end of the flat surface being tangent to the cylindrical surface defining the whirl chamber. In cross-section perpendicular to the flat surface and to the direction of liquid flow in the transition passage the latter is bounded by a straight flat section and a tapered down section connected to the ends of the flat section. This construction substantially reduces turbulence in the whirl chamber resulting in better controlled conical spray output for the nozzle.