Patents by Inventor Shridhar Gopalan

Shridhar Gopalan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20190209980
    Abstract: An eductor type gas to gas aspirator having improved entrainment efficiency includes a motive gas nozzle configured with a distal tip having an arcuate internal profile that converges in a downstream direction. The arcuate internal profile preferably has sinusoidal convergence curvature. In a preferred embodiment, the length Ls of the nozzle tip is between 2D and 4D where D is the diameter of said outlet orifice, and the distance Ld between nozzle outlet orifice and the upstream end of and out let barrel passage is between 0 and D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Corey ZAMENSKI, Shridhar GOPALAN
  • Publication number: 20190202411
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automated or remotely controlled methods and apparatuses for cleaning and drying soiled external 2-D or 3-D image sensor surfaces such as objective lenses on Light Detection and Ranging (“LIDAR”) sensors when mounted in a configuration that is exposed to dirty environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Chunling Zhao, Shridhar Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20190202410
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automated or remotely controlled methods and apparatuses for cleaning and drying soiled external 2-D or 3-D image sensor surfaces such as objective lenses on Light Detection and Ranging (“LIDAR”) sensors when mounted in a configuration that is exposed to dirty environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Chunling Zhao, Shridhar Gopalan
  • Patent number: 10239083
    Abstract: A very compact nozzle assembly 100, 200, 300 and spray head for an automotive washer nozzle is configured for inclusion into an automotive trim component. The compact nozzle assembly and spray head generate a very effective cleaning spray at a selected spray fan angle, yaw angle and roll angle and, in an exemplary embodiment, the spray fan is dual shear shaped, producing an even distribution, which may be varied from 30° to 120°. Spray head may be as small as 5 mm in diameter and be aimed to provide a spray with various spray aim, yaw and roll angles. The design accounts for better mold ability and versatility of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: dlhBowles, Inc.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Chunling Zhao, Andrew Cameron
  • Publication number: 20190061702
    Abstract: A micro-sized structure and construction method for a fluidic oscillator wash or spray nozzle (100 or 250) has a nozzle housing (110 or 252) enclosing an interior cavity (112 or 262) which receives an insert (114 or 254) having internal fluid passages defining first and second power nozzles (120, 122 or 280, 282). The power nozzles receive pressurized fluid (130) flowing through the interior cavity of the housing, where the fluid flows into the cavity at the bottom of the housing and flows upwardly to inlets (140, 142) for the power nozzles so that accelerating first and second fluid flows are aimed by the power nozzles toward one another in an interaction region (154 or 284) which exhausts laterally along a spray axis through a horn-shaped throat defined partly within the insert and partly within the flared spray outlet orifice (160 or 290) defined through the sidewall (162) in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Shridhar GOPALAN, Chunling ZHAO, Zachary KLINE
  • Patent number: 10155232
    Abstract: A conformal, cup-shaped fluidic nozzle engineered to generate an oscillating spray is configured as a (e.g., 100, 400, 600 or 700). Preferably, the fluidic circuit's oscillation inducing geometry 710 is molded directly into the cup's interior wall surfaces and the one-piece fluidic cup may then fitted into an actuator (e.g., 340). The fluidic cup (e.g., 100, 400, 600 or 700) conforms to the actuator stem used in typical aerosol sprayers and trigger sprayers and so replaces the prior art “swirl cup” 70 that goes over the actuator stem (e.g., 320), With the fluidic cup (e.g., 100, 400, 600 or 700) and method of the present invention, vendors of liquid products and fluids sold in commercial aerosol sprayers 20 and trigger sprayers 800 can now provide very specifically tailored or customized sprays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Shridhar Gopalan, Gregory Russell
  • Publication number: 20180343813
    Abstract: A clog resistant in-line vortex emitter and drip irrigation assembly and method uses a double-sided circuit and a series of vortex chambers of optimized dimensions to create a pressure drop with large dimensions and good clog resistance. The vortex chamber 100 also al lows for a lower exponent than traditional circuits. This gives a pressure regulating property to the no-moving-parts circuit. The vortex emitter allows for some pressure regulation without sacrificing recyclability or requiring moving parts. The vortex circuit of the present disclosure is optimized for an emitter efficiency Ef value wherein Ef=(k/Ackt)*Amin such that k is a unitless head loss coefficient, Ackt is the area of the circuit, and Amin is the minimum cross sectional area of the circuit. A higher k per a given area with larger dimensions allows for a smaller part with a lower chance of clogging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Hasday, Gregory A. Russell, Shridhar Gopalan, Christopher F. South
  • Publication number: 20180345299
    Abstract: The invention relates to various low flow rate fluidic nozzle inserts having a reverse mushroom-shaped mushroom insert geometry that are useful for a wide range of spraying and cleaning applications. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to fluidic nozzle inserts that are able to perform at low flow rates with geometrical and dimensional limitations. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to compact fluidic nozzle inserts that provide a manner by which to attain a desired level of performance in a fluidic nozzle assembly for small scale applications at low flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Edward Han, Shridhar Gopalan, Chunling Zhao
  • Patent number: 10130960
    Abstract: A spray dispenser is configured to generate a swirled output spray pattern 152 with improved rotating or angular velocity ? and smaller sprayed droplet size. Cup-shaped nozzle member 60 has a cylindrical side wall 62 surrounding a central longitudinal axis 64 and has a circular closed end wall 68 with at least one exit aperture 74 passing through the end wall. At least one enhanced swirl inducing mist generating structure is formed in an inner surface 70 of the end wall, and including a pair of opposed inwardly tapered offset power nozzle channels 80, 82 terminating in an interaction chamber 84 surrounding the exit aperture 74. The power nozzle channels generate opposing offset flows which are aimed to very efficiently generate a vortex of fluid which projects distally from the exit aperture as a swirled spray of small droplets 152 having a rapid angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: dlhBOWLES, Inc.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Evan Hartranft
  • Patent number: 10092913
    Abstract: A fluidic circuit configured to spray an oscillating pattern of fluid droplets, having an inlet in fluid communication with a source and including a power nozzle with an oscillation chamber having a fluid jet steering section in fluid communication with the power nozzle and having either (a) a first fluid pressure accumulating volume opposite a second fluid pressure accumulating volume or (b) a first fluid jet attachment feature opposing a second fluid jet attachment feature. The fluid jet steering section is in fluid communication with and emits a fluid jet into an oscillation inducing interaction region with opposing first and second side wall ears or features which define an oscillation inducing interaction region in the oscillation chamber for causing the jet of fluid to rhythmically sweep back and forth between the sidewalls in the oscillation chamber and create a distally projecting oscillating spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Evan Hartranft
  • Patent number: 10086388
    Abstract: A fluidic oscillator adapted for use in a showerhead or nozzle assembly includes an eddy filter structure which reduces the adverse effects of fluid supply turbulence on the fluidic oscillator's spraying performance. A nozzle or rain can style showerhead assembly includes a water chamber or manifold which receives water via a central inlet fitting. Water entering the water chamber or manifold flows turbulently into and through the manifold and is expelled under pressure through a plurality of nozzles which are configured as specially adapted fluidic inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Gregory Russell
  • Publication number: 20180274409
    Abstract: Provided is a bi-directional PCV valve assembly, system and method. The bi-directional PCV valve may include a fluidic geometry that allows for a flow of fluid a high flow rate in one direction, forward flow, and a low flow rate in the opposite direction, reverse flow. The reverse flow includes a swirling flow that increases the pressure drop and reduces the flow rate to a third of the flow rate of the forward flow. The disclosed assembly produces a strong swirling flow (vortex) in the reverse direction and an efficient (low pressure drop) flow in the forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Shridhar GOPALAN, Corey ZAMENSKI
  • Publication number: 20180274411
    Abstract: Provided is a PCV valve assembly that includes a fluidic geometry that allows for the flow of combustion fluid/gas to flow between an inlet and an outlet and switch between two modes of operation, (i) a radial or high flow mode, and (ii) a tangential or low flow mode, as dictated during the operation of the engine. At low vacuums, the fluidic equipped PCV valve assembly has been tuned to operate in the radial mode producing high flow rates due to low flow resistance. As vacuum increases, the PCV valve assembly is tuned to automatically switch modes. This may be enabled due to the shape of the fluidic geometry and the bypass channel which is adapted to vary the amount of flow between a first and a second control ports. The bypass channel allows the geometric fluidic pattern to switch between the high flow mode and the low flow mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Jerry Thurber
  • Patent number: 10066351
    Abstract: An oscillating or pulsing fluid stream, or flow 18, 132, 300, is produced from a flow of pressurized air by fluidic apparatus 10, 100, 130, 180, 220 in a device 250 configured for use in surface cleaning, sweeping, lawn care applications, and the like. Converging inlet chamber walls 20, 22, define a tapered internal lumen having a smooth narrowing profile is configured to generate at a power nozzle 44 a high velocity stream with minimal pressure drop. Downstream of the power nozzle, first and second control ports CP1, CP2 are in fluid communication with the high velocity stream 46 and with each other via an inertance loop 72 having a lumen of selected cross sectional area and length. The varying air flow is directed through an outlet chamber 14, 134 shaped to produce an oscillating flow 18 or a pulsating flow 132.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Dharapuram N Srinath, Christopher South
  • Patent number: 9987639
    Abstract: A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in/hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Russell, Shridhar Gopalan, Christopher South, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler, Kerrie Allen, Srinivasaiah Sridhara
  • Publication number: 20180071754
    Abstract: A conformal, cup-shaped fluidic nozzle engineered to generate an oscillating spray is configured as a (e.g., 100, 400, 600 or 700). Preferably, the fluidic circuit's oscillation inducing geometry 710 is molded directly into the cup's interior wall surfaces and the one-piece fluidic cup may then fitted into an actuator (e.g., 340). The fluidic cup (e.g., 100, 400, 600 or 700) conforms to the actuator stem used in typical aerosol sprayers and trigger sprayers and so replaces the prior art “swirl cup” 70 that goes over the actuator stem (e.g., 320), With the fluidic cup (e.g., 100, 400, 600 or 700) and method of the present invention, vendors of liquid products and fluids sold in commercial aerosol sprayers 20 and trigger sprayers 800 can now provide very specifically tailored or customized sprays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Shridhar Gopalan, Gregory Russell
  • Publication number: 20180029566
    Abstract: A very compact nozzle assembly 100, 200, 300 and spray head for an automotive washer nozzle is configured for inclusion into an automotive trim component. The compact nozzle assembly and spray head generate a very effective cleaning spray at a selected spray fan angle, yaw angle and roll angle and, in an exemplary embodiment, the spray fan is dual shear shaped, producing an even distribution, which may be varied from 30° to 120°. Spray head may be as small as 5 mm in diameter and be aimed to provide a spray with various spray aim, yaw and roll angles. The design accounts for better mold ability and versatility of application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Chunling Zhao, Andrew Cameron
  • Publication number: 20180015487
    Abstract: A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in/hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory RUSSELL, Shridhar GOPALAN, Christopher SOUTH, Russell HESTER, Eric KOEHLER, Kerrie ALLEN, Srinivasaiah SRIDHARA
  • Publication number: 20170350081
    Abstract: An oscillating or pulsing fluid stream, or flow 18, 132, 300, is produced from a flow of pressurized air by fluidic apparatus 10, 100, 130, 180, 220 in a device 250 configured for use in surface cleaning, sweeping, lawn care applications, and the like. Converging inlet chamber walls 20, 22, define a tapered internal lumen having a smooth narrowing profile is configured to generate at a power nozzle 44 a high velocity stream with minimal pressure drop. Downstream of the power nozzle, first and second control ports CP1, CP2 are in fluid communication with the high velocity stream 46 and with each other via an inertance loop 72 having a lumen of selected cross sectional area and length. The varying air flow is directed through an outlet chamber 14, 134 shaped to produce an oscillating flow 18 or a pulsating flow 132.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Shridhar GOPALAN, Dharapuram N. SRINATH, Christopher SOUTH
  • Publication number: 20170341090
    Abstract: A nozzle and spray dispenser for generating a uniform substantially flat fan spray pattern when spraying high viscosity fluids (i.e., oils, lotions, cleaning liquids, shear-thinning liquids and gels and similar Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids having viscosities of 10-100 cP) is configured with an exit orifice 134 defining multiple lip segments 150A, 150B, 150C. Cup-shaped nozzle member 100 has a cylindrical side wall 102 surrounding a central longitudinal axis and has a circular closed end wall with at least one exit aperture passing through the end wall 112. At least one enhanced exit orifice structure is formed in an inner surface of the end wall, and includes two to five lip segments of selected width defining edges at the orifice 134, where each edge segment is defined at the distal edge of a separate and distinct interior wall segment 160A, 160B, 160C which has a selected wall convergence angle ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew Cameron, Evan Hartranft, Shridhar Gopalan