Blast media nozzle and nozzle assembly

Abstract

A novel blast nozzle and nozzle apparatus are provided to eliminate time and tooling requirements of prior art blast nozzles. The nozzle is utilizable with a union connector, which includes a connector body having an axial bore and a boss centrally disposed within the bore. The connector also has a collet seated within the bore that includes gripping teeth. The teeth are oriented inwardly toward the boss and are positioned at an engagement distance from the boss. The nozzle includes a nozzle body with an inlet end and an axial bore. The nozzle also includes a capture band that is positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end. The capture band is sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the connector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The following generally relates to abrasive blasting and, more specifically, to a uniquely designed blast nozzle and nozzle assembly that eliminates the need for standard tooling typically required to install and replace blast nozzles.

Abrasive blasting processes are widely used to remove unwanted materials from a substrate surface. In most cases, compressed air or other fluid is applied to propel abrasive particles such as sand, ceramic alumina, tungsten carbide, boron carbide, or silicon nitride through a conduit, against the substrate surface. Through a nozzle, the abrasive materials are accelerated to a high speed and collide with a target surface. The collisions force removes unwanted dirt or other materials away from the target surface.

The blast nozzle itself is a major element determining the effectiveness of a blasting apparatus. Typically, the blasting apparatus includes an air hose, an abrasive hose, a gun, and the nozzle. The air hose and the abrasive hose are connected to the gun and supply compressed air (or fluid) and an amount of abrasive particulate, respectively, to the gun where the air is utilized to accelerate the abrasive particulate to high speeds for blasting. The acceleration of the abrasive particulate occurs principally in the nozzle, and principally due to the configuration of the nozzle. The nozzle used in abrasive blasting includes an entrance bore through which compressed air/fluid carrying abrasive particles passes. The entrance bore of the nozzle typically converges over a relatively short distance into a smaller-diameter exit bore. The quickly decreasing cross-sectional area of the converging section of the nozzle accelerates the abrasive particles. Such acceleration allows the abrasive materials to exit the nozzle and bombard the target surface at elevated speeds for more efficient cleaning.

The pressure within the gun due to the compressed air/fluid, which frequently reaches 100 psi, creates tremendous forces on the nozzle during the blasting process. Consequently, the nozzle must be firmly mounted to the gun. Otherwise, the forces behind the nozzle may cause the nozzle to be ejected from the gun at extremely high speeds, akin to the action of a bullet from a gun. Manufacturers have made certain design changes to the nozzles in order to prevent such mishaps and accidents. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a common design for a nozzle 10 includes a threaded engagement portion, which threadably attaches the nozzle 10 to the blast gun. The threaded engagement portion 12 allows the nozzle 10 to be threaded into position and fastened tightly to the gun. The threaded nozzle 10 is usually attached to the gun by utilizing tools and other equipment such as ferrules, wrenches, and the like. However, the nozzle 10 must be installed on the gun with great care and effort. This laborious process of installing the nozzle typically requires the tightening of at least two ferrules and cautious handling of the wrench so as to preserve the nozzle intact.

Although the inclusion of a threaded engagement portion on prior art nozzles has been quite successful in ensuring that the nozzles do not become projectiles during blasting operations, there are certain disadvantages associated with the required installation procedures and the inclusion of threads on the gun. As alluded to above, installation of a threaded nozzle requires several steps, including the tightening and attachment of ferrules. This process is sometimes made difficult due to the residue of abrasive particulate that may be present in the female nozzle attachment threads of the gun. This simple problem is a burden during installation because it creates a cleaning step. As a result, the installation of the nozzle may take several minutes, if not create additional problems due to improper installation technique or handling of the nozzle during installation.

The above-mentioned nozzle installation process has several inherent drawbacks including the requirement of the use of tools, lost time for the worker, and the increased risk of other, albeit less-foreseeable problems during installation. Therefore, although threaded nozzles have been effective in ensuring the safe use of nozzles at high pressures, there is a need to improve the installation procedure of such nozzles. Indeed, there is thus a substantial need to provide an improved nozzle and nozzle assembly that eliminates the requirement of tools, ferrules, and other impediments in safely securing the nozzle to the blasting apparatus. There is a further need in the art for an improved nozzle design that can be easily implemented on all sizes and shapes of nozzles, as well as being compatible with all of the standard sizes and shapes of hoses, connectors, and guns. Finally, there is a substantial need in the art for improving the speed, facility, and cost effectiveness of using blast nozzles for sand blasting and related applications.

BRIEF SUMMARY

As mentioned above, an object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle and a nozzle assembly that substantially reduces time and tooling requirements for blasting operations. In particular, embodiments of the present invention serve to reduce the time and tooling requirements necessary to change or install the nozzle of a blasting gun. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention are operative to improve the manner in which the nozzle is held by a blasting gun. In this regard, the substantial improvements and contributions to the state of the art as disclosed herein, are believed to make the installation and mounting of the nozzle faster and simpler while maintaining a coupling that is as safe and effective as that of prior art threaded blast nozzles.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the nozzle assembly includes a union connector and the nozzle. The union connector includes a connector body having an axial bore and a boss. The boss is centrally disposed within the axial bore. The union connector also includes collet that is at least partially seated within the bore and located at a distal end of the connector. The collet includes a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, and the teeth are positioned at an engagement distance from the boss.

The nozzle is uniquely configured to be mounted within the union connector in order to ensure safe use of the nozzle, i.e., to ensure that the nozzle does not become a projectile upon use. The nozzle includes a cylindrical nozzle body that defines an inlet end. The nozzle also includes an axial bore through which abrasive particulate travel during the blasting operation. Further, the nozzle includes a capture band that is positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end. The capture band is sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet when the nozzle is inserted into the union connector. The engagement of the capture band with the gripping teeth serves to restrict axial movement of the nozzle, thereby maintaining the nozzle secured within the union connector.

As mentioned, the engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth occurs when the nozzle is inserted into the connector. Preferably, engagement occurs as the inlet end of the nozzle converges upon the boss of the connector so as to ensure a tight fit between the nozzle and the union connector. Engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth may thus non-removably mount the nozzle to the connector.

The capture band of the nozzle may be variously configured. According to an implementation of the present invention, the capture band may at least in part, define a groove. For example, the capture band may be an annular groove that is position proximate the inlet end on the nozzle body. The groove may also be planar. Further, the annular groove may define a rectangular cross section. However, it is also contemplated that the capture band may also be a raised area along the nozzle body which would similarly cause engagement with the gripping teeth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a prior art blast nozzle including a threaded engagement portion;

FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the prior art blast nozzle showing a threaded engagement portion;

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle including a capture band, shown as a groove, in accordance with an implementation of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a nozzle assembly including a union connector and the nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle assembly illustrating the engagement of gripping teeth of the union connector with the capture band of the nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a nozzle 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned above, nozzles are typically used in a variety of applications. Embodiments of the present invention may be mounted in blasting guns used in blasting operations to accelerate a fluid or particulate in order to blast a substrate. This process causes a great amount of pressure and force to be exerted on the nozzle 100 due to the fluid being urged therethrough. As described above, in order to ensure that a nozzle does not shoot out of the blasting gun, prior art devices have used hardware such as ferrules and required the use of other tools to mount or remove a prior art nozzle 10. In contrast, embodiments of the present invention include a capture band 102 disposed on the nozzle 100 that is designed to engage gripping teeth 104 of a connector 106 and thereby secure the nozzle 100 thereto. As will be seen, embodiments of the present invention allow a user to quickly install and safely use the nozzle 100, thus eliminating the tooling and equipment requirements of the prior art. These advantages, as well as others, over the prior art are due to the unique features of the present invention, discussed further below.

The nozzle 100 is used in conjunction with the connector 106, and preferably used with a union connector 108, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Other types of connectors 106 may be utilized to secure the nozzle 100 for use. However, the union connector 108 is preferable because of its versatility to be used with various sizes of pneumatic hose 110. The connector 106 may accommodate the standard hose 110 and nozzle 100 diameter sizes, such as ⅛ inch, ¼ inch, ⅜ inch, ½ inch. The connector 106 must be operative to fluidly interconnect the hose 110 to the nozzle 100, wherethrough a fluid or abrasive particles may travel. For example, in abrasive blasting, the connector 106 would fluidly interconnect the hose 110 to the nozzle 100 in order to direct an output stream from the hose 110 toward a target object.

The connector 106 is preferably configured to include a connector body 112 and a collet 114. The connector body 112 includes an axial bore 116 and a boss 118 which is centrally disposed within the axial bore 116. The collet 114 of the connector 106 is at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end 120 of the connector 106. Finally, the collet 114 includes a plurality of gripping teeth 104 oriented inwardly toward the boss 118. The teeth are positioned at an engagement distance 122 from the boss 118. Other configurations and various equivalents for the collet 114 and the gripping teeth 104 may be designed and may be presently available in the art. These, and other features of the connector 106 may be variously modified and adapted to be utilized with embodiments of the present invention. The connector 106 may also be made of various materials as known in the art.

As show in FIG. 2b, the nozzle 100 may be a straight nozzle 100 with a venturi 124 that converges to an axial bore 126. However, the nozzle 100 is not limited to a particular internal configuration, but may be configured to include single or double venturis 124 of various lengths, angled blast outputs of various configurations and number, water induction, siphons, and various blast patterns configurations, to name a few. Additionally, as will be noted through the teachings herein, the nozzle 100 may be manufactured of various materials such as tungsten carbide, aluminum oxide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, and various new materials such as that manufactured by Cerbide™.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the nozzle 100 includes a nozzle body 128 defining an inlet end 130 and including the axial bore 126. The nozzle body 128 may be variously configured, such as to be cylindrical, which configuration is generally used in the industry. However, other configurations of the nozzle body 128 may be developed and utilized. The nozzle 100 may thus be variously configured to include features that may affect the size, shape, and geometry of the axial bore 126.

The capture band 102 of the nozzle 100 is positioned about the nozzle body 128. The band is sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth 104 of the collet 114 to restrict axial movement of the nozzle 100 upon insertion into the connector 106. The engagement of the capture band 102 to the gripping teeth 104 may occur during insertion of the nozzle 100 into the connector 106 as the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100 converges upon the boss 118 of the connector 106. Additionally, the nozzle 100 may need to be rotated or moved within the connector 106 in order to complete the engagement or to adjust and verify the engagement prior to use.

One of the primary beneficial features of the embodiments of the present invention lies in the fact that the engagement may be accomplished without the use of tools. In addition, the engagement allows the nozzle 100 to remain mounted in the connector 106 during use, instead of being transformed into an unsafe, high-speed projectile once the pressure from the abrasive fluid is applied. In this regard, the nozzle 100 may be non-removably engaged to the connector 106 for axial forces exerted by the fluid that are slightly greater than the maximum pressure of the connector 106. As is known in the art, the connector 106 may be capable of handling a certain maximum pressure. It is contemplated that the engagement of the nozzle 100 may be able to withstand the maximum pressure force that the connector 106 can withstand without being discharged from the inlet end 130 of the connector 106. This will ensure that if the connector 106 is used according to its safety standards and ratings, the nozzle 100 will also be safely engaged by the connector 106. Thus, according to preferred embodiments, the nozzle 100 is non-removably engaged to the connector 106 once proper engagement between the teeth 104 and the capture band 102 has been made.

The nozzle 100 may be sold together with a proper connector 106 as a nozzle assembly 134, although they may also be sold separately. Although pictured with a length of hose 112, it will be understood that the nozzle assembly 134 may simply include the nozzle 100 and the connector 106. Because the nozzle 100 will eventually be disposed of when it reaches its services life, and because the connector 106 is relatively inexpensive, the connector 106 may be disposed of along with the nozzle 100 when the nozzle 100 reaches its service life.

The engagement of the capture band 102 and the gripping teeth 104 is due in part to the orientation of the teeth 104 of the connector 106, which may be oriented inwardly both axially and toward the boss 118, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The teeth 104 are preferably angularly oriented with respect to the nozzle body 128. In other words, the teeth 104 may preferably be configured to converge toward the capture band 102 of the inserted nozzle 100, also converging inwardly toward the boss 118 of the connector 106. The gripping teeth 104 are operative to dig into softer material types, such as a rubber pneumatic hose 110. However, because the nozzle 100 may typically be made of a very hard material, the capture band 102 is required to ensure that the gripping teeth 104 are able to properly engage the nozzle 100 to prevent axial movement. Various teeth configurations may be utilized and may correspond to the dimensions and configuration of the capture band 102 of the nozzle 100, and vice versa.

Further, although possibly less preferable, the nozzle 100 may alternatively be configured to include a sleeve being made of a material that is soft enough to be properly engaged (dug into) by the gripping teeth 104. However, in such a situation, the nozzle 100 would only be indirectly engaged within the connector 106. Thus, the incorporation of the sleeve may be problematic because it must be fixedly secured to the nozzle 100 utilizing an adhesive or structural component. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that the engagement of the nozzle 100 with the gripping teeth 104 may include such indirect forms of engagement.

Once the teeth 104 are engaged with the capture band 102, an axial force directed to remove the nozzle 100 from the connector 106 causes the teeth 104 of the collet 114 to dig or be thrust further into the capture band 102, thereby impeding removal of the nozzle 100. In a typical use, this axial force may be supplied by the axial force created by fluid being urged through the connector 106 and out through the nozzle 100, and attempting manual removal of the nozzle 100 from the connector 106 may require similar axial forces. The engagement of the capture band 102 with the teeth 104 is strong enough to counterbalance the axial forces on the nozzle 100. As mentioned above, the nozzle 100 may be non-removably engaged by the gripping teeth 104 when the forces of the fluid are applied thereto.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the capture band 102 preferably encircles the entire nozzle body 128 in a circumferential manner, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The capture band 102 may be continuous or discontinuous, and may also be raised or indented, as discussed below. The capture band 102 may therefore be annular and is preferably a continuous band. For example, as also shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the capture band 102 may be a groove 132 that circumferentially covers the nozzle body 128. In this regard, the groove 132 may be configured to define a rectangular cross section, as shown in FIGS. 2a, 3, and 4. The cross-section of the capture band 102 may also be modified to correspond to the gripping teeth 104 of the collet. As mentioned, the teeth 104 may dig or be thrust into or toward the capture band 102. Thus, the teeth 104 may be lodged to within the groove 132. The teeth 104 may also be forced against other portions of the groove 132, such as edges or boundaries of the groove 132. Therefore, the teeth 104 may be axially compressed against the groove 132 or may also provide a longitudinal impediment to axial movement.

The groove 132 may also be variously configured. For example, if the collet 114 includes only three gripping teeth 104, the capture band 102 may be configured to include three notches wherein the three teeth 104 may be seated upon engagement. Further, if the teeth 104 are configured to include a specific pattern or design at their distal end 120, the capture band 102 may be designed to lock the distal ends 120 of the teeth 104 therein in order to complete engagement. The groove 132 may also be planar. In such an embodiment, groove 132 may define a plane and the nozzle 100 may define a central axis. The plane may be perpendicular to the central axis of the nozzle 100, and the groove 132 may be parallel to the plane. This embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. However, the groove 132 may also be shaped as a zig-zag pattern, offset rings, or multiple indentations. Thus, although the groove 132 may not be a continuous slot about the nozzle body 128, the groove 132 may provide a discrete number of indentations suitably sized and configured to receive the gripping teeth 104 for engagement. Further, the groove 132 may be other than rectangular in its cross sectional geometry. For example, the groove 132 may be configured similarly to a parallelogram to correspond to the shape of the gripping teeth 104. Such configuration may allow the gripping teeth 104 to be axially slidably receivable within the groove 132. However, a slidable engagement between the nozzle 100 and the connector 106 should be configured to ensure that any gap between the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100 and the boss 118 of the connector 106 is minimized, as described below, so as to protect against blowing the connector 106. Additionally, the groove 132 may also be configured to provide other forms of engagement such as by twisting the nozzle 100.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the capture band 102 may also be configured as a raised portion of the nozzle body 128, such as a protrusion or a bump. In such an embodiment, engagement preferably occurs when the capture band 102 is axially forced past the teeth 104 upon insertion of the nozzle 100 into the connector 106. Although not shown, a continuous or discontinuous protrusion about the nozzle body 128 may also serve to provide the engagement with the gripping teeth 104, as similarly described above in relation to the groove 132. In such an embodiment, the protrusion is preferably continuous about the nozzle body 128, such as a continuous raised rib. In use, when the teeth 104 engage the capture band 102, and the axial force directed to remove the nozzle 100 from the connector 106 is exerted, the teeth 104 dig into or are thrust into the raised rib and thus impede removal by tending to limit axial movement of the nozzle 100. The exertion of these forces may result in axial compression of the capture band/raised rib 102 by the teeth 104. Alternatively however, the raised rib may be sufficient to restrict the axial movement of the nozzle 100 because the teeth 104 block passage of the capture band/raised rib 102.

Furthermore, the capture band 102 may be configured to include both the groove 132 and the raised portion. With such a combination, various types of engagements between the nozzle 100 and the gripping teeth 104 are possible. The slidable and twisting engagement may be performed utilizing the groove 132 and the raised portion.

In addition, the capture band 102 is preferably disposed at approximately the engagement distance 122 from the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100. Due to the forces exerted on the connector 106 by accelerated fluid or abrasive particles, proper seating of the nozzle 100 within the connector 106 is extremely important to ensure proper engagement. The nozzle 100 should preferably be seated within the connector 106 with the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100 substantially abutting the boss 118 of the connector 106. If a gap remains between the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100 and the boss 118 of the connector 106, the forces exerted by the fluid may blow the connector 106, which is extremely dangerous. The connector 106 may also be blown if the hose 110 is cut crooked, i.e., not cut perpendicularly aligned to the axis of the hose 110. Thus, in order to ensure proper engagement of the nozzle 100, the capture band 102 is preferably spaced from the inlet end 130 of the nozzle 100 at the same distance from which the teeth 104 are disposed from the boss 118 of the connector 106, referred to herein as the engagement distance 122. The engagement distance 122 may be adjusted to compensate for peculiarities in the engagement of the teeth 104 with the capture band 102, such as for the geometry of the teeth 104 and capture band 102. It is contemplated that various alternative embodiments of the teeth 104 and/or capture band 102 may require specific attention to determine the engagement distance 122 in order to ensure that the nozzle 100 is properly seated in the connector 106.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of manufacturing and utilizing the nozzle 100 and nozzle assembly 134. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A nozzle for use with a connector, the connector including a connector body and a collet, the connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore, the collet being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the teeth being positioned at an engagement distance from the boss, the nozzle comprising:

a nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an axial bore; and

a capture band being positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end, the band being sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the connector.

2. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth occurs during insertion of the nozzle into the connector as the inlet end of the nozzle converges upon the boss of the connector.

3. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the connector.

4. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the capture band defines a groove.

5. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the capture band is an annular groove on the nozzle body.

6. The nozzle of claim 5 wherein the annular groove defines a rectangular cross section.

7. The nozzle assembly of claim 1 wherein the capture band is substantially planar.

8. A nozzle for use with a union connector, the union connector including a connector body and a collet, the connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore, the collet being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the nozzle comprising:

a cylindrical nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an axial bore; and

a capture groove being positioned about the nozzle body proximate the inlet end, the groove being sized and configured to substantially receive the gripping teeth of the collet upon insertion of the nozzle into the distal end of the connector to restrict axial movement of the nozzle.

9. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the gripping teeth of the collet are positioned at an engagement distance from the boss of the connector, the groove being disposed at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end to facilitate engagement of the gripping teeth of the collet with the groove of the nozzle.

10. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the connector.

11. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the groove has a rectangular cross section.

12. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the groove is substantially planar.

13. The nozzle of claim 8 wherein the groove is annular.

14. A nozzle assembly, the assembly comprising:

a union connector including: a connector body including an axial bore and a boss, the boss being centrally disposed within the axial bore; and a collet being at least partially seated within the bore at a distal end of the connector, the collet including a plurality of gripping teeth oriented inwardly toward the boss, the teeth being positioned at an engagement distance from the boss; and

a nozzle including: a cylindrical nozzle body defining an inlet end and including an axial bore; and a capture band being positioned about the nozzle body at approximately the engagement distance from the inlet end, the band being sized and configured to substantially engage the gripping teeth of the collet to restrict axial movement of the nozzle upon insertion into the connector.

15. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth occurs during insertion of the nozzle into the connector as the inlet end of the nozzle converges upon the boss of the connector.

16. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein engagement of the capture band to the gripping teeth non-removably mounts the nozzle to the connector.

17. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein the capture band defines a groove.

18. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein the capture band is an annular groove on the nozzle body.

19. The nozzle assembly of claim 18 wherein the annular groove defines a rectangular cross section.

20. The nozzle assembly of claim 14 wherein the capture band is substantially planar.