With Movably Or Flexibly Mounted Spray Or Jet Applying Conduits Or Nozzles Patents (Class 134/167R)
  • Patent number: 5713101
    Abstract: A nozzle and container cleaning system for rinsing and washing the interior of a flexible container. The system comprises a bulk bag dispenser having a concentric reducer and a pair of nozzles. The nozzles comprise an inner and outer cylinder, where the outer cylinder penetrates through the wall of the reducer, so that it communicates with the interior of the bag. The inner cylinder has a conduit and is slidably mounted within the outer cylinder and has an extended and retracted position. The conduit is connected to a fluid source which provides a pressurized fluid, either liquid or gas. The fluid is forced through a set of orifices in the inner cylinder and into the interior of the bag when the inner cylinder is between its two positions, thus expanding and rinsing the interior of the bag. The orifices have a notch positioned proximate to where the orifices exit the inner cylinder to better adjust the spray pattern of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Robert L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5709236
    Abstract: A colostomy pouch rinsing device comprises a faucet coupling assembly including a central elbow member having an upper section including faucet coupling devices and a lower section including a first compression unit; a water control handle including a main body and a control lever coupled thereto; a rubber hose having an inboard end being coupled to the faucet coupling assembly, the outboard end of the hose being coupled to the water control handle; a spray head formed in a hollow, generally cylindrical configuration with an upper end including a plurality of water apertures projecting therethrough; and copper tubing with an inboard end being threadedly coupled to the projection member of the handle and an outboard end formed contiguously with the spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventor: Ernest L. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5706842
    Abstract: A system for cleaning and verifying the cleanliness of the interior surfaces of hollow items, such as small bottles, tanks, pipes and tubes, employs a rotating spray head for supplying a gas-liquid cleaning mixture to the item's surface at a supersonic velocity. The spray head incorporates a plurality of nozzles having diverging cross sections so that the incoming gas-liquid mixture is first converged within the spray head and then diverged through the nozzles, thereby accelerating the mixture to a supersonic velocity. In the preferred embodiment, three nozzles are employed; one forwardly facing nozzle at the end of the spray head and two oppositely facing angled nozzles exiting on opposite sides of the spray head which balance each other, and therefore impart no net side load on the spray head. A drive mechanism is provided to rotate the spray head and at the same time move the head back and forth within the item to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Raoul E. B. Caimi, Eric A. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 5673717
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flushing device for internal flushing of tanks, preferably tanks in vessels or ships, whereby a turbine wheel (13) in a turbine device (8) is mounted in a supply conduit (10) so that said wheel (13) is driven by the flow of flush liquid in said supply conduit (10), and whereby the turbine wheel (13) is provided to operate a driving assembly located outside the supply conduit (10) and provided to bring a flush-liquid pipe to rotate and at the same time revolve or turn flush nozzles (7). A magnetic coupling (50) is provided to transfer by means of magnetic power, the rotary motions of the turbine wheel (13) from the interior of the supply conduit (10) to the driving assembly (9) located outside said supply conduit (10). Furthermore, the turbine wheel (13) is displaceably mounted for increasing or decreasing the speed of rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Lars Henry Jinback
  • Patent number: 5657782
    Abstract: A header, a rotating head and a base piece are sequentially mounted on the end of a stand pipe. Water hoses attach to threaded connections in the header. Channels in the header and rotating head supply water from the water hoses to number of passages, that in turn carry water to a number of nozzles located along an outer face of the rotating head. The nozzles are pointed so as to create water jets, which break up material on the floor of a septic tank and generate a torque in the rotating head that turns it about the stand pipe. Spring-loaded legs on the base fold up to allow the apparatus to be inserted through an opening in the septic tank, then extend outward to provide a stable stand. An extension fits over the opening in the septic tank and effectively raises the opening of the septic tank to ground level. A cap covers the extension when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Inventor: Robert D. Berning
  • Patent number: 5642745
    Abstract: A system for cleaning large storage tanks having a relatively small access opening is disclosed. An insertion chamber housing a dual tracked collapsible robotically operated vehicle is attached to a side entry port of the tank. The dual tracked vehicle is hydraulically powered up and enters the tank, whereupon it expands into its open operating condition. The dual tracked vehicle carries an articulatable nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid in all directions in two planes mutually perpendicular to each other inside the tank. It also carries a closed circuit television camera (CCTV) which is used by a remote operator to monitor its position and to control its movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Landry Service Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Charles Landry, Kermit Ray Arnold
  • Patent number: 5640983
    Abstract: A fluid driven tank cleaning device is provided. The device includes an inlet that connects to a source of cleaning solution under pressure and a stem coupled to the inlet having a fluid receiving chamber. A hermetically sealed gear box is also provided which is coupled to the stem and has a secondary chamber separated from the receiving chamber by a common wall. A primary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the fluid receiving chamber is driven by an impeller which rotates in response to fluid entering the fluid receiving chamber. The primary drive shaft is magnetically coupled to a secondary drive shaft rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber. A gear train reduces the speed of the secondary shaft. A first output shaft rotatably mounted within the secondary chamber is connected to the secondary drive shaft via the gear train. The output shaft is magnetically coupled to a second output shaft which rotates a main housing relative to the stem about a first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Butterworth Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George L. Sherman, Jr., Daniel G. Elko
  • Patent number: 5640982
    Abstract: A system for cleaning storage tanks is disclosed having a remotely controlled collapsibile tracked robotic tank entry vehicle, a closed circuit television system for observation including controllable light sources and an articulatible nozzle, also remotely controllable. The nozzle is capable of rotation fully 360 degrees in each of two planes perpendicular to each other under hydraulic control fully independent of its source of cleaning fluid for delivery to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Landry Service Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Charles Landry, Kermit Ray Arnold
  • Patent number: 5638845
    Abstract: A scissor jet cleaning device (10) for cleaning the interior of a tank (12) through a dome (14) on the tank (12) of a tanker (16). The device (10) comprises a support arm (18) that is adjustable in length. An assembly (20) is mounted to the dome (14) and is connected to a first side of the support arm (18), for extending and retracting the support arm (18) within the tank (12). A double spray nozzle head (22) is mounted in a rotatable manner to a second side of the support arm (18). A facility (24) is for fluidly connecting the double spray nozzle head (22) to pressurized cleaning fluid, so as to clean the interior of the tank (12). A structure (26) is connected to the extending and retracting assembly (20), for rotating the support arm (18) in its retracted position 180 degrees, so that the double spray nozzle head (22) can clean the interior of the tank (12) in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Michael A. Oliver, John W. Mincy
  • Patent number: 5613511
    Abstract: A distribution valve for a high-pressure pump comprises a closed valve housing (1), in which a valve rotor (2) is rotatably mounted. The valve rotor is adapted during rotation, preferably indexing, to alternately open and close the flow path to a series of outlet ports (8) in the valve housing, such that the pumping medium is distributed via the ports concerned out to individual nozzles disposed in a succession. The distribution valve is extended especially for use in a device for washing the interior of a building. The device comprises a carriage, which is movable back and forth and has a frame on which the nozzles are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Verntofta AB
    Inventors: Kurt E. Andersen, Ole Madsen
  • Patent number: 5594973
    Abstract: Device for cleaning the wall (1, 23) of a silo, comprising a compressed-air gun (12) suspended from two cables (14, 15) which are connected to two separate winches (16, 17), bearing on two pulleys (9, 10) fastened to a frame (6) which is arranged inside the silo and which is fixed to a rotary plate (4) which can move on a circular track (5) above an opening (2) in the silo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Joseph Brusseleers, Jan Claes
  • Patent number: 5579787
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a container having a top, an opening in the top, bottom, sides and a longitudinal axis comprises a sprayhead for spraying cleaning solution inside the container and being translatably moveable along the container longitudinal axis and rotatably moveable about the container longitudinal axis. The sprayhead has a pair of spray nozzle orifices opposing and crossing one another and being aimed downwardly into the container. Respective solution streams exiting the pair of nozzle orifices cross and clean the bottom of the container completely to its center. An alternative form of cleaning apparatus for cleaning a container having a fixed agitator comprises a sprayhead for spraying cleaning solution having a pair of nozzle orifices oppositely directed to one another and being aimed toward the sides of the container and defining an axis offset from the sprayhead longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: MPW Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5573187
    Abstract: A hand-held spraying apparatus for cleaning a holding tank in vehicles having a commode such as recreational vehicles. The spraying apparatus comprises a conduit having a valve for starting, stopping or regulating fluid flow through the apparatus; a viewport connected to the distal end of the conduit; an extended tube having first and second ends with the first end connected to the viewport and an elbow positioned near the second end; and a spray nozzle positioned at the second end of the extended tube and having openings positioned radially about the shaft portion of the spray nozzle so as to produce a circumferential spray pattern. A method for cleaning a holding tank is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Ronnie E. Proctor
  • Patent number: 5573024
    Abstract: A gutter washer comprising a wheel-shaped guide disposed rotatably on a cylindrical section of a nozzle is adapted to run on a roof gutter rim. The guide comprises a guide rim projecting radially from one end of a guide hub member, which rotates on the nozzle cylindrical section, and a plurality of lugs jutting radially from an opposite end of the hub member. Thus, the hub member becomes a circumferential track with the guide lugs running inside and the guide rim running outside of the gutter rim. When a gutter spike is encountered, the guide lugs step over it while keeping at least 2 lugs below the rim which is tangent to the circumferential track. A rigid tube is attached to the nozzle near the guide rim at a first tube end; the second tube end is adapted for connection of a garden water hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventors: Danny L. DeVaney, William DeVaney
  • Patent number: 5566695
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning containers, such as sample containers for environmental testing, involves providing fluidly isolated modular cleaning bays which are interchangeably cascaded together for processing trays of containers through different washing and rinsing solutions. In each modular bay a bank of nozzle elements is cycled to traverse into and out of the tray of containers to clean the interior surfaces of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Environmental Sampling Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Levey, William J. Sell
  • Patent number: 5557819
    Abstract: An improved pool cleaner hose assembly is provided for use in drawing water under a negative pressure from a manually operated pool cleaner device to a water filtration system for swimming pools and the like. Improvements relate to enhancements in the view of the operator on debris at the bottom of the swimming pool during cleaning operation. The hose assembly is coupled between the cleaner device and filtration system. An improved cleaner hose assembly comprising a conventional extruded plastic hose and a plurality of weights attached along the length of the hose to orient the hose at the lowest profile on the pool floor whereby imparting minimum disturbance to the water surface and enhancing the view of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Innovating Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony E. Krolikowski
  • Patent number: 5518553
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cleaning and stripping residue, contaminants, and debris from all of the interior surfaces in a storage tank and the like. The present invention may be conveniently inserted into a tank through its manway and, after quick assembly thereof, hydraulically positioned vertically and then maneuvered and articulated to clean and strip interior storage tank surfaces. A means is provided which inherently coordinates and synchronizes hydraulically driven rotation of the vertical pole on the tank floor with the hydraulically driven rotation of a spray bar disposed at the remote end of a boom assembly. Close proximity of the spray to the surfaces is controlled by hydraulically operated cylinders contained on a rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Moulder
  • Patent number: 5514219
    Abstract: An articulated annular sludge lance and method is described for cleaning sludge from tubes in a steam generator from the annular chamber surrounding the robe bundle. The articulated annular sludge lance is moved around the annular chamber and directs a fluid distribution member between the robes to effectively clean sludge from the tubes. The articulated annular sludge lance and method can also be used in the no robe lane or in combination with a no-robe lane method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Frank Kamler
  • Patent number: 5503115
    Abstract: A steam generator with a water lance sprayer for cleaning a surface of a heat exchangers of the steam generator, and more particularly combustion-chamber heat-transfer surfaces in steam boilers, can have an outlet opening swivel-type supported in the wall of the steam generator and its rear parts swivel-type suspended. Such a lance blower is provided with a polydirectional movability in a plane at the outlet opening of the water lance blower without contamination to ensure that the jet meeting the opposite boiler wall describes an exactly defined course. This is done by providing a flange at the outlet opening of the blowpipe, which flange can be attached to a segment of a cardan joint with the cardan joint being fastened in the combustion-chamber wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Veag Vereinigte Energiewerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Franzke, Frank-Dieter Kahle, Reinhard Sommer, Wilfried Boden
  • Patent number: 5497799
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet system comprises a tank having a sewage inlet connection for entry of sewage into the tank, a level detector establishing a maximum filling level for the tank, and a spray nozzle assembly for distributing cleaning liquid inside the tank. The spray nozzle assembly comprises an axle member having a first end portion provided with a mechanism attaching the axle member to the tank and a second end portion defining a vertical axis of rotation. The axle member is hollow and defines a passage that extends from the first end portion of the axle member and debouches at an outlet at the second end portion thereof. The spray nozzle assembly comprises a spray head mounted on the second end portion of the axle member for rotation about the vertical axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Envirovac, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Shenk
  • Patent number: 5488899
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing cans for recycling which automatically feeds cans one at a time into a cleaning station for cleaning and draining any remaining residue from the cans. At the completion of the cleaning cycle, the cleaned can is fed to a crushing station where the can is crushed to a predetermined thickness and then dropped into a hopper for storage for recycling. In accordance with the invention, three or more aluminum or tinned steel cans may be cleaned and crushed per minute without operator intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Jack S. Jennings
    Inventors: Jack S. Jennings, Todd W. Wright
  • Patent number: 5482063
    Abstract: A cylinder containing a piston rod to which a nozzle is attached, is fixed to the outside of a tank. A pressurized fluid is sprayed into the tank from the nozzle, and the piston rod elongates and contracts with the pressure of this fluid. Further provided are a first supply passage connecting a first pressure chamber formed around the piston rod in the cylinder to a pump, a return passage connecting a second pressure chamber on the opposite side of the piston rod to the tank, and a second supply passage connecting the second pressure chamber to the pump. A first valve is provided in the return passage, and a second valve is provided in the second supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kit
    Inventors: Takao Miura, Isao Miura
  • Patent number: 5467789
    Abstract: A system which enables removal of phosphor from a CRT front panel flange. The system includes an air operated valve connected between a water supply and a nozzle. The air operated valve may be incrementally opened and closed, which enables a continuous stream of water to be discharged from the nozzle onto the phosphor to remove the phosphor. In addition, the system includes an air supply and a pair of speed controllers which control the rate at which the air operated valve opens and closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Takahashi, Bill Lin
  • Patent number: 5467790
    Abstract: A manifold and valve block assembly, particularly for a bottle washer designed for plastic returnable bottles. The manifold and valve block assembly provides for the successive supply of a plurality of different cleansing and sanitizing solutions, and also for residual fluid removal and drying, to an internal spray nozzle positioned within a bottle being cleaned, and also to spray nozzles positioned externally of the bottle. The internal spray nozzle is mounted on a lance which is driven by different fluids between a fully retracted position within the valve block assembly and a fully extended position in which it is positioned within a bottle being cleaned. The lance is longitudinally movably positioned within a drive cylinder, and has a central fluid flow passageway which communicates with the spray nozzle mounted on the upper end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Heckler
  • Patent number: 5463887
    Abstract: The device embodying the invention uses a hydraulic press activating a mobile plate in a chamber opposite a base on which a metal barrel can be disposed, and successively comprises: the placing and maintaining of the barrel on the base; the perforating of two opposite sides of the barrel by means of an elongated perforating mechanism running through the barrel from side to side and from top to bottom; the cleaning of the interior of the barrel by projection of a cleansing fluid under pressure by means of a rotary injection head integral with the perforating mechanism; and the crushing of the barrel by displacement of the plate towards the base. The invention notably concerns the processing of polluted metal barrels with a view to facilitating handling, storage and recycling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Sfanid Renov'cuves
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Vasseur
  • Patent number: 5460193
    Abstract: Device for cleaning the walls (1, 2) of a tank with a pressurized fluid comprising a rotating stand (3) equipped with at least one pressurized cleaning fluid spray element (5, 6). The spray element (5, 6) may have nozzles (J) and displacement means allowing it to be positioned relative to the walls of the tank to achieve complete cleaning of all the walls of the tank.Method implemented by the device.FIG. 1 to be published.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Emile Levallois, Alain Delmas
  • Patent number: 5460331
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior of storage tanks of the type used for storing large volumes of crude oil wherein hydrocarbon sludge accumulates with the passage of time. The apparatus comprises a crude oil circulator having rotatable nozzles positioned within the tank, a gear member externally disposed on an outer surface of a hollow rotor, and a worm gear operatively connected to the gear member. A drive shaft is connected, through a valve opening in the tank wall, to a motor unit. Upon failure of the worm gear, the worm gear is removed from the tank through the valve opening, replaced or repaired, and reintroduced into the tank through the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Serv-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Krajicek, Robert R. Cradeur
  • Patent number: 5454389
    Abstract: An ostomy bag cleaning device (10) for introducing water into an ostomy bag (12) in order to loosen and evacuate waste contained therein and retain evacuated waste material until sanitarily disposal thereof. The cleaning device (10) includes a pump reservoir (14) for storing clean water to be used as a cleaning medium for an ostomy bag (12). A pump (16) includes a pump impeller (26) positioned within the pump reservoir (14) such that the water may be withdrawn therefrom. Water is withdrawn from the pump reservoir (14) through a flexible hose (38). A waste receptacle (18) is provided for receiving and storing the waste and wasted water from the ostomy bag (12) until sanitary disposal thereof. A carrying case (42) is provided for storing the pump reservoir (14), the pump (16), the waste receptacle (18), and any associated equipment. A rigid support structure (44) is provided for receiving both the pump reservoir (14) and the waste receptacle (18) such that the position of each is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventors: John C. Hubbard, Beatrice Hubbard
  • Patent number: 5445173
    Abstract: A system is provided for stirring and thereby reducing build up of bottom sediments in a storage tank, the system including a vertical outer casing having an intermediate opening communicating with a horizontal tubular member so that the vertical outer casing is supported within the interior of the tank and above the tank bottom. A perforated inner casing is rotatably supported within the vertical outer casing. An elbow fitting is affixed to one end of the inner casing. A nozzle is affixed to the elbow having an outlet directed to horizontally discharge fluid over the tank bottom. A stepping motor is secured to the outer casing and has an output shaft affixed to the inner casing by which the inner casing is rotated to discharge recirculated tank fluid over the tank bottom to stir up and suspend bottom sediments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Matrix Service, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Aiken
  • Patent number: 5441063
    Abstract: A high-speed bottle washing machine provides concurrent rotational motion to a workpiece as it is conveyed through a washing treatment zone for internal and external spray treatments. The machine comprises a plurality of moving bottle receiving stations for sequentially receiving and rotating inverted bottles received from a bottle infeed conveyor, a plurality of reciprocating spray nozzles, with at least one spray nozzle moving with each bottle receiving station, wherein each of the spray nozzles reciprocates from a first position below the inverted bottles, to a second position within the bottles, and a manifold assembly for sequentially supplying a caustic wash fluid under pressure to each of the plurality of spray nozzles to clean the bottles by impingement of the wash fluid in a predetermined pattern within the bottles as the bottles are rotated. The washed bottles are finally discharged at a bottle outfeed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Fernandez, Attila Soti, Steve Miller
  • Patent number: 5439175
    Abstract: A self-propelled cleaning device for a tube where it does not revolve along the inner circumferential wall of the tube used as a piping when desired, and further permitting such a device to revolve along the inner circumferential wall of tube as an occasion demands. The cleaning device for a tube comprises a nozzle supporting body including a main flow path in an axial direction, and for self propelling having ejection holes in an oblique direction communicating with the main flow path formed on the upstream side to which a hose is connected. The main flow path communicates with a liquid supply path formed on the secondary side of a bearing portion for supporting a tubular revolving body having ejection holes for an unbalanced force. A slide valve is internally provided on the secondary side of the nozzle supporting body and is constantly forced in a valve seat direction by a spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Shinzou Katayama
  • Patent number: 5419348
    Abstract: In an automatic bottle washing machine, a nozzle spray system for spraying an internal bottom surface of a bottle or container that is rotatable about its central vertical axis. The nozzle spray system includes a nozzle body having a centralized bore for receiving pressurized fluid, a plurality of discharge orifices located in a staggered, spaced apart pattern on the surface of the nozzle body, and a plurality of elongated microbores to connect a respective one of the plurality of discharge orifices to the centralized bore. When the nozzle body is positioned within an invertedly positioned bottle, cleaning fluid is discharged from the plurality of discharge orifices in well focused jets toward adjacent regions of the internal bottom surface of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Kuta
  • Patent number: 5415192
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a liquid treatment plant comprises a tank and also a pressure line for the supply of the liquid to the tank. The pressure line has a nozzle which can be moved between a position in which it is connected to the filling aperture of the tank and a position not connected to the filling aperture, and also comprises means for periodic cleaning of the pressure line. In order to avoid mistakes in the connection, a return line for returning a cleaning fluid supplied through the pressure line is provided with a connecting piece which can be connected on the one hand to the nozzle of the pressure line removed from the filling aperture, in order to form a flow connection between pressure line and return line, and which can be connected on the other hand to the filling aperture, in order to shut it off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Gascoigne-Melotte B.V.
    Inventor: Anne Pera
  • Patent number: 5411043
    Abstract: An articulated annular sludge lance and method is described for cleaning sludge from tubes in a steam generator from the annular chamber surrounding the tube bundle. The articulated annular sludge lance is moved around the annular chamber and directs a fluid distribution member between the tubes to effectively clean sludge from the tubes. The articulated annular sludge lance and method can also be used in the no tube lane or in combination with a no-tube lane method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Frank Kamler
  • Patent number: 5409545
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning containers, such as sample containers for environmental testing, involves providing modular cleaning bays into which an array of inverted containers can be transported, such as by means of a drive chain. Independently operable nozzle banks disposed in the cleaning bay generally below the resident container tray are driven in an x-axis motion, such as by a stepper motor, to register a selected nozzle bank with successive rows of containers within the tray. At each row of containers the nozzle bank, which is selected in accordance with the size and spacing of the containers being processed, is caused to travel in a z-axis motion through a process cycle in which the nozzle elements of the nozzle bank traverse through the open mouth ends of the containers registered therewith and in which a fluid stream is projected directly onto the interior surfaces of the containers, preferably sweeping the entirety of those surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Environmental Sampling Supply, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Levey, William J. Sell, Brett Wilmarth
  • Patent number: 5397256
    Abstract: Apparatus for flushing a marine engine employs clamping members that operate hydraulically to engage the opposite sides of the engine housing, positioned over water intake ports thereof. Upon full engagement of the apparatus, a check-valve opens to permit water to flow through a clamping member and into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: Glenn P. Bidwell
  • Patent number: 5392798
    Abstract: A pair of expansion links each having a rotary jet nozzle are respectively expanded in the opposite two directions in synchronism with each other within a tank. With these link mechanisms capable of expansion and contraction, the link arms forming the links can be closed until the link arms are parallely adjoined to one another. The link mechanisms are driven by a driving shaft from outside the tank. The inner surface of the tank is scanned with streams of water sprayed from the nozzles along with the expansion of the expansion links thereby cleaning the inner surface of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sugino Machine
    Inventors: Susumi Hirose, Masatoshi Ishizaki, Yoshimitsu Funawatashi, Yukihiro Funakawa
  • Patent number: 5383974
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cleaning and rejuvenating septic tank sewage systems. Where the septic tank has a drainfield associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral, and agitating the area near the drainfield lateral while simultaneously applying suction to the drainfield lateral. Accumulated scum and waste is thereby removed from the drainfield lateral. Where the septic tank system has a dry well associated therewith, the method comprises penetrating the bottom of the dry well and agitating the area underneath the dry well to form accumulated scum and waste into a froth or malt at the bottom of the dry well, and removing the froth or malt by suction. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a penetrating nozzle attached to an articulated boom assembly for penetrating the ground near a drainfield lateral or underneath a dry well to apply forced air or fluid or suction to agitate the area near the drainfield lateral or underneath the dry well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Edward P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5381811
    Abstract: A furnace cleaning apparatus for cleaning a cyclone furnace with a fluid from a fluid source. The furnace cleaning apparatus comprises a beam assembly capable of being pivotably mounted to the cyclone furnace. A rotary actuator is connected to the beam assembly for turning the beam assembly. A trolley is movably mounted to the beam assembly. A chain drive assembly and a drive source for moving the trolley relative to the beam assembly are mounted to the beam assembly. An articulated arm assembly is pivotally connected to the trolley. A rotary actuator is mounted to the articulated arm assembly for pivoting the articulated arm assembly relative to the trolley. A nozzle is connected to a second end of the articulated arm assembly. A fluid conduit connects the nozzle to a fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: C.H. Heist Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas B. Boisture
  • Patent number: 5363866
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of cleaning containers, particularly bottles, in which the bottles to be cleaned are continuously moved in uniform spatial orientation past a row of jet nozzles ejecting a cleaning agent. Each time a bottle passes a particular jet nozzle, that jet nozzle is aligned with the bottle mouth during a certain portion of the path of motion of the bottle. This follower motion is positively effected by means of a catch member provided at the jet nozzle. The advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that each jet nozzle is aligned with the bottle mouth during a relatively long period of time and, thus, is able to clean the bottle more effectively. The jet nozzle can be mounted at the end of a swiveling lever arm member being under the influence of a spring member forcing the lever member back to an initial position. A cleaning apparatus can provide a row of such jet nozzles which are swiveling independently from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: VTZ Engineering & Services AG
    Inventor: Walter C. Egger
  • Patent number: 5351885
    Abstract: A liquid jetting apparatus includes a drive mechanism, fixed, rotating and jetting cylinder sections connected in order, first rotation transmission mechanism connected to the drive mechanism and having a first operating element, second rotation transmission mechanism connected to the drive mechanism and having a second operating element, the rotational speed of the second rotation transmission mechanism being slightly different from that of the first rotation transmission mechanism, a first operating rod connected at its one end to the first rotation transmission mechanism through a position change mechanism and at its other end to the jetting cylinder section, a second operating rod connected at its one end to the second rotation transmission mechanism and at its other end to the rotating cylinder section, and a detector for detecting the positions of the first operating element and the second operating element and reversing the direction of rotation of the drive mechanism when both operating elements are p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Taiho Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Manabe
  • Patent number: 5336332
    Abstract: Means is disclosed for washing the inside of a pelletizing machine containing a bag filter which is capable of being raised and lowered within the body of the machine. A vertically movable, upright means to spray washing liquid in three dimensions is provided above the bag filter. A horizontally movable spraying means is provided below the bag filter. This horizontal spraying means can be retracted from inside the pelletizing machine during pelletizing operations, but is capable of spraying washing liquid upwardly into the open end of the bag filter during washing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Powrex, Kabushiki Kaisha Ariwa Seisakusho
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Satoh, Itsuo Muto, Shigeki Takeda, Mamoru Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 5333630
    Abstract: A compact cleaning plant is provided which has great cleaning effect and is self-cleaning. The apparatus according to the invention has a conical stationary part (1) mounted on the inlet pipe for the cleaning liquid, and on which there is suspended a 90.degree. pipe bend (16), the end of which has a hub (11) with nozzles (12) mounted in a rotatable manner in relation to the pipe bend. In this housing, there is contained a turbine (23) which drives a planet gear (15, 27) for turning the pipe bend (16), while at the same time the hub (11) is turned by means of toothed rims (8, 13) enclosed within the housing (1, 16, 11). The housing is also provided with outlet openings (35) and outlet slots (36, 37) for that part of the liquid (39) which serves to lubricate and clean the bearings, said openings and slots being positioned and configured in such a manner that the diverted out-flowing liquid also sweeps all of the housing's external parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Toftejorg A/S
    Inventors: Erik L. Jepsen, Jorgen F. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5325609
    Abstract: A liquid handling apparatus is employed for washing a coated microtiter plate well. The apparatus includes a probe with a bent outlet which is employed for directing the wash current against the sidewall of the well and for creating swirling current of wash liquid upon such sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Source Scientific Systems Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Wells
  • Patent number: 5320072
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing sludge from the tubes and tubesheet of a steam generator. A support structure is adapted to be mounted at an access port of a steam generator. A lance tube extends from the support structure into the steam generator. A spool attached to a high pressure hose is received in the lance tube. A pinch roller assembly mounted on the support structure is used to move the cylinder through the lance tube. High pressure water flows through slots drilled in the spool and out holes in the lance tube against the tubes and tubesheet. A rocker motor causes back and forth rotation or rocking of the lance tube to create a sweeping action. The lance tube may also be adjusted axially to insure that the water streams are directed to the tube lanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: B&W Nuclear Service Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Theiss, Harry W. Masterton
  • Patent number: 5301702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing formation of solids in a tank and for removing solids contained in the tank, a pipe assembly rigidly connected to the tank for conveying heated liquids to the interior of the tank, a rotatable jet assembly rotatably connected to the pipe assembly for receiving the heated liquids from the pipe assembly and spraying the heated liquids onto the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Inventor: Robert D. McKinney
  • Patent number: 5293887
    Abstract: A robotic tank cleaning system is provided, comprising a light-weight, collapsible, and robotically controllable frame having an articulatable washing nozzle for spraying a petroleum-based solvent on a surface to be cleaned. Hydraulic power and control units are also provided which allow an operator to control the motion of the frame and washing nozzle from outside the tank, as well as a solvent supply system for delivering solvent to the washing nozzle. A hoisting mechanism is included to allow placement and retrieval of a waste removal pump, and a clearing blade is attached to the frame to assist movement of waste material to the waste removal pump. Waste material comprising dislodged oil sludge and expended solvent is collected in waste fractioning tanks where the collected oil sludge is allowed to settle below the expended solvent. The separated solvent in the waste fractioning tanks is redirected through the solvent supply system and is reused for further spraying of the tank interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Ray Thibodeaux
  • Patent number: 5279675
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning a storage or transport tank by spraying a cleaning agent against the interior wall using at least one spray nozzle, said nozzle making a rotating movement in a plane, while said plane is simultaneously revolved around an axis which makes an angle with the axis of rotation of the nozzle, the point of impingement of a jet cleaning agent delivered by the nozzle describing a track over the interior wall of the container, said track passing a plurality of times a closed circumferential line on the wall of the tank, which line is chosen as a reference, wherein the nozzle or each nozzle is so controlled that passages of the impingement track that is being described substantially occur in the greatest as yet unintersected portion of said circumferential line, which portion is located between earlier points of intersection of the impingement track and said circumferential line namely, at distances from said earlier points of intersection which substantially bear a ratio of 1:(1/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventor: Diederik S. Verbeek
  • Patent number: 5264042
    Abstract: An apparatus for washing pellets of magnetic particles magnetically bound to the bottom of a test tube employs a liquid handling probe having an aspiration channel with a forked inlet for positioning the probe onto the periapical region of the test tube for optimizing both the aspiration and expression of liquids. While contacting the periapical region of the test tube, the forked inlet may aspirate liquid adjacent to the pellet without contacting the magnetic particles. Furthermore, the contact between the forked inlet and the periapical region of the test tube, serves to position the outlet of the liquid channel directly over the pellet for dislodging and resuspending the magnetically bound pellet with a forceful stream of wash liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventors: John R. Wells, Jack R. Uren, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5246502
    Abstract: A valve bushing cleaning device for cleaning a valve bushing while the bushing is situated in a valve bore of a valve body, such as in a railway vehicle brake apparatus and a method for cleaning such valve bushing. The cleaning device comprises a hollow cylindrical conduit having a first open end attachable to a source of pressurized fluid and a second closed end. The conduit has a recessed portion with fluid passageways through the wall thereof and structure for securing a sealing member on each side of the fluid passageways. In the method, the closed end of the cleaning device is inserted into a valve bushing disposed in a valve bore of a valve body, with pressurized fluid forced through the conduit, out of the fluid passageways, and through apertures in the valve bushing, with any solids picked up and carried by the fluid through passages formed in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Alvin J. Matthews, Thomas M. Hartzell, Ronald M. Markos, Richard H. Gumbert