Motor Or Spray Fluid Operated Continuously Moving Discharge Modifier Patents (Class 239/380)
  • Patent number: 7017835
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer applies particulate paints with good color matching by reducing paint droplet size deviation and then optimizing the other paint spraying parameters. Paint droplet size parameters are reduced by using a bell cup having reduced flow deviations, including an overflow surface having a generally constant angle between a deflector and an atomizing edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Vetter, Rolf Schneider, Andreas Fischer, Robert F. Heldt
  • Patent number: 7017836
    Abstract: A feed system for a rotary coating atomizer formed from two opposed coaxially mounted rotating atomizer assemblies consists of a cylindrical, hollow distributor mounted coaxially between the atomizer assemblies. The distributor contains one or more distributor feed holes formed in each opposing side in proximity to the adjacent atomizer assembly. A hollow axle passes coaxially through the distributor and the atomizer assemblies, and contains one or more axle feed holes beneath each distributor, so that when the coating is fed through the hollow axle it enters the distributor through the axle feed holes and exits the distributor through the distributor feed holes onto the atomizer assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Wilevco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Lohkamp
  • Patent number: 6991182
    Abstract: A spraying head assembly for a massaging tub includes a housing, a cover, a water outlet valve seat, a water outlet valve cover, a vortex rotor, a bushing, a nozzle, an impulse rotor, and a motor. Thus, the water is pressurized by rotation of the helical blades of the vortex rotor and the helical plates of the water outlet valve seat to produce a strong water beam that is injected outward from the nozzle, thereby enhancing the massaging effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Jack Ya Jyue Chen
  • Patent number: 6988676
    Abstract: A spray cleaner (10) is provided for rotatingly cleaning an interior of a vessel or the like. The spray cleaner has a main body (12) and a rotating spray body (14). The main body is at a proximal end of the spray cleaner, and the rotating spray body is at a distal end of the spray cleaner. An internal flow conduit (22) in the main body of the rotating spray body communicates a fluid inlet in the main body to a plurality of spray nozzles (18) in at least one spray head which is a part of the rotating spray body. A drive train (30) for rotating the spray body is positioned in the main body, such that the flow conduit passes around the drive train in an annular passage coaxial with the drive train, providing cooling thereto. A vaned rotor (26) in the flow conduit is connected to an input shaft (28) of the drive train, which transfers torque to an output drive system (42) that is fixedly connected to the rotating spray body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Crane Pumps & Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Schreur, Doug Shawver, Dan O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6921030
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler system for both above-the ground and pop-up rotary sprinkler systems that controls the rate of nozzle rotation is disclosed. To maintain a relatively constant and controlled nozzle rotation, one or more chamfered spokes are included on the turbine of the sprinkler system. This turbine configuration together with a stator assembly that regulates fluid flow to the turbine control nozzle rotation despite variations in fluid flow. In particular, the chamfered spokes counteract the spin of the turbine in direct relation to the amount of water that bypasses the driving blades of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 6899287
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler with two viscous brakes. The viscous brakes work in conjunction with each other to maintain a low RPM and also to rotate a water stream diffuser. The water stream is first directed toward a deflector that offsets the stream and angles it toward the area to be watered. The offset stream applies a torsional force on the deflector causing it to rotate. The stream is then interrupted intermittently by the diffuser that is rotating at a different RPM. The end result is a sprinkler that rotates slowly and breaks up the stream of water intermittently to create an even pattern of water on the area being sprinkled without using mechanical parts, such as ratchets or gearing. This is desirable for smooth operation and less chance of the operation being interrupted from contamination by dirt, insects, debris, etc. Also, a more random diffusion of the water is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Senninger Irrigation Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Pinch, Gregory S. Burcham, Theodore G. Santiesteban
  • Patent number: 6899286
    Abstract: A shower head more particularly constructed as a lateral shower contains in its interior a turbine drivable by the flow of the water flowing into and out of it. During its rotary movement the turbine entrains a nozzle body, which engages with a spigot in a guide path. The water leaves the shower through a bore located in the nozzle body. As a result of the design of the guide path it is possible to continuously modify the direction in which the water jet passes out of the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Gerd Blessing
  • Patent number: 6885114
    Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may produce electric power from a flow of liquid. The miniature hydro-power generation system may include a housing that includes a plurality of paddles positioned to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing. The system may also include a nozzle and a centering rod extending through the housing. The housing may rotate around the centering rod when a stream of liquid from the nozzle is directed at the paddles. A generator that includes a rotor and a stator may be positioned within a cavity of the housing. The rotor may be coupled with the housing and the stator may be coupled with the centering rod. The rotor may rotate around the stator at high RPM to generate electric power when the housing rotates. The electric power may supply a load and/or may be stored in an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Access Business Group International, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Terry L. Lautzenheiser
  • Patent number: 6869029
    Abstract: A water spray system for dishwasher with an upper dish rack and a lower dish rack, with each said dish rack being mounted for selective movement forwardly out the open front. A spray tube is rotatably mounted on the bottom of each lateral side portion of each said dish rack and has a plurality of spray outlets spaced along the tube and directed generally tangentially in the same direction for causing rotation of the tube. A water supply manifold extends up the rear wall of the dishwasher. A releasable water connection device and conduits mounted on each dish rack connect the manifold to the spray tubes for supplying the water from a pump. Spray spinners are centrally mounted below each dish rack. The spray tubes provide a thorough spray at the lateral sides that the spinners may not reach in a very wide dishwasher. Other rotating spray tube arrangements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Distinctive Appliances, Inc.
    Inventors: Orlando P. Ochoa, Sr., Joey J. Kitabayashi
  • Patent number: 6845921
    Abstract: A shower head contains a jet outlet element, which is pivotably mounted in the shower head. It is moved by a mechanism in such a way that a guide journal remote from the outlet opening is moved along two closed, touching circles. At the point where the two circles touch, the guide journal can be moved from one circle into the other with the aid of a transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Franz Schorn
  • Publication number: 20040217202
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an apparatus and method incorporating an airless conformal coating multiport spray nozzle on a multi-degree of freedom robotic apparatus. The airless conformal coating multiport spray nozzle includes multiple dispensing orifices through which a fluidic material is dispensed. Each of the dispensing orifices produces a bead-shaped spray pattern. Portions of adjacent bead-shaped spray pattern may overlap each other. The multiple dispensing orifices, in concert, produce a strip of fluidic material which allows an even distribution of the fluidic material across an article that is being coated, such as a printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony J. Hynes
  • Patent number: 6796273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water director for distributing a surge or flow of water to one or more of a plurality of output ports, which can vary in shape, size, and number, typically for use in marine and fresh water aquariums. Water pumped through a conduit into the hermetically sealed Switching Current Water Director (SCWD), powers an internally mounted gear driven fluid motor, which turns a rotational valve, alternately opening and closing a plurality of water outlet ports. When mounted externally to an aquarium, proper placement of output nozzles, which are connected to a water conduit attached to the various SCWD outlet ports, provides the desired opposing, or switching back and fourth currents. Depending on the inlet and outlet port configuration, the SCWD can be adapted to suit many applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Michael Muscarella
  • Publication number: 20040124266
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler with two viscous brakes. The viscous brakes work in conjunction with each other to maintain a low RPM and also to rotate a water stream diffuser. The water stream is first directed toward a deflector that offsets the stream and angles it toward the area to be watered. The offset stream applies a torsional force on the deflector causing it to rotate. The stream is then interrupted intermittently by the diffuser that is rotating at a different RPM. The end result is a sprinkler that rotates slowly and breaks up the stream of water intermittently to create an even pattern of water on the area being sprinkled without using mechanical parts, such as ratchets or gearing. This is desirable for smooth operation and less chance of the operation being interrupted from contamination by dirt, insects, debris, etc. Also, a more random diffusion of the water is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel R. Pinch, Gregory S. Burcham, Theodore G. Santiesteban
  • Patent number: 6736336
    Abstract: A shower head is disclosed having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. Intermediate the front and rear housing portions is an integral filter canister including copper-zinc media for the removal of chlorine and other chemicals and contaminants. The shower head also has a plurality of spray openings for spraying water outwardly from the shower head, with a plurality of spray modes and patterns achievable by rotation of the front housing portion. A cleaning ring is also positioned within the front housing portion, it has a camming surface such that upon rotation of the front housing portion to change the spray modes, the cleaning ring is cammed forward to clean associated spray holes of accumulated minerals such as calcium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: International Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Kwok Din Wong
  • Patent number: 6729559
    Abstract: A rotatable aerosol product 10 comprising an aerosol product 11 and a rotatable stand 12 attached to the bottom part of the aerosol product, wherein spray continues during rotation and the rotation frequency is 35 frequencies/minute or lower. A spray hole 13a of a nozzle 13 is positioned eccentrically from the rotation center and rotated by counteraction of spray from the nozzle 13. Rotation frequency is regulated by a friction force between a rotation member 31 and a fixed member 32 or a ball 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Daizo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Zanma, Masazumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6705537
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts movement to a fluid dispersing nozzle with a mechanism for converting rotational movement about an axis of rotation into orbital movement about the axis of rotation, and an elongate member is connectable to the mechanism at one end and is connectable to a fluid nozzle at an opposite end from the mechanism. The orbital member provides orbiting movement of the opposite end in response to rotation of the mechanism about the rotational axis, and provides stationary centered positioning of the opposite end in response to a non-rotating mechanism. A speed multiplier transmission or gearbox can be provided between the motor shaft and drive spindle if desired. A separate mixer is positionable within the member and is moveable longitudinally with respect to the member during use. The mixer includes a valve member connected to one end for movement relative to a valve seat defined by an inner surface of the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Schultz, Scott Taylor
  • Patent number: 6648242
    Abstract: A mechanism that steers a high energy density output(s) in a shaking motion other than a rotating motion that when translated across a surface evenly affects the surface. One application can be used as an end effector. A pivot on the mechanism induces an angular motion that eliminates the tops and bottoms of the pattern produced by the shaking motion. As a waterjet stripping mechanism which may be an end effector, a nozzle or output manifold with one or more orifices or outputs is attached to a non-rotating tube eccentrically mounted within a rotating tube that shakes the nozzle or output manifold so as to direct the stream of water to the target in a skewed circular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Systems Technologies
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rogers, Clifford V. Mitchell, Garry W. Weatherly
  • Patent number: 6629649
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts movement to a fluid dispersing nozzle with a mechanism for converting rotational movement about an axis of rotation into orbital movement about the axis of rotation, and an elongate orbital member is connectable to the mechanism at one end and is connectable to a fluid nozzle at an opposite end from the mechanism. The orbital member provides orbiting movement of the opposite end in response to rotation of the mechanism about the rotational axis, and provides stationary centered positioning of the opposite end in response to a non-rotating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sealant Equipment & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Schultz, Scott Taylor
  • Publication number: 20030178505
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the accommodation of additional passages whilst retaining small dimensions in the case of a rotor nozzle, in particular, for a high-pressure cleaning device, comprising a casing and a rotor body which is arranged therein, has a flow-through channel and is accommodated with a spherical bearing part in a step bearing surrounding an exit opening of the casing, an end part which closes the casing on the side located opposite the step bearing and in which several, selectively closable passages are arranged which open from an inlet side into the interior of the casing accommodating the rotor body or into flow channels in the casing which lead to additional outlets of the casing, it is suggested that the end part widen in steps in its longitudinal direction leading from the interior of the casing to its inlet side, that the end part be inserted into a stepped receiving opening in the casing which widens correspondingly, that a seal be provided between end part and the inner wall of the receivi
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Binder, Thomas Hofer
  • Publication number: 20030173421
    Abstract: A shower head contains a jet outlet element, which is pivotably mounted in the shower head. It is moved by a mechanism in such a way that a guide journal remote from the outlet opening is moved along two closed, touching circles. At the point where the two circles touch, the guide journal can be moved from one circle into the other with the aid of a transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Franz Schorn
  • Patent number: 6619564
    Abstract: An assembly for spraying a fluid along an orbital path generally consisting of a support member, an elongated member universally connected to the support member intermediate the ends thereof, a drive shaft having a crank arm mounted thereon for rotational movement therewith, a universal connection between the crank arm and the end of the elongated member and an opposite end of the elongated member having a fluid passageway provided with an inlet connectable to a fluid supply line and at least one outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Johnnie Weldon Brown
  • Publication number: 20030085303
    Abstract: A rotor nozzle is described whose rotor body is supported in the housing with a pre-settable axial clearance and whose end facing away from the nozzle is made in conical shape, with the conical surface forming a running surface which cooperates in operation with an axial thrust surface and braking surface fixed with respect to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 6527204
    Abstract: A shower head includes a housing supporting a low speed rotary valve member driven by a high speed rotary turbine to produce a variable flow rate. The turbine also produces pulsations of water streams discharged from the housing and is shifted axially to produce continuous water streams. A manually actuated control valve and passages with pressure responsive flow control washers provide for selecting different ranges of variable flow or for bypassing the variable flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Charles J. Heitzman
  • Patent number: 6499673
    Abstract: The apparatus is designed to dispense sealants and adhesives onto a workpiece in a robotic or manual application. The apparatus has a motor, a through shaft and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is hollow and has an off-center aperture at the end thereof through which extends one end of the through shaft. By rotating the rotating shaft, the end of the through shaft has imparted to it an orbital motion which is capable of providing a swirl type pattern onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold W. Braun, Jr., David J. Cliff, David G. Gonska, Masoud Amin-Javaheri, David C. Mandeville, Mark E. Ulrich, Stanley G. Karwoski
  • Publication number: 20020104899
    Abstract: An apparatus imparts movement to a fluid dispersing nozzle with a mechanism for converting rotational movement about an axis of rotation into orbital movement about the axis of rotation, and an elongate orbital member is connectable to the mechanism at one end and is connectable to a fluid nozzle at an opposite end from the mechanism. The orbital member provides orbiting movement of the opposite end in response to rotation of the mechanism about the rotational axis, and provides stationary centered positioning of the opposite end in response to a non-rotating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Carl L. Schultz, Scott Taylor
  • Patent number: 6422480
    Abstract: A nozzle and method for mixing abrasive particles with a stream of water and focusing the mixture of abrasive and water exiting the nozzle to improve the ability of the stream to remove paint and other coatings, rust, and scale and the like from a surface for use in operations such as metal finishing. The nozzle includes a spindle that rotates in a housing, the spindle including a chamber in which water passing through a passage in the spindle is mixed with abrasive particles. The passage through the spindle includes a section that is substantially coincident with the rotational axis of the spindle and a section that is angled relative to the section that is coincident with the rotational axis of the spindle, the mixing chamber being located in the off-axis section of and in fluid communication with the passage through the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Universal Minerals, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Richmond
  • Patent number: 6390388
    Abstract: A method for the controlled break-up of liquid jets for production of substantially monodispersed drops stands out for the fact that it comprises the steps of: feeding a plurality of first liquid jets (4) having stationary motion to a plurality of mutually independent sectors and defined in a perforated surface (8); forming a head of liquid (10) in said sectors (7) near said perforated surface (8); causing said liquid to flow across said perforated surface (8) to form a plurality of second liquid jets (6); periodically changing with a predetermined frequency the momentum of the liquid fed to a predetermined sector (7) so as to impart to the liquid present in said sector a disturbance of predetermined magnitude consisting of a periodic change in the pressure near said perforated surface (8) which is transmitted to the second liquid jets (6) causing their controlled break-up in a plurality of substantially monodispersed drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Bedetti
  • Patent number: 6302335
    Abstract: A lawn sprinkler system is provided for receiving fluid from a fluid source and distributing the fluid over an area. The lawn sprinkler system includes multiple lawn sprinklers for distributing fluid over corresponding portions of the area. Stake assemblies are provided for supporting the lawn sprinklers above a supporting surface. Each stake assembly includes an input operatively connected to the fluid source, a first output for providing fluid to the corresponding sprinkler, and a second output. A conduit interconnects the second output of one of the stake assemblies to the input of an adjacent stake assembly to connect the adjacent stake assembly to the fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventors: Timothy G. Ormiston, Sharyn A. Ormiston
  • Publication number: 20010019083
    Abstract: A rotary spray nozzle is provided in a housing which has one or more water inlets that direct the incoming water flow in a direction tangential to the inner walls of the housing. This creates a circular or swirling motion of water within the housing which in turn imparts a rotary motion to the nozzle. The liquid or water in the housing exits the housing through the rotating nozzle to thereby provide a rotary spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Kipley Roydon Marks
  • Publication number: 20010008255
    Abstract: Shower heads are disclosed providing for varying types of spray. One spray head provides three different spray patterns, each of which provides spray through outlets at different force levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Windsor B. Marsh, Donald N. Jursich
  • Patent number: 6186414
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spray head assembly with a moving spray nozzle that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the spray nozzle is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine then causes the spray housing and nozzle to wobble. The spray pattern produced by the wobbling spray housing changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths rather than at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble inducing member does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6126091
    Abstract: A shower head includes a housing supporting a low speed rotary valve member driven by a high speed rotary turbine to produce a variable flow rate. The turbine also produces pulsations of water streams discharged from the housing and is shifted axially to produce continuous water streams. A manually actuated control valve and passages with pressure responsive flow control washers provide for selecting different ranges of variable flow or for bypassing the variable flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Charles J. Heitzman
  • Patent number: 6062487
    Abstract: A method for the controlled break-up of liquid jets for production of substantially monodispersed drops stands out for the fact that it comprises the steps of feeding a plurality of first liquid jets having steady motion to a plurality of mutually independent sectors and defined in a perforated surface, forming a head of liquid in the sectors near the perforated surface, causing the liquid to flow across the perforated surface to form a plurality of second liquid jets, periodically changing with a predetermined frequency the momentum of the liquid fed to a predetermined sector so as to impart to the liquid present in said sector a disturbance of predetermined magnitude consisting of a periodic change in the pressure near the perforated surface which is transmitted to the second liquid jets causing their controlled break-up in a plurality of substantially monodispersed drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Urea Casale S.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Bedetti
  • Patent number: 6041514
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an impeller (1) for a hair dryer or a hair dryer accessory device, which includes an impeller blade (6) by means of which the impeller (1) is adapted to be set in rotation about an axis (3) by a current of air (8). The impeller blade (6) possesses variable aerodynamic properties, particularly an effective surface impinged by the current of air (8) which is variable in response to the rotational frequency of the impeller blade (6). In particular the free end (7) of the impeller blade (6) is of an elastic configuration, causing it to be bent more or less severely under the action of the centrifugal force. This variation in the effective surface of the impeller blade (6) enables the rotational frequency of the impeller (1) to be maintained at an approximately constant value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Herzog
  • Patent number: 5967417
    Abstract: A shower head, for example, a hand shower contains in its interior a means with which the flow of the water leaving the shower head through a jet orifice can be modulated relatively slowly. The means for modulating the flow of water may be powered, more particularly, by a turbine wheel arranged in the interior of the shower head. When two arrays of jet orifices are provided for producing two different types of jet the means may be used for automatic changeover between the two types of jet. The invention provides a shower with which the user is showered by all types of jet possible with the aid of the shower without requiring him to make a change by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Mantel
  • Patent number: 5938123
    Abstract: A shower head assembly includes a housing enclosing a rotary valve member driven by a water activated motor. A rotatable tubular valve member surrounds the housing and has. an internal cartridge with circumferentially spaced internal passages for selectively directing continuous flow water or cycling flow water directly to nozzle orifices or to radially inner or outer sets of drive jets for a water pulsating turbine wheel. The spray discharge orifices may be adjusted by a control ring which cooperates with the valve member to provide for selecting various spray functions including 1) a normal continuous spray, 2) a fast or slow pulsating spray, 3) a cycling flow rate spray with fast or slow pulsation, 4) a cycling flow rate spray with no pulsation and 5) a discharge spray variable between narrow and wide spray patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Charles J. Heitzman
  • Patent number: 5927611
    Abstract: An atomizing nozzle (40) includes a body (44) having an fluid inlet end (50), a fluid outlet end (52), and a channel (54) located between the inlet end (50) and the outlet end (52). A free floating plunger (46) resides in the channel (54). The plunger (46) has a frusto-conical portion (64) facing the inlet end (50) and a cylindrical portion (62) facing the outlet end (52). The frusto-conical portion (64) causes the plunger (46) to resist getting wedged in the channel (54) so that a mist (102) having fluid particles of uniform size is ejected from the outlet end (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Nathan Palestrant
  • Patent number: 5860599
    Abstract: A shower head assembly includes a housing including a first end portion engaged with a water outlet cap and a second end portion connected to a water source. The water outlet cap defines a plurality of outer nozzles arranged in a circular manner and a plurality of inner nozzles arranged in a circular manner. An adjusting device is mounted on a periphery of the housing for alternatively introducing water in the housing into the outer nozzles or the inner nozzles such that water can be sprayed outwardly via the outer nozzles or via the inner nozzles alternatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Wen-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 5785246
    Abstract: A variable flow sprinkler head having an inlet, an outlet and a nozzle, the nozzle having an orifice therein, the cross sectional area of the orifice being changeable by alternately inserting or removing a needle into the sprinkler head nozzle orifice. The needle diameter is sized to provide a predetermined flow rate reduction when the needle is inserted into the nozzle orifice. When the needle is removed full flow occurs. When the needle is inserted into the center of the nozzle orifice, the cross sectional area is effectively reduced by an amount equal to the cross sectional area of the needle. A linear actuator for the needle is centered above the outlet. The linear actuator may be either an electric solenoid or a hydraulic actuator. Alternatively, the linear actuator may provide a mechanism to allow the sprinkler to be operated between either of two preselected flow rates or in the alternative to be shut off completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. King, Gary L. Foster, Dennis C. Kincaid, Rodney B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5582742
    Abstract: For a filtering-type centrifuge, a pipe assembly composed of a stationary outer pipe with a concentric rotatable inner pipe. The outer pipe has a longitudinally extending distribution port, while the inner pipe has a helically shaped discharge port. The assembly is placed inside the centrifuge and inside of a filtering basket. As the inner pipe turns, portions of the distribution port are intersected by portions of the discharge port. This causes the slurry to exit the inner pipe at the intersection positions and be distributed in an even fashion on the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Ketema, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Wilkie, Paul B. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 5198180
    Abstract: The maximum useful rate of aluminum refining is substantially increased by the incorporation of baffle means across the refining chamber under the rotor of a spinning nozzle assembly positioned in the refining chamber during aluminum refining operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Pelton
  • Patent number: 5046449
    Abstract: A spray apparatus for coating the front of a vehicle with a liquid to prevent the adherence of insects thereto includes a reservoir for a predetermined liquid material which reservoir is mounted to the vehicle. A pump is coupled to the reservoir for pumping the liquid from the reservoir and a fan is attached to the vehicle grill on the front of the vehicle and has a dispensing tube connected from the pump to the fan for dispensing the material from the reservoir directly into the fan blade for spraying liquid over the front of the vehicle. A second embodiment connects the pump to a plurality of dispensing nozzles, such as a hose attached across the front of a vehicle with a predetermined number of openings or nozzles therein for spraying the liquid over the front of the vehicle. The liquid may also be sprayed through the windshield washer nozzles for spraying liquid from the reservoir onto the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Riley H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4962886
    Abstract: Method steps for production of substantially uniform size droplets from a flow of liquid include forming the flow of liquid, periodically modulating the momentum of the flow of liquid in the flow direction at controlled frequency, generating a cross flow direction component of momentum and modulation of the cross flow momentum of liquid at substantially the same frequency and phase as the modulation of flow direction momentum, and spraying the so formed modulated flow through a first nozzle outlet to form a desired spray configuration. A second modulated flow through a second nozzle outlet is formed according to the same steps, and the first and second modulated flows impinge upon each other generating a liquid sheet. Nozzle apparatus for modulating each flow includes rotating valving plates interposed in the annular flow of liquid. The plates are formed with radial slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Maine
    Inventor: Ivar H. Stockel
  • Patent number: 4802628
    Abstract: A rotor nozzle for a high pressure cleaning apparatus has a rotor mounted to rotate within a housing driven by the flow of cleaning fluid with a fixed axis of rotation along the longitudinal axis of the housing. A nozzle mounted in an elongated member is captured between a driven portion of the rotor and a cup-like member open at its center and defining an exit orifice of the housing. The end of the nozzle assembly captured in the cup-like member preferably has a ball-shaped end to maintain a good seal. The point of connection of the driver to elongate member is radially offset with respect to the rotor axis of rotation to angle the exit axis of the nozzle at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In an alternative form, the rotor includes counterweights that move radially outward against a spring force to provide an automatic adjustability of the exit angle as a function of the supply of the cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Dautel, Johann G. Wesch
  • Patent number: 4798332
    Abstract: The liquid atomizer consists essentially of an ultrasonic excitation system coupled with a narrow bending strip of so small thickness that it does not have sufficient inherent stability for linear alignment. In the case of excitation of bending waves with several essentially parallel, closely spaced nodal lines can be generated on the bending strip. Dimensional stability of the bending strip is achieved by at least one mechanical fixing devices and one prestressing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Battelle-Institut E.V.
    Inventors: Ernst-Gunter Lierke, Rudolf Grossbach, Wolfgang Heide, Karl Flogel, Martin Junger
  • Patent number: 4783006
    Abstract: A mist supplying device for supplying a film-forming solution to form a thin film on a substrate includes a nozzle having an elongate outlet port, an atomizer coupled to the nozzle for atomizing the film-forming solution, and a disperser movably disposed in the nozzle between the outlet port and the atomizer and having a plurality of substantially uniformly distributed mist passages for passing the atomized film-forming solution in a first flow passage direction therethrough. An air blower is coupled to the atomizer for delivering the atomized film-forming solution into the nozzle. A driver unit is coupled to the disperser for reciprocally moving the mist passages in a second flow passage direction transverse to the first flow passage direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignees: President of Kogyo Gijutuin, Taiyo Yuden Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Atuo Itoh, Hideyo Iida, Kikuji Fukai
  • Patent number: 4744517
    Abstract: An ultra-high-pressure rotary water-jet gun capable of removing rust, scale, burrs, paint film and other unwanted deposits from the surface of metal, concrete and other materials. An air turbine serves to rotate an eccentric rotor within the gun housing. A high pressure water line passing through the rotor is connected to a nozzle head on which are mounted several nozzle tips. The nozzle head is rotated in a circular path by the eccentric rotor while directing the high pressure water jets against the work piece. A pneumatic circuit and a hydraulic circuit with certain controls are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignees: Aiko Engineering Co., Ltd., JSE Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Iwamoto, Eikichi Shinagawa, Takayuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 4659018
    Abstract: An orbiting nozzle dispersion apparatus is adapted for use in combination with a robot to form a dispensing system. The orbiting nozzle dispersion apparatus has a dispensing tube with a first end for receiving the materials to be dispersed and a second or nozzle end from which the material is finally dispersed onto the workpiece. The dispensing tube is compliantly supported at one end and supported at the nozzle end for orbital but not rotational motion about an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Burt H. Shulman
  • Patent number: 4605352
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump for feeding pulverized material such as coal particles from a low pressure zone into a high pressure zone, the pump having nozzles mounted on a rotor. The pulverized material is ejected into the high pressure space through the nozzles, and gas is supplied to the nozzles to control the flow rate of the pulverized material. Apparatus is provided that ensures mass flow of the material through the nozzles, even if the nozzles have a short length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Scott, Bernardus B. Quist, Teunis Terlouw
  • Patent number: 4600149
    Abstract: An ultrahigh pressure water apparatus converts feed water of normal pressure into ultrahigh pressure water by means of an ultrahigh pressure pump and projects the ultrahigh pressure water through a nozzle gun in the form of jets of ultrahigh pressure water. The nozzle gun has an eccentric shaft tube rotatably disposed inside a nozzle cover, a high pressure hose rotatably inserted into the eccentric shaft tube, and nozzles fastened to the leading end of the high pressure hose. Owing to the rotation of the eccentric shaft tube, the jets of ultrahigh pressure water projected through the nozzle are sympathetically rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Wakatsuki Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masakatsu Wakatsuki