Method for dispersing a chemical agent

A method includes loading a chemical agent into a spray apparatus and inserting the spray apparatus into an environment. The method also includes propelling the spray apparatus with a pressurized fluid from a pressurized fluid source in a longitudinal direction within the environment. The method also includes mixing the chemical agent with the pressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source to generate a mixed chemical agent. The method also includes retrieving the spray apparatus in a direction opposite the longitudinal direction within the environment. The method further includes dispersing the mixed chemical agent from the spray apparatus during the retrieving of the spray apparatus.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of chemical agent dispensation, and more particularly to a fluid-propelled apparatus and method for applying a chemical agent within an enclosed environment.

BACKGROUND

An enclosed environment, such as a sewer line or drainage pipe system, may require maintenance in order to function effectively. For instance, vegetation located near the enclosed environment may penetrate the enclosed environment with roots, which may cause partial or even total blockage of flow through the enclosed environment. Treatment may include physical removal of blockages and chemical dispensation within the enclosed environment, such as to remove existing blockages and/or prevent potential blockages from forming.

SUMMARY

An apparatus includes an intake assembly, the intake assembly including a connector, the connector configured for coupling to a pressurized liquid source. The pressurized liquid source supplies a pressurized liquid to the intake assembly. The apparatus also includes a chemical storage assembly. The chemical storage assembly is coupled to at least one outlet of the intake assembly. The chemical storage assembly is configured for at least one of (a) storing a chemical or (b) mixing a chemical with a liquid from the pressurized liquid source. The apparatus further includes an outlet assembly. The outlet assembly includes a first outlet configured for expelling pressurized liquid from the pressurized liquid source in a first direction at a rate sufficient to induce approximately lateral movement of the apparatus. The outlet assembly also includes a second outlet configured for expelling at least one of the chemical or the chemical mixed with the liquid.

A method includes loading a chemical agent into a spray apparatus. The method also includes inserting the spray apparatus into a generally cylindrical environment. The method further includes propelling with pressurized fluid the spray apparatus in a generally longitudinal direction along the generally cylindrical environment. The method additionally includes mixing the chemical agent with fluid from a pressurized fluid source. The method still further includes dispersing the mixed chemical agent and fluid from the spray apparatus while retrieving the spray apparatus in a direction opposite the generally longitudinal direction along the generally cylindrical environment.

A system includes a pressurized liquid source and a spray apparatus configured for placement in an enclosed environment. The spray apparatus includes an intake assembly, the intake assembly including a connector, the connector configured for coupling to a pressurized liquid source. The pressurized liquid source supplies a pressurized liquid to the intake assembly. The spray apparatus also includes a chemical storage assembly. The chemical storage assembly is coupled to at least one outlet of the intake assembly. The chemical storage assembly is configured for at least one of (a) storing a chemical or (b) mixing a chemical with a liquid from the pressurized liquid source. The spray apparatus further includes an outlet assembly. The outlet assembly includes a first outlet configured for expelling pressurized liquid from the pressurized liquid source in a first direction at a rate sufficient to induce approximately longitudinal movement of the apparatus through the enclosed environment. The outlet assembly also includes a second outlet configured for expelling at least one of the chemical or the chemical mixed with the liquid.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the disclosure as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a sectional elevation view of an enclosed environment90through which an embodiment of a fluid-propelled apparatus100of the present disclosure is shown. Enclosed environment90may be a sewer line, a drainage pipe, or other enclosure with relatively limited access that may require maintenance to function effectively. For example, in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, enclosed environment90is a sewer line, into which floral infestations91(e.g., roots from a nearby tree) may grow. The floral infestations91may breach the enclosed environment to a degree which may impede or block flow of a fluid traveling through the enclosed environment90. Apparatus100may be configured to dispense a chemical agent onto an interior surface92of enclosed environment90, wherein the chemical agent may adhere to the interior surface92and to the floral infestations91. Alternatively, a chemical agent may be dispensed into enclosed environment90for regular maintenance, including removing organic and inorganic deposits, physical or chemical blockages, and other impediments.

Apparatus100may be coupled with a pressurized liquid source80. For example, the pressurized liquid source80may be a jetter truck, a jetter unit transported via trailer to a work site, or another suitable source of a pressurized liquid. In the example shown inFIG. 1, the pressurized liquid source80includes a liquid storage tank81, a pump82, a hose83, and a reel assembly84. The reel assembly84may include a motor configured for driving the hose83from the reel assembly84, and for retrieving the hose83back into the reel assembly84. Apparatus100may couple with the hose83at an inlet cap end102of the apparatus.

Apparatus100may be configured to utilize pressurized liquid from the pressurized liquid source80to propel in a generally longitudinal direction along the enclosed environment90, as shown inFIG. 1. As will be discussed in detail below, apparatus100may utilize a plurality of jet nozzles through which the pressurized liquid may pass, thereby propelling the apparatus100and coupled hose83forward along the enclosed environment. Apparatus100may include an excess flow valve, which when exposed to a relatively high pressure liquid, enables the liquid to exit the plurality of nozzles. However, when the excess flow valve is exposed to a relatively low pressure liquid, the liquid may be channeled through a chemical storage tank to be used in foam generation. The foam may then be dispersed from a nozzle at an outlet cap end104of apparatus100.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a sectional elevation view of the enclosed environment90is shown, wherein the apparatus is dispensing a chemical agent via a foam, coating the inner surfaces92of the enclosed environment90. For example, a relatively low pressure liquid may be pumped from the pressurized liquid source80causing a foam to be dispersed from a nozzle at an outlet cap end104of apparatus100. The reel assembly84may retract the hose83, which is coupled with apparatus100. The apparatus100may be retracted through the enclosed environment90in a direction approximately opposite the generally longitudinal direction traveled while fluid-propelling via the plurality of jet nozzles. A chemical agent (e.g., in a foam form) may be dispersed from the nozzle onto the inner surfaces92of the enclosed environment90.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a partially exploded view and an isometric view of the apparatus100is displayed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus100may include three primary sections: an inlet cap end102, an outlet cap end104, and a chemical storage assembly106. Generally, the inlet cap end102may include an inlet cap assembly200, a protective sleeve108, and a pair of band clamps110. The outlet cap end104may generally include an outlet cap assembly300, an outlet end connector301, a protective sleeve108, and a pair of band clamps110. The outlet cap end104may also include a fill tube assembly400. The fill tube assembly400and the outlet cap assembly300may be configured for interchangeable connection to the outlet cap end104for filling the apparatus100with a chemical agent (via the fill tube assembly400) and for transporting the apparatus100to a work zone and delivering the chemical agent to an enclosed environment (via the outlet cap assembly300). The chemical storage assembly106may generally include an external hose112, a jetter hose114, and a metering hose116. The inlet cap assembly200, outlet cap assembly300, fill tube assembly400, and chemical storage assembly106will be discussed in detail below.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A-6D, particular embodiments of the inlet cap assembly200, the outlet cap assembly300, and the chemical storage assembly106are shown. The inlet cap assembly200may include an inlet cap body structure202having a generally cylindrical structure. The inlet cap body structure202may include a tapered end for mating with a hose coupler204which may be configured to couple with a hose or line from a pressurized liquid source. In one embodiment, the hose coupler204is a pipe nipple with threaded connections. Liquid entering the inlet cap assembly via the hose coupler204may enter into one or more of channels206,208(FIG. 6C). Channel206may lead to jetter hose114, which may be connected to channel206via a hose fitting. The jetter hose114may run through the chemical storage assembly106toward an inline check valve302of the outlet cap end104. At a relatively high pressure, the inline check valve302permits fluid from the jetter hose114to pass into an outlet channel304of outlet end connector301and into the outlet cap assembly300. For instance, in one embodiment, the relatively high pressure may be approximately 400 psi and greater, more particularly approximately 1000 psi and greater, and even more particularly, may be approximately 2000 psi and greater. It may be appreciated that other pressures and/or pressure ranges be utilized according to the desired usage and design parameters of the apparatus100. The liquid in the outlet channel304may subsequently be ejected from the outlet cap assembly300via a plurality of jetter nozzles306. In a particular embodiment, the outlet channel304transfers fluid to an aperture defined by a plate308(FIG. 5B), which includes a symmetric pattern with six channels310into which the fluid may pass. Accordingly, fluid may exit each jetter nozzle306symmetrically, e.g., at an approximately equivalent rate, allowing the apparatus a controlled movement through the enclosed environment90.

When fluid in the jetter hose114is at a pressure less than a specified pressure (e.g., less than the relatively high pressure), the inline check valve304may prevent the fluid from entering the outlet channel304. Thus, when the pressurized liquid from the pressurized liquid source is maintained at a pressure less than the specified pressure, the liquid may not enter the outlet channel304and may not exit via the jetter nozzles306, thereby the apparatus100may not be propelled forward by the force of liquid exiting the jetter nozzles306. The apparatus100may dispense the chemical agent when the pressurized liquid from the pressurized liquid source is maintained at a pressure less than the specified pressure, as will be discussed further below.

The tapered end of the inlet cap body structure202may also include a safety valve206adjacent the hose coupler204. The safety valve206may be configured to relieve pressure of the inlet cap assembly and the chemical storage chamber106. For example, the safety valve206may be manually activated by an operator for relieving excess pressure within inner chambers of the apparatus, such as prior to opening a portion of the apparatus for cleaning, maintenance, storage, and the like.

At the relatively high pressure, the pressurized liquid which enters channel208of the inlet cap assembly200may be prevented from entering the jetter hose114by an integrated excess flow valve210. For instance, the excess flow valve210may be configured to block fluid from flowing to a bypass chamber212when the fluid is at a pressure greater than a specified pressure, and may allow fluid at a pressure less than the specified pressure to flow into the bypass chamber212. When the fluid is above the specified pressure, the fluid may travel through channel206to the jetter hose114, as described above. The bypass chamber212may lead through the inlet cap body structure202to a bypass orifice plug214, through which water may exit the inlet cap assembly200. The bypass orifice plug214may be included in the tapered end of the inlet cap body structure202, adjacent the hose coupler204. In a particular embodiment, the bypass orifice plug214may be replaceable, such as by an operator, such that a specific orifice size/diameter is selected. For example, with a given volume of fluid entering the inlet cap assembly200, pressure within the bypass chamber212may be regulated by the bypass orifice plug214, such that a controlled amount of fluid enters the bypass chamber212. An operator may determine the rate/volume of fluid from the pressurized fluid source according to means known in the art, such as by using a flowmeter, or filling a known volume with water and recording the time required.

Fluid exiting the excess flow valve210may exit via a valve cap216into the bypass chamber212. The bypass chamber212may be at least partially sealed from the chemical storage assembly106by a bypass seal218secured by a bypass cover plate220with fasteners222configured to mate with the inlet cap body structure202. The bypass seal218may define a wetting aperture224through which at least a portion of the fluid in the bypass chamber212may pass. Fluid passing through the wetting aperture224may subsequently pass through a cover plate aperture226and through a screen aperture228into metering hose116. The screen aperture may be defined by screen230, which may be configured for placement between the inlet cap assembly200and the chemical storage assembly106. The screen230may further define a jetter aperture232through which one or more of the channel206or the jetter hose114may pass.

The metering hose116may be contained within external hose112of the chemical storage assembly106. The metering hose may comprise a fluid-permeable material, which may be designed to allow approximately 1 to 3 gallons of fluid per minute to permeate the metering hose116at a pressure of approximately 60 to 140 psi. The metering hose116may include a capped end108configured to retain fluid inside the metering hose116until permeation of the fluid through the hose material. In a particular embodiment, the metering hose116may be configured to allow approximately 1.7 to 2.0 gallons of fluid per minute to permeate the metering hose116at a pressure of approximately 80 to 120 psi.

The chemical storage assembly106may be loaded with a chemical agent (described in detail below), which may mix with fluid permeated from the metering hose116into the external hose120. For instance, the chemical agent may be contained within fill areas118(FIG. 6D) of the chemical storage assembly106. In a particular embodiment, the fluid from the pressurized fluid source mixes with the chemical agent to form a foam which may be forced by the pressure through the outlet end connector301toward a screen plate312of the outlet cap assembly300and subsequently toward a plurality of foam delivery channels314(FIG. 6B). In a particular embodiment, the outlet cap assembly300includes six foam delivery channels314, arranged in an approximately symmetric pattern for consistent flow. The foam delivery channels314may converge to a rotatable channel316, which may be rotatable relative to the stationary foam delivery channels314via a plurality of bearings318. The rotatable channel316may be defined by a nozzle pivot axle317, which may be configured to rotatably connect an outlet cap head338to a nozzle head322. The rotatable channel316may lead to a nozzle channel320located within nozzle head322. The nozzle head322may include a nozzle324through which the chemical agent/water mixture may exit the apparatus100. In a particular embodiment, the nozzle head322is eccentrically weighted, such that the nozzle324is configured to point upward relative to a base of the enclosed environment90. The nozzle head322may include one or more plugs346configured to seal machine-access channels (e.g., for forming channel320in the nozzle head322).

Further, the nozzle324may be configured to direct the chemical agent/water mixture to the upper half of the enclosed environment90. For example, if the enclosed environment90is a sewer pipe, the nozzle may spray the mixture to substantially the top half of the inner circumference of the sewer pipe, thereby coating the areas into which encroaching flora may grow. In such an instance, the nozzle324may be a conical-shaped nozzle, a whirl-jet nozzle, or the like. However, other spray configurations and nozzle types may be appreciated by those of skill in the art without detracting from the scope of the present disclosure.

The outlet cap assembly300may couple to the chemical storage assembly106via the outlet end connector301. The outlet end connector301may include a connector structure326(FIG. 7C). In a particular embodiment, the connector structure326includes a plurality of bayonet lobes328and welds330configured to mate and lock with bayonet plates332of the outlet cap assembly300, as shown inFIG. 7C. The bayonet plates332may be coupled to a body structure334of the outlet cap assembly300via a plurality of fasteners336. The outlet cap assembly may include the outlet cap head338, which may be coupled to the body structure334via a plurality of fasteners340. In a particular embodiment, plates308and310, shim342, and seal344are retained between the outlet cap head338and the body structure334.

The outlet end connector301may be configured for separate coupling between the outlet cap assembly300and a fill tube assembly400of apparatus100, described with reference toFIGS. 7B,8A, and8B. For instance, each of the outlet cap assembly300and the fill tube assembly400may be interchangeably coupled with the outlet end connector301. The fill tube assembly400may be utilized to load the chemical agent into the apparatus100. The bayonet connection between the outlet cap assembly300and the outlet end connector301may be uncoupled so that the fill tube assembly400may connect with the outlet end connector301. For instance, the fill tube assembly400may include bayonet plates402configured to mate and lock with the plurality of bayonet lobes328and welds330of the connector structure326. The fill tube assembly400may further include a plurality of fill port standoffs404which are configured to couple the bayonet plates402with a bayonet end plate406. The fill port standoffs404may be enclosed within a fill tube structure408, which may be capped by the bayonet plates402and the bayonet end plate406. The bayonet end plate406may also be coupled with a compression spring410fastened to a spring holder412by a fastener414(e.g., a shoulder screw with a nut416).

The fill tube assembly400may also include an O-ring418for retaining an outlet of a cartridge containing the chemical agent, such as during a fill operation by an operator. For instance, the cartridge may be similar to or that of the cartridge described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,955, entitled “Apparatus for Generating and Dispersing Foam Herbicide within a Sewer,” of which the disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The fill tube assembly400may further include a breather tube420, which may extend through each of the bayonet end plate406, the fill tube structure408and the bayonet plates402. The breather tube may assist in or permit the flow of the chemical agent from the cartridge to the chemical storage assembly106, even when the fill tube assembly400forms an air-tight connection with the outlet end connector301.

Alternatively, chemicals may be added to the water storage tank81of the pressurized liquid source80, where the chemical/water mixture is pumped to the apparatus for dispensation.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a flow chart of a method900for dispersing a chemical agent is shown. Method900may include loading a chemical agent into a spray apparatus910. For instance, loading a chemical agent into a spray apparatus910may include connecting the cartridge containing the chemical agent to the fill tube assembly400and transfer the chemical agent into apparatus100. Method900may also include inserting the spray apparatus into a generally cylindrical environment920. For example, inserting the spray apparatus into a generally cylindrical environment920may include uncoupling the fill tube assembly400from the outlet end connector301and coupling the outlet cap assembly300to the outlet end connector301via the bayonet connection; coupling the hose83of the pressurized liquid source80to hose coupler204and lowering the outlet cap end104of apparatus100into the enclosed environment90; and positioning the nozzle324outlet cap assembly300toward the desired direction of travel of the apparatus100.

Method900may also include propelling with pressurized fluid the spray apparatus in a generally longitudinal direction along the generally cylindrical environment930. For example, propelling with pressurized fluid the spray apparatus in a generally longitudinal direction along the generally cylindrical environment930may include reducing pressure from the pressurized liquid source80to an idle setting, such as when the apparatus100reaches a desired application location within the enclosed environment90. Determining the location of the apparatus100may be accomplished via a camera mounted to apparatus100, a positional-indicator, such as a GPS receiver, RF signal system, etc., or any other location-determining means known in the art. Step930may also include sending a pressurized fluid at a first pressure to the spray apparatus sufficient to propel the spray apparatus in the generally longitudinal direction along the generally cylindrical environment.

Method900may include mixing the chemical agent with fluid from a pressurized fluid source940. For example, mixing the chemical agent with fluid from a pressurized fluid source940may occur in fill areas118of the chemical storage assembly106via fluid permeating out of metering hose116, as described above. Step940may also include sending the pressurized fluid at a second pressure to the spray apparatus sufficient to mix the chemical agent with fluid from a pressurized fluid source. In a particular embodiment, the first pressure (from step930) is greater than the second pressure (from step940).

Method900may further include dispersing the mixed chemical agent and fluid from the spray apparatus while retrieving the spray apparatus in a direction opposite the generally longitudinal direction along the generally cylindrical environment950. For example, step950may include retrieving the apparatus100via the reel assembly84when the chemical agent begins to disperse from the nozzle324; and stopping pressure from the pressurized liquid source80when the desired amount of chemical agent has been dispensed onto the inner surfaces of the enclosed environment90.

Preparatory steps for step910of method900may include: determining a rate of flow for the pressurized liquid source80at an idle pressure setting; selecting an orifice size for the bypass orifice plug214, which may correspond with a desired internal pressure within the apparatus100; inserting the bypass orifice plug214into the corresponding orifice defined by the inlet cap body structure202; and, if applicable, uncoupling the outlet cap assembly300from the outlet end connector301and couple the fill tube assembly400to the outlet end connector301via the bayonet connection.