CLEANING NOZZLE FOR CLEANING PIPES

A nozzle is provided for cleaning the interior of pipes that is capable of cutting through obstructions disposed in the interior of pipes. The nozzle comprises a three-dimensional (3-D) fluid mechanics comprising a 3-D redirection configuration that redirects high-pressure fluid received in the nozzle from a fluid source onto multiple pathways, or channels, toward rearwardly-facing jet outlets. The 3-D fluid redirection configuration redirects the water in a manner that reduces or eliminates vibrations in the nozzle that can degrade performance and cause other problems.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to cleaning nozzles for cleaning pipes, and, more particularly, to a cleaning nozzle comprising a rotating head having a three-dimensional (3-D) fluid redirection configuration.

BACKGROUND

Sewer pipes transport liquid and solid waste materials from residential, industrial, commercial and other waste producers. Sewer pipes can become clogged from the infiltration of various materials into the interior space of the pipes, such as sand, greasy materials, stones, tree roots, and buildup of other materials that settle out of the waste stream.

Cleaning nozzles suited for cleaning sewers or pipes, which do not provide easy access to cleaning personnel due to their small cross-sections, with the aid of high-pressure water jets are known. The known cleaning systems are provided, on one end of a cleaning hose, with a cleaning nozzle the exact mechanical properties of which depend on the particular cleaning purpose. It is, however, a general feature of such cleaning nozzles that the pressurized water is ejected through specifically arranged and, in some cases, specifically designed nozzle orifices, or outlets.

In order to permit an inner pipe wall to be cleaned throughout, the above-mentioned cleaning nozzles are often mounted to rotate on the pressure hose. By arranging one or more nozzle orifices obliquely in the circumferential area of the cleaning nozzle, a torque is produced by the jet pressure, based on the “principle of repulsion”, that causes the cleaning nozzle, or a corresponding nozzle head, to rotate. A cleaning nozzle of this kind is disclosed in, for example, EP 0 645 191 A2 and comprises a housing in which a turbine is arranged in the flow path of the pressurized water flowing through the housing. The turbine is mounted on a shaft, and a nozzle head is seated on the one shaft end that projects from the housing.

It is known to use such nozzles as root cutters with forward- and rearward-facing water jet outlets to clean sewer pipes. Water under high pressure (e.g., 2000 pounds per square inch (psi)), exits the forward- and rearward-facing water jet outlets to propel the cleaning head forward while breaking up obstructions in the pipe and washing solid material from the walls of the pipe. Examples of such nozzles are disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,539, entitled “Apparatus for Cleaning Waste Collection System,” which issued Aug. 30, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,333, entitled “Method for Cleaning Waste Collection Systems” issued Aug. 9, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,957, entitled “Method for Cleaning Sewers,” which issued Jul. 14, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,940, entitled “Apparatus for Cleaning Sewers,” which issued Dec. 3, 1991.

While such nozzles generally work well, creating the rearward-facing water jets requires providing fluid redirecting mechanisms in the nozzle that redirect the high-pressure water received in the nozzle from a water hose onto multiple pathways toward the rearward-facing jet outlets. Redirecting the water in this manner can lead to vibrations in the nozzle that can degrade performance and cause other problems. Accordingly, a need exists for a cleaning nozzle that overcomes such problems.

SUMMARY

A nozzle for cleaning pipes is provided comprising a nozzle body, a nozzle head and three-dimensional (3-D) fluid mechanics. The nozzle head has first and second ends, the second end being configured to be attached to a fluid source that delivers a flow of fluid to the nozzle. The nozzle body has a main fluid channel adapted to allow fluid passing out of the fluid source to flow through the nozzle body in a forward direction of the nozzle and out of the first end of the nozzle body. The nozzle head has a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably coupled with the first end of the nozzle body via a rotational coupling configuration. The nozzle head has a plurality of fluid channels and a plurality of respective fluid jet outlets disposed therein. N of the fluid channels and N of the fluid jet outlets are rearwardly-facing fluid channels and rearwardly-facing fluid jet outlets, respectively, where N is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to one.

A main fluid channel of the nozzle head is arranged in the nozzle head such that fluid passing out of the first end of the nozzle body enters the main fluid channel of the nozzle head, flows in the forward direction of the nozzle toward the second end of the nozzle head and passes out of a second end of the main fluid channel of the nozzle head. The 3-D fluid mechanics disposed in the nozzle head are configured to receive fluid passing out of the second end of the main fluid channel of the nozzle head and to direct the received fluid onto the fluid channels toward the respective fluid jet outlets. The 3-D fluid mechanics comprise a 3-D fluid redirection configuration comprising N fluid diversion chambers upon which at least a portion of the fluid received by the 3-D fluid mechanics is incident. The N fluid diversion chambers are configured to redirect the fluid that is incident thereon onto the N rearwardly-facing fluid channels toward the N rearwardly-facing fluid jet outlets, respectively, to generate N rearwardly-directed fluid jets, respectively.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, each of the N fluid diversion chambers comprises a respective rounded feature.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, each of the rounded features is curved in three dimensions.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, each of the rounded features is a partial sphere.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, each of the rounded features is aspherical in shape.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, the plurality of fluid channels and the plurality of respective fluid jet outlets further comprise at least one forwardly-facing fluid channel and at least one forwardly-facing jet outlet, respectively. At least a portion of the fluid received by the 3-D fluid mechanics is directed by the 3-D fluid mechanics onto the forwardly-facing fluid channel toward the respective forwardly-facing fluid jet outlet to generate a respective forwardly-directed fluid jet.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, the nozzle head comprises two main piece parts that are interlocked with one another to form the nozzle head. The main fluid channel of the nozzle head extends through the first piece part, which comprises the first end of the nozzle head that is coupled with the first end of the nozzle body. The N rounded features are disposed in the second piece part.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, N is greater than or equal to four such that at least four rearwardly-directed fluid jets and at least one forwardly-directed fluid jet are generated.

In accordance with a representative embodiment, a method is provided for cleaning pipes. The method comprises:with a nozzle positioned within a pipe to be cleaned and having a fluid source attached to a second end of a body of the nozzle, causing fluid delivered from the fluid source to flow through a main fluid channel of the nozzle body in a forward direction of the nozzle and to pass out of a first end of the nozzle body;with 3-D fluid mechanics disposed in the nozzle head, receiving the fluid passing out of a second end of the main fluid channel of the nozzle head; andwith a 3-D fluid redirection configuration of the 3-D fluid mechanics, receiving at least a portion of the fluid received by the 3-D fluid mechanics such that the fluid received by the 3-D redirection configuration is incident on N fluid diversion chambers of the 3-D fluid redirection configuration, which redirect the fluid that is incident thereon onto the N rearwardly-facing fluid channels toward the N rearwardly-facing fluid jet outlets, respectively, to generate N rearwardly-directed fluid jets, respectively.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, each of the N fluid diversion chambers comprises a respective rounded feature.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, each of the rounded features is curved in three dimensions.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, each of the rounded features is a partial sphere.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, each of the rounded features is aspherical in shape.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, the plurality of fluid channels and said plurality of respective fluid jet outlets further comprise at least one forwardly-facing fluid channel and at least one forwardly-facing jet outlet, respectively, and the method further comprises:

with the 3-D fluid mechanics, directing at least a portion of the fluid received by the 3-D fluid mechanics onto the forwardly-facing fluid channel toward the respective forwardly-facing fluid jet outlet to generate a respective forwardly-directed fluid jet.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, the nozzle head comprises two main piece parts that are interlocked with one another to form the nozzle head. The main fluid channel of the nozzle head extends through the first piece part, which comprises the first end of the nozzle head that is coupled with the first end of the nozzle body. The N rounded features are disposed in the second piece part.

In accordance with a representative embodiment of the method, N is greater than or equal to four such that at least four rearwardly-directed fluid jets and at least one forwardly-directed fluid jet are generated.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure discloses a cleaning nozzle comprising a rotating head comprising three-dimensional (3-D) fluid mechanics that include a 3-D fluid redirection configuration that redirects high-pressure fluid received in the nozzle from a water hose onto multiple pathways, or channels, toward rearwardly-facing jet outlets. The 3-D fluid redirection configuration redirects the water in a manner that reduces or eliminates vibrations in the nozzle that can degrade performance and cause other problems. The cleaning nozzle is particularly well suited for use as a root cutter because of its ability to meet the challenges that are normally confronted by root cutter nozzles. It should be noted, however, that the inventive principles and concepts of the present disclosure are not limited to root cutter nozzles, but apply to any type of cleaning nozzle that can benefit from the inventive principles and concepts disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, a few exemplary, or representative, embodiments are described to demonstrate the inventive principles and concepts. For purposes of explanation and not limitation, the representative embodiments disclose specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodiment according to the present disclosure. However, it will be understood to one having ordinary skill in the art, and having the benefit of the present disclosure, that other embodiments that depart from the specific details disclosed herein remain within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, descriptions of well-known apparatuses and methods may be omitted to avoid obscuring the description of the representative embodiments. Such methods and apparatuses are within the scope of the present disclosure, as will be understood by those of skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

As used in the specification and appended claims, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, “a device” includes one device and plural devices.

Relative terms, such as forwardly-facing, rearwardly facing, front, back, for example, may be used to describe the various elements' relationships to one another, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device and/or elements in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly connected or coupled, or intervening elements may be present.

Exemplary, or representative, embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference numerals represent like components, elements or features. It should be noted that features, elements or components in the figures are not intended to be drawn to scale, emphasis being placed instead on demonstrating inventive principles and concepts.

FIG.1shows is a side perspective view of the nozzle1in accordance with a representative embodiment with the head3of the cleaning nozzle1shown in partial cross-section to allow the 3-D fluid redirection configuration10adisposed in the head3to be seen. The head3is rotatably coupled to a first end6aof a body2of the nozzle1via a rotational coupling configuration, preferably a ball bearing coupling configuration, to allow the head to rotate relative to the body2based on the aforementioned “principle of repulsion”. A variety of rotational coupling configurations can be used for this purpose, as will be understood by persons of skill in the art in view of the description provided herein. A second end6bof the nozzle body2is adapted to connect with an end of a hose (not shown) that carries a high-pressure flow of fluid (e.g., water). The nozzle body2can have rails5secured thereto for allowing a user to carry the nozzle1and to protect the body2of the nozzle1during use.

A main fluid channel that is typically coaxial with a shaft15of the body2extends through the body2from the second end6bof the body2to the first end6aof the body2. The shaft15and the main fluid channel of the body2are typically coaxial with a central axis of the body2. A main fluid channel7of the head3is typically at least substantially coaxially aligned with the main fluid channel of the body2and extends from a first end8aof the head3to the 3-D fluid mechanics10of the head3. Fluid flowing through the main fluid channel of the nozzle body2in a forward direction of the nozzle1flows into the main fluid channel7of the nozzle head2and flows through the main fluid channel7of the head3. In accordance with a representative embodiment, the 3-D fluid mechanics10that receive fluid flowing out of the main fluid channel7of the nozzle head3in the forward direction of the nozzle1. The 3-D fluid mechanics10comprise a 3-D fluid redirection configuration10a, multiple rearwardly-facing fluid channels9a,9b, multiple rearwardly-facing fluid outlets11a,11b, at least one forwardly-facing fluid channel12, and at least one forwardly-facing fluid outlets13.

The 3-D fluid redirection configuration10aredirects the fluid passing out of the main fluid channel7in the forward direction of the nozzle1onto the multiple rearwardly-facing fluid channels9a,9btoward the multiple respective rearwardly-facing fluid outlets11a,11bto generate multiple respective rearwardly-directed fluid jets. These rearwardly-directed fluid jets cause the head3to rotate relative to the nozzle body2about a central axis of the nozzle1based on the aforementioned “principle of repulsion”. In accordance with this representative embodiment, the 3-D fluid redirection configuration10acomprises four fluid diversion chambers3a-3d, four respective rearwardly-facing fluid channels9a-9dfor directing fluid toward four respective rearwardly-facing jet outlets11a-11dto generate four respective rearwardly-directed fluid jets.

For ease of illustration only two fluid diversion chambers3aand3b, two rearwardly-facing fluid channels9aand9band two rearwardly-facing fluid jet outlets11aand11bare shown inFIG.1. It should be noted that the inventive principles and concepts are not limited with respect to the number of fluid diversion chambers, fluid channels and/or fluid jet outlets that are disposed in the head3. There are typically N fluid diversion chambers, N rearwardly-facing fluid channels and N rearwardly-facing fluid jet outlets for generating N rearwardly-directed fluid jets, respectively, where N is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to one. There is typically at least one forwardly-facing fluid channels and one respective forwardly-facing fluid jet outlet for generating one respective forwardly-directed fluid jet.

In accordance with this representative embodiment, the head3has one forwardly-facing jet outlet13and one respective forwardly-facing fluid channel12, although the head3can have any number of forwardly-facing jet outlets and respective forwardly-facing fluid channels. A portion of the fluid carried along the main fluid channel7of the head3flows into the forwardly-facing fluid channel12and is coupled out of the head3in the forward direction through a threaded insert18that is removably secured to the forwardly-facing jet outlet13. In accordance with this representative embodiment, the jet outlets11a-11dare also configured to receive removable threaded inserts similar or identical to insert18that can be swapped out with other threaded inserts with different inner diameters and/or shapes to adjust the diameters and/or shapes of the respective jets.

FIG.2shows is a side cross-sectional view of the head3of the nozzle1shown inFIG.1in accordance with a representative embodiment, with the cross-section being take along line A-A shown inFIG.3.FIG.3shows a rear perspective view of the head3of the nozzle1shown inFIG.1in accordance with a representative embodiment showing the removable threaded inserts17a-17dthat are removably secured to the respective rearwardly-facing jet outlets11a-11d, respectively, as well as the removable threaded insert18that is removably secured to the forwardly-facing jet outlet13.

FIG.4is a side cross-sectional view of the head3shown inFIGS.1-3in accordance with a representative embodiment showing a portion of the 3-D fluid mechanics10that redirects fluid (e.g., water) received in the head3toward the four rearwardly-facing jet outlets11a-11dshown inFIG.3. Only two of the fluid diversion chambers3aand3bof the 3-D fluid mechanics10can be seen in the side cross-sectional view ofFIG.4.

With reference toFIGS.1and2, a bearing16formed in the head3is configured to receive the shaft15(FIG.1) of the nozzle body2in a rotational coupling configuration (e.g., a ball bearing coupling configuration) to rotatably couple the head3to the body2. In accordance with this embodiment, a sealing ring4is disposed in between the head3and the body2at the location where they are coupled together such that once the shaft15and the bearing16have been coupled together, a water-tight seal exists between the body2and the head3.

As can best be seen inFIG.2, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the head3is a two-piece part configuration comprising a first part20and a second part30that are coupled together. The first part20of the head3interfaces with the nozzle body2and has the four rearwardly directing fluid channels9a-9dformed therein and a second part30that comprises the four fluid diversion chambers3a-3d, although only rearwardly-facing fluid channel9bis visible inFIG.2. In accordance with a representative embodiment, the first and second parts20and30, respectively, have interfacing (e.g., threaded) surfaces20aand30a, respectively, that are complementary in shape to allow them to mate with one another in an interlocking, water-tight relationship. Alternatively, the first and second parts20and30, respectively, can be coupled together by some other suitable fastening mechanism, such as welding, soldering, adhesive, etc.

Making the head3as a two-part configuration is advantageous because it allows the fluid diversion chambers3a-3dto be very precisely formed to include rounded features that more gently redirect the incoming fluid onto the rearwardly directing fluid channels9a-9d. This feature reduces the aforementioned vibrations in the nozzle1that can lead to performance degradation and other problems. During manufacturing of the second part30, the rounded fluid diversion chambers3a-3dare formed by a suitable process, such as by machining or molding, for example.

The cross-sectional view ofFIG.4shows portions of the rounded features comprising the fluid diversion chambers3aand3bfor redirecting the incoming fluid onto one of the rearwardly directing fluid channels9aand9b, respectively. In accordance with a representative embodiment, the rounded features are semi-spherical or hemispherical in shape and are concave relative to the direction of the incoming fluid propagating along the main channel7of the head3toward the 3-D fluid mechanics10. The rounded features preferably are curved in three dimensions and preferably are partial spheres, although they can be aspherical. The inventive principles and concepts are not limited to the rounded features having any particular geometrical shape, but they are precisely formed to ensure that they direct fluid passing out of the main channel7of the head3onto the respective fluid channels9a-9din a smooth manner that reduces vibrations in the head3.

Many modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein while still achieving the goals of the invention, and all such modifications are within the scope of the invention. For example, although embodiments described herein depict the head3having an N=4 configuration, i.e., N fluid diversion chambers, N rearwardly directing fluid channels and N rearwardly-facing fluid jet outlets, N can be any integer that is greater than or equal to one.

It should be noted that the illustrative embodiments have been described with reference to a few embodiments for the purpose of demonstrating the principles and concepts of the invention. Persons of skill in the art will understand how the principles and concepts of the invention can be applied to other embodiments not explicitly described herein. For example, while a particular configuration of the nozzle1is described herein and shown in the figures, a variety of other configurations such as those mentioned above can be used, as will be understood by those skilled in the art in view of the description provided herein. Many other modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein while still achieving the goals of the invention, and all such modifications are within the scope of the invention.