ROTATING SPRAY APPARATUS

Abstract: A spray nozzle for high pressure water applications such as automatic car washes is needed which is capable of dispersing water over a large surface area, which is free from pulsation, and delivers spray with a suitable washing action. These requirements are met by a rotating spray nozzle assembly (10) having a hollow distribution arm (12) radially attached to a hollow rotating shaft (14). Attached to distribution arm (12) are a plurality of spray nozzles (13). Pressurized water from water chamber (16) sequentially activates, via inlets, bevelled end pistons (24) which in turn drive cylindrical wedge cam (31). Cylindrical wedge cam (31) circumscribes and is attached to hollow rotating shaft (14). The hollow rotating shaft (14) derives its rotation from the action of bevelled end pistons (24). Hollow rotating shaft (14) includes an interior shaft partition (38), venturi (28), first inlet (23), second inlet (25), and third inlet (27), which interact with a plurality of passages to determine the flow path and rotation of spray nozzle assembly (10).

Description: TITLE OF INVENTION: ROTATING SPRAY APPARATUS D E S C R I P T I O N BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field. This invention relates to spray devices in general and in particular to a rotating spray nozzle assembly for high pressure water applications such as automatic car washes and the like. Background Art. Typical applications for spray nozzle assemblies include shower heads, lawn sprinklers, paint applicators, and car washes. The main objective of most spray assemblies is to disburse pressurized water over a large surface area. Paint applicators and lawn sprinklers are additionally concerned with the spray pattern, as it is necessary to disperse the pressurized water in a uniform manner. Shower heads, on the other hand, are more concerned with the washing action of the water upon impact with a surface. The spray nozzles for automatic car washes have unique design concerns in that they must deliver a uniform concentration cf water over a large area while still providing an effective washing action to the wate . Common rotating lawn sprinklers, use directional nozzles to impart a rotational force on their rotating distribution members. The purpose for the rotation is to increase the effective area over which a uniform concentration of water is applied. This directional nozzle apparatus is extremely effective for use with the relatively low water pressures associated with common water lines. The directional nozzle apparatus is however, not well suited for high pressure applications, simply because the angular velocity, or rp , of the distribution member is directly related to the water pressure. If a directional type nozzle were used in an automatic car wash, which has a water pressure in excess of 8 x 10 6 N/m 2 pascal, it would result in an extremely high angular velocity and probable disintegration of the nozzle apparatus due to centrifugal effects. Additionally, the tangential orientation of the directional nozzles result in the water droplets having substantial tangential velocities and consequently deliver an unacceptable washing action. There have been several pertinent developments in the design of shower heads, which are concerned with providing a pulsating spray pattern for therapeutic use. A desirable byproduct of the massaging spray is an increased scrubbing effect of the water upon impingement with a surface. This increased washing action is attributable to the fact that the water impinges the washing surface from a direction which is perpendicular, or normal to the surface. Typical of the pulsating spray head art are the teachings of BRUNO, U.S. Patent No. 4,018,385. The spray head, as taught by BRUNO, uses a wobble plate located just prior to the water exit holes. The wobble plate is hydraulically activated to oscillate back and forth. The back and forth motion of the wobble plate produces a therapeutic, pulsating effect. These type of spray heads are unsuitable for high pressure applications such as in a car wash, because of uncontrollable vibrations resulting from the pulsating apparatus. They also produce a very limited sized spray pattern. What is needed is a high pressure spray nozzle assembly capable of dispersing water over a large surface area which is free from pulsation and delivers spray with a suitable washing action. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a rotating spray nozzle assembly for use m automatic car washes which produces a uniform scrubbing spray pattern from a high pressure water source. Some additional objects of this invention are to provide a rotating spray nozzle assembly wherein the angular velocity of the distribution member can be selected independent of the high pressure water source, and further, to produce a rotating spray nozzle assembly which does net impart a substantial tangential velocity to th spray droplets. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION These objects are accomplished by a rotating spray nozzle assembly which is attachable to a high pressure water source supply. The rotating spray nozzle assembly utilizes a partitioned hollow shaft which has a hollow distribution arm attached perpendicularly thereto. A plurality of bevelled end pistons drive a cylindrical wedge earn attached to the hollow shaft, thereby imparting a rotation to the hollow shaft and distribution arm. The levelled end pistons are sequentially activated by radially staggered inlets in the hollow shaft. The pistons in turn provide a downward force on the incline of the cylindrical wedge cam. This downward force causes radial motion of the cylindrical wedge cam, hollow shaft and attached distribution arm. The bevelled end pistons further provide a virtually continuous source of pressurized water to the interior of the hollow shaft through a plurality of inlet holes located in the downstream portion of the partitioned shaft. The water is dispersed by a plurality of nozzles attached to the distribution arm. A venturi is located within the hollow shaft downstream of the shaft partition. A third inlet hole is provided in the shaft to align with a plurality of pressure release channels which extend from the individual cylinders and align with the third inlet during rotation. The pressure inlets allow back pressure buildup to release during the up stroke of the pistons. 3ecauεe the pressure release channels terminate at a low pressure area created at the downstream end of the venturi. the residual fluid and back pressure in the piston cylinder are effectively evacuated during the up stroke portion of the piston cycle. The angular velocity of the hollow shaft and attached distribution arm is a function of both the water pressure and the incline angle of the cylindrical wedge cam. Therefore, by knowing the water pressure, the installer can alter the cam angle and consequently the piston length, to provide a particular desired rotational velocity. A particular application in which it is desirable to have rotating nozzle assemblies which rotate, at different anσular velocities. is an automatic car wash. For instance, it is desireable to have a high rpm for the rotating nozzle assembly which washes the front bumper of an automobile, to remove particularly difficult stains such as dried insects and the like. On the other hand much lower rotational velocities are desireable for the spray nozzles which wash the sides of the automobile. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective representational view of my new rotating spray nozzle assembly. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective representational view of the two part housing. Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of my rotating spray nozzle assembly. Fig. 4 is a perspective representational view of the cylindrical wedge cam, hollow shaft, radially offset inlets and a distribution arm assembly. Fig. 5 is an end view of a hollow shaft showing a possible con iguration of radially advanced first, second and third inlets. Fie. 5 is a representational cutaway of the piston carriage and a bevelled end piston. Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the piston carriage taken along lines B. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION My new rotating spray nozzle assembly 10, is shown in Fig. 1 attached to a high pressure supply line 1. Rotating spray nozzle assembly 10 has an elongated cylindrical housing 11 centered about a longitudinal axis. A rotating hollow shaft 14 is coincident on the longitudinal ax s and has a laterally disposed hollow distribution arm 12 radially attached thereto. A plurality of spray nozzles 13 are attached to hollow distribution arm 12. Referring now to Fig. 2, housing 11 is shown as a two- 5 part assembly constructed from parts 11a and lib. Housing part 11a has housing inlet 15, or portion thereof, disposed in one end. Housing inlet 15 allows for the introduction of pressurized water into water chamber 16. Piston carriage 17, having a plurality of piston cylinders 10 18 uniformly angularly oriented around and parallel to the longitudinal axis, is attached to housing part 11a and separates the water chamber 16 from oil chamber 32. Disposed along the longitudinal axis is shaft cylinder 19 for rotatably receiving the hollow rotating shaft 14, 15 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. Within the portion of the shaft cylinder 19. which is located in piston carriage 17, are pressure relief passages 20. Pressure relief passages 20 allow the pressurized water to flow from the individual piston cylinders 18 into the interior of hollow rotating ~ ~ > r- cT-. - - ~ — • * ι Λ Referring now to Fig. 3, hollow rotating shaft 14 is shown positioned in shaft cylinder 19. Hollow rotating shaft 14 is held in shaft cylinder 19 by a plurality of combination water and oil seal-bearings 29 and oil seal 25 bearings 3-0. First inlet 23 serves to pass pressurized water to the hollow rotating shaft 14 from piston cylinders 18 and cylinder chambers 22. A plurality of bevelled end pistons 21 are disposed within piston cylinders 18 and slidably held in place by 30 water seal bearings 2 . A cylindrical wedge cam 31. which is attached to and circumscribes hollow rotating shaft 14, is disposed within oil chamber 32. Thrust bearing 33 rests against the inclined surface of cylindrical wedge cam 31. Thrust plate 34 serves as a wear surface for engagement with the bevelled end of bevelled end pistons 21, when forced downward by the incoming pressurized water. Cylindrical wedge cam 31 rides on a cam washer 35 and cam bearing 36. Referring also now to Figs. 4 and 5, the relative positioning of first inlet 23 with respect the apogee point 37 of cylindrical wedge cam 31, is illustrated by the dotted line projection of the first inlet 23 onto the inclined surface of cylindrical wedge cam 31. First inlet 23 is located radially clockwise of apogee 37. This particular arrangement will produce a counterclockwise rotation of the assembly shown in Fig. 4. Referring additionally to Figs. 6 and 7, the internal structure of piston carriage 17 is illustrated in greater detail. Each cylinder chamber 22 has three passages, namely pressure relief passage 20, first inlet passage 24 and second inlet passage 26, which join it with shaft cylinder 19. A partition 38, shown in Fig. 3, is locate»d in the upstream end of hollow rotating shaft 14 and divides the shaft into two portions. The upstream end of shaft 14 is exposed to water chamber 16 and has first inlet 23 located in the shaft wall. First inlet 23 has, in this particular embodiment, the shape of a teardrop. Pressurized water enters hollow rotating shaft 14 from water chamber 16 and is distributed to cylinder chambers 22 above the piston head ends by first inlet passages 24. Hollow rotating shaft 14 is rotatably held in longitudinal position by flange 39 engaged with retaining bearing 40. -which is attached to the top of shaft cylinder 19. Pressurized water then enters the downstream portion of hollow rotating shaft 14 by passing through any one of the second inlet 25 and the second inlet passage 26, during the beginning part of the upstroke of a piston 21. This particular configuration of first inlet 23 and second inlet 25 provides a time lag between the inlet and outlet of the pressurized water to and from piston cylinder IS and cylinder chamber 22. Venturi 28. shown in Fig. 3, is disposed within the second, i.e. downstream, portion of hollow rotating shaft 14. Third inlet 27 is radially retarded with respect to first inlet 23 and second inlet 25. During the last portion of the upstroke cycle of pistons 21, back pressure is evacuated through pressure relief passage 20 and third inlet 27. Third inlet 27 is located downstream of partition 38 at a low pressure area created at the downstream end of venturi 28, which facilitates fluid flow from cylinder chamber 22 to the interior of hollow rotating shaft 14. in use, pressurized water enters rotating nozzle assembly 10 through housing inlet 15 and is stored under ¬ pressure in water chamber 16. The pressurized water is then sequentially introduced into each successive cylinder chamber 22 and exerts downward pressure on bevelled end pistons 21. As the piston pro-gresses downwardly, second inlet passage 26 is exposed and the pressurized water is transferred to the interior of hollow shaft 14 and flows through venturi 28, through rotating distribution arm 12 and out attached spray nozzles 13. After pistons 18 reach bottom dead center and start on the upstroke, second inlet passage 25 is sealed off and pressure relief passage 20 is exposed. The residual water and any back pressure within piston cylinder 18 and cylinder chamber 22 are then effectively evacuated and cylinders 18 and cylinder channels 22 are ready for the next influx of pressurized water. While in this preferred embodiment the pistons are advantageously depicted as bevelled end pistons 18, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that hemispherical ended pistons or the like could easily be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. The distinguishing features of my rotating spray nozzle assembly are, the ability to disperse water which impinges normally tc the washing surface and that the rotational velocity of the rotating nozzle can be controlled independent of the water pressure by simply adjusting the cam angle and/or the cross-sectional area of the inlet and outlet ports . This last feature is especially important because it allows the water to pass through the rotating nozzle assembly without a substantial reduction in water pressure of the water dispersed to the washing surface. While there is snσwn and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the foliowinc claims.

Claims: Claim No. 1. A rotating spray nozzle assembly for washing planar surfaces using pressurized water which is characterized by: a longitudinally disposed rotatable hollow shaft having an inlet for introducing pressurized water to the interior of said shaft; a piston carriage having a central receiving shaft cylinder coincident to the longitudinal axis, rotatably engaged with said hollow shaft, said piston carriage further having a plurality of cylinder chambers and piston cylinders coaxially disposed and uniformly angularly oriented around, and parallel to, the longitudinal axis, for εlidably holding a plurality of bevelled end pistons; a cylindrical wedge cam attached to and circumscribing said rotatable hollow shaft; a plurality of pistons having a bevelled end slidably mounted within said piston cylinders and in εlidable frictional engagement at the bevelled end with the surface of the cylindrical wedge cam; a hollow distribution arm radially attached to a first end of said rotatable shaft for distributing water therefrom, whereby said hollow distribution arm rotateε in a laterally disposed plane; a plurality of spray nozzles operably attached to said distribution arm for dispersing water therefrom, in a direction normal to said laterally disposed plane; a shaft partition laterally disposed within said rotatable shaft dividing said rotatable shaft into two portions, an upstream portion and a downstream portion; anu. said rotatable hollow shaft further having a first inlet in its upstream portion and a second inlet in its downstream portion with said first inlet being radially advanced about the longitudinal axis with respect to said second inlet in the downstream portion of said rotatable shaft. Claim No. 2. A rotating spray nozzle assembly for washing planar surfaces using pressurized water which is characterized by: a longitudinally disposed rotatable hollow shaft having an inlet for introducing presεurized water to the interior of said shaft; a piston carriage having a central receiving shaft cylinder coincident to the longitudinal axis, rotatably engaged with εaid hollow shaft, said piston carriage further having a plurality of cylinder chambers and piston cylinders coaxially disposed and uniformly angularly oriented around, and parallel to, the longitudinal axis, for slidably holding a plurality of bevelled end pistons; a cylindrical wedge cam attached to and circumscribing said rotatable hollow shaft; a plurality of pistons having a piston head and a bevelled end slidably mounted within said piston cylinders and in εlidable fπctional engagement at the bevelled en»d with the surface of the cylindrical wedge cam; a hcllow distribution arm radially attached to a first end of said rotatable shaft for distributing water therefro , whereby said hollow distribution arm rotates in a laterally disposed plane: a plurality of spray nozzles operably attached to said distribution arm for dispersing water therefrom, in a direction normal to said laterally disposed plane; a shaft partition laterally disposed within said rotatable shaft dividιn»cr said rotatable shaft into two said rotatable hollow shaft further having a first inlet in its upstream portion and a second inlet in its downstream portion with said first inlet being radially advanced about the longitudinal axis with respect to said second inlet in the downstream portion of said rotatable shaft. Claim No. 3. A rotating spray nozzle assembly characterized by: a longitudinally disposed rotatable hollow shaft; a shaft partition dispoεed laterally within said rotatable hollow shaft, dividing the interior of said shaft into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, said upstream shaft portion having a first inlet for passing water from the interior of said shaft, said first inlet being dispoεed radially advanced about the lon¬ gitudinal axis with reεpect to a second inlet in said lower shaft portion, said downstream shaft portion having said second inlet for passing water to the interior of said shaft; a cylindrical wedge cam attached to and circumscribing said rotatable hollow shaft; a plurality of bevelled end pistons operably attached to said cam and further being reciprocally activated by said presεurized water source; a hollow distribution arm radially attached to the upstream end of said rotatable shaft for -distributing water therefrom; a housing having a water chamber and an oil chamber t said housing rotatably receiving said hollow shaft; a piston carriage having coaxialiy diεpoεed cylinder chambers and piston cylinders therein for reciprocally supporting said bevelled end pistons, εaid piston carriage further having a centrally located cylindrical shaft cylinder for rotatably receiving said hollow shaft, said shaft cylinder further having a plurality of inlet passages connecting said shaft cylinder to each of said cvlinder chambers for the oassaσe of water there between. Claim No. 4. The rotating spray nozzle assembly of Claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising a venturi disposed within the downstream portion of said hollow shaft downstream of said second inlet. Claim No. 5. The rotating spray nozzle assembly of Claim 4 wherein said hollow shaft further has a third inlet in its downstream portion, downstream of said venturi and radially retarded with respect to said second inlet. Claim No. 6. The rotating spray nozzle asεembly of Claim 5 wherein said piston carriage has a plurality of first inlet passages, one each connecting said central receiving shaft cylinder to each of said cylinder chambers and dispoεed to receive preεεurized fluid from said first inlet. Claim No. 7. The rotating spray nozzle assembly of Claim 6 wherein said piston carriage has a plurality of second inlet passages, one each connecting said central receiving shaft cylinder to each of said cylinder chamberε and disposed to pass preεεurized fluid from εaid cylinder chambers to the interior of said hollow shaft through said second inlet. Claim No. 8. The rotating spray nozzle assembly of Claim 7 wherein said piston carriage further has a plurality of presεure relief paεεages, one each connecting said central receiving shaft cylinder to each of said cylinder chamberε and dispoεed to paεε pressurized fluid from said cylinder chambers to the interior of said hollow shaft through said third inlet.

Inventors: GARNER JIM W, GARNER, JIM, W.
Applicants: GARNER JIM W, GARNER, JIM, W.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B05B3
IPC codes: B05B3, F01B3