ADJUSTABLE DIFFUSER FOR FLUIDS

Abstract: An ajustable diffuser for fluids including: a support element (1) provided with a fluid feeding duct (11), which is connected to a first part (12a) of a quick connect/disconnect coupler, and with fastening means for coupling with the frame (T) of a machine or a system, a fluid outlet element (2) comprising a semirigid blowpipe (21) having at an end a second part (12b) of said quick connect/disconnect coupler, means (3a, 3b) for preventing the relative rotation of said elements, which means are envisaged and act between said support (1) and outlet (2) elements.

Description: DESCRIPTION ADJUSTABLE DIFFUSER FOR FLUIDS The present invention relates to an adjustable diffuser for fluids to be used, in particular, on machines or systems in which it is necessary to direct a flow of air, gas or liquid, onto a product which is being worked on or towards preestablished areas. At present, the jet of fluid is appropriately directed by means of a semirigid tubular element, generally in copper, which is fitted with a nozzle, which element is fixed, for example stirruped, to the frame of the machine or the system, close to the area to sprinkle. This solution has various drawbacks that is, it is necessary to remove, often, the tubular element for operating on the machine or on the system or it is necessary to modify the direction ofthe fluid jet. In actual practice, said modification is performed by bending repeatedly the tubular element (below referred to as blowpipe) according to the direction wanted with the progressive deterioration ofthe blowpipe itself. In order to allow the removal ofthe blowpipe, threaded connections with biconic tightening are normally used which have the drawback that, due to repeated screwing and unscrewing operations of the connection, the blowpipe becomes progressively etched by the tightening until it breaks. Furthermore, in the case of a high speed ofthe fluid outflow or - if the blowpipe or the connection are in some way fixed to the frame - very strong vibrations of the machine, the blowpipe tend to rotate about its own longitudinal axis. This causes a progressive loosening ofthe tightening, which requires a continuous adjustment. Finally, flexible blowpipes are used, though, when the fluid is ejected with a strong pressure, they are not capable of maintaining the direction ofthe flow wanted. The main object ofthe present invention is therefore to supply an adjustable device (in what follows referred to as a diffuser), for conveying the flow of a fluid onto a product that is being worked on or onto preestablished areas of a machine or system, which does not have the above mentioned drawbacks. Said object is reached by an adjustable diffuser for fluids that comprises a support element, which can be fixed firmly to the frame ofthe machine or the system and has at least a duct for feeding fluid to a first part of a quick connect/disconnect coupler, a fluid outlet element comprising a semirigid blowpipe having at an end a second pan of said quick connect/disconnect coupler, means for preventing the relative rotation of said elements once engaged. In a preferred embodiment said means for preventing rotation comprise a polygonal hole envisaged in said first support element and a body made integral to said blowpipe. This body has the same profile as that of said hole and is capable of being fixed without play, when the engagement has come about, into said hole. Among the advantages reached by the present invention is the fact that the diffuser can be used on every kind of machine or system, it can be removed and reinstalled in a very short time and with absolute precision, it does not need any kind of adjustment during the working, it does not undergo any movement, due to the pressure level of the flow or to any vibrations ofthe machine, and it does not deteriorate in time. Further characteristics and advantages ofthe present invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows made with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent a preferred embodiment in the form of a non-limiting example in which: - figure 1 shows an exploded view of a diffuser according to the present invention; - figure 2 shows a partial schematic top plan view ofthe support element ofthe diffuser with the coupler removed; - figures 3a and 3b show the sections along A-A and respectively B-B of figure 2; - figure 4 shows the diffuser of figure 1 in the operating position. With reference to the appended figures, a diffuser according to the present invention essentially comprises a block - denoted as a whole with reference number 1 - for instance in plastic, aluminium or stainless steel, which acts as the support element. The block 1 is equipped with a plurality of holes 13 for the connection, by means of screws 15, to the frame T of a machine or a system, on which it is necessary to direct a flow of air, gas or liquid, towards the product being worked on or towards a preestablished area, and it is also equipped with a fluid feeding duct 1 1. Said duct, which is provided with one or more inlets I la, l ib, 1 lc, is connected to a first part 12a of a quick connect/disconnect coupler, which part 12a is destined to cooperate with a second part 12b which is fitted to an end of a semirigid blowpipe 21, for example in copper. Said blowpipe, which acts, in practice, as the fluid outlet element - indicated as a whole with reference number 2 - is also fitted, at the other end, with one or more nozzles 22 or with a short flexible duct, f.i. comprising spherical microsegments. Between the support element 1 and the fluid outlet element 2, means are provided for preventing the relative rotation of said elements when the engagement has come about. In a first embodiment, said means for preventing rotation comprise at least one projecting part and at least a corresponding housing envisaged on said support and outlet elements. In a second preferred embodiment - shown in the appended figures - said means for preventing rotation are constituted by a polygonal hole 3a - in this case hexagonal - provided in the block 1, and by a body 3b having the same profile as the hole 3a. Said body 3b is envisaged integral - for example, welded - to the blowpipe 21 and capable of being installed without play into the hole 3a when the engagement has comes about. The use ofthe diffuser according to the present invention is basically the following. The block 1 is fixed, according to the orientation desired, to the frame T of the machine by means ofthe screws 15. Then one ofthe inlets 1 la,l lb,l lc, is connected to a fluid feeder, plugging the remaining inlets, and the semirigid blowpipe 21 is engaged into the quick connect/disconnect coupler. In particular the terminal part 12b of the blowpipe 21 is inserted into the part 12a ofthe coupler which is supported by the block 1. When the engagement has come about, the hexagonal body 3b is installed without play into the corresponding hole 3a, thus preventing the movement ofthe nozzle 22 otherwise caused by a rotation ofthe blowpipe 21 about its own longitudinal axis. If it is necessary to remove and subsequently reinstall the blowpipe 21 it is sufficient to act on the parts 12a and 12b ofthe quick connect/disconnect coupler, with the correct repositioning ofthe blowpipe and without causing wear or deterioration. Furthermore, any vibrations ofthe frame do not affect either the connection tightening or the position ofthe nozzle. The present invention is susceptible to many variations or changes without falling outside the scope of the present invention. In particular there can be envisaged a plurality of quick connect/disconnect couplers so as to fit the diffuser with several output blowpipes. Furthermore, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An adjustable diffuser for fluids including: - a support element (1) provided with a fluid feeding duct (11) which is connected to a first part (12a) of a quick connect/disconnect coupler, said support element comprising fastening means for coupling with the frame (T) of a machine or a system on which it is necessary to direct a flow of fluid towards a product which is being worked on or towards a preestablished area; - a fluid outlet element (2) comprising a semirigid blowpipe (21) having at an end a second part ( 12b) of said quick connect/disconnect coupler; - means (3a, 3b) for preventing the relative rotation of said elements (1,2) when said first and second parts (12a,12b) ofthe coupler are engaged, said means being provided and acting between said support (1 ) and outlet (2) elements. 2. A diffuser according to claim 1, wherein said means for preventing rotation comprise at least a projection and at least a corresponding housing provided on said support and outlet elements. 3. A diffuser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for preventing rotation comprise a polygonal hole (3a) provided in said support element (1) and a body (3b) having the same profile as said hole (3a) and provided integral to said blowpipe (21), said body (3b) being installed without play into said hole (3a) when said elements ( 1 ,2) are engaged. 4. An adjustable diffuser for fluids, including: - supporting means provided with a fluid feeding duct which is connected to at least one quick connect/disconnect coupler, said supporting means comprising fastening means for coupling with the frame of a machine or a system on which it is necessary to direct a flow of fluid towards a product which is being worked on or towards preestablished areas; - fluid outlet means comprising at least one semirigid blowpipe having a nozzle at an end, joining means to said at least one quick connect/disconnect coupler being provided at the other end of said at least one blowpipe; - means for preventing the relative rotation of said supporting and outlet means once engaged, said means for preventing rotation being provided and acting between said supporting and outlet means.

Inventors: BOTTA ERMENEGILDO, BOTTA, ERMENEGILDO
Applicants: BOTTA ERMENEGILDO, BOTTA, ERMENEGILDO
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B05B15
IPC codes: B05B15