Patent Abstract:
A washing liquid distribution system includes a spiral separator having a plurality of flights, each flight including at least one receiving cup for distributing liquid onto the flight. A directional outlet nozzle is mounted in cup for providing a horizontal outlet stream of a liquid. The nozzle is both rotatably and releasably mounted in a recess at the bottom of the cup. One or more outlet openings in a variety of geometric shapes to provide the desired outlet stream of wash liquid.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   Not Applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to nozzles used in washing liquid distribution systems particularly to nozzles used in spiral separators. 
   2. Relevant Art 
   The present invention relates to nozzles used in spiral separators such as those illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,125 to Niitti. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the present invention there is provided in a washing liquid distribution system comprising a spiral separator including a plurality of flights, each flight including at least one receiving cup for distributing liquid onto the flight, a directional outlet nozzle mounted in the cup for providing a horizontal outlet stream of a liquid. The nozzle is rotatably mounted in the cup. The nozzle is releasably mounted to the cup. The nozzle has either a single outlet opening or two oppositely disposed outlet openings. The nozzle has an elongated lower portion extending downwardly from the cup and an upper portion for mounting the nozzle to the cup. The outlet opening is located in the lower portion. The lower portion has a vertically disposed portion and a horizontal substantially planar portion, the outlet opening being in the vertically disposed portion. The nozzle includes a housing having an exterior surface formed to include a pair of oppositely disposed flat portions for grasping the nozzle by a user. 
   In another aspect of the present invention there is provide in a washing liquid distribution system comprising a spiral separator including a plurality of flights, each flight including at least one receiving cup for distributing liquid onto the flight, a directional outlet nozzle rotatably mounted in the cup, the cup having one horizontally disposed outlet opening for providing a horizontal outlet stream of a liquid. The nozzle is releasably mounted to the cup. The nozzle has a second outlet opening oppositely disposed from the one outlet opening. The nozzle has an elongated lower portion subtending from the cup and an upper portion for mounting the nozzle to the cup. The one outlet opening is located in the lower portion. The lower portion has vertically a disposed portion and a horizontal substantially planar portion, the one outlet opening being located in the vertically disposed portion. The nozzle includes a housing, the housing including an exterior surface having a pair of oppositely disposed flat portions for grasping the nozzle by a user. 
   In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided in a washing liquid distribution system comprising a spiral separator including a plurality of flights, each flight including at least one receiving cup for distributing liquid onto the flight, a direction outlet nozzle rotatably and releasably mounted in the cup the cup having one horizontal disposed outlet opening for providing a horizontal outlet stream of a liquid. The one outlet opening is a substantially circular passageway or it is a substantially vertically disposed rectangular slot. The one outlet opening is formed by a pair of vertically disposed elongated curved sides, each side having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portions of the sides being joined together and the lower portion of the sides joined together to form the one outlet opening. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a spiral separator according to the prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the directional nozzle in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a portion of a spiral separator utilizing a directional nozzle in accord with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the nozzle of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a directional nozzle in accord with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of another embodiment of a directional nozzle in accord with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of another directional nozzle in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7 . is a side view of another directional nozzle in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of the nozzle of  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,125 discloses a washing liquid distribution system employing spiral separators. Internally a plurality of dampening receivers receive the washing liquid into a top portion and provide a low kinetic energy liquid flow output onto the material being separated via the distribution system ( FIG. 1 ). 
   Control of the flow in many separation systems is accomplished via pet-cocks or valves in line with a supply hose. Because the outlet flow is to be very low, very small openings are provided. The disadvantage with this approach is that the openings are subject to clogging. A larger opening can be used to prevent clogging but the very low flow required to aid in separation results in an unstable liquid stream. 
   In the present invention, the outlet from a receiver is via a small passageway formed in a removable and rotatable insert mounted in the bottom of the receiver. The inserts provide outlet holes that can be elongated in the vertical or horizontal or both directions. 
   The inserts provide a means whereby the outlet stream can be directed towards the vertical divider that separates the separator trough from the concentrate trough with the stream having a horizontal component. The horizontal component of the flow can be directed upstream or downstream as desired in the circumstances. The small head developed within the insert provides for a stable flow stream. In addition, a larger outlet opening prevents clogging. 
   With respect to the drawings,  FIG. 2  illustrates receiver cup  10  having an inlet flow pipe  11 . The specific construction of cup  10  may vary In the circumstances. In particular, horizontal pipe  12  (shown in broken line) may be provided to direct some of the incoming flow to another cup  10  as illustrated in Pat. No. 6,524,125, referenced hereinabove and incorporated herein in its entirety. 
   The receiver cup  10  preferably is formed to provide a recess  13  into which the directional nozzle formed as an insert  14  will be mounted. Recess  13  provides a collection point for the incoming liquid to stabilize the liquid flow prior to exiting via horizontally disposed outlet opening  15 . The diameter, shape, and angle with the horizontal of the outlet  15  vary with the specific separation application. 
   The upper portion  16  of insert  14  is formed as a flange  17  that fits tightly into recess  13 . The lower portion  18  is sized in height to create a head of approximately 1.0″ to provide for a stable stream. The lower tapered portion  19  assists in directing the flow to outlet  15 . Preferably, insert  14  has a pair of oppositely disposed flats  20  to allow the insert  14  to be rotated to position outlet  15  in the desired location. 
     FIG. 2A  illustrates the relationship of receiving cups  10  in accord with the present invention with respect to the spiral separator. With regard to the upper flight  30 ′, an upper receiving cup  10  feeds water onto the flight  30 ′ as does a lower cup  10 . An outlet pipe  12  is not used in this particular configuration. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,125. 
   The lower flight  30 ″(preferably identical to upper flight  30 ′) in  FIG. 2A  employs an upper receiving cup  10  that includes outlet pipe  12  to feed into a lower cup  10  which provides effluent only to the flight  30 ″. 
   Each receiving cup  10  is identical but may employ different nozzles such as those shown in  FIGS. 2-8  as desired in a specific application. Incoming flow is directed by the hoses  26 ′ and pipe  28 ′ that may be of any appropriate size or number for the specific application. 
   A side view of insert  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Flange  17  is formed to provide a smooth rounded inlet portion  21  to further stabilize the incoming flow downwardly through passageway  22  for greater stability of the outlet stream. The insert  14  is formed of material that is appropriate in the circumstances. 
   With respect to  FIG. 4 , an alternate insert  23  having a rounded inlet  24  and flange  25  that fits tightly into a recess  13  of a cup  10 . Flats  26  provide a means for grasping the insert  23  and rotating it to a desired position. The outlet  27  is a vertically elonoated generally rectangular slot that provides a horizontally directed flow. 
   In  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of a directional nozzle in accord with the present invention is illustrated by insert  28 . A rounded inlet  29  and flange  30  fits tightly into recess  13  of a cup  10 . Flats  31  allow for rotation of the insert  28 . Outlet  32  is formed as a curved slot to provide a horizontally directed outlet stream. 
   In  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of a nozzle is illustrated by insert  33  having a rounded inlet  34  and flange  35  fits into recess  13 . Flats  36  provide a grasping surface as before. Two oppositely disposed outlets  37  are provided to allow for two oppositely disposed horizontal outlet streams. 
   In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an embodiment of an insert  38  having outlets formed as angled slits  42  formed therein. Inlet  39 , flange  40 , and flats  41  are as before. The slits  42  provide a substantially horizontal fan-like outlet stream. Alternatively the slits  42  may be horizontal as shown by broken lines  43  or any angle between the approximately 45° angle of slits  42  and slits  43 . 
   The particular insert chosen for a given application will depend on the material that is being processed as understood in the art. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1