Patent Description:
An exemplary embodiment of a nozzle assembly in accordance with the present disclosure includes a hollow nozzle head body having a central bore containing a switching valve assembly captured in the body by an inlet nut fastened to the nozzle head body. The valve assembly includes a movable poppet disposed in the central bore, a guide member in the bore, and a bias member in the bore between the nozzle head body and the poppet resiliently biasing the poppet toward the inlet nut at a rear end of the central bore.

This nozzle assembly more particularly includes a hollow nozzle body having a front portion and a rear portion, a central bore through the rear portion, and a plurality of ports extending out of the nozzle body through the front portion of the body from the central bore. A switching valve assembly is disposed in the central bore. This assembly is operable to direct fluid flow from an inlet to the rear portion to at least one of the plurality of ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and direct fluid flow from the inlet to at least a different one of the plurality of ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold.

One embodiment of the switching valve assembly includes a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the central bore, a guide member in the central bore engaging the poppet, and a biasing member in the central bore between the front portion of the nozzle body and the poppet. This biasing member is preferably a coil spring. The spring urges the poppet away from the front portion of the nozzle body.

The assembly preferably includes a plurality of guide members engaging the poppet to alternatingly align the poppet with the at least one of the plurality of ports and the different at least one of the plurality of ports each time the poppet abuts one of the front portion of the nozzle body or a flow diverter positioned in the central bore. The guide members are preferably pins through a side wall of the nozzle body each projecting radially inward from the nozzle body into the central bore engaging a corresponding feature on the poppet.

The poppet has at least one through bore to permit fluid flow therethrough and has the corresponding feature engaging the guide member. This feature preferably is a peripheral zig-zag groove in the outer side wall of the poppet. Each transition below the predetermined threshold causes the poppet to rotate about its axis to permit fluid flow to alternate between the first and second set of ports. The poppet also has at least one other through bore that carries a floating valve pin. This floating pin has a stem in the bore and large plug end that engages and closes one of the plurality of ports through the front portion of the nozzle body when the poppet abuts against either the front portion of the nozzle body or the flow diverter in the central bore.

Alternatively the corresponding feature engaging the guide member may include one or more guide pins protruding from the outer side wall of the poppet into a peripheral zig-zag groove formed in a side wall of the central bore.

The front portion of the nozzle body has at least one bore therethrough leading to the first set of ports and at least one other bore therethrough leading to the second set of ports. The poppet has a front face and at least one of the valve pins protruding from the front face forms a plug which is configured for selectively closing the at least one bore through the front portion of the nozzle body or the flow diverter.

An embodiment of a nozzle assembly in accordance with the present disclosure may be viewed as including a hollow nozzle body connectable to a high pressure fluid supply. This nozzle body has a front portion and a rear portion and a central bore through at least the rear portion, a first plurality of ports extending out of the body from one end of the central bore and a second plurality of ports extending out of the body from the central bore. A switching valve assembly disposed in the central bore is operable to direct fluid flow from an inlet to one or more of the first plurality of ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and direct fluid flow from the inlet to one or more of the second plurality of ports upon fluid flow dropping below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. One embodiment of the switching valve assembly includes a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed in the central bore.

The poppet has a plurality of axially extending bores therethrough. A biasing member is positioned between the front portion and the poppet biasing the poppet away from the front portion of the nozzle body. A guide member between the rear portion of the nozzle body and the poppet engages a corresponding feature on the poppet to rotate the poppet as it slides within the rear portion of the cartridge case. The poppet has one or more valve pins each disposed in one of the poppet bores for closing one of the first plurality of ports when aligned with that one of the first plurality of ports when exceeding the predetermined threshold. The poppet in this embodiment has a front face and at least one of the valve pin forms a lug shape protruding from the front face closing one of the ports and at the same time closing the poppet bore carrying the valve pin when the poppet abuts against one of the ports.

Further features, advantages and characteristics of the embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent from reading the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawing figures.

An exemplary first embodiment of a nozzle assembly <NUM> incorporating a switching valve assembly is shown in <FIG>. Nozzle assembly <NUM> has a generally cylindrical solid nozzle body <NUM> with a front portion <NUM> which typically has a rounded nose and a generally cylindrical rear portion <NUM> that can be threadably fastened to an inlet nut <NUM>, which is, in turn, preferably fastened to a distal end of a rotary shaft and, in turn, thence to a high pressure fluid hose (not shown). This nozzle body <NUM> has a central bore <NUM> through at least the rear portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM> and a plurality of ports <NUM> drilled through the body <NUM> each leading from the central bore <NUM> to a nozzle tip <NUM> that is threaded into each of the ports <NUM>.

Captured in the central bore <NUM> between the front portion <NUM> and the inlet nut <NUM> in this embodiment is a switching valve assembly <NUM> and a flow diverter insert <NUM>. This switching valve assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical poppet <NUM> slidably disposed in the central bore <NUM>, a bias member <NUM> compressed between the poppet <NUM> and the diverter <NUM>, and a guide <NUM> between the poppet <NUM> and the nozzle body <NUM>.

In this first embodiment of the nozzle assembly <NUM>, the guide <NUM> comprises a groove in the poppet <NUM> that engages a plurality of guide pins <NUM> threaded into the body <NUM> that extend into the central bore <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is a peripheral zig-zag groove formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the poppet <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, there are four guide pins <NUM> spaced at <NUM> degrees apart around the central bore <NUM>. When fluid pressure/flow is applied to the assembled nozzle <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> slides within the bore <NUM> forward toward the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>, being rotated as it moves via the guide <NUM> until its front end face <NUM> abuts against the rear face of the flow diverter <NUM>.

In this first embodiment, the flow diverter <NUM> is a generally cylindrical body positioned in the central bore <NUM> that has four axial passages <NUM> therethrough that direct fluid to different sets of ports <NUM>. At least one port <NUM> is forward through the front portion <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Other ports <NUM> are directed outward from the body <NUM> for cleaning and still others are directed rearward to provide a tractor effect to the nozzle assembly <NUM> during use, effectively pulling the nozzle assembly <NUM> into a piping system being cleaned (not shown).

The poppet <NUM> is a short cylindrical body that has four axially extending bores <NUM> symmetrically arranged around its central axis. Two oppositely arranged bores <NUM> carry floating valve pins <NUM>. These valve pins <NUM> are used to close corresponding aligned passages <NUM> through the diverter <NUM>. Each valve pin <NUM> has a stem <NUM> and an enlarged plug portion <NUM> that extends from a front face <NUM> of the poppet <NUM> giving the valve pin an external shape like an Erlenmeyer flask. The valve pins <NUM> are each captured within its bore <NUM> via a snap ring <NUM> fastened to the stem <NUM> of the valve pin <NUM> such that the valve pin <NUM> floats within its bore through the poppet <NUM>. This floating configuration with an enlarged plug or lug end portion <NUM> accommodates for tolerance stacking of the nozzle switching valve <NUM> components and ensures positive sealing between the poppet <NUM> and the valve pin <NUM> when fluid pressure/flow is applied to the assembled nozzle <NUM>.

The other two bores <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) through the poppet <NUM> provide a flow path to the passages <NUM> in the flow diverter <NUM>. Thus when the poppet <NUM> is arranged as shown in <FIG>, the passages <NUM> directed to the cleaning ports <NUM> are plugged. The passages <NUM> that are not shown in the sectional view of <FIG> are not plugged permitting fluid flow directly to the tractor and forward ports <NUM> through a cavity <NUM> in the central bore <NUM> in the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the poppet <NUM> closing two axial passages <NUM> into the diverter <NUM>. A cross sectional view <NUM>° rotated from that shown would reveal the opposite straight through bores <NUM> through the poppet <NUM> aligned with axial passages <NUM> in the diverter <NUM> that lead to the cavity <NUM>. The view of <FIG> shows the nozzle <NUM> with the switching valve assembly <NUM> aligned to provide fluid flow to the front ports and tractor ports <NUM>. When fluid pressure/flow next drops below a threshold defined by the spring rate of spring <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> would move rearward along the zig zag path of the peripheral groove of the guide <NUM>. When flow next exceeds the threshold, poppet <NUM> would move forward and rotate to align the straight through passages with the passages <NUM> in the flow diverter shown in <FIG>.

Although not shown, the through bores <NUM> through the poppet <NUM> that do not carry valve pins <NUM> may have a larger diameter than those carrying valve pins <NUM> or they may be similarly shaped to those shown. The valve pin plug portions <NUM> may extend beyond the end face <NUM> of the poppet <NUM> and may be tapered so as to fit within complementary shaped tapered entrances to the mating passages <NUM> in the diverter <NUM>. The bias member <NUM> preferably is a coil spring that fits within a blind bore centered within the diverter <NUM> and has a portion fitting within a central recess in the poppet <NUM>.

A second embodiment of a nozzle assembly <NUM> incorporating a switching valve assembly <NUM> as above described is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>. Nozzle assembly <NUM> is similar to nozzle assembly <NUM> described above except that the flow diverter <NUM> has been eliminated. This functionality is incorporated into the front portion of the nozzle body. Nozzle assembly <NUM> has a generally cylindrical solid nozzle body <NUM> with a front portion <NUM> which typically has a rounded nose and a generally cylindrical rear portion <NUM> that can be threadably fastened to an inlet nut <NUM>, which is, in turn, fastened to a rotary shaft and thence to a high pressure fluid hose (not shown). This nozzle body <NUM> has a central bore <NUM> through at least the rear portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM> and a plurality of ports <NUM> drilled through the body <NUM> each leading from the central bore <NUM> to a nozzle tip <NUM> that is threaded into each of the ports <NUM>.

Captured in the central bore <NUM> between the front portion <NUM> and the inlet nut <NUM> in this embodiment is a switching valve assembly <NUM>. This switching valve assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical poppet <NUM> slidably disposed in the central bore <NUM>, a bias member <NUM> compressed between the poppet <NUM> and the front portion <NUM>, and a guide <NUM> between the poppet <NUM> and the nozzle body <NUM>.

In this second embodiment of the nozzle assembly <NUM>, the guide <NUM> comprises a groove in the poppet <NUM> that engages a plurality of guide pins <NUM> that are threaded into the body <NUM> and extend into the central bore <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is a peripheral zig-zag groove formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the poppet <NUM>. In the second embodiment shown, there are four guide pins <NUM> spaced at <NUM> degrees apart around the central bore <NUM>. When fluid flow is applied to the assembled nozzle <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> slides within the bore <NUM> forward toward the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>, being rotated as it moves via the guide <NUM> until its front end face <NUM> abuts against the rear face of the front portion <NUM> at the end of the central bore <NUM>.

The poppet <NUM> is a short cylindrical body that has four axially extending bores <NUM> symmetrically arranged around its central axis. Two oppositely arranged bores <NUM> carry floating valve pins <NUM>. These valve pins <NUM> are used to close corresponding aligned passages <NUM> through the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>. Each valve pin <NUM> has a stem <NUM> and an enlarged plug portion <NUM> extend from a front face <NUM> of the poppet <NUM> giving the valve pin an external shape like an Erlenmeyer flask. The valve pins <NUM> are each captured within its bore <NUM> via a snap ring <NUM> fastened to the stem <NUM> of the valve pin <NUM> such that the valve pin <NUM> floats within its bore through the poppet <NUM>. This floating configuration with an enlarged plug or lug end portion <NUM> accommodates for tolerance stacking of the nozzle switching valve <NUM> components. Further, an O-ring seal (not shown) may be installed between the chamfer of the enlarged plug portion <NUM> and the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM> to provide a positive seal.

The other two bores <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) through the poppet <NUM> provide a flow path to the passages <NUM> in the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>. Thus when the poppet <NUM> is arranged as shown in <FIG>, the passages <NUM> directed to the cleaning ports <NUM> are plugged. The passages <NUM> that are shown in the sectional view of <FIG> are not plugged permitting fluid flow directly to the tractor and forward ports <NUM> through the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the poppet <NUM> closing two axial passages <NUM> into the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>. A cross sectional view <NUM>° rotated from that shown is shown in <FIG> showing the opposite straight through bores <NUM> through the poppet <NUM> aligned with axial passages <NUM> in the front portion <NUM>. The view of <FIG> shows the nozzle <NUM> with the switching valve assembly <NUM> aligned to provide fluid flow to the lateral cleaning ports <NUM>. When fluid flow next drops below a threshold flow defined by the spring rate of spring <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> would move rearward along the zig zag path of the peripheral groove of the guide <NUM>. When flow next exceeds the threshold, poppet <NUM> would move forward and rotate to align the straight through passages with the other pair of passages <NUM> to the tractor and forward ports <NUM>.

Another switching valve nozzle assembly in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in <FIG>, <FIG>. This nozzle assembly <NUM> includes a hollow nozzle body <NUM> that has a round nose front portion <NUM> and a generally cylindrical rear portion <NUM>. The nozzle body <NUM> has a central blind bore <NUM> that receives a removable valve cartridge <NUM>. The blind bore <NUM> has a block shaped front portion <NUM> and a circular cylindrical rear portion <NUM>. This removable cartridge <NUM> is shaped complementary to the central blind bore <NUM> and is captured within the blind bore <NUM> by a nozzle inlet nut <NUM> fastened to the nozzle body <NUM> and which, in turn, connects to a rotatable shaft and thence to a high pressure fluid hose (not shown).

The removable cartridge <NUM> includes a case <NUM> externally shaped complementary to the blind bore <NUM> with a front block portion <NUM> that acts as a flow diverter having a plurality of passages therethrough each configured to align with a port drilled through the nozzle body <NUM> into the front portion <NUM> of the blind bore <NUM>. The case <NUM> has a hollow circular cylindrical rear portion <NUM> that carries within it a switching valve assembly <NUM>.

This switching valve assembly <NUM> is similar to the switching valve assemblies <NUM> and <NUM> described above. This switching valve assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical poppet <NUM> slidably disposed in the cylindrical rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, a bias member <NUM> compressed between the poppet <NUM> and the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, and a guide <NUM> operating between the poppet <NUM> and the rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> comprises a groove <NUM> in the poppet <NUM> that engages a plurality of guide pins <NUM> that are threaded into the case <NUM> and extend into the rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is a peripheral zig-zag groove formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the poppet <NUM>. In this third embodiment shown, there are four guide pins <NUM> spaced at <NUM> degrees apart around the case <NUM>. When fluid pressure is applied to the assembled nozzle <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> slides within the case <NUM> forward toward the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, being rotated as it moves via the guide <NUM> until its front end face <NUM> abuts against the rear face of the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>.

The poppet <NUM> is a short cylindrical body that has four axially extending bores <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, symmetrically arranged <NUM>° apart around its central axis. Two oppositely arranged bores <NUM> carry floating valve pins <NUM>. These valve pins <NUM> are used to close corresponding aligned passages <NUM> through the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM>. Each valve pin <NUM> has a stem <NUM> and an enlarged plug portion <NUM> that extends from a front face <NUM> of the poppet <NUM> giving the valve pin <NUM> an external shape like an Erlenmeyer flask. The valve pins <NUM> are each captured within its bore <NUM> via a snap ring <NUM> fastened to the stem <NUM> of the valve pin <NUM> such that the valve pin <NUM> floats within its bore <NUM> through the poppet <NUM>. This floating configuration with an enlarged plug or lug end portion <NUM> accommodates for tolerance stacking of the nozzle switching valve <NUM> components. Further, an O-ring seal (not shown) may be installed between the chamfer of the enlarged plug portion <NUM> and each passage <NUM> in the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM> to provide a positive seal.

The other two bores <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) through the poppet <NUM> provide a flow path to the passages <NUM> in the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM>. Thus when the poppet <NUM> is arranged as shown in <FIG>, the passages <NUM> directed to the cleaning ports <NUM> are plugged. The passages <NUM> that are shown in the sectional view of <FIG> are not plugged permitting fluid flow directly to the tractor and forward ports <NUM> through the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> and thence through the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the poppet <NUM> closing two axial passages <NUM> into the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross sectional view <NUM>° rotated from that shown is shown in <FIG> showing the opposite straight through bores <NUM> through the poppet <NUM> aligned with axial passages <NUM> in the front portion <NUM>. The views in both <FIG> show the nozzle <NUM> with the switching valve assembly <NUM> aligned to provide fluid flow to the tractor and forward ports <NUM>. When fluid flow next drops below a threshold defined by the spring rate of spring bias member <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> would move rearward along the zig zag path of the peripheral groove of the guide <NUM>. When flow next exceeds the threshold pressure, poppet <NUM> would move forward and rotates to align the straight through passages with the other pair of passages <NUM> to the lateral cleaning ports <NUM>. Each port <NUM> receives a threaded nozzle tip <NUM> as in the embodiments previously described.

The front block portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> in this embodiment <NUM> has four axially straight side faces <NUM> and a flat end face <NUM>. Each of these faces <NUM> has a circular groove <NUM> carrying an O-ring <NUM> and a plastic face seal <NUM> around an opening to its corresponding port <NUM> in the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle head body <NUM>. The circular groove <NUM> may optionally also carry an annular metal anti-extrusion ring <NUM> to prevent extrusion of the plastic face seal <NUM> when the nozzle <NUM> is under pressure. The plastic face seal <NUM> bridges the gap between the case <NUM> and the nozzle body <NUM>. The extrusion ring <NUM> also keeps the plastic face seal <NUM> in proper position during insertion and removal of the case <NUM> in the central bore <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM>.

This cartridge case <NUM> may be made of a metal or thermoplastic material such as a high molecular weight polyethylene and may be injection molded. One preferable material is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Similarly, the poppet <NUM> itself may be made of a plastic rather than metal. Other than the coil spring <NUM> and the valve pins, the valve assembly <NUM> may be made of plastic as it does not have to withstand the high stresses encountered during nozzle operation. The nozzle head body <NUM> and inlet nut <NUM> provide the strength required for high pressure operation.

Another alternative embodiment of a nozzle head incorporating a switching valve in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in <FIG>. This nozzle assembly <NUM> includes a hollow nozzle body <NUM> that has a round nose front portion <NUM> and a generally cylindrical rear portion <NUM>. The nozzle body <NUM> has a central blind bore <NUM> that receives a removable valve cartridge <NUM>. The blind bore <NUM> has a truncated conical tapered front portion <NUM> and a circular cylindrical rear portion <NUM>. This removable cartridge <NUM> is captured within the blind bore <NUM> by a nozzle inlet nut <NUM> fastened to the nozzle body <NUM> and which, in turn, connects to a high pressure hose or to a rotary shaft (not shown).

The removable cartridge <NUM> includes a case <NUM> externally shaped complementary to the blind bore <NUM> with a front tapered portion <NUM> that acts as a flow diverter having a plurality of passages therethrough each configured to align with a port <NUM> drilled through the nozzle body <NUM> into the front portion <NUM> of the blind bore <NUM>. The case <NUM> has a hollow circular cylindrical rear portion <NUM> that carries within it a portion of a switching valve assembly <NUM>.

This switching valve assembly <NUM> functions similar to the switching valve assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> described above. This switching valve assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical poppet <NUM> slidably disposed partially in the cylindrical rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> and partially in the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, a bias member <NUM> compressed between the poppet <NUM> and the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, to the front portion <NUM> of the nozzle body <NUM> and a guide <NUM> operating between the poppet <NUM> and the rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>.

The guide in this embodiment <NUM> comprises a stationary tubular sleeve <NUM> set into the rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> that has an internal zig-zag groove <NUM>. The poppet <NUM> includes a plurality of radially protruding pins <NUM> each engaging the groove <NUM> in the sleeve <NUM> set into the rear portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>. The pins <NUM> are threaded through a rear portion of the poppet <NUM> and extend radially outward so as to ride in the groove <NUM> as the poppet <NUM> moves back and forth in the case <NUM>. In this fourth embodiment shown, there are two guide pins <NUM> spaced at <NUM> degrees apart around the case <NUM>. When fluid flow is applied to the assembled nozzle <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> slides within the case <NUM> forward toward the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, being rotated as it moves via the guide <NUM> until its front end face <NUM> abuts against the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>.

The poppet <NUM> is a short cylindrical body that has a common rear opening that diverges to four bores <NUM> symmetrically arranged <NUM>° apart around its central axis. Two are biased forward, and two are biased rearward. Two oppositely arranged bores <NUM> are radially directed and carry floating valve plugs <NUM>. In this embodiment, the floating valve plugs <NUM> free float in their radial bores <NUM>. These valve plugs <NUM> close corresponding aligned passages <NUM> through the side of the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The other two bores <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) through the poppet <NUM> provide a flow path to the passages <NUM> through the side of the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM>. Thus when the poppet <NUM> is arranged as shown in <FIG>, the passages <NUM> directed to the tractor and front or forward ports <NUM> are plugged. The passages <NUM> that are shown in the sectional view of <FIG> are not plugged permitting fluid flow directly to the cleaning ports <NUM> through the front portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>.

<FIG> both show the same configuration, with the cleaning ports open and the forward and tractor ports plugged. <FIG> shows the poppet <NUM> closing two axial passages <NUM> into the front portion <NUM> of the cartridge case <NUM>. A cross sectional view <NUM>° rotated from that shown is shown in <FIG> showing the opposite through bores <NUM> through the poppet <NUM> aligned with axial passages <NUM> in the front portion <NUM>. The view of <FIG> shows the nozzle <NUM> with the switching valve assembly <NUM> aligned to provide fluid flow to the cleaning ports <NUM>. When fluid pressure next drops below a threshold flow defined by the spring rate of spring bias member <NUM>, the poppet <NUM> would move rearward along the zig zag path of the peripheral groove of the guide <NUM>. When flow next exceeds the threshold pressure, poppet <NUM> would move forward and rotates to align the poppet passages with the other pair of passages <NUM> to the tractor and forward ports <NUM>.

The front tapered portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> in this embodiment <NUM> has a single circular conical side face <NUM> and an open end face <NUM>. Because of the tapered conical side face <NUM>, there is no need for an O ring seal around each of the four port openings <NUM> as in embodiment <NUM>, as the taper itself provides the seal. In this embodiment <NUM>, the end of the poppet <NUM> provides a seat that seals the end face <NUM> of the case <NUM> when the poppet is aligned with the cleaning ports as shown in <FIG>. When the poppet is aligned to provide flow to the tractor ports, the poppet <NUM> is displaced from the end face <NUM> of the case <NUM> to permit flow through passages <NUM> to the forward ports <NUM>. This cartridge case <NUM> may be made of a metal or thermoplastic material and may be injection molded. One preferable material is ultra-high density polyethylene. Similarly, the poppet <NUM> itself may be made of a plastic rather than metal. Other than the coil spring <NUM>, the components of the valve assembly <NUM> may be made of plastic. However, the valve pins do see full pressure and therefore may be made of metal or a different high strength plastic. The nozzle head body <NUM> and inlet nut <NUM> primarily provide the strength required for containment of the cartridge <NUM> during high pressure operation. Each of the ports <NUM> preferably carries a removable threaded nozzle tip <NUM> just as in the previously described embodiments.

Many changes may be made to the embodiments described above. For example, the guide pins <NUM> may be threaded through the wall of the poppet <NUM> or may be press fit. The poppet <NUM> may have a peripheral groove as in the first three embodiments described above and the cartridge case <NUM> provided with the guide pins.

Claim 1:
A nozzle comprising:
an inlet nut (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) fastenable to a distal end of one of a rotatable nozzle shaft or a high pressure hose;
a hollow nozzle body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having a front portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a rear inlet portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to engage the inlet nut (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), a central bore (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) through at least the rear inlet portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the nozzle body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and a plurality of ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending through the nozzle body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) from the central bore (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a switching valve assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the central bore (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) operable to direct fluid flow from the inlet portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to at least one set of the plurality of ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and direct fluid flow from the inlet portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to at least a different set of the plurality of ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined flow threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold, the switching valve assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a cylindrical poppet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) slideably disposed in the central bore (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the poppet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having at least one axially extending through bore (<NUM>, <NUM>) to permit fluid flow therethrough and another bore (<NUM>, <NUM>) containing a valve pin (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) captured within the another bore and protruding therefrom for closing at least one of the ports (<NUM>);
a guide (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) cooperating with the poppet to rotate the poppet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in one direction to alternate fluid flow between the ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a biasing member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) between the front portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the nozzle body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the poppet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) urging the poppet (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) away from the front portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the nozzle body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).