Patent ID: 12247683

List of Parts Shown in the Drawings12main body17first annular seal (comprising an annular16coaxial seat on inner radial face of bodyglide seal 17a and O-ring energiser 17b)1219first annular bearing (e.g. graphite thrust18coaxial transverse recess in the body 12ring)22coaxial seat (on a first radial face of the21centre swivelcentre swivel 21)23coaxial seat (on the opposed radial face of24second annular bearing (eg graphitethe centre swivel 21)thrust member)29circular opening (in the end cap 32)28axially extending boss (of centre swivel31dust seal21)33outer cylindrical surface (of the boss 28)30first bearing assembly35coaxial seat (of end cap)32bearing end cap37control valve36pipe section39housing (on pipe section 36, for first38actuator (for valve 37)bearing assembly 30)40hydraulic motor41second pipe section42third pipe47water cannon nozzle44joystick control49housing of hydraulic power pack hydraulic46second bearing assemblytank48hydraulic cylinder51electric motors powerpack pump/motors50plate52hydraulic lines

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1Aillustrates in detail the preferred components for a swivel bearing assembly in a fluid supply system, such as in a water cannon or similar apparatus. The bearing assembly has a main body12that is adapted to be connected, as by welding, to one end of one of the pipe sections. It will be appreciated that the main body12may be secured to the pipe section by a screw thread, adhesive or any other suitable connecting means.

The arrangement shown differs from sealing systems of the prior art such as the system disclosed and taught in European patent application 2018196468 (One Subsea) which uses a plurality of rings and a plurality of seals to achieve sealing faces and express a fluid pressure on both sides of the seal and pressurised axial face seal system. The sealing system of the prior art differs principally by providing single sealing with an “energised” O-ring.

The body12may include gear teeth (not shown in this illustration) on its outer surface by which the body12and the connected pipe is able to be rotated about its axis. On an inner radial face, the body12has a coaxial recess18which is adapted to receive an annular first seal17comprising an annular glide seal17aadapted to abut a rotating body and an O-ring energiser17b(also illustrated inFIG.3D). The glide seal17amay, for example, be made of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based material or other polymer of suitably high abrasion resistance, dimensional stability and low friction and maybe provided with (or without) grooves and/or other profile(s) to facilitate contact with centre swivel21.FIG.3Dshows more detail. The body12further includes a radially extending annular face having a coaxial seat16which is adapted to receive a first annular bearing19. The first annular bearing19may comprise, for example a graphite thrust ring.

The bearing assembly includes a centre swivel21that is adapted to be secured to one end of a second relatively moveable pipe. Again, the centre swivel may be secured to the pipe by welding, a screw thread, adhesive or any other suitable connection means.

The centre swivel21has a first radially extending face with a coaxial seat22to engage with the first bearing member19. When the swivel bearing of the present invention is assembled, the main first seal member17is interfaced in effect squeezed between the main body12and the centre swivel21and supported by the energiser O Ring under increasing opposing fluid pressures. A similar coaxial seat23is formed on an opposed radial face of the centre swivel21to receive a second annular bearing member24. A bearing end cap32is mounted coaxially with the centre swivel21and main body12and is secured to the body12by bolts or similar securing means. The bearing end cap32is formed on a radial face34with a co-axial seat35that, in use, engages with the second annular bearing member24.

The centre swivel21is formed with an axially extending boss28which engages through a coaxial, circular opening29in the end cap32. A dust seal O-ring31may be used to seal against the outer cylindrical surface33of the boss28.

The first and second bearing members19and24are formed of a bearing material such as phosphor bronze, but more preferably of a material that is graphite impregnated. The first bearing member19and second bearing member24act as thrust rings for the bearing assembly and permit relative rotational movement between the centre swivel21and the main body12and connected end cap32. The structure of the centre swivel21with the integral boss28provides a substantially rigid centre swivel that resists deformation in use and provides stability to the bearing assembly, particularly when the assembly is used in environments subject to severe vibration and lateral forces applied to the respective pipes.

The second bearing member24is preferably formed as a split thrust ring to facilitate replacement without the need to disassemble the pipe section normally connected to the centre swivel section21.

FIG.2is an expanded perspective view of the bearing assembly ofFIG.1Awhich is simplified by omission of the seals (17,19,24,31) or the second bearing assembly.FIG.2illustrates outer cylindrical surface33and coaxial seats16and23relative to the swivel assembly.

FIG.3Aillustrates one end of the assembly of the present invention.FIG.3Billustrates a cross sectional view across AA (FIG.3A) with enlarged cross sectional detail (FIG.3C) of portion B andFIG.3Dillustrates a more detailed view of portion C ofFIG.3C. In these views it can be seen how the first annular bearing19is sandwiched between the main body12and the annular centre swivel21, while the second annular bearing24is sandwiched between the annular centre swivel21and the bearing end cap32.FIG.3Dillustrates the glide seal17aabutting the centre swivel21and the O-ring17bsitting in recess18of main body12. The ribbed profile of glide seal17ais merely optional. In use, depending on the application, fluid and/or pressure to which the present invention, various shapes, profiles and/or composition of glide seal and/or O-ring energiser can be used.

FIG.4illustrates a water cannon utilising bearing assemblies ofFIG.1A. The water cannon is adapted to be mounted, for example on the roof cabin of a truck for use as firefighting equipment, dust laying apparatus, agricultural purposes or the like.

The water cannon includes a first substantially vertical pipe section36which is adapted to receive water from an appropriate storage by means of pumps (not shown). At the base of the water cannon is a water isolation control butterfly valve37with pneumatic, electric or hydraulic actuator38. A housing39mounted on the pipe section36surrounds a first bearing assembly30and a pinion drive (not shown) on a hydraulic motor40. The pinion on the hydraulic motor40engages with the drive teeth on the body of the first bearing assembly30.

With the arrangement illustrated, the body12of the bearing assembly30is secured to the second pipe section41while the hydraulic motor40and housing39are connected to the vertically extending, first pipe section36. Operation of the hydraulic motor40thereby causes the main body12incorporating the drive gear teeth, attached second pipe section41and attached components to be able to rotate about the axis of the first pipe section36in a 360° arc limited only by the arrangement of connecting hydraulic lines52.

A second bearing46without gear teeth is mounted on a substantially horizontally extending part of the second pipe41and connects this to a third pipe42reversely turned and leading to the water cannon nozzle47. The second bearing assembly46is disposed between the second and third pipes41and42to facilitate relative rotational movement between the two pipes an whereby the water cannon can be moved in a vertical plane. A hydraulic cylinder48is connected between a plate50attached to the second pipe41and the third pipe42whereby the third pipe42and associated nozzle47is able to rotate about the horizontal axis through the second bearing assembly46in an arc of up to maximum 90 degrees when linear actuation 270°, depending on the desired function of the cannon47. A 360° movement may be provided if necessary for any particular application and may include mechanical actuation of worm drive or even manual control.

The bearing assemblies30and46are each provided with automatic lubrication systems which lubrication injectors (not shown) mounted in a cylindrical housing adjacent the bearing end cap32or the main body12. The lubrication injectors provide an automatic, periodic injection of lubricant into the bearing assembly to lubricate the respective bearing members. Such lubrication injectors may be manually actuated or actuated automatically by a timer. In the structure illustrated, the water cannon may be controlled by an electric joystick control44mounted in a vehicle cabin or at any other location.

Water cannon of this type are commonly connected to the hydraulic systems of a motor vehicle and the vehicle operating systems must be functioning to enable the water cannon to operate. However, this arrangement may be relatively expensive in terms of service cost, down time during maintenance of the cannon and potential contamination to the vehicle hydraulic system oil. It is therefore a feature of the embodiment described that the water cannon system is self-contained and requires only vehicle electrical power to operate the cannon. For this purpose, a hydraulic “power pack”49comprises at least one, preferably several electric motors51which drive one or more hydraulic pumps located within the housing of the power pack49. The hydraulic pumps provide hydraulic fluid via the hydraulic lines52to the hydraulic motor40, the hydraulic cylinder48, and possibly the control valve actuator38, although the actuator may be controlled by vehicle pneumatics or electrics.

By providing the control system for the water cannon as a kit, the system can be retrofitted to any vehicle without the need for using vehicle hydraulic systems or vehicle pneumatic systems. This system can therefore be moved from vehicle to vehicle if necessary.

Experimental

The present invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting example.

A 2.5 inch diameter swivel bearing of the present invention was pressure tested and the results compared with a 2.5 inch diameter swivel bearing of the prior art as described in International patent application WO 02/12771 (corresponding to Australian patent application 2001279494). The results are illustrated inFIG.5that is a plot of torque (ft lbs) against water pressure (psi).

The pressure testing commenced at 5 Bar and continued with incremental pressure increases of 2.5 Bar until reaching 30 Bar. This is the testing limit for the prior art swivel bearing which, at 30 Bar became forcibly locked by internal pressure, thus preventing manual movement.

By contrast, at 30 Bar the swivel bearings of the present invention could still be moved manually. The testing was continued on the swivel bearing of the present invention with pressure increments of 5 Bar. The testing limit for the present invention was 75 Bar.

As illustrated by the plot, the prior art swivel bearing was only operable to a water pressure of 500 psi whereas the swivel bearing of the present invention was operable to 900 psi.

Table 1 sets out the results in terms of force required (kg) for up and down movement against the water pressure (psi).

TABLE 1Testing results-2.5 inch diameter swivel bearingsWaterPrior ArtPresent inventionPressureDownUp movementDownUp movement(psi)movement (kg)(kg)movement (kg)(kg)1009.3510.38.43.915012148.34.420011.311.0511.97.925014.213.812.69.13001915.214.210.3400211715.212.450024.520.916.713.260019.516.280023.2190025.124

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG.1A. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawing, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature of component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

The term “comprises” or “comprising” and “includes” or “including” when used in this specification is/are taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.