Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/604,898 filed Sep. 6, 2012 for “Wash Device” by Guy P. Boucher and William C. Whitley. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    During the manufacturing and finishing process of complex parts, foreign objects such as metal chips from drilling, wax from casting, grit, glass beads from peening and/or other items can become lodged in the parts. This can happen, for example, due to metal shavings from drilling, This is especially likely in areas such as blind holes, bends, twists and crevices. After manufacture, the parts then must be inspected. If foreign objects are detected, the inspector must remove them or the part may be deemed unusable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A part washing device includes an air inlet; a first valve to regulate air coming into the washing device through the air inlet; a liquid inlet; a second valve to regulate liquid entering the washing device through the liquid inlet; a connector to receive air and liquid from the first valve and the second valve; and a tube to receive the liquid and/or air from the connector and direct the air and/or liquid towards a portion of the part. 
         [0004]    A method of cleaning cavities includes directing a flow of air and/or liquid toward a cavity through an outlet of a tube; and regulating the flow through the tube with a first valve connected to an air inlet and a second valve connected to a liquid inlet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wash device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  shows wash device  10  flushing out a blind hole. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  shows wash device  10  flushing out a hidden cavity. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2C  shows wash device  10  flushing out a blind cavity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of wash device  10 , including air inlet  12 , first valve  14 , connector  16  (with outlet  17 ), second valve  18 , liquid inlet  20 , hose  22  and tube  24  (with inlet  26  and outlet  28 ). First valve  14  and second valve  18  can be needle valves. Tube  24  is a rugged, flexible tube and can be made of nylon or other materials to fit into cavities or other small areas that need washing or flushing. Tube  24  must be sturdy enough to withstand and control the force from the liquid and/or air through it and flexible enough to go through bends or twists. Tube  24  must also be sized to fit into small holes or crevices, and, for example, can have a diameter of 1 cm. Connector  16  is a T-shaped connector with two inlets and one outlet  17 . 
         [0010]    Air inlet  12  is connected to valve  14 , which is connected to connector  16 . Liquid inlet  20  is connected to second valve  18 , which is connected to connector  16 . The connections between air inlet  12 , first valve  14 , connector  16 , second valve  18  and liquid inlet  20  can be quick connect fittings or other types of connections depending on system requirements. Connector  16  connects to tube  24  at inlet  26 . 
         [0011]    Air inlet  12  receives air from a hose (not shown), and liquid inlet  20  receives liquid from hose  22  (which presumably connects to a liquid source, such as a faucet or water tank). First valve  14  controls the flow of air into connector  16 , and second valve  18  controls the flow of liquid into connector  26 . Connector includes a cavity to receive air and/or liquid and outlet  17  connecting to inlet  26  of tube  24 . Air and/or liquid from connector  16  then flows through tube  24 , which directs the flow through outlet  28 . 
         [0012]    As mentioned above, when manufacturing and finishing parts, small portions of metal, grit, and other foreign objects can lodge themselves within parts. This is especially common in complex parts which may include deep crevices, cavities, blind holes, etc. In the past, these parts were inspected, and if a foreign object was found, the inspector would be required to find a way to remove the foreign object or reject the part. The removal was often done with wires or by filling the cavity with liquid. However, neither of these methods were very successful due to the complexity of the parts (and cavities therein) as well as the force with which the objects are lodged. 
         [0013]    Wash device  10  uses air and/or water directed through rugged flexible tube  24  to be able to flush out foreign objects from complex parts. The rugged flexible tube  24  allows the air and/or water to be delivered to and directed at very deep or hidden cavities, blind holes, bends, twists and deep crevices which previous methods could not reach. First and second needle valves  14 ,  18  allow for the use of air, water or both to be able to best deliver what would be most likely to flush the foreign objects out of the specific area in which it is lodged. First and second needle valves  14 ,  18  can also be opened simultaneously to result in a pulsating wash action through tube  24 , providing a hammer-like pressure to dislodge foreign objects. Second needle valve  18  allows for the use of liquid that is not under high pressure, as needle valve  18  can be closed or opened to increase or decrease the pressure of liquid directed from outlet  28  of tube  24 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  shows wash device  10  flushing out blind hole  30  in part  32 ,  FIG. 2B  shows wash device  10  flushing out deep cavity  33  in part  32 , and  FIG. 2C  shows wash device  10  flushing out a hidden cavity in part  34 . Parts  32  and  34  are shown for example purposes only and wash device  10  could be used with any parts that may need washing or flushing. 
         [0015]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2A and 2B  tube  24  is sized and of a flexible, but rugged material, enabling it to be inserted in blind hole  30  or deep cavity  33  to direct air and/or liquid into blind hole  30  and deep cavity  33  where foreign objects are lodged.  FIG. 2C  shows how tube  24  is able to wind into an arc shaped hidden cavity to dislodge foreign objects which were difficult to reach and dislodge previously. 
         [0016]    Wash device  10  is a reliable and effective way to wash foreign objects from deep crevices, blind holes and cavities, bend and twists in part. Tube  24  is able to bend and deliver liquid to small areas that were previously inaccessible. By using first valve  14  for air inlet  12  and second valve  18  for liquid inlet  20 , wash device  10  can use air, water or both simultaneously to most effectively flush the part depending on specific needs. When used simultaneously, the air and liquid can work together to form a pulsating wash, acting as a water pick to deliver more dislodging power. Wash device  10  is also small and portable, needing only air and liquid connections, making it easy to use in a shop or in the field. 
         [0017]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7