Hose nozzle apparatus and method

• US 20030127541A1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WS Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: WaterShield LLC
• Inventors: Marino, Robert M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,097,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/539
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 31/03 adjustable, e.g. from spray to jet or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/12 capable of producing different kinds of discharge, e.g. either jet or spray having selectively-effective outlets B05B1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/28 with integral means for shielding the discharged liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to limit area of spray; with integral means for catching drips or collecting surplus liquid or other fluent material means for any of these purposes, per se, B05B12/16, B05B12/32, B05B14/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/30 designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages B05B11/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/302 with a ball-shaped valve member ball valves in general F16K1/14
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3026 the controlling element being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/3006, B05B1/326 take precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3073 the controlling element being a deflector acting as a valve in co-operation with the outlet orifice B05B1/308 takes precedence; deflectors per se B05B1/262
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7904 Reciprocating valves

Abstract

A device and method are provided for regulating two types of flow from a nozzle. The first flow is a deluge stream and the second flow is a fog spray. The deluge stream is controlled by the nozzle operator using a first flow control valve, such as a ball valve. The fog spray is controlled by the nozzle operator using a second flow control valve. The nozzle permits the nozzle operator to manually control the flow of the nozzle, thereby permitting quick regulation and adjustment of flow types and amounts to accommodate then existing fluid pressure and supply conditions to address fluid application needs.

Claims

1. A nozzle comprising:

a longitudinal flow chamber wherein fluid movement in said nozzle is from an upgradient inlet position to a downgradient outlet position;

said longitudinal flow chamber having a first flow path for generating a deluge stream flow at said downgradient outlet position;

said longitudinal flow chamber having a second flow path for generating a fog spray at said downgradient outlet position;

said nozzle having first control means for adjusting the amount of flow through said first flow path; and

said nozzle having second control means for adjusting the amount of flow through said second flow path.

2. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal flow chamber includes a smooth bore having a smooth bore interior flow region, said smooth bore interior flow region defining said first flow path.

3. The nozzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a smooth bore outer wall defines the outer longitudinal surface of said smooth bore, and wherein a longitudinal flow chamber inner wall defines the inner longitudinal surface of said longitudinal flow chamber, and wherein said second flow path is an annular space existing between said smooth bore outer wall and said longitudinal flow chamber inner wall.

4. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second control means comprises a longitudinally adjustable slider having a plurality of flow settings.

5. The nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said slider is interconnected to a linkage control system.

6. The nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein from a closed position, said longitudinally adjustable slider is longitudinally adjusted toward the upgradient inlet position to open said second flow path and generate fog spray.

7. The nozzle as claimed in claim 4, wherein a fluid flowing in said longitudinal flow chamber generates a frictional force, and wherein said frictional force applies at least some force to said slider in a downgradient direction.

8. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first control means comprises a ball valve.

9. A nozzle comprising:

a longitudinal flow chamber having concentric flow paths comprising a first inner flow path for generating a deluge stream and a second outer flow path for generating a fog spray;

said longitudinal flow chamber having an adjustable slider;

said adjustable slider interconnected to longitudinal positioning means;

said longitudinal positioning means moveable to adjust the longitudinal position of said adjustable slider; and

said adjustable slider having a plurality of longitudinal positions, said plurality of longitudinal positions corresponding to a plurality of fog spray flow settings.

10. The nozzle as claimed in claim 9, wherein said longitudinal flow chamber includes a smooth bore having a smooth bore interior flow region, said smooth bore interior flow region defining said first inner flow path.

11. The nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein a smooth bore outer wall defines the outer longitudinal surface of said smooth bore, and wherein a longitudinal flow chamber inner wall defines the inner longitudinal surface of said longitudinal flow chamber, and wherein said second outer flow path is an annular space existing between said smooth bore outer wall and said longitudinal flow chamber inner wall.

12. A nozzle comprising:

a longitudinal flow chamber having a first inner flow path for generating a deluge stream and a second outer flow path for generating a fog spray;

said second outer flow path concentric to said first inner flow path;

said first inner flow path having a conical shape formed by a smooth bore with an upgradient inlet end and a downgradient outlet end;

a first valve situated at said upgradient inlet end of said smooth bore for manual regulation of flow through said first inner flow path;

a second valve situated at the distal end of said second outer flow path for manual regulation of flow through said second outer flow path; and

a baffle interconnected to said downgradient outlet end of said smooth bore, wherein at least a portion of fluid exiting said second outer flow path contacts said baffle.

13. The nozzle as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first valve is a ball valve.

14. The nozzle as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second valve further comprises a plurality of detent settings.