Vehicle wash apparatus with spinning nozzles
First Claim
1. A water nozzle assembly, comprising:
- a stationary nozzle housing having an axis;
a hollow shaft disposed axial within said housing forming water flow conduit therethrough with one end of said shaft extending from a first axial end of said housing;
a pair of axially spaced bearings supporting said shaft for rotation about said axis;
water inlet means for receiving pressurized water at a second axial end of said housing, said inlet communicating with said water flow conduit;
means coupled to said one end of said shaft forming at least one water nozzle creating a water jet of said pressurized water as said water exits said nozzle assembly, said at least one nozzle having an outlet oriented relative to said axis so that water reaction forces acting on said at least one nozzle creates a moment about said axis;
said housing forming an oil chamber surrounding said shaft with said bearings disposed in said oil chamber whereby oil in said chamber lubricates said bearings; and
brake means for controlling the rotational speed of said shaft, said brake means including a pump for circulating oil in said chamber.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle wash system is disclosed which consists of an arch through which a vehicle can be moved. A plurality of spinning nozzle assemblies are attached to the arch each having a number of nozzle outlets for directing the water to the vehicle surface to remove dirt, salt, etc. in which only water impacts the vehicle. The nozzles are oriented so as to create a rotational moment to spin the nozzles relative to the nozzle assembly. An oil pump is contained within the assembly to provide a resistance to rotation to regulate the speed of nozzle rotation. Each water nozzle includes an air nozzle to form a sheath of air around each water jet to maintain the integrity of the water jet to maximize the water jet impact force with the vehicle surface.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A water nozzle assembly, comprising:
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a stationary nozzle housing having an axis; a hollow shaft disposed axial within said housing forming water flow conduit therethrough with one end of said shaft extending from a first axial end of said housing; a pair of axially spaced bearings supporting said shaft for rotation about said axis; water inlet means for receiving pressurized water at a second axial end of said housing, said inlet communicating with said water flow conduit; means coupled to said one end of said shaft forming at least one water nozzle creating a water jet of said pressurized water as said water exits said nozzle assembly, said at least one nozzle having an outlet oriented relative to said axis so that water reaction forces acting on said at least one nozzle creates a moment about said axis; said housing forming an oil chamber surrounding said shaft with said bearings disposed in said oil chamber whereby oil in said chamber lubricates said bearings; and brake means for controlling the rotational speed of said shaft, said brake means including a pump for circulating oil in said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A wash system for cleaning a motor vehicle with pressurized water, comprising:
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a plurality of water nozzle assemblies for directing pressurized wash water toward said vehicle, said nozzle assemblies each having a stationary nozzle housing having an axis, a hollow shaft disposed axial within said nozzle housing forming a water flow conduit therethrough with one end of said shaft extending from a first axial end of said nozzle housing, a pair of axially spaced bearings supporting said shaft for rotation about said axis, water inlet means for receiving pressurized water at a second axial end of said nozzle having, said inlet communicating with said water flow conduit, means coupled to said one end of said shaft forming at least one water nozzle creating a water jet of said pressurized water as said water exits said nozzle assembly, said at least one nozzle having an outlet oriented relative to said axis so that water reaction forces acting on said at least one nozzle creates a moment about said axis, said nozzle housing forming an oil chamber surrounding said shaft with said bearings disposed in said oil chamber whereby oil in said chamber lubricates said bearings; brake means for controlling the rotational speed of said shaft, said brake means including a pump circulating said in said chamber; and means forming a raised arch structure for the vehicle to be passed through with said nozzle assemblies supported thereon. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification