US2310633A - Spraying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 9, 1 943. D. D. HEIMEURGE 2,310,633

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed May 7, 1940 AIR Patented Feb. 9, 1943 stares resent oFFi cE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to spraying apparatus of a type popularly called spray-guns. Such apparatus is now in general use for applying cleaning sprays to surfaces.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a spray-gun apparatus of simple construction, so constructed that it will operate to produce a thorough mixture of the ingredients constituting the spray as it leaves the apparatus, or gun. A further object of the invention is to produce apparatus of this kind, particularly adapted for spraying a cleaning solution upon surfaces to be cleaned, and to effect this through the agency of a compound stream of compressed air, gas, or steam and a liquid that operates automatically to entrain a cleaning solution.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple apparatus in which a single hand-controlled device will perform the function of forcibly spraying a cleaning solution upon the parts to be cleaned, and immediately applying a rinsing wash to the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spraying device of this general character, which is so constructed that containers for a cleaning solution can be quickly attached to the same, and at the same time, to construct the device in such a way that the closure for the container will be automatically opened when the same is secured in position on the spraying device.

In the operation of the invention as'applied to a spraying device for spraying a cleaning liquid, the apparatus is so constructed that a compound. current composed of compressed air or gas, and water, is projected through the barrel of the device. As this compound current leaves the device, it entrains the cleaning solution. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction for the device, which will enable it to automatically open the closure of the receptacle of the cleaning solution when this receptacle is secured to the device; also to provide a construction which will insure ample venting of the interior of the cleaner fluid receptacle as the liquid within it is drawn up into the expansion chamber or mixing chamber as the compound current issues from the device. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a container of simple construction for carrying a solution to be used with a spraying device in applying compressed air or gas for emitting a spray, and to construct the receptacle in such a way that it can "be readily attached to the 55 spraying device by inexpensive means carried in the cover of the receptacle.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and combination of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efficient spraying apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a spraying apparatus embodying my invention, but showing a portion of the body of the receptacle for'the entrained liquid, in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a View showing a portion of the muzzle of the device in elevation, and showing a portion of the same in section, together with the upper end of the receptacle having a valve shown in section, which will be automatically opened when the receptacle is secured to the device.

In practicing the invention, I provide a body I, which preferably includes a handle 2 to be held in ones hand; and a barrel 3 that, if desired, may be detachably secured to a horizontal extension 4 that provides a threaded socket. The handle is provided with an inlet for compressed air or gas, and also fora liquid such as water. In the present instance, the handle is provided with a longitudinal dividing partition 5 carrying an air duct 6 and a water duct 1, the former of which is preferably disposed in the forward part of the handle. These ducts 6 and I are provided with inlets openings 8 and 9, at which an air hose i9 and a water hose ll may be attached. The ducts 6 and i may be provided with transverse webs or walls [2, and I3, having ports 14 through the same, which ports lead the air and the water laterally and respectively through an air valve (not illustrated) having a port l5 through which the air valve controls'the flow of the air back into the upper extension 611 of the duct 6. In a similar way, the water passes through a water valve (not illustrated) which delivers the water through a port l6 back into the upper extension 7a of the water duct 1.

I provide means for effecting a mixture of compressed air or gas, and a liquid, in the duct Ia. In order to accomplish this, I prefer to employ an injector nozzle I! through which the compressed air flows so as to be projected into a Ventu'ri ringor' sleeve 18,"theaxisbfwhiohis substantially in line with the axis of the nozzle. This ring presents a duct with a constricted throat l9, and is formed with a flaring mouth through which the water or other liquid is entrained. The other end of the ring has a flaring outlet 2| through which the compound current composed of compressed air or gas, and the liquid passes into the bore 22 of a barrel 33, and this bore 22 preferably tapers in the direction of flow to its outlet 24 where the diameter is restricted to a diameter that should be smaller than the throat l9. By gradually reducing the cross-section in this way, the mixing efiect is enhanced. From this point the compound current issues into an expansion chamber, which also operates as a mixing chamber in which a cleaning solution is entrained. In order to adapt the action of the compound current to the particular requirements of the liquid being entrained at this point, which might be advisable where the liquid entrained would have a difierent viscosity, I prefer to form the tipof the barrel 33 in the form of a removable nozzle 25, and the end of this nozzle may be threaded onto the inner section of this barrel as shown. The inner end of the nozzle is formed with a transverse wall or head 26, through which an opening 21 is formed that registers with the outlet 24 from the conical bore 22. If desired, different nozzles 25 may be provided having difierent diameters for the inlet port or passage 21 of the same size or smaller than the outlet 24. This gives a certain amount of control of the action of the compound current when it expands into the expansion chamber or mixing chamber 28. This chamber 28 is preferably of tubular form, and the nozzle 25 simply constitutes an outer extension of the barrel. I

In the operation of the apparatus, the compound current flowing through the port 21 expands, so that the current assumes a more or less conical form as indicated by the dotted lines 23, and the effect of this is to develop a reduced pressure or partial vacuum at the inner portion of the mixing chamber in the vicinity of the point indicated by the numeral 30. At or about this point I provide the nozzle or muzzle 25 with an inlet passage 3| at which the cleaning solution is entrained, and at this point the under side of the muzzle 25 is provided with a socket 32 having a construction which will enable the outlet valve 33 of a receptacle 34, to be quickly attached. This is preferably accomplished by providing bayonet slots 35 in the wall of the socket. The body of the valve 33, which is rigidly secured to the cover 36 of the receptacle 34, is provided with outwardly projecting fingers 31 to cooperate With the bayonet slots. The

' valve 33 is provided with a valve closure in the form of a thick disc 38 preferably of compressible material, which is held on its seat at the .valve outlet 39 through the agency of a coil spring 48, or similar means. This spring may thrust against a spring plate 4| at its upper end (see Fig. 2). When the receptacle is beingput in place, a central boss 42 within the socket 32 will engage the valve closure 38 and move it off its seat. Suitable means is provided to insure that when the valve is off its seat and the receptacle put in place as indicated at 3|, atmospheric air can find its way past the valve and back into the upper part of the receptacle 34. In order to accomplish this, the disc 38 is of smaller diameter than the casing of the valve 33. The

eduction tube 43 for the liquid in the receptacle 34, is preferably secured at its upper end in the valve closure 38, so that liquid drawn up the tube will pass through the disc 38 into the mixing chamber 28.

The relation of the parts when the receptacle is put in place, 'is clearly indicated in Fig. 1. This figure also illustrates the manner in which the valve casing may be secured to the cover 36. This is accomplished by providing a threaded bushing 44 that receives a clamping nut 45 that clamps a soft packing disc or gasket 46 in position. The edge of this gasket seats on the upper edge of the mouth of the receptacle, so that when thecap 36 is screwed down tight, the receptacle will not leak, and can be shipped to the point where it is to be used. The bushing 44 may be provided with internal threads to receive an adjustable plug 41, which can be adjusted in or out to regulate the force of the spring.

The opening 48 through this plug around the eduction tube 43, gives some clearance so that the vent to the atmosphere past the edge of the open valve closure 38, will be completed.

Of course, the lower end of the boss 42 presents a flat seat face to receive the valve closure 38, and this makes a tight seal at this point to prevent breaking the partial vacuum that is developed by the cone or fan developed by the compound current in the mixing chamber 28.

If desired, in practice, the receptacle 34 for the cleaning solution, may be made of inexpensive material, and the cover of each receptacle may be provided with a valve similar to the valve 33; or, if desired, a plain cap similar to the cap 36 may be provided, having an internal thread 49 such as illustrated in Fig. l; and this cap may be removed and the mouth of the receptacle screwed up into the cap 36.

Although I have illustrated the spray-gun as being used with a small receptacle that is attached to the gun itself, to be moved about with the gun, it is obvious that if desired, the socket 32 could be attached to an upper outlet on a large container, in which case the muzzle 25 would be provided with a threaded tip 58 to which a hose could be attached for spraying the stream onto any surface that is to be cleaned; and this large container, with my attached apparatus could, if desired, be mounted on a wheeled truck, enabling it to be wheeled to any point in a garage or yard, where it is to be used.

While this device is obviously capable of many uses, it is expected to be particularly useful in cleaning automobiles or in other situations where the parts to be cleaned are more or less inaccessible. Under such circumstances, the cleaning solution would be strong enough to effect the loosening of grease or dirt, after which the parts could be thoroughly washed with clean water to remove all traces of the cleaning solution, and prevent any chance that the cleaning fluid might cause erosion on metal parts to which it had been applied.

In the drawing, l5a and Mia indicate the location of hand-wheels for opening and closing these valves.

Due to the expansive power of the compressed air in the compound current passing through the expansion chamber, a very effective dispersion of the cleaning solution results in the cleaning jet issuing from the end of the muzzle. The use of this apparatus avoids the necessity for preparing any large mass of cleaning water, and enables the apparatus to be used instantly. when desired, for washing down pure water.

This apparatus gives a very nice control in operation, because the amount of the cleaning solution consumed will depend not only upon the velocity of flow of the compound stream past the entraining duct 31, but also upon the proportion of Water to the air, gas or steam in the. compound stream. These factors are controlled by the valves.

Many other embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a spray-gun apparatus, the combination of a body having a water duct and a compressed air duct therein, an injector nozzle within said body, and a barrel substantially in alignment with the injector nozzle and cooperating with the nozzle to entrain water with the air flowing through the nozzle to form a compound current in the barrel composed of the compressed air and the water, said barrel having a mixing chamber tapering toward its outlet end, and said barrel having an expansion chamber at said outlet end in which the compound current expands, said expansion chamber having a transverse wall presenting a fiat face on its side that is located toward the outlet of the barrel, said transverse wall having a centrally located relatively small inlet opening as compared with the area of said transverse wall, so that as the compound current issues through the last-named inlet opening, it expands toward the outlet of the barrel so as to develop an annular space around the said inlet and adjacent the said transverse wall where a reduction in pressure occurs, the side of said barrel having a minute opening through the same leading into the expansion chamber adjacent said transverse wall and at said annular space, for admitting a cleaning liquid to be entrained into the compound 1 current flowing through the expansion chamber.

2. In a spray-gun apparatus, the combination of a body having a duct therethrough for compressed air or gas, and having a duct therethrough for conducting a liquid, injector means within the body, including a nozzle and means having a duct into which the nozzle projects, for developing a compound current composed of the compressed air or gas and the liquid, said body having a tapering mixing chamber into which the gas and liquid pass from said duct,

and having a gradually reduced cross-section in which the elements composing the compound current become mixed, said body having an expansion chamber beyond, and distinct from, the mixing chamber, into which the compound current from the mixing chamber issues, and in which the compound current expands as it flows through the body; and means for effecting the entrainment of a liquid into the expansion chamber by the compound current flowing therethrough.

3. In a spray-gun apparatus, the combination of a body having an inlet for a liquid, and a compressed air inlet, im'ector means within the body including an air nozzle, and a Venturi duct having a port therethrough cooperating with the air nozzle, and enabling the compressed air to entrain the liquid, said body having a mixing chamber receiving the air and liquid from the Venturi, in which the air and liquid mix, said body having an expansion chamber with an inlet at its rear end, with respect to the direction of flow, for admitting the compound current of air and liquid from the mixing chamber, said lastnamed inlet being of smaller area than the Venturi port, the mixture of air and liquid operating to expand and form a substantially conical jet within the expansion chamber, the said jet impinging on the inner face of the circumferential wall of the expansion chamber adjacent to the outer end thereof, and thereby developing a partial vacuum in the rear end of the expansion chamber, the rear end of the expansion chamber having an inlet for inducting a second liquid into the compound current.

4. In a spraying apparatus, the combination of a barrel having an expansion chamber through which water passes, said barrel having a socket on its under side, a container for cleaning solution, a valve means in the outlet of said container, means on said socket for securing said socket to said valve means, means associated with said socket for holding the valve means open, said valve and socket means constructed and arranged to provide a clearance around said securing means and valve means when the latter is in open position, to admit atmospheric air to the interior of the container while the cleaning solution is being withdrawn therefrom.

DOUGLAS D. HEIMBURGER.

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