US3186644A

US3186644A - Diffuser head

Info

Publication number: US3186644A
Authority: US
Inventors: David S Ross; Gene W Ross
Original assignee: AMCODYNE CORP
Current assignee: AMCODYNE CORP
Priority date: 1963-02-06
Filing date: 1963-02-06
Publication date: 1965-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-01

Description

D. ROSS ETAL DIFFUSER HEAD June 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1963 INVENTORS .34 W0 5'. Pass ATTORNEY5 June 1, 1965 D. 5. R058 ETAL 3,186,544

DIFFUSER HEAD Filed Feb. 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ar/0 5. Foss BY 65/115 M Foss M "Mun United States;

3,136,644 I DKFFUSER HEAD David S. Ross and Gene W. Ross, Lorain, (lihio, assignors to The Amcodyne Corporation, Lorain, (lhio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 256,735 11 Claims. (U1. 239-534) This invention generally relates to a diffuser head and more particularly to a diifuser head wherein gas, typically air, is supplied under pressure and passes into a liquid through orifices provided in the walls of the diffuser head.

Such diifuser heads are of particular utility in the treat ment of sewage, ore flotation processes, treatment of industrial wastes, various fermentation processes and certainchemical processes where gas-liquid contact is essential.

Frequent clogging ofthe orifices of the diffuser head is experienced, particularly in the aeration of sewage, when the air supply is cut off, and the surrounding liquid backfiows through the orifices, carrying with it hits of debris that are not removed when the flow of air is resumed. Thus, frequent and expensive maintenance was required to unclog the orifices or to replace the diffuser head.

Heretofore attempts to provide a diffuser head which will resist this clogging have not been completely satisfactory and resulted in relatively cumbersome and expensive devices which were unable to endure extended and repeated use.

Therefore, the principal object of the presentinvention relates to a novel diffuser head of simplified construction, the orifices of which will not clog due to debris carrying backflow when the air supply is cut off.

A further object of this invention relates to a novel diffuser head of simplified construction which resists clogging and will endure extended'and repeated use.

Other objects and the entire scope of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent as the description herein progresses.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section showing adiifuser head constructed in accordance with our invention;

FEGURE 2 is a perspective iew of our novel diifuser head with interior operating pressure applied thereto;

, iighfid .Patented June l, 19%5 section showing a further modification of our invention;

' and 7 FIGURE 10 is a view in section taken along the line.

ie-rs of FIGURE 8.

In the drawing numeral 1 generally indicates one form of a diffuser head constructed in accordance with our in vention.

As shown in FIGURE '1, the diffuser head generally comprises a hollow core 2 of metal or other suitable material and an expansible resilient cover or sleeve 3 of rubber or other suitable elastomeric material such as plastic.

The core 2 is provided with a plurality of perforations or orifices S for the passage of a gas, typically air, from the inside of the core to the interior of the sleeve 3. One end of the core is blanked by a cap 4 or by other suitable means.

The sleeve 3 is provided with a plurality of normally closed slits 6 which extend through the thickness of the sleeve.

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the sleeve 3 is adapted to receive the core 2 with the slits 6 remainingin their normally closed condition. The end portions of the sleeve 3, adjacent the end of the core 2, must be in sealing engage ment therewith. This seal may readily be effected by any suitable. means, such as by means of the clamp 8 shown in FIGURE 1. Other means of effecting such a seal will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

When the core 2 and sleeve 3 are assembled in operative relation to form our novel diffuser head shown in FIGURE 1, and diffusing gas pressure is supplied to the diffuser head, it is readily seen that the gas will pass through the orifices 5 into the interior of sleeve 3 and thus cause the sleeve to resiliently distend or expand.

The distention of the sleeve 3 will cause the slits 6 to open, as shown in FIGURE 2, and thus permit the passage of gas therethrough.

When the diffusing gas pressure is cut off the sleeve 3 will no, longer be acted upon by the interior expanding pressure. As a result, the sleeve 3 will contract and return to its normal unexpanded condition and simultaneous therewith the slits will close, and return'to their normally closed condition.

It is readily seen that debris-carrying baclcfiow is eifec tively prevented since the orifices of the diffuser head are FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the closed whenever there is no positive diifusing gas pressure. Thus, clogging of the orifices by debris carried by the backflow when the diffusing pressure is cut oif, is prevented.

When the aforementioned embodiment has been effective, it .has been found that duringextended use, where the resilient sleeve undergoes repeated distentions and contractions, there is a tendency for the slits to enlarge or elongate as a result-of a tearing at their end portions, as indicated at 9 in FIGURE 3. The elongation of the slits results from the expansion of the sleeve at the end portions of the slits. This enlargement of the slits will shorten the useful life of the sleeve and necessitate relatively frequent replacement thereof.

The problemof slit enlargement isparticularly acute the increased. pressure differential tending to expand the 7 head which tends to restrain expansion of the sleeve. The. expensive alternatives of cutting off the supply of difiusing" gas to all the difiuser heads in orderto merely remove one i wall thickness of the sleeve adjacent the. ends of each slit. In FIGURES 8 and '10 the thickened wall portionsof the sleeve which functionas means: to preventslitv en largement are 'seen to comprise a plurality ofcontinuous from the treatment tank orinstalling individual cut-off sleeve or alternatively the sleeve itself maybe provided with a thickened restraining portion adjacent the ends of each slit.

FIGURES 4, and 6 show embodiments of our novel diffuser head provided with means to prevent slit enlargement, such means being in the .form of tape.

In FIGURE 4, it will be seen that the sleeve is provided with a plurality of slits'arranged in generally parallel rows or hands, spaced longitudinally of, and along the periphery of the sleeve 3. A suitable tape ltl has been adhered to the sleeve 3 at the end of each slit and forms.

parallel bands intermediate each row of slits. In the illustrated embodiment the tape is of sufiicient width'to extend from the ends'of the slits in tone peripheral row to the opposing ends of the slits in the adjacent peripheral row. If it is desired to utilize a tapethat is narrower than the distance between adjacent rows of slits, a separate length of tape for the ends of the slits in each row may be employed.

FIGURES illustrates slit enlargement when the slits 6 are arranged in parallel spiral rows about the periphery of the sleeve 3. Tape 19 has been adhered to the sleeve 3 at the end of each slit 6 and forms a spiral band about the periphery'of sleeve 3 intermediate the adjacent spiral rows of slits.

*As pointed out above, separate lengths of tape for the ends of each row of slits may beemployed if a tape, narrower than the distance between adjacent rows of slits is utilized.

ment small sections of tape it are adhered adjacent the end of each slit 6 rather than a continuous length of tape being adhered adjacent the ends of several slits as in the aforementioned embodiments. It is readily seen that this modification may advantageously be employed where the particular slit pattern does not readily lenditself to the application of continuous lengths of tape.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a further modification of the use of tape; 10 to prevent slit enlargement. In thisembodimerit a suitable length of tape 10 is placed directly and completely over a plurality of slits and adhered to the immediately adjacent surface portions of thesleeve. The portions of the tape that immediately overlie the slits are thencut'out orjremoved asat 11 to provide apertures exposing the slits 6,'with the tape adhered adjacent each end of each slit. While in the aforedescribed embodiment the portions of the tape overlying the slits were removed after the tape had been adhered to the sleeve, it is apparent that tape having pro-cut apertureslocated 7 'so as to registerwith the slits might readily be employedx This modification lends'itself to rapid and effective applicationrofthe tape to the sleeve as] well as providing an eliective means forpreventing slit enlargement.

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 show a further modification of our novel diffuser head provided With meansto prevent slit enlargement, such means comprising an increased the use of' tape ltl to preventelliptical raised portions 12 whichform crater-like projections laterally enclosing eachslit 6; Thus itj will be noted that adjacent the ends or" each slit the Wall of the sleeve is provided with thickened portions which prevent slit enlargement.

FIGURE ,9 illustrates a modification wherein the thickened wall portions of the sleeve 3 arein the form of continuous circumferential bands or. ribs 14 located at the ends of each slit 6. It will "be readily apparent that the thickened wall portions of the sleeve may assume many'other configurations and is not'to be limited to those nowv shownand described. The aforementioned modification is of particular utility from the point of view of ease of manufacture since the thickened built-up wall portions of the sleeve may readily, beformed or molded 7 during the. formation of the sleeve.

While in the above examples the slits are shown to extend longitudinally of the sleeve it is clear that the slits may extend in other directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, in which case tape maybe suitably positioned and adhered adjacent theends of each slit, or suitably located thickened wall portions may be provided in the sleeve.

The, present invention will thus be seen to completely and effectively accomplish the objects enumerated hereinabove. 'By providing adittuserhead of our novel construction, clogging. of the orifices, due to debris carrying V backllow is completely eliminated. Moreover, our diffuser head is of a simplified construction thus facilitating manufacture and at the same time'is durable and able to withstand extended use with a minimum of maintenance.

ciples ofthis invention, without. departing from these principles. Therefore, while the present invention has been described with particular reference to the specific forms shown in the drawings, it is tobe understood that such is not to be construed as imparting any limitations upon this invention; which includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:- r p l. A ditfuser head comprising, in combination, a per-.- forated hollow core adapted to freceive gas under .pressure, a resilientsleeve receiving said. hollow core, said sleevebeing adapted to distend'under said air pressure, a plurality of'slits in said sleeve, the opposed wall surfaces of each of said slits being in intimate contiguous sealing engagement when said resilient sleeve is in a relaxed conditiomand tape means adhered to said sleeve'adjacent the ends of the slits to restrainexpansion of the sleeve at, the end portions of said slits:

I 2.. Adiffusenhead as set forth in claiml wherein said diffuserhead includes'means for sealing said core'within said sleeve.

3. A difi userhead asset forthjin claim 1 wherein said jacent rows of slits.-

5. A ditiuserzhead as setforth in claim 1 wherein'said slits are arranged in longitudinallyspaced and-parallel spiral rows 6.. A diffuser head as set forth in claim 5 wherein said.

tape means. is arranged in longitudinally spaced parallel rows intermediate said rows .of. slits.- a

7. A resilient sleeve adapted to receive the multiperforated hollow core of a diifuser head, said sleeve being further adapted to.expand underiinterior gas pressure, a

8. A resilient sleeve as set forth in claim 7 wherein said slits are arranged in parallel rows spaced longitudinally of the sleeve.

9. A resilient sleeve as set forth in claim 8 wherein said tape means is arranged in parallel bands intermediate adjacent rows of slits.

10. A resilient sleeve as set forth in claim 7 wherein said slits are arranged in longitudinally spaced and parallel spiral rows.

11. A resilient sleeve as set forth in claim 10 wherein said tape means is arranged in longitudinally spaced parallel rows intermediate said rows of slits.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,255,438 9/ 41 Robinson 239-534 2,952,413 9/60 Jepson 239602 FOREIGN PATENTS 916,249 8 5 4 Germany.

LOUIS I. DEMBO,Primary Examiner.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Examiner.

Claims

1. A DIFFUSER HEAD COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PERFORATED HOLLOW CORE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE GAS UNDER PRESSURE, A RESILIENT SLEEVE RECEIVING SAID HOLLOW CORE, SAID SLEEVE BEING ADAPTED TO DISTEND UNDER SAID AIR PRESSURE, A PLURALITY OF SLITS IN SAID SLEEVE, THE OPPOSED WALL SURFACES OF EACH OF SAID SLITS BEING IN INTIMATE CONTIGUOUS SEALING ENGAGEMENT WHEN SAID RESILIENT SLEEVE IS IN A RELAXED CONDITION, AND TAPE MEANS ADHERED TO SAID SLEEVE ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE SLITS TO RESTRAIN EXPANSION OF THE SLEEVE AT THE END PORTIONS OF SAID SLITS.