EP0392113B1 - Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways - Google Patents

Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0392113B1
EP0392113B1 EP89308668A EP89308668A EP0392113B1 EP 0392113 B1 EP0392113 B1 EP 0392113B1 EP 89308668 A EP89308668 A EP 89308668A EP 89308668 A EP89308668 A EP 89308668A EP 0392113 B1 EP0392113 B1 EP 0392113B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vacuum
pressure
inlet
chamber
receptacle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89308668A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0392113A2 (en
EP0392113A3 (en
Inventor
Henry G. Brzoska
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lemaks Industries Inc
Original Assignee
Lemaks Industries Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lemaks Industries Inc filed Critical Lemaks Industries Inc
Priority to AT89308668T priority Critical patent/ATE92564T1/de
Publication of EP0392113A2 publication Critical patent/EP0392113A2/en
Publication of EP0392113A3 publication Critical patent/EP0392113A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0392113B1 publication Critical patent/EP0392113B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/035—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing by suction
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L7/00—Suction cleaners adapted for additional purposes; Tables with suction openings for cleaning purposes; Containers for cleaning articles by suction; Suction cleaners adapted to cleaning of brushes; Suction cleaners adapted to taking-up liquids
    • A47L7/009—Details of suction cleaner tools for additional purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
    • B08B9/0326—Using pulsations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
    • B08B9/0328—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid by purging the pipe with a gas or a mixture of gas and liquid
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/12—Plumbing installations for waste water; Basins or fountains connected thereto; Sinks
    • E03C1/30—Devices to facilitate removing of obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks
    • E03C1/304—Devices to facilitate removing of obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks using fluid under pressure
    • E03C1/308—Devices to facilitate removing of obstructions in waste-pipes or sinks using fluid under pressure by means of a pumping device

Definitions

  • This present invention relates to an apparatus for clearing obstructed passageways, for example opening slow and clogged drains in commercial, industrial and household applications and for purging any type of radiator cooled engines such as cars, trucks, etc., and cooling systems for marine inboard and outboard motors.
  • drains of various kinds such as household plumbing drains including bathtubs, showers, and so forth, periodically become clogged and need to be opened to restore normal usage.
  • Typical methods for clearing drains call for the use of chemicals including caustics and acids which are highly detrimental to plumbing systems and plumbing fixtures. Chemical treatments tend to destroy metal fittings while caustics attack ABS pipes, and acids attack porcelain. These chemicals are dangerous to handle and are pollutants. In other techniques, high pressure drain opening systems tend to rupture plumbing joints and snakes tend to damage the finish of plumbing fittings and fixtures. Accordingly, there is a need for a safe, nondestructive, nonpolluting way of dealing with clogged plumbing drains.
  • Marine inboard and outboard motors ordinarily have cooling systems using ambient water and tend to become coated with foreign materials carried along in the cooling water. It is desirable periodically to flush the cooling systems to remove such materials which substantially interfere with heat transfer of the cooling system and also when winterizing an engine.
  • the filter system When winterizing swimming pools, the filter system is secured and it is desirable to purge the filter lines of water and debris which remain in the lines.
  • US-A-3238556 discloses a portable suction and blower unit for use in cleaning operations i.e. vacuum cleaning (e.g. clearing hair cuttings) with the blower used to clear obstructions in the hose of the unit itself.
  • CH-A-150 274 describes an apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways including a control manifold comprising a first inlet and a second inlet to be connected to a pressure source and to a vacuum source respectively, an interior chamber having an inlet/outlet port for connecting to an obstructed passageway and selectively comunicable through said first inlet and said second inlet with said pressure source and said vacuum source, respectively.
  • apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways characterized in that said interior chamber is divided into a pressure chamber communicating with said first inlet and a vacuum chamber communicating with said second inlet; the control manifold further including: a displaceable member establishing, in use, in one position thereof, communication between the vacuum chamber and said inlet/outlet port and, in another position thereof, communication between the pressure chamber and said inlet/outlet port; and a control mechanism for displacing the displaceable member between said one and another positions to connect sequentially one of the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to said inlet/outlet port, wherein said control mechanism also simultaneously connects the other of said pressure chamber and vacuum chamber to atmosphere via a respective openings for porting the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to atmosphere.
  • An embodiment of the apparatus conveniently and effectively opens drains in plumbing systems and is applicable to other opening/flushing operations such as cleaning motor vehicle radiators and marine engine cooling systems.
  • a series of pressure pulses both positive and negative are applied in rapid succession effectively to move and clear away debris blocking drains or to aid in purging and flushing cooling systems.
  • An embodiment is provided by an ordinary household wet/dry vacuum cleaner fitted with a pressure reversing header for quickly applying a repetition of negative and positive pressure pulses to the plugged drain.
  • the header includes a manually operable valve member which when manipulated causes the wet/dry vacuum cleaner to apply alternate pressure and vacuum pulses to the drain in rapid succession effectively to clear the drain.
  • pressurized water and/or detergent cleaners can aid in drain opening.
  • An embodiment employs a household canister-type dry vacuum or wet/dry vacuum cleaner having a vacuum port and an exhaust port.
  • This apparatus may include a wet canister fitted with a pressure reversing header connected to a dry vacuum cleaner by suitable hose connections.
  • the household vacuum cleaner whether dry or wet/dry, may be used for supplying pressure and vacuum pulses while the wet cannister may serve as receptacle for effluent form clogged drains.
  • Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the apparatus 10 for opening drains includes a suitable pressure/vacuum source, as for example, a wet/dry vacuum cleaner 12, a pressure/vacuum control manifold 14, and an operating hose 16 for opening a drain 18.
  • a suitable pressure/vacuum source as for example, a wet/dry vacuum cleaner 12, a pressure/vacuum control manifold 14, and an operating hose 16 for opening a drain 18.
  • the vacuum cleaner includes an upright receptacle 20 having a motor driven fan 22 for drawing vacuum through an inlet port to the interior 26 of the receptacle or canister 20 and for exhausting air from the canister through an outlet port.
  • these ports are referred to as vacuum port 24 and pressure port 28.
  • the wet and dry vacuum cleaner operates in the usual fashion to draw debris into the canister through vacuum port 24 while exhausting or evacuating the interior of the canister through pressure port 28.
  • This basic manner of operation applies herein.
  • the pressure/vacuum control manifold 14 regulates the drain opening apparatus so as selectively to apply pressure or vacuum through operating hose 16 to drain 18.
  • the control manifold 14 includes an upright block shaped housing 30 formed of any suitable material such as rigid plastic or cast aluminium.
  • the manifold includes interior vacuum 32 and pressure 34 ducts and exterior conical vacuum 36 and presure 38 sleeves for connection to the vacuum 24 and pressure 28 ports of the vacuum cleaner.
  • the vacuum and pressure ducts 32, 34 merge into an upwardly extending two-way pressure/vacuum duct 40 with an inlet/outlet port 42 located in the top surface 44 of the manifold.
  • the front wall 46 has openings 48,50 communication with the interior vacuum and pressure ducts 32, 34 respectively for the purpose of drawing air into or exhausting air from the canister 20 during operation as more fully developed below.
  • the control manifold 14 (Fig.2) further includes a control mechanism 52 for directing pressure/vacuum flow within the operating hose 16.
  • the control mechanism 52 includes a pivot shaft 54 extending horizontally through the manifold and lying along the top of a partition 56 separating the interior vacuum 32 and pressure ducts 34.
  • the shaft pivotally mounted between the front 46 and rear 50 walls of the manifold and includes a projection 60 extending a short distance from the front wall.
  • a blade-shaped valve or damper 62 is supported by and projects radially from the surface of pivot shaft 54 for directing flow through two-way duct 40 and operating hose 16 by blocking either interior vacuum duct 32 or pressure duct 34.
  • the contour of blade valve 62 conforms to the interior wall surface of vacuum duct 32 and pressure duct 34 at their places of confluence with two-way duct in an air tight fit to avoid pressure loss during operation.
  • the control mechanism 52 further includes a movable cover 64 for selectively closing openings 48, 50 in front wall 46.
  • the cover 64 is connected to pivot shaft 54 by means of extension rod 66 for pivoting movement between the openings 48, 50.
  • a suitable knob 68 is fitted to the cover 64 for ease of manipulating the cover. It is to be observed that blade valve 62 and extension rod 66 are coplaner so that when the blade valve covers the pressure duct 34, for example, the pressure opening 50 will be uncovered and vice versa for vacuum duct 32 and vacuum opening 48.
  • control mechanism 52 is set in one position as for example, the solid line position of Figures 2 and 3 in which case exhaust air is expelled from the vacuum cleaner through the pressure duct 34 and pressure opening 50 while the external cover 64 closes vacuum opening 48 and opens vacuum duct 32 drawing air into the vacuum cleaner through hose 16.
  • the position of valve 62 assures draw of partial vacuum through operational hose 16 and application of vacuum to the blocked drain.
  • pressure is now applied to the operating hose 16 and drain 18.
  • air is pushed into the operating hose 16 through pressure duct 34 and into the drain 18 while open vacuum port 48 provides for inflow of ambient air into the system.
  • the mechanism can be applied to other fittings such as automotive radiators, maring engines, and so on, for clearing the fluid passages of such devices.
  • the invention is useful for cleaning or winterizing swimming pools particularly in purging water and any debris lodged in the filter recirculating and distribution lines.
  • auxiliary drain clearing aids such as detergent or pressurised water can be introduced through hose fitting 17 by means of an applicator 19 as shown in Fig.1 and also in Fig.4.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 present another embodiment in which water feed accompanies the positive pressure pulses of the system as an aid in opening drains and the like.
  • a hand-held nozzle 70 is attached to hose fitting 17 and has a suitable fitting 72 for receiving a water supply hose.
  • the nozzle includes a suitable valve 74 and is actuated by a trigger 76 for water supply.
  • the trigger 76 forms part of an electric circuit 78 which also includes a control manifold solenoid 80 shown in Fig.5.
  • the trigger 76 is actuated water is applied to the drain 18 and the solenoid-actuated movable cover 66 moved to the positive pressure mode.
  • the nozzle 70 may be used to feed detergents, degreasers, etc., to a drain.
  • the modified control manifold 90 includes an upright block-shaped housing 92 with an interior chamber 94 and a movable blade valve or damper 96 for, directing pressure and vacuum pulses to a closed drain.
  • the interior chamber includes a pressure chamber 98 through which pressurised air is applied to the drain or exhausted to atmosphere and a vacuum chamber 100 through which air is drawn from the drain or from the atmosphere.
  • the control manifold 90 is generally rectangular in cross-section and includes rear 102, front 104 and side walls 106 of integral construction preferably of injection molded polypropylene. The side walls taper upwardly and inwardly at 102a from approximately two-thirds their vertical dimension terminating at a inlet/outlet sleeve 108.
  • the upper portions of the front and rear walls are joined to and follow the contour of the tapered side wall portions 102a.
  • the inner surface 110 of both tapered side walls 106 just below inlet/outlet sleeve 108 is beveled to form a sealing surface for engagement with the upper sealing surfaces 112 on both sides of the blade valve.
  • An operating hose 113 fitted to the inlet/outlet sleeve communicates vacuum and pressure pulses to the drain.
  • the control manifold 90 also includes an interior partition 114 comprising spaced partition walls 116 vertically oriented and extending between and attached to the front and rear walls 104, 102.
  • the interior partition 114 is molded integral with the control manifold 90.
  • the upper edges 118 of each partition wall 116 are beveled to form a sealing surface for engaging the lower sealing surfaces 120 of the blade valve 96.
  • a stop shoulder 121 is located at the upper edge of each partition wall 116 for limiting movement of the blade valve 96.
  • the partition walls 116 cooperate with the front wall 104 and direct air into and out of a single inlet/outlets port 122 in the front wall 104.
  • the lower ends of the pressure and vacuum chambers 98,100 have outlet 123 and inlet 125 ports, respectively, for connection to the corresponding ports of a vacuum cleaner substantially as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the generally rectangular blade valve 96 shown in Fig.7 comprises an imperforate valve plate 124 divided into major 124a and minor 124b parts along a pivot axis A-A defined by a hollow pivot hub 126.
  • the pivot hub 126 is generally cylindrical and is formed integral with the valve plate 124 of suitable material such as polypropylene.
  • the pivot hub 126 receives a pivot shaft 128 which is assembled into the manifold at pivot openings 130, 132 located in front 104 and rear walls 102.
  • a handle member 134 is fitted to the front end of the pivot shaft for manipulating the blade valve 96 between vacuum and pressure positions.
  • the control manifold 90 has its blade valve 96 closing the pressure chamber 98 so that in operation the vacuum cleaner applies a vacuum pulse to the closed drain 18 through inlet sleeve 108 and operating hose 113. Pressurized air from the vacuum cleaner enters the pressure chamber 98 and is exhausted through outlet port 122.
  • a pressure pulse is applied to the closed drain 18 through outlet sleeve 108 and ambient air is drawn through the inlet port 122 into the vacuum chamber providing the source of pressurized air to the closed drain through operating hose 113.
  • the blade valve 96 includes a spring member 136 (Fig.7) fitted between the pivot shaft and front wall for resisting the tendency of the blade valve 96 to shift (Fig. 6) under the influence of a pressure differential acting on the blade valve 96 in the vacuum mode (solid line position of Fig. 6).
  • a ball/detente arrangement (not shown) between front wall 104 and the operating handle 134 may be used to provide positive positioning and holding of the blade valve 96 in both pressure and vacuum positions.
  • Figs.8 and 9 illustrate a modification of the pressure/vacuum manifold of Fig.6.
  • This form of the manifold 90 includes housing 92, interior chamber 94 and damper (blade valve) 96 for directing pressure and vacuum pulses to a closed drain.
  • the damper 96 is manipulated between vacuum (full line and pressure dash line) positions by means of operating handle 138.
  • a pivot shaft 140 is mounted between front 142 and rear 144 walls and receives damper 96 in the manner of Figs. 6 and 7.
  • First and second levers 146, 148 are fitted to the ends of the pivot shaft 140 extending along the front and rear wals 142,144 and are joined at one end by a laterally extending gripping handle 150.
  • the other ends of the levers 146, 148 extend away from the pivot shaft 140 to provide balance to the operating handle 150.
  • the outer surfaces of the front and rear walls 142, 144 are provided with abutments or stop members 152 which limit the movement of the operating handle 150 without stressing the blade valve 96.
  • the stop members 152 are conveniently molded integral to the front and rear walls.
  • the operating handle is weighted for the purpose of counteracting the tendency of the blade valve 96 to move counterclockwise (Fig.8) by reason of the pressure differential on the vacuum face 96a and pressure face 96b.
  • the same pressure differential is sufficient to hold the operating handle 150 in the pressure mode (dash lines Fig.8).
  • the handle 150 itself provides a convenient and durable structure for rapidly switching the unit from pressure to vacuum modes.
  • the other structural elements of Figs. 8 and 9 have numerals corresponding to the same structural elements of Fig.6.
  • Fig. 10 is a further embodiment of the apparatus illustrating a drain opener 10 including a pressure/vacuum control manifold 90 and receptacle 156 for connection to a canister-type dry or wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
  • the drain opener includes a dedicated intermediate canister or receptacle 156 for receiving effluent from a plumbing drain 18, pressure/vacuum control manifold 90, and a canister-type dry or wet/dry vacuum cleaner 158.
  • the arrangement provides for communication of pressure/vacuum pulses to plumbing drain 18 from pressure/vacuum source such as the canister-type vacuum cleaner 158 without requiring to the source vacuum cleaner to receive effluent from the plumbing drain.
  • the effluent is received and retained by the intermediate canister 156.
  • This modification includes a pressure/vacuum control manifold 90 as described above for Figs. 8 and 9 as reflected by corresponding reference numerals of Fig.10. As described above, the pressure/vacuum manifold 90 directs pressure or vacuum pulses through hose 113 to plugged plumbing drain 18.
  • the intermediate canister includes a bucket 160 of suitable capacity, e.g. five gallons, and tightly fitting top cover 162 held in place by several snap fittings 164.
  • the top cover includes fittings defining a vacuum line 166 and a pressure line 168.
  • the vacuum line 166 includes a circular port 166a in the top surface of the cover 162 and an upwardly directed elbow fitting 166b for connection to the vacuum port 159V of vacuum cleaner through a suitable hose 169. Both circular port 166a and vacuum elbow 166b are open to the interior 170 of the bucket.
  • the pressure line 168 also includes a circular port 168a and an upwardly directed elbow 168b similar to the vacuum line fittings, however, the pressure line further includes a conduit connection 168c directly between pressure elbow 168b and pressure port 168a so that pressure pulses are sent from pressure source 158p through hose 172, pressure line 168, manifold 90 to plumbing drain via hose 113. In other words, the interior of the bucket 160 is not subjected to pressure pulses.
  • the operating handle 150 is set in vacuum mode (solid lines) and a vacuum pulse drawn on clogged drain by vacuum source 158v.
  • the bucket interior 170 is subject to vacuum conditions developed by the vacuum source 158v. Effluent drawn from the drain in this operating mode is trapped in the bucket 160.
  • pressure mode dashed lines
  • a pressure pulse is directed from pressure source 158p through pressure line 172, manifold, hose 113, to drain.
  • effluent in canister disposed of by removing the top cover.
  • a liner 171 (Figs.11a,11b) can be used for collection and disposal of effluent received by the container 160 (Fig.10) or 20 (Fig.1).
  • the liner is of heavy gauge sheet metal material to maintain its shape in the vacuum mode.
  • Figs. 11a and 11b there is provided means for retaining the displaceable member in said one position for applying the vacuum source to said inlet/outlet port.
  • the restraining ring 214 which cooperates with the knob 208 on the manifold 180 to thereby hold the control damper 196 in the position in which inlet/outlet 212 communicates with vacuum connection 188.
  • the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 10 may be adapted to incorporate such retaining means.
  • Figs. 11a and 11b illustrate a further modification of the apparatus.
  • the pressure/vacuum manifold 180 is arranged in horizontal orientation within an outer housing 182 of the drain opening apparatus.
  • a motor driven fan 184 within the housing provides pressure P and vacuum V sources with suitable connections 186,188 to the manifold.
  • the housing includes a base plate 190 and external cover 192 and is mounted on a receptacle 194 for receiving effluent from a closed drain and with a liner 171.
  • a control damper 196 is mounted within the manifold on a pivot shaft 198 dividing interior chamber 200 into pressure 202 and vacuum 204 chambers.
  • the damper 196 and its pivot shaft 198 are integral and molded of suitable plastic.
  • a U shaped handle 206 is fitted to opposite ends of the pivot shaft for manipulating the damper.
  • a knob 208 attached to the handle through slot 210 provides for gripping and manipulating the damper 196.
  • the damper 196 normally assumes the position shown in Fig. 11a, i.e., the pressure mode where the incoming pressurized air opens the damper 196 to direct pressure through the inlet/outlet port 212 and hose 220 to the drain 18.
  • the damper 196 is shifted from vacuum to pressure mode to provide sequential vacuum and pressure pulses to a drain.
  • the operating handle 206 may be restrained in the vacuum mode by a ring 214 fixed to the housing adjacent the slot 210.
  • the restraining ring 214 is pivotally mounted to a base member 216 fixed to the housing.
  • the ring 214 slips over the knob 208 and holds the damper 196 in the vacuum position against the force of pressurized air which is directed through exhaust port 218 to atmosphere.
  • the drain opening apparatus can now be used as for wet vacuum operations with waste collected in the lined receptacle 194 through the two way duct 220 and vacuum chamber 200.
  • Figure 11b further illustrates a force cup 222 particularly adapted for use with the apparatus.
  • the force cup 222 includes a hemispheric upper portion 224 which is truncated to define an opening 226 for communicating with two-way duct 220.
  • the edge of the force cup around opening 226 is flanged 228 for ease in connection with the two way duct 220.
  • the opposite end 230 of the hemispheric portion includes an integral hollow neck-wall portion 232 of gradually reduced diameter as the neck wall converges to an open end 234.
  • the force cup 222 is molded integral of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute with sufficient resiliency to conform to a variety drain contours and has a sufficient wall strength to withstand vacuum within as the drain opening apparatus is used in vacuum mode particularly the wet vacuum mode of Fig.11b.
  • the liner In operating the drain opening apparatus with a receptacle liner, it is desirable for the liner to maintain its shape within the receptacle and not to interfere with the vacuum draw from the receptacle.
  • the liner is provided with a pleated sidewall 171a for maintaining side wall rigidity for resisting side wall collapse during operation.
  • liner bottom wall 171b is fitted with double coated tape strips 171c for securing the liner to the receptacle bottom wall 194a.
  • manifold connection 188 extends well into the interior of receptacle 194 directing air flow therefrom toward the liner bottom wall 171b.
  • Manifold connection 188 preferably extends at least half the depth of receptacle and its length may be selected by user or manufacturer for the purpose of determining the volume of effluent received by the receptacle.
  • the air flow characteristics of the apparatus are changed and a change of motor pitch will alert the operator that the volume limits of the receptacle 194 have been reached and the receptacle 194 is to be emptied.
  • This safety arrangement assures that no effluent will flow into the fan 184 through vacuum intake connection 186.
  • apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways may be specifically built for the purpose.
  • custom built apparatus may have the pressure/vacuum source together with the control mechanism and be dedicated to the function of clearing obstructed fluid passageways: this apparatus may be of unitary construction.
  • a drive motor of greater horsepower may be used to achieve higher levels of pressure/vacuum than are available with wet/dry vacuum cleaners and which are appropriate and required for clearing obstructions in commercial and industrial applications.
  • the embodiments are contemplated which are specifically designed for use in purging motor vehicle radiators, the cooling systems of marine engines, and so forth where pressure/vacuum levels are tailored specifically for these applications.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
  • Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
  • Junction Field-Effect Transistors (AREA)
  • Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Sorption (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Nozzles For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
EP89308668A 1989-04-10 1989-08-25 Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways Expired - Lifetime EP0392113B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT89308668T ATE92564T1 (de) 1989-04-10 1989-08-25 Vorrichtung zum raeumen von verstopften wasserdurchgaengen.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US33576189A 1989-04-10 1989-04-10
US335761 1989-04-10

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0392113A2 EP0392113A2 (en) 1990-10-17
EP0392113A3 EP0392113A3 (en) 1990-12-27
EP0392113B1 true EP0392113B1 (en) 1993-08-04

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ID=23313131

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89308668A Expired - Lifetime EP0392113B1 (en) 1989-04-10 1989-08-25 Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways

Country Status (8)

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EP (1) EP0392113B1 (da)
JP (1) JP2732303B2 (da)
AT (1) ATE92564T1 (da)
AU (1) AU639230B2 (da)
CA (1) CA1331424C (da)
DE (1) DE68908161D1 (da)
DK (1) DK82590A (da)
NO (1) NO901204L (da)

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JP4600037B2 (ja) 2004-12-27 2010-12-15 パナソニック株式会社 スピーカ
CN101220607B (zh) * 2007-07-13 2010-11-17 上海大学 水气互动式下水道疏通设备
CN104944013A (zh) * 2014-03-28 2015-09-30 南通曙光机电工程有限公司 一种负压清堵器
KR101705723B1 (ko) * 2015-04-13 2017-02-13 김명근 의류행거의 먼지방지용 덮개
CN111790700B (zh) * 2020-06-09 2022-05-17 深圳供电局有限公司 管道疏通装置
CN111921993A (zh) * 2020-07-01 2020-11-13 深圳供电局有限公司 管道疏通装置
CN115055453B (zh) * 2022-06-15 2023-04-25 石家庄铁道大学 人造龙卷风利匕复合式非开挖多级清管装置及其清管方法

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH150274A (de) * 1929-12-20 1931-10-31 Inventia Patent Verwert Ges Staubsauger.
US2673986A (en) * 1949-06-24 1954-04-06 Schaefer Valentine Attachment for vacuum cleaners
US3238556A (en) * 1963-05-07 1966-03-08 Elmer A Martin Portable suction and blower unit
US3619851A (en) * 1970-08-05 1971-11-16 Singer Co Convertible canister vacuum cleaner

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EP0392113A2 (en) 1990-10-17
AU5306990A (en) 1990-10-11
CA1331424C (en) 1994-08-16
AU639230B2 (en) 1993-07-22
DE68908161D1 (de) 1993-09-09
NO901204L (no) 1990-10-11
EP0392113A3 (en) 1990-12-27
DK82590D0 (da) 1990-04-02
JPH0361798A (ja) 1991-03-18
NO901204D0 (no) 1990-03-14
ATE92564T1 (de) 1993-08-15
DK82590A (da) 1990-10-11
JP2732303B2 (ja) 1998-03-30

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