GB1001868A - Improvements in or relating to spraying liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

1,001,868. Mixing fluids in proportions; aerating liquids; spray producers. J. J. LOVANT. July 24, 1962 [July 27, 1961; Sept. 1, 1961], Nos. 27292/61 and 31575/61. Headings B1C and B2F. [Also in Divisions B7 and F2] In a method of and apparatus for applying a foamed material to a surface, flowing fluids (which may be liquids, or a gas and a liquid, or liquids) are first mixed, their pressures being first equalized; as shown in Fig. 1 of Prov. Specification 27292/61, a pressure imparting liquid is fed from a container 7 where it is maintained at constant level, while a second liquid is fed from a bird fountain 1 to a container 4 adjusted to float in the first liquid at a depth at which the levels of the two liquids are the same. Alternatively pressure equalization may be carried out by means of a flexible diaphragm 16 as shown in Fig. 1 of Prov. Specification 31575/61 ; this arrangement may be modified to impart pressure to more than one diaphragm and liquid (see Fig. 2, not shown, of the same Specification) and the pressure imparting fluid (which may be a gas) need not be mixed with the others. Several such devices may be employed in series or parallel so that a multiplicity of fluids may be dispensed under the action of a single pressure imparting fluid. A further device for equalizing pressure may comprise containers 70, 73, Fig. 11, with a connecting pipe 72 ; the container 73 is first filled and sealed and the pressure-imparting liquid then admitted to container 70, when container 73 will become equally pressurized. Mixing in proportions. After pressure equalization the fluids pass to a metering and mixing device which may be a chamber 6 where they flow from jets the number and orifice sizes of which are related to the proportions required ; the proportions may also or alternatively be adjusted by valves 9. The mixing chamber may be maintained under a reduced pressure by a delivery pump. Another metering and mixing device may comprise a plug cock, Fig. 6, on which the plug 54 may be rotated to admit two liquids from chambers A, B through a selected number of orifices 1 to 20 to a discharge outlet 58. Spraying. The apparatus may be used to dilute a foam-forming liquid supplied to a spray lance for cleaning purposes ; as shown in Fig. 3 of Prov. Specification 27292/61 diluted or concentrated foamable liquid is supplied by the pump 25, water by the pump 34 and air by the compressor 29. By suitable adjustment of the valves 27, 30, 32, 35 the operator can supply either foamed or unfoamed liquid or air or water separately or a mixture of air and water. Fig. 4 of the same Specification shows a lance having twin spray nozzles 40. The foamable liquid is supplied to pipe 26 and air, water or a mixture of air and water to pipe 31. The two-way valve 43 and by-pass 47 enable the foamable liquid to be directed through the foaming chamber 45 which contains a foaminducing labyrinth material 46, or to be supplied direct to the nozzle 40.