IES20000201A2

IES20000201A2 - Pipe cleaning nozzle

Info

Publication number: IES20000201A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Jurgen Bock
Original assignee: Jurgen Bock
Priority date: 2000-03-14
Filing date: 2000-03-14
Publication date: 2001-07-11
Also published as: GB2360340A; GB0009260D0

Abstract

A nozzle (1) is disclosed which is adapted to be used with fluid power hoses for the cleaning of pipework. The nozzle has a body (2) with a front portion (3) which is adapted to be forced by the pressure of fluid from the fluid power hose along the pipework. The body also has a rear portion (4) having a substantial hollow inner region (5) and connection means (6) for connecting the nozzle to the power hose. Within the inner region (5) of the rear portion is provided an inner arcuate surface which is adapted to displace forwardly moving fluid from the fluid power hose rearwardly. The nozzle effects a more thorough cleaning of pipes than hereinbefore achieved and minimises the passage of fluid to the front region of the nozzle. <Figure 1>

Description

The invention relates to nozzles and in particular to nozzles adapted to be used with high pressure water or other cleaning fluids for the cleaning of pipes. The term pipe as used herein is intended to include sewerage pipes, water pipes and the like.

Background to the Invention It is well known when cleaning drainage and sewerage pipes to use high pressure water hoses to flush out debris that may collect in the pipes. These water hoses are typically adapted to be used with a nozzle, the nozzle being fitted to one end of the water hose, the other end of the hose being fitted to a pressure pump, for pumping fluid under pressure through the hose. The hose is fitted to a rear portion of the nozzle. The nozzle is suitably provided with apertures in the rear face of the nozzle, the apertures allowing fluid that is pumped under pressure into the rear portion of the nozzle to be displaced rearwardly, thus driving the nozzle in a forward direction. In use the nozzle/hose combination is inserted into pipework that requires cleaning. The water pressure is increased and the high pressure drives the nozzle through the pipe, cleaning the pipe as it passes through. The excess water and debris is typically pumped out of the pipework using a vacuum pump.

Known nozzles typically comprise up to four rearwardly facing apertures, the apertures being arranged at suitable angles about the rear portion of the nozzle head. These known nozzles are ineffective when used in very dirty pipework as the water displaced behind the nozzle head does not typically clean the entire pipework.

Typically, two'or three passes along a single pipe are required for adequate cleaning.

IE000201 There is therefore a requirement to provide an improved nozzle head which can be used to effect a more thorough cleaning of pipework.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved nozzle that can be used with power hoses to effect a thorough cleaning of pipes.

Summary of Invention Accordingly the invention provides a pipe cleaning nozzle adapted to be used with fluid power hoses for the cleaning of pipes, the nozzle having a body, which is adapted to be forced by the pressure of the fluid from the fluid power hose along a pipe, a rear portion of the body, having a substantially hollow inner region and having: connection means for connecting the nozzle to the power hose, an inner arcuate surface within the inner region of the rear portion, the inner arcuate surface being in fluid communication with the connection means, the inner arcuate surface adapted to displace forwardly moving fluid from the fluid power hose rearwardly, at least one set of at least five fluid passages, the fluid passages having entry means located within the inner region of the rear portion and exit means arranged about the rear portion of the nozzle, the fluid passages being adapted to project the rearwardly displaced fluid from the inner arcuate surface in a pre-determined angular pattern from the rear portion of the nozzle thereby effecting a cleaning of the pipe.

The inner diameter of the fluid passages may preferably be alterable dependant on the water flow pressure required and the pressure of the fluid within the fluid pressure hose as determined by a pressure pump, said alterable diameter being effected by the insertion of inserts into the passages, the internal diameter of the inserts being in the range of about 0.8 to about 2.2 mm.

IE000201 The external diameter of the nozzle body is preferably in the range of about 50 to about 150 mm and more preferably in the range of about 60 to about 120 mm.

The at least five fluid passages are preferably adapted to project the rearwardly displaced fluid in an angular pattern ranging from about 3 degrees to about 32 degrees relative to the rear portion of the nozzle. The low angular projecting passages are adapted to propel the nozzle forwardly and the high angular passages are adapted to effect a cleaning of the pipework.

A front portion of the nozzle may also be adapted to house a camera or other vision inspection system.

The invention also provides a nozzle substantially as hereinafter described with Π ; reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a section through a nozzle in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the rear portion of the nozzle of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a section through the rear portion of the nozzle of Figure 1 showing the angular displacement of the fluid passages, and Figure 4 is a plan through the rear portion of the nozzle of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figures 1 and 2 show a nozzle 1 which is adapted to be used with fluid power hoses (not shown) for the cleaning of pipework. The nozzle has a body 2 with a front portion 3, which is adapted to be forced by the pressure of the fluid from the fluid power hose along the pipework. The body also has a rear portion 4, the rear portion 4 having a substantially hollow inner region 5, and having connection means 6 for connecting the nozzle to the power hose.

IE000201 Within the inner region 5 of the rear portion is provided an inner arcuate surface 7, the inner arcuate surface being in fluid communication with the connection means, and being adapted to displace forwardly moving fluid from the fluid power hose rearwardly.

As shown in Figure 2 the rear portion 4 is also provided with at least one set 8 of at least five fluid passages 9, the fluid passages having entry means 10 located within the body of the rear portion and exit means 11 arranged about the rear portion 4 of the nozzle. The fluid passages 9 are adapted to project the rearwardly displaced fluid from the inner arcuate surface in a pre-determined angular pattern from the rear portion of the nozzle thereby effecting a cleaning of the pipework.

The inner diameter of the fluid passages may preferably be altered dependant on the pump pressure dictating the water flow pressure through the fluid pressure hose and the required water flow rate for the particular nozzle, said alteration of the diameter being effected by the insertion of suitable inserts 13 into the passages, the internal diameter of the inserts being in the range of about 0.8 to about 2.2 mm. The inserts are typically threaded and can be screwed into corresponding threads in the passages. They may easily be inserted or removed from the passages, and the specific insert for a particular cleaning operation is chosen on the basis of the flow rate required for a specific nozzle and the pressure of the fluid in the hosing.

Figures 3 and 4 show typical angular displacement of the fluid passages about the rear portion of the nozzle. The passages extend from the hollow inner region 5 of the rear portion 4 through the rear portion to a rear face 12 of the rear portion. The angular displacement of each set of fluid passages is arranged so as to optimise the propulsion of the nozzle along pipe while at the same time effecting a cleaning of the region of the pipe that the nozzle has passed immediately through. This angular pattern is typically ranging from about 3 degrees to about 32 degrees about the rear portion of the nozzle as shown for the exit means Al to A5 inclusive. The low angular projecting passages (Al, IE000201 A2) are adapted to propel the nozzle forwardly and the high angular passages (A3, A4, A5) are adapted to effect a cleaning of the pipework.

The external diameter of the nozzle body is preferably in the range of about 50 to about 150 mm and more preferably in the range of about 60 to about 120 mm.

In a modification of the nozzle hereinbefore described the front portion may be modified to house a camera or some other vision inspection system. This modification (not shown) typically involves forming a hollow region in the front of the nozzle, the dimensions of which are suitable to house the camera. Typically a perspex, or other suitable material, window will be formed in the nose of the nozzle, thereby allowing the camera to examine the pipe immediately in front.

By incorporating sets of at least five fluid passages the nozzle of the present invention effects a more thorough cleaning of pipes than hereinbefore achieved. The force of the projected fluid through the passages creates vacuum like conditions immediately behind the nozzle minimising the passage of fluid to the front region of the nozzle.

The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A pipe cleaning nozzle adapted to be used with fluid power hoses for the cleaning of pipes, the nozzle having a body, which is adapted to be forced by the 5 pressure of the fluid from the fluid power hose along a pipe, a rear portion of the body having a substantially hollow inner region and having: connection means for connecting the nozzle to the power hose, an inner arcuate surface within the inner region of the rear portion, the inner arcuate surface being in fluid communication with the connection means, the inner 10 arcuate surface adapted to displace forwardly moving fluid from the fluid power hose rearwardly, at least one set of at least five fluid passages, the fluid passages having entry means located within the body of the rear portion and exit means arranged about the rear portion of the nozzle, the fluid passages being adapted to project the rearwardly 15 displaced fluid from the inner arcuate surface in a pre-determined angular pattern from the rear portion of the nozzle thereby effecting a cleaning of the pipe.

2. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least five fluid passages are preferably adapted to project the rearwardly displaced fluid in an angular pattern ranging 20 from about 3 degrees to about 32 degrees relative to the rear portion of the nozzle, the low angular projecting passages being adapted to propel the nozzle forwardly and the high angular passages are adapted to effect a cleaning of the pipes.

3. The nozzle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the inner diameter of the 25 fluid passages may preferably be altered dependant on the water flow required and the pressure of the fluid within the fluid pressure hose, said alterable diameter being effected by the insertion of inserts into the passages, the internal diameter of the inserts being in the range of about 0.8 to about 2.2 mm. IE000201

4. The nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the external diameter of the nozzle body is in the range of about 50 to about 150 mm and more preferably in the range of about 60 to about 120 mm.

5. 5. A nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference and/or as shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.