WO2016183404A1 - Sanitary rotary tank cleaning apparatus - Google Patents
Sanitary rotary tank cleaning apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2016183404A1 WO2016183404A1 PCT/US2016/032263 US2016032263W WO2016183404A1 WO 2016183404 A1 WO2016183404 A1 WO 2016183404A1 US 2016032263 W US2016032263 W US 2016032263W WO 2016183404 A1 WO2016183404 A1 WO 2016183404A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- rotary
- hub
- stationary
- rotary housing
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
- B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
- B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
- B05B3/04—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
- B05B3/0409—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements
- B05B3/0418—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements comprising a liquid driven rotor, e.g. a turbine
- B05B3/0422—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements comprising a liquid driven rotor, e.g. a turbine with rotating outlet elements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
- B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
- B05B3/04—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
- B05B3/0409—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements
- B05B3/0418—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements comprising a liquid driven rotor, e.g. a turbine
- B05B3/0422—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements comprising a liquid driven rotor, e.g. a turbine with rotating outlet elements
- B05B3/0459—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements comprising a liquid driven rotor, e.g. a turbine with rotating outlet elements the rotor axis not being parallel to the rotation axis of the outlet, e.g. being perpendicular thereto
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- 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
- B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
- B08B9/093—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
- B08B9/0936—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays using rotating jets
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to rotary cleaning devices, and more particularly, to a multi-axis rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly adapted for use in sanitary environments, such as processing or storage tanks in the food, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assemblies require complex multi-directional drives for rotating the spray nozzles in a manner that ensures the discharging spray covers all areas of the tank.
- Such spray nozzle assemblies require numerous parts which can be cumbersome to assemble and disassemble for sanitary cleaning as required after each usage. Threaded components of the nozzle assembly can be particularly cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, and the threads of such connections must be reliably sealed from the processing fluids. Leakage of seals can cause contamination and bacteria to accumulate within the threads which can be difficult to clean to sanitary standards.
- Another object is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly as characterized above which is easily assembled and disassembled by untrained personnel and the components of which lend themselves to thorough sanitary cleaning.
- a further object is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of the above kind in which the component parts of the assembly are free of threaded connections and associated seals for such threaded connections.
- Another objects is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly in which the component parts are not only easily assembled and disassembled, but are designed such that the tank washer is effective for self cleaning and flushing of any residues in the nozzle assembly by direction of cleaning fluids through the nozzle assembly following a cleaning cycle.
- Still another object is to provide a rotary spray nozzle assembly of the foregoing type in which a plurality of spray nozzles of the assembly each is adapted for reliable drainage of cleaning fluid from the assembly at the end of a spray operation regardless of its rotative position.
- Yet a further object is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of such type that is relatively simple in construction and lends itself to economical manufacture.
- Figure 1 is a vertical section of an illustrative multi-axis tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly in accordance with the invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of the tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly shown in Fig. 1;
- FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of the rotary housing and nozzle hub of the illustrated tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly and associated component parts;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective of one of the spray nozzles of the illustrated nozzle hub
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the spray nozzle and nozzle hub shown in Fig. 4;
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective of the spray nozzle hub, with the spray nozzles removed;
- Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the nozzle hub shown in Fig. 6;
- Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the nozzle hub shown in Fig. 6
- FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the rotary and stationary housings of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly and associated component parts.
- Fig. 10 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the stationary housing and upper housing liquid inlet cap of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly and associated component parts.
- FIG. 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown an illustrative rotary spray nozzle assembly 10 in accordance with the invention.
- the illustrated spray nozzle assembly 10 basically compromises a stationary housing 11, in this case cylindrical in shape, a liquid inlet cap 12 fixed to an upper end of the stationary housing 11 having an upper cylindrical inlet 14 for coupling to a suitable cleaning liquid supply line 15, a rotary housing 16 supported at a lower end of the stationary housing 11 for relative rotation with respect to the stationary housing 11, a nozzle hub 18 supported by said rotary housing 16 for relative rotation having a pair of oppositely directed liquid discharging nozzles 19.
- components of the spray nozzle assembly 10 are free of threaded couplings and adapted for quick and easy assembly and disassembly for sanitary cleaning.
- the rotary housing 16 has a one piece elbow configured construction including an upstream vertically oriented section 20 and a downstream horizontal or right angle section 21.
- cleaning fluid directed through the spray nozzle assembly 10 will pass through horizontal openings 22 in an upstanding hub 24 of the vertical section 20 for direction through a right angle passage 25 within the rotary housing 16 and exit through radial passages 26 in a right angle or horizontal tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16, upon which the nozzle hub 18 is supported for relative rotation.
- a quick disconnect coupling is provided which includes a hub cap 30 having an enlarged diameter outer end 31 positionable within a recess in an outer end of the nozzle hub 18 and a smaller diameter open ended tubular section 32 extending into and through the tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16.
- a retaining clip 34 is provided which in this case has a generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of depending legs 34a positioned through respective aligned apertures in an outer annular collar 36 tubular sleeve 28 of the right angle section 21 and into the right angle passage 25 for interaction with grooves or slots 38 (Figs. 2 and ) in opposite sides of the tubular section 32 of the hub cap 30 for retaining the hub cap 30 in assembled position in the right angle sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16, and hence the nozzle hub 18 in mounted position on the right angle sleeve 28, while permitting relative rotation of the nozzle hub 28.
- the hub cap tubular section 32 has an open upstream end for permitting
- the nozzle hub 18 is formed with an internal annular chamber 42 surrounding the tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16 into which liquid passing through the aligned openings 40, 26 is directed and from which liquid is directed outwardly through the nozzles 19 for discharge into a tank to be cleaned.
- An annular bushing seal 44 is provided between the enlarged cylindrical end 31 of the hub cap 30 and the nozzle hub 18 and a cylindrical bearing seal 45 is provided between the nozzle hub 18 and the right angle section 28 of the rotary housing 16 for sealing the opposite end of the nozzle hub 18 with respect to the tubular sleeve 28 and for facilitating relative rotation of the nozzle hub 18.
- the internal chamber 42 has a multi contoured internal surface that facilitates the complete drainage of liquid.
- the internal chamber 42 is formed with a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced concave surfaces 48 ( Fig. 8) oriented parallel to the horizontal axis of the internal chamber 42 and a plurality of convex surfaces 49 (Fig. 9) oriented in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the internal chamber 42.
- Such multi-contoured surface configuration enables liquid within the nozzle hub to completely drain from the nozzle hub 18 through relatively small drain holes 50 in the bottom of of the convex surfaces 49 (Fig. 7) regardless of the orientation of the nozzle hub 18 upon completion of a spraying operation.
- the nozzles 19 in this case also are removeably supported by the nozzle hub 18 by respective quick disconnect couplings.
- the nozzle hub 18 has a pair of outwardly projecting tubular outlets 52 over which the nozzles 19 are respectively positioned and retained by a respective retaining clip 54 positionable through aligned apertures in the tubular outlets 52 and nozzles 19 and retained in surrounding relation to the nozzle 19 (Figs. 3-5).
- a liquid stabilizing vane 55 in this case is supported within each outlet sleeve 52 for reducing turbulence and stabilizing liquid flow as it is directed to and through the respective nozzles.
- a stator 60 is mounted within the stationary housing 11 for tangentially directing liquid from the inlet 14 for rotatively driving a downstream rotor 61 coupled to a drive shaft 62 of the rotary housing 16 which is fixed in upstanding relation to the hub 24.
- the stator 60 is disposed within an upwardly opening counter bore 63 of the cylindrical stationary housing 11 and is held in fixed position by an inner annular lip 65 of the housing cap 12, with an annular sealing bushing 66 is disposed about the upstanding drive shaft 62 within a central opening of the stator 60.
- the components of the drive for the rotary housing 16 are adapted for quick disconnect assembly and disassembly, again for facilitating frequent cleaning.
- the rotor 61 has a non-circular central opening 70, in this case square, that is positonable over a correspondingly configured hub 71 of the drive shaft 62 such that rotation of the rotor 61 drives the rotary housing 16 about its vertical axis.
- a thrust bearing 74 preferably made of Teflon in this case in interposed between an upstream side of the rotor 61 and a downstream end of the stator 60.
- the lower end of the stationary housing 11 and the upstream end of the nozzle hub 18 are formed with respective cooperating bevel gears 78, 79.
- interaction of the bevel gears 78, 79 simultaneously rotates the nozzle hub 18 about the right angle sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16.
- an annular bearing 77 is interposed between an annular recess 77a in a lower end of the stationary housing 11 and an upwardly facing ledge of the rotary housing 16.
- the rotary housing 16 is supported in depending relation to the stator 60 by a quick disconnect coupling, which includes an annular shaft retainer 80 disposed about an upper end of the rotary housing drive shaft 62 at a location immediately above the stator 60 and secured thereto by a quick disconnect clip 81, again having a transverse member 82a extending through aligned apertures in the shaft retainer 80 and the drive shaft 62 and a holding portion 81b disposed in surrounding relation to an outer side of the annular shaft retainer 80.
- the shaft retainer 80 in this case is directly supported on an upper end of the stator bushing 66. Again, it will be seen that by simply removing the retainer clip 81, the rotary housing 16 may be easily withdrawn from the shaft retainer 80 and stator 60 for cleaning.
- the stationary housing 11 is secured to the housing cap 12 by a quick disconnect coupling which includes a U- shaped clip 84 having legs 84a that are positionable through aligned apertures in an upper end of the stationary housing 11 and through retention slots 85 in diametrically opposed sides of the retaining cap 12, as depicted in Figs. 2 and 10.
- the retaining cap 12 With the legs 84a of the retaining clip 84 fixed within an upper end of the housing and disposed within the opposed slots 85 of the retaining cap 12, the retaining cap 12 is securely fixed to an upper end of the stationary housing, yet is easily removable from the stationary housing 11 by withdrawal of the clip 84 for permitting access to the interior of the assembly and disassembly of the other components of the spray nozzle assembly for cleaning.
- the liquid inlet 14 of the retaining cap 12 in this case also can be secured to the liquid supply line by a quick disconnect clip 88 having a horizontal prong positionable through lined apertures in the upper end of the tubular member and the liquid supply line and a wrap around retaining portion positioned about an retained within a reduced diameter section of the tubular inlet.
- a rotary tank spray cleaning assembly which is adapted for quick and easy assembly and disassembly for facilitating frequent sanitary cleaning.
- the nozzle hub 18 and its sealing components are easily removed from the rotary housing.
- the clips 88, 84 the nozzle cap 12 is removable from the liquid supply line and the stationary housing 11 is separable from the housing cap. Removal of the clip 81 enables the internal components of the liquid drive to be removed for cleaning. Since the quick disconnect components are free of threads, they also are easily cleanable and can be used without separate sealing requirements.
- the spray nozzle assembly furthermore is relatively simple in construction and lends itself to economical manufacture. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that in addition to easy disassembly, inspection, and cleaning of component parts of the spray nozzle assembly, the components can be designed such that the spray nozzle assembly is operative for self cleaning and flushing of cleaning fluids and residues within the spray nozzle assembly as an incident to the direction of cleaning fluid through the spray nozzle assembly following a cleaning cycle.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Nozzles (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
A rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly having a stationary outer housing, a rotary housing disposed below said stationary housing rotatable about a central axis of said stationary housing, and a nozzle hub having a plurality of liquid spray nozzle mounted on said rotary housing for rotation about an axis transverse to the central axis. The rotary housing has respective threadless quick disconnect couplings with said stationary housing and nozzle hub for enabling easy disassembly for cleaning and reassembly. The nozzle hub, nozzles, and an inlet cap of the stationary housing also have easy to assemble quick disconnect couplings. The nozzle hub further defines an internal annular chamber having a multi-contoured internal surface that facilitates complete drainage of liquid from the hub upon completion of a spraying operation.
Description
SANITARY ROTARY TANK CLEANING APPARATUS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/160,685, filed May 13, 2015, which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to rotary cleaning devices, and more particularly, to a multi-axis rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly adapted for use in sanitary environments, such as processing or storage tanks in the food, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assemblies require complex multi-directional drives for rotating the spray nozzles in a manner that ensures the discharging spray covers all areas of the tank. Such spray nozzle assemblies require numerous parts which can be cumbersome to assemble and disassemble for sanitary cleaning as required after each usage. Threaded components of the nozzle assembly can be particularly cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, and the threads of such connections must be reliably sealed from the processing fluids. Leakage of seals can cause contamination and bacteria to accumulate within the threads which can be difficult to clean to sanitary standards.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly which is adapted for quick and easy assembly and disassembly for facilitating frequent sanitary cleaning.
[0005] Another object is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly as characterized above which is easily assembled and disassembled by untrained personnel and the components of which lend themselves to thorough sanitary cleaning.
[0006] A further object is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of the above kind in which the component parts of the assembly are free of threaded connections and associated seals for such threaded connections.
[0007] Another objects is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly in which the component parts are not only easily assembled and disassembled, but are designed such that
the tank washer is effective for self cleaning and flushing of any residues in the nozzle assembly by direction of cleaning fluids through the nozzle assembly following a cleaning cycle.
[0008] Still another object is to provide a rotary spray nozzle assembly of the foregoing type in which a plurality of spray nozzles of the assembly each is adapted for reliable drainage of cleaning fluid from the assembly at the end of a spray operation regardless of its rotative position.
[0009] Yet a further object is to provide a rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of such type that is relatively simple in construction and lends itself to economical manufacture.
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Figure 1 is a vertical section of an illustrative multi-axis tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly in accordance with the invention;
[0012] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective of the tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly shown in Fig. 1;
[0013] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective of the rotary housing and nozzle hub of the illustrated tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly and associated component parts;
[0014] Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective of one of the spray nozzles of the illustrated nozzle hub;
[0015] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective of the spray nozzle and nozzle hub shown in Fig. 4;
[0016] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective of the spray nozzle hub, with the spray nozzles removed;
[0017] Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the nozzle hub shown in Fig. 6;
[0018] Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the nozzle hub shown in Fig. 6
[0019] Fig. 9 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the rotary and stationary housings of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly and associated component parts; and
[0020] Fig. 10 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the stationary housing and upper housing liquid inlet cap of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly and associated component parts.
[0021] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrative embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit
the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMB ODEVIENT
[0022] Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an illustrative rotary spray nozzle assembly 10 in accordance with the invention. The illustrated spray nozzle assembly 10 basically compromises a stationary housing 11, in this case cylindrical in shape, a liquid inlet cap 12 fixed to an upper end of the stationary housing 11 having an upper cylindrical inlet 14 for coupling to a suitable cleaning liquid supply line 15, a rotary housing 16 supported at a lower end of the stationary housing 11 for relative rotation with respect to the stationary housing 11, a nozzle hub 18 supported by said rotary housing 16 for relative rotation having a pair of oppositely directed liquid discharging nozzles 19.
[0023] In accordance with an important feature of the illustrated embodiment, components of the spray nozzle assembly 10 are free of threaded couplings and adapted for quick and easy assembly and disassembly for sanitary cleaning. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary housing 16 has a one piece elbow configured construction including an upstream vertically oriented section 20 and a downstream horizontal or right angle section 21. As will become apparent, cleaning fluid directed through the spray nozzle assembly 10 will pass through horizontal openings 22 in an upstanding hub 24 of the vertical section 20 for direction through a right angle passage 25 within the rotary housing 16 and exit through radial passages 26 in a right angle or horizontal tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16, upon which the nozzle hub 18 is supported for relative rotation.
[0024] For retaining the nozzle hub 18 on the rotary housing 16, a quick disconnect coupling is provided which includes a hub cap 30 having an enlarged diameter outer end 31 positionable within a recess in an outer end of the nozzle hub 18 and a smaller diameter open ended tubular section 32 extending into and through the tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16. For releasably retaining the hub cap 30 and nozzle hub 18 on the right angle tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 18, a retaining clip 34 is provided which in this case has a generally U-shaped configuration with a pair of depending legs 34a positioned through respective aligned apertures in an outer annular collar 36 tubular sleeve 28 of the right angle section 21 and into the right angle passage 25 for interaction with grooves or slots 38 (Figs. 2 and ) in opposite sides of the
tubular section 32 of the hub cap 30 for retaining the hub cap 30 in assembled position in the right angle sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16, and hence the nozzle hub 18 in mounted position on the right angle sleeve 28, while permitting relative rotation of the nozzle hub 28.
[0025] The hub cap tubular section 32 has an open upstream end for permitting
communication of cleaning fluid directed through the right angle passage 25 of the rotary housing 16 into the hub cap cylindrical section 32 and through radial openings 40 in the hub cap 30 that are maintained by the retaining clip 34 in aligned relation to radial openings 26 in the tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16.
[0026] The nozzle hub 18 is formed with an internal annular chamber 42 surrounding the tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16 into which liquid passing through the aligned openings 40, 26 is directed and from which liquid is directed outwardly through the nozzles 19 for discharge into a tank to be cleaned. An annular bushing seal 44 is provided between the enlarged cylindrical end 31 of the hub cap 30 and the nozzle hub 18 and a cylindrical bearing seal 45 is provided between the nozzle hub 18 and the right angle section 28 of the rotary housing 16 for sealing the opposite end of the nozzle hub 18 with respect to the tubular sleeve 28 and for facilitating relative rotation of the nozzle hub 18. It will be seen, therefore, that liquid directed into the radial openings 22 of the vertical section 20 of the rotary housing 16 will travel through the right angle passage 25 for direction radially through aligned apertures 40, 26 of the hub cap 30 and right angle tubular sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16 and in turn to and through the nozzles 19 of the nozzle hub 18. The hub cap 30 retains the nozzle hub 18 and the two nozzle bearings 28, 44, while allowing free rotation of the nozzle hub 18 with respect to the rotary housing 16.
[0027] To facilitate drainage of liquid from the internal annular chamber 42 of the nozzle hub 18 following a tank cleaning operation, the internal chamber 42 has a multi contoured internal surface that facilitates the complete drainage of liquid. In this case, the internal chamber 42 is formed with a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced concave surfaces 48 ( Fig. 8) oriented parallel to the horizontal axis of the internal chamber 42 and a plurality of convex surfaces 49 (Fig. 9) oriented in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the internal chamber 42. Such multi-contoured surface configuration enables liquid within the nozzle hub to completely drain from the nozzle hub 18 through relatively small drain holes 50 in the bottom of
of the convex surfaces 49 (Fig. 7) regardless of the orientation of the nozzle hub 18 upon completion of a spraying operation.
[0028] To facilitate cleaning and inspection of the nozzles 19, the nozzles 19 in this case also are removeably supported by the nozzle hub 18 by respective quick disconnect couplings. To that end, the nozzle hub 18 has a pair of outwardly projecting tubular outlets 52 over which the nozzles 19 are respectively positioned and retained by a respective retaining clip 54 positionable through aligned apertures in the tubular outlets 52 and nozzles 19 and retained in surrounding relation to the nozzle 19 (Figs. 3-5). A liquid stabilizing vane 55 in this case is supported within each outlet sleeve 52 for reducing turbulence and stabilizing liquid flow as it is directed to and through the respective nozzles.
[0029] For rotating the rotary housing 16 relative to the stationary housing 11, a stator 60 is mounted within the stationary housing 11 for tangentially directing liquid from the inlet 14 for rotatively driving a downstream rotor 61 coupled to a drive shaft 62 of the rotary housing 16 which is fixed in upstanding relation to the hub 24. The stator 60 is disposed within an upwardly opening counter bore 63 of the cylindrical stationary housing 11 and is held in fixed position by an inner annular lip 65 of the housing cap 12, with an annular sealing bushing 66 is disposed about the upstanding drive shaft 62 within a central opening of the stator 60.
[0030] In keeping with this embodiment, the components of the drive for the rotary housing 16 are adapted for quick disconnect assembly and disassembly, again for facilitating frequent cleaning. To this end, the rotor 61 has a non-circular central opening 70, in this case square, that is positonable over a correspondingly configured hub 71 of the drive shaft 62 such that rotation of the rotor 61 drives the rotary housing 16 about its vertical axis. A thrust bearing 74 preferably made of Teflon in this case in interposed between an upstream side of the rotor 61 and a downstream end of the stator 60.
[0031] For effecting rotation of the nozzle hub 18 with respect to the rotary housing 16 as an incident to rotation of the rotary housing 16, the lower end of the stationary housing 11 and the upstream end of the nozzle hub 18 are formed with respective cooperating bevel gears 78, 79. As the rotary housing 16 is rotated by the direction of liquid through the spray nozzle assembly, as is known in the art, interaction of the bevel gears 78, 79 simultaneously rotates the nozzle hub 18 about the right angle sleeve 28 of the rotary housing 16. To facilitate relative rotation of the
rotary housing 16, an annular bearing 77 is interposed between an annular recess 77a in a lower end of the stationary housing 11 and an upwardly facing ledge of the rotary housing 16.
[0032] In further carrying out this embodiment, the rotary housing 16 is supported in depending relation to the stator 60 by a quick disconnect coupling, which includes an annular shaft retainer 80 disposed about an upper end of the rotary housing drive shaft 62 at a location immediately above the stator 60 and secured thereto by a quick disconnect clip 81, again having a transverse member 82a extending through aligned apertures in the shaft retainer 80 and the drive shaft 62 and a holding portion 81b disposed in surrounding relation to an outer side of the annular shaft retainer 80. The shaft retainer 80 in this case is directly supported on an upper end of the stator bushing 66. Again, it will be seen that by simply removing the retainer clip 81, the rotary housing 16 may be easily withdrawn from the shaft retainer 80 and stator 60 for cleaning.
[0033] To facilitate access to internal components of the spray nozzle assembly for quick disconnect disassembly and cleaning, in further keeping with this embodiment, the stationary housing 11 is secured to the housing cap 12 by a quick disconnect coupling which includes a U- shaped clip 84 having legs 84a that are positionable through aligned apertures in an upper end of the stationary housing 11 and through retention slots 85 in diametrically opposed sides of the retaining cap 12, as depicted in Figs. 2 and 10. With the legs 84a of the retaining clip 84 fixed within an upper end of the housing and disposed within the opposed slots 85 of the retaining cap 12, the retaining cap 12 is securely fixed to an upper end of the stationary housing, yet is easily removable from the stationary housing 11 by withdrawal of the clip 84 for permitting access to the interior of the assembly and disassembly of the other components of the spray nozzle assembly for cleaning. The liquid inlet 14 of the retaining cap 12 in this case also can be secured to the liquid supply line by a quick disconnect clip 88 having a horizontal prong positionable through lined apertures in the upper end of the tubular member and the liquid supply line and a wrap around retaining portion positioned about an retained within a reduced diameter section of the tubular inlet.
[0034] From the foregoing, it can be seen that a rotary tank spray cleaning assembly is provided which is adapted for quick and easy assembly and disassembly for facilitating frequent sanitary cleaning. By removing the clip 34 the nozzle hub 18 and its sealing components are easily removed from the rotary housing. By removal of the clips 88, 84, the nozzle cap 12 is removable from the liquid supply line and the stationary housing 11 is separable from the
housing cap. Removal of the clip 81 enables the internal components of the liquid drive to be removed for cleaning. Since the quick disconnect components are free of threads, they also are easily cleanable and can be used without separate sealing requirements. Hence, disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly of all of the components of the spray nozzle assembly can be effected quickly and by largely untrained personnel. The spray nozzle assembly furthermore is relatively simple in construction and lends itself to economical manufacture. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that in addition to easy disassembly, inspection, and cleaning of component parts of the spray nozzle assembly, the components can be designed such that the spray nozzle assembly is operative for self cleaning and flushing of cleaning fluids and residues within the spray nozzle assembly as an incident to the direction of cleaning fluid through the spray nozzle assembly following a cleaning cycle.
Claims
1. A rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly comprising: a stationary outer housing; a liquid inlet disposed at an upper end of said stationary housing for connection to a liquid supply and for direction of liquid into said stationary housing; a rotary housing disposed below said stationary housing for rotation relative to said stationary housing about a central axis of said stationary housing; a nozzle hub having at least one liquid spray nozzle, said nozzle hub being mounted on said rotary housing for rotation relative to said rotary housing about an axis transverse to the central axis of said stationary housing; a fluid driven drive mechanism including a rotor associated with a drive shaft of said rotary housing for rotating said drive shaft and rotary housing relative to said stationary housing as an incident to the direction of liquid through said stationary housing; said rotary housing and nozzle hub having cooperating gears for rotating said nozzle hub relative to said rotary housing as an incident to rotation of said rotary housing with respect to said stationary housing; and said nozzle hub and rotary housing and said stationary housing and rotary housing each having a respective threadless quick disconnect coupling for enabling disassembly of said rotary housing from said stationary housing and nozzle hub for cleaning and reassembly.
2. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 in which said stationary housing liquid inlet is defined by a housing cap mounted on an upper end of stationary housing, and said stationary housing and housing cap having a threadless quick disconnect coupling for enabling removal and replacement of said housing cap from said stationary housing.
3. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 2 in which said threadless quick disconnect couplings each include a respective removable fastener.
4. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 including a stator fixed within said stationary housing for tangentially directing liquid passing through said housing onto said rotor for rotatably driving said rotor and rotary housing, and said quick disconnect coupling for said rotary housing and stationary housing including a removable shaft retainer disposed above said stator for supporting an upper end of the rotary housing drive shaft.
5. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 4 including a removable fastener for securing said retainer to the upper end of said rotary housing support shaft.
6. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 3 in which said quick disconnect coupling for said nozzle hub and rotary housing includes a clip that is positionable through apertures in said rotary housing and grooves in said nozzle hub for retaining said nozzle hub on said rotary housing in predetermined orientation with respect to each other.
7. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 3 in which said quick disconnect coupling for said liquid inlet cap and stationary housing includes a removable clip positionable through apertures in said stationary housing and retaining grooves in said liquid inlet cap for retaining the liquid inlet cap in operative position on said stationary housing.
8. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 including a stator fixed within said stationary housing for tangentially directing liquid passing through said housing onto said rotor for rotatably driving said rotor, and a quick disconnect coupling between said rotary housing drive shaft and rotor comprising a non-circular configured central opening of said rotor within which a complimentary non-circular hub of said rotary housing drive shaft is removably mounted.
9. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 in which said rotary housing has a one piece elbow configuration including an upstream vertically oriented section and the downstream right angle section, said rotary housing having a right angle passage communicating between said liquid inlet and said at least one spray nozzle, and said quick disconnect coupling for said rotary housing and nozzle hub including an end cap retaining said hub on said right angle section, and a threadless removable fastener for securing said end cap to said rotary housing.
10. A rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly comprising: a stationary outer housing; a liquid inlet disposed at an upper end of said stationary housing for connection to a liquid supply and for direction of liquid into said stationary housing; a rotary housing disposed below said stationary housing for rotation relative to said stationary housing about a central axis of said stationary housing; a nozzle hub having at least one liquid spray nozzle, said nozzle hub being mounted on said rotary housing for rotation relative to said rotary housing about an axis transverse to the central axis of said stationary housing; a fluid driven drive mechanism including a stator fixed within said stationary housing for tangentially directing liquid passing through said housing, a rotor associated with a drive shaft of said rotary housing for rotation as an incident to the tangential direction of liquid from said stator for rotating said drive shaft and rotary housing relative to said stationary housing; said rotary housing and nozzle hub having cooperating gears for rotating said nozzle hub relative to said rotary housing as an incident to rotation of said rotary housing with respect to said stationary housing; and said rotary housing drive shaft extending upwardly through said stator, a removal retainer coupled to an upper end of said rotary housing drive shaft for supporting said rotary housing in depending relation to said stator and stationary housing while permitting relative rotation of said rotary housing drive shaft and rotary housing, and said retainer being removable from said rotary housing drive shaft to permit removal of said rotary housing from said stationary housing.
11. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 10 including a threadless removable fastener for releasably securing said retainer to an upper end of said rotary housing drive shaft.
12. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 11 including a bushing supported centrally within said stator through which the upper end of said rotary housing drive shaft extends for relative rotation.
13. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 11 in which said nozzle hub and rotary housing have a threadless quick disconnect coupling including a removable fastener for enabling disassembly of said nozzle hub from said stationary housing and nozzle hub for cleaning and reassembly.
14. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 13 in which said stationary housing liquid inlet is defined by a housing cap mounted on an upper end of stationary housing, and said stationary housing and housing cap having a threadless quick disconnect coupling including a removable fastener for enabling removal and replacement of said housing cap from said stationary housing.
15. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 11 in which said rotary housing has a one piece elbow configuration including an upstream vertically oriented section and the downstream right angle section, said rotary housing having a right angle passage communicating between said liquid inlet and said at least one spray nozzle, and said quick disconnect coupling for said rotary housing and nozzle hub including an end cap retaining said hub on said right angle section, and a threadless removable fastener for securing said end cap to said right angle section of said rotary housing.
16. A rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly comprising: a stationary outer housing; a liquid inlet disposed at an upper end of said stationary housing for connection to a liquid supply and for direction of liquid into said stationary housing; a rotary housing disposed below said stationary housing for rotation relative to said stationary housing about a central axis of said stationary housing;
a nozzle hub having a plurality of liquid spray nozzles, said nozzle hub being mounted on said rotary housing for rotation relative to said rotary housing about a rotary axis transverse to the central axis of said stationary housing; a fluid driven drive mechanism including a stator fixed within said stationary housing for tangentially directing liquid passing through said housing, a rotor coupled to a drive shaft of said rotary housing for rotation incident to the tangential direction of liquid from said stator for rotating said drive shaft and rotary housing relative to said stationary housing; said rotary housing and nozzle hub having cooperating gears for rotating said nozzle hub relative to said rotary housing as an incident to rotation of said rotary housing with respect to said stationary housing; said rotary housing having a one piece elbow configuration including an upstanding vertically oriented section and a downstream right angle section; said nozzle hub defining an internal annular chamber about said right angle section of said rotary housing communicating with said spray nozzles; said rotary housing having a right angle passage communicating between said liquid inlet and said annular passage of said nozzle hub; and said annular chamber of said nozzle hub having a multi-contoured inner surface that facilitates complete drainage of liquid from said hub upon completion of a spraying operation, said multi-contoured inner surface comprising a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced concave surfaces oriented parallel to the rotary axis of said hub and a plurality of convex surfaces oriented in a plane transverse to the rotary axis of said nozzle hub.
17. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 16 in which the multi- contoured internal surface of said internal chamber of said hub includes drain holes in the bottom of the convex surfaces for facilitating drainage of liquid within the hub regardless of the orientation of the hub upon completion of a spraying operation.
18. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 17 in which said spray nozzles each have a threadless quick disconnect coupling to said nozzle hub.
19. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 17 in which said nozzle hub has a threadless quick disconnect coupling on said rotary housing.
20. The rotary tank cleaning spray nozzle assembly of claim 19 in which said rotary housing has a one piece elbow configuration including an upstream vertically oriented section and the downstream right angle section, said rotary housing having a right angle passage communicating between said liquid inlet and said at least one spray nozzle, and said quick disconnect coupling for said rotary housing and nozzle hub including an end cap retaining said hub on said right angle section, and a threadless removable fastener for securing said end cap to said right angle section of said rotary housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US201562160685P | 2015-05-13 | 2015-05-13 | |
| US62/160,685 | 2015-05-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2016183404A1 true WO2016183404A1 (en) | 2016-11-17 |
Family
ID=57248660
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2016/032263 WO2016183404A1 (en) | 2015-05-13 | 2016-05-13 | Sanitary rotary tank cleaning apparatus |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AR (1) | AR104682A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2016183404A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017079469A1 (en) * | 2015-11-03 | 2017-05-11 | Spraying Systems Co. | Sanitary rotary tank cleaning apparatus |
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| US5169069A (en) * | 1989-02-21 | 1992-12-08 | Sybron Chemicals, Inc. | Fluid driven tank cleaning apparatus |
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| US6494495B1 (en) * | 2000-09-18 | 2002-12-17 | John D. McKnight | Locked connection |
| US20040226170A1 (en) * | 2001-08-15 | 2004-11-18 | Prucher Bryan P. | Input pinion and method of manufacturing an input pinion |
| US6921114B1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2005-07-26 | Arnco Corporation | Coupler for conduits |
| US20090293242A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2009-12-03 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Clip for pin retention |
| US20130106097A1 (en) * | 2011-10-26 | 2013-05-02 | Kil Jae KIM | Structure for fastening outlet module of water purifier |
| WO2015063320A1 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-07 | Alfa Laval Corporate Ab | Rotary impingement cleaning apparatus with replaceable cartridge gear train |
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- 2016-05-12 AR ARP160101391A patent/AR104682A1/en unknown
- 2016-05-13 WO PCT/US2016/032263 patent/WO2016183404A1/en active Application Filing
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4186946A (en) * | 1977-05-13 | 1980-02-05 | Eaton Corporation | Rotatable hose or tube coupling |
| US5009017A (en) * | 1987-01-20 | 1991-04-23 | Caterpillar Inc. | Retaining pin having a positive keeper means |
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| US20040226170A1 (en) * | 2001-08-15 | 2004-11-18 | Prucher Bryan P. | Input pinion and method of manufacturing an input pinion |
| US6921114B1 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2005-07-26 | Arnco Corporation | Coupler for conduits |
| US20090293242A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2009-12-03 | Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. | Clip for pin retention |
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| WO2015063320A1 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2015-05-07 | Alfa Laval Corporate Ab | Rotary impingement cleaning apparatus with replaceable cartridge gear train |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017079469A1 (en) * | 2015-11-03 | 2017-05-11 | Spraying Systems Co. | Sanitary rotary tank cleaning apparatus |
| US10105740B2 (en) | 2015-11-03 | 2018-10-23 | Spraying Systems Co. | Sanitary rotary tank cleaning apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AR104682A1 (en) | 2017-08-09 |
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