Constant pressure nozzle discharge mechanism

Claim 1

In a pressure-control baffle for a liquid discharge nozzle, the combination of a hollow baffle cylinder disposed in the path of pressurized liquid flow and defining an adjustable discharge orifice, a piston assembly operatively mounted in said cylinder and secured to the nozzle to support said cylinder for dischargecontrol movement relatively thereto, said piston assembly sealing said cylinder against discharge of fluid therethrough, an effective pressure-responsive area defined by the diametrical surface of the wall of said cylinder and exerting a variable pressure-induced force thereon to displace said cylinder into orifice-enlarging position, a tubular, resilient pressurereaction element stressed between said cylinder and said piston assembly and transversely deformable to yieldably oppose said displacement with a substantially uniform counter-force of predetermined value for regulating the position of said cylinder and the size of said discharge orifice to establish equilibrium between said force and said counter-force, and means for maintaining an equalized hydraulic pressure on opposite sides of the tubular wall of said pressure-reaction element whereby said element is energized solely in response to displacement of said cylinder.