Fluid oscillator with feedback and pulsating shower head employing same

Claim 2

A fluid oscillator for producing pulsations in a flow of fluid comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure and a fluid outlet channel for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternately to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid outlet channel; c. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel, a valve outlet communicating with the fluid outlet channel and means to bias the valve means toward a closed position, the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; d. the fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressUre in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in the field outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open; e. the housing defining a feedback channel communicating with valve means and with the fluid flowing through the housing, so that a variation in the fluid supply pressure tending to vary the position of the valve means causes a corresponding variation in pressure in the feedback channel tending to substantially offset any variation in the position of the valve means; and f. the valve means including separating means defining a valve chamber adjacent to the feedback channel, the separating means being positioned so that fluid entering the feedback channel is prevented by the separating means from entering said valve chamber.

Claim 3

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the valve means further includes a valve seat located between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, and a diaphragm located adjacent to the valve inlet and between the valve seat and said valve chamber; the diaphragm being movable so that when the valve means is in the open position the diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat to permit fluid flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, and so that when the valve means is in the closed position the diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat to prevent fluid flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet.

Claim 4

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the diaphragm is a first diaphragm and wherein the separating means comprises a second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm; said valve chamber being located between the first and second diaphragms; and wherein the feedback channel includes a feedback chamber located adjacent to the second diaphragm.

Claim 5

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the feedback channel communicates with the fluid outlet channel.

Claim 6

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the feedback channel communicates with the fluid inlet channel, and wherein the surface area of the first diaphragm exposed to the fluid in the valve inlet is larger than the surface area of the second diaphragm exposed to the feedback chamber.

Claim 7

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fluid outlet channel is a first fluid outlet channel, and wherein the housing further defines a second fluid outlet channel communicating with the fluid inlet channel upstream of the valve means so that the fluid flowing through said first fluid outlet channel with the valve means open is diverted to the second fluid outlet channel when the valve means is closed.

Claim 8

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the diaphragm is a first diaphragm and wherein the separating means comprises a second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm; said valve chamber being located between the first and second diaphragms; and wherein the feedback channel includes a feedback channel located adjacent to the second diaphragm.

Claim 9

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 7 wherein said bias means comprises a spring located in the housing to apply a force on the valve means.

Claim 10

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 8 wherein the spring exerts a force on the second diaphragm, and further comprising means for adjusting said bias means.

Claim 11

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 9 wherein the feedback channel communicates with the first fluid outlet channel.

Claim 12

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 10 wherein the fluid inlet channel is shaped to form a fluid ejector at the connection with the second fluid outlet channel.

Claim 13

A fluid oscillator for producing pulsations in a flow of fluid comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure and a fluid outlet channel for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternatively to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid outlet channel; c. the housing defining a feedback chamber in the fluid outlet channel adjacent to the valve means; d. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel; a valve outlet communicating with the fluid outlet channel, a valve seat positioned between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a pair of diaphragms spaced apart to define a valve chamber therebetween, a first one of said diaphragms being positioned across the valve seat and movable so that when the the valve means opens the first diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat so that fluid is permitted to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and so that when the valve means is in a closed position the first diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat so that the fluid is prevented from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, a second one of the diaphragms being positioned adjacent to said feedback chamber so that the surface area of the second diaphragm exposed to the fluid is larger than the surface area of the first diaphragm exposed to the fluid; e. the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; and f. the fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressure in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in the fluid outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open.

Claim 14

A fluid oscillator for producing pulsations in a flow of fluid comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure and a fluid outlet channel for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternatively to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid outlet channel; c. the housing defining a feedback chamber in the fluid outlet channel adjacent to the valve means; d. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel; a valve outlet communicating with the fluid outlet channel, a valve seat positioned between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a pair of diaphragms spaced apart to define a valve chamber therebetween, a first one of said diaphragms being positioned across the valve seat and movable so that when the the valve means opens the first diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat so that fluid is permitted to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and so that when the valve means is in a closed position the first diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat so that the fluid is prevented from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, a second one of the diaphragms being positioned adjacent to said feedback chamber so that the surface area of the second diaphragm exposed to the fluid is larger than the surface area of the first diaphragm exposed to the fluid; e. the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; and f. the fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressure in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in the fluid outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open.

Claim 15

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the fluid outlet channel is a first fluid outlet channel, and wherein the housing further defines a second fluid outlet channel communicating with the fluid inlet channel upstream of the valve means so that fluid flowing through the first fluid outlet channel with the valve means open is diverted to the second fluid outlet channel when the valve means is closed.

Claim 16

A fluid oscillator as claimed in claim 13 wherein the fluid inlet channel is shaped to form a fluid ejector at the connection with the second fluid outlet channel.

Claim 17

A pulsating shower head comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure and a fluid outlet channel for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternatively to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid outlet channel; c. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel, a valve outlet communicating with the fluid outlet channel and means to bias the valve means toward a closed position, the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; d. the fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressure in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in the fluid outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially Dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open; e. the housing defining a feedback channel communicating with valve means and with the fluid flowing through the housing, so that a variation in the fluid supply pressure tending to vary the position of the valve means causes a corresponding variation in pressure in the feedback channel tending to substantially offset any variation in the position of the valve means; f. the valve means including a valve seat located between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a first diaphragm located adjacent to the valve inlet and the valve seat, the first diaphragm being movable so that when the valve means is open the first diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat and when the valve means is closed the first diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat, and a second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm to define a valve chamber therebetween; g. the feedback channel including a feedback chamber located adjacent to the second diaphragm; and h. the housing defining a plurality of orifices in the fluid outlet channel to form a plurality of shower jets when fluid flows through the fluid outlet channel.

Claim 18

A pulsating shower head comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure and a fluid outlet channel for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternatively to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through the fluid outlet channel; c. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel, a valve outlet communicating with the fluid outlet channel and means to bias the valve means toward a closed position, the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; d. the fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressure in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in the fluid outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially Dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open; e. the housing defining a feedback channel communicating with valve means and with the fluid flowing through the housing, so that a variation in the fluid supply pressure tending to vary the position of the valve means causes a corresponding variation in pressure in the feedback channel tending to substantially offset any variation in the position of the valve means; f. the valve means including a valve seat located between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a first diaphragm located adjacent to the valve inlet and the valve seat, the first diaphragm being movable so that when the valve means is open the first diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat and when the valve means is closed the first diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat, and a second diaphragm spaced from the first diaphragm to define a valve chamber therebetween; g. the feedback channel including a feedback chamber located adjacent to the second diaphragm; and h. the housing defining a plurality of orifices in the fluid outlet channel to form a plurality of shower jets when fluid flows through the fluid outlet channel.

Claim 19

A pulsating shower head as claimed in claim 15 wherein the feedback channel communicates with the fluid outlet channel.

Claim 20

A pulsating shower head as claimed in claim 15 wherein the fluid outlet channel is a first fluid outlet channel, and wherein the housing further defines a second fluid outlet channel communicating with the fluid inlet channel upstream of the valve means so that fluid flowing through the first fluid outlet channel with the valve means open is diverted to the second fluid outlet channel when the valve means is closed.

Claim 21

A pulsating shower head as claimed in claim 15 wherein the feedback channel communicates with the fluid inlet channel, and wherein the surface area of the first diaphragm exposed to the fluid in the valve inlet is larger than the surface area of the second diaphragm exposed to the feedback chamber.

Claim 22

A pulsating shower head comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure, and first and second fluid outlet channels for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the first fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the first fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternately to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through said first fluid outlet channel; c. the second fluid outlet channel being connected to communicate with the fluid inlet channel upstream of the valve means so that fluid flowing through the first fluid outlet channel with the valve means open is diverted to the second fluid outlet channel when the valve means is closed; d. the housing defining a feedback chamber in the first fluid outlet channel adjacent to the valve means; e. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel, a valve outlet communicating with the first fluid outlet channel, a valve seat positioned between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a pair of diaphragms spaced apart to define a valve chamber therebetween, a first one of said diaphragms being positioned across the valve seat and movable so that when the valve means opens said first diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat so that fluid is permitted to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and so that when the valve means is in a closed position said first diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat so that fluid is prevented from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, and a second one of said diaphragms being positioned adjacent to said feedback chamber so that the surface area is larger than the surface area of the first diaphRagm exposed to the fluid; f. the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; g. the first fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressure in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in said first fluid outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open; and h. the housing defining a plurality of orifices in the first and second fluid outlet channels to form a plurality of shower jets when fluid flows through the first and second outlet channels.

Claim 23

A pulsating shower head comprising: a. a housing defining a fluid inlet channel adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid under pressure, and first and second fluid outlet channels for flow of fluid through the housing; b. valve means positioned between the fluid inlet channel and the first fluid outlet channel for controlling the flow of fluid between the fluid inlet channel and the first fluid outlet channel, the valve means being operable by fluid pressure alternately to open and to close and thereby respectively to permit and to prevent fluid from flowing through said first fluid outlet channel; c. the second fluid outlet channel being connected to communicate with the fluid inlet channel upstream of the valve means so that fluid flowing through the first fluid outlet channel with the valve means open is diverted to the second fluid outlet channel when the valve means is closed; d. the housing defining a feedback chamber in the first fluid outlet channel adjacent to the valve means; e. the valve means including a valve inlet communicating with the fluid inlet channel, a valve outlet communicating with the first fluid outlet channel, a valve seat positioned between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a pair of diaphragms spaced apart to define a valve chamber therebetween, a first one of said diaphragms being positioned across the valve seat and movable so that when the valve means opens said first diaphragm is spaced from the valve seat so that fluid is permitted to flow from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and so that when the valve means is in a closed position said first diaphragm is positioned against the valve seat so that fluid is prevented from flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet, and a second one of said diaphragms being positioned adjacent to said feedback chamber so that the surface area is larger than the surface area of the first diaphRagm exposed to the fluid; f. the valve means being operable to open to an open position upon applying fluid pressure to the valve inlet and further urged toward a closed position when in the open position by a reduction in fluid pressure at the valve outlet; g. the first fluid outlet channel being dimensioned to produce a reduction in pressure in the fluid flowing therethrough after the valve means reaches the open position and also a partial vacuum in said first fluid outlet channel when the valve means reaches the closed position, the partial vacuum substantially dissipating after the valve means has reached the closed position resulting in the valve means again commencing to open; and h. the housing defining a plurality of orifices in the first and second fluid outlet channels to form a plurality of shower jets when fluid flows through the first and second outlet channels.