Patent US2278092A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4151955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oscillating spray device
Assignee: FLUID EFFECTS Corp
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Filing: 1977-10-25
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1997-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A fluid dispersal device utilizes the Karman Vortex street phenomenon to cyclically oscillate a fluid stream before issuing the stream in a desired flow pattern. A chamber includes an inlet and outlet with an obstacle or island disposed therebetween to establish the vortex street. The vortex street causes the stream to be cyclically swept transversely of its flow direction in a manner largely determined by the size and shape of the obstacle relative to the inlet and outlet, the spacing between the obstacle and the outlet, the outlet area, and the Reynolds number of the stream. Depending on these factors, the flow pattern of the stream issued from the outlet may be either: a swept jet, residing wholly in the plane of the device and which breaks up into droplets solely as a result of the cyclic sweeping, the resulting spray pattern forming a line when impinging on a target; or a swept sheet, the sheet being normal to the plane of the device and being swept in the plane of the device, the resulting pattern containing smaller droplets than the swept jet pattern and covering a two-dimensional area when impinging upon a target.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald D. Stouffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:00
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B1/00; B05B1/02; B05B1/08; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2229; Y10T137/2234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A fluid oscillator device, comprising: a body member having a chamber therein, said chamber having a fluid inlet for receiving fluid under pressure and admitting it into said chamber and a fluid outlet for issuing pressurized fluid from said chamber into an ambient environment, said inlet and outlet defining a flow path therebetween for flow of fluid through said chamber; and oscillation-inducing means for causing the fluid issued from said outlet to cyclically sweep back and forth, said oscillation-inducing means comprising surface means disposed in said flow path and responsive to fluid from said inlet impinging thereon for establishing alternating vortices in said fluid at side-by-side locations downstream of said surface means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A fluid oscillator device, comprising: a body member having a chamber therein, said chamber having a fluid inlet for receiving fluid under pressure and admitting it into said chamber and a fluid outlet for issuing pressurized fluid from said chamber into an ambient environment, said inlet and outlet defining a flow path therebetween for flow of fluid through said chamber; and oscillation-inducing means for causing the fluid issued from said outlet to cyclically sweep back and forth, said oscillation-inducing means comprising surface means disposed in said flow path and responsive to fluid from said inlet impinging thereon for establishing alternating vortices in said fluid at side-by-side locations downstream of said surface means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said oscillation-inducing means includes means for forming said issued fluid into a sheet which is in a plane normal to the sweeping direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said oscillation-inducing means comprises means for forming said issued fluid into a jet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said oscillation-inducing means comprises adjustable means for selectively reconfiguring said device into at least two configurations, a first of said configurations including means for forming said issued fluid into a jet, a second of said configurations including means for forming said issued fluid into a sheet residing in a plane normal to the sweeping direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 4 further comprising means for selectively terminating said sweeping of said fluid and issuing a non-oscillating jet from said outlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 4 wherein said adjustable means includes means for selectively configuring said device into a third configuration including means for forming said issued fluid into a combined flow pattern including a swept jet and swept sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said chamber, in the plane of fluid flow, includes sidewalls, and wherein said surface means comprises an obstruction member disposed in said chamber between said inlet and outlet and spaced from said sidewalls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein said obstruction member has a flat surface facing in an upstream direction toward said inlet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein in the plane of flow in said chamber, said obstruction member has a cross-section of generally triangular shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device according to claim 7 further comprising means for selectively rotating said obstruction member about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of flow in said chamber to face different portions of the periphery of said obstruction member in an upstream direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 7 further comprising means for selectively changing the size of said outlet to vary the flow pattern produced by the fluid issued therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 7 further comprising a second obstruction member disposed in said chamber downstream from said first-mentioned obstruction member and in a position to be impinged upon by flow which passes said first-mentioned obstruction member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device according to claim 7 further comprising means for selectively changing the distance between the said outlet and the upstream-most portion of said obstruction member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein the height of said chamber is smaller at said outlet than upstream of said obstruction member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device according to claim 7, further comprising a control member rotatably mounted on said device and having an opening therein disposed flush against and in alignment with said outlet, said opening being sized so as to restrict said outlet more for some rotational positions than for others.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein said obstruction member has a triangular cross-section in the flow plane of said device, said triangular cross-section having a first side facing upstream and an opposite vertex pointing toward said outlet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 7 wherein said obstruction member has a rectangular cross-section in the flow plane of said device, said rectangular cross-section having long sides facing upstream and downstream, respectively, and shorter sides facing the chamber sidewalls.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said surface means is a flat surface disposed perpendicular to the direction of flow along said flow path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 18 further comprising control means for selectively repositioning said surface means in said chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said body member is formed as a single piece.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and issuing same in a cyclically swept pattern, comprising: a chamber defined between a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side walls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; at least one inlet opening defined through at least one of said top, bottom or side walls or said upstream end; an outlet opening defined in said downstream end; said inlet opening being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and admit same into said chamber, said outlet opening being adapted to issue fluid under pressure from said chamber into the ambient environment; and oscillation-inducing means for cyclically sweeping the flow issued from said outlet opening back and forth in the dimension between said sidewalls, said oscillation-inducing means comprising an island member located in said chamber, extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said sidewalls, said island member being positioned such that flow through said chamber from said inlet opening to said outlet opening must pass around both sides of said island member, said island member having upstream-facing surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides of said chamber immediately downstream of said surface means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and issuing same in a cyclically swept pattern, comprising: a chamber defined between a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side walls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; at least one inlet opening defined through at least one of said top, bottom or side walls or said upstream end; an outlet opening defined in said downstream end; said inlet opening being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and admit same into said chamber, said outlet opening being adapted to issue fluid under pressure from said chamber into the ambient environment; and oscillation-inducing means for cyclically sweeping the flow issued from said outlet opening back and forth in the dimension between said sidewalls, said oscillation-inducing means comprising an island member located in said chamber, extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said sidewalls, said island member being positioned such that flow through said chamber from said inlet opening to said outlet opening must pass around both sides of said island member, said island member having upstream-facing surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides of said chamber immediately downstream of said surface means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 21 wherein said island member has a generally triangular cross-section in a plane parallel to said top and bottom walls, said triangular cross-section having one side facing upstream and corresponding to said surface means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 21 wherein said island member has a generally elliptic cross-section in a plane parallel to said top and bottom walls.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 21 wherein said island member has a generally rectangular cross-section in a plane parallel to said top and bottom walls.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 21 wherein said island member has a generally circular cross-section in a plane parallel to said top and bottom walls.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device according to claim 21 further comprising manually-controlled mode control means for alternatively forcing first and second operating modes for said device, said first operating mode being such that a swept fluid jet is issued from said outlet opening, said second mode being such that a swept fluid sheet is issued from said outlet opening.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 26 wherein said control means comprises means for selectively restricting the area of said outlet opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 26 wherein said control means comprises means for selectively changing the distance between said surface means and the downstream end of said outlet opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 26 wherein said control means comprises means for selectively repositioning said island member in said chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 21 wherein said top and bottom walls, said sidewalls, and said upstream and downstream ends are all formed in a single piece of plastic material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 21 further comprising a second island member positioned between said first-mentioned island member and said outlet opening.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
204 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and issuing same in a cyclically swept pattern, comprising: a chamber defined between a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side walls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; an inlet opening defined through at least one of said top, bottom or side walls or said upstream end; an outlet opening defined in said downstream end; said inlet opening being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and direct a jet thereof into said chamber, said outlet opening being adapted to issue said jet from said chamber into the ambient environment; means for cyclically deflecting said jet back and forth in said chamber in a direction transverse to the flow direction of said jet, said means operating upon said jet at a point in said chamber proximate the upstream end; and an island member located in said chamber, extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said sidewalls, said island member being positioned such that said cyclically deflected jet must pass around both sides of said island member, said island member having upstream-facing surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides of said chamber immediately downstream of said surface means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
204 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and issuing same in a cyclically swept pattern, comprising: a chamber defined between a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side walls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; an inlet opening defined through at least one of said top, bottom or side walls or said upstream end; an outlet opening defined in said downstream end; said inlet opening being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and direct a jet thereof into said chamber, said outlet opening being adapted to issue said jet from said chamber into the ambient environment; means for cyclically deflecting said jet back and forth in said chamber in a direction transverse to the flow direction of said jet, said means operating upon said jet at a point in said chamber proximate the upstream end; and an island member located in said chamber, extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said sidewalls, said island member being positioned such that said cyclically deflected jet must pass around both sides of said island member, said island member having upstream-facing surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides of said chamber immediately downstream of said surface means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 32 wherein said island member has a circular cross-section in a plane parallel to said top and bottom walls.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 32 wherein said island member has a triangular cross-section in a plane parallel to said top and bottom walls.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device according to claim 32 wherein said means for cyclically deflecting comprises control means, including a pair of opposed control ports opening into said chamber through said side walls proximate said upstream end of said chamber, for cyclically varying the pressure differential across said jet.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 35 wherein said control means includes feedback passages, one connected to each control port, for connecting said control ports to downstream regions of said device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 36 further comprising: means for selectively restricting said outlet opening; and means for selectively interconnecting said feedback passages to inhibit said means for cyclically deflecting.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device according to claim 37 wherein said means for selectively restricting and said means for selectively interconnecting are part of a common member which is manually movable relative to said chamber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 35 wherein said control means includes a source of alternating pressure differential connected to said control ports.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 32 wherein said means for cyclically deflecting comprises a further island member disposed upstream of said first-mentioned island member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 32 further comprising means for selectively restricting said outlet opening.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for spraying fluid, comprising: a body member having a chamber defined therein, said chamber having inlet and outlet openings; means for applying fluid under pressure to said inlet opening; and sweep means in said chamber for causing fluid to issue from said chamber in the form of a sheet which is cyclically swept back and forth in a direction transverse to the flow direction of said sheet, whereby said swept sheet breaks up into small particles which are dispersed over a two-dimensional area when impinging upon a target disposed in the flow path of said swept sheet.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
99 words
A device for spraying fluid, comprising: a body member having a chamber defined therein, said chamber having inlet and outlet openings; means for applying fluid under pressure to said inlet opening; and sweep means in said chamber for causing fluid to issue from said chamber in the form of a sheet which is cyclically swept back and forth in a direction transverse to the flow direction of said sheet, whereby said swept sheet breaks up into small particles which are dispersed over a two-dimensional area when impinging upon a target disposed in the flow path of said swept sheet.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device according to claim 42 wherein said sweep means comprises a further member disposed in said chamber so as to be impinged upon by flow between said inlet and outlet openings, said further member having surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides thereof when impinged upon by said flow.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device according to claim 43 wherein said further member has a triangular cross-section in a plane parallel to the sweeping direction, and wherein said surface means corresponds to one side of said triangular cross-section which is oriented to face upstream in said chamber.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 43 wherein said further member has a continuously curved cross-section in a plane parallel to the sweeping direction.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 42 further comprising manually-operated control means for modifying said sweep means to convert outflow from said body member to a swept jet.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 42 wherein said body member is a one-piece unit.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of spraying fluid comprising the steps of: introducing fluid under pressure into a chamber; flowing introduced fluid through said chamber toward an outlet opening; establishing a vortex street in said flowing fluid in said chamber to cause said flowing fluid to sweep back and forth; and issuing the sweeping flow from said outlet opening into the ambient environment.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of spraying fluid comprising the steps of: introducing fluid under pressure into a chamber; flowing introduced fluid through said chamber toward an outlet opening; establishing a vortex street in said flowing fluid in said chamber to cause said flowing fluid to sweep back and forth; and issuing the sweeping flow from said outlet opening into the ambient environment.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 48 wherein the sweeping flow issued from said outlet opening is a swept jet of fluid.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 48 wherein the sweeping flow issued from said outlet opening is a swept sheet of fluid.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for spraying fluid comprising: a body member made of a single piece of injection molded plastic material; a chamber defined in said body member, said chamber having inlet and outlet openings; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said inlet opening; said outlet opening being positioned to issue pressurized fluid from said chamber into the ambient environment; and means in said chamber, forming part of said body member, for forming a cyclically swept flow pattern in said chamber, which flow pattern is issued from said outlet opening.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for spraying fluid comprising: a body member made of a single piece of injection molded plastic material; a chamber defined in said body member, said chamber having inlet and outlet openings; means for supplying pressurized fluid to said inlet opening; said outlet opening being positioned to issue pressurized fluid from said chamber into the ambient environment; and means in said chamber, forming part of said body member, for forming a cyclically swept flow pattern in said chamber, which flow pattern is issued from said outlet opening.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and dispersing that fluid in a cyclically swept flow pattern, said device comprising: a body member; a chamber defined in said body member, said chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two opposed sidewalls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; an inlet opening into said chamber, said inlet being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and admit it into said chamber; an outlet opening defined through the downstream end of said chamber for issuing fluid under pressure from said chamber into the ambient environment; and oscillation-inducing means in said chamber for causing fluid flowing through said chamber to issue from said outlet opening in a cyclically sweeping flow pattern, said oscillation-inducing means comprising a body having surface means disposed between said inlet and said outlet opening to create a cavitation region downstream of the surface means in which vortices of alternating clockwise and counterclockwise flow directions are formed and travel along with the flow.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and dispersing that fluid in a cyclically swept flow pattern, said device comprising: a body member; a chamber defined in said body member, said chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two opposed sidewalls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; an inlet opening into said chamber, said inlet being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and admit it into said chamber; an outlet opening defined through the downstream end of said chamber for issuing fluid under pressure from said chamber into the ambient environment; and oscillation-inducing means in said chamber for causing fluid flowing through said chamber to issue from said outlet opening in a cyclically sweeping flow pattern, said oscillation-inducing means comprising a body having surface means disposed between said inlet and said outlet opening to create a cavitation region downstream of the surface means in which vortices of alternating clockwise and counterclockwise flow directions are formed and travel along with the flow.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device according to claim 52 wherein: said body member comprises a further member projecting from said upstream end and tapering toward said downstream end; said inlet opening means comprises at least one inlet for said pressurized fluid located at each side of said further member; and said cavitation region being located immediately downstream of said further member at the general area of confluence of flows from said inlets.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 52 wherein said body member comprises a further member projecting into said chamber from one of said sidewalls.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
74 words
The device according to claim 54 wherein said further member includes a surface disposed substantially perpendicular to flow through said chamber and terminated in a sharp edge, said further member tapering gradually back to said one of said sidewalls in a downstream direction from said sharp edge; and wherein said cavitation region is located in the space downstream of said sharp edge wherein said further member gradually tapers toward said one of said sidewalls.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 55 further comprising flow restrictor means disposed in said chamber downstream of said further member.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 56 wherein said flow restrictor means comprises a projection extending inwardly into said chamber from the other of said sidewalls.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and issuing same in a fan-shaped spray pattern, comprising: a chamber defined between a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side walls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; an inlet opening defined through at least one of said top, bottom, or side walls or said upstream end; an outlet opening defined in said downstream end; said inlet opening being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and direct a jet thereof into said chamber, said outlet opening being adapted to issue said jet from said chamber into the ambient environment; and an island member located in said chamber, extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said sidewalls, said island member being positioned such that said jet must pass around both sides of said island member, said island member having upstream-facing surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides of said chamber immediately downstream of said surface means.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
163 words
A device for receiving pressurized fluid and issuing same in a fan-shaped spray pattern, comprising: a chamber defined between a top wall, a bottom wall, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side walls extending between said upstream and downstream ends; an inlet opening defined through at least one of said top, bottom, or side walls or said upstream end; an outlet opening defined in said downstream end; said inlet opening being adapted to receive pressurized fluid and direct a jet thereof into said chamber, said outlet opening being adapted to issue said jet from said chamber into the ambient environment; and an island member located in said chamber, extending between said top and bottom walls and spaced from said sidewalls, said island member being positioned such that said jet must pass around both sides of said island member, said island member having upstream-facing surface means for alternately shedding vortices on opposite sides of said chamber immediately downstream of said surface means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |