Sewer Cleaning Chemical Dispensing Nozzles

Abstract

The two stage sewer cleaning chemical dispensing nozzle particularly adapted for utilization in dispensing root fumigant. The nozzle incorporates an internal spring loaded pressure responsive valve for selectively activating rearward or forward jets as desired for propulsion, cleaning, or chemical fumigant dispensing.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 36,901, filed May 13, 1970, and co-pending herewith.

Description

The nozzles of this invention are specifically designed and adapted for utilization with the equipment combination described in detail and claimed in the aforesaid co-pending application. Ser. No. 36,901 filed May 13, 1970.

Sewer cleaning nozzles are old to the art. Heretofore no nozzle has been specifically designed with an internal pressure responsive valve to vary the adaptability or utilization between sewer cleaning or propulsion of the nozzles carrying the hose and chemical dispensing. All three of the nozzles of this application are adapted to be secured to a high pressure hose and jet propelled through a sewer line. Each incorporates a nozzle body into which is constructed a spring loaded pressure responsive valve. The design is such that predetermined pressure variations of the fluid operates a valve which selects the desired jets through which the fluid is ejected. Summarily speaking high pressure overcomes spring loading and activates propulsion jets to the rear while low pressure permits seating of the valve ejection of the fluid through the forward jets which is particularly suited for dispensing chemical root fumigants as the high pressure hose is withdrawn at a predetermined rate in accordance with the teaching of my copending application Ser. No. 36,901.

For a detailed description of the construction of these specialized nozzles, reference is made to the attached several views wherein like reference numbers will be used to refer to identical or equivalent components throughout the several views and the detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a planned view partially in section and fragmented of a species of the nozzle incorporating a pressure responsive needle valve.

FIG. 2 is a planned view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 illustrating a modified jetting structure in the rear portion of the nozzle.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken substantially on line 3--3 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken substantially on line 4--4 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a planned view partially sectionalized and fragmented of a second species of the nozzles employing a hollow shaft ported pressure responsive slide valve.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third species of the pressure responsive spring loaded slide valve nozzles which is particularly compact in structure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the nozzle of FIG. 6 illustrating the components of the device.

For a detailed description of the construction of this series of nozzles and their use, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 7 which illustrate various two stage cleaning and chemical dispensing nozzles. These nozzles 10 are constructed with a nozzle body 11. The rear section 12 of the body 11 is connected to a reel mounted hose (not shown) by a conventional screw connector 13, which is constructed with an internal conduit 14. The rear section 12 may be constructed with propulsion jets 15 FIG. 4 or chemical dispensing jets 16 FIG. 3 communicating with the internal conduit 14. These jets 14 and 15 are preferably constructed of removable drilled and threaded pipe plugs or allen set screws. The forward section 17 of body 11 includes a body cavity 18 into which is positioned a needle valve 19 which is normally held in a closed position by spring 20 against seat 21. This needle valve 19 is constructed with a flared shoulder 22 to present an increased area to the fluid in the body cavity 18 under certain operating conditions. For convenience of assembly, the body cavity 18 is enclosed at the forward end by a threaded body plug 23 which includes a breather hole 24. This type of nozzle 10 may be constructed with a one piece nozzle body 11 as shown in FIG. 1 or a two piece body portion 11 may be employed utilizing conventional connecting means. Sectionalized construction of FIG. 2 permits wide flexibility of use such as jetting the rear section 12 with propulsion jets 15 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The nozzles illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 particularly adapted for utilization in a dead end sewer line.

Another specialized nozzle has been developed in the course of perfecting the invention. This nozzle may be utilized for cleaning as well as dispensing the root killing chemicals. The embodiment of FIG. 5 comprises a nozzle 10 having a body portion 11 which is substantially an integral structure. The nozzle 10 includes a screw connector 13 for attaching the device to a high pressure hose. For adjustment and ease of assembly, this specialized nozzle 10 includes a cap screw 25. The body 11 has an elongated internal conduit 14 and body cavity 18. However, a much modified, three-way sliding valve 26 is utilized in a similar spring 20 loaded manner to needle valve 19 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. This nozzle 10 has constructed in its rear section 12 both forward 27 and rearward jets 28. These jets may be utilized in this configuration in a dual capacity of propulsion jets 15 or chemical dispensing jets 16 as well as either of the jets functioning as cleaning or flushing jets. The spring 20 loaded sliding valve 26 is similar in construction to needle valve 19 in that the flared shoulder 22 is utilized for holding the piston like structure in position once the sliding valve 26 is moved by increased pressure. This sliding valve 26 is constructed with a valve conduit 29 including an elongated jet orifice 30 and piston retaining orifices 31. The structure of the sliding valve 26 also varies from needle valve 19 in that an "O" ring 34 seals the valve 26 to the body cavity 18. Body cavity 18 must be built in a configuration including a forward vent bleeder hole 32 and an rear vent bleeder hole 33 to prevent air or fluid locking in place the sliding valve 26.

The versatility of operation of this nozzle is unusual in that in the rear or low pressure position only the rear jets 28 operate and in the forward or high pressure position only the forward jets 27 operate. This controlled shifting function permits jet propulsion into the sewer line and a cleaning or flushing in either direction as well as selectively dispensing the chemicals in either direction. This sliding valve 26 nozzle is exceptionally versatile in use with the cleaning and chemical dispensing to kill root deposits in a line.

The species of the nozzle illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 is preferably constructed of stainless steel with the needle valve 19 structure of high-carbon steel heat treated. Nozzle 10 is constructed with a hose adapter 35 which, of course, has an internal conduit 14 equivalent to the nozzles previously described. This adapter is threadably secured to the rear section 12 of nozzle body 11. Nozzle body 11 includes an internal body cavity 18 into which is mounted needle valve 19. This valve is constructed with a forward jet needle valve 36 which operates in conjunction with forward jet seat 37 internal of and constructed in the rear section 12 of the nozzle body 11. The needle valve 19 of this specialized nozzle is of dual construction in that it also utilizes a rear jet needle valve 38 which operates in conjunction with rear jet seat 39 constructed internal and integral with forward section nozzle body 11. This needle valve 19 is constructed with an elongated valve stem 40 member which is threaded 41 for securing the rear portion of needle valve 43 to the forward portion of the needle valve 44. One or more fluid passage ways 42 is constructed in the rear portion needle valve 43. The rear portion 43 and the forward portion 44 of this needle valve 19 have constructed in their external surface "O" ring groove 45 into which is fitted an "O" ring 34 which seal needle valve 19 structure to the internal wall of the nozzle body cavity 18. The forward portion of the needle valve 44 is constructed with a cylindrical indentation which functions as a spring seat 46. This structure is adapted to receive and retain the concave dish shaped series of springs 20 in order that spring adjusting plug 47 which is threadably adjustably mounted in capscrew 25 of this nozzle. The spring adjusting plug 47 is utilized to adjust the shifting or responsive pressure of needle valve 19. The degree of pressure on spring 20 determines pressure responsive point of shifting or activation of needle valve 19 which activates either the forward jets 27 or the rearward jets 28.

This series of nozzles 10 is, of course, particularly well suited for cleaning sewer lines and dispensing root fumigant chemicals within the line for killing root deposits employing the equipment and the method disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 36,901. These nozzles, however, have additional advantages and afford unusual flexibility of utilization in cleaning sewer lines. This is particularly true of the species of nozzle 10 illustrated in FIG. 5, 6 and 7. These nozzles 10 selectively operate either the forward jets 27 or the rearward jets 28. Nozzles 10 of the design of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is designed and particularly suitable for propulsion through small sewer lines adjacent the residence and will maneuver extremely restricted areas such as "P" traps. After propelling the nozzle through the line the reduction of pressure of the propelling fluid and activation of the forward jets 27 substantially assists in retrieving the hose and the nozzle 10. All of these nozzles are suitable for and particularly adapted to be jet propelled through a sewer line and the forward jets 27 utilized for dispensing root killing chemical fumigant as the hose is withdrawn at uniform desired constant rate.

For a fuller description of the operation of these newly developed nozzles, reference is again made to co-pending application Ser. No. 36,901. Employing high pressure operation the nozzle 10 carrying a hose is propelled through a sewer line. The equipment may employ a hydraulically powered hose reel. In the cleaning operation, the hose may be withdrawn from the sewer even under mazimum pressure operation. This effectively cleans and loosens the slime and grease deposits and to an extent, removes small root deposits which have penetrated the sewer line. Utilizing the two stage nozzle, pressure is reduced to permit spring 20 to seat needle valve 19 against seat 21 and utilizing a reduced pumping rate the fumigant chemicals may be dispensed through chemical jets 16 in the rear section 12. The high pressure hose may be withdrawn at a constant coordinated pumping and withdrawal rate and the desired fumigant chemicals dispensed as desired in the portion of a sewer desired to be treated. A similar procedure may be utilized with the nozzle 10 of FIG. 5 employing a sliding valve 26 (insert or the valve of FIGS. 6 and 7).

Another alternative advantage of nozzle 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 is in the configuration with propulsion jets 15 in both the forward 17 and rear 12 body portions. Needle valve 19 and spring 20 can be so selected and adjusted as to remain seated at a pressure of 600 psi. A pressure of above 600 psi would open the needle valve 19 and activate the propulsion jets 15 in the forward 17 section. With a doubled fluid delivery rate the pull of the nozzle 10 can be approximately doubled to propel a high pressure hose into a sewer line or up an incline.

Other uses and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the attached drawings and this detailed description and appended claims. What is desired to be claimed is all equivalent structures and methods of use not departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. An improved nozzle for cleaning a sewer line comprising:

a. means for securing said nozzle to a high pressure hose,

b. a nozzle body encasing a body cavity having a forward portion and a rear portion internal of said nozzle, said rear portion adapted to communicate with a high pressure hose,

c. a pressure responsive spring loaded valve mounted in said body cavity,

d. a seat for said valve intermediate said forward portion and said rear portion,

e. a flared shoulder constructed on said spring loaded valve said flared shoulder adapted to expose an increased area of said valve to a high pressure fluid when said valve is in the forward position thereby urging said valve to remain in the forward position,

f. at least one jet orifice projecting from said forward portion of said body cavity,

g. at least one jet orifice projecting from said rear portion of said body cavity, and

h. said valve and said nozzle so constructed and arranged as to selectively eject fluid from said jet projecting from said forward portion of said body cavity and said jet orifice projecting from said rear portion of said body cavity responsive to movement of said pressure responsive spring loaded valve.

2. An improved nozzle for cleaning a sewer line comprising:

a. means for securing said nozzle to a high pressure hose,

b. a nozzle body encasing a body cavity having a forward portion and a rear portion internal of said nozzle, said rear portion adapted to communicate with a high pressure hose,

c. a pressure responsive spring loaded valve mounted in said body cavity,

d. an "O" ring encircling said valve intermediate said valve and said body cavity said "O" ring contacting and sealing said valve relative to said body cavity,

e. a seat for said valve intermediate said forward portion and said rear portion,

f. at least one jet orifice projecting from said forward portion of said body cavity,

g. at least one jet orifice projecting from said rear portion of said body cavity, and

h. said valve and said nozzle so constructed and arranged as to selectively eject fluid from said jet projecting from said forward portion of said body cavity and said jet orifice projecting from said rear portion of said body cavity responsive to movement of said pressure responsive spring loaded valve.

3. An improved nozzle for cleaning a sewer line comprising:

a. means for securing said nozzle to a high pressure hose,

b. a body cavity having a forward portion and a rear portion internal of said nozzle, said rear portion adapted to communicate with a high pressure hose,

c. a pressure responsive spring loaded valve mounted in said body cavity,

d. a flared shoulder constructed on said spring loaded valve said flared shoulder adapted to expose an increased area of said valve to a high pressure fluid when said valve is in the forward position thereby urging said valve to remain in the forward position once in the said forward position,

e. a seat for said valve intermediate said forward portion and said rear portion,

f. at least one jet orifice projecting from said forward portion of said body cavity,

g. at least one jet orifice projecting from said rear portion of said body cavity, and

h. said valve and said nozzle so constructed and arranged as to eject fluid from said rear orifice when said valve is seated and the forward and rear orifices when the valve is not seated.

4. An improved nozzle for cleaning a sewer line comprising:

a. means for securing said nozzle to a high pressure hose,

b. a body cavity having a forward portion and a rear portion internal of said nozzle, said rear portion adapted to connect to a high pressure hose,

c. a pressure responsive spring loaded slide valve mounted in said body cavity,

d. a seat for said valve intermediate said forward portion and said rear portion,

e. a valve conduit internal of said slide valve,

f. a jet orifice constructed in said slide valve adapted to emit fluid from the said valve conduit,

g. at least one jet orifice projecting from said forward portion of said body cavity,

h. at least one jet orifice projecting from said rear portion of said body cavity, and

i. said slide valve and said nozzle so constructed and arranged as to eject fluid from the rear jet of orifice when said valve is seated and the forward jet orifice when the valve is not seated.

5. The invention of claim 4 including an "O" ring encircling said slide valve intermediate said valve said body cavity and "O" ring contacting and sealing of said slide valve and said body cavity.