GB2524461A

GB2524461A - Improvements in the flow of fluids and / or gases under pressure

Info

Publication number: GB2524461A
Application number: GB1320064.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Samwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-13
Filing date: 2013-11-13
Publication date: 2015-09-30
Anticipated expiration: 2033-11-13
Also published as: GB2524461B; GB201320064D0

Abstract

Device for influencing the flow of fluids and gases under pressure in which a showerhead 100 contains a nozzle 101 attached to a diffuser 102 for fluid entry and a cartridge 106 sleeved with a swirler 107. This is fitted into another end of a shower head which can be a showerhead chamber 104, such that fluid under pressure entering from the direction of arrow A increases laminar flow through an arrangement of labyrinthine shapes and the introduction and entrainment of air or gas at 105 and 108 to exit to atmosphere at 110 in a turbulent mixture of fluid and gas forming a controlled spray.

Description

Improvements in the flow of fluids and for gases under pressure.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to showerheads and apparatus requiring increase in velocity of laminar fluid flow and I or increasing flow of gas within a venturi tube and I or entrainment of gas via a turbulent mix of fluid and / or gas to create controlled spray of fluid and / or gas at exit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Showerhead assemblies are known in the prior art to dispense water through outlets in order to generate a spray of water to facilitate showering. Some such showerhead assemblies include mechanisms for adjusting the spray of water dispensed from the outlets. Also well-known are venturi systems located within showerheads which accelerate water flow to increase velocity at the point of exit from the showerhead. Patterns of spray and velocity of fluid flow emanating from showerheads vary according to the internal engineering design configurations of nozzles, diffusers and displacement of orifices in the faces of showerheads.

A shortcoming and drawback in the prior art is a lack of attention given to innovative ways to increase fluid velocity for showering through design of internal componentry. Certain solutions using venturi systems address this matter, but there is room for improvement given the predominance of low water pressure in many areas of the United Kingdom.

Another shortcoming and drawback in the prior art is the inadequate balancing of fluid velocity between the entraining of air delivered from the hose end and fluid exit to atmosphere at the showerhead in a typical handset.

Another shortcoming and drawback in the prior art caused by an imbalance of the introduction of fluid and entrained air is undesirable mist which results from colliding jets of water caused by internal design arrangements of some showerheads, instead of the desirability of fluid droplets contained in spray.

Another shortcoming and drawback in the prior art is the inefficient mix of fluids and gas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above shortcomings and drawbacks in the prior art by providing a showerhead which balances the fluid velocity between the input of air and the exit of fluid to atmosphere producing a consistent acceptable velocity for showering.

It is a second object of the present invention to increase the speed of fluid and gas flow from a low pressure system and balance the velocity at exit to atmosphere to match the generally accepted exit velocity to atmosphere from a system which normally enjoys higher pressure.

It is a third object of the present invention to achieve the velocity balances described above by providing variously configured components inserted into the hose end and main body of a showerhead which anticipate varying low fluid pressure in a particular system in order to accelerate fluid flow within the showerhead and offer an acceptable level of fluid velocity for showering.

It is fourth object of the present invention to produce fluid droplets contained in spray, not mist which is contained in colliding jets of fluid.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a showerhead assembly is provided which includes a fluid entry nozzle comprising a single and br multiple internally smooth and I or rifled, tapered orifice connected to a diffuser comprising a single and I or multiple internally smooth and / or rifled tapered orifice and cartridge fitted inside the showerhead; the cartridge engaging with a variously faceted swirling device enabling passage under pressure of a turbulent mix of fluid and entrained air or gas urged from atmosphere and entrained through tiny orifices situated in diffusers and cartridges when fluid, from an external source, enters via the entry nozzle, through the diffuser, into the showerhead chamber into the swirler and cartridge and exiting to atmosphere forming various spray patterns at consistent fluid velocities.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a showerhead assembly is provided including a single or multi-orifice spiral-vane elongate nozzle connected to a diffuser which may have a smooth internal taper or various elongate spiral vanes and rifling which increase flow-through of fluids and cause changes in their flow patterns.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a showerhead assembly is provided including any combination of smooth and I or variously spiral-vane and br rifling along elongate nozzles connected to any combination of smooth and I or variously configured elongate spiral-vanes and / or rifling along diffusers, with variously-sized air-intake orifices.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention a showerhead assembly is provided including variously shaped elongate spiral swirlers, which may engage with a cartridge to agitate a fluid and air mixture preferably located in the shower head portion of a handset assembly.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention a showerhead assembly is provided including various configurations of cartridges which agitate fluid and air flow mixture preferably located in the showerhead portion of the handset assembly.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention the multiplicity of internal configurations of nozzle. diffuser, swirler and caitridge are incorporated into any apparatus which requires an increase in pressure from the input of fluid to the exit of air and fluid spray to atmosphere in the form of a wide or narrow spray base.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention the multiplicity of internal configurations of nozzle and diffuser may be applied to technologies which use chimneys and flues to exhaust gases.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention either a diffuser or nozzle is provided which may take the form of venturis whereby no mixing of gas and air takes place but the application of internal rifling to either or both diffuser and I or nozzle or a parallel tube increases the velocity of gas which is introduced and could for example allow increased heat recovery by maintaining a required velocity of a cooler exhaust gas in a chimney or flue.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention either a diffuser or venturi nozzle is provided preferably in a handset of a showerhead assembly and a vane, preferably curved in a particular radius, positioned to deflect fluids urged through the diffuser or venturi nozzle into a curvilinear flow path around a shower chamber allowing fluid exit to atmosphere under pressure through a plurality of orifices situated in the shower chamber.

In order that the nature of the present invention may be clearly understood an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional side elevation of a showerhead, with an outline of a typical handset shown in dotted lines according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure la depicts a cross-sectional side elevation of a showerhead, with an outline of a typical handset shown in dotted lines, with an alternative embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional underside view of a showerhead with an outline of a typical handset shown in dotted lines according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 2a depicts a cross sectional underside view of a showerhead, with an outline of a typical handset shown in dotted lines, with an alternative embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures 3a and 3b depict cross-sectional side elevation views of a triple orifice nozzle connected to a smooth diffuser in a second embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 3a (i) depicts an end elevation view of the triple orifice nozzle shown in figure 3a according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 3b (i) depicts an end elevation view of the single orifice nozzle shown in figure 3b according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures 4a and 4b depict cross-sectional side elevation views of a triple orifice nozzle connected to an elongate spiral-vane diffuser in a third embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 4a (i) depicts an end elevation view of the elongate spiral vane diffuser shown in figure 4b according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 4b (i) depicts an end elevation view of the elongate spiral vane diffuser shown in figure 4b according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures 5a and 5b depict cross-sectional side elevation views of a single orifice smooth nozzle connected to an elongate spiral-vane diffuser in a fourth embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 5a (i) depicts an end elevation of a single orifice smooth nozzle shown in figure 5a according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure Sb (i) depicts an end elevation of a spiral vane elongate diffuser shown in figure Sb according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures 6a and 6b depict cross-sectional side elevation views of single orifice elongate spiral-vane nozzle connected to a smooth diffuser in a fifth embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 6a (i) depicts an end elevation of a single orifice spiral vane elongate nozzle shown in figure 6a according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 6b (i) depicts an end elevation of a smooth diffuser shown in figure 6b according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures la and lb depict cross-sectional side elevation views of a single orifice elongate spiral-vane nozzle connected to an elongate spiral-vane diffuser in a sixth embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures 8a and 8b depict cross-sectional side elevation views of a single orifice nozzle connected to an elongate multi-start-vane diffuser in a seventh embodiment according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure Ba (i) depicts an end elevation of a single orifice smooth nozzle shown in figure 8a according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 8b (i) depicts an end elevation of a multi-start vane diffuser shown in figure 8b according to aspects of the present invention Figures 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d depict end elevation views of various configurations of diffusers according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 10 depicts a third angle projection of views of a cartridge fitted with a swirler shown in dotted lines in elevation according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 11 depicts elevation, plan and isometric projection views of the swirler shown in figure 10 according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 12 depicts elevation, top plan and isometric projection views of a first alternative embodiment of a swirler according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 13 depicts elevation, top plan and isometric projection views of a second alternative embodiment of a swirler according to aspects of the present invention.

Figure 14 depicts elevation, plan and isometric projection views of a third alternative embodiment of a swirler according to aspects of the present invention.

Figures 15a, 15b, lSc and 15d depict cross-section side elevation views of alternative embodiments of cartridges each assembled with the common swirler shown in figure 11 according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In figure 1 a common shower handset shown in dotted outline 100 is fitted with a single aperture nozzle 101 attached to an internally smooth diffuser 102. Fluid under pressure is introduced at nozzle orifice 103, which tapers down to exit into the internally smooth diffuser 102, which tapers outwards to exit into showerhead chamber 104; such taper increasing fluid pressure and encouraging laminar flow. In addition air or gas is entrained from atmosphere through orifices 105 such orifice diameter forcing air or gas to enter diffuser 102 and mix with fluid under pressure to exit in a turbulent mix of unsettled air or gas and fluid, the fluid forcing its way through swirler 107, located in cartridge 106, which may rotate under pressure and which may be located in showerhead end 104 of handset 100. Air or gas is entrained from atmosphere through orifice 108, to mix with fluid at T junction 109 at right angles to the flow blending together and exiting at fan taper 110 in a fine spray of fluid droplets at a higher velocity than fluid entry at 103. The combination of labyrinthine configurations of nozzle, diffuser, cartridge and swirler ensure balanced velocity between fluid entry at 103 and fluid and gas mixture exit at 110.

In figure la a common shower handset shown in dotted outline 100 is fitted with a nozzle and / or diffuser 101, 102. Fluid under pressure is introduced at orifice A to exit at orifice 116 and meets curved vane 98 positioned to direct said fluids in a curvilinear flow path around a shower chamber to exit under pressure through a number of orifices 99 in the shower chamber 104.

In figure 2 underneath plan view shows end elevation of cartridge 106 sleeved over swirler 107, which features triple elongate helical rifling topped with multi-faceted configurative edges 111 to boost fluid turbulence on entry into cartridge 106, fitted into a typical shower handset shown in dotted lines.

In figure 2a a plan view shows end elevation of curved vane 98, positioned to direct fluid flow from diffuser and I or nozzle 101, 102 from exit point 116 in a curvilinear motion preferably around the circumference of a shower chamber 104, shown by arrows, to exit at a plurality of orifices 99.

In figure 3a an internal elevation view in dotted lines shows a triple orifice tapered nozzle 112, forming a frustum of a cone, which is configured to increase the velocity and encourage laminar flow of fluid through the nozzle, connected to an internally-smooth tapered diffuser also shown in dotted lines which features a large diameter air intake orifice 113.

In figure 3a (i) an end elevation view of figure 3a shows converging planes of a triple orifice tapered nozzle 112 equi-spaced about a centre line with equi-spaced offset orifices.

In figure 3b a longitudinal cross section view through the nozzle of 3a shows an internally smooth diffuser as a frustum of a cone 117 with reduced diameter air intake 114 and reduced size shoulder 115, such shapes enabling greater pressure of air entrainment through diffuser 117 to exit point 116 where fluid and air mix.

In figure 3b (i) an end elevation view of figure 3b shows a configuration of a single orifice nozzle 101 taking the form of concentric circles representing a frustum of a cone in an elongate taper.

In figure 4a triple orifice nozzle 112, is configured to increase pressure and encourage laminar flow of fluid through the aforementioned nozzle, shown connected to a frustum of a conical elongate spiral-vane diffuser 118 shown in dotted lines, such labyrinthine diffuser featuring a large diameter orifice 113 for the entrainment of air.

In figure 4a (i) an end elevation view of figure 4a shows converging planes of a triple orifice nozzle 112 equi-spaced about a centre line with equi-spaced offset orifices.

In figure 4b a longitudinal cross section view shows medial cutaway sections through the nozzle and frustum of a conical elongate triple spiral-vane diffuser 118 which has reduced diameter air intake 114 and reduced size shoulder 115, such shapes entraining greater pressure of air through spiral-vane diffuser 118 along which a turbulent mixture of fluid and air are entrained to exit at orifice 119.

In figure 4b (i) an end elevation view shows the pattern and labyrinthine configuration of the triple spiral vane diffuser 118 shown in figure 4b, such vanes radiating from a central point to form wider portions, which may be faceted at their end points to increase the prospect of further fluid turbulence.

In figure 5a the combination of a single orifice frustum of a smooth conical nozzle 101 is shown in dotted lines connected to an elongate frustum of a cone spiral-vane diffuser 118 also shown in dotted lines, featured in figures 4a and 4b.

In figure 5a (i) the configurations and patterns of a spiral diffuser are shown in figure 3b (i).

In figure Sb cutaway section along the length of nozzle 101 and diffuser 118 shows frustum of a cone 101 and spiral vane diffuser 118 which tapers outwards to exit point 119.

In figure 5b (i) an end elevation is shown which features a single central orifice.

In figure 6a a single orifice frustum of a spiral vane conical nozzle 101 is connected to a multi spiral vane diffuser 118 as shown and depicted in figure 5b In figure 6a (i) the end elevation of 6b is also shown in 5b (i).

In figure 6b a smooth tapered diffuser 117, as depicted in figure 3b, is shown connected to a single orifice elongate frustum of a conical spiral-vane nozzle 120 shown in cross section.

In figure 6b (i) an end elevation shows concentric circles depicting an annulus which is formed from the shapes generated by end views of nozzle 120 and diffuser 117.

In figure 7a a single orifice frustum of a conical spiral nozzle 120 is shown in dotted lines, which creates a labyrinthine lattice-work effect. Connected to nozzle 120 is diffuser 118 as shown in figures 5a and 6a.

In figure 7b a longitudinal cutaway section of a single orifice elongate frustum of a conical spiral-vane nozzle 120 is connected to a frustum of a conical elongate triple spiral-vane diffuser 118 as shown in figures 5a and 6a.

In figure 8a an elongate frustum of a smooth conical nozzle 101 is shown in dotted lines connected to a frustum of a conical elongate triple spiral-vane diffuser also shown in dotted lines in which spiral vanes 121 are situated in staggered positions around the internal circumference of the diffuser in a multi-start configuration of a portion of the diffuser.

In figure 8a (i) an end elevation is shown which is also shown in figure 3b (i).

In figure Bb a longitudinal cutaway section of a single orifice elongate frustum of a smooth conical nozzle 101 is shown connected to a frustum of a conical elongate triple spiral-vane diffuser also shown in longitudinal cutaway section in which spiral vanes 121 are situated in staggeied positions of a portion of the internal circumference of the diffuser in a multi-start configuration to encourage the entrainment of air and mixture of air and fluids.

In figure 8b (i) an end elevation is shown which is also shown in figure 6a (i).

In figure 9a an end elevation view shows spiral vanes in a rifling labyrinthine configuration within a frustum of a conical elongate diffuser; such rifling, or spiral grooves showing equi-spaced concave cutout portions to assist in the entrainment of air and mixture with fluids.

In figure 9b an end elevation view shows spiral vanes in a rifling labyrinthine configuration within a frustum of a conical elongate diffuser; such rifling, or spiral grooves showing equi-spaced angled concave cutout portions to assist in the entrainment of air and mixture with fluids.

In figure 9c an end elevation view shows spiral vanes in a rifling labyrinthine configuration within a frustum of a conical elongate diffuser; such rifling, or spiral grooves showing equi-spaced hemispherical convex cutout portions to assist in the entrainment of air and mixture with fluids.

In figure 9d an end elevation view shows straight vanes in a rifling configuration within a frustum of a conical elongate diffuser; such rifling showing equi-spaced cutouts in the form of bevel gearing of a right circular cone to assist in the entrainment of air and mixture with fluids.

In figure 10 a third angle projection shows a cartridge 106 fitted with a swirler 107 shown in dotted lines in elevation. The Swirler which may be formed as a cylinder is fitted into the cartridge and may be fixed or allowed to swivel or rotate according to the imposing velocity of fluids and gas engaging on spiral vanes 122 when entering the swirler at arrow B. The centre mode of the cartridge creates a conical spray pattern in droplets with gas entrained from atmosphere through orifice 130 at right angles to the flow.

In figure lithe swirler viewed in figure 10 is shown with identical faceted surfaces 123 chamfered from inside edges on the top of the generally equi-spaced three helical elongate slots at 124, such configurations formed to encourage turbulence in the entrainment of gas and flow of fluids.

In figure 12 a second embodiment of a swirler is shown which activates gas and fluids by means of four generally equi-spaced helical elongate slots provided with an alternative configuration of facets 125 chamfered from the inside top edges.

Figure 13 shows an identical swirler to figure 11 with re-configured facets 126 chamfered from the inside top edges of three equi-spaced helical elongate slots.

Figure 14 shows an identical swirlerto figure 13 with re-configured facets 127 chamfered from the inside top edges of three equi-spaced helical elongate slots.

Figure 15a shows a typical swirler 107 fitted into cartridge 128. Shoulder 129 butts against a typical showerhead 100 on assembly, shown in dotted line. Orifice 130 positioned at right angles to fluid flow entrains air from atmosphere and mixes with fluids forced under pressure through swirler 107 into chamber 131 to exit in a wide spread of spray through mixture chamber orifice shaped as a frustum of a cone 110.

Figure 15b shows an assembly of a typical swirler 107 fitted into a cartridge generally similar to that shown in figure 1 5a, with the exception of exit orifice 132 comprising a cylinder mixture chamber extended in length urging an air and fluid mix to travel further thereby causing a narrow spray to atmosphere.

Figure 1 Sc shows an alternative embodiment of a cartridge in the form of cylinder 133, whereby common swirler 107 fits into common recess 134. Conical mixture chamber 135 receives entrained air through orifices 136, the entrained air mixing with turbulent fluid drawn into chamber 135 through swirler 107, exiting at orifice 138. Shallow frustum of a cone and shallow terminal exit 137 urge air and water mixture to spray wide to atmosphere.

Figure 1 5d is identical to figure 1 Sb with the exception of exit orifice mixture cylinder 139, featuring a shorter depth which urges air and fluid mix to travel a shorter distance thereby causing a wider spray to atmosphere.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein. The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. Therefore, the description provided herein is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined by the following claims and the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

Claims

Claims 1 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure include a fluid entry nozzle comprising a single and for multiple internally smooth and /01 rifled, tapered or parallel oiifice connected to a diffuser comprising a single and / or multiple internally smooth and I or rifled tapered or parallel orifice and cartridge fitted inside; the cartridge engaging with a variously faceted swirling device enabling passage under pressure of a turbulent mix of fluid and entrained air or gas urged from atmosphere and entrained through tiny orifices situated in diffusers and cartridges when fluid, from an external source, enters via the entry nozzle, through the diffuser, into a means for containing fluids and gases, into the swirler and cartridge and exiting to atmosphere forming various spray patterns at consistent fluid velocities.
2 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 in which a single or multi-orifice spiral-vane elongate nozzle is connected to a diffuser which may have a smooth internal taper or various elongate labyrinthine spiral vanes and rifling to increase flow-through of fluids and cause changes in their flow patterns.
3 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 in which various combinations of smooth and I or variously spiral-vane and br rifling along elongate nozzles are connected to any combination of smooth and / or variously configured elongate labyrinthine spiral-vanes and / or rifling along diffusers, with variously-sized gas-intake orifices contained within a showerhead assembly chamber.
4 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 3 in which a showerhead assembly includes variously shaped labyrinthine spiral swirlers, which engage with a cartridge to agitate turbulent fluid and gas mixtures into spray exiting to atmosphere at constant velocity.
Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 in which a showerhead assembly includes variously shaped configurations of cartridges which assist swirlers by entlaining, urging and agitating gas mixed with fluid into spray exiting to atmosphere at constant velocity.
6 Impiovements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressuie according to claim 1 in which the internal configurations of nozzle, diffuser, swiiler and cartridge are incoiporated into any apparatus which requires an increase in velocity from the input of fluid to the exit of a turbulent mixture of gas and fluid to atmosphere in the form of a wide spray base.
7 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 in which the internal configurations of nozzle, diffuser, swirler and cartridge are incorporated into any apparatus which requires an increase in velocity trom the input of fluid to the exit of a tuibulent mixture of gas and fluid to atmosphere in the foim of a narrow spray base.
B Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 in which the invention may be applied to technologies which use chimneys and flues to exhaust gases.
9 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 whereby the application of internal rifling of either / or both a diffuser and a nozzle or parallel tube incleases the rate of flow, with or without the use of increased flow, to cause the mixing of a second component such as a gas, or a fluid drawn into the diffuser! or nozzle! or tube.
10 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure according to claim 1 whereby a curved vane is positioned adjacent to a diffuser and for nozzle to direct the exit of fluids from the diffuser and I or nozzle in a curvilinear pathway around a circumference to exit through a plurality of orifices.
11 Improvements in the flow of fluids and gases under pressure substantially described heiein and! or in the accompanying figures.