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US 10,471,444 B2Granted
Showerhead engine for rotating spray
AssigneeSpectrum Brands, Inc.
InventorZachary Keoki Hong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A showerhead engine includes a first plate joined to a second plate with a cavity therebetween. Water enters the cavity through an angled hole in the first plate and flows in a swirling motion about the central axis. A paddle wheel is spun within the cavity by the swirling water. A notched cutout in the paddle wheel forms an exit passage through a through hole in the second plate allowing the water to exit when the notched cutout lines up with slots in the second plate. The revolving paddle wheel continues to revolve thereby revolving the notched cutout and producing a revolving spray pattern.
Claims16
A showerhead engine comprising:
- a first plate with a face surface and a wall extending from and surrounding the face surface of the first plate;
- at least one hole in the face surface of the first plate, the at least one hole having at least one surface formed at an angle other than normal to the face surface;
- a second plate with a face surface and a wall extending from and surrounding the face surface of the second plate;
- a through hole formed at a center of the face surface of the second plate at a normal angle;
- a cavity with a central axis defined by the face surface and wall of the first plate and the face surface and wall of the second plate, joined at the respective walls;
- and
- a paddle wheel including a plurality of paddles joined to a central shaft supported by and in between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the central shaft aligns with the central axis of the cavity passing through the through hole formed at the center of the face surface of the second plate;
- wherein the central shaft includes a notched cutout where the central shaft passes through the through hole in the center of the face surface of the second plate, and wherein the through hole in the center of the face surface of the second plate includes a plurality of slots through the second plate intersecting the through hole.
5 more elements
A showerhead engine comprising:
- a back plate with a planar surface and a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the back plate forming a cavity area within each one of the cylindrical walls;
- a plurality of holes in the back plate, each hole leading into the respective cavity area, wherein each hole is formed at an angle other than normal to the planar surface, thereby causing a swirling flow pattern as a water flow enters the respective cavity areas through each one of the plurality of holes;
- a face with a plurality of second walls extending from the face, wherein the face is configured to join the back plate such that the plurality of cylindrical walls mate with the plurality of second walls;
- a through hole in the face formed within the plurality of second walls below each cavity area;
- a plurality of paddle wheels, each including a plurality of paddles joined to a central shaft supported by and in between the back plate and the face, wherein each central shaft is supported by the respective through hole formed in the face;
- a notched cutout formed in each central shaft where each central shaft passes through the through hole;
- a separate cone extending into each cavity area from the face and surrounding each through hole;
- and
- a plurality of slots formed into each cone creating passages to the through hole from each cavity area;
- wherein the swirling flow patterns urge the plurality of paddle wheels to revolve about the central axis, thereby deflecting a water flow exiting the through hole off of the notched cutout and in a revolving pattern;
- and
- wherein the water flow is directed to flow only through the plurality of slots when the notched cutout aligns with each slot as the notched cutout revolves.
9 more elements
A showerhead comprising:
- a showerhead engine comprising:
- a back plate with a planar surface and at least one cylindrical wall extending from the back plate, wherein each cylindrical wall forms a cavity area therewithin;
- a hole formed in the back plate within each cavity area of the at least one cylindrical wall, wherein each hole is formed at an angle other than normal to the planar surface of the back plate;
- one or more paddle wheels;
- a face configured to receive the one or more paddle wheels within a second wall, wherein the at least one cylindrical wall of the back plate mates with the second wall of the face to enclose the one or more paddle wheels therewithin, wherein the one or more paddle wheels is rotatable with respect to the face;
- at least one through hole in the face, each at least one through hole configured to receive a portion of a corresponding one of the one or more paddle wheels, wherein the portion of the one of the one or more paddle wheels is rotatable within the at least one through hole;
- and
- a base with an inlet configured to join the face and enclose the back plate therewithin;
- wherein water is configured to enter the inlet of the base and pass through each hole in the back plate, thereby entering the cavity area in a swirling flow pattern and exiting the at least one through hole in the face.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.