Switcher nozzle high efficiency flow insert
AssigneeStoneage, Inc.
InventorsJoseph A. Schneider, Timothy M. D. Tormey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle assembly includes a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; a switching valve assembly disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and direct fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold; and a flow insert configured to replace the switching valve assembly for directing flow through all of the ports when switching functionality is not needed. This flow insert may be made of a low pressure material such as a polymer.
Claims15
A flow insert for use in a switcher valve nozzle assembly including a plurality of ports extending through a nozzle body from a central bore, the flow insert comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body configured to be disposed within the central bore;
- and
- a rear chamber portion within the generally cylindrical body which separates into a plurality of through passages each configured to communicate with only a respective one of the ports.
The flow insert according to claim 9, wherein the one or more grooves includes four grooves evenly spaced about the exterior of the generally cylindrical flow insert body.
A method of operating a switcher valve nozzle assembly, the method comprising:
- determining that switching fluid flow between a first set of ports a second set of ports is not needed, wherein the first set of ports and the second set of ports extend through a nozzle body from a central bore of the switcher valve nozzle assembly;
- installing a flow insert into the central bore of the switcher valve nozzle assembly, wherein the flow insert includes a rear chamber portion that separates into a plurality of through passages, each configured to communicate with only a respective one of the ports;
- and
- conveying a fluid through the rear chamber portion and into each of the plurality of through passages.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.