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US 5,143,657 AGranted
Fluid distributor
OwnerHarold D. Curtisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid distributing apparatus provides a fountain-type distributor which effects substantially uniform radial distribution of fluid across a spray pattern. A fixed deflector is provided for deflecting the spray pattern into a non-circular pattern, and in a preferred case into a rectangular pattern. The distributor is particularly suited for use in industrial cooling towers to increase the efficiency of the cooling towers by increasing the uniformity of water distribution across the fill material of the cooling tower.
Claims50
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a supply header having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a limit means attached to said supply header, said limit means having a limit surface defined thereon spaced from said fluid outlet;
- a rotatable slinger plate located between said fluid outlet and said limit surface, said slinger plate having first and second sides facing said fluid outlet and said limit surface, respectively, and said slinger plate having a central opening defined therethrough, said central opening being aligned with said fluid outlet so that fluid flowing out of said fluid outlet splits into first and second streams, said first stream being an annular stream flowing across said first side of said slinger plate, and said second stream flowing through said second opening of said slinger plate in contact with said slinger plate, then spreading into an annular second stream flowing between said limit surface and said second side of said slinger plate;
- and
- impeller means, connected to said slinger plate, for rotating said slinger plate as fluid flows through said fluid outlet past said impeller means.
2 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a first structure having a first surface defined thereon, said first surface having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a second structure having a second surface defined thereon and spaced from said first surface;
- and
- a flow divider plate located between and freely movable between said first sand second structures, said flow divider plate having first and second sides facing said first and second surfaces, respectively, said flow divider plate having a divider opening defined therethrough so that fluid flowing through said fluid outlet splits into first and second streams, said first stream being an annular first stream flowing radially outward between said first side of said flow divider plate and said divider opening of said flow divider plate in contact with said flow divider plate and then spreading into an annular second stream flowing radially outward between said second side of said flow divider plate and said second surface.
1 more element
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- flow divider means for dividing a fluid supply stream into first and second annular radially outward flowing streams;
- and
- first deflector means for deflecting said first annular radially outward flowing stream to cover a radially inner portion of a fluid spray pattern created by said fluid distribution apparatus;
- second deflector means for deflecting said second annular radially outward flowing stream to cover a radially outer portion of said fluid spray pattern.
- third deflector means for further deflecting said second annular radially outward flowing stream so that said fluid spray pattern has a non-circular outer perimeter.
2 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a header having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- and
- fluid distribution means, mounted on said header for spraying fluid exiting said fluid outlet over a spray pattern having a maximum radius which varies no more than 25% over a range of fluid pressure supplied to said header of from about 1 psi to about 12 psi.
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- first and second structures having first and second spaced annular surfaces, respectively;
- a plate means located between said first and second spaced annular surfaces and freely movable between said first and second structures, said plate means and said first and second spaced annular surfaces defining a dual nozzle means including a first annular nozzle outlet defined between said plate means and said first annular surface and a second annular nozzle outlet defined between said plate means and said second annular surface, said plate means having a central opening therethrough through which fluid flows in contact with said plate means;
- and
- means for rotating said plate means as fluid flows out said nozzle means, said rotating plate means providing a means for continuously cleaning debris from said nozzle means and preventing clogging of said nozzle means.
1 more element
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- first and second spaced surfaces defining an annular nozzle therebetween;
- and
- a rotating divider plate means located between said surfaces for dividing said fluid flowing out said nozzle into first and second radially outwardly flowing streams on either side of said plate means so that said plate means rotates on a water bearing, said plate means having a central bore therethrough through which substantially all fluid subsequently making up said second radially outward flowing stream must flow in contact with said central bore.
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a first structure having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a support extending from said first structure;
- a second structure attached to said support;
- and
- a flow divider plate located between said first and second structures, said flow divider plate having first and second sides facing said first and second structures, respectively, said flow divider plate having a divider opening defined therethrough with said support extending through said divider opening so that an annular passage is defined between said divider opening and said support and so that fluid flowing through said fluid outlet splits into first and second streams, said first stream being an annular first stream flowing radially outward between said first side of said flow divider plate and said first surface, and said second stream flowing through said annular passage and then spreading into an annular second stream flowing radially outward between said second side of said flow divider plate and said second structure.
2 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a supply header having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a limit means attached to said supply header, said limit means having a limit surface defined thereon spaced from said fluid outlet;
- a rotatable slinger plate located between said fluid outlet and said limit surface;
- impeller means, connected to said slinger plate, for rotating said slinger plate as fluid flows through said fluid outlet past said impeller means;
- said limit means being a first limit means and having a bypass opening therethrough;
- a second limit means located on an opposite side of said first limit means from said slinger plate, said second limit means having a second limit surface defined thereon;
- a second rotatable slinger plate located between said bypass opening and said second limit surface;
- and
- second impeller means, connected to said second slinger plate, for rotating said second slinger plate as fluid flows through said bypass opening past said second impeller means.
6 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a first structure having a first surface defined thereon, said first surface having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a second structure having a second surface defined thereon and spaced from said first surface;
- a flow divider plate located between and freely movable between said first and second structures, said flow divider plate having first and second sides facing said first and second surfaces, respectively, said flow divider plate having a divider opening defined therethrough so that fluid flowing through said fluid outlet splits into first and second streams, said first stream being an annular first stream flowing radially outward between said first side of said flow divider plate and said first surface, and said second stream flowing through said divider opening of said flow divider plate and then spreading into an annular second stream flowing radially outward between said second side of said flow divider plate and said second surface;
- and
- wherein said first side of said flow divider plate is non-conforming to said first surface so that when said flow divider plate abuts said first structure there is a gap defined between said first surface and said first side of said flow divider plate adjacent said fluid outlet of said first structure.
2 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a first structure having a first surface defined thereon, said first surface having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a second structure having a second surface defined thereon and spaced from said first surface;
- a flow divider plate located between and freely movable between said first and second structures, said flow divider plate having first and second sides facing said first and second surfaces, respectively, said flow divider plate having a divider opening defined therethrough so that fluid flowing through said fluid outlet splits into first and second streams, said first stream said first side of said flow divider plate and said first surface, and said second stream flowing through said divider opening of said flow divider plate and then spreading into an annular second stream flowing radially outward between said second side of said flow divider plate and said second surface;
- and
- wherein said second side of said flow divider plate is non-conforming to said second surface so that when said flow divider plate abuts said second structure there is a gap defined between said second surface and said second side of said flow divider plate adjacent said divider opening.
2 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a first structure having a first surface defined thereon, said first surface having a fluid outlet defined therein;
- a second structure having a second surface defined thereon and spaced from said first surface;
- a flow divider plate located between and freely movable between said first and second structures, said flow divider plate having first and second sides facing said first and second surfaces, respectively, said flow divider plate having a divider opening defined therethrough so that fluid flowing through said fluid outlet splits into first and second streams, said first stream being an annular first stream flowing radially outward between said first side of said flow divider plate and said first surface, and said second stream flowing through said divider opening of said flow divider plate and then spreading into an annular second stream flowing radially outward between said second side of said flow divider plate and said second surface;
- first deflector means for deflecting one of said annular first stream and said annular second stream to cover a radially inner portion of a fluid spray pattern created by said fluid distribution apparatus;
- and
- second deflector means for deflecting the other of said annular first stream and said annular second stream to cover a radially outer portion of said fluid spray pattern.
3 more elements
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- first and second structures having first and second spaced annular surfaces, respectively;
- a plate means located between said first and second spaced annular surfaces and freely movable between said first and second structures, said plate means and said first and second spaced annular surfaces defining a dual nozzle means including a first annular nozzle outlet defined between said plate mean and said first annular surface and a second annular nozzle outlet defined between said plate means and said second annular surface;
- means for rotating said plate means as fluid flows out said nozzle means, said rotating plate means providing a means for continuously cleaning debris from said nozzle means and preventing clogging of said nozzle means;
- wherein said plate means is also characterized as a flow divider plate means for dividing fluid flowing out said nozzle into first and second annular radially outwardly flowing streams on either side of said plate means so that said plate means rotates on a water bearing without contacting either of said first and second structures;
- and
- wherein said first and second spaced annular surfaces have different outside diameters.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.