Automatically adjustable 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. An irregular spaced annular nozzle opening is provided for deflecting the spray pattern into a non-circular pattern, and in a preferred case into a square pattern. Also, an automatic adjustment varies the spacing around the entire nozzle opening to accommodate varying supply pressures. 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.
Claims22
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- first and second surfaces spaced apart to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween;
- said first surface being an irregular surface shaped so that a spacing between said first and second surfaces varies around a circumference of said annular nozzle opening to create a non-circular spray pattern of fluid exiting said nozzle opening;
- and
- a rotatable plate located between said first and second surfaces and freely movable between said first and second surfaces, said plate having a central opening defined therethrough.
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- first and second structures having first and second surfaces, respectively, defined thereon, said first and second surfaces being spaced apart to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween;
- automatic adjusting means for increasing the spacing between said first and second surfaces in response to an increase in fluid pressure in said annular nozzle opening, said automatic adjusting means including:
- sliding connector means for connecting said first and second structures while allowing relative sliding motion between said first and second structures in a direction parallel to a central axis of said surfaces;
- and
- resilient biasing means for resiliently opposing sliding motion of said first structure away from said second structure;
- and
- a rotatable plate located between said first and second structures and extending radially through said annular nozzle opening.
A fluid distributing apparatus, comprising:
- a supply header having a fluid outlet defined therein and having a first annular surface defined on said supply header and surrounding said fluid outlet;
- a support rod connected to said supply header and extending coaxially from said fluid outlet;
- a deflector plate having a central bore which slidably receives said support rod, said deflector plate having a second annular surface defined thereon so that an annular nozzle opening is defined between said first and second annular surfaces;
- and
- a compression spring disposed about said support rod on a side of said deflector plate opposite said fluid outlet, said compression spring being compressible by increasing pressure of fluid passing through said nozzle opening to increase the spacing between said first and second annular surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.