Self-rotating spray bar assembly

Abstract

A self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure having a base supported by front and rear wheels with a handle extending therefrom. A spray bar assembly with a plurality of nozzles constructed and arranged to cause rotation of the spray bar through fluid discharge is mounted beneath the base. A hydraulic pump is positioned with spray bar and coupled to a reservoir mounted on the handle. The hydraulic pump is rotated by the spray bar assembly, causing hydraulic fluid to recirculate through the reservoir, wherein an adjustable flow valve permits control of the spray bar assembly rotation speed.

Claims

1. A self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure comprising: a base supported by a pair of rear wheels and a pair of front wheels; a handle having a proximal end secured to an upper surface of said base and a distal end extending outwardly therefrom; a spray bar assembly mounted beneath said base, said spray bar assembly including a conduit fluidly coupled to said spray bar and a conduit inlet positioned along the distal end of said handle; a plurality of nozzles secured to said spray bar assembly and constructed and arranged in a predetermined pattern to cause rotation upon ultra high pressure water delivered through said nozzles; a shroud assembly mounted to a lower surface of said base, said shroud assembly constructed and arranged to enclose a top and side of said spray bar assembly; a vacuum coupling providing an aperture through said shroud assembly, said aperture securable to a source of vacuum; a hydraulic pump positioned between the conduit inlet and said spray bar assembly, said hydraulic pump coupled to a fluid reservoir positioned on said handle, said hydraulic pump rotated by said spray bar assembly, causing hydraulic fluid to recirculate through said reservoir; and a flow valve positioned between said reservoir and said hydraulic pump; wherein ultra-high pressure water delivered through said conduit inlet rotating said spray bar assembly for cleaning of debris in the path thereof; said rotating spray bar assembly further rotates said hydraulic pump for recirculation of hydraulic fluid, whereby flow of said hydraulic fluid is adjustable, thereby adjusting spray bar assembly rotation speed.

2. The self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure according to claim 1, wherein said flow valve is adjustable.

3. The self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure according to claim 2, wherein said flow valve is placed in the return line between said hydraulic pump and said reservoir, said flow valve is manually controlled by a pistol grip secured to the distal end of said handle.

4. The self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure according to claim 1, wherein said hydraulic motor is a positive displacement type.

5. The self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure according to claim 1, wherein said shroud assembly is constructed and arranged to substantially contain fluid expelled from said plurality of nozzles.

6. The self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure according to claim 1, wherein said shroud assembly includes a top wall and a side wall.

7. The self-rotating device for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure according to claim 1 wherein said side wall of the shroud has a predetermined height formed in combination with said front and rear wheels to maintain the spray bar assembly a predetermined distance from a surface being cleaned.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the high pressure self-rotating device with a shroud;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the high pressure self-rotating device with the shroud removed; and

[0019] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the spray bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0021] Now referring to the figures, illustrated is a self-rotating device 10 for cleaning with ultra-high water pressure, preferably 40,000 psi. The self-rotating device 10 is formed from a base 12 supported by a pair of rear wheels 14, 16 and a pair of front wheels 18, 20. The rear wheels 14, 16 can be mounted on a common axle 22, which allows for straight line tracking. The front wheels 18, 20 are preferably mounted on casters 24, 26, which allow ease of steering by taking weight off the rear wheels. The stance of the base 12 can be further adjusted by positioning of pivot arms 28, 30 using wing nut fasteners 32, 34, thereby allowing different sized spray bars and shrouds using the same base.

[0022] A handle 40 has a proximal end 42 secured to an upper surface 43 of the base 12, and a distal end 46 extending outwardly from the base 12 to a convenient position for operator control. The handle preferably has a left grip 48 and a right grip 52 for ease of controlling the cleaning device.

[0023] A spray bar assembly 50 is mounted beneath the base 12, employing a conduit 54 that extends from the spray bar assembly 50 to a conduit inlet 56 positioned along the distal end 46 of the handle 40. The spray bar assembly 50 has a plurality of nozzles 60 constructed and arranged in a predetermined pattern to cause rotation of the spray bar upon ultra high pressure water delivered through the nozzles 60; the spray bar assembly 50 having a first nozzle set 62 and second nozzle set 64 offset from the center axis 66. In a preferred embodiment, the spray bar configuration can be configured with either a 10″ (25.4 cm) or 14″ (35.5 cm) spray bar configuration, allowing cleaning capability of 500-1,500 square feet per hour (46.5-139.4 square meters/hr).

[0024] A shroud assembly 70 is mounted to a lower surface of the base 12; the shroud assembly 70 being constructed and arranged to enclose a top and sides of the spray bar assembly 50. The shroud assembly 70 is formed from a top wall 72 and a continuous side wall 74 to substantially contain fluid expelled from the plurality of nozzles 60 which are expelling ultra-high pressure water for removal of road surface material. The side wall 74 has a predetermined height that is formed in combination with the front and rear wheels to maintain the spray bar assembly 50 a predetermined distance from the surface being cleaned. A lower edge of the side wall 74 includes a flexible seal 76 or brush material to limit overspray as the device is moved during a cleaning process.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, a vacuum coupling 80 provides an aperture through the shroud assembly 70 for removal of debris. The device is capable of cleaning 500-1,500 square feet per hour (46.5-139.4 square meters/hr) with simultaneous vacuum recovery of at least 800 cubic feet per minute (cfm).

[0026] A hydraulic pump 100 is positioned between the conduit inlet 56 and the spray bar assembly 50. The hydraulic pump 100 is coupled to a reservoir 102 mounted on the handle 40. The hydraulic pump 100 is preferably positive displacement and, upon rotation of the spray bar, causes hydraulic fluid to recirculate and to be drawn from a reservoir outlet 104, through the hydraulic pump 100 and return to the reservoir 102 by the reservoir inlet 106. A flow valve 108 is positioned between the reservoir inlet 106 and the hydraulic pump 100. The flow valve 108 is manually modulated to allow the speed of rotation of the spray bar to spin up to 2,500 rpm's. Wherein, when ultra-high pressure water is delivered through the conduit inlet 56, the pressurized fluid causes rotation of the spray bar assembly 50, which is used for cleaning of debris in the path of the spray bar. The rotating spray bar assembly 50 rotates the hydraulic pump 100 for recirculation of hydraulic fluid 101, whereby flow of the hydraulic fluid 101 is adjustable by the flow valve 108 thereby regulating spray bar rotation speed. In one embodiment, the flow valve 108 is a rotatable knob. Lever 110 is used to control the flow of pressurized fluid into the device, providing a means for emergency shut off of fluid and operation of the spinning bar.

[0027] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

[0028] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.