Pipeless water jet assembly
11020315 · 2021-06-01
Assignee
Inventors
- George C. Konstantakis (Franklin, WI, US)
- Roberto Berritta (Rovereto, IT)
- Ryan M. Damm (Theresa, WI, US)
- Steven M. Lippincott (Van Dyne, WI, US)
- Brian W Hubbard (West Bend, WI, US)
Cpc classification
A61H33/0087
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61H1/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61H33/6063
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A water jet assembly includes a faceplate with at least one opening, a housing constructed to cooperate with the faceplate, and a mover disposed within a chamber of the housing. The mover is configured to move between a first position adjacent the at least one opening of the face plate and a second position offset from the faceplate to provide a variable volume within the chamber. The water jet assembly also includes an exciter connected to the housing and configured to transition the mover between the first position and the second position to increase and decrease the volume to move fluid into and out of the chamber via the at least one opening.
Claims
1. A water jet assembly comprising: a faceplate having at least one opening formed therethrough; a housing constructed to cooperate with the faceplate; a mover disposed within a chamber of the housing, the mover comprising a piston and one of a bellows or a diaphragm and configured to move between a first position proximate the at least one opening of the face plate and a second position that is offset from the faceplate and the first position to provide a volume within the chamber and wherein a first end of the one of the bellows or diaphragm is secured to a first end of the housing and a second end of the one of the bellows or diaphragm is coupled to the first end of the piston; and an exciter connected to the housing and configured to transition the mover between the first position and the second position to increase and decrease the volume to move fluid into and out of the chamber via the at least one opening; wherein a ferromagnetic plate is disposed in one of the second end of the one of the bellows or diaphragm and the first end of the piston; and wherein a magnet is disposed in the other of the second end of the one of the bellows or diaphragm and the first end of the piston.
2. The water jet assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening associated with the faceplate is shaped and oriented to generate a torroidal waveform associated with operation of the exciter.
3. The water jet assembly of claim 1 wherein the exciter is further defined as at least one of a solenoid, a pneumatic system, a rotational actuator, and a mechanical actuator.
4. The water jet assembly of claim 3 wherein the exciter is defined as a rotational actuator; and wherein a linkage translates rotational motion of the rotational actuator to an at least partly linear motion of the mover by way of the linkage.
5. The water jet assembly of claim 4 wherein the rotational actuator includes a rotational shaft and a cam disposed at a distal end of the rotational shaft; and wherein the cam is coupled to the linkage.
6. The water jet assembly of claim 3 wherein the exciter is a pneumatic system including a pneumatic valve, a pneumatic chamber, and a pneumatic relief valve; wherein the pneumatic valve is configured to provide air or another fluid to a pneumatic chamber within the housing; and wherein the pneumatic relief valve is disposed in the mover and configured to relieve pressure within the pneumatic chamber; wherein an increase pressure in the pneumatic chamber causes the mover to transition toward the first position; and wherein a decrease in pressure in the pneumatic chamber causes the mover to transition toward the second position.
7. The water jet assembly of claim 1 wherein the one of the bellows or diaphragm blocks the at least one opening in the first position; and wherein the one of the bellows or diaphragm allows water to enter the volume within the chamber in the second position.
8. The water jet assembly of claim 1 further comprising a biasing element disposed within the housing and configured to apply a bias force to the mover.
9. A method of manufacturing a water jet assembly, the method comprising: providing a housing having a chamber disposed therein; disposing a mover within the chamber, the mover configured to move between a first position adjacent a first end of the housing and a second position offset from the first end of the housing to provide an accessible volume within the chamber; securing a faceplate to the first end of the housing, the faceplate having at least one opening formed therein to access the accessible volume; connecting an exciter to the mover, the exciter configured to transition the mover between the first position and the second position to increase and decrease the accessible volume and move fluid into and out of the chamber via the at least one opening; forming the exciter as a pneumatic system including a pneumatic valve, a pneumatic chamber; and a pneumatic relief valve; coupling the pneumatic valve to the housing to provide air or another fluid into the pneumatic chamber within the housing; and disposing a pneumatic relief valve into the mover.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising forming the mover as a diaphragm and a piston; and securing a first end of the diaphragm to a first end of the housing; and securing a second end of the diaphragm to a first end of the piston.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising disposing a ferromagnetic plate in one of the second end of the diaphragm and the first end of the piston; disposing a magnet in the other of the second end of the diaphragm and the first end of the piston; and wherein the ferromagnetic plate and the magnet interact to secure the second end of the diaphragm to the first end of the piston.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising forming the at least one opening in the faceplate so as to generate a toroidal waveform when the fluid is moved out of the chamber.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising forming the exciter as a rotational actuator; and coupling the rotational actuator to a linkage; coupling the linkage to the mover.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the rotational actuator includes a rotational shaft powered by a motor and a cam; coupling the cam at a distal end of the rotation shaft; and coupling the cam to the linkage.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising forming the faceplate from a disc and a retainer; disposing the disc at the first end of the housing; and threadably coupling the retainer to the first end of the housing to secure the disc to the first end of the housing.
16. The method of claim 9 further comprising disposing a biasing element within the housing, the biasing element configured to exert a bias force to the mover.
17. A water jet assembly comprising: a faceplate having at least one opening formed therethrough; a housing constructed to cooperate with the faceplate; a mover disposed within a chamber of the housing, the mover configured to move between a first position proximate the at least one opening of the face plate and a second position that is offset from the faceplate and the first position to provide a volume within the chamber; and an exciter connected to the housing and configured to transition the mover between the first position and the second position to increase and decrease the volume to move fluid into and out of the chamber via the at least one opening, the exciter defined by a pneumatic system that includes a pneumatic valve, a pneumatic chamber, and a pneumatic relief valve; wherein the pneumatic valve is configured to provide air or another fluid to a pneumatic chamber within the housing; wherein the pneumatic relief valve is disposed in the mover and configured to relieve pressure within the pneumatic chamber; wherein an increase pressure in the pneumatic chamber causes the mover to transition toward the first position; and wherein a decrease in pressure in the pneumatic chamber causes the mover to transition toward the second position.
18. A water jet assembly comprising: a faceplate having at least one opening formed therethrough; a housing constructed to cooperate with the faceplate; a mover disposed within a chamber of the housing, the mover configured to move between a first position proximate the at least one opening of the face plate and a second position that is offset from the faceplate and the first position to provide a volume within the chamber; and an exciter connected to the housing and configured to transition the mover between the first position and the second position to increase and decrease the volume to move fluid into and out of the chamber via the at least one opening, the exciter being operable to delay movement of the mover away from a respective one of at least one of the first position and the second position after the mover achieves the respective at least one of the first position and the second position.
19. The water jet assembly of claim 18 wherein the exciter is further defined as at least one of a solenoid, a pneumatic system, a rotational actuator, and a mechanical actuator.
20. The water jet assembly of claim 19 wherein the exciter is defined as a rotational actuator; and wherein a linkage translates rotational motion of the rotational actuator to an at least partly linear motion of the mover by way of the linkage.
21. The water jet assembly of claim 19 wherein the rotational actuator includes a rotational shaft and a cam disposed at a distal end of the rotational shaft; and wherein the cam is coupled to the linkage.
22. The water jet assembly of claim 18 wherein the mover comprises a piston and one of a bellows or a diaphragm; and wherein a first end of the one of the bellows or diaphragm is secured to a first end of the housing and a second end of the one of the bellows or diaphragm is coupled to the first end of the piston.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
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(48) Before describing any preferred, exemplary, and/or alternative embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(49) It is appreciated that, while the disclosed embodiments are illustrated as a jet apparatus designed for bathtubs, spas, whirlpools, hot tubs and the like, the present invention discloses and includes features that have a much wider applicability. For instance, it is appreciated that the present invention is usable with various tub, pool, and/or spa designs which can be adapted for various uses such as hand spas, other body parts, entire bodies, one or multiple persons, etc. Further, the size and relative orientation of the various components and the size of the apparatus can be widely varied. It is further appreciated that the various jet assemblies disclosed herein can be usable in other applications such as fluid mixing or agitation systems.
(50) It is further appreciated that the particular materials used to construct the exemplary embodiments are also illustrative. Components of the device, assembly, or apparatus can be manufactured from thermoplastic resins such as injection molded high density polyethylene, polypropylene, other polyethylenes, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polyurethane, nylon, any of a variety of homopolymer plastics, copolymer plastics, plastics with special additives, filled plastics, etc. Also, various molding operations may be used to form these components, such as blow molding, injection or cast molding, rotational molding, etc. In addition, various components of the jet assembly and/or spa apparatus can be manufactured from stamped alloy materials such as steel or aluminum, or other metallic materials.
(51) Proceeding now to descriptions of the preferred and exemplary embodiments,
(52) Referring to
(53) Jet assembly 10 includes an exciter 24 whose operation manipulates the position of diaphragm 16 relative to faceplate 12. Exciter 24 imparts motion to or oscillates diaphragm 16 to facilitate the generation of the water jet stream. Exciter 24 can be provided in any number of forms such as a solenoid, a piston pump, a linear actuator, a rotational actuator, a speaker coil, etc. It is further appreciated that each respective exciter 24 can be physically connected to a corresponding diaphragm 16 to effectuate the desired movement of the diaphragm or positionally associated therewith such that a vacuum or other pressure signal can be utilized to effectuate motion of diaphragm 26 in response to operation of the respective exciter 24.
(54) Jet assembly 10 pumps a very small amount of fluid that travels through the medium, in this case water, as if it was a large pulse of energy, a “wave” if you will. This effect is known in scientific communities as the toroidal soliton effect and was first characterized in mathematics and physics. A soliton is a self-reinforcing solitary wave (a wave packet or pulse) that maintains its shape while it travels at constant speed. Solitons are caused by a cancellation of nonlinear and dispersive effects in the medium. Dispersive effects refer to dispersion relations between the frequency and the speed of the waves. The soliton phenomenon was first described by John Scott Russell (1808-1882) who observed a solitary wave in the Union Canal in Scotland. Russell reproduced the phenomenon in a wave tank and named it the “Wave of Translation”.
(55) In fluid dynamics such waves are commonly referred to as Scott Russell solitary wave or solitons. Such waves are stable, and can travel over very large distances thereby providing a unique advantage in whirlpools, pools, bathtubs, etc. The term “toroidal” or torus refers to the three dimension doughnut shape of the soliton wave as it moves in a generally outward linear direction away from the origin of the soliton wave form or a direction generally aligned with an axis normal to an imaginary plane defined by the faceplate. It is appreciated that the soliton wave form can be provided as any of a ring torus, horn torus, or spindle torus, or other poly sided toroidal shapes for example, by manipulation of shape, size, and construction of the faceplate and/or inlets and outlets associated therewith, and/or via manipulation of the rate and/or amplitude associated with operation of exciter 24 and the diaphragm 16 associated therewith. Regardless of the shape, jet assembly 10 generates a soliton wave that travels in a generally outward direction, indicated by arrows 54 (
(56) These and other advantages and features of the present invention are accomplished (individually, collectively, or in various subcombinations) as described below. In one embodiment of the invention, a basin 28 shaped to retain a fluid includes one or more holes or openings shaped to provide for the attachment of multiple discrete water jet assemblies 10—as shown schematically in
(57) In its simplest form, the exciter 24 associated with each water jet assembly 10 is provided as a piston pump or linear actuator that is configured to control operation of diaphragm 16 relative to a respective faceplate 12 that defines an orificed outlet. To produce the soliton effect, the volume of water displaced by operation of the piston in a unit of time is sized to work in concert with the diameter of the orifice. If the velocity of the water exiting the orifice is too low, the flow will not separate and “roll” into a donut like or toroid shape soliton. When the flow through the orifice is properly configured, a rolling donut of energy forms and that rolling donut soliton wave can travel for long distances without losing the energy in the wave. In this way each water jet assembly 10 can provide for a pleasing pulse of massage with minimal energy input.
(58) Operation of the piston is tuned to provide a dwell or delay between generation of successive soliton waves after expelling the previous pulse of water such that the retraction associated with operation of the piston does not “suck” the toroidal flow backward and destroy some, and in some cases all, of the energy associated with the respective soliton wave. The inlets 15 and outlet 13 are shaped to mitigate interference between the incoming and outgoing fluid flows. Accordingly, the piston associated with operation of exciter 24 is allowed to dwell at the top of the travel path thereby allowing each discrete soliton wave 30 to move away from the orifice associated with outlet 13. In addition, the inlets 15 allow for additional flow into the chamber 22 in conjunction with the outlet 13, which increases the efficiency of the jet assembly 10 by reducing the necessary intake energy. The flap arrangement 20 is configured to block the inlets 15 and force the fluid completely through the outlet 13 when fluid is flowing out of the chamber 22 during each outlet or discharge stroke associated with the cyclic operation of jet assembly 10.
(59) Additionally, retraction of a piston associated with the respective exciter 24 pulls a new pulse of water from the bathing environment into the pumping cavity via retraction of diaphragm 16 relative to inlets 15. Inlets 15 are dispersed circumferentially about faceplate 12 and radially outboard of outlet 13 to mitigate undesirable sucking of anything other than water into each water jet assembly 10 and degradation of the discrete soliton waves attributable to the incoming water stream. Check valves or flap assembly or arrangement 20 mitigate the ability of water to exit the pumping cavity or area immediately behind faceplate 12 and adjacent diaphragm 16 except through outlets 13. That is, flap arrangement 20 and diaphragm 16 cooperate with one another such that a fluid path associated with inlets 15 is interrupted prior to interruption of outlet 13 during translation of diaphragm 16 toward an inward facing surface 40 of faceplate 12.
(60) Conversely, during intake operation, flap arrangement 20 and diaphragm 16 cooperate with the interior facing surface of faceplate 12 such that obstruction of the fluid path associated with inlets 15 is opened prior to diaphragm 16 achieving a spaced relationship relative to outlet 13. Such a consideration achieves the desired common fluid flow direction through each jet assembly 10 during operation of the discrete jet assemblies 10. When not operating, diaphragm 16 cooperates with the inward facing surface 40 of faceplate 12 such that diaphragm 16 occupies the void or flow path associated with the water flow path between inlets 15 and outlet 13 associated with the jet pumping operation. Such a construction mitigates the retention of environment water within the workings of jet assemblies 10 when the jet assemblies are not operated. Preferably, one or more of at least the working fluid exposed surfaces of faceplate 12, diaphragm 16, and/or base are coated with a silver layer or other suitable antibacterial material or coating to further mitigate existence or propagation of bacteria growth.
(61) Referring to
(62) Regardless of the specific mounting arrangement, each jet assembly 10 is connected to a control system 48 configured to control operation of the discrete exciters 24 and the jet assembly 10 associated therewith. Although each jet assembly 10 is fluidly isolated from the other jet assemblies, aside from being exposed to the working fluid associated with basin 28, each jet assembly 10 is connected to control system 48 by one or more elongated connectors 50, 52, such as wires or pneumatic tubing, to communicate the desired operating instructions to the discrete jet assemblies 10 to achieve a desired output or massage action associated with operation of the respective jet assemblies 10.
(63) Control system 48 preferably includes a display 56 and one or more inputs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 configured to allow a user 70 to generate a desired output or massage affect associated with utilization of basin 28. Preferably control system 48 allows a limited degree of adjustability associated with the amplitude and/or frequency associated with the generation of the discrete soliton waves 30 during utilization of basin 28. It is appreciated that control system 48 can also be configured to allow the operation of only selected or desired jet assemblies 10 to satisfy different user preferences. When provided in such a methodology, it is further appreciated that the respective jet assemblies designated as preferably providing no massage effect, default to an “OFF” condition wherein the diaphragm obstructs both the outlet 13 and inlets 15 associated with a discrete jet assembly thereby isolating the internal workings of the same from the operating environment, or be allowed to operate at a frequency and/or an amplitude wherein the discrete jet assembly 10 does not generate a soliton wave 30 having an amplitude perceptible by a user 70. It should be appreciated that the operation of each discrete jet assembly 10 can be adjusted to manipulate the amplitude and or frequency of the soliton wave 30 such that the wave collapses before impinging on user 70 of basin 28. Such a consideration allows basin 28 to provide various preferred massaging effects to satisfy preferences specific to different users of basin 28.
(64) It should be appreciated that exciter 24 associated with jet assemblies 10 can be provided in a variety of forms configured to generate the oscillated operation of diaphragm 26. It should be appreciated, from the generally elongated shape, that exciter 24 shown in
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(66) An outward radial surface 118 of driven element 104 includes one or more ribs 120, that slideably cooperate with a respective groove 122 associated with a radially inward facing surface 124 of housing 108. The slideable cooperation of ribs 120 and grooves 122 facilitates an axially slideable association between driven element 104 and drive element 102 and housing 108. Groove 112 associated with drive element 102 translates in an axial direction, indicated by arrow 128, along the circumference of the exterior surface 110 of drive element 102. During rotation 106 of drive element 102, the slideable cooperation between post 114 and groove 112 effectuate axial translation 128 of driven element 104 relative to drive element 102 and housing 108 thereby generating linear axial oscillation of driven element 104 in response to rotation 106 of drive element 102. The linear axial translation 128 of driven element 104 relative to housing 108 and drive element 102 generates the desired oscillation of diaphragm 116, so as to facilitate sequential generation of multiple soliton waves 30 in response to a rotational input signal associated with rotation 106 of drive element 102.
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(68) As compared to the embodiment shown in
(69) The table below includes the data associated with sequentially generating a plurality of soliton waves 30 according to any of the embodiments described above. The data in each successive right hand column follows the data in the immediately preceding left hand column.
(70) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Time (Sec) Position (in Veloc (in/s) Accel (g's) 0.000 0.478 0.001 0.478 0.833 2.156 0.002 0.481 2.504 4.323 0.003 0.485 4.182 4.343 0.004 0.491 5.870 4.370 0.005 0.498 7.584 4.435 0.006 0.508 9.329 4.515 0.007 0.519 11.100 4.585 0.008 0.532 12.909 4.680 0.009 0.547 14.773 4.824 0.010 0.563 16.692 4.968 0.011 0.582 18.675 5.132 0.012 0.603 20.754 5.378 0.013 0.626 22.937 5.650 0.014 0.651 25.226 5.923 0.015 0.678 27.615 6.184 0.016 0.709 30.158 6.575 0.017 0.742 32.923 7.161 0.018 0.777 35.915 7.743 0.019 0.817 39.172 8.430 0.020 0.859 42.823 9.448 0.021 0.906 46.853 10.430 0.022 0.958 51.370 11.691 0.023 1.014 56.712 13.825 0.024 1.077 63.096 16.520 0.025 1.139 61.495 −4.142 0.026 1.192 52.658 −22.870 0.027 1.237 45.740 −17.904 0.028 1.278 40.129 −14.521 0.029 1.313 35.258 −12.620 0.030 1.344 30.867 −11.349 0.031 1.371 26.928 −10.196 0.032 1.394 23.439 −9.028 0.033 1.414 20.234 −8.296 0.034 1.431 17.200 −7.851 0.035 1.446 14.301 −7.502 0.036 1.457 11.537 −7.153 0.037 1.466 8.907 −6.808 0.038 1.473 6.324 −6.683 0.039 1.476 3.754 −6.652 0.040 1.478 1.234 −6.522 0.041 1.478 0.000 −3.193 0.042 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.043 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.044 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.045 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.046 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.047 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.048 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.049 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.050 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.051 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.052 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.053 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.054 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.055 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.056 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.057 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.058 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.059 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.060 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.061 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.062 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.063 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.064 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.065 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.066 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.067 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.068 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.069 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.070 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.071 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.072 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.073 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.074 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.075 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.076 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.077 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.078 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.079 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.080 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.081 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.082 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.083 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.084 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.085 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.086 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.087 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.088 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.089 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.090 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.091 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.092 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.093 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.094 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.095 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.096 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.097 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.098 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.099 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.100 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.101 1.476 −1.246 −3.225 0.102 1.472 −3.762 −6.511 0.103 1.466 −6.308 −6.590 0.104 1.457 −8.893 −6.688 0.105 1.446 −11.546 −6.867 0.106 1.431 −14.300 −7.126 0.107 1.414 −17.192 −7.485 0.108 1.394 −20.074 −7.459 0.109 1.374 −20.620 −1.414 0.110 1.353 −20.358 0.680 0.111 1.333 −20.096 0.678 0.112 1.313 −19.835 0.676 0.113 1.294 −19.574 0.674 0.114 1.274 −19.316 0.668 0.115 1.255 −19.062 0.658 0.116 1.237 −18.810 0.652 0.117 1.218 −18.559 0.648 0.118 1.200 −18.308 0.649 0.119 1.182 −18.056 0.653 0.120 1.164 −17.803 0.655 0.121 1.146 −17.550 0.654 0.122 1.129 −17.300 0.649 0.123 1.112 −17.053 0.639 0.124 1.095 −16.811 0.627 0.125 1.078 −16.571 0.619 0.126 1.062 −16.333 0.617 0.127 1.046 −16.093 0.620 0.128 1.030 −15.851 0.628 0.129 1.015 −15.607 0.632 0.130 0.999 −15.363 0.632 0.131 0.984 −15.121 0.626 0.132 0.969 −14.883 0.617 0.133 0.955 −14.649 0.605 0.134 0.940 −14.418 0.597 0.135 0.926 −14.188 0.594 0.136 0.912 −13.958 0.597 0.137 0.898 −13.724 0.605 0.138 0.885 −13.489 0.608 0.139 0.872 −13.254 0.608 0.140 0.859 −13.021 0.604 0.141 0.846 −12.790 0.596 0.142 0.833 −12.563 0.588 0.143 0.821 −12.338 0.583 0.144 0.809 −12.113 0.582 0.145 0.797 −11.888 0.583 0.146 0.785 −11.661 0.587 0.147 0.774 −11.434 0.587 0.148 0.763 −11.208 0.584 0.149 0.752 −10.984 0.581 0.150 0.741 −10.761 0.577 0.151 0.730 −10.539 0.574 0.152 0.720 −10.318 0.574 0.153 0.710 −10.096 0.574 0.154 0.700 −9.874 0.573 0.155 0.690 −9.653 0.573 0.156 0.681 −9.433 0.570 0.157 0.672 −9.214 0.565 0.158 0.663 −8.997 0.562 0.159 0.654 −8.780 0.561 0.160 0.645 −8.563 0.562 0.161 0.637 −8.345 0.565 0.162 0.629 −8.126 0.566 0.163 0.621 −7.908 0.566 0.164 0.613 −7.690 0.563 0.165 0.606 −7.475 0.558 0.166 0.599 −7.261 0.551 0.167 0.591 −7.050 0.548 0.168 0.585 −6.838 0.549 0.169 0.578 −6.624 0.552 0.170 0.572 −6.409 0.557 0.171 0.565 −6.193 0.559 0.172 0.559 −5.977 0.559 0.173 0.554 −5.763 0.555 0.174 0.548 −5.551 0.549 0.175 0.543 −5.341 0.543 0.176 0.538 −5.132 0.540 0.177 0.533 −4.923 0.541 0.178 0.528 −4.713 0.545 0.179 0.524 −4.500 0.550 0.180 0.519 −4.287 0.552 0.181 0.515 −4.074 0.552 0.182 0.511 −3.852 0.548 0.183 0.508 −3.652 0.543 0.184 0.504 −3.444 0.538 0.185 0.501 −3.237 0.536 0.186 0.498 −3.029 0.537 0.187 0.495 −2.820 0.541 0.188 0.493 −2.610 0.545 0.189 0.490 −2.399 0.546 0.190 0.488 −2.188 0.545 0.191 0.486 −1.978 0.543 0.192 0.484 −1.770 0.539 0.193 0.483 −1.563 0.537 0.194 0.481 −1.355 0.537 0.195 0.480 −1.147 0.538 0.196 0.479 −0.939 0.540 0.197 0.478 −0.730 0.541 0.198 0.478 −0.521 0.541 0.199 0.478 −0.312 0.540 0.200 0.478 −0.104 0.539 0.201 0.478 0.833 2.425 0.202 0.481 2.504 4.323 0.202 0.485 4.182 4.343 0.204 0.491 5.870 4.370 0.205 0.498 7.584 4.435 0.206 0.508 9.329 4.515 0.207 0.519 11.100 4.585 0.208 0.532 12.909 4.680 0.209 0.547 14.773 4.624 0.210 0.563 16.692 4.968 0.211 0.582 18.675 5.132 0.212 0.603 20.754 5.378 0.213 0.626 22.937 5.650 0.214 0.651 25.226 5.923 0.215 0.678 27.615 6.184 0.216 0.709 30.156 5.575 0.217 0.742 32.923 7.161 0.218 0.777 35.915 7.743 0.219 0.817 39.172 8.430 0.220 0.859 42.823 9.448 0.221 0.906 46.853 10.430 0.222 0.958 51.370 11.691 0.223 1.014 56.712 13.825 0.224 1.077 63.096 16.520 0.225 1.139 61.495 −4.142 0.226 1.192 52.658 −25.870 0.227 1.237 45.740 −17.904 0.228 1.278 40.129 −14.521 0.229 1.313 35.253 −12.620 0.230 1.344 30.867 −11.349 0.231 1.371 26.928 −10.196 0.232 1.394 23.439 −9.028 0.233 1.414 20.234 −8.296 0.234 1.431 17.200 −7.851 0.235 1.446 14.301 −7.502 0.236 1.457 11.537 −7.153 0.237 1.466 8.907 −6.808 0.238 1.473 6.324 −6.683 0.239 1.476 3.754 −6.652 0.240 1.478 1.234 −6.522 0.241 1.478 0.000 −3.193 0.242 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.243 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.244 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.245 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.246 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.247 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.248 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.249 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.250 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.251 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.252 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.253 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.254 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.255 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.256 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.257 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.258 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.259 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.260 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.261 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.262 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.263 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.264 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.265 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.266 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.267 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.268 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.269 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.270 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.271 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.272 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.273 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.274 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.275 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.276 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.277 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.278 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.279 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.280 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.281 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.282 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.283 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.284 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.285 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.286 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.287 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.288 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.289 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.290 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.291 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.292 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.293 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.294 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.295 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.296 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.297 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.298 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.299 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.300 1.478 0.000 0.000 0.301 1.476 −1.246 −3.225 0.302 1.472 −3.762 −6.511 0.303 1.466 −6.308 −6.590 0.304 1.457 −8.893 −6.688 0.305 1.446 −11.546 −6.867 0.306 1.431 −14.300 −7.126 0.307 1.414 −17.192 −7.485 0.308 1.394 −20.074 −7.459 0.309 1.374 −20.620 −1.414 0.310 1.353 −20.358 0.680 0.311 1.333 −20.096 0.678 0.312 1.313 −19.835 0.676 0.313 1.294 −19.574 0.674 0.314 1.274 −19.316 0.668 0.315 1.255 −19.062 0.658 0.316 1.237 −18.810 0.652 0.317 1.218 −18.559 0.648 0.318 1.200 −18.308 0.649 0.319 1.182 −18.056 0.653 0.320 1.164 −17.803 0.655 0.321 1.146 −17.550 0.654 0.322 1.129 −17.300 0.649 0.323 1.112 −17.053 0.639 0.324 1.095 −16.811 0.627 0.325 1.078 −16.571 0.619 0.326 1.062 −16.333 0.617 0.327 1.046 −16.093 0.620 0.328 1.030 −15.851 0.628 0.329 1.015 −15.607 0.632 0.330 0.999 −15.363 0.632 0.331 0.984 −15.121 0.626 0.332 0.969 −14.883 0.617 0.333 0.955 −14.649 0.605 0.334 0.940 −14.418 0.597 0.335 0.926 −14.188 0.594 0.336 0.912 −13.958 0.597 0.337 0.898 −13.724 0.605 0.338 0.885 −13.489 0.608 0.339 0.872 −13.254 0.608 0.340 0.859 −13.021 0.604 0.341 0.846 −12.790 0.596 0.342 0.833 −12.563 0.588 0.343 0.821 −12.338 0.563 0.344 0.809 −12.113 0.582 0.345 0.797 −11.888 0.583 0.346 0.785 −11.661 0.587 0.347 0.774 −11.434 0.587 0.348 0.763 −11.208 0.584 0.349 0.752 −10.984 0.581 0.350 0.741 −10.761 0.577 0.351 0.730 −10.539 0.574 0.352 0.720 −10.318 0.574 0.353 0.710 −10.096 0.574 0.354 0.700 −9.874 0.573 0.355 0.690 −9.653 0.573 0.356 0.681 −9.433 0.570 0.357 0.672 −9.214 0.565 0.358 0.663 −8.997 0.562 0.359 0.654 −8.780 0.561 0.360 0.645 −8.563 0.562 0.361 0.637 −8.345 0.565 0.362 0.629 −8.126 0.566 0.363 0.621 −7.908 0.566 0.364 0.613 −7.690 0.563 0.365 0.606 −7.475 0.558 0.366 0.599 −7.261 0.551 0.367 0.591 −7.050 0.548 0.368 0.585 −6.838 0.549 0.369 0.578 −6.624 0.552 0.370 0.572 −6.409 0.557 0.371 0.565 −6.193 0.559 0.372 0.559 −5.977 0.559 0.373 0.554 −5.763 0.555 0.374 0.548 −5.551 0.549 0.375 0.543 −5.341 0.543 0.376 0.538 −5.132 0.540 0.377 0.533 −4.923 0.541 0.378 0.528 −4.713 0.545 0.379 0.524 −4.500 0.550 0.380 0.519 −4.287 0.552 0.381 0.515 −4.074 0.552 0.382 0.511 −3.862 0.548 0.383 0.508 −3.652 0.543 0.384 0.504 −3.444 0.538 0.385 0.501 −3.237 0.536 0.386 0.498 −3.029 0.537 0.387 0.495 −2.820 0.541 0.388 0.493 −2.610 0.545 0.389 0.490 −2.399 0.546 0.390 0.488 −2.188 0.545 0.391 0.486 −1.978 0.543 0.392 0.484 −1.770 0.539 0.393 0.483 −1.563 0.537 0.394 0.481 −1.359 0.537 0.395 0.480 −1.147 0.538 0.396 0.479 −0.939 0.540 0.397 0.478 −0.730 0.541 0.398 0.478 −0.521 0.541 0.399 0.478 −0.312 0.540 0.400 0.478 −0.104 0.539
(71) Referring to
(72)
(73) The housing 404 includes a chamber 412 formed therein to allow movement of a mover 408 within the chamber 412. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the mover 408 of
(74) In the representative embodiment of the invention, the exciter 410 is in the form of a rotational actuator oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of motion of the bellows 408a and piston 408b, which move in concert with each other along the same axis of motion. In particular, the rotational motion of the exciter 410 causes the piston head 408b to move from a first position to a second position along the axis of motion. In turn, the movement of the piston 408b from the first position to the second position causes the diaphragm 408a to contract and expand, respectively. This described below in further detail.
(75) As shown in
(76) In the representative embodiment of the invention, the second end 416 of the bellows 408a is magnetically coupled to the first end 420 of the piston 408b. As shown in
(77) As described above, movement of the exciter 410 is translated to movement of the piston head 408b and the bellows 408a. The cross-sectional views of
(78) Movement of the piston head 408b and the bellows 408a causes an available volume 430 of the chamber 412 to change or be adjusted. For instance, when the piston 408b is in the second position and the bellows 408a is expanded, the volume 430 is increased and a pulse of water is pulled into the chamber 412 through the opening 406 of the faceplate 402. After a delay, the piston 408b is moved to the first position and the bellows 408a is contracted, which reduces the volume 430 and ejects the water from the chamber 412 and through the opening 406 in a toroidal waveform.
(79) The jet assembly may further include an alternative exciter 413 in the form of a pneumatic system. The pneumatic system 413 includes a pneumatic valve 413a coupled to the housing 404 in order to supply air or a fluid to a pneumatic chamber 413b. The pneumatic chamber 413b is representative of the space within the housing 404 between the second end 427 of the housing 404 and the first end 420 of the piston 408b. When the pneumatic system 410 increases the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 413b, the piston 408b is moved toward the faceplate 402 of the jet assembly 400 to the first position in order to increase the size of the pneumatic chamber 413b. The pneumatic system 413 also includes a pneumatic relief valve 413c disposed at a first end 420 of the piston 408b and extending into the pneumatic chamber 410b. The pneumatic relief valve 413c assists in decreasing the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 413b in order to move the piston 408b away from the faceplate 402 and to the second position. As a result, the size of the pneumatic chamber 413b is decreased.
(80)
(81) A chamber 512 is disposed within the housing 504 and configured to allow movement of a mover 508 within the chamber 512. In this embodiment of the invention, the mover 508 is represented by a piston 508b that moves between a first position and a second position and a diaphragm 508a that transitions accordingly. The jet assembly 500 also includes an exciter 510 that operates to transition the piston 508b between the first and second positions and generate a toroidal water jet stream.
(82) Similar to the exciter 410 of the jet assembly 400, the exciter 510 of the jet assembly 500 is in the form of a rotational actuator oriented perpendicular to the axis of motion of the piston 508b. Movement of the exciter 510 is translated to movement of the piston 508b. As shown in
(83) As shown in
(84) Movement of the first end 520 of the piston 508b results in movement of the second end 516 of the bellows 508a. In other words, as the piston 508b moves from the second position to the first position, the bellows 508a rolls onto itself. Conversely, as the piston 508b moves from the first position to the second position, the bellows 508a unrolls.
(85) In this instance, movement of the piston 508b causes an available or accessible volume 530 of the chamber 512 to change. For instance, in the first position, the piston 508b is placed nearer the faceplate 502 of the jet assembly 500 to minimize the volume 530 and prevent water from entering the chamber 512. On the other hand, when the piston head 508b is in the second position, the piston head 508b is displaced from the faceplate 502 to maximize the volume 530 and allow water to enter the chamber 512. As a result, when the piston 508b is moved from the first position to the second position, the volume 530 is increased and a pulse of water is pulled into the chamber 512 through the opening 506 of the faceplate 502. After a delay, the piston 508b is then moved back to the first position and the volume 530 is reduced, which causes the water within the chamber 512 to be ejected through the opening 506 in a toroidal waveform.
(86) The jet assembly 500 may also include an alternative exciter 513 in the form of a pneumatic system. The pneumatic system 513 includes a pneumatic valve 513a, a pneumatic chamber 513b, and a pneumatic relief valve 513c. The pneumatic valve 513a is coupled to the housing 504 in order to supply air or a fluid to the pneumatic chamber 413b, which is representative of the space within the housing 504 between the second end 527 of the housing 504 and the first end 520 of the piston 508b. The pneumatic relief valve 513c is disposed in a first end 520 of the piston 508b and extends into the pneumatic chamber 513b. The pneumatic system 513 is able to increase the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 513b via the pneumatic valve 513a and move the piston 408b toward the faceplate 502 to the first position in order to increase the size of the pneumatic chamber 513b. The pneumatic system 513 is also able to decrease the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 513b via the relief valve 513c in order to allow the piston 508b to move away from the faceplate 502 and to the second position, which results in the size of the pneumatic chamber 513b decreasing.
(87) Now referring to
(88) The chamber 612 within the housing 604 allows a mover 608 to move within the chamber 612. As shown in
(89) In the representative embodiment of the invention of
(90) The exciter 610 of the jet assembly 600 is in the form of a rotational actuator similar to the exciters 410, 510 previously discussed above. As shown in
(91) An available or accessible volume 630 within the chamber 612 is changed by movement of the piston 608b. For instance, in the first position, the piston 608b is disposed adjacent the faceplate 602 of the jet assembly 600 to minimize the volume 630 and prevent water from entering the chamber 612. In the second position, the piston 608b is spaced apart from the faceplate 602 to maximize the volume 630 and allow water from a respective basin to enter the chamber 612. As the piston 608b is moved from the first position to the second position, the volume 530 is increased and a volume of water is pulled into the chamber 612 through the opening 606 in the faceplate 602. As the piston 608b is moved from the second position toward the first position, the volume 530 is decreased and a toroidal pulse of water is ejected from the chamber 512 through the opening 606. It is contemplated that the piston 608b may be maintained in the first position for a delay period before returning toward the second position such that the toroidal wave can fully propagate and travel in a direction away from the faceplate such
(92) that a subsequent intake stroke does not detract or reduce the previously generated soliton fluid wave.
(93) The jet assembly 600 may also include an alternative exciter 613 in the form of a pneumatic system. The pneumatic system 613 may include a pneumatic valve 613a coupled to the housing 604 in order to supply air or another fluid to a pneumatic chamber 613b. The pneumatic chamber 613b is representative of the space within the housing 604 between the second end 627 of the housing 604 and the first end 620 of the piston 608b. When the pneumatic system 613 increases the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 613b, the piston 608b is moved to the first position in order to increase the size of the pneumatic chamber 613b. The pneumatic system 613 may also include a pneumatic relief valve 613c disposed at a first end 620 of the piston 608b and extending into the pneumatic chamber 610b. The pneumatic relief valve 613b may be used to decrease the pressure within the chamber 613b in order to move the piston 608b to the second position and decrease the size of the pneumatic chamber 613b.
(94) Next,
(95) A mover 708 is disposed within the chamber 712 of the housing 704. The chamber 712 is configured to allow the mover 708 to move within the chamber 712. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the mover 708 comprises a diaphragm 708a and a piston 708b. The piston 708b moves between a first position and a second position, while the diaphragm 708a transitions accordingly. This will be described in further detail below. The jet assembly 700 also includes an exciter 710 that causes the piston 708b to move between the first and second positions and generate a toroidal water jet stream through the opening 706.
(96) The exciter 710 of the jet assembly 700 is in the form of a rotational actuator oriented perpendicular to the axis of motion of the piston 708b. Movement of the exciter 710 is translated to movement of the piston 708b between the first and second positions. As shown in
(97) A biasing element 734, such as a spring, is disposed within a biasing channel 740 of the housing 704 in order to surround the piston 708b. A first end 738 of the biasing channel 740 is disposed adjacent the first end 726 of the housing 704. The second end 742 of the piston 708b includes an extension portion 744 that extends in a radially outward direction, which defines a second end 746 of the biasing channel 740. In turn, the biasing element 734 extends from a first end 748 that is in contact with the first end 738 of the biasing channel 740 and a second end 750 that is in contact with a front face 752 of the extension portion 744 of the piston 708b. As a result, when the exciter 710 and displacement member 708c cause the piston 708b to move to the first position, the biasing element 734 compresses as the movement of the extension portion 744 reduces the size of the biasing channel 740. In turn, when the exciter 710 and the displacement member 708c move backward, the biasing element 734 exerts a force on the extension portion 744 of the piston 708b and causes the piston 708b to move to the second position, which in turn allows the biasing element 734 to expand as the size of the biasing channel 740 is increased.
(98)
(99) Movement of the piston 708b causes an available or accessible volume 730 of the chamber 712 to change. For instance, when the piston 708b is in the first position, it is disposed adjacent the faceplate 702 to minimize the volume 730 and prevent water from entering the chamber 712. Conversely, when the piston 708b is in the second position, it is spaced apart from the faceplate 702 to maximize the volume 730 and allow water to enter the chamber 712. Further, when the piston 708b transitions from the first position to the second position, the volume 730 is increased and a pulse of water is pulled into the chamber 712 through the opening 706. After a delay, the piston 708b transitions from the second position to the first position thereby decreasing the volume 730 associated with chamber 712 and ejecting the water from the chamber 712 and through the opening 706 in a toroidal waveform.
(100) The jet assembly 700 may further include an alternative exciter 713, such as a pneumatic system. The pneumatic system 713 includes a pneumatic valve 713a, a pneumatic chamber 713b, and a pneumatic relief valve 713c. The pneumatic valve 713a is coupled to the housing 704 and supplies air or another fluid to the pneumatic chamber 713b. The pneumatic chamber 713b is representative of the space within the housing 704 between the second end 727 of the housing 704 and the first end 720 of the piston 708b. The pneumatic system 713 is able to increase the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 713b via the pneumatic valve 713a and move the piston 70b to the first position and increase the size of the pneumatic chamber 713b. The pneumatic relief valve 713c is disposed in the first end 720 of the piston 708b and extends into the pneumatic chamber 713b. The pneumatic relief valve 713c assists in decreasing the pressure within the chamber 713b in order to move the piston 708b to the second position and decrease the size of the pneumatic chamber 713b.
(101) Referring next to
(102) The housing 804 includes a chamber 812 disposed therein. The chamber 812 is configured to allow a mover 708 to move within the chamber 812. As shown in
(103)
(104) The exciter 810 of the jet assembly 800 is in the form of a rotational actuator. As shown in
(105) The chamber 812 includes an accessible volume 830 that is changed by the movement of the piston 808b. In the first position, the piston 808b is located adjacent the faceplate 802 of the jet assembly 800 so as to minimize the volume 830 and prevent water from entering the chamber 812. In the second position, the piston 808b is spaced apart from the faceplate 802 of the jet assembly 800 so as to maximize the volume 830 and allow water to enter the chamber 812 through the opening 806 in the faceplate 802. More specifically, when the piston 808b moves from the first position to the second position, the volume 830 is increased and water is pulled into the chamber 812. On the other hand, when the piston 808b moves from the second position to the first position, the volume 830 is decreased and the water is jettisoned from the chamber 812 via the opening 806 in a toroidal waveform. It is also contemplated that the piston 808b may be maintained in the first or second position for a dwell or delay period before moving to the other position to mitigate interference between the intake and discharge strokes associated with operation of piston 808b and the development and outward propagation of the toroidal wave into the operating environment, respectively.
(106) Next,
(107) A mover 908 is disposed within the chamber 912 of the housing 904 and is able to move within the chamber 912.
(108) The exciter 910 is in the form of a solenoid 910a coupled to the housing 904 opposite the faceplate 902. A shaft 946 extends from the piston 908b and extends into a cavity 948 formed within the solenoid 910a. Energization and de-energization of solenoid 910a imparts a driving force upon shaft 946 and thereby transitions piston 908b from the first position to the second position.
(109) As shown in
(110)
(111) As the piston 908b moves, an available or accessible volume 930 in the chamber 812 changes. For example, when the piston 908b is in the first position, the piston head 946 is disposed adjacent the faceplate 902 to reduce the volume 930 and prevent water from entering the chamber 912. When the piston 908b is in the second position, the piston head 946 is spaced apart from the faceplate 902 to maximize the volume 930 and allow water to enter the chamber 912. Movement of the piston 908b from the first position toward the second position causes the volume 930 to increase and a pulse of water to be pulled into the chamber 912 through the opening 906 in the faceplate 902. Conversely, movement of the piston 908b from the second position toward the first position causes the volume 930 to decrease and eject water from the chamber 912 in a toroidal waveform through the opening 906 in the faceplate 902. Upon reaching the first position or second position, the piston 908b may delay before moving toward the other position.
(112) Referring to
(113) A mover 1008 is disposed within the chamber 1012 of the housing 1004. The mover 1008 is able to move between first and second positions within the chamber 1012.
(114) As mentioned above,
(115) The jet assembly 1000 further includes an exciter 1010 that is configured to actuate movement of the piston 1008b between the first and second positions in order to generate a toroidal water jet output. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the exciter 1010 is in the form of a solenoid 1010a disposed within the piston 1008b. As shown in
(116) As the piston 1008b moves, an available or accessible volume 1030 in the chamber 1012 is modified. For instance, when the piston 1008b is in the first position, the piston 1008b is disposed adjacent the faceplate 1002 to minimize the volume 1030 and prevent water from entering the chamber 1012. When the piston 1008b is in the second position, the piston 1008b is spaced apart from the faceplate 1002 to maximize the volume 1030 and allow water to enter the chamber 1012. As a result, when the piston 1008b moves from the first position to the second position, the volume 1030 increases and a volume of water is pulled into the chamber 1012 through the opening 1006 in the faceplate 1002. When the piston 1008b moves from the second position toward the first position, the volume 1030 decreases and water is ejected from the chamber 1012 in a toroidal waveform through the opening 1006 in the faceplate 1002. It is contemplated that upon reaching the first or second position, the piston 1008b may be maintained in the relative top and bottom stroke positions for a delay period before transition to the other position.
(117) Referring next to
(118) A mover 1108 is disposed within the chamber 1112 of the housing 1104 and transitions between first and second positions. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the mover 1108 includes a diaphragm 1108a and a piston 1108b. An exciter 1110 causes the piston 1108b to move between a first position and a second position to create a toroidal waveform.
(119) The diaphragm 1108a is depicted as being in the form of an o-ring seal disposed adjacent a first end 1120 of the piston 1108b. As shown in
(120) The exciter 1110 is in the form of a solenoid 1110a attached to the housing 1104 opposite the faceplate 1102. The piston 1108b includes a main body 1144 and a plunger 946 extending from a cavity 1152 within the main body 1144 to a cavity 1148 formed within the solenoid 1110a. Meanwhile, the plunger 1146 also further includes a head 1154, which is disposed within the centrally-located cavity 1152 of the main body 114 of the piston 1108b. The cavity 1152 is formed to receive the head 1154 of the plunger 1146 so as to secure the plunger 1146 in place. In other words, the cavity 1152 includes a head portion 1152a and a shaft portion 1152b configured to receive corresponding portions of the plunger 1146 so that movement of the plunger 1146 is directly translated into movement of the piston 1108b.
(121) Movement of the piston 1108b changes an available or accessible volume 1130 within the chamber 1112. When the piston 1108b is in the first position, the first end 1120 of the piston 1108b is disposed adjacent the faceplate 1102 to minimize the volume 1130 and prevent water from entering the chamber 112. When the piston 1108b is in the second position, the first end 1120 of the piston 1108b is spaced apart from the faceplate 1102 to maximize the volume 1130 and allow water to enter the chamber 112 through the opening 11066 in the faceplate 1102. As a result, movement of the piston 1108b from the first position to the second position causes the volume 1130 to increase and a pulse of water to be pulled into the chamber 1112 through the opening 1106 in the faceplate 1102. Meanwhile, movement of the piston 1108b from the second position toward the first position causes the volume 1130 to increase and the water to be ejected through the opening 1106 of the faceplate 1102 in a toroidal waveform. It is contemplated that the piston 1108b may be provided with a dwell or delay before transitioning from one from a respective one of the first and second positions toward the other of the respective first or second position.
(122)
(123) The housing 1204 includes a chamber 1212 formed therein and configured to allow a mover 1208 to be disposed therein. As shown in
(124)
(125) As described above, the piston head 1209 is movably disposed within the chamber 1212, while the piston base 1211 is stationary within the chamber 1212. As shown in
(126) The exciter 1210 is in the form of a pneumatic system including a pneumatic valve 1210a, a pneumatic chamber 1210b, and a pneumatic relief valve 1210c. The pneumatic valve 1210a is coupled to a second end 1227 of the housing 1204. In the representative embodiment of the invention, a cap 1205 is threadably coupled to the second end 1227 of the housing 1204, and the pneumatic valve 1201a is disposed within the cap 1205. The pneumatic system 1210 provides air or another fluid into the pneumatic chamber 1210b via the pneumatic valve 1210a. The pneumatic chamber 1210b is representative of the space between the main portion 1209a of the piston head 1209 and the cap 1205. As the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1210b increases, the piston head 1209 is moved toward the faceplate 1202 of the jet assembly 1200 in response to an increase in the volume of the pneumatic chamber 1210b. In turn, the spring plate 1250, which is coupled to the piston head 1209 as described above, also moves toward the faceplate 1202 of the jet assembly 1200.
(127) A biasing element 1234, such as a spring, is disposed within a biasing chamber 1240 disposed within the piston base 1211. A first end 1238 of the biasing chamber 1240 is at a first end 1213 of the piston base 1211, opposite the rim 1211b of the piston base 1211. The biasing element 1234 extends from a first end 1248 in contact with the first end 1238 of the biasing chamber 1240 to a second end 1249 in contact with the spring plate 1250. As a result, when the pneumatic system 1210 increases the air pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1210b and moves the spring plate 1250, the biasing element 1234 is compressed as the movement of the spring plate 1250 reduces the spacing between the spring plate 1250 and the first end 1238 of the biasing chamber 1240. When the pneumatic system 1210 reduces the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1210b via the pneumatic relief valve 1201c, the biasing element 1234 exerts a force on the spring plate 1250 and causes the piston head 1209 and spring plate 1250 to move away from the faceplate 1202. As the spacing between the spring plate 1250 and the first end 1238 of the biasing chamber 1240 increases, the biasing element 1234 expands.
(128) The pneumatic relief valve 1210c is in the form of a membrane coupled to the first end 1220 of the piston head 1209 by a fastener 1244, such as a rivet or the like. The membrane 1210c covers at least one orifice 1245 formed in the first end 1220 of the piston head. To reduce the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1210b, the membrane 1210 is supported by the piston head such that the membrane can move away from the first end 1220 of the piston head 1209 to expose the orifice 1245 that lies therebehind while remaining coupled to the piston head 1209.
(129) As the piston head 1209 of the piston 1208b moves between the first and second positions, an available or accessible working fluid volume 1230 within the chamber 1212 is modified. For example, when the piston 1208b is in the first position, the first end 1220 is adjacent the faceplate 1202 to reduce the volume 1230 and prevent water from entering the chamber 1212. Conversely, when the piston 1208b is in the second position, the first end 1220 is spaced apart from the faceplate 1202 to increase the volume 1230 and allow water to enter the chamber 1212. As such, when the piston 1208b moves from the first position to the second position, the volume 1230 increases and a pulse of water is pulled into the chamber 1212 through the opening 1206. After a delay, the piston 1208b may be moved from the second position to the first position to reduce the volume 1230 and eject the water from the chamber 1212 and through the opening 1206 to create a toroidal jet of water.
(130) Referring now to
(131) A mover 1308 is disposed within the chamber 1312 of the housing 1304. Further, the mover 1308 is able to move within the chamber 1312. As shown in
(132) The exciter 1310 of the jet assembly 1300 is in the form of a pneumatic system including a pneumatic valve 1310a, a pneumatic chamber 1310b, and a pneumatic relief valve 1310c. The pneumatic valve 1310a is coupled to a second end 1327 of the housing 1304 opposite the first end 1326 of the housing 1304, the pneumatic chamber 1310b is disposed within the piston 1308b, and the pneumatic relief valve 1310c is disposed at a first end 1320 of the piston 1308b and extends into the pneumatic chamber 1310b. The pneumatic system 1310 provides air or another fluid into the pneumatic chamber 1310b via the pneumatic valve 1310a. As the pressure increases within the pneumatic chamber 1310b, the piston 1308b is moved toward the faceplate 1302 of the jet assembly 1300. In turn, the pneumatic relief valve 1310c may be used to decrease the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1310b in order to move the piston 1308b away from the faceplate 1302.
(133) A biasing element 1334, such as a spring, is disposed within a biasing chamber 1340 of the housing 1304 in order to surround the piston 1308b. A first end 1338 of the biasing chamber 1340 may be disposed adjacent the first end 1326 of the housing 1304. Further, the second end 1342 of the piston 1308b may include an extension portion 1344 extending radially outward therefrom and into the biasing chamber 1340. The biasing element 1334 extends from a first end 1348 in contact with the first end 1338 of the biasing chamber 1340 and a second end 1350 in contact with a front face 1352 of the extension portion 1344 of the piston 1308b. As a result, when the pneumatic system 1310 increases the air pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1310b and moves the piston 1308b to the first position, the biasing element 1334 compresses as the movement of the extension portion 1344 reduces the spacing between the extension portion 1344 and the first end 1338 of the biasing chamber 1340. When the pneumatic system reduces the air pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1310b, the biasing element 1334 exerts a force on the extension portion 1344 and causes the piston 1308b to move to the second position. In turn, the biasing element 1334 expands as the spacing between the extension portion 1344 and the first end 1338 of the biasing chamber 1340 increases.
(134)
(135) Movement of the piston 1308b causes an accessible volume 1330 within the chamber 1312 to be modified. For example, when the piston 1308b is in the first position, the first end 1320 of the piston 1308b is placed adjacent the faceplate 1302 of the jet assembly 1300 to minimize the volume 1330 and prevent water from entering the chamber 1312. When the piston 1308b is in the second position, the first end 1320 of the piston 1308b is spaced apart from the faceplate 1302 to maximize the volume 1330 and allow water to enter the chamber 1312 through the opening 1306 in the faceplate 1302. As a result, when the piston 1308b moves from the first position to the second position, the volume 1330 is increased and a pulse of water is pulled into the chamber 1312 through the opening 1306 in the faceplate 1302. After a delay, the piston 1308b is then moved back to the first position and the volume 1330 is reduced to cause the water within the chamber 1312 to be ejected through the opening 1306 in the faceplate 1302 in a toroidal waveform.
(136) Referring now to
(137) A chamber 1412 is disposed within the housing 1404, and a mover 1408 is disposed within the chamber 1412. As shown in
(138) The diaphragm 1408a is in the form of a rolling diaphragm or rolling bellows. A first end 1414 of the bellows 1408a is secured to an inner surface 1416 of the faceplate disc 1402a. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the bellows 1408a includes a rim 1428 that is held in place between the disc 1402a and the first end 1426 of the housing 1404 in order to secure the first end 1414 of the bellows 1408a to the inner surface 1416 of the faceplate disc 1402a. A second end 1418 of the bellows 1408a is coupled to a first end 1420 of the piston 1408b. While
(139) The exciter 1410 is in the form of a solenoid 1410a coupled to a second end 1427 of the housing 1404, opposite the first end 1426 of the housing 1404. The solenoid 1410a includes a shaft 1446 that extends toward and is coupled to the piston 1408b. In turn, when the solenoid is activated, the piston 1408b is pulled by the shaft 1446 toward the second end 1427 of the housing 1404 and to the second position. When the solenoid is deactivated, the piston 1408b is able to return toward the first end 1426 of the housing 1404 and to the first position. It is appreciated that solenoid 1410a could be provided in a generally reverse operational nature, wherein actuation of the solenoid drives piston 1408b toward the faceplate and deactivation of the solenoid allows the piston 1408a to translate toward the second position, or a configuration wherein dissimilar drive signals effectuate driven operation of the piston toward the respective first and second positions.
(140) Referring to
(141) As the piston 1408b moves, an available or accessible volume 1430 associated with the working fluid disposed within the chamber 1412 is modified. When the piston 1408b is in the first position, the first end 1420 of the piston 1408b is generally disposed adjacent the faceplate 1402 to reduce the volume 1430 and prevent water from entering the chamber 1412. When the piston 1408b is in the second position, the first end 1420 of the piston 1408b is spaced apart from the faceplate 1402 to increase the volume 1430 and allow water to enter the chamber 1412. Hence, when the piston 1408b moves from the first position to the second position, the volume 1430 is increased and a volume of water is pulled into the chamber 1412 through the opening 1406. After a delay, the piston 1408b may be moved back toward the first position from the second position any thereby reduce the volume 1430 and cause the water within the chamber 1412 to be ejected through the opening 1406 in the form of a toroidal water jet stream.
(142) The jet assembly may further include an alternative exciter 1413 in the form of a pneumatic system. The pneumatic system 1413 may include a pneumatic valve 1413a, a pneumatic chamber 1413b, and a pneumatic relief valve 1413c. The pneumatic valve 1413a is coupled to the housing 1404 to supply air or another fluid to a pneumatic chamber 413b, which is representative the space within the housing 1404 between the second end 1427 of the housing 1404 and the first end 1420 of the piston 1408b. When the pneumatic system 1410 increases the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1413b, the piston 1408b is moved to the first position in order to increase the size of the pneumatic chamber 1413b. The pneumatic relief valve 1413c is disposed at the first end 1420 of the piston 1408b and extends into the pneumatic chamber 1410b. The pneumatic relief valve 1413c assists in decreasing the pressure within the pneumatic chamber 1413b in order to move the piston 1408b to the second position and decrease the size of the pneumatic chamber 1413b.
(143) Next,
(144) A mover 1508 is disposed within the chamber 1512 of the housing 1504. In this embodiment of the invention, the mover 1508 includes a diaphragm 1508a and a shaft 1508b extending from the diaphragm and out a second end 1527 of the housing 1504 opposite the first end 1526. The diaphragm 1508a is oriented to divide the chamber 1512 into a first portion 1512a and a second portion 1512b. The first portion 1512a is fluidly coupled to the working fluid environment via an opening 1506 in the faceplate 1502, while the second portion 1512b is fluidically coupled with an exciter 1510, such as a pneumatic system, coupled to the housing 1512.
(145) The pneumatic system 1510 includes a pneumatic valve 1510a, which, as shown in
(146) As disclosed above, the shaft 1508b of the mover 1508 extends from the diaphragm 1408a, through a second end 1527 of the housing 1504, to a distal end 1509 of the shaft 1508b located outside the housing 1504. A spring plate 1550 is coupled to the distal end 1509 of the shaft 1508b. The spring plate 1500 extends laterally from the distal end 1509 of the shaft 1508b. As shown in
(147)
(148) As a result, when the diaphragm 1508a is moved to the first position and the pneumatic system 1510 stops providing air to the second portion 1512b of the chamber 1512, the biasing element 1524 is able to exert a force on the plate 1550 to cause the diaphragm 1508a to move from the first position to the second position away from the first end 1526 of the housing 1504. In turn, the shaft 1508b moves with the diaphragm 1508a, the plate 1550 moves away from the second end 1527 of the housing, the supports 1552 are spaced apart from the second end 1527 of the housing. As such, the membrane 1556 reengages the interior facing surface of the housing 1504 and covers the orifices 1554 thereby sealing the second portion 1512b of the chamber 1512 from atmosphere.
(149) As the diaphragm 1508a and the shaft 1508b move, an available or accessible volume 1530 in the chamber 1512 is modified. In this embodiment of the invention, the first portion 1512a of the chamber 1512 is representative of the volume 1530. When the mover 1508 is in the first position, the diaphragm 1508a flexes toward the first end 1526 of the housing 1504 to reduce the volume 1530 associated with chamber 1512 and thereby reduce the amount of water in the first portion 1512a of the chamber 1512. Conversely, when the mover 1508 is in the second position, the diaphragm 1508a is flexed away from the first end 1526 of the housing and toward the second end 1527 of the housing 1504. In turn, the volume 1530 increases thereby increasing the amount of water associated with the first portion 1512a of the chamber 1512. As the mover 1508 moves from the first position to the second position, the volume 1530 is increased and a volume of water is pulled into the first portion 1512a of the chamber 1512. When the mover 1508 moves from the second position toward the first position, the volume 1530 is decreased and a toroidal jet of water if ejected from the first portion 1512a of the chamber 1512 through the opening 1506 in the faceplate 1502.
(150) Referring next to
(151) As further shown in
(152) The main body 1623 of the flap arrangement 1620 is in the form of flaps that extend outward and are aligned with the inlets 1615 of the faceplate 1612. During the inlet flow, a fluid is able to enter the chamber 1622 through both the inlets 1615 and the outlet 1613 without interference by the flap 1623. During the outlet flow, the flaps 1623 block fluid from leaving the chamber 1622 via inlets 1615 such that fluid is forced to leave chamber 1622 through outlet 1613 defined by faceplate 1612.
(153)
(154) A second end 1603 of the diaphragm 1616 is secured to a piston 1628. The piston 1628 moves linearly from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the exciter 1624. In the first position shown in
(155)
(156) In the representative embodiment of the invention, the housing 1614 may be threadably engaged with the exciter frame 1630 to couple the housing 1614 to the remainder of the exciter 1624 structure.
(157)
(158) The diaphragm 1716 includes a first end 1707 and a second end 1703. The first end 1707 of the diaphragm 1716 includes a rim 1709 that is secured between an inner surface of the faceplate 1712 and a first end 1705 of the housing 1712. Meanwhile, the second end 1703 of the diaphragm 1716 is attached to a mover 1728, such as a piston, that reciprocates between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the piston 1728 is displaced from the inner surface of the faceplate 1712 thereby increasing the volume defined by chamber 1722. In the second position, the piston 1728 is moved toward the inner surface of the faceplate 1712 relative to the first position and thereby decreases the volume within the chamber 1722 relative to the first position. During movement of the piston 1728 from the first position toward the second position, fluid flows into the chamber through the outlet 1713 and the inlets 1715. As the piston moves from the second position toward the first position, fluid flows out of the chamber through the outlet 1713, as the flap arrangement 1720 at least substantially blocks fluid flow through the inlets 1715.
(159) As shown in
(160) The cam assembly 1732 includes an upper cam element 1734 and a lower cam element 1736 that slidably interact with one another to effectuate oscillation of the piston 1728. The upper cam element 1734 is shown in both
(161)
(162) The lower cam element 1736 is coupled to the upper cam element 1734 so that rotation of the respective upper cam element 1734 or lower cam element 1736 causes rotation of the cooperating respective cam element 1734, 1736. It is contemplated that the upper and lower cam elements 1734, 1736 may be axially secured together by way of fasteners to prevent axial separation. In turn, the upper and lower guide surfaces 1748, 1750 of the cam elements 1734, 1736 are consistently spaced apart from each other to provide a follower path 1752. The piston 1728 includes followers 1754 extending radially outward therefrom and are configured to be disposed within the follower path 1752. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the followers 1754 are shown as rotational elements such as ball bearings or the like fastened to the piston 1728 via a bolts, but may be in the form of any extrusion or attachment in varying embodiments of the invention. Rotation of the cam elements 1734, 1736 causes the followers 1754 to move along the follower path 1752. Due to the contouring of the guide surfaces 1748, 1750, and, as a result, the contouring of the follower path 1752, as the followers 1754 move along the follower path 1752, the followers are moved laterally or axially, that is either up and down or side to side depending upon the orientation of the jet assembly 1710. Since the followers 1754 extend statically outward from the piston 1728, lateral movement of followers 1754 as they move along the follower path 1752 translates to lateral movement of the piston 1728 relative to housing 1712 and thereby effectuate the expansion and contraction of the volume of the volume associated with jet assembly 1710 in the same manner and to the same effect as disclosed above with respect to the previously described jet assemblies.
(163) The follower path 1752 and the follower 1754 are symmetrically balanced with the piston 1728. In the representative embodiment of the invention, the follower path 1752 is configured to oscillate the piston 1728 twice per every revolution of the cam elements 1734, 1736. In other embodiments of the invention, the follower path 1752 may be adjusted to increase or decrease the number of oscillations of the piston 1782 per revolutions of the cam elements 1734, 1736.
(164)
(165) The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment. The several embodiments disclosed herein are related as being related to the assembly as generally shown in the drawings. It is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, the embodiments summarized, or the embodiment shown in the drawings, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. The appending claims cover all such alternatives and equivalents.