PRESSURE WASHER GUN WITH CHEMICAL INJECTION AND FOAMING CAPABILITIES

Abstract

A pressure washer spray gun includes a spray gun body configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of pressurized water, a chemical container configured to contain liquid chemical, a chemical injection port fluidly coupled to the chemical container, an air inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled a source of air, and a nozzle configured for ejecting fluid through an orifice having an orifice diameter. The air inlet port is located between the chemical injection port and the nozzle orifice. In operation, with the orifice diameter being a first orifice diameter, a high pressure operating mode is implemented. In operation, with the orifice diameter being a second orifice diameter greater than the first orifice diameter, a chemical injection operating mode is implemented. In operation, with the orifice diameter being a third orifice diameter greater than the second orifice diameter, a foaming chemical injection mode is implemented.

Claims

1. A pressure washer spray gun, comprising: a spray gun body configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of pressurized water; a chemical container configured to contain liquid chemical; a chemical injection port fluidly coupled to the chemical container; an air inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled a source of air; and a nozzle configured for ejecting fluid through an orifice having an orifice diameter; wherein the air inlet port is located between the chemical injection port and the nozzle orifice; and wherein, in operation, with the orifice diameter being a first orifice diameter, a first backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a high pressure operating mode in which pressurized a water flow is ejected from the orifice; wherein, in operation, with the orifice diameter being a second orifice diameter greater than the first orifice diameter, a second backpressure less than the first backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a chemical injection operating mode in which pressurized water draws liquid chemical through the chemical injection port, resulting in a combined fluid flow ejected from the orifice; and wherein, in operation, with the orifice diameter being a third orifice diameter greater than the second orifice diameter, a third backpressure less than the second backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a foaming chemical injection mode in which pressurized water draws liquid chemical through the chemical injection port and draws air through the air inlet port, resulting in a foaming combined fluid flow ejected from the orifice.

2. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a rotatable nozzle head, where the orifice is one of a plurality of orifices of the rotatable nozzle head, with the orifice having the first orifice diameter, a second orifice having the second orifice diameter, and a third orifice having the third orifice diameter, and wherein the nozzle head is rotatable to select the desired orifice.

3. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is one of a plurality of individually replaceable nozzles, with the nozzle including the orifice having the first orifice diameter, a second nozzle including a second orifice having the second orifice diameter, and a third nozzle including a third orifice having the third orifice diameter.

4. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 1, wherein the source of air is ambient atmosphere.

5. A wand for use with a pressure washer spray gun, comprising: a wand conduit configured to be coupled to a spray gun body for receiving pressurized water; a chemical injection port fluidly coupled to the wand conduit and configured to be fluidly coupled to a chemical container; an air inlet port fluidly coupled to the wand conduit and configured to be fluidly coupled a source of air; and a nozzle fluidly coupled to the wand conduit and configured for ejecting fluid through an orifice having an orifice diameter; wherein the air inlet port is located between the chemical injection port and the nozzle orifice.

6. The wand of claim 5, wherein, in operation, with the orifice diameter being a first orifice diameter, a first backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a high pressure operating mode in which a pressurized water flow is ejected from the orifice; wherein, in operation, with the orifice diameter being a second orifice diameter greater than the first orifice diameter, a second backpressure less than the first backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a chemical injection operating mode in which pressurized water draws liquid chemical through the chemical injection port, resulting in a combined fluid flow ejected from the orifice; and wherein, in operation, with the orifice diameter being a third orifice diameter greater than the second orifice diameter, a third backpressure less than the second backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a foaming chemical injection mode in which pressurized water draws liquid chemical through the chemical injection port and draws air through the air inlet port, resulting in a foaming combined fluid flow ejected from the orifice.

7. The wand of claim 6, wherein the nozzle comprises a rotatable nozzle head, where the orifice is one of a plurality of orifices of the rotatable nozzle head, with the orifice having the first orifice diameter, a second orifice having the second orifice diameter, and a third orifice having the third orifice diameter, and wherein the nozzle head is rotatable to select the desired orifice.

8. The wand of claim 6, wherein the nozzle is one of a plurality of individually replaceable nozzles, with the nozzle including the orifice having the first orifice diameter, a second nozzle including a second orifice having the second orifice diameter, and a third nozzle including a third orifice having the third orifice diameter.

9. The wand of claim 5, wherein the source of air is ambient atmosphere.

10. The wand of claim 5, further comprising: a housing; and a chemical container attached to the housing, wherein the chemical container is in fluid communication with the chemical injection port.

11. A chemical injector for use with a pressure washer spray gun, comprising: a conduit having a first end and a second end for conveying a pressurized water flow from the first end of the conduit to the second end of the conduit; a first fluid inlet port fluidly coupled to the conduit and configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of a first fluid; and a second fluid inlet port fluidly coupled to the conduit and configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of a second fluid, wherein the second fluid inlet port is located downstream of the first fluid inlet port relative to the direction of flow of the pressurized water flow through the conduit; wherein in operation at a first backpressure at the first fluid inlet port and the second fluid inlet port, the first fluid inlet port is inactive and the second fluid inlet port is inactive so that neither the first fluid nor the second fluid is added to the pressurized water flow; wherein in operation at a second backpressure at the first fluid inlet port and the second fluid inlet port that is less than the first backpressure, the first fluid inlet port is active and the second fluid inlet port is inactive so that the first fluid is added is added to the pressurized water flow and the second fluid is not added to the pressurized water flow; and wherein in operation at a third backpressure at the first fluid inlet port and the second fluid inlet port that is less than the second backpressure, the first fluid inlet port is active and the second fluid inlet port is active so that the first fluid is added is added to the pressurized water flow and the second fluid is added to the pressurized water flow.

12. The chemical injector of claim 11, wherein the conduit includes a restriction.

13. The chemical injector of claim 12, wherein the restriction comprises a venturi.

14. The chemical injector of claim 13, wherein the venturi includes a converging section and a diverging section.

15. The chemical injector of claim 12, wherein the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet are located downstream of the restriction relative to the direction of flow of the pressurized water flow through the conduit.

16. A pressure washer spray gun, comprising: a spray gun body configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of pressurized water; a chemical container configured to contain liquid chemical; a chemical injection port fluidly coupled to the chemical container; an air inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled a source of air, wherein the air inlet port is located downstream from the chemical injection port relative to the direction of flow of pressurized water through the spray gun; a first nozzle configured for ejecting fluid through a first orifice having a first orifice diameter; a second nozzle configured for ejecting fluid through a second orifice having a second orifice diameter greater than the first orifice diameter; and a third nozzle configured for ejecting fluid through a third orifice having a third orifice diameter greater than the second orifice diameter; wherein, in operation with the first nozzle, a first backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a high pressure operating mode in which pressurized a water flow is ejected from the first orifice; wherein, in operation with the second nozzle, a second backpressure less than the first backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a chemical injection operating mode in which pressurized water draws liquid chemical through the chemical injection port, resulting in a combined fluid flow ejected from the second orifice; and wherein, in operation with the third nozzle, a third backpressure less than the second backpressure is created at the chemical injection port and the air inlet port, thereby implementing a foaming chemical injection mode in which pressurized water draws liquid chemical through the chemical injection port and draws air through the air inlet port, resulting in a foaming combined fluid flow ejected from the third orifice.

17. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 16, further comprising a rotatable nozzle head including the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the third nozzle, wherein the nozzle head is rotatable to select the desired orifice.

18. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 16, wherein each of the first nozzle, the second nozzle, and the third nozzle comprises an individually replaceable nozzle that is configured to be.

19. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 16, wherein the source of air is ambient atmosphere.

20. The pressure washer spray gun of claim 16, further comprising a restriction, wherein the chemical injection port and the air inlet port are located downstream of the restriction relative to the direction of flow of pressurized water through the spray gun.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a pressure washer gun having a chemical injection and foaming system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the pressure washer gun of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a chemical injector fitting for the pressure washer gun of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the chemical injector fitting of FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of a turret nozzle assembly for the pressure washer gun of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates another sectional view of a turret nozzle assembly for the pressure washer gun of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates another sectional view of a turret nozzle assembly for the pressure washer gun of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a chemical injector fitting for the pressure washer gun of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a pressure washer gun 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. Pressure washer gun 100 comprises a body 102 having a trigger 104 attached thereto. Actuation of trigger 104 opens a valve that enables pressurized fluid (e.g., water) from a pump to flow through gun 100. The pressurized fluid is delivered to gun 100 via a fluid inlet 106 that is fluidly coupled to a primary fluid source (e.g., by a hose). Body 102 further comprises a handle 108 that may be grasped by the operator of the pressure washer.

[0021] Beyond handle 108 on body 102 is a connector 110. Connector 110 is configured to attach a spray wand 112 to body 102. On spray wand 112 is a chemical injector housing 114 having a chemical bottle or container 116 attached thereto. Alternatively, housing 114 is a component of body 102 or other portion of pressure washer gun 100. In some embodiments, spray wand 112 is omitted. In some embodiments, spray wand 112 is integral with body 102 (i.e., body and spray wand are a single unity structure). Chemical bottle 116 may be attached via any appropriate attachment means, i.e. threading, quarter-turn, etc. At the opposite end of wand 112 is a nozzle connector 118 that couples a turret-style nozzle head 120 to wand 112. Nozzle connector 118 also may be any appropriate attachment means, i.e., threaded, quick-release, etc. Turret-style nozzle head 120 has a plurality of nozzles 122 from which pressurized fluid is ejected after traveling through gun 100. As will be described in further detail below, turret-style nozzle head 120 comprises a plurality of spray nozzles having differing diameters and shapes in order to adjust the pressure and spray pattern of the fluid ejected from gun 120. In the exemplary embodiment, turret-style nozzle head 120 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to enable the user to select a desired nozzle. However, other configurations of nozzle head 120 are also possible. In some embodiments, multiple individually replaceable nozzles are provided in place of the rotatable nozzle head.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, a chemical injector fitting 300 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. Chemical injector fitting 300 is housed within chemical injector housing 114 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 so as to be in-line with the fluid conduits of body 102 and spray wand 112. Fitting 300 may be formed of brass or any other suitable material capable of withstanding high pressures. Additionally, fitting 300 is shown in FIG. 3 to be partially hexagonal in shape, but could be any appropriate shape (e.g., cylindrical).

[0023] Chemical injector fitting 300 comprises an inlet opening 302 and an outlet opening 304. Inlet opening 302 is in fluid communication with a source of primary fluid (e.g., the fluid exiting body 102 of gun 100 from the pressure washer pump), while outlet opening 304 is in fluid communication with wand 112. Fitting 300 further comprises a chemical injection inlet port 306 in fluid communication with a source of secondary fluid (e.g., a container of liquid chemicals) and an air inlet port 308 in fluid communication with a source of air (e.g., the ambient environment around spray gun 100), the operations of which will be further described below with respect to FIG. 4.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of chemical injector fitting 300 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As described above, pressurized fluid enters inlet opening 302 and eventually exits fitting 300 through outlet opening 304. After entering inlet opening 302, the fluid first travels through a converging section 312, then through a venturi throat 310, and then through a diffuser section 314, before it exits fitting 300 at outlet opening 304. Fluid flowing through converging section 312, venturi throat 310, and diffuser section 314 create a well-known venturi effect, wherein the velocity of the fluid flowing through venturi throat 310 increases compared to the velocity of the fluid flowing through converging section 312, while the static pressure at venturi throat 310 decreases compared to that of converging section 312. When a secondary fluid (e.g., a liquid chemical) is fluidly coupled to fitting 300 at chemical injection inlet port 306, the pressure differential described above enables the secondary fluid to be drawn into the primary fluid stream flowing through venturi throat 310. Chemical injection inlet port 306 is in fluid communication with (fluidly coupled to) chemical container 116 and in fluid communication (fluidly coupled to) venturi throat 310 to provide liquid chemicals stored in chemical container 116 to venturi throat 310. Chemical injection inlet port 306 may include a check valve to restrict flow in one direction (i.e., so that primary fluid does not exit through chemical injection inlet port 306). This configuration allows a secondary fluid to be drawn into the primary fluid stream using fluid dynamics alone, i.e., without the use of pumps or other mechanical intervention. Additionally, chemical bottle 116 could be fluidly coupled to chemical injection inlet port 306 via a variable valve (not shown). This variable valve would allow for the user to manually adjust the injection rate of the secondary fluid that can be drawn into the primary fluid stream.

[0025] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, chemical injector fitting 300 further comprises an air inlet port 308 located slightly downstream of venturi throat 310 (i.e., between venturi throat 310 and outlet opening 304). Air inlet port 308 may include a check valve which restricts flow in one direction (i.e., so that primary fluid and/or secondary fluid do not exit fitting 300 through air inlet port 308). Air inlet 308 is in fluid communication with diffuser section 314 and a source of air (e.g., the ambient environment around fitting 300). As with the venturi effect that draws a secondary fluid into the primary fluid stream flowing through fitting 300, the fluid velocity created in the venturi throat 310 can be utilized in the diffuser section 314 to entrap air when downstream pressures are low, effectively creating an ejector to draw air into the fluid stream via the air inlet port 308. The combination of primary fluid, secondary fluid (e.g., liquid chemical), and air creates a foaming spray that is often desired for certain cleaning or coating applications. Accordingly, chemical injector fitting 300 also serves as an air injector fitting so as to enable foaming sprays to be emitted from spray gun 100.

[0026] While foaming sprays are possible with the configuration described above, spray gun 100 not limited to chemical or foaming sprays, even when chemical bottle 116 is fluidly connected to chemical injector housing 114 so as to be in communication with the fluid conduits of body 102 and spray wand 112. Instead, the type of spray emitted from spray gun 100 is dependent upon the size (e.g., orifice diameter) of the nozzle 122 used (e.g., selected via turret-style nozzle head 120 or selected from among a number of individually replaceable nozzles) and the backpressure developed within the fluid conduits of the system due to the restrictions caused by that selected nozzle. FIG. 5-FIG. 7 show exemplary nozzle of varying sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if a nozzle 122A having a relatively small orifice diameter 123 (e.g., 110 thousandths of an inch and below) is selected (e.g., on turret-style nozzle head 120), a high-pressure, low-flow spray is emitted from spray gun 100 via nozzle 122A. The restriction of this relatively small orifice causes a backpressure to build within the fluid conduits, including the chemical injector fitting 300. This backpressure prevents both secondary fluid from chemical injection inlet port 306 and air from air inlet port 308 from being drawn into the primary fluid stream traveling from inlet opening 302 to outlet opening 304. Thus, even with chemical bottle 116 fluidly coupled to chemical injector housing 114 and in communication with chemical injection inlet port 306 of fitting 300, certain nozzles (e.g., on turret-style nozzle head 120) enable the pressure washer to operate in a high-pressure mode operating mode, one without chemical additive or foaming properties.

[0027] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, if a nozzle 122B having a slightly larger nozzle orifice diameter 125 (e.g., between 110 thousandths of an inch and 150 thousandths of an inch) is selected (e.g., on turret-style nozzle head 120), the backpressure developed within system is less than that described above with respect to nozzle 122A, and secondary fluid from chemical bottle 116 is drawn through chemical injection inlet port 306 and into the primary fluid flowing through fitting 300, enabling a chemical injection operating mode. However, the backpressure developed with nozzle 122B is still great enough to prevent air from being drawn into the primary fluid flow, as air inlet port 308 is located downstream from venturi section 310 and is thus more susceptible to backpressure developed due to nozzle orifice size. Accordingly, the selection of a certain nozzle (or nozzles) (e.g., via turret-style nozzle head 120) may allow the pressure washer to operate in a mode that enables somewhat high pressures with chemical additive, but without foaming properties. This mode is determined simply by the nozzle chosen and does not require any additional input from the user.

[0028] Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, if the user chooses a nozzle 122C having an even larger nozzle orifice diameter 127 (e.g., 150 thousandths of an inch or greater), the backpressure developed within the system is low enough that secondary fluid is drawn through chemical injection inlet port 306 and air is drawn through air inlet port 308 into the primary fluid flowing through fitting 300. Such a configuration allows for a foaming spray to be emitted from the selected nozzle (e.g., of turret-style nozzle head 120), and is again determined simply by the nozzle chosen (e.g., on turret-style nozzle head 120).

[0029] While the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 shows air inlet port 308 being located only slightly downstream of venturi throat 310, it is to be understood that air inlet port 308 may be located closer or farther downstream of venturi throat 310 than illustrated, and the system may be tuned for a particular set of nozzles such that chemical injection and foaming only occur when desired. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a venturi section tuned to enable the various chemical/foaming/spray characteristics provided by the various nozzle settings set forth above with respect to FIG. 5-FIG. 7. The air inlet port 308 is positioned along the venturi at a point where the inside diameter of diffuser section 314 is approximately 0.15 inches, while the inside diameter of the venturi throat 310 is approximately 0.11 inches. This configuration allows for both chemical and air to be drawn (and thus foam) when a nozzle diameter greater than 0.15 inches is selected, only chemical to be drawn when a nozzle between 0.11 inches and 0.15 inches, and only fluid spray (no chemical or foam) when the nozzle diameter is less than 0.11 inches. The inside diameter of air inlet port 308, the inside diameter of the venturi throat 310 and the diameter of the nozzles available for use with spray gun 100 are selected so that foaming nozzles have a diameter larger than both air inlet port 308 and venturi throat 310 to draw both chemical and air into the primary fluid flow, chemical-only nozzles have a diameter smaller than air inlet port 308, but larger than venturi throat 310 to only draw chemical into the primary fluid flow, and water-only nozzles have a diameter smaller than both air inlet port 308 and venturi throat 310 so that neither chemical nor air is drawn into the primary fluid flow.

[0030] Additionally, the location of fitting 300 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as being in series with body 102 and wand 112, but could be located elsewhere in the system (e.g., nearer to the nozzle, at the pump, etc.). However, it is advantageous to have fitting 300 in the spray gun 100 itself because causes of backpressure are limited to nozzle orifice size as opposed to other external causes (e.g., a kinked hose). In some embodiments, fitting 300 and body 102 are integrally formed as a single unitary component. In some embodiments, fitting 300 and wand 112 are integrally formed as a single unitary component.

[0031] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the defined subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following definitions is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the definitions reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.

[0032] As utilized herein, the terms approximately, about, substantially, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges or geometric relationships provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

[0033] Fluidly coupled locations or locations in fluid communication are connected such that a fluid (including air or other gas) is able to flow between locations.