Abstract
An apparatus that uses an optimized body design incorporating one or more interchangeable nozzle inserts with a wide array of discharge orifice sizes, configurations and spacings to efficiently and effectively deliver a pressurized, high velocity, laminar flow air stream to dry, cool, or clean objects that are either stationary or moving transversely through the optimized air stream developed by the apparatus, all while minimizing the operational downtime required to implement the interchangeable nozzle insert modifications to the apparatus.
Claims
1. An apparatus for directing pressurized air comprising: a body for receiving pressurized air, the body including opposing side walls, a top surface joining the opposing side walls, a first end joining the top surface and the opposing side walls, a second end joining the top surface and the opposing side walls, and a bottom opening defining an elongated shape bounded by the opposing side walls, the first end and the second end, where the opposing side walls converge toward the bottom opening at a predetermined angle of convergence; at least one interchangeable nozzle insert configured to match the elongated shape of the bottom opening, the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert positioned within the bottom opening by means of at least one fastener which passes through the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert and the opposing side walls, where the pressurized air can exit the body substantially only through the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert, where the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert includes a plurality of discharge orifices for directing the pressurized air outwardly from the body, and where each of the discharge orifices includes a conical portion for receiving the pressurized air from the body, each of the conical portions having an opening angle which is substantially the same as the angle of convergence of the opposing side walls, and each of the discharge orifices further includes a cylindrical portion for directing the pressurized air outwardly from the body; at least one air inlet, the at least one air inlet suitably attached to the body for directing the pressurized air into the body; and a blower for supplying the pressurized air into the body through the at least one air inlet.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices have the same diameter.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices have different diameters.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices discharge the pressurized air in a direction which is perpendicular to the bottom opening.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices discharge the pressurized air at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the bottom opening.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one air inlet comprises two air inlets, the first air inlet suitably attached to the first end and the second air inlet suitably attached to the second end.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert comprises two or more nozzle inserts with different orifice patterns.
8. An apparatus for directing pressurized air comprising: a body for receiving pressurized air, the body including opposing side walls, a top surface joining the opposing side walls, a first end joining the top surface and the opposing side walls, a second end joining the top surface and the opposing side walls, and a bottom opening defining an elongated shape bounded by the opposing side walls, the first end and the second end, where the opposing side walls converge toward the bottom opening at a predetermined angle of convergence; at least one interchangeable nozzle insert configured to match the elongated shape of the bottom opening, the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert positioned within the bottom opening by means of at least one fastener which passes through the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert and the opposing side walls, where the pressurized air can exit the body substantially only through the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert, where the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert includes a plurality of discharge orifices for directing the pressurized air outwardly from the body, and where each of the discharge orifices includes a conical portion for receiving the pressurized air from the body, each of the conical portions having an opening angle which is substantially the same as the angle of convergence of the opposing side walls, and each of the discharge orifices further includes a cylindrical portion for directing the pressurized air outwardly from the body; and at least one air inlet, the air inlet suitably attached perpendicular to the body at a location between the first end and the second end for directing the pressurized air into the body.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices have the same diameter.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices have different diameters.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices discharge the pressurized air in a direction which is perpendicular to the bottom opening.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of discharge orifices discharge the pressurized air at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the bottom opening.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a blower for supplying the pressurized air into the body through the air inlet.
14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert comprises two or more nozzle inserts with different orifice patterns.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4 is a side view with a partial cut away of the apparatus for one embodiment of the present invention.
(5) FIG. 5 is a section view of the apparatus for one embodiment of the present invention taken in the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 4.
(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the apparatus for one embodiment of the present invention taken in the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 4.
(7) FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the apparatus for an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(8) FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the apparatus for yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(9) FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the apparatus for still another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(10) FIG. 10 is a side view of the apparatus for the alternative embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.
DESCRIPTION
(11) What is being disclosed is an apparatus that may be modified to employ a body style that has been designed to employ a wide range of interchangeable discharge orifice sizes, arrays and spacings to optimize and efficiently deliver a pressurized air stream discharged from the apparatus, while at the same time maximizing the efficiency of the apparatus in providing a high velocity, laminar air stream to dry, cool, or clean objects, and all while minimizing the operational downtime required to implement the modifications to the apparatus. Other advantages and applications will be best understood and become apparent from the following description of the various embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
(12) Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus 10 is shown here in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 is comprised of a body 11 formed by joining opposing sidewalls 12 that, when connected to each other, form a top surface 14. The opposing sidewalls 12 are connected to a first end 16 and a second end 18. In the preferred embodiment, the body 11 has an elongated teardrop configuration formed by the general teardrop configuration of the first end 16 and the second end 18. There is an elongated bottom opening 20 that is formed by the attachment of the opposing sidewalls 12 to the first end 16 and the second end 18. There is also shown an at least one air inlet 22 that is suitably attached to the second end 18. The blower (not shown) provides a source of pressurized air that enters the apparatus 10 via the at least one air inlet 22. Depending on the relative configuration and location of the blower (not shown) and its associated piping, or other physical constraints, it should be obvious to one skilled in the art that the apparatus 10 can be rotated 180 along its horizontal axis to allow the at least one air inlet 22 to be positioned on either the right side or the left side of the apparatus 10.
(13) In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the body 11 is formed as a single element by using suitable metal or plastic materials and employing a bending process or an extrusion process to form the body 11. In this alternative embodiment of the present invention the body 11 is formed as a single element with the physical characteristics of opposing sidewalls 12, a top surface 14, a first end 16, a second end 18, and an elongated bottom opening 20. The body 11 is preferably formed to maintain an elongated teardrop configuration of the body 11 to force the pressurized air entering the apparatus 10 downward to increase the velocity of the pressurized air as it approaches the elongated bottom opening 20.
(14) With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown an at least one air inlet 22 to allow pressurized air from a blower (not shown) to be delivered to the apparatus 10. In the preferred embodiment, the pressurized air enters the apparatus 10 through the at least one air inlet 22 that is suitably attached to the second end 18. The pressurized air is directed downward within the apparatus 10 following the sloping opposing sidewalls 12. The general teardrop configuration of the body 11 forces the pressurized air downward which increases the velocity of the pressurized air as it approaches the elongated bottom opening 20.
(15) The body 11 may be fabricated in a variety of different widths and lengths to accommodate the combination of external equipment, physical constraints, and air flow requirements that are needed to effectively clean, cool, or dry objects. With specific reference to FIG. 3, one alternative embodiment of the present invention has an air inlet 23 on the first end 16 and an air inlet 22 on the second end 18 of the apparatus 10 in order to attain the proper volume and flow rate of air within the apparatus 10 to effectively clean, cool, or dry objects. In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus 10 has an at least one air inlet 22 located at or near the horizontal midpoint on the top surface 14 in order to attain the proper volume and distribution of air within the apparatus 10 to effectively clean, cool, or dry objects.
(16) With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown at least one top external attachment mechanism 15 on the top surface 14. In a preferred embodiment, there are four top external attachment mechanisms 15. The at least one top external attachment mechanism 15 is used to attach the apparatus 10 to any suitable external support or suspension device (not shown) to allow the apparatus 10 to be suspended and positioned appropriately above the objects that are to be dried, cooled, or cleaned by application of the apparatus 10. There is also disclosed an end external attachment mechanism 17 that can be used to attach the apparatus 10 to any suitable external support or suspension device (not shown) to allow the apparatus 10 to be suspended and positioned appropriately above the objects that are to be dried, cooled, or cleaned by application of the apparatus 10. It should be noted that the at least one top external attachment mechanism 15 and the end external attachment mechanism 17 can be used separately or in combination with each other.
(17) Referring specifically to FIG. 4, and also to FIG. 1 as appropriate, there is shown a side view of the apparatus 10 with a partial cut away showing the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert 24 positioned within the elongated bottom opening 20, the elongated bottom opening formed by the attachment of the opposing side walls 12 to the first end 16 and the second end 18. The at least one nozzle insert 24 is comprised of at least one discharge orifice 26 tooled through the top surface of the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert 24. There is at least one fastener hole 28 tooled completely through the side of the interchangeable nozzle insert 24. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one discharge orifice 26 is comprised of multiple discharge orifices 26 tooled into and suitably spaced and positioned on the interchangeable nozzle insert 24. The diameter of the at least one discharge orifices 26, and the spacing and positioning of the at least one discharge orifices 26 will be determined by the pressurized air flow characteristics required to be directed at, or impinging on, the objects to be cleaned, dried, or cooled.
(18) With continued reference to FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one discharge orifice 26 is tooled vertically into the at least one nozzle insert 24 to provide an optimized pressurized air stream that is directed vertically downward from the apparatus 10. To obtain an air stream directed other than vertically downward for the pressurized air being discharged from the apparatus 10, one need simply rotate the apparatus 10 to the desired angle by adjusting the external support mechanism (not shown) to achieve the desired angular air stream direction. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the at least one discharge orifice 26 is tooled at a desired angle into the at least one nozzle insert 24 to provide an optimized air stream of pressurized air at the desired angle as it is discharged from the apparatus 10. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one discharge orifice 26 is comprised of multiple discharge orifices 26 that are tooled into the interchangeable nozzle insert 24 in any combination of discharge orifices 26 that are tooled vertically or at any desired angle to obtain the pressurized air flow characteristics and optimized air stream required to be directed at the objects to be cleaned, dried, or cooled.
(19) With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a section view of the apparatus 10 for one embodiment of the present invention taken in the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 4. This view of one embodiment of the present invention allows one skilled in the art to appreciate the affect of the elongated teardrop configuration of the body 11 formed by joining the first end 16, the opposing sidewalls 12, and the second end 18. As the pressurized air is delivered from the blower (not shown) through the air inlet 22 into the apparatus 10, the velocity of the pressurized air is increased as it converges and is forced down the sloping sides of the opposing sidewalls 12 and exits through the at least one discharge orifice 26 that is tooled into the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert 24.
(20) With reference to FIG. 6, and also to FIG. 1 as appropriate, there is shown a bottom view of the apparatus 10 for one embodiment of the present invention taken in the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 4. This preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses the at least one interchangeable nozzle insert 24 positioned within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the apparatus 10. The interchangeable nozzle insert 24 is maintained within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the apparatus 10 by means of at least one suitable fastener 30. The at least one suitable fastener 30 is first passed through one of the opposing sidewalls 12 and into and through the at least one fastener hole 28 located on the at least one nozzle insert 24 and then secured to the other opposing sidewall 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one suitable fastener 30 is comprised of a bolt and nut combination.
(21) With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, and also to FIG. 1 as appropriate, there is shown a bottom view of the apparatus 10 for two alternative embodiments of the present invention. These alternative embodiments of the present invention disclose two interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 positioned within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the body 11. The interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 are maintained within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the body 11 by means of four suitable fasteners 30. The fasteners 30 are first passed through one of the opposing sidewalls 12 and into and through the corresponding fastener hole 28 located on the respective interchangeable nozzle insert 24 and then secured to the other opposing sidewall 12. These alternative embodiments also disclose differing orifice 26 sizes, spacings, and locations with respect to the two interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 shown on the respective alternative embodiments disclosed in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
(22) With reference to FIG. 9, and also to FIG. 1 as appropriate, there is shown a bottom view of the apparatus 10 for still another alternative embodiment of the present invention. This alternative embodiment of the present invention discloses four interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 positioned within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the body 11. The interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 are maintained within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the body 11 by means of four suitable fasteners 30. The fasteners 30 are first passed through one of the opposing sidewalls 12 and into and through the corresponding fastener holes 28 located on the respective interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 and then secured to the opposite opposing sidewall 12. This alternative embodiment also discloses differing orifice 26 sizes, spacings, and locations with respect to the four interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 shown. The placement of four interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the body 11 necessarily requires a wider elongated bottom opening 20 to accommodate the four interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 when positioned as shown in FIG. 9. The wider opening of the elongated bottom opening 20 is formed by appropriate fabrication changes made to the dimensions of the first end 16 and the second end 18 because the elongated bottom opening 20 is formed by the attachment of the opposing side walls 12 with the first end 16 and the second end 18.
(23) With reference to FIG. 10, and also to FIG. 1 as appropriate, there is shown a side view of the apparatus 10 for the alternative embodiments of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. The placement of more than one interchangeable nozzle insert 24 within the elongated bottom opening 20 of the body 11 in an end-to-end configuration requires four suitable fasteners 30, which will be secured on the opposite side opposing sidewall 12, to maintain the interchangeable nozzle inserts 24 in proper position within the elongated bottom opening 20.
(24) The foregoing descriptions provide illustration of the inventive concepts. It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, and particular applications thereof. The descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are also possible in light of the above teachings. In view of the disclosures presented herein, yet other variations of the invention being disclosed will be apparent to one of skill in the art. The embodiments described above were chosen to provide the best application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention. Any such modifications or variations which fall within the purview of the descriptions contained herein are intended to be included therein, as well. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.
