The present invention relates to unloader valves, and particularly to unloader valves used with positive displacement pumps. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flow-actuated unloader valve for a pressure washer system.
Pressure washers provide a supply of high-pressure fluid for performing various tasks (e.g., paint and stain removal, drain cleaning, driveway cleaning, etc.). Usually the water is mixed with a cleaning solution such as soap, ammonia solution, bleach, or other chemicals.
Pressure washers often include an engine that drives a high-pressure pump to supply the cleaning fluid. A trigger-actuated valve (i.e., spray gun) mounted to the discharge hose from the pump allows the user to remotely control the supply of high-pressure fluid. When the trigger is depressed, cleaning solution is discharged. When the trigger is released, the flow of fluid stops and the pump is disengaged, the engine is turned off, or the high-pressure fluid is bypassed to avoid causing damage to the pressure washer system. To that end, many pressure washers include unloader valves that bypass fluid back to the fluid reservoir when the fluid is not being discharged.
Unloader valves, sometimes referred to as “bypass valves” or “diverter valves”, are used as a control mechanism for pressure washer systems. The unloader valve controls the pressure and the direction of flow within the system. Located between the outlet side of a pump and a discharge device (such as a spray gun), the unloader valve diverts fluid from the pump outlet back to the pump inlet through a bypass passage when the discharge passage becomes blocked (spray gun valve closed), thereby reducing pressure within the pump. When the discharge passage is unobstructed (spray gun valve open), the unloader valve redirects fluid back to the discharge device and allows the pump pressure to rise back to its' normal operating pressure.
Some pressure washer systems include the ability to inject cleaning solution directly into the discharge stream exiting the high-pressure side of the pump. To add cleaning solution, the user premixes the solution with the water or the solution is drawn into the pressure stream by vacuum with the use of a venturi, this method is commonly referred to as “chemical injection”. Chemical injection typically requires a separate apparatus adding cost and complexity to the pressure washer. Of the known pressure washer systems to have “chemical injection”, all require the use of additional components to perform this task. Such additional components may include a separate venturi, housings, o-rings, etc.
The invention provides an unloader valve including a body that engages the pump housing to receive the high-pressure flow from the pump. The preferred valve body design consists of an inlet, an outlet, a bypass passage and an inlet passage for chemical injection. Within the valve body is a shuttle-valve that defines two primary chambers. These two chambers are in fluid communication with one another through a small port (venturi) in the shuttle-valve. The shuttle-valve is movable between a bypass position and a spray position. The shuttle-valve is biased in the bypass position by a spring on the discharge side of the shuttle valve.
Yet another feature of the invention is the cleaning solution inlet. The cleaning solution inlet allows for the admission of a cleaning solution (e.g., soap, ammonia, detergent, bleach, etc.) into the stream of high-pressure water. Flow exiting the high-pressure outlet first passes through a venturi disposed within the movable shuttle valve. The throat area of the venturi is in fluid communication with the cleaning solution inlet. The high-velocity flow through the venturi produces a low-pressure in the throat, thereby drawing the cleaning solution into the venturi.
Combining the cleaning solution inlet and the unloader valve into a single housing greatly reduces the number of parts used. The reduction in parts reduces the cost and complexity of the unloader valve and cleaning fluid inlet.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
Most unloader valves have specific operating ranges, limiting their applications and affecting their performance as conditions change within the high-pressure washer system. The “limitation to applications” costs manufactures because it requires different design variations, additional parts that need to be inventoried, additional complexity to the assembly process, and so on. The affects in the unloader valve performance due to variations in the system can be costly to the manufacturer and a nuisance to the user. The additional cost to the manufacturer manifests itself on many different levels. For example, the requirement for multiple adjustments during factory setup (back and forth between the engine speed and the unloader pressure adjustment), higher scrap rates, warranty returns, etc. all increase manufacturing costs. The nuisance to the user would include pulsation in the pump pressure, loss of pressure, or large delays in spray pressure when triggering the spray gun.
Most conventional unloader valves are designed with a high rate spring that will allow the opening of a valve only at some preset pressure. In most cases, this preset pressure only occurs in the form of a high-pressure spike when the spray gun valve is closed. The value of this high-pressure spike is usually well in excess of what the pump can maintain for extended periods. With most of these designs, this high-pressure value must be maintained (or “trapped”) within the discharge line and allowed communication against the high-rate spring in order to keep the bypass open. If the “trapped line-pressure” is lowered due to leakage, hose expansion, etc., then the high-rate unloader spring will close the bypass valve, thereby allowing pressure to rise, even though the spray gun valve is still closed. This unwanted increase in pressure during the bypass state, usually results in pressure pulsations within the pump, engine stalls, or even severe pump or engine damage. For these reasons, it would be desirable to have an unloader system that would function in a wide range of operating conditions, does not require large pressure spikes to overcome heavy spring forces, and does not require factory adjustments.
With reference to
The frame 15 is supported for movement by a plurality of wheels 45 and provides support for the various components. As such, the frame 15 is generally manufactured from a structural material (e.g., tubing, channels, or rods made of steel, aluminum, other metals, composites and the like). The frame 15 includes a handle portion 50 that extends above the pressure washer components. The handle 50 provides a convenient point for the user to grasp the pressure washer 10 for movement. In addition, controls 55 (e.g., start/stop buttons, keyholes, etc.) and indicators 60 (e.g., lights, gages, or dials) are often positioned on or near the handle portion 50 to allow the user easy access.
Preferred constructions of the pressure washer 10 include positive displacement pumps 25 (e.g., gear-type pumps, reciprocating pumps, screw pumps etc.). However, other constructions employ other types of pumps such as centrifugal and rotary pumps. The pump 25 receives a flow of fluid at an inlet and discharges a high-pressure flow at an outlet 65. A fluid reservoir supported by the frame 15 provides fluid to the pump inlet. Alternatively, an external source provides fluid to the pump 25. Typically, the fluid used is water however, other fluids can be used (e.g., soap-water solution, ammonia solution, etc.). In some constructions, an operator controls the discharge pressure of the pump 25 via a pressure control valve, or by varying the rotating speed of the engine 20. The user's control of the pressure can be direct (e.g., moving a throttle lever) or indirect (e.g., turning a knob to adjust a pressure switch that in turn controls a relief valve).
As illustrated in
Referring again to
The housing 70 includes a central chamber 90 that extends from an open inlet end 95 to an open outlet end 100. The chamber 90 includes several cylindrical sections having walls that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 13—13 of the housing 70. In addition, the housing includes a shoulder 105 having a wall that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 13—13. The housing 70 also includes an angled wall 110 that defines a frustoconical region.
A series of radial bores 115 extend through the housing 70 near the threaded portion 72 and provide a flow path out of the housing 70. In addition, a large threaded bore 120 extends partially through the housing 70 and is in fluid communication with the interior of the housing 70 via a smaller bore 125.
As shown in
Referring again to
The outer surface 162 of the bypass member 140 includes an O-ring groove 165, a spring land 170, and a threaded portion 175. A first O-ring 180 fits within the O-ring groove 165 and provides a seal between the housing 70 and the bypass member 140 of the movable shuttle valve 75 near the inlet end 95. In the construction of
The threads of the threaded portion 175 are sized to engage an opposite set of threads on the operating member 145 of the shuttle valve 75. In the construction of
The operating member 145 includes a threaded portion 185, a plurality of radial inlets 190, an axial outlet 195, an O-ring groove 200, and two sliding bearing grooves 205. As discussed above, the threaded portion 185 accommodates the threaded portion 175 of the bypass member 140, thereby allowing the bypass member 140 and the operating member 145 to rigidly connect to one another.
The O-ring groove 200 and the two sliding bearing grooves 205 are located on an outer surface 202 of the operating member 145 and extend completely around. The O-ring groove 200 supports a second O-ring 210 near the threaded portion 185 of the operating member 145. The function of this O-ring 210 will be discussed below with regard to
The radial inlets 190 direct fluid into an internal chamber 220 defined by the operating member 145. The internal chamber 220 extends axially along the centerline of the operating member 145 and includes a venturi 225. The venturi 225 is integrally formed with the operating member 145. In other constructions, a separate venturi is fixed within the flow path of the operating member 145. The venturi 225 includes an inlet and an outlet. Between the inlet and the outlet is a throat 230 having a smaller flow area than the inlet and the outlet. A plurality of radial bores 235 connect the throat 230 of the venturi 225 to an injection chamber 240 disposed between the sliding bearings 215 and between the operating member 145 and the unloader valve housing 70. The reduced flow area of the throat 230 accelerates the flow and reduces its pressure to aid in the introduction of fluid from the injection chamber 240.
The chemical injection inlet barb 85 connects to the housing 70 adjacent the injection chamber 240 and includes a valve body 245 with a seat, a ball 250, and a spring 255. The valve body 245 threads into the unloader valve body 70, thereby trapping the ball 250 and the spring 255 within a portion of the injection chamber 240. The ball 250 rests on the seat and is biased in the closed position by the spring 255. The chemical injection inlet barb 85 is in fluid communication with a fluid or other substance (e.g., soap, ammonia solution, or other chemicals) to be injected into the injection chamber 240 and into the high-pressure stream.
The chemical injection inlet barb 85 also threads into the housing 70 to complete the assembly of the unloader valve 35.
Referring to
The flow passing through the venturi 225 accelerates as it passes through the throat 230. The local acceleration and relatively high flow velocity produce a local low-pressure region. The pressure is low enough to open the chemical injection inlet barb 85 and draw in the fluid or other material.
Overcoming or releasing the biasing force allows the unloader valve 35 to transition from the bypass position to the spray position. In preferred constructions, a control mechanism such as a user controlled valve in the spray gun 40 releases the pressure on the outlet side of the operating member 145. Once released, the pressure on the outer surface of the bypass member 140 and within the bypass member 140 is sufficient to overcome the spring biasing force and shift the movable shuttle valve 75 into the spray position. In the construction of
In the start-up phase, the biasing spring keeps the shuttle-valve in the bypass position, thereby creating an opening to the bypass passage. At this point there is no flow through the venturi of the shuttle valve, all fluid is diverted to the bypass passage. As a result, there is no significant pressure increase to cause resistance to starting or loading of the engine.
When a user wishes to discharge high-pressure fluid from the pump, a discharge valve is opened (spray gun is triggered). This allows for the flow of fluid through the venturi of the shuttle-valve. The flow of fluid across the venturi creates a pressure differential between the two chambers. The resultant force between the two chambers overcomes the spring force, moving the shuttle valve into the spray position. When the shuttle valve is in this position, the bypass passage is closed, thereby allowing the pump pressure to rise to a suitable level for the operator to perform the desired tasks.
When the user wishes to disengage the pump, he/she simply closes the discharge valve (releases the spray gun trigger) stopping the flow of fluid across the shuttle-valve venturi. When the flow across the venturi ceases, the pressure between the two chambers begins to equalize. As the two chamber pressure values near equilibrium, the biasing spring becomes the resultant force and moves the shuttle-valve back to the bypass position. With the shuttle-valve in the bypass position, an opening is created that allows the flow of fluid to be diverted back to the bypass port.
This method for transitioning the unloader system between the bypass mode and the spray mode is commonly referred to as “flow-actuated.” The “flow-actuated” method is considered to be more desirable than pressure activated unloader systems for several reasons. Most conventional unloader systems use high-rate unloader springs that require high pressure-spikes to activate, as previously described. In contrast, the present invention monitors the flow of fluid through pressure differentials and does not require such high pressure-spikes to function. This provides smoother transitions from one mode to the next. A reduction in water hammering is seen, reducing the wear and tear of the pressure washer system. If the discharge line were to become gradually obstructed (i.e. clogged nozzle, pinched hose, etc.), the present invention would transition to the bypass mode as the flow diminished, unlike conventional unloader valves.
Another desirable benefit to using the “flow-actuated” method is the versatility that is inherent to the design. All that is required for operation is the flow of fluid, not specific pressure values that can limit applications and/or require unnecessary factory adjustments. Large variations in the motor speed are permitted, without hindering the function of the present invention.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040079411 A1 | Apr 2004 | US |