Patent Application
20190032668
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to fluid delivery apparatuses and more specifically, but not by limitation, to self-contained apparatuses that deliver pressurized water using a pressure vessel having various ports and accessories for water dispersion from the pressure vessel.
According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, comprising: a pressure vessel comprising: an input for filling the pressure vessel with a fluid; and an outlet providing a path of fluid communication out of the pressure vessel for the fluid under pressure; and a water dispersal member having a rigid body having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to releaseably couple with the outlet of the pressure vessel, the water dispersal member further comprising an actuator having an open position and a closed position, the fluid exiting the water dispersal member when the actuator is not in the closed position.
According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus comprising: a first pressure vessel comprising: a vessel housing comprising a first port for coupling with a second pressure vessel; one or more locking members extending from the vessel housing; an input for filling the pressure vessel with a fluid; and an outlet providing a path of fluid communication out of the pressure vessel for the fluid under pressure; the second pressure vessel comprising: a vessel housing comprising a second port for coupling with the first port of the first pressure vessel to cause the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel to be in fluid communication with one another; and one or more receivers for receiving the locking members when the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel are coupled together using the first port and the second port; and a water dispersal member having a rigid body having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to releaseably couple with the outlet of the first pressure vessel, the water dispersal member further comprising an actuator having an open position and a closed position, the fluid exiting the water dispersal member when the actuator is not in the closed position.
The accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed disclosure, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.
The methods and systems disclosed herein have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to fluid delivery apparatuses and methods of use. Turning to
In general, the pressure vessel 102 comprises any suitable container that is configured to receive a fluid under pressure, such as water. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel 102 is a portable apparatus that can be carried from one location to another under human movement. In other embodiments, the pressure vessel 102 can be placed in a fixed position within a location, such as a garage or other similar location.
The first input 104 is an interface that allows for the pressure vessel 102 to be filled with water. In some instances, the first input 104 is fixedly attached to the pressure vessel 102 and comprises a receiving end. The receiving end can comprise, for example, threads or can include a quick connect that allows a hose 112 to be connected to the first input 104 and removed in an expedited manner. In some embodiments, the first input 104 can comprise a flow regulator or value 114 that is actuated by a lever 117 (e.g., input actuator).
In general, the lever 117 (e.g., input actuator) comprises an open position allowing for filling of the pressure vessel and a closed position allowing for the fluid to remain under pressure inside the pressure vessel, as well as an interface for a hose.
The flow regulator 114 could be, for example, a one-way valve or membrane, a ball or butterfly valve (e.g., butterfly valve illustrated schematically in
In situations where local water pressure is low and/or air content in the water is low, it is contemplated that additional pressure can be introduced into the pressure vessel 102. Also, pressure may decrease when the column of water begins to decrease, as pressure exerted by gravity on the initial column of water will decrease with loss of volume. To be sure, when the water is under an insufficient amount of pressure, the water will not exit the pressure vessel 102 at a sufficient flow rate to allow for water to be sprayed. The water will instead tend to flow in a laminar profile or dribble.
Thus, the second input 106 is configured as an interface for a pump 116. The pump 116 is used to increase a pressure on the water inside the pressure vessel 102 to improve water flow velocity out of the pressure vessel 102. In some embodiments, the second input 106 is an optional member. In some embodiments, the pump 116 is configured to increase pressure inside the pressure vessel 102 when a pressure on the fluid exiting the water dispersal member is at or below a pressure threshold or when a pressure within the pressure vessel is at or below a vessel pressure threshold. These varying pressures can be measured through pressure gauges positioned on the pressure vessel to measure pressure vessel pressure or in association with the outlet 110 to measure water pressure of a water at the outlet 110. The pump 116 can be automatically actuated based on pressure readings.
In some embodiments, the housing 118 is a tubular and cylindrical member that is rigid. The housing 118 encloses the shaft 120 and spring 124.
Referring collectively to
In some embodiments, the water dispersal member 108 can connect directly to a terminal end of the outlet 110 through threaded connections on both the outlet 110 and the water dispersal member 108, or through a quick connect interface. For example, the outlet 110 is a threaded aperture onto which a part of the shaft 120 is threaded.
In other embodiments, the water dispersal member 108 can be connected to the outlet 110 indirectly through a hose extending between the outlet 110 and the water dispersal member 108. In various embodiments, the outlet 110 can also comprise a flow regulator or valve that is similar to that used with the first input 104 with the exception that the flow regulator or valve used on the outlet 110 allows flow of water only out of the pressure vessel 102 rather than into the pressure vessel 102.
In some embodiments, the spring actuated stopper 122 is positioned on one terminal end (e.g., first end) of the shaft 120, and the actuator 126 is positioned on an opposing terminal end (e.g., second end) of the shaft 120. The stopper 122 is sized to occlude an opening of the outlet 110 of the pressure vessel (see
The spring 124 is positioned between rings 128 and 130. The rings 128 and 130 generally are somewhat smaller in outer diameter than the inner diameter of the housing 118. In some embodiments, the configuration and shape of the spring actuated stopper 122 functions to contact ring 128 during actuation, as will be described in greater detail infra. In general, the spring actuated stopper 122 has a frusto-conical configuration. Where the spring actuated stopper 122 and the shaft 120 mate, a diameter of the spring actuated stopper 122 is greater than a diameter of the shaft 120. The ring 130 is fixed in its position at a second end of the housing 118.
When a user utilizes the actuator 126 to push the shaft forward, the spring actuated stopper 122 contacts the ring 128 and draws the ring 130 towards the second or distal end of the housing 118. This movement causes the spring to compress between the ring 128 and the ring 130. The spring actuated stopper 122 is moved from its seated position (see
In one or more embodiments, the shaft 120 comprises a port 132. The port 132 is located within the part of the shaft 120 inside the housing 118. The port 132 is connected with an opening 134 in the terminal end of the shaft 120. As water flows into the housing 118, the water is diverted through the port 132 and out of the opening 134 in the terminal end of the shaft 120.
When the user releases the actuator 126, the spring 124 will elongate back to its initial position causing the spring actuated stopper 122 to cover the opening of the outlet 110.
In another embodiment, the housing 118 comprises one or more apertures 136 that allow the housing 118 to function as a spray bar. Rather than using the ported shaft disclosed above, the water flowing out of the pressure vessel will exit the apertures of the housing 118.
It will also be understood that in some embodiments, the shaft 120 and spring 122 can be driven through use of a servo or motor. That is, actuation of the shaft 120 can be mechanized and can be controlled through a remote device and/or application.
In another embodiment, as generally illustrated in
In general, one embodiment can include the apparatus 100 of
To enhance the connection between the first pressure vessel 302 and the second pressure vessel 304, the second pressure vessel 304 comprises one or more locking members 310 that are received within one or more receivers 312 of the first pressure vessel 302 (or vice versa in some embodiments). Fluid can flow through these connections as well if they are tubular in construction.
Generally, the one or more receivers 312 receive the locking members 310 when the first pressure vessel 302 and the second pressure vessel 304 are coupled together using the first port and the second port (e.g., respective coupling ports) 306 and 308.
A water dispersal member 314 that is configured similarly to the water dispersal member 108 of
In operation, when the hinge door is closed onto the open end 402 of the spigot 404, the o-ring 412 on the door body 410 mates with the o-ring 406 in the open end 402 of the spigot 404 to prevent water from exiting the pressure vessel. When the hinge door 400 is opened, the o-rings separate and allow pressurized water to flow out of the pressure vessel. In some embodiments, actuation of the hinge door 400 is driven by a motor, servo, or other similar mechanism and can be controlled through a remote device (e.g., Smartphone) and/or application.
While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and has been described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the technology to the embodiments illustrated.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or “comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and/or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control (CNC) routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography and/or others.
Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/ or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, a ceramic, an amorphous solid, such as glass, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nano-material, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, non-transparency, luminescence, anti-reflection and/or holographic, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if a device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, then the elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. Therefore, the example terms “below” and “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.
The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/537,631, filed on Jul. 27, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/538,739, filed on Jul. 30, 2017, each which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties including all references and appendices cited therein, for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62537631 | Jul 2017 | US | |
| 62538739 | Jul 2017 | US |
