Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SPRAYING APPARATUS AND METHOD
The present ~nvention relates to an improved spraying
apparatus and method which enable the rate of flow of liquid
being withdrawn from a pressurized vessel. for spraying to be
preset or variably con-trolled withowt detrimentally influencing
the capability of the spraying apparatus to reliably provide a
desired spraying action and to a spraying sys~em which, with
relatively minor modifications in apparatus, will provide either
a mist type spray or a more highly atomized fog--type spray.
Many proposals have been made in ef~orts -to provide
reliable apparatus for spraying various types of liquids from
vessels in various ambie~t conditions. Problems common to many
proposed spraying systems are ~heir inabili-ties to acoommodate
:Eluids o:f a wide range of viscositles, and to provide the desired
spraying actions with fluids in environments of differing air
pressure, -temperature and humidity.
While spray regulating devices of various types have
been proposed ln efforts to rènder spraying systems adjustable
for use wit.h changes in liquid properties, and to accommodate
various ambient conditlons, such proposals have typically Eailed
to provide as wide a range of adjustment as desired= In many
instances the incorpora-tion of such proposals into spraying
systems have detrimentally affected spraylng system operation by
increasing -the propensity of the system to clog~
Still another drawback encountered with many previous
spraying system proposals lies in -the inabilities of the proposed
systems to be preset, within a wide range of adjustability~ to
provide a desired fixed rate o~ discharge of spray ma-terial.
Prior proposals for spraying apparatus ha~e pro~ided
very diferently conEigured prodv.cts for use where mis~-type
sprays were desired as opposed to more highly atomized fog--type
sprays. Prior proposals have not provided a desirably simple
type of modi.fication for selectively struc-turlng a spraying
_. I
apparatus to selectively provide mist or fog-type sprays.
The present..invention vvercomes the foregoln-J and other
drawbacks of pr.ior proposals by provlding a spraying sys-tem which
enables the rate of discharge of spray mater~al to be preset or
variably controlled throughout a wide range, and by providing a
spraying apparatus can be easily modified to provide either a
m.ist-type spray or a more highly atomized fog-type spray~
A spraying apparatus embodying the preferred practice
of t~e present invention provides means of control of the rate of
discharge of material being sprayed by ~resetting or regulatiny
the effective size of one or more gas entry openings located in a
liquid withdrawal concluit which depends lnto a pressurized vessel
which contains a liquid to be sprayed. In one embodiment, the
flow rate of a spraying apparatus :is preset by providing one or
more non-adjustable gas entry openings of predetermined size. In
other embodiments~ means are provided for adjustably presetting
or regulating the effective size of one or more gas entry
openings that admit a proportioned flow of carrier gas from an
upper region of the pressurized vessel to a flow of liquid which
is be,ing forced from the vessel under the influence of pressure.
In accordance with one of the embod.iments of the
present invention, a spraying apparatus is configurecl such that
all entering carrier gas is caused to pass throuyh the pressure
vessel, whereby a mist-type spray is caused to dischar~e frorn the
apparatusO In accordance with an alternate embodiment, a
restricted flow of carrier gas is permitted to pass directly from
an inlet conduit to an outlet concluit Eor effecting a turbulent
atomization of the mixture of gas and liquid which i5 being
wlthdrawn from the presswre vessel~ whereby a highly atomized
fo~-type spray is caused to discharge from the apparatusO l'he
difference between t,hese two embodiments is a simple matter o
the provisions or exclusion of a restrictecl flow passage provided
between inlet and ou-tle-t conduits of the apparatus. In p.ref'erred
practice, the inlet and outlet conduits are arranged in axial
alignment, and the restricted passage can be provided by drilling
a small hole to communicate the two conduits.
These and other features and a fuller understanding of
the invention will be had by referring to the following
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is side elevational view of a first embodiment
of a spraying apparatus incorporating features of the present
invention, with portions of a vessel thereoE broken away, and
with a discharge wand foreshortened;
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of portions of the
apparatus of FI&URE 1 î
FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged sca:Le, of
portions of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, as seen from a plane
indicated by a line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a second
embodiment of spray.ing apparatus incorporating features of the
present i.nventi.on, with portions of a vessel thereof broken away,
and with a discharge wand foreshortened;
FIGURE 5 is a view of portions of the apparatus as seen
from a plane indicated by a line 5-5 in FIGURE 4,
FIGURE 6 is a sectional view as seen :Erom a plane
indicated by a line 6-6 in FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 7 is a sectional. view, on an enlarged scale, o
portions of the apparatus of FIGURE 4 as seen from a plane
lndi.cated by a line 7-7 in FIGURE 6;
FIGURE 8 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of
a tip e:nd por-tion of a discharge wand, as seen from a plane
indicated by a line 8-8 in FI&URE 5;
FIGURE 9 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 of
skill another embodiment of spraying apparatus incorpora-ting
features of the presenk invention;
-- 3 ~
.
FIGURE 10 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale,
of one component employed in the apparatus o~ FIGURE 9;
FIGURES 11 and 12 are sect.ional views similar to ~IGURE
3 showing modified forms o~ the apparatus of FIGURE l; and,
F~GURÆS 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views similar to
PIGU~ES 3, 7 ancl 97 respectively, showing modified forms of the
spraying apparatus embodiments of FIGURES 3, 7 and 9.
~ eatures of -the present in~ention can be utilized in
conjunction with a variety of known, conventional spray apparatus
components to provide a spraying system, the output from which is
either preset or controllable to provide a desired rate of
dischaxge of spray solutionO FIGURES 1-3 illustrate features of
the invention employed in a spray apparatus 10 of the type haviny
a tr:igger-operated valve assembly 22 which is loca~ed upstream
:Erom a spray solution reservoir vessel 12. FIGURES 4-7
illustrate features of the in~ention employed in a spray
apparatus 110 of the type having a tr:igger-operated valve
assembly 122 which is located downstream ~rom a spray solution
reservoir vessel 11~ The trigger-operated valve assemblies 22,
122 are preferably o:E the general types described in U. S.
Paten-ts 3,756,273, 3,632,046 and 2,072,555.
By locating the control valve 22 upstream from the
vessel 12, as is exemplified by the apparatus 10, the vessel 12
is caused to be pressurized by a supply of gas only when the
valve 22 is operatecl to effect spraying. An advantaye of this
type of arrangement is that the vessel 12 is maintained at
ambient pressure when spraying is not in progress, whereby the
vessel 12 can be opened for refilling wi.thout concern that its
contents are pressuriæed. By locatiny the control val~e 122
downstream rom the vessel 11.2, as is e~empli~ied by the
apparatus 110, the vessel 112 is normally main-tained in a
pressurized modeO An advantaye of this type of arrangement is
that an i~nediate "instan-t on, i~stant oEf" spraying control is
provided by the valve 122.
Referriny to FIGURES 1-3, the spray apparatus ]0
includes a plug assembly 14 which is secured atop the upstanding
pressure vessel 12. A suction tube assembly 16 depends from the
plug assembly 14 into the vessel 12 for ducting solution from
vessel 12 during spraying. An inlet conduit 18 and an outlet
conduit 20 communicate with the plug assembly 14 in ~ manner
which will be described~ The control valve assembly 22
communicates the inlet conduit 18 with a source of pressurized
gas (not shown) for selectively admitting pressurized gas to the
vessel 12~ A conventional quick-disconnect coupler 24 connects
one end of an elongate discharge tube or wand 26 wi-th the outlet
conduit 20. A discharge nozzle 28 is provided on the tip end of
the discharge wand 26 for discharging a mixture of gas and
solution from the vessel 12 in a controlled spray pattern.
Referring to FIGURES 4-7, the spray apparatus 110
includes a plug assembly 114 which is secured atop the upstanding
pressure vessel 112. A suction tube assembly 116 depends from
the plug assembly 11~ into the vessel 112 ~or ducting solution
from the vessel 112 during spraying. An inlet conduit 118 and an
outlet conduit 120 communicate with the plug assembly 114 in a
manner which will be described. The inlet conduit 118 is
connectable to a source of pressurized yas (not sho~n) for
admitting pressurized gas to the vessel 112. The control valv~
assembly 122 selectively communicates the outlet conduit 120 with
a conventional quick-disconnect coupler 124. One end of an
elongate discharge tube or wand 126 connects with the coupler
124. A discharge nozzle 128 is provided on the tip end of the
discharge wand 126 for discharging a mixture oE gas and solution
from the vessel 112 in a controlled spray pattern.
Referring to FIGURES 3 and 7, the plug assemblies 14,
114 are quite similar in configuration. He~-shaped heads 30, 130
- 5 -
are located atop threaded base portions 32, 132. The threadedbase portions 32, 132 a.re confiyured to be receivecl within
threaded neck portions 3~, 134 of the vessels 12, 112. The base
portions 32~ 132 and the neck portions 34, 134 are configured to
receive O-rings 36, 136 therebetween to esta~lish fluid-tight
seals between the plug assemblies 14, 114 and their associated
vessels 12, 112.
The plug assemblies 14, 114 have inlet passages 40, 140
which communi.cate with the inlet conduits 18, 118 and which
define inlet openings 42, 142 where the passages 40, 140 open
through bottom walls 33, 133 of the base portions 32, 132 into
communica-tion with the upper end region~ of the vessels 12, 11~.
The plug assemblies 14, 114 have outle-t passages 50,
].50 which communicate with the outlet conduits 20, 120 with the
suction tube assemblles 16, 116. The outlet passage 50 of the
apparatus lO extends horizontally and leftwardly (as viewed in
FIGURE 3) for connection with the outlet conduit 20. The outlet
passage 150 of the apparatus 110 extends vertically up~ardly (as
viewed in FIGURE 6) for connection with the outlet condui.t 120.
The suction tube assemblies 16, 116 are similar in
function but cliffer in construction. The assemblies 16, 116
include elongate tubes 52, 152 with connectors 60, 160 at their
upper ends and with tapered liquid inlet openings 54, 154 formed
at their lower ends. The connectors 60, 160 thread,
respectively/ into the outlet passages 50, 150. Gas entry
openings 70, 170 are provided near the upper ends of -the tube
assemblies lfi, 11.6~ The assemblies 16, 116 differ in that, while
the tuhe 16 is provided with a single gas entry opening 70 of
fixed size, the tube 116 is provided with a pair of gas ent.ry
openings 170, and with an adjustment mechanism 180 for
controlling the ~ffective size of the openlngs 170, as will be
described.
In operation, -the plug assemblies 14, 114 a~e removed
-- 6
from the necks of the vessels 12, 112 -to permit a sprayable
liquid to be poured into the vessels. The plug assemblies 14,
114 are then replaced a-top the ~7essels 12, 112 and sources of
pressuri~ed gas (not shown) are connected ~o ~he apparati 10, 110
to enab]e spraying to beginO
While the vessel 12 remains unpressurized until the
valve assembly 22 is operated, the vessel 112 is immediately
pressurized when connected to a source of pressurized gas. When
the valve assemblies 22, 122 are opera-ted, pressure within the
vessels 12, 112 operates to force liquid into ~he tube assemblies
16, 116 through the liquid entry openings 54, 154~ Liquid is
also drawn into the tube assemblies 16, 116 through the openings
54, 154 as the result of an aspiration effect which ls
established as pressuxized gas flows rapidly through the gas
entry openings 70, 170 and into the outlet passages 50, 15OD
A feature of the presen-t invention is -the provision of
a simple and ~ffective means by which the rate of discharge of
spray from the apparati 10, 110 can be preset or variably
controlled. A fixed setting is obtained by utilizing a suction
tube assembly having one or more gas entry openings of fixed
si~e, e.g., by using the suction tube assembly 1~ with one or
more gas entry holes 70 of a predetermined; fixed size.
controllable settlng of the discharge rate is obtained by uslng a
suitable system for adjusting the effective size of one or more
gas entry openings provided in a suction tube assembly~ eOg., by
using a sleeve (not shown) slidably mounted on the suction tube
52 to close off part of the opening 70, or by using -the mechanism
180 to control -the effective size of one or more of the gas entxy
openings 170~
Referring to FIGURE 7, the adjustment mechanism 180
utilizes a threaded connec-tlorl formed between the tube stem 152
and the connector 160, to control the effec-tive sizes of -the gas
entry openings 170. The tube stem 152 has ~n uppex end reqion
~ 7
~2~
182 which is threaded into a -threaded hole 184 formed in the
connector 160. The gas entry holes 170 open throuyh opposed wall
portions of the threaded hole 184. Communication between the gas
entry holes 170 and the threaded hole 184 is controlled by the
extent to which -the threaded stem end 182 extends into the
threaded hole 184. If the stem end 182 does no~ extend across
any parts of the gas entry openinys 170, the "eFfective sizes" of
the openings 170 are their actual sizes. As the threaded stem
end 182 is threaded farther into the threaded hole 184, the
"effective sizes" of the openings 170 are diminished because the
stem end 182 obstructs the passage of gas through the openings
170 into the hole 184.
Making a determination of the proper size to drill the
gas entry hole 70, or of the proper "effective sizes" of the gas
entry holes 170, is best achieved by conducting a bri~f
experiment with a sample of 2 liquid -to be sprayed. Inasmuch as
spraying performance is affected by a wide variety of parameters
such as various properties of the liquld to be sprayed ~e.g.,
viscosity and temperature~ etc.), as well as various char-
acteristics of the ambient environmen-t (e.g., tempera-ture and
elevation of the sprayiny site, etc.~, providing one or more gas
entry openings of a particular size or effec-tive size for one
spraying installation will not necessarily achieve the iden-tical
spray discharge rate at another installation.
Exemplary experimental results which can be obtained
easily to determine the proper size for drilliny the hole 70 in
the tube assembly 16 were obtained utilizing a 70 PSIG source of
pressurized air to spray a quart of water from a spraying
apparatus having the configuration of the apparatus 10. The
following chart presents a correlation of the diame-ter in inches
of tthe hole 70 with the resulting -time required to empt-y a quart
of water from the vessel 1~.
Diameter in Inches Time in ~econds
_
~no hole) 12
0.0625 - 18
0~0820 21
1065 24
0.1200 2~
0.1~0~ 37
0.1660 ~9
0.1850 100
Exemplary experimental results which can be obtained
easily to determine the proper setting of the adjustment
mechanism 180 to control the effective sizes of the gas entry
openings 170 was obtained u~sing an 80 PSIG source of air to spray
a quart of water fro~ an apparatus having the configuration of
the apparatus 110. With the openings 170 fully covered ~i.e.,
closed) by the stem end 182, a quart of water was emptied from
the vessel 112 in about 10 seconds. With the openlngs 170
unrestricted (i.e., unobstructed) by the stem end 182, the time
oE discharge was extended to over 5 minutes. With the openings
170 half closed by the stem end 182, spraying time was reduced to
about 90 seconds. As will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art, a similar experiment can easily be conducted with a
sample of a fluid to be sprayed, with the experiment being
conducted in the ambient conditions wherein the spraying is to
take place, whereby data may be obtained which will permit the
preparation of a table, or the drawing of a graph correlating
spray rate with setting positions of -the adjustment mechanism
180. Using such a table or graph, the required se-t-ting of the
adjustment mechanism 180 to obtain a desired spray discharge rate
can be determined quite easily.
An advantage of the system of the present invention is
that it gives a reasonably well atomized flow of spray material
which can he discharyed t}-rough a relatively small diameter
~ 9
4~
nozzle at the end of a rela-tively long, thin discharge wand. The
use of a sm~ll diame-te~ nozzle, such as is indicated by the
numeral 128 in FIGUR~ 8, together Wi~h a long, thin discharge
wand 126, is particularly useful in vehicle rustproofing
applications wherein i,t is deslrable to spray inside surfaces of
vehicle doors by inserting a small~dia~e-ter/ noz~le~carrying wand
through small holes formed inconspicuously in edge regions of khe
doors.
Referring to FIGURE 9, still another embodiment of
spray apparatus incorporatiny features of -the present inventlon
is shown, in part, as indicated generally by the numeral 210.
The apparatus 210 includes a plug assembly 214 which is secured
atop an upstanding pressure vessel 212~ A sucti,on tube assembly
216 has a lower part 300 which depends from the plug assembly 214
into the vessel 212 for ducting solution from the vessel 212
during spraying, and an upper pa~t 310 which extends upwardly
through a passage 290 -formed through the plug asse~lbly 214.
An inlet conduit 218 and an outlet conduit 220
communicate with the plug assembly 214. A trigger-operated valve
assembly (not shown) of the type described in conju:nction with
the apparati 10, 110 connects with one or the othe,r of the
conduits 21~, 220~ as has been described in conjunction with the
apparatus 10, 110, to provide a ~eans for selectively initiating
and terminating spr~ying~
In the manner of the previously descri.bed plug
assemblies 14, 114, the plug assembly 214 has a hex shaped outer
surface 230 located atop a threaded base portlon 2320 The
threaded base porti.on 232 is configured to be received within
threaded neck portions 234 o~ the vessel 212. The base and neck
portions 232, 234 are configured to receive an 0-ring 236
therebetween to establish a fluid-tight seal he-tween -the plug
assembly 214 and the vessel 212.
-- 10 ~
The plug assembly 214 has an inlet passage 2~0 which
communicates with the inlet conduit 218, and which defines an
inlet opening 242 where the passage 240 opens through a bottorn
wall 233 of the base portion 232~ The plug assemhly 214 has an
outle-t passage 250 which communicates the outlet conduit 220 with
the central passage 290.
The central passage 290 has a smooth bore 292 which
extends upwardly from the bottom wall 233 into communication with
the outle-t passage 250, a threaded bore 294 which extends
upwardly a short dlstance from the outlet passage 250, and a
larger-diameter smooth bore 296 which opens through a top wall
215 of the plug asser~ly 214.
The lower part 300 of the suction tube assembly 216
includes an elongate tube 252 which has a connector 260 welded to
its upper end. The tube 252 extends downwardly into the vessel
212 and has a tapered lower end region (not shown) configured in
the manner of the previously described tubes 52, 152 to define an
inclined liquid-entry opening Inot shown) located in a lower
region of the vessel 212~
The connector 260 carries internal threads 304 which
receive a threaded lower end region 314 of the upper part 310.
Referring to FIGURES 9 and 10, the upper part 310 has a passage
316 which extends upwardly for about half of the length of the
upper part 310, and has lower and upper sets of radially
extending holes 270, 320 which cvmmunicate with the passage 316.
When the threaded lower end region 314 is threaded to the fullest
extent possible in-to -the threaded portlon 304 of -the connector
260, the lower set of holes 270 assumes a position immediately
above the upper surface of the connector 260. At 1east the lower
portions of each of the holes 270 are located below -the bottom
wall 233. As will be explained, -the "effective sizes'i of the
holes 270 are controllecl by adjlls-tably positionirlg the suction
tube assembly 216 to control the degree to which the holes 270
extend below the bottom wa l l 2 3 3 ~
~ lhe upper part 310 has a smooth cylindri.cal, outer
sur~ace portion 330 which slip-fits within the smooth bore 292 of
the plug assembly 2140 Jus~ as the lower holes 270 open through
the lower end region of the surface 330, the upper holes 320 open
through the upper end region of the surface 330.
The upper part 3].0 has a threaded surface portion 332
which is threaded into the threaded bore 294, and a larger
di.ameter threaded surface portion 334 which extends loosely
through and projects upwardly from -the smooth bore 296. An
0-ring 340 is carried near the junctures of the threaded portions
332, 334. The 0-ring 340 engages the walls of the bore 296 for
establishing a liquid-tight seal between the upper part 310 and
the plug assembly 214 to prevent the escape of liquid and/or gas
from the open upper end o-E the bore 290. A lock nut 342 is
threaded onto the upper end region of the threaded surface
portion 334 for engaging the top wall 215 of the plug assembly
21.~ to lock the suction tube assembly 216 from rotating relative
to t.he plug assembly 214.
A hex-llead formation 350 is provided atop the upper
part 310 for positioning the suction tube assembly 216 re]ative
to the plug assembly 214. By rotating the suction -tube assembly
216 in one direction relative to the plug assembly 214, the
threaded engagement between the threaded stem portion 332 and the
th.readed bore 294 causes the suction tube assembly 216 to move
downwardly with respect to the central passage 290, thereby
exposing more of each of the holes 270 beneath the bottom surface
233 to thereby increase the "effective sizes" of the hol.es 270.
By rotating the suction tube assembly 216 in the opposite
direction, the l'effective sizes" of the holes 270 are ]ikewise
diminished. By tightening the lock nut 243 against the -top
surface ~15, a desired set-ting of -the i1effec~ive sizes" of the
holes 270 can be maintained.
Referring to FIGURE ll, one mod.ified form oE the
apparatus lO is indi.cated generally by the numeral 410. The
majority of the elements of the appara~us 410 are identical in
form and function with those of the apparatus lO~ Elements of
the apparatus 410 which are -the functional equivalent o
described elements of the apparatus lO are indicated hy numerals
which differ by a magnitude of 114001~ from the elements of the
apparatus lO. El.ements of the apparatus ~lO wh:ich are not found
in the apparatus lO are designated by numerals in the "500"
series.
A feature of the apparatus 410 resides in its provision
of a supplemental means for controlliny the flow d.ischarge rate
at which materials are sprayed. The supplemental flow control
takes the form of a valve stem member 502 which may be raised or
lowered to control the flow of fluid through a small diameter
passage 504. The passage 504 communicates the suction tube
a.ssembly 4l6 with the outlet conduit 420. The rate a-t which
:~luid flows through the passage 504 is controlled by the degree
to wh.ich the lower end 506 of the valve stem 502 restricts the
flow o~ fluid moviny through the passage 504.
The valve stem 502 has a central portion 508 which is
threaded, and an uppe.r end portion which has a driving formation
510 provided thereon~ A sleeve 512 is press-fitted into a hole
514 formed in the plug assembly 4l4. Threads 516 are provided
within the sleeve 510 to receive the threaded centxal port:ion 508
of the valve stem 502. By rotati.ng the valve stem 502 .in one
direction relative to the plug assembly 4l4, the stem end 506 is
moved downwardly -to form a more effective obstruction to fluid
flowing through the passage 504. By rotating the val.ve stem 50
in the opposi-te directi.on, the degree to which the stem end 50~
obstruc-~s the discharge of fluid Erom the paSSaCJe 50~ is
-~ 13 -
~2~
lessened, whereby the flow rate of fluid through the passage 504is increasesl.
Referring to FIG~RE 12, another modifie~l form o:E the
apparatus lO is indicated generally by the numera]. 610. In the
apparatus 610, supplemental discharge rate control is provided by
incorporating a conventional valve 702 in a discharge condui-t
620. A further fea~ure of the apparatus 610 resides in the
provision of a -threaded passage 7U4 in the plug assembly 614 for
mounting a conventional pressure gauge 710 for monitoring
discharge flow pressure.
The apparatus 610 has elements which are identical in
form and function with elements of the apparatus lO, e~cept for
the provision o:E the valve 702 in the discharge conduit 620, and
:Eor the provision of the pressure gauge 7]0 in the bore 704.
Identical elements in the apparati lO, 610 are indicated by
elements which differ by a magnitude of "600". Elements in the
apparatus 610 which are not present in the apparatus lO are
i.ndicated by numeral.s of the 1'70011 series.
The valve 702 includes a rotatable gate member 720
which has a hole 722 formed therethrough at a location wherein
the hole 722 may be positioned to fully align, or to only
partially align with the discharge passage 620, whereby the
.rotary positlon of the gate member 720 will serve to
supplementally .regulate the flow of fluid discharglng through the
passaye 620~
The supplemental discharge rate controls provided with
the apparati 4lO, ~lO are exemplary of the types of auxiliary
controls which can be utilized with any of the apparati lO, l:L0,
210 to enhance the precision with whlch the rate at which
materials being discharged can be regulated~
As will be apparent from the foregoin~ descrip-tion, a
feature of the present invention lies i.n a novel method o.f
regulating the di.scharge rate a-t which liquicl is sprayed from a
spraying appar~tus. The novel method centers about the con-
trolling of the actual or ef:~ective size of one or more gas entry
openings, such as the openings 70, 170, 270, ~70, 670. By
controlling -the sizes of -these gas entry openings, the relative
qUalltitieS of lîquid and gas which are delivered in the ultimate
flow reaching a discharge nozzle are likewise regulat-ed, i e., a
means is provided for controlling the discharge rate of -the
liqu.id being sprayed by proportioning the rela~ive quantities of
carrier gas and liquid which comprise the mixture of fluid that
is withdrawn from pressurized vessels.
Referring to FIGURES 13, 14 and 15, the embodiments 10,
110, 210 of FIGURES 3, 7 and 9 (as well as the other described
embodiments) can be modi-Eied quite easily to provide passages 71,
171, 271, respecti.vely, which will admit a restricted flow of
carrier gas substantially directly from the inlet conduits 18 7
118, 218 to the outlet conduits 20, 120, 220, respectively, for
the purpose of causing a turbulent mixing with the mixture of gas
and liquid being withdrawn from the respective pressure vessels
12/ 112, 212. This turbulent mi~lng causes a high degree of
atomization of such liquid as is being withdrawn from the
pressure vessels, whereby what discharges Erom the apparati is a
highly atomized~ fog like spray.
Referring to FIGURE 15, the apparatus 210 is shown
provided with an optional passage 273 which can also be
incorporated, where desired, in the other described embodiments.
The passage 273 opens through the bottom wall 233 and
communicates wi-th the outlet conduit 220. I'he passa~e 273 acts
as a vent for relieving pressure in the vessel 212 to minimi~e
"aEter spray" when the flow control valve associa-ted with -the
apparatus 210 is turned oE:E.
Although the in~ention has been described in its
preferred Eorm with a certai.n degree of parti.cularity/ i-t is
understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form i.s
~ 15 ~
only by way of exa.mple and tha~ numerous changes in the details
of construction and the cornbination ancl arrangement of parts may
be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed. It i5 intended that the patent
shall cover, by suita~le expression ln the appended claims,
whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention
disclosed.
16 -
