Nozzle assembly

Abstract

A nozzle assembly for use in cleaning tubular members of a tube-type heat exchange having a protective coating. A metal nozzle core for communicating with a source of high-pressure water is covered at an exterior portion thereof with a plastic nozzle sleeve for engagement with the heat exchanger. A circumferential ridge of the nozzle core disposed in a circumferential groove of the nozzle sleeve prevents separation of the nozzle core and nozzle sleeve during use.

1 . A nozzle assembly for use in a cleaning process for tubular members of a heat exchanger, by directing a cleaning device through the tubular member using a high pressure fluid, comprising
 a nozzle core for communicating at an input end thereof with a source of high pressure fluid to direct same along a central axis to an output end thereof, and   a nozzle sleeve, for engaging an external portion of the nozzle core at the output end, for bearing against an inner surface of the tubular member of the heat exchanger to protect the tubular member and properly locate the nozzle assembly in the tubular member during the cleaning process.   
   
   
       2 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 the nozzle core is fabricated of a metal, and   the nozzle sleeve is fabricated of a plastic.   
   
   
       3 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle core is fabricated of stainless steel. 
   
   
       4 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle sleeve is fabricated of Delrin. 
   
   
       5 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 the nozzle core and the nozzle sleeve are generally cylindrical in shape, and an external portion of the nozzle sleeve is tapered to a lesser diameter in a direction toward an output end thereof.   
   
   
       6 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 the nozzle sleeve defines a cylindrical bore along a central axis at an input end thereof,   the external portion of the nozzle core at the output end thereof is cylindrical in shape, and   the cylindrically shaped output end of the nozzle core is disposed in the cylindrical bore of the nozzle sleeve when the nozzle assembly is assembled.   
   
   
       7 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 6 , wherein
 the cylindrically shaped output end of the nozzle core has disposed thereon a circumferential ridge,   the bore of the nozzle sleeve has disposed therein a circumferential groove for engaging the circumferential ridge when the nozzle assembly is assembled, and   the diameter of the bore of the nozzle sleeve at the input end thereof is less than the diameter of the circumferential ridge of the nozzle core so as to provide retention of the nozzle core with the nozzle sleeve when assembled.   
   
   
       8 . A nozzle assembly for use in a cleaning process for tubular members of a heat exchanger, by directing a cleaning device through the tubular member using a high pressure fluid, comprising:
 a nozzle core for communicating at an input end thereof with a source of high pressure fluid to direct same along a central axis to an output end thereof,   a nozzle sleeve, for engaging an external portion of the nozzle core at the output end, for bearing against an inner surface of the tubular member of the heat exchanger to protect the tubular member and properly locate the nozzle assembly in the tubular member during the cleaning process, wherein   the external portion of the nozzle core at the output end thereof is cylindrical in shape and has disposed thereon a circumferential ridge,   the nozzle sleeve defines a cylindrical bore along a central axis at an input end thereof, and has disposed therein a circumferential groove for engaging the circumferential ridge when the nozzle assembly is assembled by disposing the cylindrically shaped output end of the nozzle core in the cylindrical bore of the nozzle sleeve and,   the diameter of the bore of the nozzle sleeve is less than the diameter of the circumferential ridge of the nozzle core so as to provide retention of the nozzle core with the nozzle sleeve when assembled.