Nozzle Assembly

Abstract

A liquid spray nozzle assembly for an outlet pipe of an air blower, the nozzle assembly includes an outer annular member adapted to be secured to the outlet pipe, an inner member radially spaced from and secured to the outer member to define air flow passages, the inner member having a central opening and a lower surface with vanes extending therefrom; and a supply pipe extending into the central opening such that the air flowing through the central opening will act to shear the liquid exiting the supply pipe against the edge of the opening to break up the liquid into droplets that will be carried along in a dispersed pattern with the air flowing between the outer annular member and the inner member.

1 . A nozzle assembly for an outlet pipe of an air blower, the nozzle assembly comprising:
 an outer member adapted to be secured to the outlet pipe and extending away from the air blower so as to define an interior region;   an inner member positioned within the interior region by a plurality of support members connected to the outer member, the inner member having a first opening for receiving air from the air blower and a second opening for projecting air from the nozzle assembly;   a plurality of vanes positioned within the inner member, the plurality of vanes defining a plurality of inner air flow passages; and   a supply pipe positioned within the inner member and extending in the direction of the outlet pipe, the supply pipe having a fluid inlet for receiving a liquid and a fluid exit for releasing the liquid proximate to the second opening.   
   
   
       2 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the air passing through the nozzle assembly flows around the inner member in a substantially straight path away from the air blower. 
   
   
       3 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the inner air flow passages direct air in a substantially arcuate path away from the air blower. 
   
   
       4 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner air flow passages narrow as they extend away from the air blower. 
   
   
       5 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is substantially larger than the second opening. 
   
   
       6 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second opening is centered within the outlet pipe. 
   
   
       7 . A nozzle assembly for an outlet pipe of an air blower, the nozzle assembly comprising:
 an outer member removably mountable to a distal end of the outlet pipe, the outer member defining an interior region;   an inner member positioned within the outer member and connected to the outer member by a plurality of support members, the inner member comprising an inlet area and a central aperture, wherein a first flow region is defined around the inner member and between the inner and outer members, and a second flow region is defined between the inlet area and the central aperture; and   a fluid supply pipe positioned within the second flow region and supported by a plurality of vanes which extend from the inner member, the supply pipe terminating near the central aperture.   
   
   
       8 . The nozzle assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the inlet area is substantially larger than the central aperture. 
   
   
       9 . A method for directing turbulent air flow within an open space, the method comprising the steps of:
 directing air through an outlet pipe;   partitioning the air into distinct passageways of a nozzle fixed to a distal end of the outlet pipe so as to create a plurality of air flow portions;   increasing the pressure and decreasing the velocity of a first air flow portion as it passes through the nozzle;   decreasing the pressure and increasing the velocity of a second air flow portion as it passes through the nozzle such that the second air flow portion reaches a state of turbulence; and   projecting the first and second air flow portions from the nozzle into the open space in a manner such that the second air flow portion is completely surrounded by the first air flow portion.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second air flow portions are projected from the nozzle at the point along an axis parallel to the outer tube. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of releasing liquid into the second air flow portion as it exits the nozzle. 
   
   
       12 . A system for distributing liquid from a reservoir with a portable blower that creates an air flow through an outlet pipe, wherein the outlet pipe has an exit end through which the air flow exits, the system comprising:
 a nozzle assembly attached to the exit end of the outlet pipe, the nozzle assembly comprising:   an outer member adapted to be secured to the exit end of the outlet pipe; and   an inner member radially spaced from and secured to said outer member, the inner member having a plurality of vanes that guide air flow toward a central aperture and a supply pipe extending in the direction of the outlet pipe, the supply pipe having a distal end positioned proximate the central aperture; and   a feeding tube having one end in fluid communication with the reservoir and another end in fluid communication with the supply pipe, wherein fluid is directed from the reservoir into the air flow via the feeding tube and the supply pipe as the air flow exits through the central aperture,   whereby the air flow will act to shear the fluid into micro-droplets that will be carried along in a dispersed pattern within the air flow.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a first portion of the air flow passes around the inner member and a second portion of the air flow passes through the inner member and exits through the central aperture. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the air flow increases in pressure and decreases in velocity as it passes around the inner member. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the air flow is diverging upon exit from the nozzle assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion of the air flow decreases in pressure and increases in velocity as it passes through the inner member. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second portion of the air flow is converging upon exit from the nozzle assembly. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the inner member tapers toward the central aperture such that the second portion of the air flow gradually accelerates as it passes through the inner member. 
   
   
       19 . A method for dispersing a liquid about an area, the method comprising the steps of:
 directing air flow through an outlet pipe toward a nozzle assembly, the nozzle assembly comprising a plurality of exterior passageways through which a first portion of the air flow passes and a plurality of interior passageways through which a second portion of the air flow passes;   increasing the velocity and decreasing the pressure of the second portion of the air flow by decreasing the diameter of the interior passageways as they extend from the outlet pipe;   releasing the liquid into the second portion of the air flow as it exits the nozzle assembly;   decreasing the velocity and increasing the pressure of the first portion of the air flow by increasing the diameter of the exterior passageways as they extend from the outlet pipe;   projecting the first and second portions of the air flow from the nozzle assembly such that the first portion surrounds the second portion.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the liquid blends with the second portion of the air flow upon exit from the nozzle assembly so as to create a mist. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion of the air flow helps direct the mist along an axis in line with the outlet pipe. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of generating an air flow using a conventional blower attached to the outlet pipe. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of directing a liquid from a reservoir to the exit of the nozzle assembly. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the reservoir is adapted to be worn on a user's back and the fluid is released from the reservoir. 
   
   
       25 . A method for dispersing a liquid about an area, the method comprising the steps of:
 directing air flow through a tube toward a nozzle, the nozzle fixed to a distal end of the tube and having an inner member disposed therein to create a diverging flow region around the inner member and a converging flow region through the inner member;   directing a first air flow portion around the inner member through the diverging flow region;   directing a second air flow portion through the inner member through the converging flow region, the second air flow portion exiting through a central aperture formed in the inner member; and   dispensing the liquid through a supply pipe disposed within the inner member, the supply pipe terminating near the central aperture;   wherein the liquid is atomized and dispersed upon exit from the supply pipe.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the inner member comprises an annular surface that tapers from an inlet area down to the central aperture.