Bi-directional, water separating flow nozzle

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a fluid separating flow nozzle which has a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid, and a diffuser element secured within a portion of the diffuser housing. The diffuser element may have at least one flow path opening forming a flow path through the flow nozzle, a nose portion and a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction. A flow turning element may be incorporated which has a plurality of flow turning structures, and which is in communication with the flow path opening, and which imparts a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow. The turning motion helps to displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid separating flow nozzle, comprising:
 a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid;   a diffuser element secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, the diffuser element including:
 at least one flow path opening forming a flow path through the flow nozzle; 
 a nose portion; and 
 a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction; and 
   a flow turning element having a plurality of flow turning structures, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening and operating to impart a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow, to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.   
     
     
         2 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the nose portion forms a frustoconical portion, and   the diffuser element further including an annular wall at least partially surrounding the frustoconical portion, an inner surface of the annular wall and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion forming the moisture capturing area, and the moisture capturing area further forming a cup-like area, the cup-like area configured to capture moisture particles when the first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in the first direction.   
     
     
         3 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the diffuser element includes a plurality of arcuate vanes and a plurality of arcuate grooves formed adjacent to the arcuate vanes, the arcuate vanes further cooperating with the flow turning grooves of the flow turning element to turn the second airflow flowing in the second direction, and the arcuate grooves forming the moisture capturing area. 
     
     
         4 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flow path opening comprises a plurality of flow path openings arranged circumferentially about the diffuser element. 
     
     
         5 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the flow turning component includes a face portion, and wherein the face portion includes the flow turning grooves. 
     
     
         6 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning of the diffuser element partially within the diffuser housing creates an annular airflow space through which the first and second airflows may flow. 
     
     
         7 . The flow nozzle of  claim 6 , wherein the diffuser element includes a threaded end, and wherein the diffuser housing includes a threaded bore for engaging with the threaded end of the diffuser element and supporting the diffuser element within the diffuser housing to maintain the annular airflow space. 
     
     
         8 . The flow nozzle of  claim 7 , further comprising an inlet fitting having a threaded neck portion configured to threadably engage a portion of the threaded bore of the diffuser housing. 
     
     
         9 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump connection fitting, the pump connection fitting having a body portion including a male threaded end portion, and
 wherein the wherein the flow turning element comprises a female threaded portion which accepts the male threaded end portion of the pump connection fitting.   
     
     
         10 . The flow nozzle of  claim 9 , wherein the body portion further includes a nut-like shape to enable it to be grasped with an external tool during assembly of the flow valve. 
     
     
         11 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the diffuser housing includes an enlarged threaded bore; and   the flow turning element has a threaded portion which engages with the enlarged threaded bore and helps to enclose the diffuser element within the diffuser housing.   
     
     
         12 . The flow nozzle of  claim 2 , wherein the diffuser element includes a recess which is in flow communication with the at least one flow path opening. 
     
     
         13 . The flow nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the flow turning structures comprise flow turning grooves formed in an end face of the flow turning element. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid separating flow nozzle, comprising:
 a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid;   a diffuser element secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, the diffuser element including:
 a recess; 
 a plurality of circumferentially arranged flow path openings forming a flow path through the flow nozzle and arranged to communicate with the recess; 
 a nose portion; 
 a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction; and 
   a flow turning element configured to turn an airflow entering or exiting the flow turning element, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening, and the flow turning element operating to impart a turning motion to an airflow flowing through the flow nozzle to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and the moisture capturing area when a second airflow in a second direction opposite to said first direction is directed through the flow nozzle.   
     
     
         15 . The flow nozzle of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the nose portion of the diffuser element forms a frustoconical portion, and   wherein the diffuser element further includes an annular wall at least partially surrounding the frustoconical portion, an inner surface of the annular wall and an outer surface of the frustoconical portion forming the moisture capturing area, and the moisture capturing area further forming a cup-like area, the cup-like area being configured to capture moisture particles when the first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in the first direction.   
     
     
         16 . The flow nozzle of  claim 15 , wherein an outer surface of the annular wall and an inner surface of the diffuser housing define an annular flow channel in communication with the plurality of circumferentially arranged flow path openings. 
     
     
         17 . The flow nozzle of  claim 14 , wherein the diffuser element includes a plurality of arcuate vanes and a plurality of arcuate grooves formed adjacent to the arcuate vanes, the arcuate vanes further cooperating with the flow turning grooves of the flow turning element to turn the second airflow flowing in the second direction. 
     
     
         18 . The flow nozzle of  claim 17 , wherein the arcuate grooves form the moisture capturing area. 
     
     
         19 . A fluid separating flow nozzle, comprising:
 a diffuser housing configured to be secured to a source of compressed fluid;   a diffuser element threadably secured within a portion of the diffuser housing, the diffuser element including:
 a recess; 
 a plurality of circumferential flow path openings forming a flow path through the flow nozzle and being in communication with the recess; 
 a nose portion; and 
 a moisture capturing area adjacent the nose portion for capturing moisture particles when a first airflow is directed through the flow nozzle in a first direction; 
   a flow turning element threadably coupled to the diffuser housing and receiving the nose portion of the diffuser therein; and   the flow turning element having a plurality of flow turning structures forming grooves, the flow turning element being in communication with the flow path opening and operating to impart a turning motion to the first airflow and also to a second airflow flowing in a direction opposite to the first airflow, to help displace and eject moisture particles from the nose portion and from the moisture capturing area while the second airflow is occurring.   
     
     
         20 . The flow nozzle of  claim 19 , wherein the moisture capturing area of the diffuser nozzle comprises at least one of:
 a plurality of arcuate grooves; and   an annular, cup-like recess.