Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPRAY GUN AND PORTABLE MIST-GENERATING APPARATUS
The present invention relates to the field of mist generation. More
specifically, the present invention provides a spray gun and a portable
mist-generating apparatus. The spray gun and apparatus are particularly
suitable for rapid deployment and operation in decontamination,
disinfection and fire suppression applications within buildings and other
urban environments.
Portable mist-generating apparatus are known. These apparatus typically
take the form of a backpack which is carried on the back of an operator,
and a spray gun, or lance, which is held in the hands of the operator and is
fluidly connected to the backpack for spraying the contents thereof. These
known apparatus rely on compressed gas to force the liquid stored in the
backpack under pressure into the nozzle of the spray gun, whereupon the
small diameter of the nozzle atomises the liquid as it exits the gun. The
compressed gas can be stored in a separate container within the
backpack, or else can be held under pressure within the vessel containing
the liquid.
As these apparatus rely on mechanical atomisation through the nozzle,
the resultant mist is made up of relatively large droplets. Consequently
the droplets fall to ground relatively quickly, thereby limiting the
effectiveness of the apparatus unless the apparatus is immediately
adjacent the zone in which the fire, infection or contamination is located.
This of course places the operator handling the apparatus at greater risk.
Furthermore, the larger the droplet size the less likely it is that the
droplets
will resist gravitational forces when landing upon surfaces which are not
horizontal. In disinfection and decontamination applications in particular,
being unable to cover non-horizontal and/or non-visible surfaces (e.g.
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vertical surfaces, the underside of horizontal surfaces) with droplets can
limit the effectiveness of the disinfection or decontamination operation.
A solution to the aforementioned problem has been to employ twin-fluid
atomisers in order to achieve smaller droplet sizes. However, existing
twin-fluid atomisers have fixed flow rates for the two fluids, meaning that
the ratio between the two fluids at the nozzle cannot be adjusted. This
means that any apparatus employing such a device may be suitable for
one application (e.g. high flow for fire suppression) but not particularly
suitable for another application (e.g. low flow for cooling or
decontamination purposes), where a spray having different characteristics
is needed.
It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the
aforementioned disadvantages.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
spray gun comprising:
a first atomising nozzle including a driving fluid passage having a
driving fluid inlet, a driving fluid outlet, and a throat portion intermediate
the
driving fluid inlet and driving fluid outlet, the throat portion having a
cross
sectional area which is less than that of both the driving fluid inlet and the
driving fluid outlet, and the first nozzle further including a process fluid
outlet located at, or downstream of, the driving fluid throat; and
a flow adjustment device connectable to supplies of driving and
process fluid, and adapted to selectively vary the ratio of process fluid to
driving fluid supplied to the first nozzle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a spray gun
comprising an atomising nozzle including a driving fluid passage having a
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driving fluid inlet and driving fluid outlet, the throat portion having a
cross
sectional area which is less than that of both the driving fluid inlet and the
driving fluid outlet, and the atomizing nozzle further including a process
fluid outlet located at, or downstream of, the throat portion; and a flow
adjustment device connectable to supplies of driving and process fluids,
and adapted to selectively vary the ratio of process fluid to driving fluid
supplied to the atomizing nozzle.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a mist-
generating apparatus, comprising: a portable frame having a driving fluid
tank and a process fluid tank attached thereto; and the spray gun as
defined herein (e.g. as defined immediately above), wherein the flow
adjustment device is in fluid communication with the driving fluid and
process fluid tanks.
The flow adjustment device may include a set of driving fluid orifices
upstream of the driving fluid passage, and a set of process fluid orifices
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upstream of the process fluid outlet, wherein each orifice in each set is a
different diameter and may be selectively brought into fluid communication
with the first nozzle to vary the respective driving and process fluid flow
rates thereto.
The spray gun may further comprise a spray head housing the flow
adjustment device, and wherein the flow adjuster is rotatable relative to
the spray head to select the desired driving and process fluid orifices.
Each driving and process fluid orifice may be surrounded by a sealing
member which engages an inner surface of the spray head, thereby
hydraulically isolating each orifice from the other orifices in their
respective
sets.
The spray gun may further comprise a grip portion having a remote end to
which a trigger member is pivotably connected, and one or more control
valves housed at the remote end of the grip portion, wherein the control
valves are selectively actuated by the trigger for controlling flow of driving
and process fluid into the gun.
The spray gun may further comprise driving and process fluid supply
hoses connecting the one or more control valves to the flow adjuster,
wherein the hoses span the grip portion to shield an operator's hand when
holding the grip portion.
The first nozzle may include at least one driving fluid bypass channel
having a bypass inlet connected to the driving fluid inlet upstream of the
throat, and a bypass outlet in communication with the process fluid supply
upstream of the process fluid outlet.
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The spray gun may further comprise a second compressed air foam
nozzle, and the flow adjuster can selectively divert the process and driving
fluids away from the first nozzle to the second nozzle. The second nozzle
may include an elongate expansion passage downstream thereof.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a mist-
generating apparatus, comprising:
a portable frame having a driving fluid tank and a process fluid tank
attached thereto; and
a spray gun according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein
the flow adjuster is in fluid communication with the driving fluid and
process fluid tanks.
The apparatus may further comprise a breathable air tank and breathing
apparatus.
The apparatus may further comprise:
a driving fluid supply line connecting the driving fluid tank and the
flow adjuster;
a regulator located on the driving fluid supply line and adapted to
reduce the pressure of the driving fluid upstream of the flow adjuster; and
a manifold located on the driving fluid supply line downstream of the
regulator, the manifold adapted to selectively divert driving fluid into the
process fluid tank to pressurise the process fluid therein.
The apparatus may further comprise a flow restrictor intermediate the
regulator and the flow adjustor, the restrictor comprising an elongate body
having a bore whose diameter is substantially constant and less than that
of the driving fluid supply line.
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The frame may form part of a backpack to be carried by an operator.
Alternatively, the frame may form part of a trailer which can be towed by a
vehicle.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The
drawings show the following:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a portable mist-generating
apparatus;
Figures 2-5 show side, perspective, front and longitudinal section
(along line V-V) views, respectively, of a spray gun suitable for use in the
mist-generating apparatus;
Figure 6 is an exploded view of a spray head of the spray gun
shown in Figures 2-5;
Figure 7 is a side view of a fluid core of the spray head of Figure 6;
Figures 8 and 9 are cross section views along the lines VIII-VIII and
IX-IX shown in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is an end view of the fluid core of Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a longitudinal section view along the line XI-XI shown
in Figure 10;
Figures 12 and 13 are cross section views along the lines XII-XII
and XIII-XIII shown in Figure 11;
Figures 14 and 15 are section views along the lines XIV-XIV and
XV-XV shown in Figures 12 and 13, respectively;
Figure 16 is a side view of a portable mist-generating apparatus;
Figures 17 and 18 are rear and perspective views, respectively, of a
backpack element of the apparatus shown in Figure 16; and
Figures 19 and 20 show side and front views, respectively, of an
alternative embodiment of the mist-generating apparatus intended to be
towed behind a vehicle.
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Figure 1 schematically shows the preferred components which make up a
portable mist-generating apparatus according to the present invention.
The apparatus comprises a process fluid tank 1 containing a volume of
process fluid to be sprayed by the apparatus. The process fluid tank is in
fluid communication with a spray gun, or lance, 3 via a first supply line 5.
The apparatus further comprises a driving fluid tank 7 containing a volume
of driving fluid, which drives the process fluid out of the apparatus as a
mist. The driving fluid tank 7 may be in fluid communication with a
regulator 9 via a second supply line 11. The regulator 9 reduces the
pressure of the driving fluid for downstream applications. A manifold 12
may also be located in the second supply line 11 downstream of the
regulator 9. The manifold 12 is in fluid communication with the process
fluid tank 1 and can divert driving fluid from the second supply line 11 into
the process fluid tank 1 via a divert line 10 in order to increase and/or
maintain pressure therein. The manifold 12 is also in fluid communication
with the spray gun 3 via a third supply line 13. The third supply line 13
may be provided with a further regulator, flow control valve or restrictor 15
in order to further reduce the pressure of the driving fluid prior to it
reaching the spray gun 3. Most preferably the restrictor 15 comprises an
elongate body with a bore whose diameter is substantially constant and
less than that of the third supply line 13.
Optionally the apparatus may also include a separate breathable air
supply for use by an operator during the operation of the apparatus. The
air supply comprises a breathable air tank 17 which is in fluid
communication with a conventional breathing apparatus 19. An air
regulator 21 may be located between the air tank 17 and breathing
apparatus 19 so as to regulate air flow to the breathing apparatus 19.
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The tanks 1,7,17 may have shut-off valves (not shown) which allow fluid
flow from the tanks into the remainder of the apparatus when the valves
are opened.
An example of a spray gun 3 according to the present invention, and
suitable for use with the mist-generating apparatus of figure 1, is shown in
figures 2-5. The gun 3 comprises a spray head 30 and a handle or grip
portion 32 projecting rearwardly from the spray head 30. A hand guard
may be provided so as to protect an operator's hand when gripping the
handle 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand guard comprises a pair
of reinforced fluid supply hoses 36,38 spanning the underside of the
handle 32. The guard may also comprise a shield member 34 attached to
the underside of the spray head 30 adjacent a proximal end of the handle
32. First ends of the fluid supply hoses 36,38 connect into the spray head
30, whilst second ends of the hoses 36,38 connect into one or more -
control valves 40 which are attached to a distal end of the handle 32. The
handle 32 incorporates a pivotable trigger 33 which, when squeezed,
pivots about a pivot point 35 adjacent the distal end of the handle 32 and
actuates the control valve(s) 40 so that driving and process fluids may
enter the spray head 30.
The spray head 30 comprises a first twin fluid atomising nozzle 50 and
may further comprise a second, compressed air foam (CAF) nozzle 60.
The nozzles 50,60 are located within a flow adjustment device in the form
of a fluid core 70, which is housed within the spray head 30 and can be
rotated about a longitudinal axis L relative to the spray head 30 so as to
switch the spray gun between different modes of operation, as will be
explained in more detail below. The fluid core 70 is at least partially
located within a selector sleeve 42 and non-rotatably coupled thereto,
such that rotation of the selector sleeve 42 rotates the fluid core 70
relative
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to the spray head 30. A locator pin or ball 44 is biased by a biasing means
46 from the rear of the spray head 30 into one of a number of locator
recesses 48 on the adjacent end of the fluid core 70. As the fluid core 70
is rotated relative to the spray head 30, the locator ball 44 will be pushed
from its present recess against the force of the biasing means 46 and then
enter into the next recess on the core 70. In this way the core 70 can be
selectively secured in a number of positions which correspond to the
different operating modes of the gun 3.
The spray head 30 is shown in exploded form in figure 6. The spray head
30 comprises a housing 80 within which the fluid core 70 is rotatably
mounted. The housing 80 is made up of three elements: a front fluid
housing 82, a rear fluid housing 84, and a filter housing 86. Each of the
housing elements is formed such that they can be assembled into a single
housing 80 and secured together by a number of fixing bolts 88 extending
through a corresponding number of assembly apertures 90 formed within
the elements.
The filter housing 86 includes driving and process fluid supply passages
92,94 connectable to supplies of driving and process fluids, as well as a
pair of filters 96,98 which are located in filter apertures (not shown) and
biased into the supply passages 92,94 by respective filter springs 100,102.
A sealing collar 104 atop each filter 96,98 ensures that the fluids do not
leak from the passages 92,94 with the filters 96,98 in place.
On the rear face of the rear fluid housing 84 are driving and process fluid
recesses (not shown) which, when the housing elements are all
assembled together, form driving and process fluid chambers which are in
fluid communication with the respective driving and process fluid supply
passages 92,94. Each recess has an 0-ring seal 108 which is
9
compressed between the filter housing 86 and rear fluid housing 84 when
those elements are secured together so that no fluid may leak from the
chambers where the rear fluid and filter housings 84,86 abut one another.
Located on opposite sides of the rear fluid housing 84 are driving and
process fluid galleries 110,112 which are in fluid communication with their
respective driving and process fluid chambers. Access ports 114 are
provided either side of the rear fluid housing 84 so that the internal
portions of the rear fluid housing 84 can be machined more easily, and so
that the galleries 110,112 may be accessed for maintenance purposes. In
service, each access port 114 is sealed by a removable sealing plug 116.
As can be seen the fluid core 70 is located within a central bore 118 within
the front and rear fluid housings 82,84. The fluid core 70 will be described
in more detail below, but first twin fluid atomising nozzle 50 and second
compressed air foam (CAF) nozzle 60 can be seen in figure 6. The first
and second nozzles 50,60 are housed in nozzle chambers at respective
first and second ends 71,73 of the fluid core 70.
The CAF nozzle 60 has a substantially cylindrical body 62, with two sets of
circumferentially spaced driving fluid and process fluid apertures 64,66
through which the respective fluids enter the nozzle 60. Within the body
62 downstream of the apertures 64,66 are a plurality of perforated discs
68 through which the fluids must pass before exiting the nozzle 60.
The front fluid housing 82 includes a pair of circumferential guide slots
120,122. During assembly, the front fluid housing 82 is secured to the
rear fluid housing 84 over the fluid core 70, and then a pair of guide pins
124,126 are inserted into the guide slots 120,122 and secured in
corresponding threaded guide apertures 128 on the exterior of the fluid
core 70. In this way, relative movement between the housing 80 and fluid
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core 70 is not possible in the axial direction, but is possible in the
rotational direction. The guide slots 120,122 are of a predetermined
length so as to limit relative rotational movement to only that necessary to
cover the various adjustment positions of the spray head 30.
The final step in assembling the spray head 30 is to place the selector
sleeve 42 over the end of the front fluid housing 82 so that locating
apertures 130,132 in the end of the sleeve 42 align with corresponding
apertures 134,136 in the first end 71 of the fluid core 70. Mechanical
fixtures 138 locate in the apertures to non-rotatably fix the sleeve 42 to the
fluid core 70. Thus, rotation of the sleeve 42 will rotate the fluid core 70
relative to the housing 80. A reference indicator 140 is provided on the
exterior of the front fluid housing 82, and mode indicators 142 are provided
on the exterior of the sleeve 42. These indicators 140,142 co-operate to
indicate the relative rotational position of the fluid core 70 within the
housing 80, and hence the current operating mode of the spray head 30.
The fluid core 70 is shown in more detail in figures 7-15. Referring initially
to figures 7-9, the core 70 comprises an upstream section 74 and a
downstream section 75. The upstream section 74 contains two sets of
driving fluid and process fluid orifices 160,162, which are axially spaced
from one another on the exterior of the upstream section 74. Each of the
orifices 160,162 has a different diameter, such that the fluid flow rate
through each orifice 160,162 will differ from the others. In the illustrated
embodiment, there are three driving fluid orifices 160a-c and three process
fluid orifices 162a-c. Referring to figures 8 and 9, each orifice in the
respective sets 160,162 is circumferentially spaced from the other orifices
in its set with a predetermined rotational angle between each orifice in
each set. In the illustrated example each orifice is at 22.5 relative to the
adjacent orifice in its set. The two sets of orifices 160,162 are also
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diametrically opposed on the core 70, so that corresponding orifices (e.g.
160b,162b) in each set will be in fluid communication with their respective
galleries 110,112 in the rear fluid housing 84 at the same time.
The two sets of orifices 160,162 can be seen in the section views of
figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 shows the three driving fluid orifices 160a-c.
The first driving fluid orifice 160a has the largest diameter, whilst the
diameter of the second driving fluid orifice 160b is less than that of the
first
orifice 160a. The diameter of the third driving fluid orifice 160c is smaller
than both the first and second orifices 160a,160b. As will be explained in
more detail below, the first and second driving fluid orifices 160a 160b are
for use in high flow (e.g. fire suppression) and low flow (e.g.
decontamination) modes of the spray gun, whilst the third driving fluid
orifice 160c is for use in a foaming mode. The first and second driving
fluid orifices 160a,160b are in fluid communication with a driving fluid
gallery 164 which is in turn in fluid communication with a first driving fluid
passage 166 (not shown in figure 8), which delivers driving fluid into the
twin fluid atomising nozzle 50 within the core 70, The third driving fluid
orifice 160c is in fluid communication with a second driving fluid passage
168 which delivers driving fluid into the CAF nozzle 60 within the core 70.
Each of the driving fluid orifices 160a-c is surrounded by an 0-ring seal
163 which seals against the wall of the central bore 118 within the rear
fluid housing 84. These seals 163 allow the orifices, and hence the
various modes of operation of the spray gun, to be hydraulically isolated
from one another.
Figure 9 shows the process fluid orifices 162a-c and as with the driving
fluid orifices 160 the first process fluid orifice 162a has the largest
diameter whilst the diameter of the second process fluid orifice 162b is
less than that of the first orifice 162a. However, the diameter of the third
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process fluid orifice 162c is smaller than that of the first orifice 162a, but
greater than that of the second orifice 162b. As with the driving fluid
orifices 160, the first and second process fluid orifices 162a,162b are for
use in high flow (e.g. fire suppression) and low flow (e.g. decontamination)
modes of the spray gun, whilst the third process fluid orifice 162c is for use
in the foaming mode. The first and second process fluid orifices
162a,162b are in fluid communication with a process fluid gallery 170
which is in turn in fluid communication with a first process fluid passage
172 (not shown in figure 9), which delivers process fluid into the twin fluid
atomising nozzle 50 within the core 70. The third process fluid orifice 162c
is in fluid communication with a second process fluid passage 174 which
delivers process fluid into the CAF nozzle 60 within the core 70. As with
the driving fluid orifices 160a-c, each of the process fluid orifices 162a-c
is
surrounded by an 0-ring seal 163 which seals against the wall of the
central bore 118 within the rear fluid housing 84 to hydraulically isolate
each mode of operation of the spray gun.
Figure 10 is a view of the first end 71 of the fluid core 70. It shows a first
nozzle outlet 59 of the first, twin fluid nozzle 50 and a second nozzle outlet
69 of the second, CAF nozzle 60. Also visible are the apertures 134,136
by which the sleeve 42 is non-rotatably attached to the core 70. The first
process fluid passage 172 is also visible in figure 10 as it opens on the
first end 71 of the core 70. However, referring back to figure 6 is should
be understood that when the gun is assembled the first end 71 of the core
70 abuts a rear face (not shown) of the front fluid housing 82, such that the
first process fluid passage 172 is sealed off by the front fluid housing 82
when all of the components are assembled together.
Figure 11 shows a longitudinal section through the fluid core 70. Both the
first and second nozzles 50,60 are shown, although it should be noted that
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the internal components of the second nozzle 60 have been omitted for
clarity. The first nozzle 50 will be described in detail below, but it can be
seen in figure 11 that the outlet 69 of the second nozzle 60 is at the end of
an elongate expansion passage 67 extending along much of the length of
the core 70 from the second nozzle 60. Figures 12 and 13 show the
relative positions of the first nozzle 50, second nozzle expansion passage
67, and the first process fluid passage 172 at two points adjacent the first
end 71 of the core 70.
The first nozzle 50 can be seen in more detail in the longitudinal section
views of figures 14 and 15. As already described above, the first process
fluid passage 172 conveys process fluid from the process fluid gallery 170
to the nozzle 50, and the first driving fluid passage 166 conveys driving
fluid from the driving fluid gallery 164 to the nozzle 50. The nozzle 50
itself has a central passage 182 having an inlet 184 in fluid communication
with the first driving fluid passage 166. The central passage 182 also has
an outlet 188 and a throat portion 186 intermediate the inlet 184 and the
outlet 188. The throat portion 186 has a cross sectional area which is less
than that of both the inlet 184 and the outlet 188.
A process fluid outlet 190 circumscribes at least part of the central
passage 182 and opens into the central passage 182 at, or downstream
of, the throat portion 186. The process fluid outlet 190 is connected to the
first process fluid passage 172 via an annular chamber 192 which
surrounds a portion of the central passage 182.
The process fluid outlet 190 may be adapted, as is shown in the illustrated
embodiment, so that the process fluid is introduced into the central
passage 182 in the opposing direction to the direction of flow of driving
fluid through the central passage 182. In addition, the first nozzle 50 may
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include one or more driving fluid bypass channels 183, with each bypass
channel 183 having an inlet 185 connected to the central passage inlet
184 upstream of the central passage throat 186, and an outlet 187 in the
process fluid passage intermediate the annular chamber 192 and the
process fluid outlet 190. In this way a small portion of the driving fluid can
be introduced into the process fluid prior to the process fluid entering the
nozzle 50, thus effecting a partial atomisation of the process fluid before
the full atomisation takes place within the nozzle 50.
Figures 16-18 illustrate an embodiment of the invention which is to be
carried by an operator. The supply components of the system are
mounted in a backpack 200 which can be carried on the back of the
operator. The backpack 200 has been omitted from figure 17 for
illustrative purposes, but as shown in figure 16 it includes a frame 202, a
pair of shoulder straps 204 and a waist strap 206. One end of each
shoulder strap 204 is attached to an upper portion of the frame 202 whilst
the other end of each shoulder strap 204 is attached to respective ends of
the waist strap 206. A two-piece snap-fit clasp 208 is provided, with one
piece attached to either end of the waist strap 206, for securing the
backpack 200 to the operator. The frame 202 includes one or more back
pads 210 which provide the operator with a degree of cushioning when
wearing the backpack 200.
Referring to figures 1 and 16-18, the process fluid, driving fluid and (where
present) breathable air tanks 1,7,17 are removably attached to, and
supported by, the backpack frame 202. The tanks 1,7,17 may all be
attached to the frame 202 in the upright position or, as illustrated they may
all be inverted with their respective supply lines running up inside the
frame 202. In this preferred embodiment, each of the process and driving
fluid tanks 1,7 has a 6 litre capacity. The spray gun 3 may be removably
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attached to one of the shoulder straps 204, whilst the breathing apparatus
19 (shown in figure 1) may be removably attached to the other of the
shoulder straps 204 so that the operator may have both hands free when
not using the apparatus.
5
Figures 16-18 also show the various supply lines and associated
components shown schematically in figure 1. The process fluid tank 1
supplies process fluid to the spray gun 3 via the first supply line 5. The
driving fluid tank 7 supplies driving fluid to the spray gun via the second
10 supply line 11, regulator 9, and third supply line 13. As previously
described, the regulator 9 may be in fluid communication with the process
fluid tank 1 and selectively divert driving fluid from the second supply line
11 into the process fluid tank 1 via the divert line 10 in order to increase
and/or maintain pressure therein.
Figures 19 and 20 show an alternative embodiment of the invention which
is to be towed behind a vehicle, which is preferably a motorcycle in order
to allow the apparatus to reach a desired location quickly and without
being hindered by heavy traffic in urban locations. The apparatus may
also be manoeuvred by hand in the manner of a wheelbarrow as shown in
the figures. The apparatus comprises a frame 260, which has a tow bar
262 at one end thereof and a wheel mounting portion 264 at the opposite
end of the frame from the tow bar 262. The free end 263 of the tow bar
262 is provided with means for attaching the tow bar 262 to a vehicle, and
also at least one hand grip 265 which allows an operator to manoeuvre the
apparatus by hand. At least one wheel 266 is rotatably supported on the
wheel mounting portion 264. Mounted on the frame 260 is a body 268
upon which the supply components of the system are mounted.
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Referring to figures 1, 19 and 20 the process fluid and driving fluid tanks
1,7 are removably attached to, and supported by, the body 268. In this
particular embodiment there are two sets of tanks 1,7 but only the process
fluid tank 1 of each set is visible in figures 19 and 20. A pair of spray guns
3 are removably attached to the body 268 adjacent the wheel mounting
portion 264 of the frame 260. Each spray gun 3 is connected to its
respective set of process and driving fluid tanks 1,7 by supply lines coiled
on revolving reels 270, which are rotatably supported by the body 268.
With two sets of tanks 1,7 and a pair of spray guns 3 the apparatus allows
two operators to be at work at the same time. However, the apparatus
may only comprise one set of tanks 1,7 and a single spray gun 3, or a
plurality of tanks 1,7 and respective spray guns 3 depending on
requirements.
The manner in which the spray gun and apparatus operate will now be
described. Initially, the process and driving fluid tanks 1,7 are filled with
their respective fluids. The process fluid may be water, a liquid
decontaminant or a liquid fire suppressant, for example, and may be
pressurised within the tank 1. The driving fluid may be a gas such as
compressed air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen, for example, and is held in its
respective tank 7 at a relatively high pressure (e.g. 300 bar gauge). When
present, the regulator 9 and manifold 12 allow the driving fluid to perform
two functions. Firstly, the regulator 9 reduces the pressure of the driving
fluid to a much lower pressure (e.g. 11 bar gauge), and the manifold 12
can then direct a portion of the lower pressure driving fluid into the process
fluid tank 1 as required to pressurise the process fluid and force it from its
tank 1 along supply line 5 to the spray gun 3. Secondly, as will be
explained in more detail below, with or without the manifold 12 driving fluid
not directed into the process fluid tank 1 is fed directly into the spray gun
3
via supply line 13, where it atomises the process fluid in the spray gun 3.
17
The restrictor 15 is preferably provided in supply line 13 to drop the driving
fluid pressure to a still lower pressure (e.g. 8.5 bar gauge) before the
driving fluid enters the spray gun.
With the tanks 1,7 connected to the spray gun 3 via their respective supply
lines 5,11,13 and their shut-off valves opened, process and driving fluid
will flow towards the spray gun 3. Referring to figures 2-5 in particular, the
trigger 33 and control valve(s) 40 are initially in their closed positions
such
that no fluid can flow into the gun 3. In this way, the system is primed and
ready to use but will not begin to spray a mist until the trigger 33 is
squeezed and pivots about pivot point 35 in order to actuate the control
valve(s) 40. The process and driving fluids can then flow through the
hoses 36,38 into their respective driving and process fluid supply
passages 92,94 at the spray head 30.
As the fluids flow into the fluid supply passages 92,94 they will also flow
through the optional filters 96,98 and from there enter their respective
galleries 110,112. As explained above, the fluid core 70 has three driving
fluid orifices 160a-c and three process fluid orifices 162a-c. The rotational
position of the fluid core 70 determines which of these orifices 160,162 are
in fluid communication with the galleries 110,112 and hence which mode
the spray gun is in.
Typically, the spray head 30 will be in a first, high flow setting initially,
wherein the ratio of process fluid to driving fluid at the atomising nozzle 50
is substantially 8:1. That is, a flowrate of 8kg/min of process fluid for
every
1kg/min of driving fluid. In this non-limiting example, the pressures of the
fluids as they enter the nozzle in the high flow setting will be approximately
11 bar gauge for the process fluid and 8.5 bar gauge for the driving fluid.
Adjusting the spray head 30 to a second, low flow setting decreases the
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aforementioned ratio of process fluid to driving fluid to substantially 2:1.
That is, a flowrate of 2kg/min of process fluid for every lkg/min of driving
fluid. In the low flow mode with 2:1 flow ratio, the smaller diameter orifices
160b,162b create the required flow restrictions within the fluid core 70 to
reduce the pressure of both fluids to 4.2 bar gauge. In some applications
the low flow mode may reduce the aforementioned flow ratio to 1:1, that is
lkg/min of process fluid for every lkg/min of driving fluid. The spray head
30 may include one or more intermediate settings between low and high
flow, which produce corresponding intermediate flow ratios.
When the fluid core 70 is in either the low or high flow setting, driving and
process fluids arrive at the first nozzle 50 via their respective supply
passages 166,172. As the throat portion 186 of the central passage 182
has a smaller cross sectional area than both the inlet 184 and outlet 188 of
the passage 182, pressurised driving fluid entering the throat 186
undergoes a significant acceleration. At the same time, a thin annulus of
process fluid enters the passage 182 at, or downstream of, the throat 186
via the process fluid outlet 190. As the accelerating driving fluid hits the
annulus of process fluid it applies a shear force to the process fluid. The
driving fluid may also undergo an expansion downstream of the throat
186, thereby generating a turbulent zone in the passage 182 which leads
to further atomisation of the process fluid. The differences in velocity,
temperature and pressure between the driving and process fluids in the
nozzle 50 may also lead to a momentum transfer from the high velocity
driving fluid to the lower velocity process fluid. This combination of shear,
turbulence and momentum transfer atomises the process fluid and creates
a dispersed phase of process fluid droplets in a continuous vapour phase
of driving fluid downstream of the nozzle throat 186. This flow then exits
the nozzle outlet 188 as a mist plume of process fluid droplets.
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In tests, 90% of droplets, by volume, contained in a mist generated using
the first nozzle in a low flow setting (1:1 flow ratio between the process
fluid and driving fluid) were measured as being smaller than 100pm (i.e.
Dv90 = 100pm). On the same setting 90% of droplets, by frequency, in
the mist were measured as being smaller than 5pm (i.e. 0n90 = 5pm).
When the low flow ratio was increased to 2:1 process fluid to driving fluid,
Dv90 increased to 141.3 pm and Dn90 increased to 8.5 pm. In the first,
high flow setting (8:1 flow ratio between the process fluid and the driving
fluid) 90% of droplets, by volume, in the generated mist were measured as
being smaller than 280pm (i.e. 0v90 = 280pm), whilst 90% of droplets, by
frequency were measured as being smaller than 148pm (i.e. Dn90 =
148pm), In the tests, the results were obtained using a Malvern SprayTec
device sampling at 1Hz over a period of 30 seconds of continuous
spraying at a point 4.7m from the nozzle outlet. The process fluid was
water and the driving fluid was compressed air. The ratio of water
pressure to gas pressure at the nozzle was approximately 1:1 in the first
setting and 1.4:1 in the second setting.
When the spray gun is to be used in CAF mode, a process fluid tank
containing an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is attached to the frame
of the backpack or trailer and connected to the gun 3 via the supply line 5.
The fluid core 70 is then rotated into the CAF position wherein orifices
160c,162c connect their respective galleries 110,112 with the driving and
process fluid apertures 64,66 of the GAF nozzle 60. Once the trigger 33
is operated and the control valve(s) 40 open the fluids flow into the CAF
nozzle 60, whereupon a CAF mixture consisting of bubbles of the driving
fluid within the AFFF fluid is created. The resultant foaming mixture then
expands as it travels along the expansion passage 67 before being
sprayed from the outlet 69.
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Thanks to the first, twin fluid atomising nozzle, the spray gun and
apparatus are able to generate a mist of very small droplets and project
that mist over a substantial distance. Thanks to the combination of shear,
turbulence and momentum transfer between the high velocity driving fluid
5 and the process fluid the droplets generated by the atomising nozzle are
smaller than those which can be generated by conventional portable
mist/spray apparatus and consequently are able to adhere to substantially
vertical surfaces as well as out of sight surfaces such as the undersides of
tables and chairs, for example.
By providing a spray gun which can be adjusted to vary the ratio of
process fluid to driving fluid entering the first nozzle, and/or switch from a
twin fluid atomising nozzle to a compressed air foam nozzle, the present
invention allows an operator to deal with an incident in the most efficient
way without the need to carry extra components to cover all eventualities.
For example, the 1:1 or 2:1 ratio setting is preferable for decontamination
and heat suppression operations, whereas the 8:1 ratio setting is
preferably for directly addressing the seat of a fire, for example, whilst the
CAF nozzle is for use where foam suppressants need to be deployed.
The operator can adjust the settings simply by rotating the selector sleeve
at the spray head.
The portability of the mist generating apparatus of the present invention,
whether on the back of an operator or towed by a vehicle, makes it
suitable for use by teams of fast-action first responders sent to tackle
incidents involving fire, contamination, infection or a combination thereof.
By locating the trigger pivot mechanism and control valve arrangement at
the rear of the hand grip, the present invention also provides an
ergonomically improved spray gun. This provides a degree of opposite
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moment to the spray head of the gun, meaning that the gun is better
balanced in an operator's hand.
The apparatus may further comprise a compressor adapted to pressurise
the driving fluid stored within the driving fluid tank.
The tanks may be detached from the backpack or trailer frame in order to
be refilled or replaced. Consequently, different tanks containing different
process fluids can be attached dependent on the application for the
system.
The spray gun may further comprise an infra red camera and display
module to assist an operator in detecting the seat of a fire, for example.
The display module may include an electronic control unit incorporating
one or more of the following functions: a GPS system, compass, tank fluid
level monitor and display, thermometer, and text-based communication
system for use when conventional audio communication is not possible.
Whilst the presence of the CAF nozzle is preferred, the invention is not
limited to a spray gun incorporating the CAF nozzle. Instead, the spray
gun may only comprise the twin fluid atomising nozzle employing the high
and low flow modes. The CAF nozzle may also be replaced by an
alternative nozzle offering particular spray characteristics, with the
alternative nozzle still being in parallel with the first nozzle.
The spray head of the gun is preferably rotatable in order to adjust the
spray gun mode. However, an alternative embodiment of the gun
incorporating only the twin fluid atomising nozzle may instead have a fixed
spray head and fluid core, and a flow adjustment device in the form of an
outer sleeve rotatably supported on the spray head. The sleeve has a
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cylindrical portion extending axially between the fluid housing and the fluid
core. The extending portion of the sleeve has the sets of driving and
process fluid orifices thereon, and rotation of the sleeve relative to the
housing and fluid core will selectively bring one of the inlet apertures into
communication with the galleries of the fluid housing and the internal
passageways of the fluid core. This provides an alternative manner in
which the mode of the spray gun may be selected and the flow ratios of
the fluid adjusted.
The process fluid tank may comprise a primary reservoir and a secondary
reservoir, the secondary reservoir being adapted to selectively introduce
its contents into the primary reservoir. The tank may include an actuator in
order to manually introduce the secondary reservoir contents into the
primary reservoir. With a twin reservoir process fluid tank, the apparatus
may be selectively used for two applications. For example, with water in
the primary reservoir and a concentrated disinfection or decontamination
agent in the secondary reservoir, the apparatus may be used for fire
suppression (i.e. using water only) or decontamination depending on
whether the operator chooses to introduce the agent from the secondary
reservoir into the primary reservoir. In a modification to this embodiment,
the process fluid tank may be adapted such that the agent in the
secondary reservoir is mixed with the process fluid from the primary
reservoir downstream of the primary reservoir rather than the agent being
introduced directly into the primary reservoir. A further manifold or similar
flow control device may be included in either of these embodiments so as
to control the rate at which the contents of the secondary reservoir are
introduced to the process fluid.
The secondary reservoir may be in a separate casing to the primary
reservoir. There may be a plurality of secondary reservoirs containing a
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whole series of different types of additive such as, for example,
decontamination materials, concentrated solutions or powders. These
secondary reservoirs may be controlled by a regulating/mixing device so
as to be mixed individually or in combination with the fluid from the primary
reservoir so as to make different decontamination solutions for tackling
different hazards. These different mixing scenarios could be chosen by the
operator depending on the information they receive about the nature of the
threat they are facing, so as to produce a tailored solution for a particular
hazard, or a broad spectrum treatment where details of the hazard are
less clear. The secondary reservoirs, if separate from the primary
reservoir, may be individually pressurized (e.g. with gas inside) or also
driven by a supply of driving fluid from the driving fluid tank 7 via an
appropriate manifold arrangement. In some applications the secondary
reservoirs may be connectable to the CAF fluid supply, either at point of
mixing with the driving fluid or upstream thereof, so as to produce a foam
with decontaminating chemicals incorporated in it.
The trailer may further comprise additional reels of piping or hose that are
deployed behind the trailer as it enters the scene of the incident. A free
end of the hose is left outside of the scene and contains connectors such
that subsequent teams of operators (so-called "second responders") can
connect additional sources of the fluids to the additional hoses. In this
way, the operators already in the hazardous environment around the
scene can be supplied with additional fluids in order to continue operating
without having to leave the scene to replenish their tanks.
The trailer body may incorporate a stretcher for driving casualties away
from a scene.
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The spray gun may include a puncture tool attached to the spray head for
creating holes in doors and the like, thereby allowing the operator to spray
into a room without entering the space.
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the specific
flow
ratios referred to in description of the preferred embodiment. Whilst these
ratios are preferred, the invention may be modified so that other flow ratios
are obtained when the flowrate of the process fluid is adjusted at the spray
head.
Neither is the invention limited to the specific atomising nozzle utilised in
the preferred embodiment, as it is not essential that the process fluid outlet
opens into the central nozzle passage. Instead, the process fluid outlet
may be located at any point at, or downstream of, the central passage
throat. This includes an atomising nozzle having a process fluid outlet
which opens into the driving fluid flow downstream of the central passage
outlet.
By providing 0-ring seals around each of the driving and process fluid
orifices on the fluid core, the spray gun of the present invention may
switch between different modes of operation, but hydraulically isolates
those different modes from one another. As an alternative or supplement
to the 0-ring seals the rear fluid housing may incorporate a pair of spring-
loaded plungers, which selectively engage respective driving and process
fluid orifices from each set and provide the fluid communication between
the driving and process fluid galleries in the rear fluid housing and the
passages within the fluid core.
These and other modifications and improvements may be incorporated
without departing from the scope of the invention.
