NUTATING FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Showerheads, faucets and other spray heads or nozzles are commercially available in numerous designs and configurations. While many showerheads and faucets are designed and sold for their decorative styling, there is a great number of different showerhead mechanisms which are intended to improve or change a characteristic of the water spray pattern. Any particular spray pattern may be described by the characteristics of spray width, spray distribution or trajectory, spray velocity, and the like. Furthermore, the spray pattern may be adapted or designed for various purposes, including a more pleasant feeling to the skin, better performance at rinsing, massaging of muscles and conservation of water, just to name a few.

[0002] The vast majority of spray heads may be categorized as being either stationary or oscillating and having either fixed or adjustable openings or jets. Stationary spray heads with fixed jets are the simplest of all spray heads, consisting essentially of a water chamber and one or more jets directed to produce a constant pattern. Stationary spray heads with adjustable jets are typically of a similar construction, except that some adjustment of the jet direction, jet opening size and/or the number of jets utilized is facilitated. For example, a showerhead typically used in new residential home construction provides a stationary spray housing having a plurality of spray jets disposed in a circular pattern, wherein the velocity of the spray is adjustable by manually rotating an adjustment ring relative to the spray housing.

[0003] These stationary spray heads cause water to flow through its apertures and traverse essentially the same path in a repetitive fashion, such as a showerhead jet directing water at a fixed position on a person's skin. The user of such a showerhead feels a stream of water continuously on the same area and, particularly at high pressures or flow rates, the user may sense that the water is drilling into the body, thus diminishing the positive effect derived from such a shower head. In order to reduce this undesirable feeling from showerheads, and to improve the water distribution from spray heads generally, various attempts have been made to provide oscillating spray heads.

[0004] Examples of oscillating showerheads are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,791,584 (Drew et al.), 3,880,357 (Baisch), 4,018,385 (Bruno), 4,944,457 (Brewer), and 5,577,664 (Heitzman). U.S. Patent No. 4,944,457 (Brewer) discloses an oscillating showerhead that uses an impeller wheel mounted to a gear box assembly which produces an oscillating movement of the nozzle. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 5,577,664 (Heitzman) discloses a showerhead having a rotary valve member driven by a wheel and gear reducer for cycling the flow rate through the housing between high and low flow rates. Both of these showerheads require extremely complex mechanical structures in order to accomplish the desired motion. Consequently, these mechanisms are prone to failure due to wear on various parts and mineral deposits throughout the structure.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 3,691,584 (Drew et al.) also discloses an oscillating showerhead, but utilizes a nozzle mounted on a stem that rotates and pivots under forces places on it by water entering through radially disposed slots into a chamber around stem. Although this showerhead is simpler than those of Brewer and Heitzman, it still includes a large number of pieces requiring precise dimensions and numerous connections between pieces. Furthermore, the showerhead relies upon small openings for water passageways and is subject to mineral buildup and plugging with particles.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 5,467,927 (Lee) discloses a showerhead with a device having a plurality of blades designed to produce vibration and pulsation. One blade is provided with an eccentric weight which causes vibration and an opposite blade is provided with a front flange which cause pulsation by momentarily blocking the water jets. Again, the construction of this showerhead is rather complex and its narrow passageways are subject to mineral buildup and plugging with particulates.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 5,704,547 (Golan et al.) discloses a shower head including a housing, a turbine and a fluid exit body, such that fluid flowing through the turbine causes rotation of the turbine. The rotating (spinning) turbine can be used to cause rotation of the fluid exit body and/or a side-to-side rocking motion in a pendulum like manner.

[0008] U.S. Patent No. 4,073,438 (Meyer) discloses a sprinkler head having a housing with an inlet, a water distributing structure having a nozzle on one end and a cup shaped element at the opposite end which is operative in response to the tangential flow of water into the housing for effecting the orbital movement of the nozzle. There is also disclosed a disk that rotates in rolling contact with a surface within the housing for effecting the fractional rotation of the nozzle. The cup shaped element rotates about the longitudinal axis in response to the tangential flow of water from the inlet.

[0009] Referring to Figure 35, U.S. Patent No. 3,091,400 (Aubert) discloses a dishwashing machine having a rotary wobble spraying apparatus comprising a spraying body having a spraying head and a bearing piece, together with a ring surrounding it. The wobble spraying apparatus 10 comprises body piece 12, having a spraying head 14 attached thereto, and a ring 16 surrounding it. The body piece 12 has an internal conical bearing seat 18 and is placed on a water supply pipe 20 having a rounded edge forming a bearing seat 22. The extending piece 12 has a collar 24 pulled down over the supply pipe 20 and an adjoining, outwardly projecting shoulder 26 engages the lower side of ring 16 and rolls on it when water is supplied under pressure. Water supplied through pipe 20 enters a distribution chamber 28 and emerges through the spraying apertures 30 of spraying head 14. The orientation of the apertures 10 is chosen so that a moment of momentum sets the spraying body into rotation, whereby the shoulder 26 of body 12 rolls on the ring 16 as indicated at point 32.

[0010] A primary disadvantage of Aubert is that the wobbling motion is caused by the tangential orientation of the apertures in the spray head, thereby limiting the choice of spray patterns. Specifically, the tangential apertures will form a very wide spray pattern that may be useful for dishwashing, but is very undesirable for a showerhead. Furthermore, because of the mass of the spray head 14 and the annular contact between the shoulder 26 and the ring 16, the water supply must be run at a high velocity and pressure before the spray head will begin wobbling.

[0011] U.S. Patent Nos. 2,639,191 and 3,357,643 (both Hruby) discloses a sprinkler and fountain devices having an elongate tubular stem received by a bushing inside an elongate tubular body, wherein the bushing provides sufficient clearance with the stem to allow the stem to gyrate or wobble inside an elongate tubular body. However, this device also relies upon a tangential flow of fluid to actuate the stem. Furthermore, the stem and body are so long that the device would not be suitable for many applications.

[0012] U.S. Patent No, 3,009,648 (Hait) discloses a sprinkler head having a single piece nozzle secured to a fluid conduit, where the nozzle has an inverter cone plug supported in position by struts. The plug includes a plurality of vanes to induce a rotary motion on the nozzle. The sprinkler distributes water in a rotating stream.

[0013] U.S. Patent Nos. 5,439,174 and 5,588,595 (Sweet) as well as U.S Patent No. 5,671,885 (Davisson) disclose nutating sprinklers having a body portion with a nozzle at one end and a spray plate supported thereon at an opposite end downstream of the nozzle. The spray plate has a plurality of stream distributing grooves formed on one side thereof configured to cause the spray plate to rotate when struck by a stream emitted from the nozzle. The spray plate has a shaft coupled to the body via a ball and cage, a bearing cage or a flexible connector, respectively. Fluid is directed against the spray plate and deflected radially off the spray plate with no control or redirection of the fluid.

[0014] However, there remains a need for an improved spray head, showerhead or other fluid discharging apparatus that delivers fluid, such as water, in a uniform and controlled fashion. It would be desirable if the spray head were able to deliver water in the desire manner, even at low pressures or flow rates suitable for use in showerheads and sink faucets. The apparatus would preferably cause minimal pressure drop and deliver fluid in a directional spray pattern. It would be further desirable if the spray head provided a simple and compact design involving minimal parts.

[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a spray head assembly comprising a housing having a fluid inlet, a nozzle assembly, an opening in the housing with the nozzle assembly extending through the opening and having an exterior portion providing an outlet nozzle and an interior portion positioned within the housing, the nozzle assembly having a fluid channel connecting the interior portion within the housing and the outlet nozzle outside of the housing, a wobble inducing member positioned within the housing, acting upon and movable independently of the nozzle assembly interior portion, the wobble inducing member being positioned within the housing relative to the inlet to induce wobble of the nozzle assembly resulting from fluid flowing through the inlet and contacting the wobble inducing member, and means associated with the nozzle assembly for limiting wobble movement thereof, as imparted to the nozzle assembly by the independently movable wobble inducing member.

[0016] Preferably, the nozzle assembly interior portion includes a post, and the wobble inducing member includes a sleeve loosely mounted on and movable relative to the post.

[0017] Advantageously, the nozzle assembly interior portion includes a sleeve, and wherein the wobble inducing member includes a post extending into and movable relative to the sleeve.

[0018] Advantageously, the means associated with the nozzle assembly for limiting wobble movement thereof includes a plate having a frustoconical surface that engages the housing peripherally about the housing opening to limit movement of the nozzle assembly.

[0019] Preferably, the wobble inducing member has means thereon to cause the wobble inducing member to rotate, within the housing, in response to fluid flowing through the inlet.

[0020] Preferably, the wobble inducing member has means thereon for causing the wobble inducing member to wobble, within the housing, in response to fluid flow through the inlet.

[0021] Advantageously, the wobble inducing member both rotates and wobbles, within the housing, in response to fluid flow through the inlet.

[0022] Preferably, the spray head assembly further comprises means for changing the rate at which the nozzle assembly wobbles.

[0023] Advantageously, the wobble inducing member is a turbine having a plurality of blades configured to cause the turbine to rotate when struck by a stream from the fluid inlet.

[0024] Preferably, the spray head assembly further comprises the means for adjusting the range that the nozzle assembly can wobble.

[0025] Preferably, the spray head assembly further comprises means for adjusting the velocity of fluid directed at the wobble inducing member.

[0026] Advantageously, the spray head assembly further comprises the means for adjusting velocity is a flow control valve.

[0027] Advantageously, the flow control valve has a first outlet providing selective communication from the fluid inlet toward the wobble inducing member, and a second outlet providing selective communication from the fluid inlet around the wobble inducing member.

[0028] The present invention provides an apparatus comprising: a body having a fluid inlet; a wobble turbine disposed downstream of the fluid inlet, the wobble turbine being configured to rotate when struck by a stream emitted from the fluid inlet; and a fluid redirecting means, such as a moving or stationary shroud or a chamber, disposed downstream of the wobble turbine to redirect the stream. While the wobble turbine may be placed downstream of the fluid inlet in various ways, it is preferred that the wobble turbine is disposed in an axially spaced relationship to the fluid inlet. The apparatus may further comprise a wobble limiting member, such as a stator ring, engaging the wobble turbine.

[0029] While the wobble turbine may be disposed downstream of the fluid inlet in various ways, the wobble turbine is preferably coupled to the body in a post and sleeve relationship. The preferred wobble turbine includes a convex conical upper surface with angular momentum inducing members formed therein/thereon, wherein the angular momentum inducing members are selected from grooves, vanes, blades and combinations thereof.

[0030] The apparatus may further comprise a track formed adjacent the fluid inlet, wherein the wobble turbine has a first surface extending into rolling contact with the track. One preferred wobble turbine for use with the track has a plurality of blades configured to cause the wobble turbine to rotate when struck by a stream emitted from the fluid inlet and has a downwardly angled deflector for the fluid redirecting means. In accordance with the invention, the fluid redirecting means may be either coupled to the wobble turbine or the body member.

[0031] The invention includes certain fluid delivery apparatus wherein the body forms a housing having a first end including a fluid inlet and a second end including a collar. A nozzle assembly may be used in conjunction with the housing, the assembly comprising a first end forming a post and sleeve relationship with the wobble turbine in the housing, a second end having an fluid outlet, and a fluid conduit extending through the collar to provide fluid communication between the housing and the fluid outlet. The nozzle assembly may further comprise a wobble limiting member, such as a wobble plate. A preferred wobble plate has a convex frustoconical surface that engages the housing adjacent the collar to limit movement of the nozzle assembly. The fluid outlet from the housing comprises a spray nozzle having a plurality of outlet channels formed in the spray nozzle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] So that the above recited features and advantages of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, because the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sectional side views of a second embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the spray head taken along line 4-4 showing the top of a wobble turbine.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the spray head showing the outlets from the spray housing.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention

Figures 8A-D and 9A-D are graphical representations of the uniformity of the spray patterns from four spray heads, including a spray head of the present invention, at two different distances from the spray head.

Figures 10A-I are schematic diagrams of the wobble movement between a wobble plate and housing floor of the present invention.

Figures 11A-B are schematic side views of a spray head and the pattern/angles of water delivered by the spray head.

Figures 12A-B are partial top views of alternative wobble turbines having different groove angles.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of the spray head assembly of the present invention having a tracking ring.

Figure 14 is a top view taken along lines 14-14 of the embodiment shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of the spray head assembly of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a top view taken along lines 15-15 of the embodiment shown in Figure 15.

Figures 17A-I are schematic diagrams illustrating the wobble movement between a wobble turbine sleeve and nozzle assembly post in accordance with the spray head of Figure 2.

Figures 18A-I are schematic diagrams illustrating the wobble movement between a wobble turbine post and nozzle assembly sleeve in accordance with the spray head of Figure 3.

Figure 19 is a cross-sectional side view of a seventh embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional side view of a eighth embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a flow washer velocity control system.

Figure 22 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a bypass valve for redirecting fluid around the turbine or around the velocity tube.

Figures 23A-F are cross-sectional side views of the bypass valve of Figure 22 showing its operation at various angles of rotation.

Figures 24A-E, 25A-E and 26A-E are partial cross-sectional views of the bypass valve in Figures 23A-E taken along lines 24-24, 25-25 and 26-26, respectively.

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a bypass valve for controlling fluid to a set of stationary fluid outlet channels.

Figure 28 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a bypass valve for redirecting fluid around the velocity tube and a cam shaft for moving a sleeve that controls the spray width.

Figure 29 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly as in Figure 26. except that the sleeve is disposed below the wobble plate.

Figure 30 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a spray width adjustment ring below the wobble plate.

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a bypass valve for directing water around the velocity tube to achieve a soft wash.

Figure 32 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having external fluid delivery to an external nozzle assembly.

Figure 33 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having a lifting ring.

Figure 34 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly having an impact adjustment component disposed downstream of the velocity tube.

Figure 35 is a cross-sectional side view of a prior art spray head for use in dishwashers.

Figures 36 to 38 are schematic views of the top of a wobble turbine of the present invention.

Figure 39 is a bottom view of a typical apparatus of the present invention showing the outlet channels.

Figures 40 and 41 are cross-sectional side views of an apparatus with an optional feature providing a concentrated stream of fluid.

Figure 42 cross-sectional side view of a further embodiment of the apparatus.

Figure 43 is a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 44 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 45 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 46 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternate outlet channel for use with the apparatus shown in Figures 42 and 43.

Figure 47 is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 48 is a cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 49 is a cross-sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 51, 51A and 52 are cross-sectional views of two alternative coupling designs used to harness the roto-nutational movement of a motor output shaft or nozzle assembly and use that movement to turn a gear or shaft, respectively, having a true rotational axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Spray Head Assemblies Including a Chamber

[0033] The present invention provides a spray head assembly with a moving spray nozzle that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the spray nozzle is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply inside a housing. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the wobble turbine to wobble, wherein the axis of the turbine rotates or swings about a reference axis defined by the wobble limiting member(s). The wobbling turbine then causes the spray nozzle to wobble. The spray pattern produced by the wobbling spray nozzle changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths over time rather than continuously at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble turbine does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions.

[0034] More particularly, the present invention provides for a spray head assembly having a housing, a nozzle assembly, a wobble inducing member and a wobble limiting member. The housing has a first end having a fluid inlet and a second end forming a collar or opening therein. The nozzle assembly has a first end forming a post disposed inside the housing, a middle portion extending through the opening, a second end having an fluid outlet, a fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the housing and the fluid outlet, and the wobble limiting member. The nozzle assembly is positioned downstream of the fluid inlet. The wobble inducing member is disposed in the fluid channel facing the fluid inlet and has a sleeve extending therefrom to loosely receive the post therein. The nozzle assembly is caused to wobble by fluid flowing past, over or through the wobble inducing member.

[0035] The post comprises at least one inlet, preferably a plurality of radial channels, and a passage providing fluid communication between the post inlet and the fluid outlet. The inlet can be tangential to the centerline of the passage. The post and sleeve may be conical.

[0036] Preferably, the fluid outlet comprises a spray nozzle and a plurality of outlet channels formed in the spray nozzle. A sealing element may be disposed between the collar and the middle portion of the nozzle assembly to prevent leakage of fluid out of the housing via the collar.

[0037] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a spray head assembly having a housing, a nozzle having a wobble limiting member and a wobble inducing member. The housing has a first end having a fluid inlet and a second end forming an opening. The nozzle assembly has a first end forming a sleeve disposed inside the housing, a middle portion extending through the opening, a second end having an fluid outlet, a fluid conduit in fluid communication between the housing and the fluid outlet. The first end of the nozzle assembly is positioned downstream of the fluid inlet. The wobble inducing member is disposed in the housing facing the fluid inlet and having a post extending therefrom loose engagement with the sleeve, preferably, the post and sleeve are conical.

[0038] In another embodiment, there is provided, a spray head assembly having a housing, a nozzle having a wobble limiting member and a wobble inducing member. The housing has a first end having a fluid inlet end, a second end having an opening and a flow channel extending between the first and second ends. The nozzle assembly has a first end disposed inside the housing, the wobble inducing member coupled to the first end, a middle portion extending through the opening, the wobble limiting member, such as a wobble plate, coupled to the middle portion adjacent the opening, a second end having an outlet nozzle, and a water channel providing fluid communication between the flow channel and the outlet nozzle.

[0039] Preferably, the wobble inducing member is a wobble turbine head and the wobble turbine head forms a conical surface with partially tangential grooves facing the fluid inlet end of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the wobble inducing member may be a wobble turbine head having a plurality of radially extending vanes positioned downstream of the fluid inlet of the housing. The wobble limiting member can be a ring attached to the vanes.

[0040] One aspect of the present invention provides a spray head assembly with a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine that causes a spray nozzle to wobble regardless of the quantity, design or configuration of the spray nozzle outlet channels. More particularly, the wobble inducing member does not rely on tangential outlet channels in the spray nozzle. This allows the outlets of the spray nozzle to be designed in a manner that produces a desired spray width and pattern, such as for a residential shower.

[0041] Another aspect of the invention provides a spray nozzle that may include any number and configuration of outlet channels, but preferably has a reduced number of outlet channels having greater internal dimensions to prevent plugging due to mineral deposits or an accumulation of particles. Because the spray nozzle is wobbling, the distribution or coverage of fluid over a surface is extremely uniform. Therefore, fewer outlet channels are necessary to provide full coverage over a surface and, in the case of a shower, achieve a gentle feeling. Since fewer channels are needed, each channel may be widened so that the channels are less likely to become restricted or plug with lime, other minerals or particles. Most preferably, the channels are wide enough to pass ordinary sand introduced into the fluid supply.

[0042] Furthermore, the invention provides a velocity system where a major portion of the pressure drop, and preferably substantially all of the pressure drop, through the spray head occurs at one large orifice creating a water jet that is guided and distributed down open channels. This velocity system is advantageous for reducing mineral buildup and the weight of the spray head and spray nozzle. There is less mineral buildup using a velocity system because the outlet channels are no longer dependent upon openings having small cross-sectional areas to divide the water flow into individual streams and, therefore, the outlet channels can be widened or redesigned. The spray head and spray nozzle weigh less with a velocity system because the spray nozzle is downstream of the flow restricting orifice and, therefore, is not full of liquid during operation. Rather, the spray nozzle includes a housing and a diverter within the housing to direct the water exiting the orifice. The reduced weight is particularly beneficial in a wobbling spray nozzle since the reduced mass causes a proportional reduction in the angular momentum of the spray nozzle that causes vibration of the spray head housing. While the velocity system, as just described and as supported by the Figures below, is preferably using in combination with the wobble inducing members described herein, the velocity system may also be used in conjunction with other wobbling mechanisms, including that of U.S. Patent Number 5,551,635, which patent is incorporated herein by reference, and that of U.S. Patent Number 4,073,438, which patent is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a wobble limiting member. The spray width of a spray nozzle of the present invention is determined by both the design of the outlet channels in the spray nozzle and the angle of deflection imparted on the spray nozzle. For example, if the spray nozzle provided a 6° spray width during use in a stationary mode and the wobble produced an angular deflection of 5° off center, then the effective spray width during use in a wobbling mode in accordance with the present invention would be about 16° (5° additional width in all directions). Therefore, the wobble limiting member plays an important role in determining the effective spray width of the spray nozzle as well as the extent of the arcuate path that each fluid stream traverses during a single wobble.

[0044] A further aspect of the invention is a wobble inducing member that is disposed in direct engagement or contact with the spray head assembly. While the wobble inducing member may be coupled, held or otherwise secured to a spray nozzle assembly, it is generally preferred not to integrate or affix the wobble inducing member to the spray nozzle assembly. More particularly, the spray nozzle assembly has an end that is distal to the spray nozzle. It is preferred that this distal end of the spray nozzle assembly and the wobble inducing member receive each other in a loose male-female relationship, particularly where the distal end and the member can easily slide or pivot into the appropriate relationship without restriction. One particularly preferred arrangement is a cylindrical post (male) received within a cylindrical sleeve (female), where the outer diameter of the post is less than the inner diameter of the sleeve. Alternatively, the post may form a frustoconical surface (male) received within a frustoconical sleeve (female), where the frustoconical angle of the post is less than the frustoconical angle of the sleeve. It should be recognized that the post may be part of the spray nozzle assembly and the sleeve may be part of the wobble inducing member, or vice versa. It is preferred to design the post and sleeve with sufficient tolerances therebetween so that the wobble inducing member can wobble in relation to the spray nozzle assembly without binding. Furthermore, it is most preferred to utilize a wobble inducing member having a conical or frustoconical post of a first diameter received in a conical or frustoconical sleeve of the spray nozzle assembly.

[0045] One advantage of the loose relationship, such as a post and sleeve relationship, of the wobble inducing member or wobble turbine to the body is that there is very little friction or other forces to be overcome before the wobble turbine will begin wobbling. In this manner, the initiation and maintenance of a wobbling motion of the present invention is substantially independent of fluid flow rate and operates very effectively in shower heads and faucets even at flow rates much lower than the 2.5 gallons-per-minute maximum imposed by the laws of many states.

[0046] A second advantage of the post and sleeve relationship is that the wobble turbine is easily cocked, shifted or tilted away from the axial centerline of the fluid inlet. In fact, even when no fluid is being passed through the spray head assembly, the wobble turbine may rest at a tilted angle relative to the axial centerline of the fluid inlet. In order to provide the most effective wobbling motion, it is preferable for the wobble turbine to be shifted sufficiently away from the axial centerline of the fluid inlet so that a major portion of the fluid delivered through the fluid inlet is being directed at only one side of the wobble turbine face at any given point in time. The loose-fitting post and sleeve relationship allows the fluid discharging apparatus of the present invention to achieve a sufficient shifting of the wobble turbine within a much shorter longitudinal distance (the distance measured along the axial centerline from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet) with fewer parts.

[0047] A still further aspect of the invention provides for one or more intermediate sleeves to be disposed post and sleeve described above. For a spray nozzle assembly having a post, a sleeve and one or more intermediate sleeves, it is preferred that the relationship between each member (post, sleeve and intermediate sleeve) provide for wobbling therebetween.

[0048] Another aspect of the invention provides a sufficiently open flow channel throughout the spray head assembly so that the fluid flow rate limiting restriction may be a flow control washer disposed in the spray head assembly near the fluid inlet and the size of the orifice just upstream of the outlet channels of the spray nozzle. In this manner, adequate pressure is maintained inside the housing to drive the wobble turbine, while adequate water velocity is generated at the fluid outlet to provide a satisfying shower.

[0049] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a spray head assembly having pins mounted in the outlet channels of the spray nozzle. The wobbling motion and forces of the spray nozzle cause the pins to rotate or vibrate in contact with the inside surface of the channels, thus eliminating any possibility of mineral build-up. The pins preferably have a head restrained in the spray nozzle and a shaft attached to the pin head extending through the outlet channels. It is important that the pin head and shaft do not block the flow of fluid through the outlet channel.

[0050] It should be recognized that the spray heads of the present invention, and the individual components thereof, may be made from any known materials that are resistant to chemical and thermal attack by the fluid passing therethrough. Where the fluid is water, the preferred materials include plastics, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, and metals or metal alloys, such as stainless steel. Other and further materials suitable for use in the present invention should be apparent to one of skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a spray head assembly 40. The spray head assembly 40 has a housing 42 for holding a wobble turbine 44 and a wobble plate 46. The housing 42 forms a substantially water tight chamber 43 with an inlet 45 positioned upstream from the wobble turbine 44. The floor 50 of the housing 42 forms a collar, hole or opening 52 therethrough for slidably receiving a shaft 54 which is fixed to the wobble plate 46 inside the housing 42, and the spray nozzle 48 outside the housing 42. The shaft 54 is sealed within the bore 52 by a lip seal 56 to prevent leakage of water from the housing while allowing the shaft 54 to tilt and rotate within the opening 52. An o-ring may also be used to seal the shaft 54 in the opening.

[0052] The wobble turbine 44 has a conical upper surface 58 forming a plurality of non-radial channels 60 (see also Figure 4) and a generally cylindrical sleeve 62. The upper surface 58 of the wobble turbine 44 preferably extends beyond the sleeve 62 to form an annular overhang 64 that faces the lower end 62. The sleeve 62 of the wobble turbine has an inside surface 68 defining an inside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the shaft 54. When assembled, the sleeve 62 slides over the shaft or post 54 and the wobble turbine 44 rests on top of the shaft 54.

[0053] The wobble plate 46 has a bottom surface 72 that tapers upwardly away from the floor 50 of the housing 42. The angle formed between the wobble plate 46 and the floor 50 determines the maximum degree of wobble experienced by the spray nozzle 48 by limiting the tilt of the spray nozzle assembly. Preferably, the bottom surface 72 of the wobble plate forms an angle of between about 1 and about 20 degrees with the floor 50 of the housing 42, more preferably between about 2 and about 10 degrees, and most preferably about 4 degrees, when the center line of the nozzle assembly is aligned with the center line of the housing. The tilt of the spray nozzle will be similarly limited, with the foregoing angle between the plate and the housing resulting in an increase of the effective spray width of the spray head by a factor of two times the angle, i.e., the same angular increase in all directions.

[0054] The shaft or post 54 provides a passage 74 in fluid communication with the shaft inlet(s) 76 and the spray nozzle 48. The inlet 76 is preferably a plurality of channels that extend through the wall of the post, preferably angled downwardly from the top of the housing 12 toward the floor of the housing. The passage 74 comprises a velocity tube 75 which limits the flow rate of fluid through the spray head in accordance with water conservation standards, such as 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). The passage 74 then opens into fluid communication with the outlet channels 78 of the spray nozzle 48.

[0055] Therefore, fluid follows a pathway by entering the chamber 43 through the inlet 45, passing over the wobble turbine 44, entering through inlet 76 into the passage 74 in the shaft 54, and exiting the spray nozzle 48 through a plurality of spray channels 78 in flow communication with the passage 74 in the shaft 54. In operation, a fluid source under pressure is in communication with the inlet in the housing. The turbine wobbles due to the fluid impacting upon the upper surface of the wobble turbine. Wobbling means essentially that the wobble turbine tilts to one side and orbits about the central axis of the shaft so that the inside surface near the lower end of the wobble turbine is in rolling contact with the outside surface of the shaft. The wobble action of the wobble turbine exerts forces on the shaft which are translated to the wobble plate through the shaft, so that the bottom surface of the wobble plate is in rolling contact with the floor of the housing. The spray nozzle also wobbles in response to the wobbling movement of the shaft. Once the chamber is substantially filled with water, water therein enters the inlet in the shaft and flows through a passage in the shaft to the spray nozzle.

[0056] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spray head 40 taken along lines 4-4 of Figure 1. The top surface 58 of the wobble turbine 44 is illustrated having grooves 60 formed in a non-radial configuration. It should be noted that fluid flow impacting upon the wobble turbine 44 will push the wobble turbine 44 aside into a tilting position so that the center point of the wobble turbine 44 is substantially out of the stream of fluid from inlet 45 and only one side of the wobble turbine 44 is aligned with the fluid stream at any point in time. Each of the channels or grooves 60 formed in the upper end 58 of the wobble turbine 44 are non-radial and act as vanes that cause the wobble turbine to orbit around the fluid inlet as fluid flows through the grooves. The non-radial grooves 60, the conical surface 58 and the loose relationship between the sleeve 62 and the post 54 ensure that when fluid flows against the top of the wobble turbine 44 under pressure, the wobble turbine 44 will tilt off center and start to wobble. More particularly, the fluid impinging on the conical surface 58 of the turbine 44 causes a tilting force 31 and the fluid passing through the grooves 60 causes rotational forces 33. Therefore, the fluid stream passing through the inlet 45 causes the wobble turbine 44 to wobble in the clockwise direction, as shown by arrow 61. Once the wobbling motion begins, the continued flow of water maintains the wobble turbine 44 in a wobbling mode. Furthermore, the flow of fluid also causes a hold down force which pushes downward on the turbine, tending to keep the turbine from being displaced from its cooperative relationship with the nozzle assembly. Therefore, it is preferred that the angle of the conical surface 58 be sufficiently great to produce at least a slight tilting force even when the turbine is already fully tilted, yet not so great as to cause the turbine to pull up and out of contact with the nozzle assembly.

[0057] For any given wobble turbine, the wobble rate or speed may be increased (or decreased) by increasing (or decreasing) the flow rate of fluid through the spray head. However, it is possible to design the wobble turbine to have a faster or slower wobble rate for a given fluid flow rate by changing the angle or pitch of the grooves in the wobble turbine. Referring to Figure 12, a wobble turbine may be designed to have a generally slower wobble rate by decreasing the pitch of the grooves, i.e., designing the grooves 162 at a small angle, β, from radial. Similarly, the wobble turbine may be designed to have a faster wobble rate by increasing the pitch of the grooves. i.e., designing the grooves 164 at a larger angle, δ, from radial. Referring back to Figure 4, the grooves may even be designed with a changing angle to form a "pin-wheel" type of pattern. Furthermore, the number and size of grooves may also be modified to customize a wobble rate.

[0058] Figures 17A-I are schematic diagrams illustrating the wobble movement between a wobble turbine sleeve 62 and nozzle assembly post 54 in accordance with the spray head 40 of Figure 1. Starting with the turbine sleeve 62 and the post 54 tilted to the right of the housing 42, the turbine sleeve 62 and post 54 orbit clockwise around the housing centerpoint 69, illustrated here in 45 degree increments between Figures. Because the post 54 and turbine sleeve 62 always tilted in the same direction, their respective centerpoints 71,73 are substantially radially aligned with the housing centerpoint 69. As the turbine sleeve 62 orbits in the clockwise direction (as exhibited by the movement of the turbine centerpoint 71 around the housing centerpoint 69), the sleeve 62 forces the post 54 to tilt and orbit in the same clockwise direction (as exhibited by the movement of the post centerpoint around the housing centerpoint 69).

[0059] Referring briefly back to Figure 1, the turbine 44 and turbine sleeve 62 contact the post 54 at three points: (1) the lower inside edge of the sleeve 62 in the direction of the tilt (i.e., to the right in Figure 1), (2) an inside point near the upper end of the sleeve 62 in the direction away from the tilt (i.e., to the left in Figure 2), and (3) the underneath side of the turbine. Because there are three points of contact, it is necessary for one or more of the points to slide in order for the turbine to wobble. Although all the points of contact are wetted by the fluid, such as water, prolonged use of the turbine may cause some marginal wear on the post or the inner surface of the sleeve.

[0060] Figures 10A-I are schematic diagrams illustrating the wobble movement between a wobble plate and housing floor of the present invention. Due to the angle formed between the wobble plate and the floor, a circle of rolling contact between the wobble plat and the floor define a first circle on the wobble plate 46 having a diameter 47 (and a circumference) that is different than the diameter 51 of a second circle on the floor 50 of the housing 42. In order to maintain contact with the floor, the wobble plate must make up for the difference in the circumferences by rotating. As shown, if the diameter of the circle 47 is less than the diameter of circle 51, then (in the absence of slippage between the wobble plate and the floor) the wobble plate 46 will rotate (as indicated by arrow 140) in a direction opposite to the wobble (as indicated by arrow 142). Each subsequent view in Figures 10A-I represent a wobble of 45 degrees clockwise.

[0061] The wobble begins in Figure 10A with the post (not shown) tilted down on the page so that the first circle 47 of the wobble plate is pushed over into contact with the circle 51 of the floor 50. For the purpose of illustration, two triangular markers 144,146 are placed on the wobble plate 46 and the floor 50, respectively, adjacent the initial point of contact between the circles 47, 51. As the wobble, and consequently the point of contact, moves clockwise, the wobble plate experiences a slight rotation counter-clockwise. For the given diameters 47, 51 shown in Figures 10A-I, it appears that during one full wobble, the wobble plate 46 rotates about one-quarter of a turn in the opposite direction to provide a wobble: rotation ratio of about 4. The rotation in this instance is in the opposite direction of the wobble because the diameter and circumference of circle 47 is less than the diameter and circumference of circle 51 (i.e., D₃ > D₄). It should also be recognized that the floor itself could be frustoconical. It should be recognized that the wobble:rotation ratio may be increased by providing a greater difference in the diameters of, or the angles between, the wobble plate and the floor. The principals governing the wobble:rotation ratio just described with respect to the wobble plate and floor also hold true for the wobble inducing member or wobble turbine and the post.

[0062] Referring back to Figure 1, the post 54 is surrounded by two intermediate sleeves 80,82 (the use of intermediate sleeves is optional) that have a diameter greater than the shaft 54 and a less than the sleeve 62 of the wobble turbine 44. The sleeves 80,82 wobble (i.e., tilt and rotate about the shaft) when contacted by the inside surface 66 of the wobble turbine 44. The addition of the sleeves allows the wobble turbine to tilt to the desired angle while maintaining a small contact angle between surfaces.

[0063] The post or shaft 54 also includes a sipping channel 84 that opens into an annular cup 86 in the spray nozzle 48 in proximity to the opening 52. The sipping channel 84 catches any water that may leak from around the opening 52 and the instance where no seal is used. The vacuum created by the water exiting the outlet channels 78 pulls water from the cup 86 through the sipping channel 84 and into the passage 74. Channels 84 also supply air to the space below the velocity tube 75, thus allowing the water stream exiting the velocity tube 75 to maintain its velocity while being deflected and guided down channels 78.

[0064] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a spray head assembly. The spray head 90A is substantially the same as spray head 40 of Figure 1, except for the relationship between the wobble inducing member or wobble turbine 92 and the distal end 94 of the spray nozzle assembly. In accordance with a previous discussion, the wobble turbine 92 includes a post 96, rather than a sleeve, and the distal end 94 includes a sleeve 98, rather than a post. Furthermore, the post 96 and sleeve 98 illustrate the use of frustoconical surfaces 100 and 102, respectively, most preferably having a common pivot point 104 somewhere along the centerline. As with the previous wobble turbine 44, fluid flow from inlet 45 impacts the surface 58 and tilts the wobble turbine 92 to one side until the surfaces 100, 102 make contact. The fluid flow through the grooves 60 on one side of the turbine imparts tangential forces on the wobble turbine 92 (as described in regard to Figure 4) causing the wobble turbine to wobble within the sleeve 94. The rolling component of the wobbling motion can be more easily visualized in this configuration of spray head 90 than in the configuration of spray head 40, probably because the contact between the turbine post 96 and the sleeve 98 is substantially a line rather than the three points of contact exhibited by the turbine 44 of Figure 1.

[0065] Figures 18A-I are schematic representations of the wobble movement between the wobble turbine post 96 and nozzle assembly sleeve 98 in accordance with the spray head 90A of Figure 3. Because the diameter of circle 59 formed on the surface of the turbine 96 is less than the diameter of circle 61 formed on the opposing surface of the sleeve 98, as the turbine 96 wobbles clockwise, the turbine 96, exemplified by circle 61, will rotate in the counter-clockwise direction. The spray head 90A is preferred over the spray head 40 because the wear associated with the three point contact is eliminated. It is believed that the reduced wear is a combined result of eliminating the three point contact and allowing the nozzle assembly rotation (counter-clockwise for a clockwise wobble as shown in Figures 10A-10I) to match the turbine rotation (counter-clockwise for a clockwise wobble). Because the post 96 and sleeve 98 rotate in the same direction, the amount of friction therebetween is significantly reduced or possibly eliminated. Although the spray head 90 is shown with the post 96 and sleeve 98 having the more preferred frustoconical surfaces, it is also suitable to make the post 96 and sleeve 98 having simple cylindrical surfaces.

[0066] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the spray head of Figure 3A with two modified features. First, the spray head 90B incorporates a nozzle assembly having a thin walled tube 110B coupling the wobble plate 46 to the spray nozzle 48. The thin walled tube is preferable made of a very rigid material, preferably a metal such as stainless steel, in order to reduce the outer diameter of the tube 110B (as compared with the tube 110A in Figure 90A). For example, the tube may comprise a stainless steel tube having an inner diameter of about 0.15 inch and an outer diameter of about 0.18 inch. Reducing the outer diameter of the tube 110B reduces the amount of force required to tip or tilt the nozzle assembly.

[0067] Second, the spray head 90B is shown having one or more bypass channels or slots 112 to divert a portion of the fluid flow around the turbine 60. The bypass channels 112 may be desirable to reduce the forces applied on the turbine by the water, and consequently reduce the forces applied between the turbine and the nozzle assembly and between the nozzle assembly and the floor and the like, to the amount of forces need to the reliably maintain a wobble. It is believed that unnecessarily high forces might cause increased wear between the moving members of the spray head and the generation of noise.

[0068] Figure 5 is a bottom view of the spray head showing the outlets of the spray nozzle. While the outlet channels may be provided in any manner known in the art, a preferred set of outlet channels 78 are defined by a plurality of fins 79 connected to a deflector 77. The primary purpose of the deflector 77 is to provide an curved path for the water to flow through the spray nozzle. It is preferred to direct a minor portion of the outlet channels 78 at a lesser angle to the axis of the spray nozzle 48 in order to provide more even spray pattern or coverage over an object at a short distance from the spray head, such as a person taking a shower. Lesser angle outlet channels 78a are preferably formed at spaced intervals around the perimeter of the spray nozzle or at locations radially inward toward the central axis of the spray nozzle (not shown).

[0069] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a spray head assembly 120, in which like numerals label similar elements of the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. The inlet channels 76 in the post 54, extend into the passage 74 forming a tangential angle with the central axis the post 54 and the passage 74 that causes the fluid to swirl. The swirling or spiraling fluid 122 passes through the passage 74 to the spray nozzle 124. Since the momentum of the swirling fluid forces the fluid outward against the walls of the passage 74 and spray nozzle 124, there is no deflector required. Preferably, the spray nozzle still includes fins 79 to reduce or eliminate the swirling of the fluid and define a number of fluid streams exiting the spray nozzle. Most preferably the fins are set to cause fluid to exit at a 5° angle with the central axis of the post.

[0070] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative spray head 130 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which like numerals label similar elements of the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. The spray head 130 has a spray nozzle 132 with pins 134 positioned in the outlet channels 136. The pins 134 have a head at one end disposed within the chamber or passage 138 and a generally straight stem that extends downwardly into or through the outlet channels 136. The centrifugal force generated by the wobbling spray nozzle causes the pins 134 to rub and keep the sides of the outlet channels 136 clear of lime and other mineral deposits. This self-maintenance feature is very useful in areas where the water has a high concentration of lime and other minerals and a pressurized spray head is desired.

[0071] Figures 8A-D are graphical representations of the uniformity of the spray patterns from four spray heads, including three commercially available shower heads (Figures 8A-C) and a shower head made in accordance with Figure 2 of the present invention (Figure 8D), at one distance from the spray head. Figures 9A-D are similar graphs prepared using the same four shower heads, but at a greater distance. Each of the spray heads were connected to a constant pressure source of water and directed generally downward onto a row of glass tubes each having a diameter of about 1/4 inch. The results of this experiment are shown in the graphs as a side view of the liquid collected in the tubes. It is clear that the results shown in Figures 8D and 9D provides the most uniform distribution of water across the width of the spray pattern. The other graphs show a tendency to concentrate the water delivery at a point or small sub-region of the spray pattern.

[0072] Figures 11A and 11B are schematic side views of a spray head 40 in accordance with Figure 2 and the pattern of water delivered by the spray nozzle 48. If the spray nozzle 48 were held stationary, a spray width defined by dashed lines 150 would result in accordance with the design of the spray nozzle itself. When the spray nozzle 48 is allowed to wobble in accordance with the present invention, the spray width increases by 2α, where α is the same angle as that angle between the wobble plate and the floor (See Figure 2). Figure 11 also illustrates the unique spray pattern which may be viewed with the naked eye. The rapid wobbling of the spray nozzle 48 causes the individual droplets or streams to break up and spread out over an arcuate path. For example, assume the spray nozzle has twelve outlet channels: three outlet channels 78a directed at 2° off center and nine channels directed at 6° off center. If the spray head is designed to have a 2° wobble, i.e., by providing a 2° angle between the wobble plate and the floor, then a total spray angle (i.e., the angle between dashed lines 150) of 16° will be achieved. Because a 2° wobble will provide 4° of deflection (i.e., 2° in all directions), the three outlet channels directed at 2° will spray fluid at angles covering 0°-8° from the axis, which represents one quarter of the area sprayhead, and the nine outlet channels directed at 6° will spray fluid at angles covering 8°-16°, which is three quarters of the spray area. It should be noted that many other outlet channel arrangements and designs may be used in accordance with the present invention.

[0073] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a alternative spray head assembly 160 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which like numerals label similar elements of the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. The spray head assembly 160 has a housing 42 for holding a wobble turbine 44 and a wobble plate 46. The housing 42 forms a chamber 43 with an inlet 45 positioned upstream from the wobble turbine 44. The floor 50 of the housing 42 forms a hole or opening 52 therethrough for slidably receiving a shaft 54 which is fixed to the wobble plate 46 inside the housing 42, and the spray nozzle (not shown) outside the housing 42. The shaft 54 is sealed within the bore 52 by a lip seal 56 to prevent leakage of water from the housing while allowing the shaft 54 to tilt and rotate within the opening 52. An o-ring may also be used to seal the shaft 54 in the opening. It should be noted that the opening 52 in all the embodiments described herein is wide enough to allow the shaft to rotate and pivot about the centerline of the housing so that the described wobbling motion can take place. While the housing 42 is preferably substantially fluid tight, some passage of fluid between the shaft 54 and the opening 52 is anticipated and is within the scope of the present invention.

[0074] The wobble turbine 44 has a conical upper surface 58 having a plurality of radially extending vanes 164 and a generally cylindrical sleeve 62. The vanes 165 are preferably tapered downwardly and toward the centerline of the turbine 44, similar to a propeller. The vanes 165 and the slanted or frustoconical surface 167 act to induce the wobble motion of the wobble turbine when contacted with a stream of water, much like the grooves of the wobble turbine shown in Figure 2. In order to limit the degree of wobble, there is provided a wobble limiting element 166 which can be a ring mounted around the perimeter of the vanes 165 as shown or the ends of each vane 165 can be formed so that they are facing upstream as shown in Figures 15 and 16. The wobble limiting element 166 acts to limit the degree to which the wobble turbine tilts on the shaft, to achieve a similar result as the wobble plate described above. Preferably, the wobble limiting element 166 forms a frustoconical surface 169 that is inverted with respect to the frustoconical surface 167 so that the passage defined between the surfaces 167,169 is urged to stay in alignment with the fluid entering the housing 42 from the jet 171, even as the turbine 44 wobbles. For example, if the turbine 44 is in a substantially vertical position, then the fluid passing through the jet 171 will push against the surface 167 and cause the turbine 44 to tilt to the side. However, when the turbine 44 tilts sufficiently that the surface 169 of the wobble limiting member 166 is drawn into the flow of fluid passing through the jet 171, then the fluid pushes against the surface 169. Preferably, the surfaces 167,169 are designed with sufficient angles and surface areas so that the tilt of the turbine is limited. It should also be recognized that the vanes 165 may extend between the surfaces 167,169 either exactly radially (as shown in Figure 14) or at some angle off-radial. Vanes having a greater angle off-radial may be designed to more correctly propel the turbine in a desired orbit without such heavy reliance, or perhaps any reliance, on a tracking ring to limit the degree of tilt. Furthermore, it may be useful to provide grooves or ridges on the surface 167 of the tracking ring in order to increase the relative force that is placed upon the tracking ring.

[0075] The wobble turbine 44 preferably forms a plurality of openings 168 that are in fluid communication with the passage 74 in the shaft 54. The sleeve 62 of the wobble turbine has an inside surface 68 defining an inside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the shaft 54. When assembled, the sleeve 62 slides over the shaft 54 and the wobble turbine 44 rests on top of the shaft 54. The wobble turbine 44 and the shaft 54 can be made from TEFLON or other suitable polymer material, to allow for some friction between the wobble turbine 44 and the shaft 54 and so that the wobble turbine 44 can move freely about the shaft 54. The vanes can essentially replace the wobble plate, described previously, due to the fact that the ring compensates and controls the amount of wobble experienced by the shaft and the spray nozzle. The wobbling motion in this embodiment is the same as that described above in Figures 10A-I.

[0076] Figure 14 is a top view of the wobble turbine 44 shown in Figure 13. The vanes 165 are positioned an angle such that when the fluid flow from the inlet strikes the vanes, the wobble turbine will tilt to one side and begin to wobble. The wobble limiting element 166 in this embodiment is a tracking ring. The ring tapers downwardly, and has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the water inlet upstream. The tracking ring acts to limit the wobble motion of the turbine much like the wobble plate described above.

[0077] Figures 15 and 16 are cross-sectional and top views respectively of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which like numerals label similar elements of the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 13. The wobble turbine 44 has a plurality of tapered vanes 165 that cause the wobble turbine to tilt to one side and begin wobbling upon contact with water from the inlet. The tapers on the vanes act to limit the wobble of the wobble turbine 44. The wobbling motion using the tracking ring and/or the tapered vanes is the same as that described above in Figures 10A-I.

[0078] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of a spray head assembly of the present invention and in which like numerals label similar elements of the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. The spray head 170 includes a lifting turbine 172 having a top surface 58 with grooves 60 as with other previously discussed embodiments of the invention. The lifting turbine 172 also has a sleeve 174 with fluid passages 176 therethrough and a wobble limiting member or plate 178 attached to the end of the sleeve 174 opposite the turbine surface 58. While the wobble plate 178 will wobble on the floor 50 as described in Figures 10A-I, the wobble plate 178 is part of the turbine 172, instead of the nozzle assembly 180 as with other embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the turbine 172 itself will wobble according to Figures 10A-I.

[0079] The wobble plate 178, or alternatively another portion of the sleeve, includes an annular lifting ring 182, shown here as an inward annular lip, that is disposed in a constrained position to a mating annular groove 184 in a portion of the nozzle assembly 180, such as the upper portion of the post. In this manner, the wobbling action of the turbine 172, wobble plate 178 and lip 182 cause the lip 182 to lift and lower one side of the nozzle assembly 180 at a time through contact with the upper wall 186 of the groove 184 and cause the nozzle assembly 180 to wobble on the wobble limiting surface 183. As the wobble plate 178 wobbles, the lip 182 will maintain one point of contact with the surface 186 of the nozzle assembly 180 and the wobble plate 178 will maintain another point of contact with the floor 50, where the two points are on generally opposite sides of the spray head axis 69.

[0080] Figure 20 is a cross-sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of a spray head assembly in which like numerals label similar elements of the previous embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. The spray head 190 includes a turbine 44 having a top surface 58 with grooves 60 as with other previously discussed embodiments of the invention. The turbine 44 also includes a sleeve 62 that is disposed over a post 54 of a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly of spray head 190 includes an elongate rod 192 having a first end supporting the post and a second end secured to a spray nozzle 194. The spray nozzle or housing 194 is similar to nozzle 48 of Figure 2 in that nozzle 194 includes a deflector 77 and outlet channels 78. However, spray nozzle 194 also includes an integral wobble limiting member 46 which wobbles on a surface 196 of the housing 42. Note that the wobbling movement of the wobble limiting member 46 on the surface 196 is consistent with the description of Figures 10A-I and the wobbling movement of the turbine 44 on the post 54 is consistent with the description of Figures 17A-I. One advantage of the spray head 190 is that the seals 56 may be eliminated and the collar 52 is widened to receive the spray nozzle 48. It is preferred that the housing 42 further include a conduit 194 directing fluid flow around the rod 192 and into cooperation with the outlet channels 78 of the spray nozzle 48. Most preferably, the fluid passageway defined between the conduit 194 and the spray nozzle 48 are aligned so that the fluid passes smoothly from the conduit to the outlet channels.

Method and Apparatus for Controlling Fluid Delivery

[0081] The present invention provides a spray head assembly that allows the user to adjust or control at least one characteristic of the fluid delivered from the spray head, such as the spray width, the spray velocity or impact, the volumetric flow rate, and the droplet size. The spray head assembly includes a housing, a nozzle assembly, a motion inducing member and a motion limiting member. The types of motions useful in accordance with the invention include wobbling, vibrating, spinning and the like. The most preferred motion is wobbling.

[0082] The present invention delivers fluid through a nozzle assembly that is coupled to, or at least in a cooperative relationship with, a motion inducing member. Therefore, altering or controlling the movement of the motion inducing member or the movement of the nozzle assembly itself can be made to alter or control the delivery of fluid from the nozzle assembly. The present invention alters or controls movement of the nozzle assembly by either (a) changing the forces acting upon the motion inducing member (i.e., increasing, decreasing, redirecting the flow of fluid relative to the motion inducing member), (b) limiting the range of motion that the motion inducing member can traverse (i.e., constraining or loosening the physical boundaries of the motion inducing member, either directly or indirectly), (c) limiting the range of motion that the nozzle assembly can traverse, or (d) some combination of (a) through (b).

[0083] The housing has a first end having a fluid inlet and a second end forming a collar or opening therein. The nozzle assembly has a first end disposed inside the housing, a middle portion extending through the opening, a second end having an fluid outlet, a fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the housing and the fluid outlet. The nozzle assembly is caused to wobble by fluid flowing past, over or through the wobble inducing member.

[0084] The most preferred spray head for use in conjunction with the present invention is the wobbling spray head described below with reference to Figures 1-19, which subject matter was disclosed by the present inventors in their copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/115,362, filed on July 14, 1998, which application is incorporated by reference herein. Accordingly, the wobble limiting member preferably comprises a wobble plate, most preferably a wobble plate having a convex frustoconical surface that engages the housing adjacent the opening to limit movement of the nozzle assembly. Furthermore, the wobble inducing member is preferably a wobble turbine, most preferably having a convex conical upper surface with angular momentum inducing grooves, preferably non-radial groove, formed therein.

[0085] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for altering the fluid delivery characteristics of a spray head having a moving spray nozzle, preferably a wobbling spray nozzle. A user can alter the fluid delivery characteristics of the spray nozzle by manipulating various simple interfaces, including push buttons, knobs with cams attached thereto, and other simple devices for manipulating or limiting the movement of the spray nozzle. More particularly, as described previously, the present invention delivers fluid through a nozzle assembly that is coupled to, integrally formed with, or at least in a cooperative relationship with, a motion inducing member. Therefore, altering or controlling the movement of the motion inducing member or the movement of the nozzle assembly itself can be made to alter or control the delivery of fluid from the nozzle assembly. The present invention alters or controls movement of the nozzle assembly by either (a) changing the forces acting upon the motion inducing member (i.e., increasing, decreasing, redirecting the flow of fluid relative to the motion inducing member), (b) limiting the range of motion that the motion inducing member can traverse (i.e., constraining or loosening the physical boundaries of the motion inducing member, either directly or indirectly), (c) limiting the range of motion that the nozzle assembly can traverse, or (d) some combination of (a) through (c).

[0086] Figure 21 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 200 having a flow washer velocity control system. The term "flow washer velocity control system" as used herein refers to spray heads having a flow rate restricting washer 202 disposed downstream of the inlet valve 204 and motion inducing member 92 (i.e., the wobble turbine), but upstream of the nozzle outlet channels 78. The flow rate restricting washer 202 is designed to maintain a relatively constant fluid flow rate through its central orifice by constricting the orifice as the chamber pressure increases. Additional detail and design of flow rate restricting washers is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,457,343 and 4,508,144, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0087] By positioning the flow rate restricting washer 202 downstream of the motion inducing member 92, the flow rate of fluid being delivered through the nozzle 48 is maintained at a given level substantially independent of the fluid pressure or velocity within the chamber 43. A needle valve 204 is positioned in cooperation with a valve seat 206 in order to produce a flow restriction which causes a pressure drop in the chamber 43 and an increase in the velocity of the fluid imparting upon the motion inducing member 92. In this manner, the member 92 (turbine) can be made to move (wobble) at high rates regardless of the chamber pressure. Furthermore, at low fluid flow rates, the needle valve may be restricted (i.e., partially closed) in order to maintain a good movement or wobble speed. It should be noted that at higher chamber pressures, it is necessary to have a smaller effective inlet opening in order to cause sufficient fluid velocity for the member 92 to move at a high rate. For a residential shower, the preferred flow washer has a hole diameter of about 0.128 inches and may be used with an outlet tube 208 having a diameter greater than about 0.130 inches, most preferably about 0.140 inches.

[0088] In accordance with the present invention, a primary advantage of the flow washer velocity control system is that it can be used for impact control of the fluid exiting the nozzle. As discussed above, when the chamber pressure increases the flow washer orifice get smaller resulting in a higher velocity fluid stream passing therethrough. In conventional shower heads, the flow washer must be positioned at the inlet to the chamber and any benefit of a high velocity stream is dissipated in the chamber since the velocity of fluid exiting the nozzle is determined by the nozzle outlets. In the flow washer velocity control system of the present invention, the outlet channels in the spray housing do not restrict the flow of fluid, since the collective cross-sectional area of the channels is much greater than that of the flow washer or the velocity tube. Consequently, the high velocity fluid passing through the flow washer enters the spray housing, is redirected by the deflector, and exists the outlet channels at a high velocity without any significant restriction. The result is that a constant flow rate can be maintained while allowing the user to select a low impact or high impact spray.

[0089] With the needle valve 204 fully seated (closed), there is no flow through the nozzle. As the needle valve is slightly opened, such as by turning a handle 210 with a cam 212 attached to the needle valve 204, the fluid passes into the chamber 43 at a high velocity causing a high wobble rate and a low chamber pressure causing a gentle wobbling spray. As the needle valve 204 is opened further, the pressure in the chamber 43 increases causing the flow washer to constrict and provide a higher velocity and higher impact spray. Optionally, the motion inducing member may be slowed or stopped, by either further opening the valve 204 to produce a low velocity stream or opening a bypass around the motion inducing member, to produce an even higher impact stream. Both the gentle spray and the high impact spray provide fluid flow in accordance with the rating of the flow washer 202.

[0090] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 220 having a bypass valve 222 for redirecting fluid around the turbine 92 or around the velocity tube 75. The bypass valve 222 selectively communicates between the fluid inlet 45 and two or more channels selected from the channel 224 directed at the turbine 92, the channel 226 directed into the chamber but around the turbine 92, or the channel 228 directed around the chamber 43 to the nozzle assembly 208. The bypass valve 222 is made to communicate fluid from the inlet 45 with one or more of the channels 224,226,228 by turning a handle 230 coupled to the stem 232. A preferred bypass valve element 222 may be described as a cylinder seated into the housing 42, wherein the cylinder walls have various holes at precise longitudinal and radial locations to align with appropriate channels 224,226,228 as the valve 222 is rotated. Detailed operation of the bypass valve 222 is described with relation to Figures 23A through 23F which follow.

[0091] Figures 23A-F are cross-sectional side views of the bypass valve of Figure 22 showing its operation at various angles of rotation. Figure 23A shows the bypass valve in a position in which fluid is directed from inlet 45 to channel 224, substantially without restriction. Therefore, the nozzle assembly is in a wobbling mode. Figure 23B shows the bypass valve in a position (45 degrees clockwise relative to Figure 23A as shown by arrow 234) in which fluid is directed from inlet 45 through holes 225, 229 to both channels 224, 226, respectively. Therefore, the portion of fluid directed through one or more channels 226 bypasses the turbine, leaving a lower velocity stream through channel 224 and reducing the wobble speed of the turbine. Figure 23C shows the bypass valve in a position (90 degrees clockwise relative to Figure 23A as shown by arrow 234) in which fluid is directed from inlet 45 through holes 229 to the bypass channels 226, thereby eliminating the wobbling of the turbine while maintaining the flow rate through the nozzle assembly.

[0092] Figure 23 D is the same as Figure 23A. Figure 23E shows the bypass valve in a position (45 degrees counter-clockwise relative to Figure 23D as shown by arrow 235) in which fluid is directed from inlet 45 through holes 225, 227 to both channels 224, 228, respectively. Therefore, the portion of fluid directed through one or more channels 228 (such as for a soft wash mode, use of a set of standard nozzles, or use of separate outlet channels in the spray nozzle) bypasses the turbine, leaving a lower velocity stream through channel 224 and reducing the wobble speed of the turbine. Figure 23F shows the bypass valve in a position (90 degrees counter-clockwise relative to Figure 23D as shown by arrow 235) in which the fluid inlet 45 is blocked and the spray nozzle is off. It should be recognized that the incremental rotation of the valve 222 may achieve more or less gradual transitions between modes of operation.

[0093] Figures 24A-E, 25A-E and 26A-E are partial schematic cross-sectional views of the bypass valve in Figures 23A-E taken along lines 24-24, 25-25 and 26-26, respectively.

[0094] Referring again to Figure 22, the bypass channel 228 extends through the wall of the housing 42, then opens adjacent the nozzle assembly 48 such that fluid is directed into a collection trough 236. The trough 236 empties into the outlet channels 78 at low pressure and velocity through a plurality of holes 238 in order to reduce the overall velocity of the fluid exiting the outlet channels 78. The introduction of a low velocity stream into a main stream flowing at a higher velocity for the purpose of reducing the velocity of the main stream is referred to herein as a "soft wash" mode.

[0095] Figure 27 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 240 having a bypass valve 242 for controlling fluid to a set of stationary fluid outlet channels 244. While the bypass valve 242 operates in the same manner as bypass valve 222 of Figures 22-26, the valve 242 has been simplified by eliminating the channels 229. Clockwise rotation of the valve 242 directs fluid through the channel 228 and outlet channels 244. Channels 244 are preferably directed at such an angle as to increase the effective spray width of the spray head assembly 240.

[0096] Figure 28 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 250 having a bypass valve 252 for redirecting fluid around the velocity tube 75 through channel 228 to the trough 236. The bypass valve 252 also includes a cam shaft 254 (off-center of the bypass valve in the direction out of the page) engaging a sleeve 256 that controls the spray width of the nozzle assembly by restricting movement of the wobble plate 46. As the bypass valve 252 is rotated, the cam shaft 254 lowers the sleeve 256 so that the annular ledge 258 comes into contact with the wobble plate 46 limiting the degree of wobble and, consequently, narrowing the spray width. Further lowering of the sleeve may freeze the wobble plate and provide a high impact fluid flow.

[0097] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly as in Figure 28, except that the sleeve 266 has a ledge 268 disposed below the wobble plate 46. As the bypass valve 262 rotated, the cam 264 is made to raise the sleeve 266 so that the ledge 268 comes into contact with the wobble plate 46, thereby limiting the nozzle assembly's range of movement and narrowing the spray width.

[0098] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 270 having a spray width adjustment ring 272 below the wobble plate 274. As the adjustment ring 272 is turned clockwise, the adjustment ring 272 is drawn towards the ring 276 via threaded engagement and the range of movement of the wobble plate 274 is limited. All surfaces of the spray head assembly 270 contacted by the wobble plate 274 are preferably angled towards a common point 278 in order to keep the post 279 centered within the channel 277.

[0099] Figure 31 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 280 having a bypass valve 282 (of any known type) for directing water from the chamber 43 around the velocity tube 75 to the nozzle assembly for achieving a soft wash.

[0100] Figure 32 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 290 having a wobble inducing member 292, a wobble limiting member 294 and a nozzle 296. Fluid is delivered from the chamber 43 through holes 293 and channel 295 to an external surface of the nozzle 296. Additionally, a bypass valve 282 is included to provide a low velocity softwash stream to the channel 295.

[0101] Figure 33 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 300 that is substantially similar to the spray head assembly of Figure 19 except for the addition of a softwash bypass valve 282 delivering fluid into communication with the spray nozzle outlet channels 286. The outlet channels 286 are preferably directed so that the fluid exiting the channels 286 will mix with the fluid exiting outlet channels 78, but only after the two fluid streams have exited the nozzle 288.

[0102] Figure 34 is a cross-sectional side view of a spray head assembly 310 having an impact (velocity) adjustment assembly disposed downstream of the velocity tube 75. The impact adjustment assembly 312 includes a needle valve 314 that may be positioned into the velocity tube 75 or other orifice to provide a greater flow restriction and an increase in the velocity of fluid passing therethrough. As shown in Figure 34, the assembly 310 may be provided with a convenient gripping member 316 for stopping the wobble of the nozzle assembly while the needle valve 314 position is adjusted. The gripping member 316 is shown as an annular ring that is urged upward by a compressed spring 318. A handle 320 is provided to allow the user to pull the gripping member 316 downward until the gripping surfaces 322 contact the outer surface of the spray housing 324 and secure the nozzle assembly in a stationary position. The tab 326 on the end of the needle valve 314 may then be held between the users fingers and turned. Because the needle valve 314 is threaded through the center of the deflector 328, the valve 314 can be advanced and retracted to obtain a desired degree of fluid impact. It is preferred that the threads be made sufficiently tight to secure the needle valve position despite prolonged wobbling or vibration of the nozzle assembly.

[0103] While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.

I. Additional Spray Head Assemblies Including a Chamber

[0104] The present invention provides an apparatus with a moving nozzle that delivers fluid for use in various applications, such as, but not limited to, whirlpool baths or showers. The movement of the nozzle may include a wobbling motion, a rotational motion, an arcuate motion, an oscillating motion or a combination of these motions. The movement of the nozzle is powered by disposing a wobble inducing member, such as a wobble turbine, in the path of the fluid supply inside a housing. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the wobble turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine imparts movement to the nozzle in accordance with a defined arcuate path. Movement of the nozzle, or at least redirection of the nozzle outlet, provides a more satisfying whirlpool bath experience than many stationary nozzles. An advantage of the unique design of the wobble turbine is that it does not include complex mechanical parts or cause significant flow restrictions.

[0105] One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus with a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine that is directly engaged with the nozzle. The nozzle may have any number of outlet channels, but preferably has less than about five outlet channels and most preferably has only one or two outlet channels directing the fluid at the same or different angles. The wobble turbine is preferably mounted on a post positioned inside a sleeve or track, where the top conical surface of the wobble turbine faces the water inlet. Because the post has a smaller diameter than the inside surface of the sleeve or track, the number of rotations the turbine must take for each wobble acts to reduce or control the speed of the wobble. The sleeve can form an oval receptacle that causes a flattening of the angle of rotation of the nozzle in accordance with an axis of the oval. Optionally, air may be introduced into the flow path of the water as it passes through or as it exits the apparatus to provide an aerated jet of water for contacting the skin. It should be recognized that when the detailed description of the invention discusses a wobble inducing member having a post and a nozzle assembly having a sleeve, the scope of the present invention and each of the embodiments disclosed also includes the wobble turbine having a sleeve and a nozzle assembly having a post. In fact, aspects of the present invention may be operable in combination with other coupling members that are capable of supporting the wobble inducing member while allowing it to wobble and rotate.

[0106] Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus that may include more than one outlet channel, but preferably has two outlet channels at opposing angles to the centreline of the apparatus. In this arrangement, a wobble turbine is loosely received in a sleeve that is attached to the nozzle, so that as the wobble turbine wobbles, the nozzle wobbles. Because the nozzle is wobbling independent of the wobble turbine, the distribution or coverage of fluid over a surface is extremely uniform. The opening in the housing through which the nozzle assembly is received has a slightly larger diameter than the nozzle assembly such that the difference in the diameter can be used to determine the rotational speed of the nozzle.

[0107] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a wobble limiting member. Optionally, the wobble limiting member can be adjusted manually by the user to obtain the desired jet from the apparatus. The speed of the wobble can be adjusted by allowing the wobble turbine to tilt more or less. The degree of tilt affects the radius of the wobble turbine at which the water stream strikes. A small tilt will result in a higher rotations per minute (rpm) than a large tilt for any turbine having a given cone angle, surface area and groove angle/size.

[0108] Wobble limiting members in accordance with the present invention may be formed in a variety of configurations to define the travel of the wobble inducing member. These wobble limiting members include, but are not limited to, tracks, walls, plates, slots, sleeves or cylinders, posts. The invention utilizes any of a number of combinations of wobble limiting members and wobble inducing members or even portions of wobble inducing members. Exemplary combinations include (a) a turbine post limited by a sleeve (See Figure 35), (b) a nozzle post limited by a cylinder (See Figures 42 and 43), and (c) a turbine body limited by the chamber wall (See Figure 38). However, these and other combinations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure and are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0109] While the wobble inducing member may be coupled, held or otherwise secured to a nozzle, it is generally preferred not to integrate or affix the wobble inducing member to the nozzle. Especially, the nozzle has an end that is proximal to the wobble inducing member. It is preferred that this proximal end of the nozzle and the wobble inducing member receive each other in a loose male-female relationship, especially where the proximal end and the wobble inducing member can easily slide or pivot into the appropriate relationship without restriction. One especially preferred arrangement is a post and sleeve relationship in which a cylindrical post (male) is received within a cylindrical sleeve (female), where the outer diameter of the post is less than the inner diameter of the sleeve. Alternatively, the post may form a frusto-conical surface (male) received within a frusto-conical sleeve (female), where the frusto-conical angle of the post is less than the frusto-conical angle of the sleeve. It should be recognized that the post may be part of the nozzle assembly and the sleeve may be part of the wobble inducing member, or vice versa. It is preferred to design the post and sleeve with sufficient tolerances therebetween so that the wobble inducing member can wobble in relation to the nozzle assembly without binding. Furthermore, it is most preferred to utilize a wobble inducing member having a conical or frusto-conical post of a first diameter received in a conical or frusto-conical sleeve of the nozzle assembly. Examples of various wobbling spray head assemblies that can be adapted for use in the present invention are described in US-6, 092, 739 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0110] Another embodiment or aspect of the invention provides a fluid powered motor capable of driving various devices, such as a nozzle assembly, moving sprinker or a secondary pump. This motor is especially useful in applications requiring a low output speed, because the complexity of reduction gears would probably be unnecessary. The motor is provided by a wobble inducing member in a post/sleeve relationship with a drive assembly or nozzle assembly, wherein the wobble of the drive assembly or nozzle assembly is limited or constrained by a wobble limiting member. While the wobbling of the drive assembly is limited, the drive assembly is still allowed to rotate within the wobble limiting member and the drive assembly forms a motor output shaft. The wobble limiting member is preferably a slot (engaging a wobble plate on the drive assembly or nozzle assembly), a plate (engaging a wobble slot in the drive assembly or nozzle assembly), or a cylinder (engaging a post on the drive assembly or nozzle assembly). The wobble limiting member should engage the drive or nozzle assembly within certain dimensional tolerances to restrict the degree of wobble (the maximum angle away from the central axis) imparted to the assembly. While the degree of wobble that can be tolerated is expected to be dependent upon the intended use of the motor output, the degree of wobble should generally be less than a five (5) degree angle off center, preferably less than a two (2) degree angle off center. It should be recognized that the motor output shaft may be coupled to any device without limitation, whether that device is integral to the shaft (such as an off-center drive pin), in a loose-fitting engagement with the shaft, coupled to the shaft, or in a temporary or conditional attachment to the shaft. One preferred motor shaft includes a fluid passage therethrough to form a nozzle assembly. Another preferred motor shaft engages a separate nozzle assembly in any known manner to provide a simple (circular, oscillating or reciprocating, etc.) or complex (elliptical, sweeping, etc.) motion of the nozzle assembly. Such a separate nozzle assembly is preferably supported in the housing on an axle or a ball and socket type attachment extending through the center of the assembly. The nozzle assembly can be a spherical or cylindrical shape and a drive slot in the assembly can be designed to produce the desired flow pattern exiting the nozzle.

[0111] Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus that may include more than one outlet channel, preferably at least one channel is aligned with the centerline of the apparatus, with the remaining channels positioned at opposing angles to the centerline of the apparatus. In addition, the chamber surrounding the wobble turbine and nozzle assembly is not required to be much larger than the nozzle assembly itself. The reduced size provides for efficient channeling of the fluid with very little loss of velocity, making this design useful for areas with low water pressure.

[0112] In an alternative embodiment, the wobble turbine is fixed to the nozzle assembly. The wobble turbine rotates in response to fluid flowing into the chamber and the fluid flows out of the nozzle assembly to provide a uniform flow pattern. This design is particularly useful in areas with low water pressure, because the water entering the nozzle can be made to lift the wobble turbine/nozzle assembly up out of the collar or slot, thus allowing the whole assembly to rotate easily.

[0113] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wobble turbine and post are attached to a nozzle that has a combination or both high and low pressure chambers. The water flows off of the wobble turbine and through the post as described above, however, the water then flows into a high pressure chamber having high pressure outlets which emit small droplets of water at high speeds. A portion of the water is directed to a low pressure chamber through a flow control member, the chamber having low pressure outlets, where larger, low velocity water droplets exit the nozzle. The large and small droplets preferably exit the nozzle at different speeds, thus producing two patterns of droplets that provide the bather with uniform coverage and a satisfying flow rate of water.

[0114] It should be recognized that the apparatus of the present invention, and the individual components thereof, may be made from any known materials that are resistant to chemical and thermal attack by the fluid passing therethrough. Where the fluid is water, the apparatus or components of the apparatus are preferably made from one or more injection moldable or extrudable plastic or polymer materials, most preferably an acetal resin such as DELRIN (a trademark of Du Pont de Nemours, E.I. 7 Co. of Wilmington, Delaware). The apparatus may also include components made from metals or metal alloys, such as stainless steel. Other and further materials suitable for use in the present invention should be apparent to one of skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0115] Figure 43 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1044 has a housing 1046 for holding a wobble turbine 1048 similar to that shown in Figure 53. However, the wobble turbine 1048 is loosely received in a sleeve 1050 which is part of the nozzle assembly 1052. The housing 1046 forms a chamber 1054 with an inlet 1056 positioned upstream from the wobble turbine 1048. The floor or distal end 1058 of the housing downstream of the wobble turbine forms a collar, hole or opening 1060 therethrough for slidably receiving the nozzle assembly 1052, which has a nozzle 1062 extending beyond the collar 1060 and a sleeve 1050 for supporting the wobble turbine 1048.

[0116] The wobble turbine 1048 has a conical upper surface 1064 that is attached to a post 1066. The upper surface 1064 of the wobble turbine 1048 preferably extends radially beyond post 1066 to form an annular overhang. The outer diameter of the post 1066 is smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 1050 such that when the wobble turbine wobbles within the sleeve, the wobbling motion is translated to the nozzle 1052.

[0117] The nozzle assembly 1052 provides an elongated portion having an annular shoulder portion 1070 that rests on an optional washer or bearing 1072. The elongated portion of the nozzle assembly has fluid inlets 1074 positioned above the annular shoulder 1070 and fluid inlets 1078 positioned below the shoulder 1070. The elongated portion further forms a passage 1068 providing fluid communication between the inlet(s) 1074 and 1078 and the nozzle 1062. The inlets 1074 are preferably a plurality of channels that extend through the wall of the nozzle, preferably angled downwardly from the top of the housing 1046 toward the floor 1050 of the housing. The inlets 1078 preferably extend through the wall of the nozzle assembly, preferably angled downward and towards the centreline of the nozzle assembly 1052. The nozzle 1062 may provide one or more, preferably two, outlet channels 1080 in fluid communication with the passage 1068. The outlet channels are most preferably angled away from each other off the centreline of the nozzle assembly 1052.

[0118] The opening 1060 has a slightly larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the nozzle assembly 1052 that extends therethrough. This difference in diameter acts to control the speed of rotation of the nozzle assembly 1052. For example, if the inner diameter of the opening 1060 is 13mm (0.51 inches) and the outer diameter of the nozzle assembly is 12.7mm (0.5 inches), with each 360° wobble of the wobble turbine 1048, and hence one wobble of the nozzle assembly, then the nozzle assembly will rotate 0.798mm (0.0314 inches) or 1/50^th of its circumference in a direction opposite the wobble, resulting in one complete revolution for every fifty wobbles. In this example, if the wobble turbine 1048 is wobbling at 1800 rpm, then the nozzle assembly 1052 would rotate at about 36 rpm.

[0119] The flow of water into the housing 1046 can be regulated by a needle valve 1082 or a gate valve. In addition, the water flow can be aerated by drawing air into the housing through port 1084.

[0120] Figure 44 is a sectional view of an apparatus 1083 similar to that shown in Figure 43, in which like numerals label similar elements. The wobble turbine 1048 is loosely received in a sleeve 1050 which is part of the nozzle assembly 1052. The housing 1046 forms a chamber 1054 with an inlet 1056 positioned upstream from the wobble turbine 1048. The floor 1058 of the housing forms a collar, hole or opening 1060 therethrough for slidably receiving the nozzle assembly 1052, which has a nozzle 1062 position outside the housing and the sleeve 1050 for supporting the wobble turbine 1048 inside the housing. The nozzle assembly 1052 forms an annular shoulder 1070 that is positioned in an adjustable slot 1088. The width of the slot 1088 can be adjusted by moving plate 1087 up or down thereby limiting the wobble speed of the wobble turbine and in turn the wobble speed and tilt of the nozzle assembly 1052. Decreasing the width of the slot (shown here as the vertical distance of the slot 1088 between the floor 1058 and plate 1087) will result in a small tilt on the nozzle assembly 1052 and a high RPM, where increasing the width of the slot will result in a greater tilt and lower RPM for the nozzle assembly.

[0121] Figure 45 is a sectional view of an alternative apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus 1090 provides a housing 1092 for holding a wobble turbine 1094 and a nozzle assembly 1096. The housing 1092 forms a chamber 1098 with a fluid inlet 1100 positioned upstream of the wobble turbine 1094. The housing 1092 has a floor 1102 that defines an opening 1104 therethrough for supporting the nozzle assembly 1096. The wobble turbine 1094 is slidably received in a sleeve 1108 having an open upper end. The housing 1092 has a support member 1110 attached thereto, where the support member 1110 defines a bore 1112 therethrough for slidably receiving the lower end of the sleeve 1108. The lower end of the sleeve 1108 has a drive pin 1114 extending therefrom that is positioned off centre of the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 1108.

[0122] The nozzle assembly 1096 defines an opening or drive slot 1116 therein for receiving the drive pin 1114, so that when the wobble turbine 1094 wobbles the wobble motion is converted to a rotary motion that is translated to the nozzle assembly 1096 through the drive pin 1114. The nozzle assembly is fixed to the housing about axle 1097 allowing a side to side movement to the nozzle outlet 1120. A ball and socket joint may also be used to fix the nozzle assembly to the housing thereby allowing a circular or arcuate movement of the nozzle outlet 1120. Alternatively, the shape of the drive slot 1116 can be designed to produce an oscillating side to side pattern or an oval shaped fluid pattern exiting the nozzle. It should be recognized that the wobble/sleeve/support/ drive pin assembly may be considered to be a water powered motor which may drive any number of devices known to those skilled in the art.

[0123] The nozzle assembly 1096 defines a fluid passage that is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid inlets 1118 inside the housing and a fluid outlet channel 1120 outside the housing 1092. The fluid inlets 1118 preferably extend through the wall of the nozzle assembly 1096 at a slight angle. The nozzle assembly 1096 can be spherical, round, elliptical or oval in shape depending on the desired flow pattern of water exiting the nozzle or fluid outlet channel 1120.

[0124] In use, water contacts the top of the wobble turbine 1094 causing it to wobble within the sleeve 1108. The sleeve 1108 in turn wobbles, generating rotation from its contact with support member 1110, moving the drive pin 1114 in a generally circular motion where the center of the drive pin is not in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 1108. As shown in Figure 56, the wobbling sleeve 1108 acts as a motor to rock the nozzle assembly 1096 in a back and forth motion about the axle 1097 to produce a sweeping pattern of water exiting the nozzle 1120.

[0125] The water flow can be aerated by delivering air into the chamber through a port. The water flow into the chamber may be restricted by activating a needle valve shown or a gate valve as discussed previously.

[0126] Figure 46 is a sectional view of a movable jet outlet that could be used in the nozzle assembly in place of the outlet channels 1080 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The end of the nozzle assembly 1052 can be adapted to receive an outlet jet 1081 having a plurality of outlet channels extending therethrough. The outlet jet 1081 may form a ball secured in a socket so that the angular position of the outlet jet 1081 may then be adjusted by the user with their hands. Preferably, the ball is secured in the socket under sufficient friction to avoid relative slippage during use, but may be easily adjusted by a user. The outlet channels formed in the two independent hemispheres of the ball can be positioned at a diverging angle from one another as shown in Figure 2 or at essentially parallel to one another. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the multitude of usable angles for the outlet channels.

[0127] Figure 47 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 1156 has a housing 1158 for holding a wobble turbine 1160 similar to that shown in Figure 1. However, the wobble turbine 1160 is loosely received in a sleeve 1162 which is part of the nozzle assembly 1164. The housing 1158 forms a chamber 1166 with an inlet 1168 positioned upstream from the wobble turbine 1160. The floor or distal end 1170 of the housing forms a collar, hole or opening 1172 therethrough for slidably receiving the nozzle assembly 1164, which has a nozzle 1174 communicating outside the housing and the sleeve 1162 for supporting the wobble turbine 1160 inside the housing.

[0128] The wobble turbine 1160 has a conical upper surface 1176 like the one described in Figure 1, that is attached to a post 1178. The upper surface 1176 of the wobble turbine 1160 preferably extends beyond post 1178 to form an annular overhang. The outer diameter of the slightly frusto-conical post 1178 is smaller than the inner diameter of the frusto-conical surface of the sleeve 1162 such that when the wobble turbine wobbles within the sleeve, the wobbling motion is translated to the nozzle assembly 1164.

[0129] The nozzle assembly 1164 provides an annular shoulder portion 1180 that rests on the floor of the housing, fluid inlets 1182 positioned above the annular shoulder 1180, and forms a passage 1184 in fluid communication with the inlet(s) 1182 and the nozzle 1174. The inlets 1182 preferably form a plurality of channels that extend through the wall of the nozzle. The nozzle has a plurality of outlet channels 1186, in fluid communication with the passage 1184. Preferably, one of the outlet channels 1186 is in alignment with the centerline of the nozzle assembly and the remaining outlet channels are angled away from each other off the centerline of the nozzle assembly 1164.

[0130] The opening or collar 1172 has a slightly larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the nozzle assembly 1164. This difference in diameter acts to control the speed of rotation of the nozzle assembly 1164.

[0131] The water inside the housing 1158 may exit down the nozzle between the nozzle and the collar 1172, causing a random spray emitted from the nozzle assembly. In order to prevent a pressure build-up by the water between the collar and the nozzle, a groove 1188 can be formed in the nozzle assembly 1164. Therefore, when the water flows down the outside of the nozzle, the groove will relieve the pressure and allow the water to pass along the outer surface of the nozzle to join the fluid exiting channels 1186.

[0132] Figure 48 is a sectional view of an apparatus 1157 similar to that shown in Figure 47, where similar parts bear the same number. In this embodiment, a groove 1190 can be formed in the collar 1172 to achieve the same result as in the apparatus shown in Figure 47. In addition, the groove may be fitted with a sealing element 1191 such as an o-ring etc. to keep the water from exiting. The tip of the nozzle 1174 may be made from or covered with a resilient material 1175 such as rubber, so that the nozzle tip can be flexed to break up and remove lime or other mineral deposits easily.

[0133] Figure 49 is a sectional view of an apparatus 1200 similar to that shown in Figure 47, where similar parts bear the same number. The apparatus 1200 has a housing 1158 for holding a wobble turbine 1160. The wobble turbine 1160 is loosely received in a sleeve 1162 that is part of the nozzle assembly 1164. The floor 1170 of the housing forms a collar, hole or opening 1172 therethrough for slidably receiving the nozzle assembly 1164, which has a nozzle 1174 extending through the housing and the sleeve 1162 for supporting the wobble turbine 1160 inside the housing. The nozzle assembly also includes in a sleeve 1202 forming an annular shoulder 1204 that rests against the floor 1170 of the housing. The sleeve 1202 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the collar 1172, such that the sleeve 1202 and the nozzle assembly 1164 are free to rotate within the collar. The nozzle assembly forms a plurality of fluid inlets 1206 that are connected to a plurality of outlets 1208 via passages 1210.

[0134] When fluid is supplied to the housing through inlet 1168, the fluid pressure pushes down on the wobble turbine 1176, compressing spring 1204 and pushing the nozzle 1174 downward so that the fluid outlets 1208 extend past the lower end 1214 of the sleeve 1202 and release the fluid. When the fluid flow is turned off, the spring 1204 forces the nozzle upward, pulling the outlets 1208 into the sleeve 1202 to prevent lime or other mineral deposits from forming on the nozzle outlets 1208. With the proper configuration of fluid inlets 1206 this action may also serve to regulate flow as to be constant even when line pressures may vary.

[0135] The collar 1172 may also form a groove 1216, similar to the one shown in Figure 47, to release water pressure and prevent random sprays. The sleeve 1202 may also have a groove to achieve the same purpose as groove 1216.

[0136] Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus 1270 of the present invention. The apparatus 1270 has a housing 1272 for holding a wobble turbine 1274. The housing 1272 forms a chamber 1276 with an inlet 1278 positioned upstream from the wobble turbine 1274. The floor 1280 of the housing 1272 forms a collar, hole or opening 1282 therethrough for slidably receiving a post 1284 which is fixed to the wobble turbine 1274 inside the housing 1272, and a nozzle 1286 outside the housing 1272. The post 1284 is held in a wobbling relationship within the opening 1282 by an annular shoulder 1288 that allows the post 1284 to tilt and rotate within the opening 1282. This embodiment employs wobble-limiting, rotation-generating wall contact where that the sleeve extension of the post 1284 makes contact and the wall extends inwardly and forms a contact surface 1285, such as a high friction or pliable surface like an O-ring or other suitable structure.

[0137] The wobble turbine 1274 has a conical upper surface and is similar to the wobble turbine shown in Figure 48. The post 1284 provides passage 1290 in fluid communication between fluid inlet 1292 and the nozzle 1286. It should be noted that the particular wobble turbine 1274 shown here is not limiting in that any of the wobble turbine/post configurations shown herein may be used.

[0138] The nozzle 1286 has a high pressure chamber 1294 that is in fluid communication with the passage 1290 and a plurality of high pressure outlet channels 1296. The high pressure chamber 1294 defines an opening 1298 that is in fluid communication with a low pressure chamber 1300. The low pressure chamber 1300 has low pressure outlet channels 1302. A portion of the water flows through the high pressure chamber 1294 to the low pressure chamber 1300, where it exits the nozzle at a lower pressure than the water exiting the high pressure chamber, thus forming large droplets. The water exiting the high pressure outlet channels 1296 forms smaller droplets than the water exiting the low pressure outlet channels 1302.

[0139] Therefore, fluid follows a pathway by entering the chamber 1276 through the inlet 1278, passing over the wobble turbine 1274, entering through inlet 1292 into the passage 1290 in the post 1284. The fluid then exits the nozzle 1286 through either the high pressure outlet channels 1296 or the low pressure outlet channels 1302. In operation, a fluid source under pressure is in communication with the inlet 1278 in the housing 1272. The pressure from the water entering the housing 1272 exerts forces on the post 1284 pushing the post 1284 downward and allowing the turbine to wobble. The turbine 1274 wobbles due to the fluid flowing over the upper surface of the wobble turbine 1274. Once the chamber is substantially filled with water, water therein enters the inlet in the post and flows through a passage in the post to the outlet channels in the nozzle. This design is especially useful for use with high pressure water streams to produce low and high pressure droplets providing an overall uniform shower for bathing and the like. The lower velocity, large droplets help to remove any pulsing feel of the high pressure droplets because they are out of sync with the high pressure droplets.

[0140] Figures 51, 51A and 52 are cross-sectional views of two alternative coupling designs that may be used to harness the roto-nutational movement of the motor output shaft or nozzle assembly 1164 and use that movement to turn a gear or shaft, respectively, having a true rotational axis. In both Figure 51 and 52, the housing 1158, the wobble turbine 1160 and the nozzle assembly 1164 are essentially the same as in apparatus 1157 of Figure 8, and like reference numerals are used in reference to similar elements. The differences between motors 1310 and 1330, on the one hand, and the apparatus 1157, on the other hand, are directed to additional members attached to the nozzle assembly 1164 in place of the nozzle 1174 and additional member attached to the floor of the housing 1158.

[0141] In Figure 51, the nozzle assembly 1164 has an extended post 1312 engaged with a "universal" type joint providing at least two degree of freedom that can accommodate the wobbling motion of the nozzle assembly 1164. A pin 1314 is pivotally engaged through the side of the post 1312, or alternatively pivotally attached to the side of the post 1312. The outermost ends of the pin 1314 are pivotally engaged with an annular ring 1316 having dual tabs 1318 extending radially therefrom. The tabs 1318, in turn, are pivotally engaged with another annular ring 1320 having pilot holes 1322 therethrough. The annular ring 1320 is maintained in true axial alignment by a cylindrical bearing 1324 affixed to the bottom of the floor 1170 of the housing 1158. The ring 1320 may then be coupled to or include various drive means, including gear teeth 1326 disposed around the perimeter of the ring.

[0142] In Figure 52, the nozzle assembly 1164 has a shortened post 1332 having a central opening 1333 therein. A shaft 1334 is maintained in true axial alignment by a cylindrical bearing 1336 affixed to the floor 1170 of the housing 1158. The shaft 1334 includes a post 1338 that extends into the opening 1333. The post 1338 includes dual tabs 1340 extending radially therefrom into a slots 1342 formed within the opening 1333 of the nozzle assembly 1164. It is an important aspect of the invention that the motor 1330 is driven by fluid that does not exit through a nozzle, but rather exits through a separate port 1344 and, depending upon the application, may need no chamber at all. Such a separate port may also be incorporated in the housing 1158 of Figure 51, preferably with the post 1312 being plugged.

CHAMBERLESS DESIGNS

[0143] The present invention provides a fluid discharging apparatus that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the apparatus is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by supporting a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply with a body member, perhaps including frames, beams, a housing, and/or other structural members. Unlike typical aperture-based nozzles, the body does not need to contain pressure or be fluid tight and may, in fact, be substantially open. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the wobble turbine to rotate and wobble. The wobbling turbine then effects the direction of the spray pattern exiting the spray nozzle, distributing the fluid in a rotating pattern about the axis of the apparatus. The distributed stream of fluid coming off the wobble turbine is intercepted by a deflector and redirected downward. The pitch of the wobble turbine and the deflector are chosen to minimize the fluid stream's loss of momentum. In accordance with the invention, the deflector may be provided in any suitable manner, such as an integral part of the body or wobble turbine or as a separate component altogether.

[0144] The spray pattern produced by the wobbling turbine changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths over time rather than continuously at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble turbine does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions. For certain applications, it may be desirable to incorporate dividers onto the deflector in order to split the flow of fluid into a plurality of discrete fluid streams.

[0145] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a fluid discharging apparatus with a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine that causes the body or housing that supports the wobble inducing member or turbine to also wobble. More particularly, the wobble inducing member is positioned in loose contact with the body or housing of the apparatus, thus reducing the number of parts necessary to achieve such motion and increasing the ability of the apparatus to produce a desired spray width and pattern, such as for a residential shower or faucet. The fluid is distributed off the surface of the wobble turbine in a rotating pattern and then travels without flow restriction over the deflector downward to the outlet of the apparatus, which outlet may be substantially open or may include non-restrictive dividers or channels of any number and configuration. As used herein, the term "downward" or "downwardly" means that the fluid distributed off the wobble turbine at a first angle relative to the axial centerline of the fluid inlet is deflected so that the fluid changes its direction to a second smaller angle relative to the axial centerline of the fluid inlet.

[0146] While the wobble turbine may conceivable distribute fluid at a first angle that is anything less than 90 degrees, the turbine should distribute fluid at an angle less than 60 degrees from axial, preferably less than 45 degrees from axial, and most preferably between about 30 and about 40 degree from axial. The deflector should receive or intercept the distributed fluid from the turbine with a surface angled similar to the first angle at which the fluid is distributed off the turbine. Further, while the deflector may redirect the fluid at many angles, even angles toward the axial centerline instead of angles away from axial, the deflector should have a smooth, gradually changing slope to redirect fluid into a tighter fluid discharging pattern than a given turbine would have otherwise provided. Preferably, the deflector will redirect the fluid at an angle within about +/- 20 degrees of a line parallel to the axial centerline, and even more preferably the deflector will redirect fluid at two or more angles, such as having twelve channels 66 with four of them angled at 0 degrees and the other eight angles at 10 degrees. It should be recognized that since the turbine wobbles and certain embodiments of the deflector will wobble either dependent or independent of the wobble turbine that the relative angles and combinations of angles of the turbine and deflector are constantly changing and are further dependent upon the degree of wobble allowed by the design of their connections, i.e., a post and sleeve dimensions or an annular wobble plate and space limiting member, etc. Finally, the turbine and deflector surfaces are preferably concave in order to achieve a gradual transition of the direction in which the water stream is going with no more than minimial loss of momentum and without excessive splashing or misting of the water.

[0147] Preferably, the wobble inducing member or wobble turbine is disposed in direct engagement or contact with the body of the apparatus. More particularly, the body member supports the wobble turbine in an axially spaced relationship with the fluid inlet, whether that support entails a mechanical linkage, such as a flexible connector or ball and cage type arrangement, or a loose male-female relationship, such as the most preferred post and sleeve relationship. The term "post and sleeve relationship", as used herein, includes any of a number of configurations where a post (male connector), forming an outer cylindrical, conical or frustoconical surface, is received loosely within a sleeve (female connector), forming a inner cylindrical, conical or frustoconical surface, to allow the wobbling to occur therebetween. The bottom surface of the post is preferably rounded or otherwise formed to minimize friction and binding between the members. It should be recognized that the sleeve may be formed as an integral part of the body or housing and the post may be part of the wobble inducing member or vice versa. It is preferred to design the post and sleeve with sufficient tolerances therebetween so that the wobble inducing member can wobble in relation to the body or housing without binding. Furthermore, it is most preferred to utilize a post and sleeve relationship having a conical or frustoconical surface on atleast a portion of the post with a first diameter for rolling engagement with a conical or frustoconical surface on atleast a portion of the sleeve having a slightly greater diameter supported in an axial spaced relationship with the fluid outlet. The conical or frustoconical surfaces should have a common apex in order to for the surfaces to come into full rolling contact.

[0148] The wobble turbine may be supported by the body, frame or housing of the apparatus in any configuration, but is preferably support with a series of thin fins, preferably three or four, extending radially from the body, frame or housing wall positioned below the outlet channels. The use of thin fins is generally sufficient to support the wobble turbine without providing any significant restriction to the overall flow of fluid. Alternatively, the wobble turbine may be supported by a single arm extending along one side of the apparatus.

[0149] The apparatus has exhibited the ability to operate with a reduced water flowrate while providing a satisfying stream of water that is particularly useful in a sink faucet. Because of the wobbling action, the distribution or coverage of fluid discharged out of the apparatus onto a surface is extremely uniform and may be characterized as a roto-nutational fluid distribution as set out in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 09/115,362, which is incorporated herein by reference. Therefore, the distribution pattern allows the apparatus to have fewer and less restrictive channels having greater cross-sectional area that is less likely to become restricted or plugged with lime, other minerals or particles.

[0150] Whereas the degree of wobbling may be limited by the tolerances between a post and sleeve or between a wobble plate and a space limiting member, the apparatus may optionally further include an active wobble limiting member. An active wobble limiting member, such as a tracking ring, operates as a self centering mechanism for the wobble turbine.

[0151] It should be recognized that the apparatus of the present invention, and the individual components thereof, may be made from any known materials, preferably those materials that are resistant to chemical and thermal attack by the fluid passing therethrough. Where the fluid is water, the preferred materials include plastics, such as one or more injection moldable or extrudable polymer materials, most preferably an acetal resin, and metals or metal alloys, such as stainless steel. Other and further materials suitable for use in the present invention should be apparent to one of skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0152] Figures 36 to 38 are top views of various conical top surfaces 558 of a turbine 554. The top surface 558 of the wobble turbine 554 is illustrated having vanes 560 formed in a non-radial configuration. It should be noted that fluid flow impacting upon the wobble turbine will push the wobble turbine aside into a tilted position so that the centre point of the wobble turbine is substantially out of the stream of fluid from the inlet and only one side of the wobble turbine is aligned with the fluid stream at any point in time. Each of the vanes 560 formed in the upper surface of the wobble turbine 54 are non-radial and cause the wobble turbine 554 to orbit around the fluid inlet 550 as fluid flows against the vanes 560. The non-radial vanes 560, the conical surface and the loose relationship between the post and the sleeve ensure that when fluid flows against the top of the wobble turbine 554 under pressure (even low pressure), the wobble turbine will tilt off centre and start to wobble. Especially, the fluid striking the conical surface 558 of the turbine causes a tilting force and the fluid passing through the vanes 560 causes rotational forces. Therefore, the fluid stream passing through the inlet causes the wobble turbine to wobble.

[0153] Once the wobbling motion begins, the continued flow of water maintains the wobble turbine in a wobbling mode. Furthermore, the flow of fluid also causes a hold down force which pushes downward on the turbine, tending to keep the turbine from being displaced from its cooperative relationship with the sleeve. Therefore, it is preferred that the angle of the conical surface 558 be sufficiently great to produce at least a slight tilting force even when the turbine is already fully tilted, yet not so great as to cause the turbine to pull up and out of contact with the sleeve. It should be recognized that each of the embodiments of Figures 36 through 39 may be equally effective if the wobble turbine comprises a sleeve (instead of a post) and the spray housing comprises a post (instead of a sleeve) for engaging the wobble turbine sleeve.

[0154] For any given wobble turbine, the wobble rate or speed may be increased (or decreased) by increasing (or decreasing) the flow rate of fluid through the spray head. However, it is possible to design the wobble turbine to have a faster or lower wobble rate for a given fluid flow rate by changing the angle or pitch of the grooves or vanes of the wobble turbine or by changing the relative dimensions of the post and sleeve or other like wobbling and wobble limiting members.

[0155] Referring to Figure 36, a wobble turbine may be designed to have a generally slower wobble rate by decreasing the pitch and depth of the vanes, i.e., designing the vanes 560 at a small angle, β, from radial. Similarly, the wobble turbine may be designed to have a faster wobble rate by increasing the pitch of the vanes , i.e., designing the vanes 560 at a larger angle, δ, from radial, shown in Figure 37. Furthermore, the number or spacing and size or vanes may also be modified to customize a wobble rate, as shown in Figure 38 where the vanes 560 are far apart allowing a significant portion of the water to pass over the turbine without impacting one of the thin vanes 600 and, therefore, providing less angular momentum to the turbine.

[0156] Figure 39 is a bottom view of a spray head showing the outlet channels of the housing. While the outlet channels may be provided in any manner known in the art, a preferred set of outlet channels 604 are defined by a plurality of ribs or dividers 606 connected to the inner surface 610 of the spray housing 542. Four fins 608 are attached to the housing 543 and extend radially inward to support the sleeve 570. It is preferred to direct a minor portion of the outlet channels 604 at a lesser angle to the axis of the spray housing 542 in order to provide more even spray pattern or coverage over an object at a short distance from the spray head, such as a person taking a shower. Lesser angle outlet channels are preferably formed at spaced intervals around the perimeter of the spray nozzle or at locations radially inward toward the central axis of the spray housing (not shown).

[0157] Figures 40 and 41 are sectional views of an apparatus 620 in which the wobble turbine 622 defines a bore 624 extending through the top of the turbine 558 and through the post 556, preferably along the central axis of the turbine. The lower end of the sleeve 546 defines an opening 626 therein. A valve element 628 is disposed at the lower end of the sleeve 546 and acts to change the flow of the water exiting the shower head assembly 620. The valve element may take any number of forms, including plug valves, needle valves, butterfly valves, gate valves and the like, but is shown here as a manual gate valve or sliding element 628. When the sliding element 628 is in an open condition, the water flows through the bore 624 in the wobble turbine 622 and out the opening 626 in the sleeve 546. This flow pattern provides a compact stream of water that is useful for cleaning a razor, toothbrush or other object. As shown in Figure 41, when the sliding element is in a closed condition the water is forced to flow over the turbine and out through the outlet channels 566. Alternatively, the inside surface 548 near the lower end of the sleeve 546 may taper inwardly so that when the sliding element 628 is in an open condition, the turbine drops slightly to be secured by the housing, such as by the sleeve gripping the post and/or the housing securely engaging the underneath side of the wobble turbine head. It should be noted that any of the embodiments shown herein may be adapted to use a similar wobble turbine having a bore therethrough and a valve element to provide a narrow stream of water out of the apparatus.

[0158] Figure 42 is a cross-sectional side view of an apparatus 640 in which the sleeve 546 is supported from the fluid inlet 550 by a cage or cradle element 642. The wobble turbine 622 is similar to the one shown in Figure 14, with a bore 624 extending therethrough. The cage 642 supports the sleeve 546 such that the cage and sleeve do not move when the wobble turbine 622 and the housing 642 are moving. The cage 642 comprises arms 646 that are attached to the fluid inlet 550 and the sleeve 546. The arms 646 have a thin cross-section so they do not interfere with the water flow exiting the assembly 640. A wobble limiting ring 648 for limiting the wobble of the turbine 622 extends from the water inlet 50 to a point just above the wobble turbine 622, so that the conical top surface of the wobble turbine can contact the inside surface of the ring 648. The degree of wobble for the housing 542 is similarly limited by the annular wobble plate 544 and collar or space limiting means 552, including a wobble limiting plate 650 which contacts the top of the housing 542 to limit the degree of wobble, thus allowing a compact water stream as in Figure 48. The wobble limiting plate 650 may be adjusted longitudinally to allow varying degrees of wobble for the housing 542.

[0159] While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A spray head assembly (40) comprising
a housing (42) having a fluid inlet (45), a nozzle assembly, an opening (52) in the housing (42) with the nozzle assembly extending through the opening (52) and having an exterior portion (48) providing an outlet nozzle (48) and an interior portion (46) positioned within the housing (42), the nozzle assembly having a fluid channel (74) connecting the interior portion (46) within the housing (42) and the outlet nozzle (48) outside of the housing (42), characterized by:

a wobble inducing member (44) positioned within the housing (42), acting upon and movable independently of the nozzle assembly interior portion (46), the wobble inducing member (44) being positioned within the housing (42) relative to the inlet (45) to induce wobble of the nozzle assembly resulting from fluid flowing through the inlet (45) and contacting the wobble inducing member (44),

and means (72) associated with the nozzle assembly for limiting wobble movement thereof, as imparted to the nozzle assembly by the independently movable wobble inducing member (44).

2. A spray head assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the nozzle assembly interior portion (46) includes a post (54), and the wobble inducing member (44) includes a sleeve (62) loosely mounted on and movable relative to the post (54).

3. A spray head assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the nozzle assembly interior portion (46) includes a sleeve (62), and wherein the wobble inducing member includes a post (54) extending into and movable relative to the sleeve (62).

4. A spray head assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the means (72) associated with the nozzle assembly for limiting wobble movement thereof includes a plate (46) having a frustoconical surface (72) that engages the housing (42) peripherally (51) about the housing opening (52) to limit movement of the nozzle assembly.

5. A spray head assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the wobble inducing member (44) has means (60) thereon to cause said wobble inducing member to rotate, within the housing (42), in response to fluid flowing through the inlet (45).

6. A spray head assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the wobble inducing member (44) has means (58) thereon for causing the wobble inducing member (44) to wobble, within the housing (42), in response to fluid flow through the inlet (45).

7. A spray head assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the wobble inducing member (44) both rotates and wobbles, within the housing (42), in response to fluid flow through the inlet (45).

8. A spray head assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised by including means (162, 164) for changing the rate at which the nozzle assembly wobbles.

9. A spray head according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the wobble inducing member (44) is a turbine having a plurality of blades (1432) configured to cause the turbine to rotate when struck by a stream from the fluid inlet (45).

10. A spray head according to any preceding claim, characterised by further including means (1416) for adjusting the range that the nozzle assembly can wobble.

11. A spray head assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised by further including means (1450) for adjusting the velocity of fluid directed at the wobble inducing member (44).

12. A spray head assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the means for adjusting velocity is a flow control valve (204).

13. A spray head assembly according to claim 12, characterised in that the flow control valve (222) has a first outlet (224) providing selective communication from the fluid inlet (45) toward the wobble inducing member (44), and a second outlet (226) providing selective communication from the fluid inlet around the wobble inducing member (44).

Ansprüche

1. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit (40), mit
einem Gehäuse (42), das einen Fluideinlass (45) besitzt, einer Düsenbaueinheit und einer Öffnung (52) in dem Gehäuse (42), durch die die Düsenbaueinheit verläuft und die einen äußeren Abschnitt (48), der eine Auslassdüse (48) bildet, und einen inneren Abschnitt (46), der in dem Gehäuse (42) positioniert ist, aufweist, wobei die Düsenbaueinheit einen Fluidkanal besitzt, der den inneren Abschnitt (46) innerhalb des Gehäuses (42) mit der Auslassdüse (48) außerhalb des Gehäuses (42) verbindet,
gekennzeichnet durch:

ein Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44), das in dem Gehäuse (42) positioniert ist und auf den inneren Abschnitt (46) der Düsenbaueinheit wirkt und unabhängig von diesem beweglich ist, wobei das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) in dem Gehäuse (42) in Bezug auf den Einlass (45) so positioniert ist, dass es eine Taumelbewegung der Düsenbaueinheit erzeugt, die sich dem durch den Einlass (45) strömenden Fluid, das mit dem Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) in Kontakt gelangt, resultiert,

und Mittel (72), die der Düsenbaueinheit zugeordnet sind, um deren Taumelbewegung, mit der die Düsenbaueinheit durch das unabhängig bewegliche Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) beaufschlagt wird, zu begrenzen.

2. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der innere Abschnitt (46) der Düsenbaueinheit eine Säule (54) aufweist und das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) eine Düse (62) aufweist, die an der Säule (54) lose angebracht und in Bezug auf diese beweglich ist.

3. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der innere Abschnitt (46) der Düsenbaueinheit eine Hülse (62) aufweist und das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement eine Säule (54) aufweist, die sich in die Hülse (62) erstreckt und in Bezug auf diese beweglich ist.

4. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die der Düsenbaueinheit zugeordneten Mittel (72) zum Begrenzen ihrer Taumelbewegung eine Platte mit einer kegelstumpfförmigen Oberfläche (72) aufweisen, die mit dem Gehäuse (42) in Umfangsrichtung (51) um die Gehäuseöffnung (52) in Eingriff ist, um die Bewegung der Düsenbaueinheit zu begrenzen.

5. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an dem Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) Mittel vorhanden sind, die in Reaktion auf das durch den Einlass (45) strömende Fluid das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement dazu veranlassen, sich in dem Gehäuse (42) zu drehen.

6. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass an dem Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) Mittel (58) vorhanden sind, die in Reaktion auf das durch den Einlass (45) strömende Fluid das Taumeibewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) dazu veranlassen, in dem Gehäuse (42) zu taumeln.

7. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Taumeibewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) in Reaktion auf das durch den Einlass (45) strömende Fluid in dem Gehäuse eine Oreh- und eine Taumelbewegung ausführt.

8. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, gekennzeichnet durch Mittel (162, 164), die die Rate ändern, mit der die Düsenbaueinheit taumelt.

9. Sprühkopf nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) eine Turbine mit mehreren Schaufeln (1432) ist, die so konfiguriert sind, dass sie die Turbine veranlassen, sich zu drehen, wenn ein Strom von dem Fluideinlass (45) auf sie trifft.

10. Sprühkopf nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, ferner gekennzeichnet durch Mittel (1416) zum Einstellen des Bereichs, in dem die Düsenbaueinheit taumeln kann.

11. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach einem vorhergehenden Anspruch, ferner gekennzeichnet durch Mittel (1450) zum Einstellen der Geschwindigkeit des auf das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) gerichteten Fluids.

12. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel zum Einstellen der Geschwindigkeit ein Durchtlusssteuerventil (204) sind.

13. Sprühkopf-Baueinheit nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Durchflusssteuerventil (222) einen ersten Auslass (224), der eine wahlweise Verbindung von dem Fluideinlass (45) zu dem Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) schafft, und einen zweiten Auslass (226), der eine wahlweise Verbindung von dem Fluideinlass um das Taumelbewegungs-Erzeugungselement (44) schafft, besitzt.

Revendications

1. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation (40), comprenant
un boîtier (42) ayant une entrée de fluide (45), un ensemble de buse, une ouverture (52) ménagée dans le boîtier (42), l'ensemble de buse s'étendant à travers l'ouverture (52) et ayant une partie extérieure (48), fournissant une buse de sortie (48), et une partie intérieure (46), positionnée à l'intérieur du boîtier (42), l'ensemble de buse comprenant un canal à fluide (74) reliant la partie intérieure (46) au boîtier (42) et à la buse de sortie (48) située à l'extérieur du boîtier (42), caractérisé en ce que :

un organe inducteur de nutation (44), positionné à l'intérieur du boîtier (42), agissant sur et déplaçable indépendamment de la partie intérieure d'ensemble de buse (46), l'organe inducteur de nutation (44) étant positionné à l'intérieur du boîtier (42) par rapport à l'entrée (45), pour induire une nutation ou oscillation de l'ensemble de buse, résultant de l'écoulement de fluide à travers l'entrée (45) et de la mise en contact avec l'organe d'induction de nutation (44)

et des moyens (72) associés à l'ensemble de buse, pour limiter son déplacement de nutation, tel qu'inculqué à l'ensemble de buse par l'organe d'induction de nutation (44) mobile indépendamment.

2. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la partie intérieure d'ensemble de buse (46) comprend un pilier (54), et l'organe d'induction de nutation (44) comprend une douille (62) montée de façon lâche sur le pilier (54) et déplaçable par rapport à celui-ci.

3. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la partie intérieure d'ensemble de buse (46) comprend une douille (62), et dans lequel l'organe d'induction de nutation comprend un pilier (54) s'étendant dans la douille (62) et déplaçable par rapport à celle-ci.

4. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (72), associés à l'ensemble de buse pour limiter son déplacement en nutation, comprennent une plague (46) ayant une surface (72) tronconique, qui vient en prise avec le boîtier (42) en périphérie (51), autour de l'ouverture de boîtier (52), pour limiter le déplacement de l'ensemble de buse.

5. un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe d'induction de nutation (44) comprend sur lui des moyens (60), pour faire tourner l'organe d'induction de nutation, à l'intérieur du boîtier (42), en réponse à l'écoulement de fluide par l'entrée (45).

6. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe d'induction de nutation (44) comprend sur lui des moyens (58), pour provoquer la nutation de l'organe d'induction de nutation (44), à l'intérieur du boîtier (42), en réponse à l'écoulement de fluide par l'entrée (45).

7. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe d'induction de nutation (44) effectue à la fois un mouvement rotatif et de nutation, à l'intérieur du boîtier (42), en réponse à l'écoulement de fluide par l'entrée (45).

8. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait de comprendre des moyens (162,164), pour modifier la vitesse à laquelle se fait la nutation de l'ensemble de buse.

9. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe d'induction de nutation (44) est une turbine, comprenant une pluralité de pales (1432) configurées pour faire tourner la turbine lorsqu'elle est frappée par un flux venant de l'entrée de fluide (45).

10. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait de comprendre en outre des moyens (1416), pour ajuster l'ampleur de la nutation inculquée à l'ensemble de buse.

11. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait de comprendre en outre des moyens (1450), pour ajuster la vitesse du fluide dirigé sur l'organe d'induction de nutation (44).

12. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'ajustement de la vitesse sont formés d'une soupape de commande de débit (204).

13. Un ensemble de tête de pulvérisation selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que la soupape de commande de débit (222) présente une première sortie (224), fournissant une communication sélective de l'entrée de fluide (45) vers l'organe d'induction de nutation (44), et une deuxième sortie (226), fournissant une commutation sélective de l'entrée de fluide autour de l'organe d'induction de nutation (44).

Drawing