Jet lance for decontamination/detoxification products

Abstract

 A jet lance for delivery of fluids and/or decontamination/detoxification products. The lance comprises at least one first conduit (6) having an inlet (4) for fluid communication with an external working fluid supply line and an outlet (5) provided with a first jet nozzle (14). Such conduit (6) has means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product (16) which is susceptible of being mixed with the working fluid upstream from the first jet nozzle (14). The lance further comprises temperature-sensing means (24) for sensing temperature in the first conduit (6) having a display (25) visible from the outside. Also disclosed a process for making such lance.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention finds application in the field of decontamination/detoxification equipment and particularly relates to a jet-type lance. Use of such a lance allows to reclaim areas attacked by pathogenic and/or toxic agents of the nuclear, bacteriological, chemical and/or radiological types.

Background of the invention

[0002] Various devices are known which allow delivery of fluids, whether or not added with suitable products, to predetermined areas in view of removing foreign matters therefrom.

[0003] More specifically, jet lances are known for reclaiming areas attacked by pathogenic and/or toxic agents of the nuclear, bacteriological, chemical and/or radiological types. These lances typically allow the relevant area to be sprayed with a mixture of a working fluid, generally water, and a detoxification/decotamination product.

[0004] Italian Patent application No. VI2004A000150, in the name of the same applicant, discloses a jet lance having all the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] One drawback of this prior art solution is that no provision is made for monitoring the temperature of fluid flowing into and out of the lance. This monitoring function is particularly critical in emergency conditions, in which the time factor plays an essential role. If fact, if temperature of the incoming fluid is too high or too low, the outflowing mixture may become ineffective and/or the mixed product might be degraded. The lack of a temperature monitoring function might obviously lead to ineffective reclaiming of the attacked area, resulting in irremediable personal injuries and/or damages.

Summary of the invention

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a jet lance that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

[0007] A particular object is to provide a jet lance that allows a user to monitor the temperature of the inflowing and/or outflowing sprayed fluid.

[0008] These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a jet lance as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one first conduit for feeding a pressurized fluid, said at least one first conduit having an inlet for connection to an external working fluid supply line and an outlet having a first jet nozzle, said at least one first conduit having means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product which is susceptible of being mixed with the working fluid upstream from the first jet nozzle, characterized in that it comprises means for sensing temperature in the first conduit, said sensing means having a temperature display visible from the outside.

[0009] Thanks to this particular configuration, the lance according to the invention allows a user to constantly and promptly monitor the working fluid temperature and take actions whenever such temperature deviates from the desired values.

[0010] Advantageously, a protective casing may be provided, which is designed to be held in a user's hand and contains the first conduit, the casing having an optically transparent portion through which the display is visible.

[0011] Thanks to this latter configuration, the lance according to the invention allows simple and direct monitoring of the conveyed fluid temperature.

[0012] In another aspect, the invention relates to a process for making the above jet lance as defined in claim 13, which comprises the steps of providing a jet lance which comprises at least one first conduit for feeding a pressurized fluid, said at least one first conduit having an inlet for fluid connection to an external working fluid supply line and an outlet, said at least one first conduit having means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product which is susceptible of being mixed with said working fluid upstream from said outlet, installing temperature-sensing means on said at least one first conduit, said sensing means having a temperature display visible from the outside.

[0013] Thanks to the process of the invention, a jet lance is obtained which allows a user to constantly and promptly monitor the working fluid temperature and take actions whenever such temperature deviates from the desired values.

[0014] The process of the invention is also suitable for making changes to existing and operating jet lances.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in accordance with the independent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a jet lance according to the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the jet lance according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view of the lance of FIG. 1, wherein certain details are omitted;

FIG. 3 is a partly exploded axonometric view of the lance of FIG. 1.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0017] With reference to the above cited figures, the jet lance according to the invention, generally designated by numeral 1, is particularly useful for spraying decontamination/detoxification products on areas attacked by toxic and/or pathogenic agents of the nuclear, bacteriological, chemical and/or radiological type to reclaim them.

[0018] The lance 1 essentially comprises an outer casing composed of two half-shells 2, 2', which encloses a hydraulic circuit 3 having an inlet 4 for connection to an external line for supply of a working fluid, possibly water at predetermined pressure and temperature, and an outlet 5.

[0019] The circuit 3 comprises a first conduit 6, a second conduit 7 connected and parallel to the first one and a third conduit 8, which is in fluid communication with the other two, and on which a first control lever 8' is mounted fitted for controlling the flow of the working fluid.

[0020] More specifically, the third conduit 8 has a first end 9 with a fitting that defines an inlet 4 and the opposite end 10 connected to a flow selector/deflector 11. Such selector /delector has a first outlet 12 connected to the first conduit 6 and a second outlet 13 connected to the second conduit 7, which can be selected by suitably operating a second control lever 13'. The flow selector/deflector 11 may be configured in accordance with the teachings of the Italian Patent application VI2004A000150, in the name of the same applicant.

[0021] The first and second conduits 6, 7 have respective delivery nozzles 14, 15 defining the outlet 5 of the circuit 3. Such delivery nozzles 14, 15 may be configured according to the teachings of the Italian Patent application VI2004A000150, in the name of the same applicant. In more detail, the delivery nozzle 14 of the first conduit 6 may be of the of the dual head type and may be selected by means of a gravity feed valve, for quick and easy adjustment of the desired delivery width.

[0022] The first conduit 6 has means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product, which means are generally designated by numeral 16. Such supply means essentially include a product cartridge 17 which is removably attachable to the casing at the half-shell 2, a hose 18 and a Venturi ejector 19 placed on the first conduit 6 for connection between the latter and the cartridge 17. More precisely, the ejector 19 has the inlet 20 and the outlet 21 connected to the first conduit 6 and a throat 22 that is connected to the end 23 of the conduit 18, which conduit has the other end in fluid communication with the cartridge 17.

[0023] Advantageously, the lance 1 may have a backpack-type product container, in lieu of or connected to the cartridge 17, for the user to carry it on his/her back, without departure from the claimed scope, as defined by the contents of the annexed claims.

[0024] An analog or digital thermometer 24 is mounted to the first conduit 6, and has a display 25 visible from the outside.

[0025] It shall be understood that the thermometer 24 may be of any type without departure from the inventive scope as defined by the contents of the annexed claims. As a non-limiting example, a contact thermometer may be used, with the sensor thereof being laid on the outer surface of the conduit 6 or directly in contact with the fluid flowing through the conduit 6, i.e. located within the latter.

[0026] It shall be further understood that any other means for sensing the temperature of the fluid flowing through the first conduit 6 may be used, provided it has a temperature display visible from the outside, without departure from the inventive scope, as defined by the contents of the annexed claims. By way of example and without limitation, a thermocouple may be used, which is located in the first conduit 6 and connected to a digital display visible from the outside.

[0027] For the display 25 to be visible from the outside, the protective casing 2, 2' shall have an optically transparent portion 26 and the display 25 shall be placed thereat.

[0028] In the embodiment of the annexed figures, the thermometer 24 is located upstream from the Venturi ejector 19. Thus, temperature is sensed on the working fluid prior to mixing thereof with the decontamination/detoxification product.

[0029] Nevertheless, it shall be understood that the thermometer 24 may be located in any position, either upstream or downstream from the Venturi ejector 19, provided it is mounted to the first conduit 6, without departure from the inventive scope, as defined by the contents of the annexed claims.

[0030] A flow regulating member 27, possibly a throttle, may be provided on the second conduit 7.

[0031] In use the lance 1 functions as follows.

[0032] The inlet 4 has to be first connected to an external working fluid supply line, such as Sanijet ® C921, sold by Cristanini S.p.A., then a cartridge of decontamination/detoxification product, such as BX24®, also sold by Cristanini S.p.A., may be attached to the casing 2.

[0033] By operating the control lever 8', the working fluid flows into the third conduit 8 to the selector/deflector 11. By appropriately operating the control lever 13' so that the outlet 13 connected to the second conduit 7 is occluded, the working fluid is caused to flow into the first conduit 6. Here, the working fluid passes through the Venturi ejector 19, thereby generating a negative pressure, caused by the Venturi effect, to draw the decontamination/detoxification product from the cartridge 17. Then, the decontamination/detoxification product will pass through the conduit 18 and the throat 22 and mix with the working fluid. Now, the resulting mixture will reach the nozzle 14 to be delivered to the area to be reclaimed.

[0034] The inventive jet lance may be obtained by providing a jet lance as described above, such as the lance Sanijetgun® sold by Cristanini S.p.A. and essentially fitting it with temperature-sensing means as defined above, to be mounted to the conduit in which the working fluid is mixed with the decontamination/detoxification product.

[0035] For this purpose, as particularly shown in Figure 3, an optically transparent portion 26, possibly and without limitation an aperture fitted with a protective glass, may be formed in the half-shell 2' of the protective casing, and the display 25 of the temperature sensing means may be placed at such optically transparent portion 26. It shall be understood that the optically transparent portion 26 may be also formed on the half-shell 2 and/or portions 26 may be provided in any number without departure from the inventive scope as defined by the contents of the annexed claims.

[0036] In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that the jet lance of the invention fulfills the intended objects and specifically allows a user to monitor the inlet and/or outlet temperatures of the sprayed fluid.

[0037] The lance according to the invention is susceptible to a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention.

[0038] While the lance has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Claims

1. A jet lance for delivery of fluids and/or decontamination/detoxification products, comprising:

- at least one first conduit (6) for feeding a pressurized fluid;

- said at least one first conduit (6) having an inlet (4) for fluidic communication with an external working fluid supply line and an outlet (5);

- said at least one first conduit (6) having means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product (16) which is susceptible of being mixed with said working fluid upstream from said outlet (5),

characterized by comprising temperature-sensing means (24) for sensing temperature in said at least one first conduit (6), said sensing means (24) having a temperature display (25) visible from the outside so that a user is allowed to constantly and promptly monitor the working fluid temperature and take actions whenever said temperature deviates from the desired values.

2. Lance as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protective casing (2, 2') is provided, which is designed to be grasped by a user and contains said at least one first conduit (6), said casing (2, 2') having an optically transparent portion (26) through which the display is visible.

3. Lance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said temperature-sensing means (24) include an analogic or digital thermometer.

4. Lance as claimed in claim 3, wherein said thermometer comprises a sensor in contact with the outer surface of said at least one first conduit (6).

5. Lance as claimed in claim 3, wherein said thermometer comprises a sensor located in said at least one first conduit (6), directly in contact with the working fluid flowing therethrough.

6. Lance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product (16) include a a decontamination/detoxification product tank (17) in fluidic communication with said at least one first conduit (6).

7. Lance as claimed in claim 6, wherein said tank (17) is a removable cartridge designed to be attached to said protective casing (2, 2').

8. Lance as claimed in claim 6, wherein a Venturi-tube ejector (19) is provided upstream from said outlet (5), which Venturi-tube has a throat (22) connected to said decontamination/detoxification product-containing tank (17).

9. Lance as claimed in claim 8, wherein said thermometer is located upstream from said Venturi-tube ejector (19).

10. Lance as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 9, comprising a second conduit (7) connected and in fluidic communication with said at least one first conduit (6).

11. Lance as claimed in claim 10, comprising a third conduit (8) having an inlet (9) for said working fluid and an outlet (10) in fluid communication with a flow selector/deflector (11) having a first outlet (12) that is in turn connected to said first conduit (6) and a second outlet (13) that is in turn connected to said second conduit (7).

12. Lance as claimed in claim 11, wherein said selector/deflector (11) has control means (13') operable from the outside by a user to selectively deflect the fluid to said first or second outlet (12, 13) respectively.

13. Lance as claimed in claim 9, comprising a flow regulator (27) located on said second conduit (7).

14. A process for making a jet lance as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

- providing a jet lance (1) which comprises at least one first conduit (6) for conveying a pressurized fluid, said at least one first conduit (6) having an inlet (4) for connection to an external working fluid supply line and an outlet (5) having a first delivery nozzle (14), said at least one first conduit (6) having means for supplying a decontamination/detoxification product (16), which is susceptible of being mixed with said working fluid upstream from said first delivery nozzle (14),

- mounting temperature-sensing means (24) on said at least one first conduit (6), said sensing means being equipped with a temperature display (25) visible from the outside, so that a user is allowed to constantly and promptly monitor the working fluid temperature and take actions whenever said temperature deviates from the desired values.

15. Method as claimed in claim 13, comprising the steps of:

- providing a protective casing (2, 2') designed to be held in a user's hand,

- forming an optically transparent portion (26) in said casing,

- placing said at least one first conduit (6) in said protective casing (2, 2'), said optically transparent portion (26) of said protective casing (2, 2') being coincident with the display (25) of said temperature-sensing means (24).

Drawing