US 12,377,424 B2
Spray arm speed regulator
Maxime Robert, L'Ancienne-Lorette (CA); and Alain Chouinard, Quebec (CA)
Assigned to STERIS INC., Temecula, CA (US)
Filed by STERIS INC., Temecula, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/841,790.
Application 17/841,790 is a division of application No. 16/701,525, filed on Dec. 3, 2019, granted, now 11,396,027.
Prior Publication US 2022/0305504 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B05B 3/04 (2006.01); B05B 3/06 (2006.01)
CPC B05B 3/0472 (2013.01) [B01L 13/00 (2019.08); B05B 3/063 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for regulating a speed of a spray arm about an axis, wherein the spray arm includes at least one deflector pivotably attached to the spray arm at a pivot axis of the at least one deflector and having a first surface including a curved portion, a second surface arranged opposite the first surface in a first direction, the first direction parallel to the pivot axis of the at least one deflector, and a side surface that extends in the first direction between the first surface and the second surface, wherein each of the first surface and the second surface extend in a second direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the at least one deflector, and at least one nozzle arranged relative to the curved portion, the method comprising:
emitting fluid from the at least one nozzle to strike the curved portion and cause
i) a first force that tends to pivot the at least one deflector toward the spray arm, and
ii) a second force that tends to rotate the spray arm about the axis,
wherein rotation of the spray arm about the axis causes a third force that tends to pivot the at least one deflector away from the spray arm, and
whereby a balance between the first force and the third force is achieved at a predefined rotational speed.
 
9. A method for regulating a speed of a spray arm about an axis, wherein the spray arm includes at least one deflector pivotably attached to the spray arm and having a curved surface, a second surface arranged opposite the curved surface in a first direction parallel to a pivot axis of the at least one deflector, and a side surface that extends in the first direction between the curved surface and the second surface, wherein each of the curved surface and the second surface extend in a second direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the at least one deflector, wherein at least one nozzle is arranged relative to the curved surface, the method comprising:
emitting fluid from the at least one nozzle to strike the curved surface, the fluid striking the curved surface
i) generating a first force that tends to pivot the at least one deflector toward the spray arm, and
ii) generating a second force that tends to rotate the spray arm about the axis, wherein a magnitude of the second force varies based on an impact location on the curved surface struck by the emitted fluid, and
rotation of the spray arm generating a third force that tends to pivot the at least one deflector away from the spray arm,
whereby a balance between the first force and the third force is achieved at a predefined rotational speed.