Cleaning nozzle for cryogenic fluid fueling receptacle
A cleaning nozzle for cleaning a fueling receptacle capable of receiving a separate fueling nozzle for transferring cryogenic fluid from a fueling station is disclosed. An example cleaning nozzle includes a body that defines a cavity. The example cleaning nozzle includes a nozzle head coupled to and extending from a distal end of the body. The nozzle head defines a plurality of spray holes to spray pressurized air onto the fueling receptacle. The example cleaning nozzle includes a blower that defines a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and a blower flow path extending between the blower inlet and the blower outlet. The blower comprises a valve and a lever operatively coupled to the valve. The example cleaning nozzle includes an insert defining an insert flow path that is fluidly coupled to the blower outlet. The example cleaning nozzle includes a connector fluidly connecting the insert and the nozzle head.
1 . A cleaning nozzle for cleaning a fueling receptacle configured to receive a separate fueling nozzle for transferring cryogenic fluid from a fueling station, the cleaning nozzle comprising:
a body including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the body defines a cavity;
a nozzle head coupled to and extending from the distal end of the body, wherein the nozzle head defines a plurality of spray holes to spray pressurized air onto the fueling receptacle;
a blower at least partially housed in the cavity, wherein the blower comprises a blower body at least partially enclosed by the body of the cleaning nozzle that defines a blower inlet, a blower outlet, and a blower flow path extending between the blower inlet and the blower outlet, wherein the blower further comprises a valve and a lever operatively coupled to the valve, wherein the valve is movably positioned between an open position and a closed position within the blower flow path, wherein the lever is configured to position the valve in the closed position when released by an operator to prevent the pressurized air from flowing through the blower flow path, and wherein the lever is configured to position the valve in the open position when pressed by the operator to enable the pressurized air to flow through the nozzle head;
an insert housed in the cavity, sealingly coupled to the blower body of the blower, and defining an insert flow path that is fluidly coupled to the blower outlet; and
a connector housed in the cavity and sealingly coupled to and fluidly connecting the insert and the nozzle head, wherein the connector and the insert fluidly connect the blower outlet to the plurality of spray holes of the nozzle head.
2 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 1 , further comprising an alignment extension configured to engage the fueling receptacle, wherein the alignment extension is coupled to and extends longitudinally beyond the nozzle head.
3 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the alignment extension defines a plurality of slots that are configured to receive locating members of the fueling receptacle to facilitate the operator in aligning the cleaning nozzle with the fueling receptacle.
4 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of slots is V-shaped, equally sized, and equidistantly spaced apart with respect to each other to facilitate alignment of the alignment extension with the locating members of the fueling receptacle.
5 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the nozzle head is integrally formed with the alignment extension.
6 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the nozzle head includes a plurality of support arms that extend and connect to the alignment extension.
7 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of spray holes includes a first set of spray holes configured to spray the pressurized air onto a first portion of the fueling receptacle and a second set of spray holes configured to spray the pressurized air onto a second portion of the fueling receptacle.
8 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle head includes an outer surface and a plurality of pins extending outwardly from and beyond the outer surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of spray holes of the nozzle head extends through at least one of the plurality of pins.
9 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 2 , further comprising a shield positioned between the nozzle head and a portion of the body configured to be held by the operator, wherein the shield is configured to prevent debris from blowing back onto the operator when the nozzle head sprays the pressurized air.
10 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 9 , wherein the shield includes a plurality of posts configured to receive a plurality of fasteners to couple the plurality of posts of the shield to the nozzle head.
11 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 10 , wherein the shield includes a plurality of walls each of which is positioned between two of the plurality of posts, wherein each of the plurality of walls is angled to divert the pressurized air away from the portion of the body to be held by the operator.
12 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is sealingly coupled to the blower, and wherein the second portion is securely coupled to the nozzle head.
13 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening, wherein the first opening is configured to receive the insert to couple the connector to the insert, wherein the second opening is configured to receive the nozzle head to couple the connector to the nozzle head.
14 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 13 , further comprising a clip configured to engage the insert and the first end of the connector to securely couple the connector to the insert.
15 . The cleaning nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the body defines an inlet to the cavity, and further comprising tubing that fluidly connects the inlet of the cavity to the blower inlet of the blower to receive the pressurized air from the source.