Fluid powered orbital wet sander and the like

Abstract

A lightweight, portable, fluid-driven orbital wet sander or the like comprising a fluid-driven, nutating action motor including a rod-like output element and a sanding or scrubbing device directly linked to a projecting end of the output element. The nutating action motor is mounted on a plate which includes a gripping element mounted on one side thereof to permit the sander to be easily held by the user. The sanding or scrubbing device is mounted in a spaced relation to the mounting plate by a transversely yieldable support means attached to and projecting from the side of the mounting plate opposite the handle side. The projecting end of the output element extends from the nutating motor through the spacing between the mounting plate and utilization device to a universal joint connection with the utilization device. The motor includes a housing confining a wobble plate which is driven with a nutating action by a controlled flow of fluid (typically water) through the housing. The output element is rigidly secured to the wobble plate and the projecting end is moved in an orbital manner as the wobble plate is driven through its nutating cycle. The sanding or scrubbing device is therefore moved by the output element through an orbital motion to provide a highly effective sanding or cleaning operation. The yieldable support means will yield in the transverse direction to accommodate the orbital motion of the sanding device. All or part of the driving water stream is discharged from the utilization device to the working surface to effect a wet sanding or scrubbing operation.