Monitoring performance and maintenance status of a nozzle orifice using a nanoparticle coating sensor

Abstract

A spray nozzle comprising an orifice member is described, wherein the orifice member is provided with a nanoparticle-laden resistive material. Further, the nanoparticle-loaded resistive material is physically formed to provide a measurable wear characteristic parameter that can be measured by energizing the nanoparticle-loaded resistive material and reflect the operational performance status of the nozzle. Embodiments of the present invention facilitate forming, applying, and updating spray nozzle operational performance models to accommodate different spray nozzle instances.

Description

Abstract This invention describes a spray nozzle comprising an orifice piece where a nanoparticle-laden resistive material is provided with the orifice piece. Moreover, the nanoparticle-laden resistive material is physically formed to provide a measurable wear characteristic parameter, measurable by electrically energizing the nanoparticle-laden resistive material, indicative of an operational performance status of the spray nozzle. Embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate formation, application, and update of spray nozzle operational performance models to spray nozzle instances.

Claims

1. A spray nozzle comprising an orifice, wherein the orifice is provided with a resistive material loaded with nanoparticles, and in, The resistive material loaded with nanoparticles is formed physically to provide measurable wear characteristic parameters, which can be measured by energizing the resistive material loaded with nanoparticles and reflect the operating performance status of the spray nozzle.

2. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein, The measurable wear characteristic parameter is resistance.

3. The spray nozzle according to claim 2, wherein, The resistance can be measured using a Wheatstone bridge.

4. The spray nozzle according to claim 1, wherein, The measurable wear characteristic parameter is a thermal image.

5. The spray nozzle according to claim 4, wherein, The thermal images can be obtained using a thermal infrared camera.

6. The spray nozzle of claim 1, wherein the resistive material loaded with nanoparticles is provided in the form of a layer.

7. The spray nozzle of claim 6, wherein the layer is disposed on the exposed surface of the orifice member.

8. The spray nozzle of claim 6, wherein the layer is embedded in the orifice.

9. The spray nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the layer is a solid layer.

10. The spray nozzle of claim 6, wherein the layer is a patterned layer.

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