Feedback-free fluidic oscillator

Abstract

There is described a feedback-free fluidic oscillator generally having: a body having a fluid input, an oscillation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid input, and a fluid output in fluid communication with the oscillation chamber, the fluid input flowing a pressurized liquid into the oscillation chamber, which upon interacting with internal walls of the oscillation chamber outputs a liquid spray of oscillating nature at the fluid output, the internal walls of the oscillation chamber defining a cross-sectional shape extending between the fluid input and fluid output, the cross-sectional shape having three or fewer vertices.

Description

FEEDBACK-FREE FLUIDIC OSCILLATORFIELD

[0001] The improvements generally relate to fluidic oscillators and more specifically to fluidic oscillators of the type that can output a liquid spray of oscillating fluid.BACKGROUND

[0002] Fluidic oscillators are devices used to create a liquid spray of oscillating nature based on a pressurized liquid such as tap water, for instance. Different types of fluidic oscillators exists including namely the fluidic oscillator with two feedback channels, the fluidic oscillator with one feedback channel (also referred to as “sonic fluidic oscillators”), and the feedback- free fluidic oscillator with no feedback channel (referred to herein as “feedback-free fluidic oscillator”). The latter type of fluidic oscillator is especially interesting in the context where low- cost mass manufacturing and easy assembling are desirable, but also where low fluid pressures are involved. Although existing feedback-free fluidic oscillators were satisfactory to a certain degree, there remains room for improvement.SUMMARY

[0003] Known constructions for the typical feedback-free fluidic oscillator involve the use of an oscillation chamber having a generally rectangular geometry such as the one shown in Fig. 1. In those examples, the oscillation chamber has a rectangular cross-section extending between a liquid input and a liquid output. It was found that as much as such geometry was found satisfactory in the field, other geometries could solve a number of drawbacks including, but not limited to, reduce cleaning complexity and frequency, smaller footprint, increase power of the outputted liquid spray, reduce dimension of expulsed liquid droplets, to name a few examples. It is hypothesized that such non-conventional geometries for the oscillation chamber have been overlooked as they were typically more challenging to produce. However, with the recent advent of additive manufacturing to name only one example manufacturing technique, most of these challenges have now been solved. There thus remains room for improving the shape and geometry of the existing feedback-free fluidic oscillators. More specifically, there is proposed herein a feedback-free fluidic oscillator having a body with a fluid input, an oscillation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid input, and a fluid output iin fluid communication with the oscillation chamber. The fluid input flows a pressurized liquid into the oscillation chamber, which upon interacting with internal walls of the oscillation chamber outputs a liquid spray of oscillating nature at the fluid output. To provide enhanced properties for the outputted liquid spray, the internal walls of the oscillation chamber are constructed so as to define a given cross-sectional shape having three or fewer vertices. In some embodiments, the given cross-sectional shape is provided in the form of a triangular- like shape, an eye-like shape, an ovoid-like shape, an oblong-like shape, and the like. It was found that the reduced number of vertices in turn reduces the number of edges within the oscillation chamber. As such, these new constructions tend to limit the areas where contaminants (e.g., limestone particles) can remain stuck in the long run, which in turn tends to reduce cleaning and maintenance requirements, among other benefits, which can be desirable especially in situations where such fluidic oscillators are to be installed for extended periods of time.

[0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a feedback-free fluidic oscillator comprising: a body having a fluid input, an oscillation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid input, and a fluid output in fluid communication with the oscillation chamber, the fluid input flowing a pressurized liquid into the oscillation chamber, which upon interacting with internal walls of the oscillation chamber outputs a liquid spray of oscillating nature at the fluid output, the internal walls of the oscillation chamber defining a cross-sectional shape extending between the fluid input and fluid output, the cross-sectional shape having three or fewer vertices.

[0005] Further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the cross- sectional shape can for example be oblong.

[0006] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the three or fewer vertices can for example be rounded and can for example form a fluidly continuous transition between the corresponding internal walls.

[0007] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the cross- sectional shape can for example have an ovoidal-like shape, the three or fewer vertices consisting of zero vertex.

[0008] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the cross- sectional shape can for example have an eye-like shape, the three or fewer vertices consisting of two vertices separated by two edges having ends meeting each other at the two vertices.

[0009] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the cross- sectional shape can for example have a triangular-like shape, the three or fewer vertices consisting of three vertices separated by three edges having ends meeting each other at the three vertices.

[0010] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the cross- sectional shape can for example taper in dimension from the fluid input to the fluid output.

[0011] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, a transition between a lower portion of the oscillation chamber and an upper portion of the fluid output can for example form an hourglass shape or any other continuous or smooth shape.

[0012] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, a transition between a lower portion of the fluid input and an upper portion of the oscillation chamber can for example form an hourglass shape or any other continuous or smooth shape.

[0013] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the body can for example be provided in the form of a monolithic piece of material.

[0014] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the oscillation chamber can for example be a first oscillation chamber, the body can for example have at least a second oscillation chamber identical to the first oscillation chamber, the first and second oscillation chambers in fluid communication between the fluid input and the fluid output and receiving a corresponding portion of the pressurized liquid.

[0015] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the oscillation chambers can for example be circumferentially distributed within the body.

[0016] Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the fluid input can for example be a first fluid input, the fluid output can for example be a first fluid output, the feedback-free fluidic oscillator can for example further comprise a second fluidinput in fluid communication with the second oscillation chamber and a second fluid output in fluid communication with the second oscillation chamber, the first and second fluid inputs fluidly independent from one another, the first and second fluid outputs fluidly independent from one another.

[0017] Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0018] In the figures,

[0019] Fig. 1 is an oblique view of an example of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator having an oscillation chamber of a rectangular cross-section, in accordance with the prior art;

[0020] Fig. 2 is an oblique view of an example of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator having an oscillation chamber of an eye-like cross-sectional shape, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0021] Fig. 3A is a side elevation view of the feedback-free fluidic oscillator of Fig. 2, taken along point of view 3A-3A of Fig. 2, showing fluidic movements within the oscillation chamber at a given moment in time, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0022] Fig. 3B is the side elevation view of the feedback-free fluidic oscillator of Fig. 3A, showing fluidic movements within the oscillation chamber at a subsequent moment in time, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0023] Fig. 4 is an image of an example of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator as it outputs a liquid spray of an oscillating nature at a given moment in time, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0024] Fig. 5 is an oblique view of an example of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator having oscillation chambers connected in parallel, each of the oscillation chambers having an eyelike cross-sectional shape, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0025] Fig. 6 is an oblique view of an example of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator having oscillation chambers connected in parallel, each of the oscillation chambers having a triangular cross-sectional shape, in accordance with one or more embodiments; and

[0026] Fig. 7 includes different examples of cross-sectional shapes for the oscillation chamber of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Fig. 2 shows an example of a feedback-free fluidic oscillator 10, in accordance with an embodiment. As depicted, the feedback-free fluidic oscillator 10 has a body 12. The body has a fluid input 14, an oscillation chamber 16 which is in fluid communication with the fluid input 14, and a fluid output 18 which is in fluid communication with the oscillation chamber 16. The oscillation chamber 16 has internal walls 20 defining a cross-sectional shape 22 extending between the fluid input 14 and fluid output 18. During use, the fluid input 14 flows a pressurized liquid into the oscillation chamber 16, which upon interacting with internal walls 20 of the oscillation chamber 16 outputs a liquid spray 24 of oscillating nature at the fluid output 18. As illustrated, the cross-sectional shape 22 is designed so as to exhibit three or fewer vertices. It was found that the reduced number of vertices in the cross-sectional shape 22 of the oscillation chamber 16 can reduce the number of edges therewithin, thereby modifying the properties of the outputted liquid spray 24 of oscillating nature (e.g., increase power of the outputted liquid spray, reduce dimension of expulsed liquid droplets) in addition to reducing cleaning complexity and frequency of the overall feedback-free fluidic oscillator 10.

[0028] In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Fig. 1 , the cross-sectional shape 22 has an eye-like shape 26. As such, the three or fewer vertices consisting of two vertices v1 and v2 separated by two edges e1 and e2 having ends meeting each other at the two vertices v1 and v2. However, in some other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the oscillation chamber can have three vertices (e.g., a triangular-like shape), a single vertex (e.g., a drop-like shape) or no vertex (e.g., an ovoid-like shape). For instance, in some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape has an ovoidal-like shape so the three or fewer vertices consists of zero vertex. In some other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape has a triangular-like shape so the three or fewer vertices consisting of three vertices separated bythree edges having ends meeting each other at the three vertices. It is also worth noting that, in some specific embodiments, one or more of the three or fewer vertices are rounded and form a fluidly continuous transition between the corresponding internal walls. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the oscillation chamber is oblong. In other words, the cross-sectional shape has a width w which is larger than a depth d. As such, the ovoid-like shape is preferred over the circular-shape.

[0029] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape 22 tapers in dimension from the fluid input 14 to the fluid output 18. As shown, the body 12 can have a transition 28a extending between a lower portion of the oscillation chamber 16 and an upper portion of the fluid output 18. In some embodiments, the body 12 can have a transition (as shown by the dotted lines) extending between a lower portion of the fluid input 14 and an upper portion of the oscillation chamber 16. In case, it was found preferable for any one of these transitions to exhibit an hourglass shape. In these embodiments, the fluid flow between the oscillation chamber 16 and the liquid output 16 can be smoothen to provide a liquid spray 18 of oscillating nature which is particularly satisfactory in some applications. In some embodiments, the body can for example be provided in the form of a monolithic piece of material, which may prevent leaks to occur. However, in other embodiments, the body can be an assembly of many different parts held together hermetically, for instance.

[0030] During use, and referring now to Figs. 3A and 3B, the fluid input 14 flows a pressurized liquid L into the oscillation chamber 16, which upon interacting with internal walls 20 of the oscillation chamber 16 outputs a liquid spray 24 of oscillating nature at the fluid output 18. In some embodiments, the fluid input 14 is in fluid communication with a faucet providing the pressurized liquid L. More specifically, at a first moment in time, the pressured liquid L can form fluidic movements creating a vortex-like element 30 on a given side of the oscillation chamber 16 and a liquid stream 32 circumventing the vortex-like element 30 on another side of the oscillation chamber 16. Referring now particularly to Fig. 3A, the liquid stream 32, as it circumvents the vortex-like element 30 can form an angle a1 pointing to the right of the page at it is outputted at the liquid output 18. The fluidic movements occurring within the oscillation chamber are highly dynamic. Accordingly, at a subsequent moment in time, a new vortex-like element 30’ can be created, or the previous vortex-like element 30 can move, to the other sideof the oscillation chamber 16, thereby creating another liquid stream 32’ circumventing the vortex-like element 30’, or simply moving the previous circumventing liquid stream 32 to the other side of the oscillation chamber 16. By doing so, the circumventing liquid stream 32, 32’ can form an opposite angle a2 pointing to the left of the page as it is outputted at the liquid output 18, as best shown in Fig. 3B. As time passes, these fluidic movements are repeated as long as a pressurized liquid source is providing pressurized liquid L at the liquid input 14. During operation, an observer would appreciate that the liquid output 18 of the feedback-free fluidic oscillation 10 outputs a liquid spray 24 of oscillating nature, such as shown in Fig. 4.

[0031] To reduce the footprint of the overall fluidic oscillator, and / or enhance its fluidic properties, instead of aligning a single oscillation chamber with the pressurized liquid axis, it was found satisfactory to distribute a plurality of circulation chambers 116 circumferentially around the pressurized liquid axis A. The resulting feedback-free fluidic oscillator device 100 can have a number of oscillation chambers 116 identical to one another, all connected in parallel to one another, and feeding on the same pressurized liquid L. In these embodiments, the oscillation chambers 116 can have common fluid inputs and fluid outputs. In some preferred embodiments, it was found preferably to connect a number of feedback-free fluidic oscillators 110 to a common pressurized source, as illustrated in Fig. 5. More specifically, the illustrated device shows three feedback-free fluidic oscillators 110 connected in series to one another. Each of the three oscillation chambers 116 have the eye-like shape of the feedback- free fluidic oscillation of Fig. 1. In this embodiment, each of the oscillation chambers has a corresponding fluid input 114 and fluid output 118. Fig. 6 shows a similar device 200 involving oscillation chambers 216 having a triangular cross-sectional area. Fig. 7 shows different shapes for the cross-sectional area of a given oscillation chamber of the feedback-free fluidic oscillator. These different shapes include, but are not limited to, an ovoid-like shape 322a, an eye-like shape 322b with two sharp vertices and two edges of low convexity, an eye-like shape 322c with two sharp vertices and two edges of higher convexity, an eye-like shape 322d with two rounded vertices and an edge of greater convexity, an eye-like shape 322e with two rounded vertices and an edge of lower convexity, an eye-like shape 322f with two rounded vertices and two edges of similar convexities, an equilateral triangular-like shape 322g with three sharp vertices, an equilateral triangular-like shape 322h with three rounded vertices, and an isosceles triangular-like shape 322i with three sharp vertices, to name a few examples.

[0032] As can be understood, the examples described above and illustrated are intended to be exemplary only. For instance, the feedback-free fluidic oscillator can be used in the context of faucets, shower heads, cleaning hoses, and the like. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator can be used with any type of liquid including, but not limited to, water (e.g., domestic water), liquid detergent, and the like. In some embodiments, there is provided a feedback-free fluidic oscillator device having a given number of the feedback-free fluidic oscillators such as the feedback-fere fluidic oscillator of Fig. 2 connected in series to one another. The scope is indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A feedback-free fluidic oscillator comprising: a body having a fluid input, an oscillation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid input, and a fluid output in fluid communication with the oscillation chamber, the fluid input flowing a pressurized liquid into the oscillation chamber, which upon interacting with internal walls of the oscillation chamber outputs a liquid spray of oscillating nature at the fluid output, the internal walls of the oscillation chamber defining a cross-sectional shape extending between the fluid input and fluid output, the cross-sectional shape having three or fewer vertices.

2. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape is oblong.

3. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein at least one of the three or fewer vertices is rounded and forming a fluidly continuous transition between the corresponding internal walls.

4. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape has an ovoidal-like shape, the three or fewer vertices consisting of zero vertex.

5. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape has an eye-like shape, the three or fewer vertices consisting of two vertices separated by two edges having ends meeting each other at the two vertices.

6. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape has a triangular-like shape, the three or fewer vertices consisting of three vertices separated by three edges having ends meeting each other at the three vertices.

7. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape tapers in dimension from the fluid input to the fluid output.

8. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein a transition between a lower portion of the oscillation chamber and an upper portion of the fluid output forms an hourglass shape.

9. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the body is provided in the form of a monolithic piece of material.

10. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 1 wherein the oscillation chamber is a first oscillation chamber, the body having at least a second oscillation chamber identical to the first oscillation chamber, the first and second oscillation chambers in fluid communication between the fluid input and the fluid output and receiving a corresponding portion of the pressurized liquid.11 . The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 10 wherein the oscillation chambers are circumferentially distributed within the body.

12. The feedback-free fluidic oscillator of claim 10 wherein the fluid input is a first fluid input, the fluid output is a first fluid output, the feedback-free fluidic oscillator further comprising a second fluid input in fluid communication with the second oscillation chamber and a second fluid output in fluid communication with the second oscillation chamber, the first and second fluid inputs fluidly independent from one another, the first and second fluid outputs fluidly independent from one another.

13. A feedback-free fluidic oscillator device having a plurality of the feedback-free fluidic oscillators according to the feedback-fere fluidic oscillator of claim 1 connected in series to one another.

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