Spray nozzle having plurality of exhaust officies for

Abstract

A spray nozzle assembly includes a body and a spray tip supported on the body. The spray tip includes a fluid inlet passage terminating in an end wall. An annular discharge passage is disposed in the spray tip downstream of the end wall and the fluid inlet passage. The annular discharge passage defines a circular ridge in an outer downstream surface of the spray tip. A plurality of discharge orifices are provided in the rounded ridge through which fluid is discharged from the spray tip. Each discharge orifice is in communication with the annular discharge orifice and is formed in a respective notch in the circular ridge, with each notch having at least one sidewall defining a deflecting surface for the respective discharge orifice.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 534,614, filed August 25, 2023, which is incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND

[0002] Spray nozzle assemblies that produce a full-cone shaped discharge pattern have long been used in various industries to spray fluids onto objects. In one common application, spray nozzle assemblies with a full-cone shaped discharge pattern are used to spray fluids onto round objects on a moving conveyor. For example, such spray nozzle assemblies are frequently used in the food preparation industry to spray oil, seasoning, or other coatings onto objects such as bagels, pizza crusts, pancakes, or other similar round-shaped objects. Compared to spray nozzle assemblies that produce a flat fan-shaped pattern, which results in a rectangular spray pattern on a moving conveyor, spray nozzle assemblies that produce a cone-shaped discharge pattern will result in less wasted spray, resulting in more efficient fluid usage.

[0003] While full-cone spray nozzle assemblies perform well in many applications where the spray nozzle assembly is continuously spraying, problems can arise when pulse width modulation is used to control the flow rate of the spray nozzle. A pulse width modulated spray nozzle assembly uses a solenoid controlled valve that rapidly cycles to switch the flow of fluid through the spray nozzle assembly between an open state and a closed state many times per second. The frequency and duty cycle of the valve are electronically controlled to give the desired coverage and flow characteristics. The frequency is the number of open-closed transitions per second, while the duty cycle is the percentage of time the valve remains open during a single open-close cycle.

[0004] Some common full-cone spray nozzle assemblies utilize internal vanes to generate the vortex needed to produce a cone pattern. Other spray nozzle assemblies use a core with angled slots or holes to generate the vortex. However, when pulse width modulation is used with these types of full-cone spray nozzles, the cone can be damaged, and flow control can become unpredictable. While other full-cone spray nozzle designs have a more stable cone pattern even when pulse width modulation is used, such designs can still produce uncontrolled spray or drips at the beginning of each spray cycle before a full-cone pattern is achieved. These problems can result in unsatisfactory spray coatings on at least some of the sprayed product when pulse width modulated spraying is controlled. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a spray nozzle assembly that produces a full-cone discharge pattern and can be accurately and consistently controlled using pulse width modulation.

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a spray nozzle assembly that produces a stable full-cone discharge pattern throughout the entire spraying cycle.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully conical spray nozzle assembly with a flexible design that can be easily modified to produce different spray characteristics. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of an exemplary spray nozzle assembly for generating a full-cone spray pattern according to the present invention.

[0009] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A partial sectional perspective view of the spray nozzle assembly.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A A perspective view of the spray nozzle assembly at the spray tip.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A side view of the spray nozzle.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 End view of the discharge end of the spray nozzle.

[0013] Figure 5 Is Figure 4 The line 5-5 is intercepted in the plane. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle.

[0014] Figure 6 Is Figure 4 The line 6-6 is intercepted in the plane. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle.

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 An end view of the upstream end of the spray nozzle.

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A side view of the spray nozzles, showing the discharge pattern produced by the spray nozzles.

[0017] Figure 9 This is an end view of the discharge end of a further embodiment of the spraying tip according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 10 Is Figure 9 The line 10-10 is intercepted in the plane. Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle.

[0019] Figure 11This is an end view of the discharge end of a further embodiment of the spraying tip according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 12 Is Figure 11 The line 12-12 is intercepted in the plane. Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle.

[0021] Figure 13 This is a detailed view of an embodiment of the discharge notch of the spray tip according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 14 This is a detailed view of another embodiment of the discharge notch of the spray tip according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 15 This is a detailed view of another embodiment of the discharge notch of the spray tip according to the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Now, please refer more specifically to the attached diagram. Figure 1A , Figure 1B as well as Figure 2 The illustration shows a spray nozzle assembly 10 according to the invention. As discussed further below, an exemplary application in which the spray nozzle assembly 10 shown is particularly suitable is an application in which spraying is controlled by pulse width modulation. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular application and can instead be used in any spraying application in which a full-cone spray pattern is desired. Accordingly, it should be understood that the spray nozzle assembly 10 of the invention is not limited to any particular spray fluid or spray target and can instead be used to discharge any suitable fluid onto any suitable target.

[0025] To generate oscillating flow-on / off conditions, the illustrated spray nozzle assembly 10 is equipped with a pulse width modulation (PWM) valve assembly 12. The PWM valve assembly 12 is configured to allow the spray nozzle assembly 10 to achieve a pulsating flow that rapidly alternates between flow-on and flow-off conditions. For this purpose, the PWM valve assembly 12 may include a nozzle or valve body 14 containing an electrically actuated on / off solenoid that can rapidly oscillate between an open position in which fluid is allowed to flow into the spray nozzle assembly 10 and a closed position in which fluid flow is blocked from flowing into the spray nozzle assembly 10. The use of the PWM valve assembly 12 allows for very precise adjustment of the flow rate generated by the spray nozzle assembly 10 simply by adjusting the on / off duty cycle of the spray nozzle assembly 10 via the PWM valve assembly 12, without changing the pressure of the fluid supply. The PWM valve assembly 12 may be of a commercially known type, such as those provided by the assignee of this application, Spraying Systems Co., under the trademarks PulsaJet and DynaJet. The various components and their operating modes of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly 10 and PWM valve assembly 12 are similar to those described in U.S. Patent No. 7,086,613, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As noted above, while the present invention is particularly applicable to spray nozzle assemblies utilizing PWM flow control, it should be understood that the spray nozzle assembly configuration of the present invention is not limited to use with a PWM valve.

[0026] For connection to a fluid supply, the valve body 14 includes, in this case, a fluid inlet 16 on the upstream end 18 of the valve body 14, such as... Figure 1B As shown in the figure. In a known manner, fluid inlet 16 may communicate with internal fluid passage 17 in valve body 14, which directs fluid to fluid outlet 20 at downstream end 22 of valve body 14.

[0027] To shape the fluid into a desired full-cone spray pattern, the spray nozzle assembly 10 further includes an attached spray tip 24 through which the fluid is discharged. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray tip 24 is attached to the fluid outlet 20 at the downstream end 22 of the valve body 14. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the spray tip 24 is secured to the valve body 14 in this case by a retaining cap 26. For example, the retaining cap 26 may be internally threaded to engage with the external thread on the fluid outlet 20 of the valve body 14. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular method for connecting the spray tip 24 to the valve body 14.

[0028] Additional details regarding the construction and operation of the spray nozzle 24 can be found at [website address]. Figures 2-6See. In this case, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the spray tip 24 includes a tip body 28 having an outer surface defining a first annular shoulder 30 and a second annular shoulder 32, the first annular shoulder 30 and the second annular shoulder 32 facilitating the securing of the spray tip 24 to the valve body 14. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the spray tip 24 further includes an internal cylindrical recess 34 in the upstream end of the tip body 28, defining a fluid inlet passage 36 for the tip body 28. When the illustrated spray tip 24 is attached to the PWM valve assembly 12 (such as...), Figure 1A and Figure 1B When (as shown in the diagram), the internal cylindrical recess 34 of the spray tip 24 communicates with the fluid outlet 20 of the valve body 14, so that the fluid leaving the PWM valve assembly 12 is guided into the fluid inlet passage 36 of the spray tip 24. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the fluid inlet passage 36 terminates in the end wall 38, which is located at the downstream end of the internal cylindrical recess 34.

[0029] To facilitate the formation of a full-cone spray pattern, the fluid inlet passage 36 of the spray tip 24 is connected to the annular fluid outlet passage 40, which is located downstream of the cylindrical recess 34. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in the diagram. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular fluid discharge passage 40 takes the form of an internal groove in the tip body 28, which extends downstream from the end wall 38 of the fluid inlet passage 36. In this case, the groove defining the annular discharge passage 40 is configured such that the end wall 38 includes a circular portion at the center of the annular discharge passage 40 and a ring-shaped portion radially outward of the annular discharge passage 40. When viewed from the outside of the spray tip, as in Figure 2 and Figure 6 The best display in the middle, Figures 2-6 In this embodiment, the annular discharge passage 40 defines a circular ridge 42 in the outer downstream surface of the body 28 of the spray tip 24, the circular ridge 42 surrounding a central recess 44. Additionally, Figures 2-6 The annular discharge passage 40 of the embodiment has sidewalls 46, 48, which gradually narrow or converge inward as they extend in the downstream direction, such that when... Figure 5 and Figure 6 When viewed in the cross-section shown, the sidewalls 46 and 48 exhibit a V-shape. As discussed further below, the annular discharge passage 40 may have different cross-sectional configurations based on the desired spray pattern characteristics.

[0030] The annular discharge passage 40 guides the fluid to multiple discharge orifices 50, through which the fluid exits the annular discharge passage 40 and the spray nozzle 24. The multiple discharge orifices 50 are evenly spaced from each other around the circumference of the annular discharge passage 40 (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in the figure), and formed in the downstream end of the annular discharge passage 40, in this case, the downstream end is where the two sidewalls 46, 48 of the annular discharge passage 40 intersect (as shown in the figure). Figure 5 As shown in [the document / reference]). More specifically, as [example / reference] Figure 4 As shown, the outer surface of the ridge 42 formed by the annular discharge passage 40 on the outer surface of the distal body 28 is cut by multiple cuts or notches 52. For example... Figure 5 As shown, each of these notches 52 is deep enough to create a corresponding opening in the spray tip body 28 that communicates with the annular discharge passage 40. These openings at the bottom of the respective notches 52 define discharge orifices 50, which are arranged in a generally circular pattern on the outer surface of the tip body 28 centered on the central recess 44 of the circular ridge 42.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, each notch 52 has two opposing sidewalls 54 that intersect at their upstream ends and separate from each other to form a V-shape as they extend in the downstream direction. Figure 13 A cross-sectional view showing the V-shaped configuration of the individual notches 52 is provided. With this configuration, for each notch 52, the discharge orifice 50 is centered on a line in which the two sidewalls 54 of the notch 52 intersect with the corresponding half of the discharge orifice 50 formed in each of the sidewalls 50. The opposing sidewalls 54 of the notches 52 in the outer ridge 42 define a deflection surface downstream of the corresponding discharge orifice 50, which helps to shape the spray pattern produced by the individual discharge orifices 50. As further explained below, the notches 52 may have different configurations depending on the desired spray pattern characteristics. Furthermore, the number of notches 52 and thus the number of discharge orifices 50 may also vary depending on the desired spray pattern. For example, in Figures 2-6 The embodiment shows six notches 52 and discharge orifices 50. However, in other embodiments, the spray tip 24 may have more or fewer discharge orifices 50 as desired, depending on the desired flow rate and desired spray characteristics of the spray tip 24.

[0032] Due to the annular structure of the discharge passage 40, the discharge passage 40 guides the liquid flow, allowing liquid to enter from each side or end of each discharge orifice 50. This generates an impinging flow that allows each individual discharge orifice 50 to produce a flat, fan-shaped spray pattern. The corresponding centerlines of these individual flat, fan-shaped spray patterns are determined by... Figure 7 Line 56 is shown in the diagram. These lines 56 also represent the center lines of the individual notches 52. (As can be seen from...) Figure 7 Line 56 and Figure 8 As seen in the individual discharge patterns 58 shown, the individual flat fan-shaped spray patterns 58 intersect each other in such a way that they form a generally flower-like or star-shaped pattern equivalent in operation to the full-cone discharge pattern. (See also...) Figure 7 As can be seen, the centerline 56 of the individual flat fan-shaped spray patterns is offset from the center of the annular discharge passage 40 and the circular ridge 42. This offset helps to avoid excessive spray collisions between the individual flat fan-shaped spray patterns 58, which can cause excessive fluid buildup near the center of the entire discharge pattern.

[0033] Using an annular discharge passage 40 to guide fluid along the annular discharge passage 40 to multiple discharge orifices 50 avoids the generation of vortex patterns produced by other full-cone spray nozzles. This allows for a full-cone discharge pattern with a cleaner cutoff, thereby avoiding dripping or insufficiently formed flow, especially at the beginning and end of the spray cycle.

[0034] The construction of the annular discharge passage 40 and the notch 52 forming the discharge orifice 50 can be modified to adjust the characteristics of the full-cone spray pattern. For example, in Figures 2-6 In some embodiments, the sidewalls 46, 48 of the annular discharge passage 40 are symmetrical or mirror images of each other because each sidewall 46, 48 tapers inward at the same angle as it extends in the downstream direction. However, the sidewalls 46, 48 of the annular discharge passage 40 do not need to be symmetrical. Figures 9-10 In the embodiment shown, the annular discharge passage 40 has radially outward sidewalls 46 that do not taper but instead extend substantially straight as they extend in the downstream direction. In contrast, in Figures 11-12 In the embodiment, the radially inward sidewalls 48 of the discharge passage 40 are substantially straight. Using an annular discharge passage 40 with an asymmetrical sidewall arrangement tends to deviate the spray pattern. More specifically, in Figures 9-10 In the case of embodiments (i.e., embodiments with straight, radially outward-facing sidewalls 46), the individual flat spray pattern produced by the discharge orifice 50 tends to be guided slightly further away (as opposed to...). Figures 2-6 Compared to the previous embodiment, the center of the spray tip 24 was sprayed. Conversely, in Figures 11-12In the case of embodiments (i.e., embodiments with straight, radially inward sidewalls 48), the individual flat fan-shaped spray pattern produced by the discharge orifice 50 tends to be guided more toward the center of the spray tip 24.

[0035] Figures 9-10 Embodiments also include a hub and spoke structure 60 in the central recess 44 of the circular ridge 42 on the outer surface of the spray tip body 28 (see...). Figure 9 The hub and spoke structure 60 increases the strength of the central portion 44 of the spray tip 24, and is therefore suitable for spray tips manufactured using 3D printing or injection molding processes. However, other central structures may also be used.

[0036] The cross-sectional configuration of the notch 52 forming the discharge orifice 50 can also be varied to adjust the characteristics of a separate flat fan-shaped spray pattern, including a full-cone spray pattern. For example, the notch 52 having a V-shaped cross-section, such as... Figure 13 As shown, a generally flat fan-shaped pattern is produced, which is a slightly tapered spray, with most of the liquid flow located in the center or the middle 50% of the spray pattern. In the case of the V-shaped notch 52, the larger the angle A forming the V-shape compared to a notch 52 with a smaller angle A, the narrower the resulting spray angle, with more flow in the center of the spray pattern. In particular, as the angle A decreases, the spray angle widens, and more spray volume is pushed towards the ends of the spray pattern.

[0037] Figure 15 The embodiment includes a U-shaped notch 52 with radius R and continuous sidewalls 54 (which are equivalent to) Figure 13 and Figure 14 The two sidewalls 54 of the embodiment). Compared to the V-shaped notch, the U-shaped notch 52 produces a more uniform spray pattern. As the radius R of the U-shape decreases, the spray angle becomes wider, and a smaller flow rate is achieved for each notch. Having features such as Figure 14 The notch 52 at the flat bottom shown in the figure has the same Figure 15 A more uniform spray pattern similar to the U-shaped notch. Figure 14 The flat bottom notch results in a larger, less clogged discharge orifice that resists clogging even when spraying a smaller amount of cleaning liquid with more particulate matter. As will be appreciated, any desired construction can be used for the annular discharge passage, and the notch can be used, for example, depending on the desired spray characteristics of the spray tip 24.

[0038] All references cited in this document, including publications, patent applications and patents, are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent that each reference is individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and to be stated in the whole document.

[0039] Unless otherwise indicated herein or obviously contradicted by the context, the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “at least one,” and similar designations used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be interpreted as encompassing both the singular and plural. Unless otherwise indicated herein or obviously contradicted by the context, the use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (e.g., “at least one of A and B”) is to be interpreted as meaning one item (A or B) selected from the listed items or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B). Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be interpreted as open terms (i.e., meaning “including but not limited to”). Unless otherwise indicated herein, the description of ranges of values ​​herein is intended merely as a shorthand method of individually referring to each individual value falling within that range, and each individual value is incorporated into this specification as it is individually described herein. Unless otherwise indicated herein or obviously contradicted by the context, all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order. Unless otherwise required, the use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. The language in this specification should not be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as necessary for practicing the invention.

[0040] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, including the best modes known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors intend for those skilled in the art to employ such variations where appropriate, and the inventors intend to practice the invention in ways other than those specifically described herein. Accordingly, the invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter set forth in the appended claims as permitted by applicable law. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the context, the invention encompasses any combination of the elements described above in all possible variations.

Claims

1. A spray nozzle assembly, comprising: The main body has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and an internal fluid passage connects the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet; A spray nozzle, supported on the body, includes a fluid inlet passage communicating with the fluid outlet of the nozzle body, the fluid inlet passage terminating in an end wall at a downstream end in the direction of fluid flow from the fluid inlet passage, and an annular discharge passage disposed in the spray nozzle downstream of the end wall and the fluid inlet passage, the annular discharge passage defining a circular ridge in the outer downstream surface of the spray nozzle. as well as Multiple discharge orifices through which fluid is discharged from the spray tip, the multiple discharge orifices being disposed in the circular ridge and spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the circular ridge; Each discharge orifice communicates with the annular discharge orifice and is formed in a corresponding recess in the circular ridge, each recess having at least one sidewall defining a deflection surface for the corresponding discharge orifice.

2. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The annular discharge passage has relatively symmetrical sidewalls that converge toward each other as they extend in the downstream direction to create a V-shaped cross-section.

3. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 2, wherein, Each discharge orifice is formed at the location where the opposing sidewalls of the annular discharge passage intersect.

4. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 2, wherein, Each discharge orifice is configured to produce a flat, fan-shaped spray pattern.

5. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The flat fan-shaped spray pattern of each discharge orifice has a corresponding center line, and the center line of the flat fan-shaped spray pattern of the discharge orifice is offset from the center of the circular ridge.

6. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The annular discharge passage has asymmetrical opposing first and second sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall extends straight in the downstream direction, and the second sidewall extends at a converging angle toward the first sidewall as it extends in the downstream direction.

7. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The first sidewall of the annular discharge passage is radially inward, and the second sidewall is radially outward.

8. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The second sidewall of the annular discharge passage is radially inward of the annular discharge passage, and the first sidewall is radially outward of the annular discharge passage.

9. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Each notch includes at least two sidewalls that define the V-shaped cross-section of the notch.

10. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The sidewalls of each notch define the U-shaped cross-section of the notch.

11. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Each notch has two sidewalls connected by a flat bottom.

12. The spray nozzle assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The main body includes a pulse width modulation valve assembly.

13. A spray tip of a spray nozzle assembly, the spray tip comprising: A spraying terminal body includes a fluid inlet passage terminating in an end wall at a downstream end in the direction of fluid flow from the fluid inlet passage, and an annular discharge passage disposed in the spraying terminal downstream of the end wall and the fluid inlet passage, the annular discharge passage defining a circular ridge in the outer downstream surface of the spraying terminal. as well as Multiple discharge orifices through which fluid is discharged from the spray tip, the multiple discharge orifices being disposed in the circular ridge and spaced apart from each other around the circumference of the circular ridge; Each discharge orifice communicates with the annular discharge orifice and is formed in a corresponding recess in the circular ridge, each recess having at least one sidewall defining a deflection surface for the corresponding discharge orifice.

14. The spraying tip according to claim 13, wherein, The annular discharge passage has relatively symmetrical sidewalls that converge toward each other as they extend in the downstream direction to create a V-shaped cross-section.

15. The spraying tip according to claim 13, wherein, The annular discharge passage has asymmetrical opposing first and second sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall extends straight in the downstream direction, and the second sidewall extends at a converging angle toward the first sidewall as it extends in the downstream direction.

16. The spraying tip according to claim 15, wherein, The first sidewall of the annular discharge passage is radially inward, and the second sidewall is radially outward.

17. The spraying tip according to claim 15, wherein, The second sidewall of the annular discharge passage is radially inward of the annular discharge passage, and the first sidewall is radially outward of the annular discharge passage.

18. The spraying tip according to claim 13, wherein, Each notch includes at least two sidewalls that define the V-shaped cross-section of the notch.

19. The spraying tip according to claim 13, wherein, The sidewalls of each notch define the U-shaped cross-section of the notch.

20. The spraying tip according to claim 13, wherein, Each notch has two sidewalls connected by a flat bottom.

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