Fluid oscillator for nozzle assembly for enhanced low-temperature performance

Abstract

To provide a fluidic oscillator circuit 100 for a nozzle assembly configured to generate oscillating sprays of fluid from an outlet 120 of the nozzle assembly and to improve spray performance of fluid having low temperature or high viscosity.SOLUTION: Provided is an interaction region 130 for the fluidic oscillator circuit 100 that includes an apex protrusion 150 shaped to assist in generating vortices 160 within the interaction region 130. Alternatively provided is an interaction region for a fluidic oscillator having a power nozzle that includes at least one finger protrusion that lengthens the power nozzle to create jets of fluid in the interaction region that are less diffused to improve cold performance of the fluidic oscillator circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8A-8B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 916,869, filed on October 18, 2019, entitled "Fluid Oscillator for Nozzle Assembly for Enhanced Low - Temperature Performance", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to fluid oscillators and nozzle assemblies, and methods for manufacturing them to generate an oscillating flow of fluid therefrom. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to fluid oscillators that can operate at lower temperatures typically associated with more viscous fluids.

Background Art

[0003] Fluid oscillators are well - known in the prior art for their ability to provide a wide range of liquid spray patterns by periodically deflecting a liquid jet. The operation of most fluid oscillators is characterized by the periodic deflection of a fluid jet without using mechanical moving parts. Thus, an advantage of fluid oscillators is that they are not subject to the effects of wear and tear that can negatively impact the reliability and operation of other spray devices.

[0004] Examples of fluid oscillators are described in numerous patents, including, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,185,166 (Horton and Bowles), U.S. Patent No. 3,563,462 (Bauer), U.S. Patent No. 4,052,002 (Stouffer and Bray), U.S. Patent No. 4,151,955 (Stouffer), U.S. Patent No. 4,157,161 (Bauer), U.S. Patent No. 4,231,519 (Stouffer), reissued as RE33,158 (Stouffer), U.S. Patent No. 4,508,267 (Stouffer), U.S. Patent No. 5,035,361 (Stouffer), U.S. Patent No. 5,213,269 (Srinath), U.S. Patent No. 5,971,301 (Stouffer), U.S. Patent No. 6,186,409 (Srinath), and U.S. Patent No. 6,253,782 (Raghu). Each of these references, as well as all references discussed throughout this application, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] For sprays of certain high-viscosity liquids (i.e., 15–20 centipoise), the “mushroom oscillator” disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,253,782 (Raghu), shown in Figure 2, has been found particularly useful. Raghu details its operating theory and dimensional characteristics and has been a primary manufacturing choice for many years, producing a heavy-ended spray distribution with acceptable low-temperature performance with methanol-based fluids at 0°F. However, over the years, the requirements for spray distribution and low-temperature performance have increased as the temperature at which nozzle assemblies are expected to function has decreased and more fluid bases have been introduced. Methanol-based liquids are being gradually replaced by ethanol-based or isopropyl-based liquids. These fluids have significantly higher viscosity at low temperatures than the methanol-based fluids of the past. As described in U.S. Patents No. 7,267,290 and 7,472,848, minor modifications to the basic geometry of the fluid oscillator circuit have been proposed and adopted. Both methods aim to introduce further instability into the jet of high-viscosity fluid, helping the circuit establish strong oscillations.

[0006] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of U.S. Patent No. 7,267,290, which teaches incorporating a finger-like structure behind a dome or mushroom structure to create additional instability, or vortex, in the power nozzle supply. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of U.S. Patent No. 7,472,848, which introduces a step at the power nozzle outlet to introduce additional recirculation or vortex in the jet path, thereby creating instability.

[0007] Both of these improvements produced slightly better low-temperature performance circuits, but they have several drawbacks. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,267,290 requires the circuit to be slightly longer, which is often unacceptable within the available package space. Also, this configuration can make tuning low-flow circuits difficult. U.S. Patent No. 7,472,848 is the most widely adopted of the two, and while it offers a slight improvement in low-temperature performance, it does not improve distribution. As should be noted, both of these patents describe modifications to the circuit outside the interaction region.

[0008] However, it has also been found that if the temperature of such a liquid continues to decrease, causing an increase in viscosity (for example, to 25 centipoise), the performance of this type of oscillator can degrade to the point where it no longer provides a jet that vibrates sufficiently to distribute its spray across the applicable fan angle. This situation is particularly problematic in windshield washer applications that utilize such fluid oscillators.

[0009] Attempts to modify the interaction region to improve the distribution of conventional mushroom circuits led to U.S. Patent No. 7,651,036, which is classified as a “3-jet island” circuit, as shown in Figure 6. Here, additional jets and islands are introduced into the interaction region, generating some additional vortices and instability. The 3-jet island circuit results in improved low-temperature performance and some improvement in distribution uniformity. While this circuit works very well, it presents some manufacturing challenges. For example, as the flow rate of the circuit decreases, the size of the small third island inside becomes very small and relatively fragile. The very act of assembling the fluid oscillator chip by pushing the chip into the slot (Figure 5) can damage or break the small island 34. As a result, this 3-jet island circuit can only be reliably used with relatively high-flow nozzles, as additional scrap can result in unintended spray shapes. Furthermore, the addition of a third flow channel necessitates reducing the size of all three flow channels or power nozzles 24 to maintain flow rates to specifications, resulting in a higher risk of clogging. This requires additional complexity in the filter area, which has its own unique manufacturing and packaging challenges. Despite the numerous prior art inventions relating to fluid oscillators, there remains a need for further technical improvements in the design of fluid oscillators for use in lower temperature environments. This invention describes further research carried out to improve the circuit while eliminating some of the aforementioned shortcomings. [Overview of the project]

[0010] This disclosure relates to embodiments of fluid oscillator circuits for nozzle assemblies. In one embodiment, a fluid oscillator circuit is provided that includes a shape defined on a surface, including at least one inlet configured to receive a flow of fluid. An interaction region may be located between the at least one inlet and an outlet, the interaction region being defined by a surrounding wall. At least one power nozzle may be configured to receive from at least one inlet and generate a jet of fluid circulating within the interaction region. An outlet may be in contact with the interaction region and may be configured to distribute an oscillating spray of fluid in a desired spray pattern. Apex projections may be located along the surrounding wall of the interaction region and may project inward from the surrounding wall. At least one inlet may include a shape that allows fluid communication with the opposite side of the surface on which the shape is defined. The shape may further include an elongated path from at least one inlet to the power nozzle. The interaction region may include a dome or mushroom-shaped region defined by a surrounding wall. The shape may include a first inlet and a second inlet defined on the surface, the first inlet may communicate with a first power nozzle, and the second inlet may communicate with a second power nozzle, each of the first and second power nozzles being configured to receive fluid from at least one inlet and generate a jet of fluid circulating within the interaction region, where the apex protrusion may be positioned along the surrounding wall of the interaction region between the first and second power nozzles. The apex protrusion may be positioned equidistant from each of the first and second power nozzles. The apex protrusion may be shaped to include the intersection of two rounded or curved surrounding walls of the interaction region intersecting at a certain point, the point being equidistant from the first and second power nozzles positioned along the interaction region.The apex projection can be configured to direct or stabilize the positions of multiple vortices formed by fluid jets from at least one power nozzle within the interaction region, in order to control the geometric arrangement of the vortices therein, where the multiple vortices include left and right vortices formed by fluids whose viscosity measurements are increased for operation at low temperatures. The first and second inlets can connect to the first and second power nozzles separately, where the first and second power nozzles are not supplied from a common plenum. The outlets may include asymmetric or yaw-angle configurations.

[0011] In one embodiment, the shape may include a first inlet and a second inlet defined on the surface, the first inlet communicating with a first power nozzle, and the second inlet communicating with a second power nozzle, and the first and second power nozzles are each configured to receive fluid from at least one inlet and generate a jet of fluid circulating within the interaction region. A set of finger-like projections may be defined adjacent to the outlet of the first power nozzle, a set of finger-like projections may be defined adjacent to the outlet of the second power nozzle, and the finger-like projections may be defined along the surrounding wall of the interaction region.

[0012] In another embodiment, a fluid oscillator circuit for a nozzle assembly is provided, including a shape defined on a surface that includes at least one inlet configured to receive a fluid flow. An interaction region may be located between at least one inlet and an outlet, and the interaction region is defined by a surrounding wall. At least one power nozzle may be configured to generate a jet of fluid that is received from at least one inlet and circulates within the interaction region. The outlet may communicate with the interaction region, from which it is configured to distribute an oscillating spray of fluid in a desired spray pattern. A set of finger-like projections may be defined along the surrounding wall of the interaction region adjacent to the outlet of the power nozzle. At least one inlet may include a shape that allows fluid communication with the opposite side of the surface on which the shape is defined. The shape may further include an elongated path from at least one inlet to the power nozzle. The interaction region may include a dome or mushroom-shaped region defined by a surrounding wall. The shape may include a first inlet and a second inlet defined on the surface, the first inlet communicating with a first power nozzle, and the second inlet communicating with a second power nozzle, and the first and second power nozzles are each configured to receive fluid from at least one inlet and generate a jet of fluid circulating within the interaction region. A vertex protrusion may be positioned along the surrounding wall of the interaction region between the first and second power nozzles. The shape may include a first inlet and a second inlet defined on the surface, the first inlet may communicate with a first power nozzle, and the second inlet may communicate with a second power nozzle, and the first and second power nozzles are each configured to receive fluid from at least one inlet and generate a jet of fluid circulating within the interaction region. The first power nozzle may include a first finger-like projection extending from a first side of the outlet of the first power nozzle along the surrounding wall of the interaction region, and a second finger-like projection extending from a second side of the outlet of the first power nozzle. The second power nozzle may include a first finger-like projection extending from a first side of the second power nozzle along the surrounding wall of the interaction region, and a second finger-like projection extending from a second side of the second power nozzle.The finger-like projections are configured to act to lengthen the power nozzle by extending into the interaction region, thereby generating a jet of fluid from which adhesion to the surrounding wall of the interaction region is reduced. The first and second inlets can communicate separately to the first and second power nozzles along the surface, where the first and second power nozzles are not supplied from a common plenum. The outlets may include asymmetric or yaw-angle configurations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] These, as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully understood and recognized by referring to the following more detailed description of currently preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a conventional mushroom-style fluid oscillator circuit.

[0015] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a conventional fluid oscillator circuit.

[0016] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a magnified view of a conventional fluid oscillator chip equipped with multiple filter posts.

[0017] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of a conventional fluid oscillator circuit with a biased configuration.

[0018] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a conventional disassembled nozzle assembly and fluid oscillator chip.

[0019] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a front view of a conventional fluid oscillator circuit having a three-jet island configuration.

[0020] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the fluid interaction region and vortex positions in a prior art fluid oscillator circuit described in U.S. Patent No. 6,253,782.

[0021] [Figure 8A] Figure 8A is a schematic front view showing the fluid flow interaction region and vortex positions of the oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 8B] Figure 8B is a schematic front view showing the fluid flow interaction region and vortex positions of the oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 8C] Figure 8C is a schematic front view showing the fluid flow interaction region and vortex positions of the oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 8D] Figure 8D is a schematic front view showing the fluid flow interaction region and vortex positions of the oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 9A] Figure 9A is a front view of an embodiment of the oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 9B] Figure 9B is a front view of an embodiment of the oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an image of a biased spray from the fluid oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an image diagram of an existing spray from a prior art fluid oscillator circuit.

[0029] [Figure 12A]Figure 12A is a front view of an embodiment of the fluid oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 12B] Figure 12B is a front view of an embodiment of the fluid oscillator circuit of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a table showing viscosity-to-temperature curves for methanol and ethanol fluids. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of this teaching will be referenced in detail, and examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of each of these teachings. Furthermore, features of various embodiments may be combined or modified without departing from the scope of this teaching. Accordingly, the following description is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the various substitutions and modifications that may be made to the exemplary embodiments, and remains within the spirit and scope of this teaching. Any specificity in this disclosure, such as particular shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc., is either related to the specific example presented or is merely a general description of such shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc.

[0033] Concepts are provided for modifying the interaction region of an enhanced fluid oscillator circuit, which have not been described or taught by the prior art. Figures 8A–8D show various shapes of the fluid oscillator circuit 100 that can be defined within a tip inserted into or mounted in a nozzle assembly. The shape of the fluid oscillator circuit can be defined on the surface of the tip or on a surface within the nozzle device. The circuit and surface and / or nozzle device can be fabricated from rigid materials, including polymers or alloys, which can be formed by any commercial method, including molding, additive manufacturing, or other known methods.

[0034] In one embodiment, the fluid oscillator circuit 100 includes at least one inlet 110 for receiving a fluid flow and an outlet 120 for distributing a vibrating spray of fluid from there in a desired spray pattern. An interaction region 130 may be positioned between the inlet 110 and the outlet 120 to allow a desired fluid connection through it. At least one power nozzle 140 may be positioned around the interaction region 130 to generate a jet of fluid received from the inlet 110 and circulating within the interaction region 130. The specific shape of each specified element constituting the fluid oscillator circuit 100 is specified to manipulate the fluid flow therein to generate a desired shape of vibrating fluid spray. The inlet 110 may have a shape that allows fluid connection to the opposite side of the circuit and then allows an elongated path from the inlet 110 to the power nozzle 140.

[0035] In one embodiment, the interaction region 130 includes a dome or mushroom-shaped region defined by a surrounding wall or surface 132, which includes features for further manipulating the fluid flow therein that are not known or taught in the prior art. In particular, the interaction region 130 may include a vertex projection 150 positioned along the surrounding surface of the interaction region 130 and projecting inward from the periphery. The vertex projection 150 can be positioned between two opposing power nozzles 140. The vertex projection 150 may be positioned equidistant from each of two opposing power nozzles 140, such as the first and second power nozzles 142, 144, as shown in Figure 8C. The vertex projection may be shaped to include the intersection of two rounded or curved surrounding surfaces of the interaction region 130 that intersect at a certain point. The intersection may be equidistant from two opposing power nozzles 140 positioned along the interaction region 130. The intersection may be aligned along a central axis 170, as described below.

[0036] The apex projection 150 can be configured to direct or stabilize the position of the vortices 160 formed by the fluid jet within the interaction region 130 in order to control the geometric arrangement of the vortices therein. Figures 8A and 8C show one possible and effective shape of the interaction region including the apex projection 150. In this embodiment, there is a separate inlet 110 that separately communicates with opposing power nozzles 140, where the power nozzles are not supplied from a common plenum. However, this disclosure intends that the addition of the apex projection 150 may be used in various types of fluid oscillator circuits, and may also be used in other types of fluid oscillator circuits, such as those that utilize a common plenum to receive fluid from the inlet.

[0037] Figures 8A and 8C show apex protrusions 150 added to the interaction region 130 to help form left and right vortices 160 within the interaction region 130 when the fluid is introduced therefrom the power nozzle 140. Figure 7 is provided to illustrate how the fluid flow passes through an interaction region without such apex protrusions of known types. Furthermore, Figures 8B and 8D are provided as a reference frame to show how the fluid flow can be manipulated by the addition of apex protrusions 150 (shown by Figures 8A and 8C) to provide fluid flow consistency. In particular, the newly disclosed interaction region 130 with apex protrusions 150 is especially beneficial when the fluid has increased viscosity measurements due to operation at low temperatures.

[0038] For example, the addition of the apex protrusion 150 allows for multiple upper vortices 160 along either side of the apex protrusion 150 when the fluid flow is distributed from the outlet 120 during the oscillating cycle. This consistency of vortex generation is particularly evident from Figure 8A, and in comparison with Figure 8C, the oscillation of the fluid spray from the outlet 120 is directed outward along an axis roughly aligned with the central axis 170 of the circuit 100. Notably, since the fluid spray is generated along the entire fan spray shape, the vortices 160 appear to have a generally consistent shape of the fluid flow during the oscillating cycle.

[0039] Conversely, Figures 8B and 8D show vortices 160 with inconsistent shapes, where a large upper vortex and a small upper vortex are present in Figure 8B due to the angled spray of fluid from the outlet. Furthermore, Figure 8D shows vortices 160 with inconsistent shapes compared to the interaction region shown in Figure 8B, because the vibrations of the fluid spray from outlet 120 are directed outward along an axis aligned with the central axis 170 of the circuit.

[0040] The sample circuit was fabricated in the shape of a fluid oscillator circuit 100 including vertex protrusions 150. It was tested to generate a nominal fan angle of approximately 53 degrees with a uniform spray pattern very similar to that of the three-jet island circuit described above. Its flow rate was approximately 500 ml / min at 22 PSI. Low-temperature performance was very good in a 50% methanol solution at 0°F, and it was confirmed to have a low-temperature fan angle of 35 degrees at approximately 5 PSI and 40 degrees at 6 PSI. In particular, a similar three-jet island circuit ended up with a low-temperature fan angle of approximately 30 degrees at 7 PSI, 32 degrees at 10 PSI, and 40 degrees at 15 PSI. This embodiment offers a significant improvement over the prior art, as the fan recovers much faster during the fluid oscillation cycle at low temperatures, allowing for a larger nominal fan angle.

[0041] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 9A, a fluid oscillator circuit 100 is provided that has many of the same features as described above, but also includes improvements to the discovered interaction region. This embodiment includes a set of finger-like projections 200 defined adjacent to the outlet of the power nozzle 140. The finger-like projections 200 extend from either side of the power nozzle 140 and can act to lengthen the power nozzle without increasing the overall size of the fluid oscillator circuit or tip. The addition of such finger-like projections 200 lengthens the lumen of the power nozzle 140 sufficiently so that when fluid flows through it, a jet with less diffusion (i.e., less adhesion to the walls) is produced. The generated jet with reduced diffusion within the interaction results in an increase in active / unstable fluid under low temperature and / or high viscosity conditions. The finger-like projections 200 can generate a stronger fluid jet / flow in the center of the interaction region 130. The resulting fluid spray from the outlet 120 has been found to be a more uniform fan than that of a conventional mushroom-shaped interaction region without such finger-like projections. Figure 9A shows one possible embodiment of this feature having an outlet 120 with an asymmetric or yaw angle configuration and a plurality of inlets 110. However, the disclosure is intended to show that the finger-like projections 200 can be adapted for use in all types of fluid oscillator circuits in which such projections are known to exist, and the disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0042] For comparison, a conventional style mushroom circuit (on the left in Figure 12A or 12B) has similar low-temperature performance to the new circuit (Figure 9A). However, the spray pattern of the old mushroom circuit is heavy-edged, making it unsuitable for some applications, such as automotive rear window spraying. The 3-jet island circuit (Figure 6) provides a desirable uniform fluid output spray fan, but lacks sufficient low-temperature performance, resulting in even less desirable low-temperature performance than the old mushroom circuit.

[0043] The finger-like projection feature 200 (Figure 9A) extends the power nozzle and, in addition to the inlet 110 having a vertical feed (Figures 8A-8D, 9A, and 9B), acts to improve the low-temperature performance of the fluid oscillator circuit. The combination of the vertical feed 110 and the finger-like projection 200 results in improved low-temperature performance with an output fan spray that has less heavy edge. Furthermore, the apex projection 150 (Figure 12B) helps to make the spray pattern more uniform without compromising low-temperature performance. The short distance between the vertical feed (inlet 110) and the outlet of the power nozzle 140 was found to help improve low-temperature performance but to add more manufacturing risk.

[0044] Figure 9B shows another embodiment of the present application, including finger-like projections 200 and apical projections 150, having a throat outlet with an asymmetrical yaw angle. Such an angle may be about 15 degrees, and this disclosure is not limited to such a shape. This particular embodiment provides a subtle improvement to the behavior of the fluid within the nozzle assembly, enabling the desired resulting fluid spray and low-temperature performance by reducing the shape of the spray fan, which can be "heavy-end"

[0045] A sample circuit equipped with finger-like projections was found to generate a fan of approximately 60 degrees at a flow rate of 735 ml / min at 18 PSI at room temperature (warm temperature). This circuit was also found to exhibit low-temperature performance at 0°F with methanol solutions, such as a 50% methanol solution, producing a fan of 40 degrees at 4 PSI and a fan of 50 degrees at 5 PSI. The circuit was also found to exhibit low-temperature performance at 0°F with ethanol fluids, such as a 50% ethanol fluid solution, producing a fan of 40 degrees at 7 PSI and a fan of 50 degrees at 8 PSI. Figure 9 shows a biased spray circuit, but the same can be applied to unbiased circuits. Figure 4 shows, for comparison, a conventional mushroom-type fluid oscillator circuit with a biased configuration. The circuit in Figure 4 includes a fan of 60 degrees at room temperature (warm temperature) and a flow rate of 810 ml / min at 18 PSI, but its low-temperature performance with methanol fluids shows a fan of 20 degrees at 20 PSI and a fan of 40 degrees at 30 PSI.

[0046] In this embodiment of interaction region enhancement, the fluid oscillator circuit exhibits increased low-temperature performance over similar mushroom circuits.

[0047] The following images illustrate the differences in spray distribution and droplet size between the new configuration (Figure 10) and a standard mushroom-type fluid oscillator circuit known in the art (Figure 11). Here, the spray fan produced by the fluid oscillator circuit in Figure 10 contains relatively large droplet sizes, with the ends of the spray fan being only slightly heavier. In contrast, the conventional mushroom-style fluid oscillator shown in Figure 11 produces a spray fan with relatively small droplet sizes, where the ends of the spray fan are reconstituted to have very heavy ends.

[0048] Figures 12A and 12B illustrate embodiments of the improved fluid oscillator circuit designs disclosed in this application, as they distinguish them from circuits known in the art. The known circuit NC is shown on the left, and embodiments of the new fluid oscillator circuit 100 are shown on the right. These fluid oscillator designs have been shown to improve the low-temperature performance of fluid oscillator circuits, enabling them to generate faster speeds and more uniform sprays.

[0049] Figure 12A shows an embodiment that includes a set of finger-like projections 200 defined adjacent to the outlet of the power nozzle 140. The finger-like projections 200 extend from either side of the power nozzle 140 and can act to lengthen the power nozzle without increasing the overall size of the fluid oscillator circuit or tip. As distinguished from Figure 9, Figure 12A shows one possible embodiment of this feature having an outlet 120 with a symmetrical configuration and a single inlet 110. However, this disclosure is intended to show that the finger-like projections 200 can be adapted for use in all types of fluid oscillator circuits in which such use is known to exist, and this disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0050] Figure 12B shows an embodiment that includes a vertex projection 150 extending into the interaction region 130 of the circuit. The vertex projection 150 added to the interaction region 130 helps to form left and right vortices within the interaction region 130 when the fluid is introduced into it from the power nozzle 140. In particular, the newly disclosed interaction region 130 having the vertex projection 150 is especially beneficial when the viscosity measurements of the fluid increase due to operation at low temperatures.

[0051] Figure 13 is provided to show that as the temperature of methanol and ethanol fluids decreases, their viscosity increases, and therefore, improvements to the spray produced by the fluid oscillator need to be developed for fluids with decreasing temperature and increased viscosity.

[0052] Embodiments of this teaching are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the above-mentioned detailed description, but this teaching is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and it should be understood that the teaching described herein is subject to numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the following claims. The following claims are intended to include all modifications and changes, insofar as they remain within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fluid circuit for a nozzle assembly, A circuit member having a defined plane, an upstream end, a downstream end, and two side ends, To enable fluid communication through the circuit member, at least one inlet is provided through the circuit member, Includes an interaction region formed on the plane to define an unobstructed interaction chamber that supplies to a single outlet, The interaction region is surrounded by an upstream peripheral wall facing the upstream end, two downstream peripheral wall portions facing the downstream end, and power nozzles facing each other, namely a first power nozzle located at the first side end and a second power nozzle located at the second side end. First and second pairs of finger-like projections are formed on the opposing side ends of the interaction chamber, and each pair of finger-like projections extends inward toward the central portion of the interaction chamber, thereby extending the flow path of each power nozzle and creating a C-shape in the upstream circumferential wall and in each of the two downstream circumferential wall portions, the mirror-image C-shapes connecting to the straight end wall portions on both sides of the single outlet. The first pair of finger-like projections defines the first power nozzle, and the second pair of finger-like projections defines the second power nozzle, and each of the first and second power nozzles is fluid-connected to the at least one inlet and configured to eject a jet toward the central portion. The single outlet is defined by i) the opposing ends of the two downstream surrounding wall portions, and ii) positioned along the downstream end. A fluid circuit in which the fluid supplied to the fluid circuit comes into contact only with the inlet, the interaction chamber and the outlet, thereby distributing a vibrating fan spray from the single outlet to a plane coinciding with the plane.

2. The fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein the single outlet has an asymmetric configuration or is positioned at a yaw angle with respect to the downstream end.

3. The fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating fan spray has an angle of at least 35 degrees in width and up to 60 degrees in width in a plane.

4. The fluid circuit according to claim 1, wherein all of the power nozzles are supplied from a common plenum that functions as the inlet.

5. The fluid circuit according to claim 4, wherein a first and a second inlet are provided, the first inlet supplying only to the first power nozzle, and the second inlet supplying only to the second power nozzle.

Images