Adjustable Nozzle With Movable Arms For Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzles face challenges in achieving precise manufacturing and assembly, leading to suboptimal fluid flow characteristics such as turbulence and unpredictable spray patterns, particularly when transitioning between circular and rectangular cross-sectional shapes.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design featuring a modular structure with a flow path comprising an inlet, converging, transition, hybrid, and modulation sections, along with movable arms that adjust relative to a face plate with an elliptical engagement surface, allowing for precise control of fluid flow and minimizing turbulence through smooth transitions and adjustable outlet dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional nozzle designs are used, then manufacturing and assembly can be simpler, but precision and control over fluid flow characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple sections (inlet, converging, transition, hybrid, modulation) with distinct functions. Each section can be manufactured separately with controlled precision, then assembled together. The movable arms are segmented from the face plate, allowing independent precision manufacturing and assembly adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle incorporates movable arms that can adjust their position relative to the face plate, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows post-manufacturing adjustment of outlet dimensions and spray patterns, achieving precision control without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on all components.
2Reliability
If precision manufacturing is implemented, then fluid flow characteristics improve, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the nozzle into functional sections, each can be manufactured with appropriate precision levels for its specific function. The transition section and modulation section can be manufactured with higher precision than other sections, optimizing overall performance without requiring extreme precision throughout the entire nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle allows for parameter changes in outlet dimensions and spray patterns through the movable arms mechanism. This enables adjustment of flow characteristics after manufacturing, providing reliability and adaptability without requiring every component to be manufactured with extreme precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If smooth transitions between cross-sectional shapes are implemented, then turbulence is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transition section employs curved surfaces and smooth geometric transitions between circular and rectangular cross-sections, avoiding sharp angles and abrupt changes. This curvature-based design reduces turbulence and flow separation while providing a clear manufacturing template for achieving the desired smooth transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid section features an asymmetric transition from a circular cross-section to a rectangular cross-section through an intermediate shape. This asymmetric design allows for controlled flow transitions that reduce turbulence while providing manufacturing guidance through defined geometric boundaries.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable outlet dimensions are added, then spray pattern control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable arms provide a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the outlet dimensions to be changed during operation. This dynamic capability enables a single nozzle design to adapt to various spray pattern requirements without requiring multiple fixed-nozzle variants, improving versatility while keeping the base design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable arm mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls outlet dimensions, adjusts spray patterns, and adapts to different operational requirements. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each adjustment function, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle including a nozzle body having a flow path therein, the nozzle further including a face plate coupled to or positioned in the nozzle body and having an engagement surface. The nozzle includes an arm coupled to or positioned in the nozzle body, the arm including an engagement surface engaging the engagement surface of the face plate. At least one of the engagement surface of the face plate or the engagement surface of the arm has at least part of a spherical surface. The face plate and the arm are configured such that relative rotation between the face plate and the nozzle body causes at least part of the arm to move toward or away from a center of the flow path.