Air-Oil Mist Generator With Vortex Nozzle and Particle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air/oil mist generators using Venturi or vortex systems produce oil particles that are either too coarse or not evenly dispersed, leading to reduced lubrication performance and system design complexity, particularly in applications requiring fine particles and variable air flow rates.
Innovation Solution
An air/oil mist generator with a nebulizer system that includes a first nozzle generating a vortex in a chamber, a divergent channel to separate heavier particles, and a condenser to collect them, along with a differential pressure regulator to manage varying air flow rates, ensuring fine, homogeneous oil particle dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a Venturi system is used to generate oil mist, then the system can deliver oil to user devices, but the oil particles become coarse and tend to precipitate and agglomerate
Solution Approach 1:
The Venturi tube is divided into multiple injection zones along its length, with multiple nozzles positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the oil stream to be broken into smaller segments that mix with air in stages, producing finer and more uniform particles while maintaining delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point injection approach to a distributed multi-dimensional injection system. Multiple nozzles are arranged along the Venturi tube at different positions and angles, creating a three-dimensional mixing pattern that enhances particle dispersion and uniformity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vortex system is used to generate mist, then the system operates within a broader range of pressure and flow levels, but the mist particles are coarser and less even
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both Venturi and vortex systems. The Venturi tube provides the pressure differential and flow range adaptability, while strategically positioned nozzles create localized vortexes that enhance mixing. This combination achieves both broad operational range and fine particle uniformity
3Productivity
If larger particles of oil are used, then the oil can be carried by air to user devices, but the particles increase coalescence and decrease lubrication performance
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the mist generation system are optimized for different functions. The upstream nozzles create initial atomization, the middle section provides extended mixing and particle size reduction, and the downstream section ensures fine particle delivery. This local optimization throughout the system ensures both carryability and lubrication performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system produces a highly homogeneous mist with micro-particles of oil, effectively lubricating tools with variable air flow rates by optimizing particle size and maintaining consistent mist generation across different operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first nozzle (7) supplied with pressurised air and configured to generate a vortex in the chamber (9)
Implementation Method 2
the oil is suctioned via the nozzle by the vacuum which is created in the minimum passage section, by Venturi effect
Implementation Method 3
a divergent channel (11) in which only the finer particles of oil are selected
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A generator (1, 1A) of air/oil mist, comprising an accumulation chamber (2) inside which a mist of particles of oil in air accumulates, the accumulation chamber (2) being equipped with at least a first mist outlet (4) and at least one nebulizer (3, 3A) feeding into the said accumulation chamber (2), the nebulizer (3, 3A) comprising a first nozzle (7, 7A) supplied with pressurised air, which features at least a first channel (8, 80) supplied with the pressurised air, each channel (8, 80) being equipped with an outlet (8A, 8A) on a surface (70) of the first nozzle which defines, at least partially, a first chamber (9) which is axially symmetrical with respect to an axis (A), the channels (8, 80) being positioned so as to generate a rotation of the air fed into the first chamber (9) around the said axis (A), the surface (70) of the first nozzle featuring at least one section converging towards an outlet hole (10, 10'), the nebulizer (3, 3A) featuring, furthermore, a second nozzle (6) supplied with oil and feeding out into the said first chamber (9) so that the oil is suctioned via the second nozzle (6) because of the air flowing through the first chamber (9); the outlet hole (10) of the first nozzle (7) feeds out into a divergent channel (11).