Asphalt Spray Bar with Integrated Filter Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The asphalt industry lacks a spray apparatus specifically designed for asphalt sealant material, which leads to issues with nozzle clogging due to material buildup and difficulty in cleaning, and existing solutions do not effectively address these challenges.
Innovation Solution
An integrated spray nozzle system with a leak-free filter housing, mesh filter, actuator for on/off control, and extension options for the spray pattern, allowing for easy access and maintenance, and efficient filtration within the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate filter system is used before the spray bar, then filtration is achieved, but the system complexity increases and material buildup still occurs in the nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter and spray bar into a single integrated unit where the filter is positioned directly within the spray bar housing. This merging eliminates the need for a separate pre-filter system while maintaining filtration functionality, thereby reducing overall system complexity while still preventing nozzle clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated filter acts as an intermediary component positioned between the material supply and the nozzles within the same housing. This intermediary filter captures particulate matter before it reaches the nozzles, preventing clogging while being part of the unified spray bar assembly rather than a separate system.
2Reliability
If the filter is incorporated into the nozzle itself, then filtration is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bar is segmented into distinct modular components including the filter element, spray holes, and housing sections. This segmentation allows the filter to be easily removed and cleaned separately from the nozzle assembly, maintaining filtration effectiveness while significantly improving cleaning ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed with dynamic accessibility - it can be quickly inserted and removed from the spray bar housing. This dynamic design allows the filter to remain integrated during operation for effective filtration, but can be easily accessed for cleaning without disassembling the entire nozzle system.
3Device complexity
If a simple spray bar design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but nozzle clogging from material buildup cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is merged directly into the spray bar housing, creating an integrated unit that maintains the simplicity of a single-component design while adding filtration capability. This combination prevents nozzle clogging without requiring complex separate filtration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray bar is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both spray delivery and filtration functions within a single unified structure. This universal design achieves nozzle protection against clogging while maintaining the simplicity of a single integrated component rather than multiple separate parts.
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 solution provides a reliable and maintainable spray apparatus that prevents nozzle clogging, facilitates easy cleaning, and offers adjustable spray patterns, enhancing the application of asphalt sealant material.
Implementation Method 1
A filter is placed inside of the filter housing... The material then filters radially outward through the filter screen
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a spraying apparatus with an integrated filter, specifically to overcome the challenges of spraying asphalt sealant material. The present invention can be integrated within an asphalt sealant spray system and consists of a leak free large filter housing, multiple spray nozzles placed axially and pointing downwards towards the ground, a meshed filter that fits inside the filter housing, an actuator as means of on/off nozzle control, extension options for lengthening the spray pattern, a material inlet that will receive pressurized material from a pump the spray apparatus is integrated with, and housing end caps to provide easy access to the inside of the filter housing.