Aspirating Spray Nozzle Assembly with Venturi and Catchment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aspirating spray nozzle assemblies are too long and limited in spray spread, making them unsuitable for close-quarter applications and fire protection in mining vehicles, and their foaming performance is hindered by internal swirling chambers and changing foaming agent formulations.
Innovation Solution
A compact aspirating spray nozzle assembly with a nozzle body and distributor that includes a venturi chamber, orifice discs with dispersing means, and an annular catchment to redirect liquid splashback, along with a vortex or baffled distributor to achieve a wide conical spray pattern without obstructing aspiration, and protection from contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long venturi tube arrangement is used to create a narrow spray pattern, then maximum trajectory distance and velocity are achieved, but the nozzle becomes extremely long and unsuitable for close-quarter applications
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi tube is segmented into a short venturi section followed by a separate mixing chamber and distributor assembly. This segmentation allows the nozzle to achieve wide spray dispersion without requiring a long continuous venturi tube, reducing overall nozzle length while maintaining spray effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear long-venturi design to a compact three-dimensional arrangement with a short venturi, vertical mixing chamber, and radial distributor. This dimensional reconfiguration achieves wide spray spread (120-360 degrees) in a compact footprint, eliminating the need for excessive nozzle length.
2Shape
If internal swirling chambers and dispersing baffles are added to produce wide full cone dispersion, then spray spread is improved, but these components become major impediments to aspiration functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the aspiration function from the internal flow path by introducing air through separate aspiration ports located in the mixing chamber walls. This separates the liquid flow path from the air introduction mechanism, allowing wide dispersion components to exist without interfering with aspiration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary space where liquid from the short venturi mixes with air introduced through wall ports before reaching the distributor. This intermediary chamber allows dispersion components to shape the spray without obstructing the aspiration path, resolving the conflict between wide dispersion and reliable aspiration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air is introduced at a negative pressure zone at the liquid plume projection apex, then foaming purposes are achieved, but this limits the physical characteristics and foaming performance of the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber serves multiple functions: it mixes liquid with air for foaming, accommodates various distributor types (solid cone, hollow cone, flat fan), and allows adjustment of aspiration ports for different flow rates. This multi-functionality provides versatility in foaming performance without requiring complex shield geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows dynamic adjustment of aspiration port positioning and sizing to optimize foaming performance for different applications and foaming agent formulations. This dynamic configurability provides adaptability without fixing the geometry to complex static shield designs.
4Volume of moving object
If the nozzle is designed for wide short trajectory dispersion, then compactness is achieved, but installation in close-quarter applications and fire protection of mining vehicles remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is segmented into removable components (nozzle body, mixing chamber, distributor, protection cap) that can be easily installed and configured in various close-quarter applications. This segmentation enables compact installation in mining vehicles while maintaining adaptability to different mounting locations and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable and reconfigurable component design allows the compact nozzle to be dynamically adapted to different installation locations and orientations in mining vehicles. The protection cap can be removed or adjusted, and distributors can be changed to suit specific fire protection requirements, enhancing application suitability despite compact dimensions.
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 enables a short-range full conical spray plume with increased central liquid density, protects air aspiration holes, and prevents venturi chamber flooding, enhancing foaming performance and adaptability to different foaming agents.
Implementation Method 1
a first chamber adapted to facilitate diffusion of the liquid jet and generation of a venturi effect
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention includes an aspirating spray nozzle assembly (10A, 10B) including a nozzle body (14) and a distributor (16, 58) which are removably attached to one another. The nozzle body (14) includes a first inlet (18), a first chamber (30), one or more orifice discs (34) and an annular catchment (40). The first inlet (18) has a first end adapted to facilitate supply of a liquid jet and a second end (28). The first chamber (30) is adapted to facilitate diffusion of the liquid jet and generation of a venturi effect. The first chamber (30) has a third end (32) being in communication with the second end (28) of the first inlet (18) and a fourth end (34) being in directly or indirect communication with the distributor (16, 58) which includes a means adapted to interfere with the liquid jet. The one or more orifice discs (34) is/are received within the first inlet (18) being at or in close proximity to a second end (28). Each of the one or more orifice discs (34) has one or more dispersing means (38) adapted to cause the liquid jet to spread in the form of a cone having a defined angle. The annular catchment (40) is adapted to encircle the fourth end (34) of the first chamber (30). The annular catchment (40) is configured and disposed so as to catch and deflect at least a portion of any liquid splashback sent upstream by the interfering means such that the portion of deflected liquid splashback is redirected downstream again into the distributor (16, 58).