Bent Spray Arm Geometry for Corner Coverage in Warewashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Warewashing machines experience inefficiency due to water spray missing intended targets, leading to increased water and energy consumption, as existing spray arms fail to maximize coverage area and ensure effective contact with wares.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable spray arm with a tubular body featuring bent end portions forming angles with an intermediate portion, equipped with nozzles angled to direct spray inward to counteract centrifugal force, ensuring maximum contact with wares and reducing water waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a straight spray arm is used, then the structure is simple, but water spray misses intended targets reducing coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm incorporates curved or bent portions instead of straight geometry. The arm includes a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion that are substantially perpendicular to each other, creating a corner configuration that directs spray toward corner wares while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Loss of energy
If spray nozzles are directed outward, then centrifugal force is utilized, but water misses corner wares leading to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm geometry is designed to pre-compensate for centrifugal force effects. The curved portions and angled nozzles are configured to direct spray inward against the direction of rotation, counteracting the outward centrifugal tendency and ensuring water contacts corner wares rather than missing them.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle angles and arm geometry parameters are specifically optimized to counteract centrifugal force. The horizontal portion is angled relative to the rotation axis, and nozzles are positioned and directed at specific angles to ensure spray trajectories intersect with corner wares despite rotational motion.
3Quantity of substance
If water consumption is reduced to meet standards, then energy savings are achieved, but coverage and contact effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The spray arm provides non-uniform spray distribution tailored to different zones. The curved geometry concentrates spray toward corner areas that require additional coverage, while reducing spray in areas where less water is needed, optimizing overall water utilization for sanitization effectiveness.
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 enhances water usage efficiency and heat energy transfer by ensuring a higher percentage of water contacts the wares, meeting energy-saving standards and improving sanitization effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
directing the liquid inward toward an axis of rotation by the first bent portion to counteract a forward momentum and a centrifugal force generated by the rotating of the arm
Data Source
AI summary
An arm includes a tubular body that is rotatable. The tubular body has a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion is bent in a first direction forming a first angle with the intermediate portion, and the second end portion is bent in a second direction forming a second angle with the intermediate portion. A plurality of nozzles are through the tubular body.