CDA Nozzle Fin Compartments for Horizontal Droplet Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional controlled droplet application (CDA) nozzles are limited to vertical or near-vertical orientations to ensure even droplet distribution, restricting their use to specific angles and preventing circular distribution at other orientations.

Innovation Solution

A CDA nozzle system with a fin assembly that separates the cone into compartments, allowing for horizontal operation and maintaining even fluid distribution by using a plurality of fins to ensure equal fluid entry into each compartment, enabling circular droplet distribution regardless of the rotational axis angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional CDA nozzles operate in vertical or near-vertical orientations, then even droplet distribution is achieved, but the nozzle is restricted to specific angles and cannot achieve circular distribution at other orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational orientation rangeVSAvoiddroplet distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cone is divided into multiple compartments by fins, with each compartment independently receiving fluid through dedicated fluid entry ports. This segmentation allows each compartment to maintain proper fluid distribution regardless of the nozzle's orientation, enabling circular droplet distribution at various rotational axis angles while preserving droplet distribution uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables consistent and circular droplet distribution across various orientations, enhancing the versatility and efficiency of the CDA nozzle system in applications like agriculture and other liquid fluid applications.

Implementation Method 1

The inside of the cone may be lined with ridges traveling from the narrow end of the cone to the wide end. These ridges help impart rotational energy to the liquid fluid, spinning it faster.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

These ridges help impart rotational energy to the liquid fluid, spinning it faster. The ends of the ridges are used to shear the flowing liquid into droplets.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational energy: Angular Momentum

Data Source

PatentEP2900383B1Horizontally rotating controlled droplet application
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 AGCO CORP
  • EP2900383B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2900383B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2900383B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A controlled droplet application (CDA) nozzle including a cone having plural ridges disposed longitudinally on an interior surface of the cone; and a fin assembly connected to the interior surface, the fin assembly comprising a plurality of fins extending between a central portion of the cone and the interior surface, wherein adjacent pairs of the plurality of fins and the interior surface at least partially define a respective compartment for the collection of a defined volume of fluid.