Coaxial Diffusion Bell Sprayer for Uniform Tube Interior Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sprayers for applying fluids to the inner surfaces of tubular elements are too large for smaller diameters and provide non-homogeneous fluid application, lacking precision in certain technical contexts.

Innovation Solution

A compact sprayer design with a rectilinear fluid pipe and a diffusion bell that rotates coaxially within a tubular supporting body, featuring a turbine driven by compressed air and a containment element with slits for improved atomization, along with rotation detection and feedback control for precise fluid application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a conventional sprayer design is used, then the fluid application capability is achieved, but the sprayer size becomes too large for small diameter tubular elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesprayer sizeVSAvoidapplicability to small diameter tubular elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe for conveying fluid to the diffusion bell is nested within the supporting body, with the pipe being substantially rectilinear and coaxial to the diffusion bell. This nesting arrangement eliminates external piping and reduces the overall sprayer volume, enabling the device to fit within small diameter tubular elements while maintaining fluid delivery capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention repositions the diffusion bell to rotate coaxially within the supporting body, changing the spatial arrangement from an external configuration to an internal coaxial configuration. This dimensional reorganization allows the sprayer to achieve compactness in radial dimensions while maintaining rotational functionality for fluid application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If a conventional sprayer design is used, then the basic fluid application function is provided, but the fluid application homogeneity is insufficient for precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid application homogeneityVSAvoidsprayer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates rotation detection means that detect the rotational position of the diffusion bell and provide feedback signals to a control device. The control device adjusts the fluid flow rate based on this feedback, ensuring homogeneous fluid application by synchronizing fluid discharge with the rotational position of the diffusion bell, thereby achieving precision control without excessive structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the rotational motion of the diffusion bell itself to generate the feedback signal through integrated rotation detection means, eliminating the need for external sensing systems. The diffusion bell's rotation automatically triggers the feedback mechanism, allowing the system to self-regulate fluid application homogeneity based on its own operational state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 sprayer achieves a more homogeneous and efficient fluid application on inner tubular surfaces, reducing bulkiness and collateral deposition, while being autonomous in controlling the compressed air flow for optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

rotation means (12) interposed between said supporting body (16a and 16b) and said diffusion bell (11), wherein said rotation means (12) are connected to the base (11a) of the diffusion bell (11); in particular these rotation means (12) are configured to rotate the diffusion bell (11) about its axis of symmetry X with respect to the supporting body (16a and 16b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air expansion: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 2

diffusion bell (11)... configured to rotate the diffusion bell (11) about its axis of symmetry X... pipe (13), clearly represented in Figures 1 and 2, configured to convey the aforesaid fluid to the inner surface of the diffusion bell (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid atomization: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentEP4470672A1Sprayer for applying a fluid on the inner surface of a tubular element
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 ELIXE SRL
  • EP4470672A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4470672A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4470672A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sprayer (10) for applying a fluid on the inner surface of a tubular element. In particular, this sprayer (10) comprises: - a substantially tubular supporting body (16a, 16b); - a diffusion bell (11); - rotation means (12) interposed between the supporting body (16a, 16b) and the diffusion bell (11) and connected to the base (11a) of the diffusion bell (11); more precisely, these rotation means (12) are configured to rotate the diffusion bell (11) around its axis of symmetry (X) with respect to the supporting body (16a, 16b); - a pipe (13) configured to convey the aforesaid fluid to the inner surface of the diffusion bell (11), the pipe (13) being substantially rectilinear and passing through the base (11a) of the diffusion bell (11) coaxially to the aforesaid axis of symmetry (X); - rotation detecting means (20) configured to detect the instantaneous rotation speed of the rotation means (12) and operationally connected to the circuit (18) so as to define a feedback control of the flow of compressed air towards the turbine (17). The detecting means (20) comprise at least one winding coupled with at least one permanent magnet and adapted to convert a portion of the mechanical power associated with the rotation means (12) into electrical power to power the electronics of the detecting means (20).