Coaxial Spray Nozzle Constriction for Deposit-Resistant Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-cleaning nozzles for spraying substances are complex and costly due to numerous individual components, leading to high production and maintenance expenses, and they often suffer from deposit buildup and asymmetry in droplet distribution during prolonged spraying processes.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design featuring a constriction in the inner tube channel with a smaller cross-sectional area than the discharge section, made from flexible materials like polymers, which reduces deposit buildup and adjusts droplet size, combined with a coaxial arrangement of inner and outer tubes and optional swirl bodies for improved flow control, allowing for adjustable volumetric flow rates and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing self-cleaning nozzles with multiple components are used, then cleaning function is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cleaning function and spraying function into a single integrated nozzle body. The conical surface is formed as an integral part of the nozzle body, eliminating the need for separate cleaning components. This merging approach maintains the self-cleaning capability while significantly reducing device complexity and the number of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it sprays the substance through the discharge opening and provides self-cleaning through the conical surface geometry. The conical surface serves both as a flow guide and as a self-cleaning element that prevents deposit buildup, making the nozzle universally functional without requiring additional specialized components.
2Productivity
If prolonged spraying processes are used, then production output increases, but deposit buildup and bearding occur at nozzle opening
Solution Approach 1:
The conical surface is pre-formed as part of the nozzle body geometry, creating a slope that prevents deposits from adhering before they can accumulate. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that even during prolonged spraying operations, deposits are prevented from forming at the nozzle opening, maintaining consistent spray quality throughout extended production cycles.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If nozzle with conical surface and constriction is used, then deposit buildup is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a conical surface with a half-angle between 10° and 45°, providing a range of acceptable parameters rather than a single precise value. This parameter range allows for standard manufacturing tolerances while still achieving the self-cleaning effect. The constriction geometry is also defined with practical dimensional relationships that can be manufactured using conventional precision molding techniques.
4Ease of repair
If disposable nozzle design is used, then maintenance cost decreases, but initial component cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced rather than maintained. The simplified single-piece construction with no moving parts or complex assemblies makes the nozzle inexpensive to manufacture in large quantities. This approach eliminates maintenance costs entirely while keeping individual unit costs low through efficient injection molding production.
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 nozzle effectively minimizes deposit buildup, optimizes droplet size and spray symmetry, and reduces maintenance costs by using fewer components and a cost-effective, disposable design that can be easily produced in injection molding, ensuring consistent and efficient spraying processes.
Implementation Method 1
a constriction (18) is provided in the inner tube channel (7) carrying the substance to be sprayed at a distance (17) from the inner tube discharge opening (9)
Implementation Method 2
The constriction (18) is formed from a flexible material (28), wherein the constriction (18) has a closed position for closing the inner tube channel (7) and at least one open position
Implementation Method 3
an outer tube (14) enclosing the inner tube (10) at a radial distance (11) and connected to a feed for a gas
Implementation Method 4
The liquid jet is turned into small droplets by atomising
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle for spraying substances, more particularly dispersions, emulsions or suspensions, and to a method for the open-loop or closed-loop control of the volumetric flow rate of a substance to be sprayed and/or of a gas of a nozzle suitable for spraying substances, more particularly dispersions, emulsions or suspensions. The nozzle includes an inner tube discharge opening and a constriction in an inner tube channel carrying the substance to be sprayed at a distance from the inner tube discharge opening.