Cutter Pick Water Spray Assembly Air Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cutter pick assemblies for mineral and rock cutting face challenges in ensuring that the water spray completely overlaps the cutter tip while drawing air into the spray to form fine droplets, without obstructing airflow or increasing the size of the cutter pick, and without requiring the cutter pick to remain stationary.
Innovation Solution
A water spray assembly with a first and second chamber, where the water nozzle discharges water into an air gap between the chambers, inducing airflow and forming fine droplets that overlap the cutter tip, and is integrated into the pick box to minimize size and prevent clogging, with the air gap serving as the primary source of ambient air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air inlets are formed as bores in the spray nozzle housing opening into the recess near the discharge end of the spray nozzle, then air is drawn into the water spray to form fine water droplets, but solid particulates are drawn into the openings that clog the air inlets or otherwise impede or obstruct air flow into the recess
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the air inlet bore and the water spray discharge. The mesh filter allows air to pass through while blocking solid particulates, preventing clogging of the air inlet while maintaining air flow into the water spray to form fine droplets.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh filter utilizes porous material structure to selectively permit air passage while obstructing solid particles. The porous nature of the mesh allows air molecules to pass through while the physical structure blocks larger solid particulates from entering the air inlet bore.
2Shape
If the spray nozzle discharges water at an angle of 14 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pick box bore to direct the water spray towards the cutter bit, then the water spray is directed towards the cutter bit, but there is little, if any, air drawn into the water spray
Solution Approach 1:
The water spray discharge and air inlet are merged into a single integrated structure. The spray nozzle discharge end is positioned within the recess that also contains the air inlet bore, allowing both water and air to be drawn together into the water spray, combining their functions in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlet is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the water discharge, with the air inlet bore opening into the recess from a direction that allows air to be drawn into the water spray path, creating a three-dimensional mixing zone.
3Shape
If a shoulder is formed on the cutter pick to receive the water spray, then the water spray can be directed onto the cutter pick, but the shoulder increases the size of the cutter pick and requires the cutter pick to remain stationary with respect to the pick box during use
Solution Approach 1:
The water spray reception function is extracted from the cutter pick itself and transferred to the pick box structure. The water spray assembly is mounted on the pick box, allowing the cutter pick to maintain its original size and rotational capability while still receiving the water spray.
Solution Approach 2:
The pick box serves as an intermediary structure that houses the water spray assembly and directs water onto the rotating cutter pick. This intermediary allows the water spray system to be integrated without constraining the cutter pick's rotation or increasing its size.
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 ensures effective overlap of the water spray over the cutter tip, reduces the likelihood of airflow obstruction, and maintains the cutter pick's size and mobility, while preventing clogging by using an air gap to draw in ambient air and entrain it with the water spray.
Implementation Method 1
draws air into the water spray to form fine water droplets in the water spray
Implementation Method 2
The water spray discharged from the nozzle enters the open first end of the second chamber and is discharged from the open second end of the second chamber. The water spray entering the open first end of the second chamber induces an air flow into the second chamber from the air gap.
Data Source
AI summary
A cutter bit assembly for use in underground mining, road grading, and the like includes a water spray assembly having a water nozzle in a first chamber that discharges a water spray through an air gap and into the open end of a second chamber facing the air gap. Air is drawn into the water spray entering the second chamber from the air gap to produce a finer spray that is discharged from a second open end of the second chamber. The water spray helps clear the second chamber of any dirt or debris drawn by the air into the second chamber.