One-Piece Vane Segment for Descaling Nozzle Turbulence Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing descaling spray nozzle assemblies experience turbulence and energy losses due to high-pressure liquid flow, leading to reduced impact force and uneven scale removal, and require precise assembly of multiple vanes which complicates maintenance and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece multi-stage liquid straightening vane segment with circumferentially offset vane sections is integrated into the nozzle assembly, reducing turbulence and energy losses, and facilitating easier assembly by eliminating the need for handling multiple vane components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If multiple staged vanes are used to reduce turbulence, then liquid flow uniformity is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow uniformityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate vane components are merged into a single integrated vane assembly that can be installed as one unit. This combining approach maintains the multi-stage turbulence reduction functionality while eliminating the assembly complexity of handling and aligning multiple individual vanes, directly resolving the contradiction between flow uniformity and assembly difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The vane assembly is designed with segmented vanes that are integrally formed but spatially separated to create multiple flow passages. This segmentation allows the single component to perform multi-stage flow straightening functions that would otherwise require multiple separate components, maintaining flow uniformity while simplifying assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If high pressure liquid is directed through the nozzle assembly, then descaling effectiveness is improved, but turbulence and energy losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact forceVSAvoidenergy losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The vane assembly performs preliminary flow conditioning by straightening the liquid stream before it reaches the discharge orifice. This preliminary action reduces turbulence and energy losses in advance, ensuring that the high-pressure liquid maintains maximum impact force at the point of contact with the scale, resolving the contradiction between impact force and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If high pressure liquid flows through the nozzle assembly, then scale removal effectiveness is improved, but wear on internal components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescale removal effectivenessVSAvoidcomponent wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vane assembly pre-conditiones the liquid flow by reducing turbulence and straightening the stream before discharge. This preliminary flow conditioning minimizes erratic flow patterns and reduces erosive wear on internal nozzle components while maintaining the high-pressure impact needed for effective scale removal, resolving the contradiction between productivity and component reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively minimizes turbulence and energy losses, maintains impact force, and simplifies assembly and replacement, ensuring uniform and efficient scale removal with reduced wear from high-pressure liquid.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid flow passageway that tapers inwardly in a downstream direction for accelerating the liquid flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a strainer affixed to an upstream end of the tubular body for straining particulate matter and scale from recycled steel mill water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a vane having a plurality of radial vane elements downstream of the strainer, which effectively defines a plurality of circumferentially-spaced laminar flow passages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 4

directing a wide thin line high pressure spray onto the surface of steel slabs for penetrating and removing iron oxide scale buildup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3909687B1Improved descaling nozzle assembly
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 SPRAYING SYSTEMS CO
  • EP3909687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3909687B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3909687B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

A spray nozzle assembly (11) for directing thin, straight line, high pressure liquid spray (13) onto moving steel slabs for penetrating and removing scale buildup in steel processing operations. The spray nozzle assembly (11) includes a liquid inlet defined by an upstream strainer (18) and a downstream high impact attachment tube for accelerating liquid flow. A one-piece multi-stage liquid straightening vane segment (40) is disposed within a central liquid flow passage of the nozzle assembly for more effectively reducing liquid turbulence of the high pressure liquid flow with resultant improved control in the tightness of the thin, flat spray panner. The one-piece vane segment (40) further is adapted for efficient assembly and replacement in the spray nozzle assembly without the need for handling and precise alignment of a plurality of individual vane elements.