Spinning Disc Atomizer with Adhesion Rings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinning disc atomizers face challenges in achieving a uniform droplet size distribution and efficient application of herbicides/pesticides, as they are influenced by disc diameter, rotational speed, and surface tension, leading to broad droplet size distributions and high energy requirements, particularly in drone applications.
Innovation Solution
A disc with concentric rings of varying adhesion levels, where the first level of adhesion is less than the second, allowing control over droplet breakup and size by altering the liquid's interaction with the surface, resulting in larger droplets that coalesce with smaller ones, providing a more uniform droplet spectrum and reducing drift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the disc diameter, rotational speed or formulation surface tension are adjusted to achieve a required droplet size, then the droplet size may be controlled, but this leads to a too broad distribution of droplet sizes, an incorrect application rate, and increased energy requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The disc surface is divided into multiple concentric rings with different adhesion characteristics. Each ring has a specific adhesion level (hydrophobic or hydrophilic) that locally controls droplet formation and size. This local differentiation allows precise control over droplet spectra while maintaining a narrow distribution, resolving the contradiction between droplet size control and distribution uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the disc is partially loaded to form drops individually at the edge, then droplet size control is improved, but the application rate becomes incorrect and energy requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface adhesion parameter across different radial zones of the disc. By varying the adhesion level (hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic) in different concentric rings, the system controls where and how droplets form along the liquid path. This allows individual droplet formation with consistent sizing while maintaining correct application rates, as the adhesion variation optimizes droplet detachment across the entire liquid load.
3Use of energy by moving object
If spinning discs are used for atomisation, then energy requirement is reduced compared to hydraulic nozzles, but the droplet size distribution becomes too broad and application rate becomes incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric rings with alternating adhesion properties create local zones that control droplet formation characteristics. This local quality variation ensures that droplets form with consistent sizes throughout the atomisation process, producing a narrow droplet size distribution while maintaining the low energy consumption advantage of spinning disc atomisers.
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
This solution enables precise control over droplet size and distribution, ensuring correct application rates with reduced energy consumption, suitable for drone operations and land-based sprayers, minimizing drift and optimizing active ingredient delivery.
Implementation Method 1
A first concentric ring of an adjacent pair of concentric rings has a surface configured to exhibit a first level of adhesion to the liquid and a second concentric ring of the adjacent pair of concentric rings has a surface configured to exhibit a second level of adhesion to the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The larger droplets then tend to coalesce with the smaller droplets leading to a more uniform droplet spectra
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5(c)
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a disc (10) for a spinning disc liquid atomizer. A surface (20) of the disc comprises a plurality of concentric rings (30) having different radii centred on the centre of the disc. A first concentric ring (40) of an adjacent pair of concentric rings has a surface configured to exhibit a first level of adhesion to the liquid. A second concentric ring (50) of the adjacent pair of concentric rings has a surface configured to exhibit a second level of adhesion to the liquid, and wherein the first level of adhesion is less than the second level of adhesion.