Elastic Nozzle with Pneumatic Closure and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzles used in industrial processes for spraying substances like dispersions, emulsions, or suspensions face issues with clogging, undesirable agglomerates, and inconsistent droplet sizes due to process-related turbulence and settling of particles, leading to problems like dross formation, over-humidification, and agglomeration, and existing solutions are either complex or not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design featuring an inner tube made of elastic material with a volume-changeable device in the annular gap between the inner and outer tubes, allowing for adjustable flow rates and preventing clogging by ensuring the substance is atomized at the start and stop of each process, and an inlay that vibrates to prevent caking, ensuring consistent droplet size and spray symmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nozzle needle is used to close the liquid outlet, then clogging is prevented, but the structure becomes very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastic closure element that can be inflated like a balloon to seal the nozzle outlet. This flexible membrane approach replaces complex mechanical needle mechanisms, achieving reliable sealing through simple pneumatic inflation of the elastic element.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic pressure to inflate the elastic closure element, enabling the nozzle to be closed or opened without complex mechanical moving parts. The pneumatic system provides simple, reliable control over the sealing action.
2Reliability
If particles settle in the supply line during non-spraying periods, then clogging occurs, but continuous operation is not always feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by closing the nozzle outlet with the elastic element before particles can settle and clog the supply line. During non-spraying periods, the nozzle remains sealed, preventing particle accumulation. When spraying is needed, the element is inflated to open the outlet, ensuring immediate functionality without clogging.
3Device complexity
If the inner tube is made of elastic material, then simple closing mechanism is achieved, but precise flow rate control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control where pressure sensors monitor the pneumatic pressure applied to the elastic closure element, and a control system automatically adjusts the inflation pressure to achieve the desired flow rate. This closed-loop control enables precise flow regulation despite the elastic nature of the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls flow rate by changing the pneumatic pressure parameter applied to the elastic closure element. By varying the inflation pressure, the degree of opening of the elastic tube is controlled, thereby precisely regulating the flow rate without complex mechanical adjustments.
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 design ensures consistent spray quality, prevents clogging, and maintains optimal droplet size and symmetry by adjusting flow rates and using vibration to prevent caking, thus avoiding issues like dross formation and agglomeration, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
the volume of the device can be changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge, whereby the device can be or is brought from the one closed position of the inner tube into the at least one open position of the inner tube and vice versa
Implementation Method 2
an inlay that vibrates to prevent caking, ensuring consistent droplet size and spray symmetry
Implementation Method 3
The atomization breaks the liquid jet into small droplets. The process-induced turbulence in front of the nozzle can lead to deposits at the nozzle opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a nozzle (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001) for spraying materials, in particular, dispersions, emulsions or suspensions.