Foam-Applying Nozzle with Segmented Water Jets for Consistent Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam-applying nozzles for fire-fighting equipment face issues with inconsistent foam solution drawing and mixing due to air entrainment, particularly at certain settings like 'fog-spray', limiting flow rate and consistency of the foam mixture.
Innovation Solution
A foam-applying nozzle design featuring a plurality of water jets within an eductor creates a constant vacuum over varying water pressures and nozzle settings, ensuring consistent foam solution drawing and mixing across a range of settings, with a simplified component structure and quick-change orifice elements for easy adjustment and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single water jet is used in the eductor, then the nozzle structure is simple, but air entrainment occurs in the eduction chamber limiting flow rate and foam solution drawing consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The single water jet is segmented into multiple water jets (at least two) that are directed at different locations within the eduction chamber. This segmentation allows for more effective air evacuation throughout the chamber volume, preventing air entrainment and maintaining consistent foam solution drawing across a wider range of flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The water jets are directed at different angular orientations and locations within the eduction chamber, adding spatial dimensionality to the air evacuation process. This multi-dimensional approach ensures comprehensive air removal from all regions of the chamber, eliminating the limitation of single-point jet evacuation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle is adjusted for wide fog-spray settings, then spray coverage is improved, but air enters the eduction chamber faster than it can be evacuated, limiting flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple water jets are positioned to evacuate air from different regions of the eduction chamber simultaneously. This segmented evacuation approach maintains effective air removal even when the nozzle is adjusted to wide fog-spray settings, allowing the valve to be opened further without air entrainment limiting the flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains consistent vacuum levels in the eduction chamber across different nozzle settings and water pressures by using multiple jets with different orientations and locations. This allows the nozzle to operate effectively across a wide range of spray patterns from fog-spray to straight stream without losing foam solution drawing capability.
3Device complexity
If a single water jet creates vacuum in the eduction chamber, then the nozzle has fewer components, but the vacuum is not consistent over varying water pressures and nozzle settings
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum generation function is segmented across multiple water jets instead of relying on a single jet. Each jet contributes to maintaining the vacuum in different regions of the eduction chamber, providing redundancy and consistency that compensates for variations in water pressure and nozzle settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple water jets are configured with different orientations, locations, and angles to maintain consistent vacuum levels across varying operating conditions. This configuration ensures that as water pressure or nozzle settings change, at least some jets remain effective at evacuating air and maintaining the vacuum necessary for foam solution drawing.
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 achieves consistent foam mixture generation over different settings, enhancing fire extinguishing capabilities by maintaining foam solution flow rate and simplifying assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurized jet of water is directed into the input opening, creating a low-pressure area at the input opening that acts to draw a foam solution into the input opening
Implementation Method 2
A pressurized jet of water is directed into the input opening, creating a low-pressure area at the input opening that acts to draw a foam solution into the input opening
Implementation Method 3
The foam solution mixes with the water jet in the body of the eductor, the mixed foam-water solution being ejected out of the output opening
Implementation Method 4
the mixed foam-water solution being ejected out of the output opening by the pressure of the water jet
Data Source
AI summary
A foam-applying nozzle including a generally hollow housing. An eductor disposed in the housing has a generally hollow body with a wall, the hollow of the body forming an eduction chamber. An eductor inlet and an opposing eductor outlet are in fluid communication with the eduction chamber. A plurality of jet inlets extend into the wall of the body, the jet inlets terminating in jet ports that are in fluid communication with the eduction chamber. The jet inlets are configured to receive a predetermined portion of a pressurized fluid, the portion exiting through the jet ports generally toward the eductor outlet, creating a vacuum in the eduction chamber. The vacuum is configured to draw a foam solution into the eductor inlet, the foam solution mixing with the aforementioned portion of pressurized fluid in the eduction chamber to form a foam mixture.