Jet Manifold for Fiber Processing with Uniform Water Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nozzle bars for processing fibers with water jets face challenges in achieving uniform water jet distribution and minimizing pressure loss across the width of the nozzle bar, leading to inhomogeneous processing and increased energy loss.

Innovation Solution

The nozzle bar design features a pressure chamber and pressure distribution chamber with strategically placed flow bores, a cylindrical impact body, and a specific bore configuration to optimize water flow and pressure distribution, ensuring uniform water jets and minimizing pressure loss. The flow bores are spaced 25-35mm apart, with a diameter transition from smaller to larger sections to calm turbulence, and an impact body is centrally positioned in the pressure distribution chamber to reduce vortex formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If water is supplied at high pressure (e.g., 250 bar) to generate strong water jets, then the processing capability is improved, but the pressure loss across the nozzle bar increases leading to energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater jet processing capabilityVSAvoidpressure loss
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure chamber is divided into multiple sections with multiple water supply openings distributed along the length of the nozzle bar. This segmentation allows water to be supplied at multiple points rather than one location, reducing the pressure drop that would occur over a long single-channel flow path. Each segment receives pressurized water more evenly, maintaining jet power while reducing overall pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-dimensional flow path to a multi-dimensional distribution system. Water is supplied through multiple openings arranged along the longitudinal axis of the pressure chamber, creating a distributed three-dimensional flow pattern. This spatial distribution reduces flow resistance and pressure loss by shortening individual flow paths and providing parallel flow routes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If water is introduced from one side to avoid turbulence in the pressure chamber, then turbulence is reduced, but pressure distribution becomes non-uniform across the width of the nozzle bar

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater flow stabilityVSAvoidpressure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single water supply opening is segmented into multiple openings distributed along the length of the pressure chamber. This allows water to enter at multiple locations simultaneously, creating a more uniform pressure distribution across the nozzle bar width while maintaining stable, turbulent-free flow conditions in each individual chamber section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the pressure chamber receive water through locally distributed openings. Each local region has its own water supply point, ensuring that pressure is evenly distributed across different parts of the nozzle bar. This local quality approach ensures both flow stability and pressure uniformity by addressing the specific needs of each section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the nozzle bar is made elongated to cover the entire width of the textile web, then the processing coverage is improved, but the structure becomes more slender and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing coverageVSAvoidnozzle bar structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated pressure chamber is segmented into multiple sections with distributed water supply openings. This segmentation allows the long nozzle bar to be constructed from standardized modular sections, simplifying manufacturing and assembly. Each section can be produced independently and then assembled to form the complete elongated structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full width coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design achieves uniform water jet distribution and significantly reduces overall pressure loss, ensuring consistent processing across the nozzle bar width while maintaining low installation space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

water enters the pressure chamber through the opening at a pre-pressure of, for example, 250 bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the flow velocity still reaching approximately 2.5 m/s in the center of the pressure chamber. To avoid increased turbulence of the water in the pressure chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

The water enters the pressure chamber through the opening at a pre-pressure of, for example, 250 bar, with the inflow velocity of the water through the opening being, for example, up to 8 m/s

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure to kinetic energy conversion: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3526384B1Jet manifold for water jet processing fibers
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 TRUETZSCHLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3526384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3526384B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a jet manifold (1) for water jet processing fibers, comprising an elongate upper part (10) in which an elongate pressure chamber (11) is inserted, said pressure chamber (11) having an end face with an opening (12) for feeding water and an opposite closed end face. A pressure distribution chamber (13) is inserted in the upper part (10) and extends in parallel to the pressure chamber (11). Distributed over the length of the upper part (10) a plurality of through-flow bores (14) are introduced into the intermediate wall (15) between the pressure chamber (11) and the pressure distribution chamber (13), the water being conductible therethrough from the pressure chamber (11) to the pressure distribution chamber (13). The jet manifold further comprises an elongate lower part (16) which is arranged on the upper part (10) in a fluid-tight manner, a nozzle strip (17) with bores (18) for water to exit being received in or on the lower part (16). A slot (19) is introduced into the upper part and extends between the pressure distribution chamber (13) and the nozzle strip (17) to feed water to the nozzle strip (17). According to the invention, the through-flow bores (14) between the pressure chamber (11) and the pressure distribution chamber (13) have a distance of 25 mm to 35 mm and/or 28 mm to 32 mm and/or 30 mm from each other in relation to the direction of the length of the upper part (10).