Machining Nozzle Equal Conductance via Curved Branch Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processing nozzles require a large vertical apparatus to ensure equal conductance for three branched powder flows, making it necessary to position the branch location far from the nozzle, which increases the size of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A processing nozzle design where branch paths of equal total length with different shapes are used to equalize conductance from the branch location to the nozzle, allowing the branch location to be positioned closer to the nozzle, with shapes such as semicircular and 1/4-circular pipe sections that are rotationally symmetrical and connected at different joint angles to ensure isotropic fluid flow and reduced turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the branch location is positioned away from the nozzle to ensure equal conductance for three branched powder flows, then equal conductance is achieved, but the size of the apparatus increases in the vertical direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement of branch paths to a horizontal arrangement. The branch location is positioned near the nozzle in the horizontal direction rather than being separated vertically, thereby achieving equal conductance without increasing the vertical apparatus size. This dimensional reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between maintaining equal powder flow conductance and minimizing apparatus footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved branch paths with specific geometric configurations (semicircular and 1/4-circular pipe sections) to equalize the conductance of multiple powder channels. The curved geometry allows the branch paths to have equal total lengths while maintaining different shapes, ensuring equal conductance for three branched powder flows without requiring the branch location to be positioned far from the nozzle.
2Manufacturing precision
If curved pipe sections with different shapes are used in branch paths, then equal conductance is achieved with branch location near the nozzle, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each branch path into multiple discrete pipe sections (semicircular sections, 1/4-circular sections, and straight sections) that can be manufactured separately using standard piping components. These segmented sections are then assembled to form the complete branch path, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving the required curved geometry for equal conductance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric combinations of standardized pipe sections (different numbers and arrangements of semicircular and 1/4-circular sections) to create branch paths with equal total lengths but different shapes. This approach allows customization of each branch path geometry while maintaining equal conductance, balancing manufacturing ease with functional requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A branch location is arranged close to a nozzle, and the channel lengths are the same. A processing nozzle that includes a beam path for passing light from a light source and ejects a fluid containing a processing material from an ejection port includes a supply pipe that is arranged outside the beam path through which the light passes, and supplies the fluid, and a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe that supply the fluid from the supply pipe to the ejection port, and have the same total length. The first branch pipe includes a first bent portion having a first shape on an upstream side of the fluid, and a second bent portion having a second shape on a downstream side of the fluid, and the second branch pipe includes a third bent portion having the first shape on the upstream side of the fluid, and a fourth bent portion having the second shape on the downstream side of the fluid.