Microfluidic Nozzle Array for Laminar Flow Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid nozzle systems require high pressure and turbulent flow to deliver significant quantities of fluid, making it difficult to control atomization and achieve laminar flow, which is essential for applications like paint application and particle dispensing.
Innovation Solution
The micro-fluidic nozzle apparatus features a base with a lower plenum chamber and a micro-fluidic nozzle panel that delivers fluid in laminar flow through conical nozzles and an orifice plate with apertures, allowing for controlled fluid output without turbulence, using nickel or other materials for fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure and turbulent flow are used to deliver significant quantities of fluid, then fluid delivery quantity is improved, but flow control precision and atomization control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid delivery function into multiple micro-nozzles (e.g., 100s or 1000s of nozzles) arranged in an array. Each micro-nozzle delivers a small portion of the total fluid, allowing the system to achieve high total flow rates while maintaining laminar flow conditions in each individual nozzle. This segmentation enables both high productivity and precise atomization control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-nozzle or few-nozzle systems to a two-dimensional array of micro-nozzles. This dimensional change allows the system to distribute fluid delivery across many parallel channels, maintaining low Reynolds number laminar flow in each channel while achieving high total flow capacity through the collective output of all nozzles.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional nozzle designs are used to achieve laminar flow, then flow control is improved, but fluid delivery quantity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple micro-nozzle outlets into a single integrated nozzle assembly. While each individual micro-nozzle maintains laminar flow for precise control, the combined output of all micro-nozzles delivers significant total fluid quantity. The merging of many controlled streams achieves both precision and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-nozzle array structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains laminar flow conditions for precise control in each nozzle, achieves high total flow rates through the collective output, and provides uniform atomization across the entire fluid stream. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between flow control and delivery quantity.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied to increase fluid flow, then fluid delivery quantity is improved, but turbulence increases making atomization control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different pressure conditions to different parts of the fluid delivery system. Each micro-nozzle operates at low pressure to maintain laminar flow and avoid turbulence, while the collective output of all micro-nozzles achieves high total flow rate. This local quality approach allows high productivity without generating harmful turbulence.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the limitation of low flow capacity in individual laminar flow nozzles into a benefit by arranging many such nozzles in parallel. What would be a disadvantage (low individual flow) becomes an advantage when scaled across hundreds or thousands of nozzles, achieving high total flow without turbulence.
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
Enables varying degrees of fluid flow without turbulence, achieving controlled droplet formation and size, suitable for applications requiring precise fluid delivery and atomization.
Implementation Method 1
micro-fluidic nozzle apparatuses that include one or more micro-fluidic nozzle panels having a plurality of micro-fluidic nozzles that deliver a fluid that transfers in laminar or streamlined flow
Data Source
AI summary
Microfluidic laminar flow nozzle apparatuses are described herein. An example apparatus includes a base having a sidewall that forms a lower plenum chamber, and a micro-fluidic nozzle panel disposed above the base to enclose the lower plenum chamber, the micro-fluidic nozzle panel including a plurality of micro-fluidic nozzles, each of the plurality of micro-fluidic nozzles having a fluid output orifice for outputting a fluid.