Two-Fluid Mist Nozzle Atomization Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spraying apparatuses using two-fluid nozzles face challenges in achieving quick vaporization and small particle diameter, leading to wetting and potential metal corrosion, as they require complex installations and larger mist particle diameters result in slow vaporization.

Innovation Solution

A spraying apparatus with a mist nozzle design that mixes pressurized liquid and gas, utilizing a unique gas-liquid mixing section with a disc-shaped profile and specific inlet and spout configurations to atomize the liquid into fine mist with a particle diameter of 10 µm or less, reducing the need for extensive piping and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a two-fluid nozzle is used to atomize liquid using gas energy, then atomization performance is improved, but the apparatus requires complex installation with water supply pipes and compressed air supply pipes piped to the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization performanceVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water supply function and compressed air supply function into a single integrated nozzle unit. The nozzle main body houses both the water supply passage and compressed air supply passage, allowing both fluids to be supplied through one component rather than requiring separate piping systems. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by maintaining good atomization performance while significantly simplifying the installation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle main body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the water supply conduit and the compressed air supply conduit, and also serves as the mixing chamber where the two fluids interact. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate piping infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between performance and installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If larger mist particle diameter is produced, then the spraying apparatus can cover larger spaces, but vaporization becomes slow and wetting occurs causing metal corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidvaporization speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a specific local structure within the nozzle where the inner lid and outer lid form a controlled mixing chamber. The liquid supply opening and gas supply opening are positioned to create localized high-velocity jets that interact in a confined space, producing fine droplets with consistent small particle diameter. This localized control of flow interaction ensures rapid vaporization while the overall system can still cover large areas through multiple nozzles or strategic placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 apparatus efficiently sprays a liquid as fine mist, preventing wetting and metal corrosion, allowing for quick vaporization and effective use in large spaces without the need for extensive installation, while using a smaller compressor, thus providing a portable and efficient solution for humidifying or disinfecting applications.

Implementation Method 1

a gas-liquid mixing section that is disposed between the inner lid and the outer lid, is formed at a space of a disc-shaped profile between the inner end portion of the inner lid and the outer end portion of the outer lid, and mixes a gas flow flowing through the gas passageway and a liquid flow flowing through the liquid passageway

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-liquid mixing:

Implementation Method 2

The two-fluid nozzle atomizes a liquid by using a gas such as an air, nitrogen, or steam... the gas-liquid mixing section mixes a gas flow flowing through the gas passageway and a liquid flow flowing through the liquid passageway, and a spout that is provided so as to penetrate the outer end portion of the outer lid, communicates with the gas-liquid mixing section, and spouts a liquid atomized by mixing the gas flow and the liquid flow in the gas-liquid mixing section as the fine mist

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Data Source

PatentEP3427838B1Spraying apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3427838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3427838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3427838B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In a mist nozzle, a liquid stored in a liquid storage tank is pressurized by a liquid supplier and is supplied to the mist nozzle, so that a liquid flow is introduced from an upstream of a gas-liquid mixing section and a vicinity of a wall surface of the gas-liquid mixing section into the gas-liquid mixing section on an outer lid side. A pressurized gas is supplied from a gas supplier from a facing surface, so that a gas flow introduces into the gas-liquid mixing section and collides with the liquid flow, and a gas-liquid mixed flow is advanced to a spout portion while circulating the wall surface of the gas-liquid mixing section on the outer lid side. Therefore, it is possible to promote atomization of the liquid in the gas-liquid mixing section and spray a liquid having a smaller particle diameter.