Multi-Circuit Pressure Atomizer for Stable Spray Cone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pressure atomizers produce varying spray shapes depending on pressure and flow rate, failing to maintain a consistent solid cone spray over a wide range of operating conditions, which is desirable in applications like gas turbine engines.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multiple sub-circuits within the atomizer body, each producing a spray cone with a distinct angle, mechanically separated to ensure stability and consistency across varying flow rates, using an annular chamber and distributors to manage liquid flow and prevent interaction between sub-circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional single-circuit pressure atomizer is used, then the device structure is simple, but the spray shape varies with pressure and flow rate, failing to maintain consistent solid cone spray
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow circuit is divided into multiple independent sub-circuits, each producing a spray cone with a different cone angle. This segmentation allows each sub-circuit to be optimized for specific flow rate ranges, and their combined output maintains consistent solid cone spray pattern across the full operating range, resolving the contradiction between spray consistency and structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple sub-circuits are used to maintain consistent spray shape, then spray consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sub-circuits are merged into a single integrated atomizer body with a unified outlet. The sub-circuits share common components such as the annular chamber and outlet structure, allowing them to function independently while contributing to a combined solid cone spray pattern. This merging approach achieves spray consistency without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If sub-circuits are mechanically separated to limit liquid interaction, then spray stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-circuits are arranged in a nested configuration within the atomizer body, with inner distributors and outer distributors positioned concentrically. The annular chamber serves as a common space that accommodates multiple sub-circuits. This nested arrangement allows mechanical separation for stability while maintaining a compact, manufacturable structure that can be assembled as an integrated unit.
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 configuration maintains a substantially solid spray cone pattern over a range of pressures and flow rates, ensuring consistent performance and improved atomization efficiency in applications such as gas turbine engines.
Implementation Method 1
pressure atomizers designed to atomize fuel, water, or other liquids into a fine spray of droplets
Implementation Method 2
atomize fuel, water, or other liquids into a fine spray of droplets
Implementation Method 3
a first metering orifice is in fluid communication with the swirl chamber of the first sub-circuit. The first metering orifice defines an elongate passage through a protrusion defined on an inner distributor
Data Source
AI summary
An atomizer includes an atomizer body having a liquid inlet and a spray outlet with a liquid flow circuit defined through the inner atomizer body for fluid communication of liquid from the inlet to the spray outlet. The liquid flow circuit branches into a plurality of sub-circuits. Each sub-circuit is configured to produce a spray cone of atomized liquid issuing from the spray outlet such that the spray cone of each sub-circuit has a different cone angle. The sub-circuits are mechanically separated from one another to limit interaction of liquid in the sub-circuits and thereby produce a distinct and stable spray cone from each sub-circuit over a range of liquid flow rates.