Nozzle Arrangement for Uniform Fan-Shaped Fluid Atomization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nozzle arrangements for fluid atomization, particularly for oils, often fail to produce a uniform, fan-shaped spray pattern that is independent of fluid pressure and speed, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle arrangement with a first channel section that tapers to form a slit and a second channel section that is elongated and diverging, with inclined leg surfaces, reducing turbulence and flow losses, and allowing for a uniform, fan-shaped spray pattern to be maintained even as pressure or speed decreases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional nozzle arrangements are used for fluid atomization, then the spray pattern may be achieved, but the spray pattern is not uniform and is dependent on fluid pressure and speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray pattern uniformityVSAvoidspray pattern consistency under varying pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle channel is segmented into multiple sections with different geometric characteristics: a first channel section with a first cross-sectional area, a second channel section with a second cross-sectional area, and a third channel section with a third cross-sectional area. Each section serves a specific function in controlling fluid flow and atomization, allowing independent optimization of spray pattern uniformity and pressure independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the nozzle channel have different cross-sectional areas and geometric properties tailored to specific local functions. The first channel section has a larger cross-sectional area for initial fluid reception, the second channel section has a reduced cross-sectional area for acceleration and atomization, and the third channel section has an increased cross-sectional area for spray expansion. This local differentiation enables uniform spray patterns that maintain consistency across varying pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the nozzle channel cross-sectional area is reduced to increase atomization, then atomization efficiency improves, but flow losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatomization efficiencyVSAvoidflow losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle channel employs dynamic geometric variations along the flow direction, with cross-sectional areas that change progressively through different sections. The channel cross-section is optimized at each location to balance atomization requirements with flow efficiency, creating a dynamic adaptation to the fluid flow conditions rather than a static uniform geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-sectional area parameter of the nozzle channel is changed systematically through different sections. The first channel section has a larger cross-sectional area, the second channel section has a reduced cross-sectional area for enhanced atomization, and the third channel section has an increased cross-sectional area. This parameter variation optimizes the balance between atomization efficiency and flow losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the nozzle arrangement is designed with complex geometry to achieve uniform spray, then spray uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray pattern uniformityVSAvoidnozzle channel geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle channel is designed as a single integrated structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously: fluid reception, acceleration, atomization, and spray expansion. The continuous channel geometry with varying cross-sectional areas accomplishes what would otherwise require multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while achieving uniform spray patterns.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle design utilizes the third dimension (cross-sectional area variation along the flow direction) to achieve spray uniformity without increasing planar complexity. By varying the cross-sectional area along the length of the channel, the design achieves complex flow control and atomization in a straightforward elongated structure rather than requiring complex two-dimensional geometries.

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

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 solution enables the generation of a consistent, fan-shaped spray pattern with reduced flow losses, ensuring efficient and uniform dispensing of fluids regardless of pressure or speed variations, and simplifies the assembly process with a mounting system for precise alignment.

Implementation Method 1

The first channel section converges in the direction of fluid flow, or rather, the cross-sectional area of the first channel section decreases in the direction of fluid flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConverging flow:

Implementation Method 2

the second channel section diverges in the flow direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiverging flow:

Implementation Method 3

The first and second channel sections are fluidically connected to each other by means of a through-opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid connection:

Data Source

PatentEP3325169B1Nozzle arrangement and dispensing head
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 APTAR DORTMUND GMBH
  • EP3325169B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3325169B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3325169B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for preferably atomizing a fluid, in particular oil, in a fan-like manner, to a dispensing head with said type of nozzle arrangement and to the use of said type of nozzle arrangement for in particular atomizing a fluid, in particular an oil, in a fan-like manner. A channel of the nozzle arrangement comprises a first channel section and a second channel section which is connected in the direction of flow of the fluid to the first channel section. The first channel section converges in the direction of flow of the fluid, the second channel section is elongate or slot-like in the cross-section and is defined by two elongate lateral faces and two short side surfaces, said side surfaces are inclined with respect to the direction of flow or to a longitudinal axis of the channel and/or the second channel section is designed as a trapezoid prism and the lateral faces are arranged at least essentially parallel to each other.