Self-Rotating Tube Cleaning Nozzle Debris Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-rotating tube cleaning nozzle assemblies face issues with contaminant ingress between the sleeve and main body, leading to binding and the need for frequent disassembly and cleaning, as small particles or viscous substances accumulate and create friction, preventing the sleeve from spinning during the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
The self-rotating tube cleaning nozzle assembly incorporates a debris exclusion feature with a stepped portion on the main body and a complementary stepped portion on the sleeve, forming a labyrinthine pathway that reduces contaminant ingress, along with a second debris exclusion feature between the nozzle and sleeve, preventing contaminants from entering and allowing the sleeve to spin freely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple gap structure is used between the sleeve and main body, then the device complexity is reduced, but contaminant ingress increases leading to binding and frequent cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the sleeve and main body is segmented into multiple sections by stepped portions at different axial positions. These stepped portions create discrete chambers that partition the flow path, preventing continuous contaminant accumulation along the entire gap length. The segmentation maintains structural simplicity while effectively managing contaminant exclusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris exclusion feature extends the gap control into the radial dimension by incorporating stepped portions that protrude radially into the gap. This creates a three-dimensional tortuous pathway rather than a simple two-dimensional annular gap, forcing contaminants to navigate a more complex path while maintaining the overall simplicity of the cylindrical structure.
2Reliability
If a tortuous pathway is created to reduce contaminant ingress, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional stepped portions
Solution Approach 1:
The debris exclusion feature is merged with the existing structural components (sleeve and main body) by forming stepped portions directly on these components. Rather than adding separate debris exclusion devices, the feature integrates the contaminant management function into the structural elements already present in the tube spinner assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped portions serve multiple functions: they structurally define the gap between components, create the tortuous pathway for debris exclusion, and potentially serve as mounting features or flow control elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated debris exclusion components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sleeve gap is reduced to prevent contaminant ingress, then contaminant exclusion improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped portions are pre-formed structural features on the sleeve and main body that establish the gap geometry before assembly. By incorporating the debris exclusion geometry into the manufacturing of these components, the tortuous pathway is created as an inherent feature rather than requiring post-assembly adjustments or extremely tight tolerances on the overall gap dimensions.
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 design significantly reduces the likelihood of binding, allowing the nozzle assembly to operate for longer periods without frequent cleaning, ensuring continuous cleaning efficiency by preventing contaminant accumulation and maintaining the sleeve's rotational functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The debris exclusion feature forms a tortuous pathway that eliminates or reduces contaminant ingress
Implementation Method 2
the high pressure water causes the sleeve P200 to spin at very high speeds
Implementation Method 3
one or more of the exiting radial jets S3 created by a hole P202 in the spinner's rotating sleeve impinges on the inside surface of the tube being cleaned. The combination of speed and pressure of the jets, along with length-wise movement of the nozzle along the tube, provide a cleaning action.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-rotating tube cleaning nozzle assembly is disclosed that includes at least one debris exclusion feature. The nozzle assembly includes a main body defining an internal fluid passageway, a nozzle mounted to the main body, and a sleeve rotatably disposed about the main body. In one aspect, the sleeve having at least one discharge port in fluid communication with the main body internal fluid passageway for discharging a spray and rotating the sleeve about the main body. The debris exclusion feature is defined between the main body and the sleeve and includes a stepped portion on an exterior surface of the main body that faces and overlaps with a complementarily shaped stepped portion on an interior surface of the sleeve. The debris exclusion feature forms a tortuous pathway that eliminates or reduces contaminant ingress.