Nozzle Element Flat Jet Design for Sensitive Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure cleaning devices face a challenge in effectively treating sensitive surfaces with a water jet while maintaining a focused beam and appropriate size for efficient surface coverage, particularly for cosmetic and medical applications such as debridement.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle element with a cylindrical nozzle body and a small nozzle opening (≤0.15 mm diameter) is used to produce a flat jet with a length-to-width ratio of at least 2.5, capable of generating a jet impact pressure of 1,000 to 60,000 Pa at a working distance of 80 mm, which can be enhanced with antibacterial additives and a germicidal light beam, and is designed for efficient cleaning of small surface areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a focused, hard jet is used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the jet size becomes too small to achieve desired result in a single pass
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle opening is divided into two distinct components: a first opening for the water jet and a second opening for the gas stream. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each fluid's parameters, enabling the water jet to remain focused and hard while the gas stream expands to cover a larger surface area, thus resolving the contradiction between jet strength and surface coverage efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two fluid streams (water jet and gas stream) into a single treatment system. The water jet provides the hard, focused cleaning action, while the gas stream simultaneously covers a broader area and assists in removing debris. This merging allows the system to achieve both high cleaning effectiveness and improved surface coverage efficiency in a single pass
2Productivity
If a larger jet size is used, then surface coverage is improved, but the jet becomes less focused and loses cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle opening is segmented into two separate openings positioned at different locations. The first opening generates a focused water jet with high cleaning effectiveness, while the second opening introduces a gas stream that expands to provide broad surface coverage. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different parts of the nozzle system
Solution Approach 2:
The gas stream acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the focused water jet and the surface to be treated. The gas stream expands rapidly to cover a larger area and can carry away loosened debris, while the water jet maintains its focus for effective cleaning. This intermediary gas stream enables both jet focus and surface coverage efficiency to coexist
3Productivity
If water pressure is increased to improve cleaning effect, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of surface impairment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the cleaning system by introducing a gas stream with different properties (lower density, higher compressibility) alongside the water jet. The gas stream can be adjusted to provide cushioning effects and control the overall pressure distribution, allowing the water jet to maintain high cleaning effectiveness at localized points while the gas stream distributes the overall energy to prevent excessive pressure concentration that could damage the surface
Solution Approach 2:
The gas stream serves as a cushioning medium that precedes and accompanies the water jet impact. By introducing the gas stream first or simultaneously with the water jet, it creates a protective layer that moderates the impact pressure on sensitive surfaces, preventing damage while still allowing the water jet to achieve effective cleaning through its focused high-velocity stream
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 nozzle element allows for effective cleaning of sensitive surfaces with a manageable jet impact pressure, preventing surface impairment and ensuring sufficient treatment effect, while being economical and hygienic for single-use applications.
Implementation Method 1
a flow passage for the water jet... a nozzle opening that discharges the jet into the surroundings... dynamic pressure within the nozzle body and in the flow direction immediately upstream of the nozzle opening
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for blasting a water jet with a water pressure between 50 and 200 bar through a nozzle element 22, which has a cylindrical nozzle body 12 forming a flow passage 16 for the water jet, and at least one nozzle opening 18 which discharges a jet of water to the surroundings, the smallest dimension of which is no more than 0.15 mm, and in which a flat jet 28 is formed on the surface to be treated at a working distance of 80 mm between the nozzle opening 18 and the surface to be treated.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a handpiece and a nozzle element received therein for spraying a water jet with a water pressure between 50 and 200 bar, which has a cylindrical nozzle body forming a flow passage for the water jet, and at least one nozzle opening emitting a jet to the surroundings, the smallest dimension of which is no more than 0.15 mm and is designed such that, at a water pressure of 130 bar at a working distance of 80 mm between the nozzle opening and the surface to be treated, a flat jet is produced on the surface to be treated.