Nozzle Assembly Flow Director for Injector Spray Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-pressure injectors face challenges in minimizing the number of holes to achieve optimal spray particle size while preventing plugging and reducing costs, as smaller holes are prone to plugging and require more machining, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly with a flow director member featuring two distinct guidance channels that converge to a spray hole with a large entry portion and a narrow exit portion, where the entry and exit portions are offset, and an obstacle feature forces the fluid to divide before entering the spray hole, enhancing turbulence and spray quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of holes in the director plate is increased to create smaller spray particles, then spray quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and plugging resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides a single spray hole into multiple flow paths by introducing guidance channels and obstacle features within the hole. The fluid is segmented into multiple streams that converge at the exit, effectively creating multiple spray patterns from a single physical hole, thereby reducing the total number of holes needed while maintaining spray quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds spatial complexity within the spray hole by incorporating guidance channels and obstacle features that create three-dimensional flow paths. This transforms a simple two-dimensional hole into a complex three-dimensional flow structure, enabling multiple spray streams from a single hole and reducing the need for multiple holes
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of holes in the director plate is increased to create smaller spray particles, then spray quality is improved, but plugging resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flow into multiple streams within a single hole using guidance channels and obstacle features, the invention maintains larger effective flow passages compared to multiple small holes. This segmentation approach reduces the risk of plugging while achieving fine spray particle size through the convergence of multiple internal flow streams
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow parameters within the spray hole by creating turbulence and flow direction changes through obstacle features. This modifies the flow characteristics to prevent deposit accumulation and plugging, while maintaining the spray hole dimensions large enough to resist clogging
3Manufacturing precision
If the number of holes in the director plate is increased to create smaller spray particles, then spray quality is improved, but the number of machining operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple flow paths and guidance structures into a single integrated spray hole component. Instead of requiring separate machining operations for multiple holes, the design combines multiple flow channels and obstacle features within one hole, reducing the number of machining operations to just one hole formation operation
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 design reduces the number of holes needed, improves spray quality, and increases resistance to plugging, thereby reducing costs and maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet path comprising two distinct guidance channels, formed on said inner face, the guidance channels extending from an upstream end, opening in the sac and converging to a common downstream end, where a spray hole is drilled through the faces of the flow director member, said outlet path creating impingement of the two flow streams flowing in said two guidance channels before entering the spray hole
Implementation Method 2
an obstacle feature arranged in said recess between the spray hole and the first boundary defined by the opening of the body, said obstacle feature creating a guidance channel on each of its two sides forcing the stream to divide into two sub-streams prior to enter the spray hole
Implementation Method 3
a clamp member wrapping and maintaining a flow director member against the body
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
A nozzle assembly (10) having a body (14), a valve member (20, 22), a clamp member (28) maintaining a flow director member (24) against the body (14), the flow director member (24) being sandwiched between the peripheral wall (32) and the clamp member, and being provided with an outlet path comprising two distinct guidance channels extending from an upstream end and a common downstream end where is a spray hole, said outlet path creating impingement of the two flow streams flowing in said two channels before entering the spray hole which comprises a large entry portion, forming a step hole, and a narrow exit portion and, wherein the large entry portion and the narrow exit portion are decentred.