Pneumatic Liquid Dispensing Nozzle for Precise Viscous Droplets

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing systems struggle with precisely controlling small droplet sizes of highly viscous liquids, particularly in the presence of solids, leading to clogging and undesirable splattering, and are limited by air-operated piston mechanics.

Innovation Solution

A modular liquid dispensing system with pressurized air-operated pistons and solenoid valves that utilize a return spring mechanism to enhance rapid operation, combined with nozzle designs featuring expanding discharge passages to stabilize droplet size and prevent splattering, even with solids content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If smaller nozzle passages are used to control small droplet sizes, then droplet control precision is improved, but the nozzle becomes susceptible to clogging from solids content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet control precisionVSAvoidnozzle clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into separate functional sections: an inlet passage with larger diameter for solid-containing liquid flow, and a discharge passage with smaller diameter for precise droplet control. This segmentation allows each section to optimize for its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the nozzle have different dimensional characteristics - the inlet passage has larger dimensions to handle solids, while the discharge passage has smaller dimensions for precision droplet control. Each location has quality optimized for its local function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If larger inlet passages are used to prevent clogging, then reliability is improved, but droplet control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclogging resistanceVSAvoiddroplet control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into separate functional sections: an inlet passage with larger diameter for solid-containing liquid flow, and a discharge passage with smaller diameter for precise droplet control. This segmentation allows each section to optimize for its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If spring return force is increased to speed up piston closure, then operation speed is improved, but the spring force becomes limited to roughly half of the air pressure force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston operation speedVSAvoidspring return force

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A lever mechanism acts as an intermediary between the limited spring force and the piston. The lever provides mechanical advantage, amplifying the spring's return force to overcome the air pressure force and achieve rapid piston closure without requiring excessive spring force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If air operated pistons are used for rapid operation, then productivity is improved, but the compressibility of air limits rapid piston closure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidpiston closure speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

A lever mechanism acts as an intermediary between the limited spring force and the piston. The lever provides mechanical advantage, amplifying the spring's return force to overcome the air pressure force and achieve rapid piston closure without requiring excessive spring force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enables precise control of small droplet sizes with reduced splattering and clogging, allowing rapid operation and economical manufacturing, suitable for dispensing viscous liquids with solids.

Implementation Method 1

the return spring mechanism to enhance rapid operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when air operated devices are spring returned, the springs return force can be limited

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

the air pressure's force used to open the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure force: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

pressurized air operated liquid control pistons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics:

Implementation Method 5

nozzle designs featuring expanding discharge passages to stabilize droplet size

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow expansion:

Data Source

PatentUS12403488B2Liquid dispensing system with pressurized air operated liquid control pistons

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 SPRAYING SYSTEMS CO

AI summary

A modular liquid distribution system in which each module has a module body, a spray nozzle, and a piston for controlling the dispensing of liquid from the nozzle. Each module has a pneumatically operated system for moving the piston to an open position while facilitating quicker return movement to a closed position, enabling the dispensing of precisely controlled small droplet sized quantities of highly viscous liquids.