Pneumatic Web Moistening Nozzle with Recirculation Feature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current web remoistening systems in heatset web offset printing face issues with high operational costs and inefficiency due to the use of hydraulic atomization, which requires expensive equipment, high-pressure pumps, and is prone to clogging and poor performance at low flow rates.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of pneumatic web moistening nozzles with larger liquid orifices and pneumatic orifices, which reduce mineral buildup, allow for lower pressure operation, and use less expensive materials, enabling more efficient and cost-effective web moistening with tap water, and improved droplet deposition efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydraulic atomization is used to spray water onto the web, then web moisture content can be controlled, but the system becomes expensive and complex due to high pressure requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweb moisture contentVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic atomization system (which uses high-pressure liquid pumps and complex manifolds) with a pneumatic atomization system that uses compressed air to atomize water through simple orifices. This substitution eliminates the need for high-pressure hydraulic components while achieving the same web moisture control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifically applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air flowing through pneumatic orifices to create atomization of water. The pneumatic flow disrupts the water stream from liquid orifices, creating fine droplets that deposit on the web, thereby controlling moisture content without requiring hydraulic high-pressure systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Quantity of substance

If hydraulic atomization with small orifices is used, then water can be atomized effectively, but the orifices become clogged by impurities in the water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater atomizationVSAvoidorifice clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the critical parameter of orifice size from small (in hydraulic systems) to large (in pneumatic systems). The larger liquid orifices and pneumatic orifices are designed to accommodate impurities in tap water without clogging, while still achieving effective atomization through the interaction of pneumatic flow with the liquid stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If hydraulic atomization is used at low flow rates, then water can be sprayed, but the system produces smaller droplets resulting in poor remoistening efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow rateVSAvoidremoistening efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pneumatic atomization system uses compressed air to control droplet formation and size. At low flow rates, the pneumatic flow maintains adequate droplet size by controlling the atomization process through air-liquid interaction at the orifices, thereby maintaining remoistening efficiency that hydraulic systems cannot achieve at low flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Reliability

If de-ionized water is used in hydraulic atomization systems, then orifice clogging is prevented, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorifice clogging preventionVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orifice size parameter to be large enough to accommodate impurities in regular tap water without clogging. This eliminates the need for expensive de-ionized water while maintaining reliable operation, thereby reducing operational costs significantly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Pneumatic web moistening systems achieve effective web moistening with lower operational costs, reduced mineral buildup, and enhanced droplet deposition efficiency, allowing for faster web speed and uniform moisture distribution.

Implementation Method 1

pneumatic atomization nozzle for web moistening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic atomization:

Implementation Method 2

a gas stream from the gas passage disrupts the liquid stream from the liquid orifice to form droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid atomization:

Implementation Method 3

The exit surface includes at least one recirculation inducing feature configured to reduce deposits adjacent to the gas passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow recirculation:

Data Source

PatentUS8979004B2Pneumatic atomization nozzle for web moistening

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A system, in certain embodiments, includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes a liquid passage, a first pneumatic passage, and an exit surface. The exit surface includes at least one recirculation inducing feature configured to reduce deposits adjacent to the first pneumatic passage.