Radial Spray Nozzle System for Complex Workpiece Interior Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating the interior surfaces of workpieces, particularly castings, are inefficient due to limited accessibility and complex geometries, leading to poor surface quality and debris accumulation, with existing techniques like flexible brushes and fluid injection being time-consuming and ineffective for complex shapes.
Innovation Solution
A system with at least three nozzles that eject treating material along collinear and perpendicular lines, intersecting to form radial sprays that can effectively treat interior surfaces by radially deflecting the material, allowing for precise and intensive surface treatment of hard-to-reach areas within workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If flexible brushes are inserted manually into the chamber to treat the boundary walls, then some boundary walls can be treated, but the technique is time consuming and inefficient, and of little value for walls associated with unusual shapes or transversly projecting regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical brush treatment with an automated fluid dynamics-based treatment system. Multiple nozzles deliver treating material (abrasive particles carried by gas or liquid) to bombard the interior surfaces, substituting manual mechanical action with automated pneumatic or hydraulic delivery systems that can reach complex geometries efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic or hydraulic systems to deliver treating material through nozzles into the workpiece interior. The treating material is carried by a gas or liquid stream from multiple nozzles positioned at the access opening, enabling automated treatment of interior surfaces including complex geometries without manual intervention
2Productivity
If streams of fluids such as air or water are injected into the chamber to dislodge debris, then some cleaning effect is achieved, but the technique is relatively ineffective with respect to creating significant improvement with respect to the smoothness or quality of the boundary walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the fluid stream by introducing abrasive particles into the gas or liquid carrier stream. This transforms a simple fluid injection system into an abrasive blasting system, where the treating material comprises particles that can mechanically impact and condition the surface, significantly improving surface quality while maintaining treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The treating material is presented as a composite system consisting of a carrier fluid (gas or liquid) combined with abrasive particles. This composite treating material combines the delivery capability of the fluid with the surface-conditioning capability of the abrasive particles, achieving both efficient delivery and high-quality surface treatment
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pair of oppositely facing sprays of cleaning fluid are used to impinge against each other to force the spray in a perpendicular direction, then spray deflection is achieved, but the system does not work with complex interior geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment system into multiple independent nozzles positioned at the access opening, each capable of directing treating material along different paths. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to complex interior geometries by having multiple spray zones that can collectively cover transverse passages and unusual shapes, rather than relying on a single complex deflection mechanism
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 provides a more efficient and effective treatment of interior surfaces by enabling precise, high-velocity radial streams to impact and clean complex geometries, improving surface smoothness and quality, and allowing for the removal of debris from areas inaccessible by traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
radially deflecting the treating material ejected from the first one of the at least three nozzles and the treating material ejected from the second one of the at least three nozzles at the first intersection area to form a first radial spray of treating material
Implementation Method 2
treating the interior surface of the workpiece adjacent the second intersection area with the treating material of the second radial spray
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for treating an interior surface of a workpiece comprising at least three nozzles ejecting treating material, with a first one and a second one ejecting the treating material substantially along first and second collinear lines. A third one of the nozzles ejects the treating material substantially along a third line substantially perpendicular to the first and second lines. The treating material ejected from the first one intersects with the treating material ejected from the second one at a first intersection area to radially deflect to form a first radial spray. The treating material ejected from the third one intersects with the first radial spray at a second intersection area to form a second radial spray of treating material. The interior surface of the workpiece adjacent the second intersection area is treated with the treating material of the second radial spray.