Rainfall Test Apparatus With Downward-Redirecting Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rainfall test apparatuses struggle to accurately simulate low rainfall intensities (10 mm/h or less) due to limitations in nozzle configuration, leading to uneven distribution and increased costs when attempting to reduce water pressure or increase nozzle count.
Innovation Solution
A rainfall test apparatus with nozzles configured to spray water droplets that change direction downward from the spraying direction, allowing for reduced water pressure without narrowing the droplet spread, using multiple nozzles positioned to overlap their coverage areas and incorporating a ventilation system to minimize air flow interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the supply water pressure to the sprinkling nozzle is reduced to decrease the amount of water sprayed, then the rainfall intensity can be reduced, but the water droplet spread becomes narrower creating areas where no rain falls
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is oriented to spray water droplets in a horizontal direction rather than directly downward, utilizing the third dimension (horizontal space) to extend the droplet travel path. This allows the droplets to cover a wider area before reaching the test specimen, compensating for the reduced spread area caused by lower water pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the nozzle orientation angle to optimize the balance between rainfall intensity and spread area. By changing the spraying direction from horizontal to oblique downward, the system adapts to maintain effective coverage while controlling the amount of water sprayed.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of sprinkling nozzles is increased to broaden the water droplet spread coverage, then the rainfall distribution becomes more uniform, but the apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the number of nozzles in the horizontal plane, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by orienting nozzles to spray horizontally or obliquely. This allows a single nozzle to cover a larger area through extended droplet travel, reducing the total number of nozzles needed while maintaining uniform rainfall distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the nozzle system by adjusting the spraying direction and angle. This parameter change allows each nozzle to achieve greater coverage efficiency, reducing the total nozzle count required to achieve uniform rainfall distribution across the test specimen.
3Quantity of substance
If the nozzles are installed to spray water droplets directly downward, then the rainfall intensity can be increased, but it becomes impossible to perform tests with low rainfall intensity of 10 mm/h or less
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle orientation is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing the system to switch between different spraying directions (horizontal, oblique downward, vertical downward) depending on the required rainfall intensity. This enables the system to adapt to a wide range of test conditions from low (10 mm/h or less) to high rainfall intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spraying direction parameter to control rainfall intensity. By adjusting the nozzle orientation from vertical downward (high intensity) to horizontal or oblique (low intensity), the system can achieve a wide range of rainfall intensities including low values of 10 mm/h or less, greatly enhancing adaptability.
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
Enables accurate simulation of low rainfall intensities with even distribution and reduced costs by extending droplet travel distance and suppressing uneven precipitation, mimicking natural rainfall conditions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the nozzles is installed to spray the water droplets toward above the test specimen such that the water droplets reach the test specimen with a flow direction of the water droplets changing downward from a spraying direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A rainfall test apparatus (10) is a test apparatus that produces rain with a rainfall intensity of 10 mm/h or less to evaluate characteristics of a test specimen against rainfall. The test apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles (20, 20a, 20b), each configured to spray water droplets (25). Each of the plurality of nozzles (20, 20a, 20b) has a configuration in which the spreading range of the sprayed water droplets (25) changes according to supply water pressure. The nozzles (20, 20a, 20b) are installed to spray the water droplets (25) toward above the test specimen such that the water droplets (25) reach the test specimen with a flow direction of the water droplets (25) changing downward from a spraying direction.