Liquid Recirculating Valve for Sprayer Nozzle Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial and agricultural sprayers face issues with clogging of spray nozzles due to viscous materials, leading to reduced efficacy and wasteful cleaning processes, as materials separate and remain in the system, causing contamination and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating valve with an hourglass-shaped section and suction port creates a vacuum effect, facilitating the recirculation of liquids and preventing sediment buildup, which can be retrofitted into existing sprayers or integrated into new systems, allowing for efficient cleaning and reduced waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If recirculating boom systems are used to prevent material separation, then material heterogeneity is maintained, but spray nozzles become clogged with viscous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic viscous material from the recirculation loop by providing a drainage mechanism that removes accumulated material from the boom lines before it can clog the nozzles, while maintaining the recirculation of the liquid portion that prevents separation
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the separated viscous material through drainage ports and filters, while recovering and recirculating the clean liquid portion back to the tank, separating the useful recirculation function from the harmful material accumulation
2Reliability
If spray nozzles are cleaned by opening end caps and flushing with water, then nozzle clogging is removed, but material is wasted through dilution and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by continuously draining accumulated material during operation through drainage ports and filters, preventing clogging before it occurs and eliminating the need for wasteful post-operation flushing
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system with drainage provides self-cleaning functionality, automatically removing accumulated material through gravity-driven drainage ports and filters without requiring external water flushing or manual intervention
3Reliability
If recirculation systems are implemented, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but additional components increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drainage function with the existing recirculation system by integrating drainage ports and filters into the boom line structure, combining material removal with the recirculation flow path rather than adding separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system performs multiple functions simultaneously: maintaining material heterogeneity, preventing nozzle clogging through continuous flow, and enabling self-cleaning through integrated drainage, reducing the need for separate cleaning systems
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 recirculating valve effectively prevents nozzle clogging, reduces material waste, and maintains the efficacy of sprayers by continuously recirculating liquids, minimizing contamination and the need for frequent cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
A recirculating valve with an hourglass-shaped section and suction port creates a vacuum effect, facilitating the recirculation of liquids
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid dispensing valve for dispensing of liquid solution, the liquid dispensing valve operable to create a vacuum buildup of pressure, such that the liquid moves on a recirculation path from the intake port to the output port. The recirculation of the liquid prevents sediment within the liquid from settling, and further prevents backpressure, and allows for continuous recirculation of the solution through a suction return line, providing generally consistent flow of liquid. The liquid dispensing valve's ability to minimize sediment buildup allows for a quick cleaning of the lines while also minimizing potential contamination of the general area.