Retractable nozzle for dosing or dispensing high viscosity materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dispensing highly viscous materials is challenging due to their high viscosity and surface tension, leading to unpredictable metered doses and issues like stringing or tailing from nozzle outlets in existing dispensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A retractable nozzle assembly with a dual flow path system, where a seal plunger and nozzle tip move to open and close outlet ports, utilizing a spring to bias the plunger to a closed position, allowing actuation to control the flow of viscous materials, preventing leakage and ensuring accurate dosing by managing flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure is used to dispense high viscosity materials, then the material can be delivered through the nozzle, but the metered dose volume becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly incorporates a movable seal plunger that can dynamically adjust its position to control the flow path. The plunger moves between a first position (allowing flow through outlet ports) and a second position (blocking outlet ports), enabling precise control of material delivery without relying solely on high pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path configuration by moving the seal plunger between different positions. This alters which flow path the material takes (through outlet ports or through the feed tube outlet), allowing control over dispensing parameters while maintaining predictable dosing
2Ease of operation
If high viscosity materials are dispensed through a stationary nozzle, then the dispensing process is simple, but stringing or tailing occurs from the outlet port
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly uses a movable seal plunger that repositions after dispensing. After material is dispensed, the plunger moves to block the outlet ports, which prevents stringing or tailing by sealing off the flow path. This dynamic action eliminates the harmful effect while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring continuously biases the seal plunger toward the closed position (second position) where it blocks the outlet ports. This preliminary positioning prevents stringing or tailing before it can occur, as the ports are already sealed ready for the next dispensing cycle
3Productivity
If the nozzle remains open during dispensing, then material flow is continuous, but leakage occurs due to high surface tension
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic opening and closing of the outlet ports controlled by the seal plunger. The ports are opened only during the intended dispensing period and closed afterward, creating a periodic flow pattern that prevents leakage while maintaining continuous flow capability during active dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The seal plunger is extracted from the stationary nozzle structure and made movable within the feed tube. This extraction allows the nozzle to transition from a permanently open state to a controllable state where the plunger can selectively open and close the outlet ports, preventing leakage
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 retractable nozzle assembly effectively eliminates stringing and tailing, allowing for precise and accurate dispensing of high viscosity materials, including those with viscosities ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 centipoise, by controlling flow paths and utilizing surface tension to prevent leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mounted between the seal plunger and the nozzle feed tube biasing the seal plunger to a closed position
Implementation Method 2
utilizing surface tension to prevent leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable nozzle assembly is configured for dosing or dispensing highly viscous materials. The retractable nozzle assembly may be fitted to a delivery device containing a highly viscous chemical product to be dispensed. The retractable nozzle assembly may be actuated by hand, by mechanical action, or by any electromechanical device such as a dispenser. The retractable nozzle assembly includes a first path through a central bore in which the material moves at relatively slower flow rate and a secondary flow path in which the material moves at a relatively faster flow rate. The difference in flow rates at the outlet of the nozzle between the two flow paths helps to eliminate stringing and tailing of the high viscosity chemical product during dispensation.