Rotary Nozzle Hub Self-Cleaning Liquid Ejection Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tank cleaning systems often fail to adequately clean the cleaning apparatus itself, leading to residual debris and contaminants that can reenter the tank and affect the quality of the contents during subsequent use.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejection apparatus with a rotary head and nozzle hub configuration that includes a primary liquid ejection nozzle with a concave surface and a gap between the base member and rotary head, allowing liquid to flow and impinge on the nozzle for self-cleaning, along with secondary nozzles that direct liquid towards the base member and liquid line for comprehensive cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotary jet head is used to clean the tank interior, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleaning apparatus itself becomes contaminated with debris and residues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcontamination of cleaning apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning apparatus is designed to clean itself through strategically positioned nozzles that direct cleaning liquid onto the liquid line and base member surfaces, enabling self-cleaning without additional equipment or manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful contamination problem is extracted and addressed by separating the cleaning function into two distinct nozzle systems: primary nozzles for tank interior cleaning and secondary nozzles specifically for cleaning the liquid line and base member

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If cleaning duration is prolonged to ensure adequate cleaning, then cleaning quality improves, but time and energy consumption increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is segmented into multiple nozzle groups with different functions (primary nozzles for tank interior, secondary nozzles for liquid line and base member), allowing simultaneous multi-zone cleaning that reduces overall cleaning time while maintaining quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary jet head continuously rotates to provide comprehensive coverage of the tank interior while secondary nozzles continuously clean the liquid line and base member, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning action across all surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the cleaning apparatus is left in the tank after cleaning, then installation complexity is reduced, but residual debris may recontaminate the tank contents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidrecontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs self-cleaning during the cleaning process, eliminating residual debris and residues from its own surfaces, thereby preventing recontamination risk while remaining in the tank after cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 apparatus effectively cleans the interior tank surfaces and the cleaning apparatus itself, ensuring improved self-cleaning properties and preventing recontamination of the tank contents.

Implementation Method 1

the outer, concave surface of the primary liquid ejection nozzle is positioned such that a flow of the liquid from the gap impinges on the outer, concave surface of the primary liquid ejection nozzle during at least a part of a revolution of the rotary nozzle hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic impact: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3216527B1Liquid ejection apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 ALFA LAVAL CORP AB
  • EP3216527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3216527B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3216527B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A liquid ejection apparatus (100) for cleaning of a tank (40). The liquid ejection apparatus (100) comprising: a base member (105) having a first end (105a) for receiving the liquid (L) from a liquid line (101), a rotary head (106) that is rotatably connected to the base member (105) and a rotary nozzle hub (110) that is rotatably connected to the rotary head (106). The rotary nozzle hub (110) comprises a primary liquid ejection nozzle (112) for ejecting a liquid (L) in a pattern towards an interior surface (41) of the tank (40). The primary liquid ejection nozzle (112) has an outer, concave surface (112s) that faces the rotary head (106).