Rotating Flat-Nozzle Cavitation Processing for Faster Surface Grinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cavitation surface processing methods are limited by slow grinding speeds.

Innovation Solution

A cavitation surface processing method involving the suspension of abrasives in processing liquid, use of a rotating flat spray nozzle to eject a cavitation jet in a helical ribbon shape, and application of compressive residual stress through abrasive collisions and cavity cloud flow on the workpiece surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cavitation processing method is used, then surface smoothing and peening can be achieved, but grinding speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding speedVSAvoidsurface quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spray nozzle is made to rotate at 100-200 RPM, transforming the static cavitation jet into a dynamic helical ribbon shape. This rotation enables the jet to cover a larger surface area more quickly, increasing grinding speed while maintaining surface quality through continuous contact with the workpiece surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cavitation jet is configured to spread in a planar direction rather than a linear trajectory. By expanding the jet into a two-dimensional helical ribbon shape through rotation and spray angle control (5-10 degrees), the processing area is significantly increased, allowing faster coverage of the workpiece surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If cavitation jet is ejected at high pressure, then grinding efficiency increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spray angle is precisely controlled at 5-10 degrees to optimize the helical ribbon formation. This parameter optimization ensures that the cavitation jet maintains sufficient pressure and energy for effective grinding while improving fluid dynamics efficiency, reducing energy waste through better contact patterns with the workpiece surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating spray nozzle creates continuous helical ribbon cavitation jets that maintain constant contact with the workpiece surface. This continuous action eliminates idle time and ensures uninterrupted grinding, improving overall efficiency while distributing energy consumption over a longer processing duration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Increases grinding speed and efficiency by enhancing abrasive collisions and residual stress application on the workpiece surface.

Implementation Method 1

ejecting a cavitation jet spreading in a plane on a surface of the workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

entraining abrasives by the cavitation jet to collide with a target surface which is a surface of a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

applying a compressive residual stress on the target surface by the cavities being collapsed near the target surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentEP4667157A1Cavitation surface processing method
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SUGINO MACHINE
  • EP4667157A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4667157A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4667157A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cavitation processing method increases the grinding speed of the surface. The cavitation surface processing method, includes: suspending abrasives (7) into processing liquid (5); immersing a workpiece (3) and a flat spray nozzle (12) into the processing liquid (5); ejecting a cavitation jet (32) spreading in a plane on a surface of the workpiece (3) while the flat spray nozzle (12) is rotating about an ejection axis (1); and smoothing the surface of the workpiece (3) to apply a compressive residual stress on the surface of the workpiece (3).