Compact Spa Jet Fluidic Oscillator Air Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous fluidic spa jets face challenges in achieving high air and water flow rates within compact packaging, with air entrainment typically occurring in either the power nozzle or outlet region, leading to instability and inadequate massage experience due to out-of-phase water jet layers.
Innovation Solution
A spa nozzle design featuring a large aspect ratio and dual air entrainment mechanism downstream of the throat, with controlled floor taper angles and diverging sidewalls to enhance air entrainment and maintain stable oscillation, allowing for increased water flow rates and improved massage experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air entrainment occurs in the power nozzle region, then the maximum amount of air can be entrained, but the oscillator stops working due to large property differences between air and water
Solution Approach 1:
The air entrainment process is divided into two separate locations: the power nozzle region and the outlet region. The power nozzle region handles water flow oscillation while the outlet region handles air entrainment, separating the two functions that have conflicting requirements for optimal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet region acts as an intermediary zone where the oscillating water jet from the power nozzle interacts with air supplied through air ports. This intermediary region allows gradual mixing of air and water without the abrupt property changes that would disrupt oscillator operation
2Productivity
If the aspect ratio is increased to deliver more water flow rate within the same cross-section, then packaging space is reduced, but cross-flow patterns form in the depth direction making fluidic oscillation unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic fluidic oscillation to periodically switch flow paths, creating a stable oscillating jet pattern that prevents chaotic cross-flow patterns. The oscillation frequency and pattern are controlled by the feedback passages and air entrainment process
Solution Approach 2:
The aspect ratio parameters are specifically optimized (3.0-3.2 for power nozzle, 4.3-4.7 for outlet) to achieve the right balance between flow rate capacity and oscillation stability. These parameter changes allow high productivity while maintaining stable fluidic operation
3Reliability
If previous fluidic jets entrained air in the outlet region allowing oscillation and air entrainment simultaneously, then the jet is stable, but the amount of air entrained is inadequate for enhanced spa application
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the benefits of both power nozzle air entrainment (high air quantity) and outlet region air entrainment (jet stability). By providing air ports at both locations and using the outlet region air ports in conjunction with the oscillating jet, the system achieves both high air entrainment quantity and stable operation
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 design achieves more than twice the air entrainment of previous fluidic spa jets, ensuring a crisp, steady jet flow and enhanced massage experience while maintaining compact packaging, with improved stability and visual appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a fluidic oscillator for oscillating a jet of water back and forth, the fluidic oscillator having an interaction region and a pair of control ports at an upstream end of the interaction region
Implementation Method 2
an air entrainment port formed in each diverging side wall downstream of the outlet aperture in alternating communication with an air supply as the jet of water is oscillated back and forth
Implementation Method 3
creating a low pressure region at the interface between the water jet and the air
Implementation Method 4
low pressure is generated when there is a sudden expansion, the act of a jet rapidly moving away from the entrainment port has the effect of a sudden expansion, thus entraining additional amounts of air
Data Source
AI summary
A spa nozzle has a fluidic oscillator for oscillating a jet of water back and forth through an outlet aperture and a pair of diverging sidewalls extending downstream of the outlet aperture for issuing a sweeping jet of water into the spa. An air entrainment port is formed in each diverging sidewall downstream of the outlet aperture. The top and bottom walls in the oscillator interaction region diverge sufficiently so as to provide a relatively large outlet aperture area but not so large as to cause the jet to roll as it exits the outlet aperture, and wherein the ratio of the depth D of the power nozzle to the width W thereof is from about 2.9 to about 3.1 and the ratio of the depth D of the outlet throat to the width W thereof is from about 4.4 to about 4.6.