Spray Envelope Fluid Splash Containment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for containing fluid splashes, such as using surfactants or physical barriers, are either ineffective or impractical due to constant chemical treatment requirements or bulky, unattractive, and difficult to maintain, especially in situations like toilet use where splashes occur due to stream reflection, deflection, or changes in flow rate and pressure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses a spray envelope created by a nozzle to direct a fan-shaped spray pattern at a predetermined angle relative to a hydrostatic fluid surface, preventing droplets from exiting the containment area by establishing a laminar or turbulent flow pattern that intercepts and contains splashes within the receptacle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surfactants are used to treat the receiving fluid, then the surface tension is lowered and a splash-insulative surface of bubbles is formed, but constant chemical treatment is required and it does not adequately protect against splashes caused at the time of stream entry
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a spray envelope structure before fluid stream entry by directing a controlled spray pattern onto the hydrostatic fluid surface. This preliminary action creates a physical barrier framework that is ready to intercept splashes at the moment of stream entry, eliminating the need for continuous chemical treatment while maintaining protective effectiveness throughout the entire stream flow duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spray envelope as an intermediary structure between the fluid stream and the receiving fluid. This spray envelope acts as a mediator that intercepts and contains splash droplets before they can exit the receptacle, providing physical containment without requiring continuous chemical modification of the receiving fluid.
2Reliability
If physical structure is increased to create a physical barrier or shield, then splash droplets can be captured, but the structure becomes bulky, unattractive, and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a hydraulic spray envelope created by directed water flow to provide splash containment. Instead of solid physical structures, the invention employs a dynamic water-based barrier that forms an envelope shape to capture and contain splash droplets. This approach eliminates bulky solid structures while maintaining effective splash capture capability through fluid dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray envelope functions as a flexible, fluid-based barrier rather than a rigid physical structure. This flexible water envelope adapts to the splash dynamics and provides containment without the bulkiness and cleaning requirements of solid physical barriers, achieving both effectiveness and simplicity.
3Reliability
If a physical structural barrier is used, then splash droplets can be captured, but it is not always effective in capturing splash droplets moving substantially opposite to the direction of the stream flow
Solution Approach 1:
The spray envelope is designed with asymmetric coverage that extends in multiple directions from the spray source. By positioning the spray envelope to overlap with the receptacle and directing the spray pattern appropriately, the system achieves effective capture of splash droplets moving in various directions, including opposite to the stream flow direction, through asymmetric spatial coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray envelope creates a three-dimensional containment space that extends vertically and horizontally from the spray source. This dimensional expansion allows the envelope to intercept splash droplets approaching from multiple angles and directions, including opposite to the stream flow, by establishing a volumetric barrier rather than a linear or planar obstruction.
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
Effectively contains fluid splashes within the defined area, reducing overspray and maintaining hygiene without the need for constant chemical treatment or bulky structures, by using a controlled spray pattern that adjusts to minimize splash exit from the receptacle.
Implementation Method 1
The first fluid flow may be a spray or laminar flow
Implementation Method 2
establishing a laminar or turbulent flow pattern that intercepts and contains splashes
Implementation Method 3
A first nozzle is configured to direct a first spray pattern into or within the receptacle to define a first spray envelope
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for containing fluid splash include using a fluid flow spaced from a vessel and/or fluid surface to effectively trap materials from a fluid stream flowing through the fluid flow. The fluid flow creates a spray envelope in connection with the fluid surface and/or vessel and substantially prevents droplets of the fluid stream from exiting the vessel. The fluid flow is created by allowing a supply fluid to flow through a nozzle oriented to cast a spray pattern into the vessel and/or into contact with the fluid surface. The fluid flow may be selectively activated and deactivated and/or be automatically (e.g., light or motion) activated and deactivated.