Spray Head Strioscopy for Non-Destructive Cone Angle Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray device testing methods destroy devices and require human verification, making them unsuitable for complete automation and having long cycle times.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive, automated method using strioscopy to analyze the spray cone angle of pharmaceutical fluid devices with a cycle time under 1.5 seconds, employing a setup with a camera, light source, and image processing to determine compliance with predetermined specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional spray device testing methods are used, then spray properties can be verified, but the devices are destroyed and cannot be delivered to customers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copying techniques (schlieren imaging, shadowgraphy, or interferometry) to create visual representations of the spray pattern without physical contact. This allows measurement of spray properties while preserving the original device for customer delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical testing methods that physically interact with and destroy the spray device with optical field-based measurement methods. These optical methods use light fields to visualize and measure spray characteristics without mechanical contact, thereby avoiding device destruction.
2Measurement precision
If human verification of tested devices is used, then spray properties can be assessed, but the process cannot be completely automated and has long cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual human verification with automated optical imaging systems coupled with image processing algorithms. The schlieren images or shadowgraphs are automatically captured and analyzed by software to determine spray compliance, eliminating the need for human operators and enabling complete automation of the testing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes the optical images automatically. Image processing algorithms serve as intermediaries between the optical measurement system and the final compliance determination, enabling automated analysis without human intervention and significantly reducing cycle times.
3Measurement precision
If traditional testing methods are used, then spray compliance can be checked, but the cycle time is too long for 100% inspection on an assembly line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rapid pulsed illumination in schlieren imaging or shadowgraphy, where light is periodically switched on and off at high speed. This periodic action allows for extremely fast capture of spray images, enabling inspection cycle times suitable for 100% inspection on assembly lines while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces slow mechanical measurement methods with rapid optical field-based imaging. The optical system captures spray characteristics in fractions of a second, dramatically increasing inspection speed and enabling high-volume production inspection without sacrificing compliance checking accuracy.
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
Enables rapid, non-destructive analysis of spray devices with high repeatability and discrimination between compliant and non-compliant sprays, using standard components and ensuring 100% inspection on an assembly line.
Implementation Method 1
displaying, by strioscopy, the flow of test fluid leaving said spray orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing a spray generated by a spray device for spraying pharmaceutical fluid, including providing a spray head of a spray device for spraying pharmaceutical fluid, the spray head including a spray orifice; causing a test fluid to pass through the spray head towards the spray orifice, the test fluid being air at a temperature that is different from ambient temperature; displaying, by strioscopy, the flow of test fluid leaving the spray orifice; and analyzing the display of the test-fluid flow so as to determine whether or not the test-fluid spray coming from the spray head complies with predetermined specifications. The cycle time for analyzing one spray head is less than 1.5 seconds, advantageously less than 1 second.