Spray Nozzle Channel Cross-Section for Air Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field sprayers face issues with air bubble formation due to high modulation frequencies and poor water quality, leading to inefficient spray ejection and potential clogging, which affects the distribution of spray agents and nozzle performance.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle arrangement with a spray agent channel of specific cross-section (5-50 mm²) connected to the valve and spray nozzle, featuring a spray agent filter upstream to prevent contamination and minimize pressure losses, allowing for proper pulse width modulation and quick flow to remove air bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spray agent filters are installed at each spray nozzle, then solid bodies are retained from the spray agent, but air bubbles form at the transition between upstream spray agent channel and filter cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The spray agent filter is extracted from the individual nozzle level and centralized at the inlet of the distributor linkage. This removes the filter from the critical pressure path near the nozzle outlet, eliminating the cavity where air bubbles would form while still providing filtration protection for the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual filter units are merged into a single centralized filter assembly at the inlet. This consolidation eliminates multiple filter cavities that could trap air, reducing the overall air bubble formation risk while maintaining filtration functionality for all nozzles.
2Device complexity
If spray agent filters are omitted for simplicity or cost reasons, then air bubble formation is reduced, but spray nozzles are exposed to impurities and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple filtration responsibilities into a single centralized filter unit at the inlet, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining comprehensive protection against impurities for all spray nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized inlet filter acts as an intermediary between the spray agent reservoir and the nozzle system, filtering impurities before they can reach and clog the nozzles, thus protecting the entire system through a single strategic placement.
3Reliability
If spray agent filters are used with poor water quality, then impurities are retained, but filters clog quickly requiring frequent removal
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter functions are combined into a single larger-capacity inlet filter, which can handle higher loads of impurities before clogging, reducing the frequency of maintenance interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is positioned at the inlet where it can preliminarily capture impurities before they enter the spray system, preventing clogging at the nozzle level and extending the time between maintenance operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If spray nozzles are oriented towards the mounting surface, then mounting is simplified, but ventilation of the connection area leading upwards with the cavity is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter and its cavity are extracted from the nozzle assembly and relocated to the inlet of the distributor linkage, removing the source of air bubble trapping from the nozzle connection area entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to ventilate upwards against gravity towards the mounting surface, the solution inverts the approach by placing the filter at the inlet where air bubbles can naturally escape towards the reservoir, working with rather than against gravity.
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
Ensures effective pulse width modulation of the spray cone, reduces air bubble formation, and allows for efficient spray distribution with minimized pressure losses and clogging risks, enabling flexible nozzle connections and improved agricultural application.
Implementation Method 1
the line cross-section of the spray agent channel is on average 5-50 mm². This can counteract the formation of air bubbles between the valve and the outlet of the connector. The spray then flows so quickly that any air bubbles that may still be present are entrained and thus removed.
Implementation Method 2
arrange a spray agent filter in front of each spray nozzle, which is intended to retain solid bodies present in the spray agent, such as impurities and/or incompletely dissolved material.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A nozzle arrangement (1) for a field sprayer is described. The nozzle arrangement (1) comprises a nozzle body (2) with a valve (3) for pulse-width modulated release of a spraying agent (4) and with at least one outlet connection (5) for a spray nozzle (6), wherein the valve (3) is connected to the outlet (5a) of the connection (5) by a spraying agent channel (7). Since the cross-sectional area (LQ) of the spraying agent channel (7) is on average 5–50 mm², and in particular 10–30 mm², the formation of air bubbles between the valve (3) and the outlet (5a) of the connection (5) can be prevented. Consequently, compressible buffer volumes between the valve (3) and the spray nozzle (6) can be reduced at least to such an extent that proper pulse-width modulation of the generated spray cone (4a) is ensured.