Spray Nozzle With Floating Turbine and Self-Adjusting Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling tower nozzles face inefficiencies due to uneven water distribution and wear issues caused by the contact between the mounting ring and locking ring, leading to reduced heat exchange efficiency and nozzle failure.
Innovation Solution
A spray nozzle design featuring an irregularly shaped annular surface with compression springs and a retaining member to create a non-circular spray pattern and reduce wear by allowing automatic adjustment of the nozzle opening based on fluid pressure, and a retaining member to prevent drift droplets, ensuring uniform distribution and reduced emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mounting ring is held in place by a locking ring, then the turbine is securely mounted and freely rotatable, but the mounting ring contacts the locking ring creating wear points that lead to nozzle failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the locking ring component entirely from the design. Instead of using a locking ring to secure the mounting ring, the invention uses an interference fit between the turbine mounting ring and nozzle body, combined with set screws, to eliminate the contact interface that caused wear. This extraction of the problematic component directly resolves the wear issue while maintaining secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces set screws as an intermediary mechanism to secure the turbine to the nozzle body without creating sliding contact surfaces. The set screws provide a point contact fixation method that eliminates the continuous surface contact between the mounting ring and locking ring, thereby preventing wear while maintaining the turbine's rotational freedom.
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle opening spacing is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but the spray pattern uniformity deteriorates at varying fluid pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the nozzle opening spacing dynamic by allowing the cap to move axially relative to the nozzle body in response to fluid pressure changes. The cap is restrained by compression springs that allow controlled movement, enabling the nozzle opening spacing to self-adjust with pressure variations. This dynamic adjustment maintains uniform spray patterns across different operating conditions without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of nozzle opening spacing in response to pressure changes. By designing the cap mounting to allow axial movement and incorporating compression springs, the system automatically adjusts the spacing parameter based on operating pressure, thereby maintaining optimal spray pattern uniformity across a wide range of pressures without manual intervention or complex control mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compression springs are used to restrain the cap, then the nozzle opening spacing automatically adjusts to pressure changes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression springs are positioned to be engaged by the cap itself, allowing the cap's own movement to compress and decompress the springs in response to pressure changes. The system serves itself by using the operating pressure to directly drive the adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control systems. This self-service approach achieves pressure range adaptability while minimizing added complexity.
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 enhances heat exchange efficiency by maintaining uniform spray patterns across a wide range of pressures and flow rates, reduces wear, and minimizes unwanted emissions, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the cooling tower nozzles.
Implementation Method 1
The compression springs are positioned in longitudinal bores formed in the nozzle body and are engaged by the cap so as to bias the cap toward the nozzle body. The biased connection of the cap to the nozzle body created in part by the compression springs provides an automatic adjusting mechanism for increasing the spacing between the first and second annular surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The mounting ring is generally flat so that a portion of the fluid exiting the nozzle opening flows across the bottom of the mounting ring. The flow of fluid across the mounting ring in this manner creates a fluid bearing on which the turbine rotates.
Data Source
AI summary
A spray nozzle that includes a nozzle body defining a first surface, a cap defining a second surface able to define an annular nozzle opening therebetween, a turbine having a plurality of radially extending fins circumferentially positioned about the nozzle opening for directing the flow of fluid exiting the nozzle opening, and a reverser member including a cup portion positioned below the cap to intercept the flow of fluid from a flow passage of the cap. The reverser member coupled to the turbine such that the reverser member is caused to rotate in response to rotation of the turbine.