Spray Nozzle Upstream Cleaning Ports Prevent Buildup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Buildup of coating agents on spray application device components, such as nozzles and feed ports, interferes with proper powder injection into the primary fluid stream, leading to variations in coating properties and imperfect coatings due to disrupted fluid flow.

Innovation Solution

A spray application device with a nozzle configured to emit a first fluid stream and feed ports for introducing a coating agent, incorporates cleaning ports that direct a second fluid stream upstream to clean the nozzle and feed ports, preventing buildup by using air jets at specific angles to remove particles without interrupting the primary fluid stream.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spray application device is used for coating processes, then coating application is achieved, but buildup of coating agent on nozzle and feed ports occurs, interfering with proper powder injection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating quality consistencyVSAvoidbuildup on nozzle and feed ports

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning ports are designed to direct cleaning fluid streams upstream toward the nozzle and feed ports before the buildup significantly interferes with operation. This preventive cleaning action removes particles and coating agent accumulations before they can disrupt the primary fluid stream and powder injection process, maintaining consistent coating quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the cleaning function from the main spray application function by providing separate cleaning ports that are distinct from the nozzle and feed ports. This allows the cleaning fluid stream to be directed independently at the nozzle and feed ports without interfering with the primary coating application process, effectively separating the harmful buildup removal from the useful coating deposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If cleaning is performed by directing fluid stream upstream, then buildup is removed from nozzle and feed ports, but device complexity increases due to additional cleaning ports and fluid streams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuildup removalVSAvoidnumber of cleaning ports and fluid streams

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning ports are designed to serve multiple functions: they can clean the nozzle face, clean the feed ports, and potentially clean different areas by adjusting the upstream direction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cleaning mechanisms for each component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective buildup removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses fluid streams (pneumatic or hydraulic) directed through cleaning ports to remove buildup, replacing what would otherwise require mechanical cleaning mechanisms. This approach simplifies the device by using readily available fluid delivery systems rather than complex mechanical cleaners, achieving effective buildup removal with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If cleaning fluid stream is directed upstream toward nozzle and feed ports, then proper powder injection is maintained, but loss of time occurs during cleaning operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder injection consistencyVSAvoidcleaning operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning ports are designed to allow cleaning operations to be performed without interrupting the primary spray application process. The upstream-directed cleaning fluid streams can operate concurrently with the coating application, maintaining continuous useful action in both cleaning and coating functions simultaneously, thereby minimizing time loss while ensuring consistent powder injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This solution ensures consistent and reliable cleaning of the device components, maintaining proper powder injection and fluid flow, resulting in improved coating quality and extended device usage between manual cleanings, enhancing operational efficiency and economies of various spray application processes.

Implementation Method 1

directing a second fluid stream from at least one cleaning port in a generally upstream direction toward at least one of the nozzle or the feed port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP2559493B1Spray device with at least one cleaning port

Publication Date: 2017.03.01 UNITED TECH CORP

AI summary

An exemplary device (20) for spray applications includes a nozzle (22) configured to emit a first fluid stream (60) in a downstream direction away from the nozzle (22). At least one feed port (30A...30E) situated near the nozzle (22) introduces an agent into the first fluid stream (60) to be carried by the first fluid stream (60) in the downstream direction. At least one cleaning port (40A...40E) situated near the nozzle (22) emits a second fluid stream (64) in a generally upstream direction toward at least one of the nozzle (22) or the feed port (30A...30E).