Swirling Flow Droplet Sizer for Spray Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle and droplet sizing devices are not suitable for measuring liquid droplets in flowing systems due to collision issues and require large, expensive setups, limiting their portability and applicability across various industries.
Innovation Solution
A novel particle and droplet sizer using light extinction (LE) with a multi-cone system that allows only a few droplets to pass through a laser beam, enabling a small, portable device capable of measuring both liquid and solid particles, including those in sprays, by analyzing light scattered signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional particle sizing devices with internal channels are used for liquid droplets, then droplet measurement is enabled, but droplets collide with internal channels causing measurement failure and system damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic internal channels from the measurement path entirely. Instead of forcing droplets through channels with walls they can collide with, the system uses an open measurement zone where droplets pass freely through the laser beam without physical constraints, eliminating the collision issue while maintaining droplet measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a specialized flow interface that mediates between the external droplet flow and the measurement zone. This interface captures droplets from the external flow and guides them through the laser beam without requiring internal channels, allowing droplet measurement while preventing collisions with system walls
2Measurement precision
If large optics and powerful lasers are used for non-intrusive spray measurement, then droplet sizing accuracy is improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using powerful lasers and large optics to measure all droplets in the spray simultaneously, the invention uses a modest laser and small detector to measure only a few selected droplets that happen to pass through the small measurement zone. This partial measurement approach achieves sufficient statistical accuracy for characterizing the spray without requiring expensive oversized components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the spray measurement task by creating a small measurement zone that samples only a portion of the droplet population. By using multiple detectors arranged at different angles, the system divides the measurement function across several simple detectors rather than requiring one complex large detector, reducing overall system cost and size while maintaining measurement capability
3Measurement precision
If multiple detectors are used to distinguish individual droplets in spray, then droplet identification capability is improved, but device cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds the angular dimension to droplet detection by arranging multiple detectors at different angles around the laser beam. Instead of using many detectors in a single plane, the system uses detectors positioned at various angles to capture light scattered in different directions, enabling droplet identification through angular information while keeping the number of detectors manageable
Solution Approach 2:
Each detector in the system serves multiple functions: it detects light scattered at its specific angle, contributes to droplet size determination, and helps identify droplet composition through angular scattering patterns. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive droplet characterization with a relatively small number of detectors, reducing system complexity and cost
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 device provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for measuring droplet sizes in real-time, detecting nozzle malfunctions, and characterizing spray atomization quality, suitable for various fluids and solids, with improved accuracy and reduced size and cost compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
particles scatter light in proportion to their size, composition, shape and other physical properties
Implementation Method 2
The photodetector converts this scattered light into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet and solid particle sensing device is provided that can measure the average droplet size in a spray. The present device uses a swirling flow to draw a particulate or a spry into the device for sizing and counting. The swirling flow is configured to keep all the particles away from the walls of the device and to concentrate them at the center of a flow channel to pass through the center of a light beam for high sensitivity and repeatability of the measurement.