Spray Nozzle Assembly With Teardrop Pintle for Viscous Droplets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing systems face challenges in precisely dispensing small, controlled quantities of highly viscous liquids, particularly in the food industry, due to clogging issues from solids content and limited rapid operation caused by air-operated piston limitations.
Innovation Solution
A modular liquid dispensing system with spray nozzles that utilize a solenoid-controlled air passage system and a piston with a return spring, combined with a nozzle design featuring a teardrop-shaped pintle and expanding discharge passage, allowing for precise control of droplet size and rapid operation while minimizing clogging risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nozzle passages are sized larger to accommodate solids content, then clogging is reduced, but control precision and droplet formation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into separate functional sections: a larger inlet passage for solid-containing liquid intake, and a separate formation orifice for precise droplet generation. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid control piston acts as an intermediary component between the inlet passage and formation orifice. It precisely controls the liquid flow to the orifice, enabling accurate droplet formation while allowing the inlet passage to remain large for solid accommodation.
2Productivity
If air-operated pistons are used for liquid control, then rapid operation is achieved, but compressibility of air limits piston speed
Solution Approach 1:
A return spring provides feedback force to the liquid control piston, ensuring precise and rapid return to the closed position after actuation. This mechanical feedback complements the air pressure actuation for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses compressed air pressure as the actuating parameter to drive the piston rapidly, while the return spring provides a counterbalancing force parameter for precise positioning and rapid reset.
3Force
If return springs are used in air-operated devices, then piston return is achieved, but spring force is limited to roughly half of air pressure force
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring acts as a counterweight force to the air pressure force on the piston. By positioning the spring to oppose the air pressure, it enables rapid piston return without requiring the spring to exceed the air pressure force.
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 precise, rapid dispensing of small droplets without splattering, even with liquids containing solids, by reducing the velocity of the liquid and maintaining consistent droplet size, and allows for larger nozzle inlet passages, enhancing operational efficiency and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
rapid operation of the piston is limited by the compressibility of the controlling air
Implementation Method 2
solenoid-controlled air passage system
Implementation Method 3
when air operated devices are spring returned, the springs return force can be limited up to roughly half of the air pressure's force
Implementation Method 4
nozzle design featuring a teardrop-shaped pintle and expanding discharge passage, allowing for precise control of droplet size and rapid operation while minimizing clogging risks
Implementation Method 5
maintaining consistent droplet size
Data Source
AI summary
A modular liquid distribution system in which each module has a module body, a spray nozzle, and a piston for controlling the dispensing of liquid from the nozzle. Each module has a pneumatically operated system for moving the piston to an open position while facilitating quicker return movement to a closed position, enabling the dispensing of precisely controlled small droplet sized quantities of highly viscous liquids.