Ultrasonic Liquid Delivery System with Segmented Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic liquid delivery devices face challenges such as cavitation erosion, stress on components due to pressure differentials, and difficulty in accommodating operating valve members, as well as issues with multiphase liquids separating during delivery, which affects efficiency and requires an ultrasonic waveguide that can span long distances to position exit orifices correctly.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic liquid treatment and delivery system featuring an ultrasonic waveguide with an agitating member within the internal chamber, excited by an excitation device, which is separate from the housing to prevent stress and allow for dynamic motion, and a separate delivery device with a similar waveguide configuration to ensure efficient atomization and mixing of liquids before exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultrasonic excitation member is incorporated as part of the housing that defines the exhaust port, then ultrasonic energy can be imparted to the exiting liquid to atomize it, but the vibrating nozzle is subject to cavitation erosion at the exit orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic excitation member is separated from the housing structure into a distinct, removable component. This segmentation allows the excitation member to be replaced when eroded, while the housing remains intact, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining atomization efficiency and preventing structural damage from cavitation erosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic excitation member is extracted from the housing and positioned independently within the liquid path. This extraction enables the excitation function to be performed without the housing itself being subjected to cavitation forces, thereby protecting the housing from erosion while maintaining effective atomization.
2Productivity
If an ultrasonic horn is immersed in the high-pressure chamber to apply ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid, then liquid flow rate can be increased, but substantial stress is imparted to the horn due to the pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure equalization passage is introduced as an intermediary element that allows pressure to equalize between the high-pressure chamber and the region surrounding the ultrasonic horn. This mediator reduces the pressure differential stress on the horn while maintaining the high-pressure environment necessary for increased liquid flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic horn is designed with a hollow internal structure that can withstand pressure differentials more effectively. This flexible shell design allows the horn to accommodate pressure variations without experiencing excessive stress, enabling it to remain immersed in the high-pressure chamber for productive liquid treatment.
3Productivity
If the ultrasonic excitation member is disposed in the flow path upstream of the exhaust port, then ultrasonic energy can be applied to pressurized liquid to increase flow rate, but it is difficult to accommodate an operating valve member
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a valve chamber for housing the operating valve member and a treatment chamber for ultrasonic liquid treatment. This segmentation allows the valve member to be positioned upstream without interfering with the ultrasonic excitation process, enabling both valve operation and high flow rate performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic horn is oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the flow direction, creating a three-dimensional arrangement that accommodates both the valve member in the flow path and the ultrasonic horn in the treatment zone. This dimensional reorganization resolves the spatial conflict between valve accommodation and ultrasonic treatment effectiveness.
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 system effectively prevents cavitation erosion, reduces stress on components, ensures efficient delivery of multiphase liquids by maintaining their mixed state, and allows for precise positioning of exit orifices, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of liquid delivery.
Implementation Method 1
An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the ultrasonic waveguide and the agitating member
Implementation Method 2
there is a risk that vibrating the nozzle itself will result in cavitation erosion
Data Source
AI summary
In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets.