Vortex Air-Oil Mist Generator for Fine Particle Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air/oil mist generators using the Venturi principle produce coarse oil particles that tend to precipitate and agglomerate, especially in longer pipelines, which is undesirable for lubrication applications requiring finer particles for improved performance and dispersion.
Innovation Solution
An air/oil mist generator employing a nebulizer with a medium/low pressure configuration and a divergent channel with specific dimensions and roughness to create a vortex that separates finer oil particles from coarser ones, producing a homogeneous mist with particles less than one micron in diameter, suitable for various air flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a Venturi system is used to generate oil mist, then the particles are finer and more homogeneous, but the particles are heavier and tend to precipitate and agglomerate in pipelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing a heated atmosphere in the separation chamber. The heating raises the temperature of the air and oil particles, reducing their density and increasing their kinetic energy. This parameter change prevents precipitation and agglomeration by maintaining particles in a suspended state despite their fine size, thus resolving the contradiction between particle fineness and suspension stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heating element as an intermediary component between the Venturi mist generator and the distribution system. This intermediary heated chamber acts as a buffer that modifies the physical state of the oil particles, preventing them from precipitating while maintaining their fine dispersion. The heating system serves as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of fine particle size and suspension stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vortex system is used to generate oil mist, then the system is more flexible with broader pressure range, but the particles are coarser and less homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate systems into a single integrated device: the Venturi mist generator and the vortex-based heated separation chamber. The Venturi system provides fine homogeneous particles, while the heated vortex chamber maintains suspension stability and prevents agglomeration. By combining these systems, the invention achieves both fine particle uniformity and suspension stability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mist generation and distribution process into distinct functional zones: a Venturi section for particle generation, a heated separation chamber for particle conditioning and suspension maintenance, and a distribution outlet. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function, with the Venturi creating fine particles and the heated chamber preventing their precipitation, thus resolving the contradiction
3Length of moving object
If coarse oil particles are used in mist, then shorter tubes are required, but if fine particles are used, longer distribution tubes can be used which simplifies system design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the oil particles in the separation chamber before they enter the distribution tubes. This preliminary heating treatment reduces particle density and prevents agglomeration, allowing fine particles to be transported through longer distribution tubes without precipitating. The preliminary conditioning enables the use of longer tubes while maintaining fine particle dispersion quality
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 generator effectively produces a fine, homogeneous oil mist that improves lubrication performance by ensuring only small, suspended particles are conveyed, enhancing lubrication efficiency and allowing longer pipeline use, while the condenser collects heavier particles, preventing coalescence and maintaining mist quality.
Implementation Method 1
At the throat of the Venturi tube (minimum passage section) there is a nozzle envisaged for drawing up oil. In practice, the oil is suctioned via the nozzle by the vacuum which is created in the minimum passage section, by Venturi effect.
Implementation Method 2
a separation chamber (2) equipped with a heated atmosphere, characterised in that the said separation chamber (2) is in communication with the outlet (4) of the nebulizer (3) so as to subject the particles of oil to a selection process based on their dimension
Data Source
AI summary
A generator of air/oil mist includes an accumulation chamber for a mist of particles of oil in air, and equipped with a first mist outlet and a nebulizer feeding into the accumulation chamber, the nebulizer including a first nozzle supplied with pressurised air, which features at least a first channel supplied with the pressurised air, each channel being equipped with an outlet on a surface of the first nozzle partially defining a first chamber axially symmetrical with respect to an axis, the channels being positioned to generate a rotation of the air fed into the first chamber around the said axis, the surface of the first nozzle featuring a section converging towards an outlet hole, the nebulizer featuring a second nozzle supplied with oil and feeding out into the first chamber so that the oil is suctioned via the second nozzle because of the air flowing through the first chamber.