CN117597198A - Pulsed spray cleaning nozzle assembly and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure includes embodiments of a pulse jet nozzle assembly (10) that includes a nozzle housing (20) having a cavity (30) with an inlet (70) configured to receive a fluid flow therein. The flow conditioning insert (40) is configured to be inserted into the cavity interior of the housing to transfer fluid from the inlet to an interaction region downstream of the flow conditioning insert along an inlet axis within the housing, and a step (80) may extend from an interior surface of the cavity to facilitate turbulent flow in the interaction region. An outlet (50) communicates with the interaction region along the housing, wherein the fluid is configured to be dispensed from the outlet, the outlet having a pulsed spray pattern along an outlet axis (74) substantially perpendicular to the inlet axis (72).

Description

Pulsed spray cleaning nozzle assembly and method

Cross Reference to Related Applications

U.S. provisional patent application No.63/232,234 entitled "pulse SPRAY CLEANING NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD (pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly and method)" filed on month 8 and 21 of 2021, U.S. provisional patent application No.63/220,729 entitled "pulse SPRAY CLEANING NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD (pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly and method)" filed on month 7 and 20 of 2021, and U.S. provisional patent application No.63/218608 entitled "pulse SPRAY CLEANING NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD (pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly and method)" filed on month 7 and 6 of 2021 are claimed in the present application. The present application also relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/255,326, entitled "COLD WEATHER LOW FLOW MINIATURE SPRAY NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD (Low flow micro-spray nozzle Assembly and method in Cold weather)" filed on 1 month 23 of 2019, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/759,242, entitled "Low-FLOW MINIATURE FLUIDIC SPRAY NOZZLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD (Low flow micro-fluid spray nozzle Assembly and method)" filed on 3 month 12 of 2018.

The present application also relates to the following commonly owned patent applications: PCT application No. PCT/US16/57762, entitled "Micro-sized Structure and Construction Method for Fluidic Oscillator Wash Nozzle (Micro-sized structure and method of construction for fluidic oscillator cleaning nozzles)" (WIPO publication No. WO 2017/070246); PCT application No. PCT/US15/45429, entitled "Compact Split-lip Shear Washer Nozzle (Compact Split shear washer nozzle)" (WIPO publication No. WO 2016/025930); and U.S. application Ser. No.15/303,329, entitled "Integrated automotive system, compact, low profile nozzle assembly, compact fluidic circuit and remote control method for cleaning wide-angle image sensor's exterior surface (Integrated automotive System, compact low-profile nozzle Assembly for cleaning the outer surface of Wide-angle image sensor, compact fluid Circuit and remote control method)" (U.S. published application US 2017/0036650), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present utility model relates generally to fluid ejection nozzle assemblies and methods, and more particularly to a micro-scale nozzle structure and method of construction for a fluid oscillator type ejection assembly, and in particular for cleaning an exterior surface of an external camera lens such as on a vehicle.

Background

Fluid-type washer nozzles are known to have efficient spray performance by providing greater coverage at low flow rates at high speeds. However, the primary limitation of fluid ejection nozzles is that the package size is too large for some applications. For example, for most fluid circuits, at least 6mm is required to feed from the inlet to the outlet.

For some applications, package size is a significant problem due to the very limited space available. Jet injection (i.e., shear) nozzles are commonly used in such applications. Due to the narrow spray pattern, the jet spray nozzle requires a higher flow rate or longer duration to adequately clean debris from the glass or external lens surface. Jet spray nozzles have smaller package sizes than fluid nozzles, but do not have the same level of high efficiency spray performance.

Some shear nozzles may be manufactured to produce a useful spray for cleaning and may be made adjustable using a spherical insert inserted into the nozzle housing, but size limitations remain a problem. Automobile designers need very compact nozzle assemblies for automobile washer nozzles, but also need uniform and efficient spray distribution. There is also a need for a very economical and versatile nozzle for automotive OEMs. For example, exterior trim components often incorporate many functions, such as CHMSL light components, which may include other features, such as external cameras, but cleaning lenses on these cameras can be problematic if the designer's vision of the exterior trim is to be preserved.

Shear nozzles are sometimes used for small package size applications and perform well in geometries where the jet fan is aligned with the axis of the feed aperture, but do not perform well in geometries where the jet fan is perpendicular to the axis of the inlet or feed aperture. Other challenges include spray targeting and machining complexity, which become major limiting factors for proposed designs including shear nozzles, as well as washer spray performance when spraying cold high viscosity fluids.

Spray performance in cold weather is another difficult goal, but solving the problem of wash spray generation in cold weather in small nozzle assemblies is a very desirable goal, particularly for vehicular camera wash nozzle applications. Good spray coverage on a vehicle camera lens is important for removing dust, ice or salt from the camera lens or similar sensor surface under low temperature conditions.

Accordingly, there is a need for a washer nozzle arrangement that is practical, economical, easy to manufacture and very compact, and a cleaning method that addresses the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments including impulse spray nozzle assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pulse jet nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing having a base portion and a head portion, and an inlet positioned at the base portion configured to receive a fluid flow therein. A flow conditioning insert defining at least one fluid passage along the inlet axis, the flow conditioning insert configured to be inserted into the cavity interior of the housing to transfer fluid from the inlet of the housing to an interaction region downstream of the flow conditioning insert to communicate with the interaction region within the housing along the inlet axis. An outlet positioned at the head portion of the housing in communication with the interaction region, wherein the fluid is configured to be dispensed from the outlet, with a pulsed spray pattern along an outlet axis that is substantially perpendicular to the inlet axis. The fluid flow may be configured to bend from its flow along the inlet axis to be dispersed from the outlet along the outlet axis, wherein the fluid flow bends approximately 90 degrees after exiting the flow conditioning insert to be dispersed through the outlet such that bending of the fluid occurs within the interaction region.

The cavity may include a step extending from an inner surface of the cavity of the housing and positioned between the flow adjustment insert and the interaction region extending along the insert axis such that the interaction region is defined within a head portion of the housing and the cavity is defined within a base portion of the housing, wherein the head portion has a smaller outer perimeter than the base portion. A step may extend from the inner surface of the cavity of the housing downstream of the insert and configured to interfere with fluid flow and to assist in creating turbulent flow in the interaction region. The step may be an inwardly extending radial shoulder configured to act as a stop to prevent further translation of the flow adjustment insert within the cavity. The step may extend or protrude radially inward a first distance D1 when aligned with the outlet and may protrude radially inward a second distance D2 at a position opposite the first distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

In one embodiment, the at least one fluid passageway of the flow regulating insert comprises a geometry having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are positioned within the flow regulating insert and are spaced apart from one another by a flow splitter. The step may protrude inwardly from the inner surface of the cavity to extend over a portion of the first and second apertures and to assist in creating turbulent flow within the interaction region. The first and second apertures and the flow splitter may include tapered inner surfaces, wherein an inlet portion of the apertures may have a larger peripheral opening than an outlet portion of the apertures. The flow regulating insert may include an insert cavity defined by a radial wall extending around a perimeter of the flow regulating insert. The insert cavity may comprise a height defined by a feed distance extending from the bottom of the insert to the at least one flow passage, wherein the feed distance is less than about 3mm, and more particularly about 2mm.

In another embodiment, the at least one fluid passageway of the flow regulating insert includes a first aperture and a second aperture defined by a channel along an outer periphery of the flow regulating insert and along an inner surface of the cavity of the housing. The flow conditioning insert may include a peripheral wall having a flat portion and a rounded portion opposite the flat portion to allow proper alignment with a complementarily shaped portion along the interior surface of the cavity of the housing. The first and second apertures may be positioned out of alignment with a step extending inwardly from the inner surface of the cavity.

In another embodiment, at least one flow passage of the flow conditioning insert is defined by a channel extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion along the inlet axis, wherein the channel is defined by oppositely disposed first and second edges extending a first extent from a trailing inner surface of the flow conditioning insert and an inner extension tab disposed within the channel. The inner extension tab may be positioned within the channel between the first edge and the second edge and may extend a second dimension from the rear inner surface of the flow adjustment insert, wherein the first dimension is greater than the second dimension. A portion of the first and second edges may abut a step extending from an inner surface of the cavity, and the inner extending ledge is spaced from the step at a location opposite the outlet. The flow conditioning insert and the step extending from the inner surface of the cavity are configured to block a flow path of the fluid within the housing in a generally "S" shaped flow pattern configured to create turbulent flow within an interaction region downstream of the flow conditioning insert. The inner extension tab may include a ramp feature disposed within the channel. The oppositely disposed first and second edges may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the cavity to form a space along the inlet axis between the flow conditioning insert and the inner cavity wall.

In another embodiment, a pulse jet nozzle assembly is provided that includes a nozzle housing having a cavity with an inlet configured to receive a fluid flow therein. A flow conditioning insert defining at least one fluid passage along the inlet axis configured to be inserted into the cavity interior of the housing to transfer fluid from the inlet to an interaction region downstream of the flow conditioning insert to communicate with the interaction region within the housing along the inlet axis, wherein the at least one fluid passage of the flow conditioning insert comprises a geometry having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are positioned within the flow conditioning insert and are spaced apart from one another by a flow splitter. A step extending from an inner surface of the cavity of the housing downstream of the insert is configured to facilitate turbulent flow in the interaction region. An outlet positioned along the housing downstream of the flow conditioning insert and in communication with the interaction region, wherein the fluid is configured to be dispensed from the outlet having a pulsed spray pattern along an outlet axis substantially perpendicular to the inlet axis, wherein the fluid flow is configured to bend from its flow along the inlet axis to be dispersed from the outlet along the outlet axis, wherein the fluid flow bends approximately 90 degrees after exiting the flow conditioning insert to be dispersed through the outlet such that bending of the fluid occurs within the interaction region.

Drawings

The components of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a housing of a pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly according to the present application;

FIG. 2 is a transparent side perspective view of a housing of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view through a first side of a housing of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view through the rear side of the housing of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C is a perspective cut-away view through a first side of a housing of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a first side of a housing of a pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly through another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the flow regulating insert of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a first side of a housing of a pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly through another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the flow regulating insert of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a transparent perspective view of a housing of a pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view through a first side of the housing of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the inlet of the housing of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a row of images showing the cleaning performance of a pulse jet nozzle assembly having a flow adjustment insert of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a row of images showing the cleaning performance of a prior art nozzle assembly without a flow conditioning insert of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is an image showing a spray nozzle dispensing a shear spray without a flow regulating insert of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is an image showing a side view of a pulsed shear spray performance of a pulsed spray nozzle assembly having a flow conditioning insert of the present disclosure; and

fig. 8C is an image showing a top view of a pulsed shear spray performance of a pulsed spray nozzle assembly having a flow conditioning insert of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the corresponding scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not be in any way limiting of the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the words "example" and "exemplary" refer to an example or illustration. The word "exemplary" or "exemplary" does not denote a critical or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word "or" is intended to be inclusive, rather than exclusive, unless the context dictates otherwise. By way of example, the phrase "A employs B or C" includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., employing B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). On the other hand, the articles "a" and "an" generally mean "one or more" unless the context indicates otherwise.

Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings. Thus, in some of the figures, only selected elements are shown, even though the features of the assembly are the same throughout the figures. In the same manner, while specific aspects of the disclosure are shown in the drawings, other aspects and arrangements are possible, as will be explained below.

The present assembly described in this application relates to embodiments of nozzle assemblies for exterior surface cleaning systems, particularly in vehicles. The typical spray pattern of a fluid nozzle is heavy-end (heavyend), meaning that the volume of fluid spray is more pronounced along the edges of the spray pattern when dispensed from the nozzle assembly. For some applications, such as camera lens cleaning, an oscillating spray pattern is more desirable because it is more desirable to distribute the fluid spray volume toward the center of the spray pattern because the center of the camera lens is most desirably cleaned. However, the outer edge portion of the camera lens may be the most difficult portion to clean. The present disclosure provides a compact pulsed spray nozzle assembly that utilizes a particular configuration that has been found to effectively clean camera lenses.

Turning now to a detailed description of the nozzle assembly and compact spray nozzle assembly of the present disclosure, the drawings (fig. 1-6C) illustrate various specific embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a housing 20 of a pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly 10 of the present disclosure. The housing 20 has a generally cylindrical outer surface and includes a base portion 22 and a head portion 24. In one embodiment, the head portion 24 may have a smaller outer perimeter than the base portion 22 of the housing 20. The head portion 24 may include a perimeter shape having arcuate and narrow sides formed within the perimeter of the base portion. The outlet 50 is positioned along the head portion 24 of the housing 20.

As shown in fig. 2, the housing 20 of the pulse jet cleaning nozzle assembly 10 defines a cavity 30 configured to receive a flow conditioning insert 40 positioned between the inlet 70 and the outlet 50. The cavity 30 defines an interaction region 60 in fluid communication with the flow regulating insert 40 and the outlet 50. In one embodiment, the flow regulating insert 40 may be received within the housing 20 through an inlet 70, wherein a fluid flow may be received from a fluid source (not shown) through the inlet 70. In one embodiment, the flow conditioning insert 40 may be positioned within the cavity 30 and placed within the base portion 22 of the housing, while the interaction region 60 is positioned within the head portion 24 of the housing 20.

Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate an embodiment of a flow conditioning insert 40 having a particular geometry to facilitate conditioning fluid flow therein between an inlet 70 and an outlet 50. In this context, the insert 40 may include a geometry having an insert cavity 42 and a flow splitter 44 defining a first interaction region aperture 46A and a second interaction region aperture 46B. Herein, the first and second interaction region apertures 46A, 46B are located within the insert 40 and are spaced apart from one another by the flow splitter 44. The holes 46A, 46B may have the same shape or have different shapes. In one embodiment, the apertures 46A, 46B are generally symmetrical in shape. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the holes 46A, 46B may include tapered inner surfaces 47A, 47B, wherein the inlet portions 48A, 48B of the holes have a larger peripheral opening than the outlet portions 49A, 49B of the holes 46A, 46B. Notably, the inlet portions 48A, 48B of the apertures are in direct communication with the insertion cavity 42 opposite the interaction zone 60. In addition, the flow splitter may also include a tapered inner surface, as shown in FIG. 3B.

The insert cavity 42 may be defined by a radial wall 43 extending around the perimeter of the flow regulating insert. The insert cavity may include a height defined by a feed distance "a" that extends from the bottom of the insert to the inlet portions 48A, 48B of the holes 46A, 46B. In one embodiment, the feed distance "a" is less than about 3mm, as shown in fig. 3A. The feed distance may preferably be about 2mm. It has been noted that the longer the feed distance, the more stable the inlet flow becomes, and therefore the resulting fan jet becomes narrower and less oscillating (which is desirable for certain applications). The described configuration may allow the diverter 44 to separate the fluid flow received from the inlet 70 into two jets to be dispensed from the outlets 46A and 46B, which interact with each other within the interaction region 60 downstream of the flow conditioning insert 40. This configuration results in the two jets "competing" with each other in the interaction region before exiting the outlet 50 in the desired pulsed (i.e., oscillating) spray pattern.

The cavity 30, insert 40, and inlet 70 may be aligned along a common inlet flow axis 72. The outlet 50 may extend from the interaction region 60 along an outlet axis 74. The inlet flow axis 72 and the outlet axis 74 may have a particular configuration and be disposed generally perpendicular relative to each other, as shown in fig. 3C.

The fluid flow may be configured to bend from its flow along the inlet axis 72 to a flow along the outlet axis 74 and be dispersed from the outlet 50. In one embodiment, the fluid flow bends approximately 90 degrees from the insert 40 to the outlet 50, and the bending of the fluid occurs within the interaction region 60.

The cavity 30 of the housing 20 may include a step 80 positioned along the inlet axis. The step 80 may extend from the inner surface of the cavity 30 of the housing 20 downstream of the insert 40 and function to disrupt the fluid flow as it is dispensed from the outlets 46A and 46B. The step 80 may help create turbulent flow in the interaction region 60. Further, the step 80 may be an inwardly extending radial shoulder that acts as a stop to allow the insert 40 to be adequately placed within the cavity 30. The step 80 may protrude radially inward a first distance D1 when aligned with the outlet 50 and may protrude radially inward a second distance D2 at a location opposite the first distance. The first distance D1 may be greater than the second distance D2. The step along the first distance D1 extends across a portion of the holes 46A, 46B, while the step at the second distance D2 does not extend into the perimeter of the holes 46A, 46B.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate additional embodiments of the flow conditioning insert 140 and the housing 20. The flow conditioning insert 140 includes a first interaction region aperture 146A and a second interaction region aperture 146B that are defined to act as channels along the outer periphery of the insert 140. Here, the holes 146A, 146B are formed with the inner surface of the cavity 30 of the housing 20 and the channel walls 148A, 148B formed along the peripheral wall 149 of the insert 140. The apertures 146A, 146B are positioned in fluid communication with the interaction region 60.

Here, the outlets are further spaced apart from each other relative to the outlets 46A, 46B of the insert 40 of fig. 3A, 3B and 3C including the flow splitter 44. This configuration may result in a resulting spray pattern that is wider than the resulting spray pattern of insert 40. The insert 140 may include a flat portion 150 to allow proper alignment with a complementarily shaped flat portion along the inner surface of the cavity 30. The insert 140 may include a rounded portion 160 opposite the flat portion 150 to allow proper alignment with a complementarily shaped rounded portion along the inner surface of the housing cavity 30. Further, in this embodiment, the holes 146A, 146B may be positioned out of alignment with the step 80. The perimeter of the flow conditioning insert 140 may include a particular shape configured to be generally complementary to the inner surface of the cavity 30 of the housing 20 to allow the insert 140 to be positioned therein while the outlet is properly aligned with the interaction region 60.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate additional embodiments of the flow conditioning insert 240 and the housing 20. The flow conditioning insert 240 may include an elongated body defining a channel 242 extending from an inlet portion 246 to an outlet portion 248. The channel 242 may be defined by oppositely disposed edges 250, 252 that extend the length of the insert 240 and also extend a first dimension C1 from the rear interior surface 241.

An inner extension tab 244 may be located within the channel 242. In one embodiment, the ledge 244 may extend between the first edge 250 and the second edge 252 and also extend a second dimension C2 from the rear interior surface 241 of the insert. The configuration of the insert 240 may allow a portion of the channel 242 to abut the step 80 extending from the inner surface of the cavity 30. When the insert 240 is placed within the cavity 30 of the housing 20, the ledge 244 is disposed immediately adjacent the step 80, while the first and second edges 250, 252 may abut the step 80. The ledge 244 is spaced from the step 80 and may be positioned along the inner wall of the cavity opposite the outlet 50. The configuration of the insert 240 and the channel 242, along with the ledge 244 and the step 80, may be configured to block the flow path of the fluid within the housing in a generally "S" shaped flow pattern configured to create turbulent flow within the interaction region 60 downstream of the insert 240. As fluid flows into the interaction region 60 along the channel 242, flow turbulence may be created along the underside of the ledge 244 and the underside of the step 80.

Fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate another embodiment of a flow conditioning insert 340 configured to be inserted into the housing 20 to condition fluid flow in the housing and thereby generate a desired spray pattern. An internally extending ramp feature 346 may be located within the channel 342. The flow regulating insert 340 may include an elongated body defining a channel 342 extending from an inlet portion 346 to an outlet portion 348. The channel 342 may be defined by oppositely disposed edges 350, 352 that extend along the length of the insert 340 and that also extend a first dimension E1 from the rear inner surface 341.

In one embodiment, the ramp feature 346 may extend between the first edge 350 and the second edge 352 and also extend from the rear inner surface 341 of the insert a second dimension E2. The configuration of the insert 340 may allow a portion of the channel 342 to abut the step 80 extending from the inner surface of the cavity 30. When the insert 340 is placed within the cavity 30 of the housing 20, the ramp feature 346 is placed immediately adjacent the step 80, while the first and second edges 350, 352 may abut the step 80 but be spaced from the inner surface of the cavity 30, thereby forming a space 356 between the flow conditioning insert 340 and the inner wall of the cavity. The ramp feature 346 is spaced from the step 80 and may be placed along the inner wall of the cavity opposite the outlet 50. The configuration of the insert 340 and the channel 342, along with the ramp feature 346 and the step 80, may be configured to block the flow path of the fluid within the housing in a generally "S" shaped flow pattern configured to create turbulent flow within the interaction region 60 downstream of the insert 240. As fluid flows into the interaction region 60 along the channel 342, flow turbulence may be created along the underside of the ramp feature 346 and the underside of the step 80.

The embodiments described herein are configured to provide a space-saving configuration to allow the resulting nozzle assembly to have smaller dimensions than those configured for use along an exterior portion of a vehicle. In one such embodiment, the housing has a diameter of less than about 7.5mm, and more particularly may have an outer diameter of about 5 mm. In one embodiment, the nozzle housing has a diameter dimension of about 7.5mm, and the cavity may include a minimum passageway dimension of about 0.6 mm. The present disclosure provides a method of adding a flow conditioner to produce pulsed spray in a compact (7.5 mm diameter) nozzle. The use of a fluid mixture of methanol and water gives very good cleaning properties even at low temperatures, e.g. -10 ℃.

Fig. 7A and 7B show a camera surface with debris. The left image shows three (3) surfaces cleaned with a nozzle assembly that produces a pulsed fluid flow that includes a flow regulating insert. The surface here is covered with a consistent amount of debris and it was found that the surface could be cleaned adequately using pulsed spray. The right image shows three (3) surfaces cleaned with a nozzle assembly that does not include a flow conditioning insert and from which a stable shear jet spray (see fig. 8A) is generated. The surface here is covered with the same amount of debris as the left side and it was found that the resulting stable shear jet spray with application was insufficient to clean the surface.

The disclosed configuration facilitates the creation of a pulsed spray fan wherein the fluid flow from outlet 50 is controlled in a particularly desired manner to produce desired wash/clean characteristics. In particular, the configuration of fluid flow through the flow conditioner inserts 40, 140, 240 and the interaction region 60 may create a pulsed spray fan that is controlled to "oscillate" but with concentrated targeting. In one embodiment, the pulse spray fan has an aiming angle of about 0 degrees and a spray fan angle of about 15 degrees. This jet fan behavior is achieved at a flow rate of about 440ml/min and at about 20 psi. This behavior is shown in fig. 8B and 8C. Notably, the flow pattern behavior without any type of flow regulating insert is shown in fig. 8A.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A pulse jet nozzle assembly, comprising:

a nozzle housing having a base portion and a head portion, an inlet located at the base portion, the inlet configured to receive a fluid flow therein;

a flow conditioning insert defining at least one fluid passageway along an inlet axis, the flow conditioning insert configured to be inserted inside a cavity of the housing to transfer fluid from the inlet to an interaction region downstream of the flow conditioning insert to transfer fluid from the inlet of the housing to the interaction region along an inlet axis within the housing; and

an outlet located at the head portion of the housing and in communication with the interaction region, wherein fluid is configured to be dispensed from the outlet and has a pulsed spray pattern along an outlet axis that is substantially perpendicular to an inlet axis.

2. The pulsed spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 in which fluid flow is configured to bend from its flow along the inlet axis to be dispersed from the outlet along the outlet axis, wherein fluid flow bends approximately 90 degrees after exiting the flow conditioning insert to be dispersed through the outlet such that bending of fluid occurs within the interaction region.

3. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises a step extending from an inner surface of the cavity of the housing and located between a flow adjustment insert extending along an insert axis and an interaction region such that the interaction region is defined within a head portion of the housing and the cavity is defined within a base portion of the housing, wherein the head portion has a smaller outer perimeter than the base portion.

4. The pulsed spray nozzle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a step extending from an inner surface of a cavity of said housing downstream of said insert and configured to disrupt fluid flow and assist in creating turbulent flow in said interaction region.

5. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a step that is an inwardly extending radial shoulder configured to act as a stop to prevent translation of the flow adjustment insert within the cavity, wherein the step protrudes radially inward a first distance D1 when aligned with the outlet and is configured to protrude radially inward a second distance at a location opposite the first distance, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

6. The pulsed spray nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one fluid passageway of said flow regulating insert comprises a geometry having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein said first aperture and second aperture are located within said flow regulating insert and are spaced apart from one another by a flow divider.

7. The pulsed spray nozzle assembly of claim 6, further comprising a step extending across a portion of the first and second apertures and facilitating turbulent flow in the interaction region.

8. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 6, wherein the first and second orifices and flow splitter comprise tapered inner surfaces, wherein an inlet portion of the orifice has a larger peripheral opening than an outlet portion of the orifice.

9. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the flow adjustment insert comprises an insert cavity defined by a radial wall extending around a perimeter of the flow adjustment insert.

10. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 9, the insert cavity comprising a height defined by a feed distance extending from a bottom of the insert to the at least one flow passage, wherein the feed distance is less than about 3mm.

11. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid passageway of the flow adjustment insert comprises a first aperture and a second aperture defined by a channel along an outer perimeter of the flow adjustment insert and along an inner surface of the cavity of the housing.

12. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 11, wherein the flow adjustment insert comprises a peripheral wall having a flat portion and a rounded portion opposite the flat portion to allow proper alignment with a complementarily shaped portion along an inner surface of the cavity of the housing.

13. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 11, wherein the first and second apertures are positioned out of alignment with a step extending inwardly from an inner surface of the cavity.

14. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one flow passage of the flow adjustment insert is defined by a channel extending along the inlet axis from an inlet portion to an outlet portion, wherein the channel is defined by oppositely disposed first and second edges extending a first dimension from a rear interior surface of the flow adjustment insert and an inner extending ledge disposed within the channel.

15. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 14, wherein the inner extension tab is located within the channel between the first edge and the second edge and extends from the rear inner surface of the flow adjustment insert a second dimension, wherein the first dimension is greater than the second dimension.

16. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 14, wherein a portion of the first and second edges abut a step extending from an inner surface of the cavity, and the inner extending ledge is spaced from the step at a location opposite the outlet.

17. The pulsed spray nozzle assembly of claim 14, wherein said flow conditioning insert and steps extending from an inner surface of said cavity are configured to block a flow path of fluid within said housing in a generally "S" shaped flow pattern configured to create turbulent flow within an interaction region downstream of said flow conditioning insert.

18. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 14, wherein the inner extension tab includes a ramp feature disposed within the channel.

19. The pulse jet nozzle assembly of claim 18, wherein the oppositely disposed first and second edges are spaced apart from an inner surface of the cavity, thereby forming a space along the inlet axis between the flow adjustment insert and an inner cavity wall.

20. A pulse jet nozzle assembly, comprising:

a nozzle housing having a cavity including an inlet configured to receive a fluid flow therein;

a flow conditioning insert defining at least one fluid passageway along an inlet axis, the flow conditioning insert configured to be inserted into a cavity interior of a housing to transfer fluid from the inlet to an interaction region downstream of the flow conditioning insert and thereby to an interaction region within the housing along the inlet axis, wherein the at least one fluid passageway of the flow conditioning insert comprises a geometry having a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are located within the flow conditioning insert and are spaced apart from one another by a flow divider.

A step extending from an inner surface of the cavity of the housing downstream of the insert, the step configured to facilitate turbulent flow in the interaction region.

An outlet positioned along the housing downstream of the flow conditioning insert and in communication with the interaction region, wherein fluid is configured to be dispensed from the outlet and has a pulsed spray pattern along an outlet axis that is substantially perpendicular to the inlet axis,

wherein the fluid flow is configured to bend from its flow along the inlet axis to diverge from the outlet along the outlet axis, wherein the fluid flow bends approximately 90 degrees after exiting the flow conditioning insert to be dispersed through the outlet such that bending of the fluid occurs within the interaction region.