EP3956070A1

EP3956070A1 - Self-cleaning nozzle

Info

Publication number: EP3956070A1
Application number: EP20710913.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Reinhard Nowak; Lars Steinke
Original assignee: Glatt GmbH
Current assignee: Glatt GmbH
Priority date: 2019-04-18
Filing date: 2020-03-11
Publication date: 2022-02-23
Also published as: JP2022529040A; US20220203396A1; CN113661011B; WO2020212026A1; DE102019205738A1; CN113661011A

Abstract

The invention relates to a nozzle (10) for spraying materials, in particular dispersions,, emulsions or suspensions, comprising a nozzle body having a nozzle mouthpiece.

Description

SELF-CLEANING NOZZLE

The invention relates to a nozzle for spraying substances, in particular dispersions, emulsions or suspensions, around a nozzle body having a nozzle mouthpiece, the nozzle body having an inner tube connected to a feed for the substance to be sprayed and an inner tube having an outlet opening has an outlet opening having an outer tube spaced from the inner tube and connected to a feed for a gas, and the outlet opening of the inner tube and the outlet opening of the outer tube are arranged in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece.

Nozzles or spray nozzles are very often used in industrial processes, such as granulation, the coating of tablets and pellets and the direct production of pellets. The particles are covered with a layer and / or a film. As a rule, liquids in which solids are dissolved or suspended are sprayed. These spray processes can take several hours. As a result of the atomization, the liquid jet is atomized into small droplets. The resulting droplet size is of essential importance for the manufacturing and / or spraying process. If the droplets are too small, there is a risk that they will dry out before they reach their destination. If the droplets are too large, there is a risk that undesirable agglomerates will arise. The process-related eddies in front of the nozzle can lead to deposits on the nozzle opening, i.e. beard formation, particularly in the case of long-lasting spraying processes. These deposits influence the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray, so that undesirable process effects such as spray drying and / or local overhumidification and agglomeration occur. The following prior art represents technical solutions that prevent or at least minimize undesirable deposits on the nozzle, in particular on the nozzle mouthpiece.

The European patent EP 1 497 034 B1 shows a self-cleaning spray nozzle and in particular a self-cleaning nozzle for use in a device for preparing a particulate material by means of a controlled agglomeration process. The self-cleaning spray nozzle has a central tube which has a central passage for supplying a liquid, the passage opening into an opening for dispensing the liquid, a second pipe surrounding the central pipe, whereby a first passage between the central pipe and the second tube for supplying primarily air is formed, a nozzle cone which is arranged at the end of the second tube and forms the outer circumference of a first outlet gap of the first passage, whereby air supplied through the first passage is mixed with the liquid to produce a liquid / To form air spray, a third pipe surrounding the second pipe, whereby a second passage is formed between the second and the third pipe for supplying secondary air, a sleeve arranged at the end of the third pipe, which the outer circumference of a second outlet gap of the second passage forms, having, wherein the nozzle cone for adjusting the size of the first outlet gap is adjustably arranged at the end of the second tube.

The international patent application WO 2013/010930 A1 describes a self-cleaning nozzle for spraying a fluid with a nozzle housing and a multi-part nozzle head arranged therein, which includes a flow channel with an outlet opening for the fluid, the nozzle head having at least one fixed and little - Has at least one displaceably mounted head element, which each form a section of the outlet opening, the displaceable head element during normal operation by the fluid pressure against a stop located in the direction of flow of the fluid and by a spring against the flow direction during self-cleaning with reduced fluid pressure is pressed.

The laid-open specification DE 43 24 731 A1 shows a self-cleaning spray nozzle for spraying a fluid from a pressure medium source, a tubular fitting being provided which has an inner fluid channel extending in its longitudinal direction, which is provided with an inlet and an outlet and which with connecting devices for connecting to the Druckmit telquelle is provided; a tubular shaft is provided with an inlet and an outlet through which the fluid can be passed, the inlet of the shaft partially extending into the outlet end of the fitting, such that the fluid entering the fitting flows longitudinally through the shaft which is provided with a flange; a valve seat with an apron is provided which has an inner surface which is dimensioned such that it is slidable around the shaft fits and which has an outer surface which is dimensioned so that it fits into the outlet of the tubular fitting to fix the radial position of the valve seat, the valve seat also having a lip which is dimensioned to the Valve seat positioned longitudinally at the outlet of the tubular fitting and forming a seal between the valve seat and the outlet of the tubular fitting; Means are provided by which the valve seat is forcibly kept in contact with the fitting in order to prevent displacement of the valve seat in the longitudinal direction and in the radial direction; a spray head with Be fastening devices for fastening the tubular

Shaft is provided, wherein the spray head comprises Auslasseinrich lines and has a surface adapted to the valve seat; a spring is provided which surrounds the shaft and is biased against the flange of the shaft in order to generate a fixed, predetermined biasing force against the valve seat, wherein the spring presses the valve seat against the adapted surface of the spray head, so that between the valve seat and the adapted surface of the valve head a seal is formed in order to restrict the flow of fluid at this device up and wherein the outlet devices form such a channel for the fluid flow that this, when the seal is made, is dispersed or sprayed according to a predetermined pattern; wherein a force exerted on the spray head which is sufficient to overcome the spring preload separates the spray head from the valve seat, whereby the sealing effect is canceled and the outlet devices can be flushed by the fluid. Patent specification DE 101 16 051 B4 discloses a spray nozzle for fluidized bed systems, consisting of a nozzle body, a nozzle cap, at least one outlet opening for a liquid exposed to solids and at least an outlet opening for a gas, wherein a flexible cleaning cap is arranged around the nozzle cap and between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap a supply of compressed air channel arranged in the nozzle body for a compressed air-charged cleaning air is arranged, wherein the compressed air channel via an annular indentation in the Outer surface of the nozzle body and at least one transverse bore in the nozzle cap with an annular Eindre hung in the outer surface of the nozzle cap is connected. The cleaning cap lies directly against the nozzle cap. Cleaning air charged with compressed air is supplied via the compressed air channel at adjustable, different intervals or over a longer period of time. The cleaning air is fed through the annular recess and the transverse bore of the annular recess. The cleaning air is supplied over the entire circumference between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap via the annular recess. Due to the pressure surge of the cleaning air, the cleaning cap, which is made of elastic material, bulges outwards, so that the cleaning air is directed between the outer surface of the nozzle cap and the inner surface of the cleaning cap in the direction of the outlet opening of the spray nozzle. The cleaning air is directed as a pressure jet in a ring from all sides to the nozzle mouth of the spray nozzle, so that the pulse of the jet can be used directly without losses and turbulence is avoided. Any material deposits in the immediate area of the outlet opening in the spray nozzle are blown away by the cleaning air.

The disadvantage of the aforementioned technical solutions is that these self-cleaning nozzles mentioned in the prior art each have a large number of individual parts that are assembled to form complex, maintenance-intensive nozzles as a result of which the technical solutions shown are expensive to produce and maintain.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a cost-effective self-cleaning nozzle which is easy to manufacture and manufacture due to its small number of individual parts and which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

In the case of a nozzle of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved in that the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) is at least partially made of an elastic material, and in that the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) has a Inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) is arranged, which can be caused to vibrate by the substance to be sprayed emerging from the outlet opening (107 207 307 807 1007) of the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) or is offset in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the exit area of the substance to be sprayed and / or the gas, the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) and the inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) are designed as a one-piece line (932, 1032).

Advantageously, the inner tube together with the inlay is designed as a one-piece line, so that the one-piece line is, on the one hand, very simple and, on the other hand, can be exchanged and thrown away after it has been used. It is furthermore advantageous that an additional inlay can be arranged on the outer tube, the inlay of the one-piece line being arranged in such a way that it flows through the substance to be sprayed out of the outlet opening of the inner tube, in particular a liquid, and / or from the Outlet opening of the outer tube, gas flowing out, in particular atomizing air, in motion, in particular a vibration or the like , is displaceable or is displaced, in particular in a high-frequency oscillation. Preferably the

Vibration has a frequency of 5 Hz to 1500 Hz, particularly preferably between 25 Hz and 500 Hz, very particularly preferably between 25 Hz and 250 Hz. The high-frequency movement of the inlay of the one-piece line produces vibrations with a certain frequency on the inlay of the one-piece line sequence, whereby caking of the substance to be atomized, before given to a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, is prevented or at least minimized on the nozzle mouthpiece. Thus, the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray during the manufacturing and / or spraying process is not influenced by caking of the substance to be sprayed, so that there is no undesired spray drying and / or local over-humidification and agglomeration.

Further advantageous configurations of the preferred nozzle are set out in the subclaims.

According to an advantageous further development, the inner tube designed as a one-piece line has at least partially a reinforced wall, in particular through a reinforced wall structure. As a result, the inner tube can be specifically reinforced at heavily used areas, so that the inner tube can be better adapted to processes that take place on land.

In an additional preferred development of the invention, the additional inlay is arranged on the inner wall or on an outer wall or in a wall of the outer tube and protrudes at least partially into an outlet area of the substance to be sprayed and / or the gas. With such an arrangement, the additional inlay protruding at least partially into an exit area of the substance to be sprayed and / or the gas is particularly well integrated into offset so that caking of the substance to be sprayed in the area of the nozzle mouth is significantly reduced or even completely prevented, so that the symmetry and the optimal droplet size of the spray always exist during the manufacturing and / or spraying process.

The outer tube and the inner tube are preferably arranged coaxially about an axis. The outer tube and the inner tube are particularly preferably arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the outlet opening of the outer tube is arranged concentrically to the outlet opening of the inner tube. This will make the

Flow guidance, in particular the flow guidance of the gas in the annular gap, is significantly improved so that the spray symmetry and the droplet size can be optimally adjusted.

In addition, the additional inlay can be replaced

arrangeable or arranged. By exchanging the additional inlay, the manufacturing and / or spraying process can be directly influenced, for example by adapting the inlay to the substance to be atomized, for example. If the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, for example an abrasive substance or an acid or a base, the inlay material can easily be adapted to the new process conditions. Also with regard to strict process requirements, especially in the pharmaceutical or food industry, for example with regard to product purity and / or food compatibility, a quick and easy replacement of the inlay is of great advantage and benefit.

A section of the additional inlay can preferably be changed in length. Due to the changeability of the length of the partial section of the additional inlay, which protrudes at least partially from the inner tube or the outer tube of the nozzle, it is possible, in particular, the mobility of the partial section to change the frequency of the vibration of the subsection of the inlay and, for example, to adapt it to changed process conditions during the manufacturing and / or spraying process. The manufacturing and / or spraying process can be directly influenced by adapting or adapting the vibration frequency of the additional inlay to the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, for example a highly viscous fluid or a suspension, emulsion or the like . This prevents deposits from forming on the nozzle mouthpiece. If the nozzles, in particular their nozzle mouthpieces, are monitored by sensors, for example by a camera, it is also possible to change the frequency online while the process is running, so that caking is prevented. In an additional embodiment of the nozzle according to the invention, the additional inlay and / or the one-piece line is made from at least one elastic material, preferably from a polymer. The at least one polymer is preferably a synthetic polymer, in particular a silicone. Polymers are versatile materials which, for example, can be produced inexpensively, are very robust but, depending on the polymer, are also very temperature-resistant. The polymers, especially the synthetic polymers, are therefore very well suited as inlays for the most varied of processes and substances to be sprayed.

Preferably, in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece between the outer tube and the inner tube, an attachment in the form of swirl bodies, swirl plates or the like for guiding the gas is arranged. The attachment is particularly preferably arranged to guide the inner tube. Most preferably, the component is firmly connected to the inner tube and / or the outer tube. By installing an attachment in the form of swirl pern, swirl plates or the like, the flow guidance of the gas, in particular the atomizing air, can be influenced at the nozzle mouthpiece, whereby the movement and vibration behavior, in particular the vibration frequency of the partial section of the inlay that protrudes at least partially from the inner and / or outer tube Inlays is changeable. As a result, the spray symmetry and the droplet size of the spray, ie the liquid to be atomized, can be adjusted directly. Furthermore, the inner tube is guided in the outer tube during installation and always held in the desired position. In addition, the attachment prevents the inner tube from swinging, which leads to a change in the dimensions of the outlet openings of both the inner tube and the outer tube, which the flow conditions of the substance to be sprayed and of the gas at the nozzle mouthpiece changes and thus also the spray symmetry and the droplet size.

The additional inlay and / or the one-piece line preferably has a variable wall thickness. The wall thickness of the inlay, in particular of the section of the inlay protruding from the inner tube, can be adapted to the to be sprayed

Substance, in particular a liquid to be sprayed, can be adjusted, whereby the spray behavior, preferably the spray symmetry and the setting of the droplet size, of the nozzle according to the invention can be optimized. By changing the wall thickness with the same length of the inlay protruding at least partially from the inner tube and / or the outer tube, the vibration behavior is changed, whereby the inlay can be or is adapted specifically to the respective process engineering process. The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show it Figure 1 shows a nozzle according to the prior art,

FIG. 2 shows a section B-B according to FIG. 4 through a first

Embodiment of a preferred nozzle,

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of part of the nozzle mouthpiece of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle according to section A of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the first embodiment of a preferred nozzle according to FIG. 2 with a sectional plane B-B intersecting the axis X-X, FIG. 5 shows a section through a second embodiment of a preferred nozzle with an attachment in the ring gap in the form of a swirl plate for gas guidance,

FIG. 6 shows a section through a third embodiment of a preferred nozzle with an attachment in the form of a swirl plate for guiding gas in the annular gap,

FIG. 7 shows a section through a fourth embodiment of a preferred nozzle,

FIG. 8 shows a section through a fifth embodiment of a preferred nozzle, FIG. 9 shows a section through a sixth embodiment of a preferred nozzle,

FIG. 10 shows a section through a seventh embodiment of a preferred nozzle,

FIG. 11 shows a section through a preferred nozzle according to the first embodiment, the nozzle having an axially aler direction displaceable nozzle needle to close the outlet openings of the nozzle,

FIG. 12 shows a section through a preferred nozzle, the

Inlay and the inner tube form a one-piece inner conduit of the preferred nozzle,

FIG. 13 shows a section through a preferred nozzle, the

The inlay and the inner tube form an inner line of the preferred nozzle and the preferred nozzle has a volume-variable device in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece between the inner and outer tube, the device in FIG. 13 being in an open position of the preferred nozzle shows,

FIG. 14 shows a section through a preferred nozzle, the

Inlay and the inner tube form an inner line of the preferred nozzle and the preferred nozzle in the

The area of the nozzle mouthpiece between the inner and outer tube has a device whose volume can be changed, the device in FIG. 14 showing a closed position of the preferred nozzle, FIG. 15 a schematic structure of a first method for monitoring the nozzle mouthpiece of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle and

FIG. 16 shows a schematic structure of a second method for monitoring the nozzle mouthpiece of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle.

In Fig. 1, a known from the prior art nozzle 1 is shown. The nozzle 1 comprises a nozzle body 4 having an inner tube 2 and an outer tube 3. The inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3 are here arranged coaxially to an axis XX is.

The inner tube 2 has a fluid channel 5 designed for the supply of the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. This opens in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 6 into an outlet opening 7 of the inner tube 2. In the area facing away from the outlet opening 7 of the inner tube 2, the inner tube 2 has a connection point 10 for a feed line (not shown) for the substance to be sprayed.

The outer tube 3 is spaced apart from the inner tube 2, as a result of which an annular gap 8 is formed for the supply of the gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 8 opens in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 6 into an outlet opening 9 of the outer tube 3. In the area facing away from the outlet opening 9 of the outer tube 3, the outer tube 3 has a connection point 11 for a supply line (not shown) for the gas. FIG. 2 shows a section BB according to FIG. 4 through a first embodiment of a preferred nozzle 101. As already shown in FIG. 1, the preferred nozzle 101 comprises a nozzle body 104 having an inner tube 102 and an outer tube 103 and the outer pipe 103 are arranged coaxially with an axis XX.

The inner tube 102 has a fluid channel 105 for supplying the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. This opens into an outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 in the area of the nozzle mouth piece 106. In the area facing away from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102, the inner tube 102 has a connection point 110 for a feed line, not shown, for the substance to be sprayed. The outer tube 103 is spaced apart from the inner tube 102, whereby an annular gap 108 for the supply of the gas, in particular atomizing air, is formed. The ring gap 108 opens into an outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 106. The outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 and the outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 are preferably arranged concentrically to one another. This ensures that the flow ratios of the gas conveyed in the annular gap 108 are optimal, in particular uniformly, so that the symmetry and droplet size of the spray produced by means of the preferred nozzle 101 exactly match the requirements of the production and / or spraying process, in particular a production and / or spraying process for granules, tablets or the like. are matched. In the area facing away from the outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 there is a connection point 111 for a supply line (not shown) for the gas. The outlet openings 107 are preferably

109 in a plane CC and open into the outlet area 112 of the nozzle 101. In the outlet area 112, when the substance to be sprayed and the atomizing gas meet, the spray which coats the particles is generated. Advantageously, both the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray are optimally adjusted during the manufacturing and / or Sprühpro process. The inner tube 102 has an inlay 113. In FIG. 2, the inlay 113 is arranged in its preferred position on an inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. The inlay 113 is preferably made from a polymer, particularly preferably from a synthetic polymer, very particularly preferably from a silicone. Polymers are versatile materials that can be produced inexpensively while being very robust and, depending on the polymer, can be very temperature-resistant. The polymers, in particular the synthetic polymers, are therefore very well suited as inlay 113 for a wide variety of manufacturing and / or spraying processes. The preferred nozzle 101 can be used in a wide variety of manufacturing and / or spraying processes due to the interchangeability of the inlay 113.

In the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101, the inlay 113 has four subsections 115 to 118. Partial section 115 secures the inlay 113 in the nozzle 101, so that the inlay 113 is arranged in the preferred nozzle 101 during the entire manufacturing and / or spraying process. Before geous enough, the inlay 113 is connected to the inner tube 102 so that it is fixed there. The subsections 116 and 117 are arranged in the preferred nozzle 101 between the subsection 115 and the subsection 118 and bear against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. The subsection 118 of the inlay 113 protrudes at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102. Due to the possibility of adjusting the holding point of the partial section 115 on the inner tube 102, the length of the partial section 118 of the inlay 113 protruding from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 can be changed.

3 shows a detailed view of part of the nozzle mouthpiece 106 of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 according to section A of FIG. 2. The inner tube 102 and the outer tube 103 are arranged coaxially about the axis XX, so that the outlet openings 107, 109 concentrically around the Intersection of the axis XX with the plane CC are arranged. The outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 and the outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 also lie in the plane CC and open into the outlet area 112 of the nozzle 101. In the outlet area 112, the material to be sprayed and the atomizing gas come together to generate the spray that the particles coated. Advantageously, both the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray are optimally adjusted during the production and / or spraying process.

The subsection 117 of the inlay 113 rests on the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102 of the preferred nozzle 101 and is connected to the subsection 118 of the inlay 113. The subsection 118 of the inlay 113 protrudes at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 of the preferred nozzle 101. The partial section 118 of the inlay 113 is preferably variable in length. The length variability is shown by the dotted line adjoining the subsection 118. The change in length can either take place directly by exchanging the inlay 113, by adjusting the holding point of the inlay 113 on the inner tube 102 and / or by changing the arrangement of the inlay 113 in the nozzle 101 in some other way.

An internal pressure 119 acts on the inlay 113 through the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion, which is conveyed through the inner tube 102 having an inlay 113 in the fluid channel 105 in the direction of the outlet opening 107 the internal pressure 119 acting on the inlay 113, the inlay 113 is pressed against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. In the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 106, in particular in the area of the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102, the partial section 118 of the inlay 113 by the internal pressure 119 acting on the inlay 113 likewise a force that moves the inlay 113 away from the axis XX.

In addition, the part which at least partially protrudes from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 acts

118 of the inlay 113 a force 120 acting in the direction of the axis X-X. The force 120 acting in the direction of the axis X-X is caused by the gas, in particular atomizer air, emerging from the annular gap 108 from the outlet opening 109.

As a result, the inlay 113 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 is replaced by the liquid exiting from the preferred nozzle 101 into the exit area 112 of the nozzle 101 and / or the liquid exiting the preferred nozzle 101 into the exit area 112 of the nozzle 101 exiting gas, especially atomizing air, moves, advantageously at high frequency. This advantageously high-frequency movement of the inlay 113 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 prevents deposits of the liquid to be sprayed on the nozzle mouthpiece 106, in particular in the outlet region 112, or prevents their agglomeration. The symmetry and the droplet size of the spray are therefore not influenced during the manufacturing and / or spraying process, so that there is no undesired spray drying and / or local over-humidification and agglomeration.

The vibration frequency of the subsection 118 of the inlay 113 can also be changed, for example, by the length variability of the subsection 118 of the inlay 113. This allows you to directly access the manufacturing or spraying process

Influence. Another change in vibrati- Ons frequency is possible, for example, by adjusting the pressures of the substance and gas to be sprayed. A change in the flow angle α of the gas, in particular the atomizing air, also changes the vibration frequency of the inlay 113 and thus has an influence on the spray and its quality, in particular with regard to the symmetry and the droplet size. To change the flow angle α of the gas, for example, the arrangement of the outer pipe 103 and the inner pipe 102 must be adapted to one another, in particular in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 106. In addition, the flow on the inlay 113 can also be adapted to the changed flow guidance in the annular gap 108. Very preferably, only the annular gap 108 is adapted so that it has a different angle of incidence in relation to the subsection 118 of the inlay 113. Fig. 4 shows a plan view of the first embodiment of a preferred nozzle 101 with an axis XX intersecting the cutting plane BB. The inner tube 102 and the outer tube 103 are aligned coaxially to the axis XX, so that the outlet openings 107, 109 for the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, or for the gas, in particular atomizing air, con are arranged centrically to each other about the axis XX. On the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102, the inlay 113 is arranged. 5 shows a section through a second embodiment of a preferred nozzle 201 with an optional add-on part 220 in the annular gap 208 in the form of a swirl plate for guiding the gas.

The preferred nozzle 201 according to the second embodiment corresponds in its basic structure to that in FIGS. 2 to 4 shown first embodiment of the preferred nozzle se 101. The difference between the two embodiments is that the preferred nozzle 201, in contrast to nozzle 101, has an optional attachment 221 which is designed in the form of a swirl plate for guiding the gas. In the present second embodiment of the preferred nozzle 201, the attachment 221 has openings 222 which are formed at an angle to the gas flowing parallel to the outer tube 203, in particular an atomizing air. As a result, the gas flowing in the ring gap 208 experiences a twist about the axis XX. Due to the twist around the axis XX, the flow and the movement behavior and thus also the vibration frequency of the inlay 213 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 207 of the inner tube 202 can be influenced.

The attachment 221 can also be in the form of swirl bodies, e.g. B. flow baffles or the like to be formed for gas guidance. The attachment part 222 is preferably firmly connected to the inner tube 202 and the outer tube 203. This increases the stability of the nozzle 201 in the area of the nozzle mouth

piece 206 increased. In addition, by installing an attachment 221 in the form of swirl bodies, swirl plates or the like, the flow guidance of the gas, in particular the atomizing air, at the nozzle mouthpiece 206, in particular in the exit area 212 of the nozzle 201, is influenced, whereby the movement behavior of the at least partially the inner tube 202 protruding inlay 213, in particular the vibration frequency of the subsection of the inlay 213, can be changed. The vibration frequency can thus be adjusted to the manufacturing and / or spraying process in an improved manner. In addition, the spray symmetry and the droplet size of the spray, ie of the substance to be atomized, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, can be adjusted directly. In addition, the inner tube 202 is guided during installation in the outer tube 203 and is always desired position, in Fig. 5 in a concentric posi on about the axis XX, held. In addition, the attachment part 221 prevents the inner tube 102 from swinging, which leads to a change in both the outlet openings 207 of the inner tube 202 and the outlet openings 209 of the outer tube 203, which changes the flow conditions at the nozzle mouthpiece 206, in particular in the outlet area 212 of the nozzle 201 and thus also influences the spray symmetry and the droplet size of the spray. The inlay 213 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 207 of the inner tube 202 preferably has a variable wall thickness. The wall thickness of the inlay 213, in particular of the section 218 protruding from the inner tube 202, can be adapted to the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, whereby the spray behavior, preferably the spray symmetry and the setting of the droplet size, the preferred nozzle 201 can be optimized. The inlay 213 can also be adapted to abrasive materials to be sprayed. By changing the wall thickness with the same length of the inlay 213 protruding at least partially from the inner tube 202 or by adapting the length of the inlay 213 with the wall thickness of the inlay 213 remaining the same, the vibration behavior of the part protruding at least partially out of the outlet opening 207 is reduced

Section 218 changed, as a result of which the inlay 213 used can be specially adapted to the respective procedural process. The inlay 213 is advantageously connected to the inner tube 202 in such a way that it is fixed there. Fig. 6 shows a section through a further, third embodiment of a preferred nozzle 301 with an optional attachment component 321 in the annular gap 308 in the form of a swirl plate for gas guidance.

The preferred nozzle 301 comprises a nozzle body 304 having an inner tube 302 and an outer tube 303, the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303 being aligned coaxially with an axis X-X.

The inner tube 302 has a fluid channel 305 designed to supply the substance to be sprayed. In the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 306, this opens into an outlet opening 307 of the inner tube 302. In the area facing away from the outlet opening 307 of the inner tube 302, the inner tube 302 has a connection point 310 for a feed line (not shown) for the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, entirely particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension.

The outer tube 303 is spaced apart from the inner tube 302, whereby an annular gap 308 for the supply of the gas, in particular atomizing air, is formed. The annular gap 308 opens into an outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 306. In the area facing away from the outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303, the outer tube 303 has a connection point 311 for a supply line, not shown, for the gas.

An attachment part 321 having openings 322 is arranged between the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303. The attachment part 321 connects inner tube 302 and outer tube 303 preferably firmly to one another. The add-on part 321 imposes a swirl on the gas, in particular atomizing air, flowing through the annular gap 308. By means of the twist, the frequency of the at least partially discharged from the outlet opening 309 of the au- outer tube 303 protruding inlays 313 influenced. The inlay 313 is arranged on the outer wall 323 in the annular gap 308 and rests against the outer wall 323.

The inlay 313 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 into the outlet area 312 has four subsections 315, 316, 317 and 318. Section 315 is fixed, for example, clamped, in a groove 324 arranged on the outer wall 323. The subsections 316 and 317 connect the subsections 315 and 318. The length of the inlay 313 can be changed, in particular the length of the subsection 318 of the inlay 313 can be adapted to the parameters of the manufacturing and / or spraying process. In addition, the wall thickness of the inlay 313 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 into the outlet area 312, in particular the wall thickness of the partial section 318 of the inlay 313, can be adapted to the process parameters. In FIG. 6, the wall thickness of the inlay 313 decreases from section 315 to section 318. The inlay 313 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 into the outlet area 312 is released by the substance to be sprayed from the preferred nozzle 301, in particular a liquid, and / or the gas emerging from the preferred nozzle 301, in particular Atomizing air, especially high-frequency moving. Due to the particularly high-frequency movement or

Vibration of the inlay 313 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 into the outlet area 312, vibrations with a certain frequency occur on the inlay 313, which particularly causes the substance to be atomized, preferably a liquid, to stick and / or stick preferably a dispersion, emulsion or the suspension, which leads to deposits on the nozzle mouthpiece 306, is prevented. By preventing deposits on the nozzle mouthpiece 306 in the outlet area 312 and / or by preventing agglomeration of the substance to be sprayed, the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray are not influenced during the production and / or spraying process, so that there is no undesired spray drying

and / or local overmoistening and agglomeration occurs.

The FIGS. 7 to 10 show further four embodiments of the preferred nozzle 401, 501, 601, 701 as a sectional illustration, the structural shape of which generally does not differ from the first embodiment of the nozzle 101. In particular, the embodiments differ from the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 in that the inlay 413, 513, 613 and 713 is in a different position on the inner tube 402, 502, 602, 702 or outer tube 403, 503, 603, 703 is ordered. The four embodiments of the preferred nozzle 401, 501, 601, 701 are explained in more detail below.

7 shows a section through a fourth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 401. In the fourth embodiment of the preferred nozzle 401, the inlay 413 is arranged in a wall 425 of the inner tube 402 and its subsection 418 protrudes into the outlet area 412 of the nozzle 401. According to the fourth embodiment, the inlay 413 has two subsections 417 and 418, the subsection 417 serving to fasten the inlay 413 in the wall 424 of the inner tube 402. The inlay 413 is advantageously clamped in the wall 425 of the inner tube 402 or the like. so that it is fixed there. A section through the fifth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 501 is shown in FIG. According to FIG. 8 In the fifth embodiment of the nozzle 501, the inlay 513 is arranged on an inner wall 526 of the outer tube 503. The inlay 513 here has four subsections 515, 516, 517 and 518, the subsection 518 protruding from an exit opening 509 of an outer tube 503 at least partially into an exit area 512. The inlay 513 is arranged by means of the subsection 515 in a groove 527 in the inner wall 526 of the outer tube 503 and is fixed there, for example by pressing. 9 shows a section through a sixth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 601, the inlay 613 in the sixth embodiment of the nozzle 601 being arranged in a wall 628 of the outer tube 603. The inlay 613 is arranged in a wall 628 of the outer tube 603 and its subsection 618 protrudes into the outlet region 612 of the nozzle 601. According to the sixth embodiment, the inlay 613 has two subsections 617 and 618, the subsection 617 serving to fasten the inlay 613 in the wall 628 of the outer tube 603. The inlay 613 is advantageously clamped in the wall 628 of the outer tube 603 or the like. so that it is fixed there.

10 shows a seventh embodiment of the preferred nozzle 701, the inlay 713 being arranged on an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703. According to FIG. 10, the inlay 713 in the seventh embodiment of the nozzle 701 is arranged on an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703. The inlay 713 here has four subsections 715, 716, 717 and 718, the subsection 718 at least partially protruding into an exit region 712. The inlay 713 is arranged by means of the subsection 715 in a groove 730 in the outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703 and is fixed there, for example clamped or pressed. All embodiments 101 to 701 can have an optional add-on component 101 to 701 for guiding the flow in the annular gap 108 to 708. Furthermore, there is the possibility of arranging an inlay 113 to 713 on the inner tube 102 to 702 and an additional inlay 113 to 713 on the outer tube 103 to

703, so that the preferred nozzles 101 to 701 have two inlays 113 to 713.

11 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 801 according to the first embodiment, the nozzle 801 according to FIG. 11 having a nozzle needle 831 which can be displaced in the axial direction of the axis XX for closing the outlet opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801 . By axially displacing the nozzle needle 831 in the Z direction along the axis XX from an initial position according to FIG. 11 into an end position shown in dashed lines, the outlet opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801, which has the inlay 813, is closed. This prevents the substance to be sprayed from escaping from the preferred nozzle 801. In addition, there is the possibility that, in addition to the nozzle needle 831, the inner tube 802 also moves in the Z direction, so that both the outlet opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801 and the outlet opening 809 of the outer tube 803 of the nozzle 801 are closed. It is also possible to expand the inner tube 802 by means of the nozzle needle 831. This ensures that, for example, in the case of filling a granulator, a coater, in particular a drum coater, or a fluidization apparatus, no pellets or particles can penetrate into the outlet openings 807, 809 of the nozzle 801 and they can thus enter before the start of the Clogged manufacturing process. The inner tube 802 and the inlay 813 are preferably designed in one piece as a line, preferably in the form of an elastic material, preferably a silicone. This also prevents that by moving the nozzle needle 831, the inlay 813 moves with respect to the inner tube 802.

In FIG. 12, a section through a preferred nozzle 901 is shown, the inlay 913 and the inner tube 902 of the preferred nozzle 901 being designed in one piece as a line 932.

The inlay 913 and the inner tube 902 can, however, also be designed as two separate components. According to this embodiment, the inlay 913 and the inner tube 902 form the inner line 929. This is preferably made of an elastic material, preferably made of a polymer, in particular a silicone. Advantageously, it is even easier to replace the inner line 932 of the preferred nozzle 901, which has the substance to be sprayed. In addition, there is the possibility of designing the inner line as a disposable item, which, for example, in the pharmaceutical industry when changing the substance to be sprayed, due to a product change, leads to considerable advantages and a significant simplification of the work process compared to cleaning the inner tube 902 . According to FIG. 12, in particular the partial sections 918 protruding from the Austrittsöff opening 909 of the outer tube 903 into the outlet region 912 have a very small wall thickness. The wall 925 of the inner tube 902 is advantageously designed with a greater wall thickness than the subsection 918 for reasons of the stability of the inner tube 902. Most particularly preferably, the heavily stressed wall sections are also reinforced, for example by a fiber-reinforced polymer or the like at this point. . The FIGS. 13 and 14 show a further preferred embodiment of a nozzle 1001 with a device 1033 whose volume can be changed.

13 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 1001, the inlay 1013 and the inner tube 1002 being a lei

device 1032, preferably in one piece, form the nozzle 1001. The line 1032 is at least partially made of an elastic material, in particular a polymer and very preferably a silicone, and in the annular gap 1008 between the inner pipe 1002 and the outer pipe 1003 in the area of the nozzle mouth piece 1006 there is a device 1033 whose volume can be changed, in particular an inflatable compressed air ring or the like.

The volume variable device 1033, in particular the compressed air ring, has at least one inlet (not shown here) for a fluid supply and at least one outlet (not shown here) for a fluid discharge. As a result, the volume of the device 1033 can be changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge, namely can be enlarged or reduced, whereby the device 1033 can be brought or ver from an open position shown in FIG. 13 to a closed position shown in FIG is brought and vice versa. The closed position is always given as soon as the inner tube 1002 is closed by the device 1033, regardless of the degree of opening of the gas, in particular the atomizing air, flowing through it

Annular gap 1008. In the open position shown in FIG. 13, on the one hand the annular gap 1008 for the gas and on the other hand the fluid channel 1005 for the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid or dispersion, can flow, whereby the gas can flow through the Substance can atomize at the outlet. The device 1033 advantageously has the Flow of the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008 has no or negligible influence.

It must always be ensured that the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid, should not emerge from the nozzle 1001 without being atomized. To this end, it must be ensured that at the beginning of each spraying process, first the gas, in particular the atomizing gas, flows through the annular gap 1008 and thus out of the nozzle 1001 and then the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid. When the spraying process is ended, the supply of the substance to be sprayed must first be stopped or interrupted and then that of the gas. This ensures at all times that the substance to be sprayed is atomized during a spraying process and, at the end of each spraying process, no substance to be sprayed drips out of the nozzle without being atomized, possibly onto the material to be treated (coated). When starting or exiting a

Spraying process, this can be ensured, for example, by an automatic "Vorlauf fen" or "Nachlauf" of the gas.

All positions in which the annular gap 1008 and / or the fluid channel 1005 can be flowed through by fluid are referred to as the open position. This makes it possible to provide a stepless setting of the volume flow with a flow rate of 0% and 100% for the gas and / or for the substance to be sprayed, the setting of the volume flows being dependent on one another with only one device 1033. When using several, especially two, devices

1033, namely for the substance to be sprayed conveyed in the fluid channel 1005 and the gas conveyed in the annular gap 1008, the volume flows of the substance to be sprayed in the fluid channel 1005 of the inner tube 1002 and the gas in the annular gap 1008 can be set independently of one another or can be set independently of one another namely through independent mutually variable volumes of the devices used 1033 by fluid supply or fluid discharge. Due to the fact that the volumes of different devices 1033 can be set independently, an optimal adaptation of the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed to the atomizer gas and vice versa is also possible. This means that even the smallest changes in symmetry or droplet size in the spray can be responded to. The devices 1033 for the substance to be sprayed and the gas are regulated and / or controlled independently of one another by control and / or regulating devices not shown here.

The device 1033 is preferably arranged concentrically around the line 1032 and enclosed by the outer tube 1003, a section 1018 protruding from the outlet opening 1009 of the outer tube 1003 at least partially into the outlet region 1012. In FIG. 13, the device 1033 is designed in an annular manner around the inner tube 1002. The device 1033 is preferably designed as a compressed air ring.

The device 1033 can, however, also be designed in any other conceivable embodiment.

The device 1033 is preferably connected to a regulating or control device, not shown here, which regulates or controls the fluid supply or fluid discharge of the device 1033 so that the volume of the device 1033 is adjustable or is set. Very particularly preferably, the volume of the device 1033 is or is continuously variable or changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge or the volumes of the devices 1033 are or will be continuously variable or changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge. Due to the infinitely variable adjustment of the volume of the device 1033 or the devices 1033, it is possible to determine the volume flows of the substance to be sprayed and the spraying substance atomizing gas precisely and specifically to one another, so that the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray can be or is optimally adjusted for the process, in particular a coating process of particles, preferably tablets. In FIG. 13, the volume of the device 1033 is minimal, so that the nozzle 1001 is in the maximum open position. The maximum open position is accordingly characterized in that the device 1033 has a minimum volume. A section through the preferred nozzle 1001 shown in Fig. 13, the inlay 1013 and the inner tube 1002 forming a line 1032 of the preferred nozzle 1001 and the preferred nozzle 1001 in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece 1006 between inner tube 1002 and outer tube 1003 one of them Volume variable device 1033, wherein the device in FIG. 14 represents a closed position of the preferred nozzle in that the device 1033 closes the fluid channel 1005 and the annular gap 1008. The inlay 1013 is caused to vibrate by the substance to be sprayed exiting through the outlet opening 1007 of the inner tube 1002 and / or the gas exiting through the outlet opening 1009 of the outer tube 1003, in particular in a high-frequency oscillation, in order to prevent deposits in the outlet area 1007, 1009 of the to minimize or completely prevent spraying substance and / or gas. A subsection 1018 of the inlay 1013 is preferably also variable in length, in particular during the spraying process. Due to the additional length variability of the subsection 1018 of the inlay 1013, which protrudes at least partially from the inner tube 1002 or the outer tube 1003 of the nozzle 1001, it is possible for the mobility of the

Subsection 1018, in particular the frequency of the vibration of subsection 1018 of inlay 1013, to change. The above measures ensure the symmetry and the drip Chen size of the spray during the manufacturing and / or

The spray process is not influenced by deposits of the substance to be sprayed, so that there is no undesired spray drying and / or local over-humidification and agglomeration.

In FIG. 14, the preferred nozzle 1001 is shown with an enlarged volume of the device 1033 compared to the open position according to FIG. The compressed air ring preferably used as device 1033 is for this purpose with a fluid, in particular a gas, preferably compressed air or the like. , inflated. The device 1033 is connected, for example, via a line, not shown, to a storage container, also not shown, via which the device 1033 can be filled or emptied, for example by means of a control and / or regulating device, not shown, so that the volume of the device 1033 changed from a first volume in the open position according to FIG. 13 to a second volume according to FIG. 14 in the closed position and vice versa.

In the present exemplary embodiment, both the line 1032, in particular the partial sections 1017 and 1018 arranged in the nozzle mouthpiece 1006, and the annular gap 1008 are sealed off by the increased volume of the device 1033. Due to the increased volume, the line 1032, here the subsections 1018, is compressed and the outlet opening 1009 is also closed, so that a fluid can neither flow through the fluid channel 1005 nor through the annular gap 1008. This ensures that, for example, in the case of filling a granulator, a coater, in particular a drum coater, or a fluidization apparatus, no pellets or particles can penetrate the outlet openings 1007, 1009 of the nozzle 1001 and thus block them before the start of the manufacturing process . Further developments of the preferred nozzle 1001 having a variable volume before device 1033 are conceivable. E.g. there is the possibility that the nozzle 1001 comprises several devices 1033, in particular two devices 1033. These are preferably separated from one another by devices such as metal sheets or the like, so that they can be operated independently of one another. The nozzle 1001 advantageously has a first device 1033 for closing the annular gap 1008 and a second device 1033 for closing the fluid channel 1005. Here, the two devices 1033 are preferably supported by a sheet metal or the like acting as a partition wall. so that the volume change of a first device 1033 closes or opens the fluid channel 1005 and the change in volume of a second device 1033 closes or opens the annular gap 1008 without a change in volume of one device 1033 affecting the other device 1033 . This makes it possible to continuously adjust the volume flow with a flow rate of 0% and 100% for both the atomizer gas and the substance to be sprayed, whereby the volume flows can be set independently or as a function of one another.

When using at least two devices 1033, it is important to ensure that the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid, must not emerge from the nozzle 1001 without being atomized, since otherwise production rejects can occur, for example through agglomerated tablets . To this end, it must be ensured that at the beginning of each spraying process, first the gas, in particular the atomizing gas, flows through the annular gap 1008 and thus out of the nozzle 1001 and then the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid. When stopping the spraying process, the supply of the substance to be sprayed must first be stopped and then the supply of the gas ses. A regulation or control device can follow this fact. This ensures at all times that the substance to be sprayed is always atomized during a spraying process and, at the end of each spraying process, no substance to be sprayed drips out of the nozzle without being atomized, possibly onto the (coated) material to be treated.

It must always be ensured that when moving the device 1033 from the one closed position of the inner tube 1002 to the at least one open position of the inner tube 1002, the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008 at least at the same time as the device 1033 is moved from the one closed position of the inner tube 1002 into the at least one open position of the inner tube 1002 through the annular gap 1008 begins to flow. Furthermore, it is advantageous that when the device 1033 is moved from the at least one open position of the inner tube 1002 to the one closed position of the inner tube 1002, the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008 at the earliest at the same time as the device 1033 is moved from the at least one Open position of the inner tube 1002 into which a closed position of the inner tube 1002 stops flowing through the annular gap 1008.

This method advantageously ensures that when starting or ending the spraying process at the nozzle mouth, i.e. the outlet openings 1007, 1009 of the inner pipe 1002 and outer pipe 1003, the substance to be sprayed does not escape without it directly through the the annular gap 1008 flowing gas is atomized. Atomization of the substance to be sprayed is thus always guaranteed by the method. As a result, on the one hand, there are no deposits on the nozzle mouth, e.g.

Drying of the substance to be sprayed which has emerged too early and, on the other hand, does not lead to an agglomeration of to be sprayed remaining particles due to non-atomized material to be sprayed.

15 shows a schematic structure of a first method for monitoring the nozzle mouthpiece 106 of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101. The nozzle 101 corresponds to the description of FIGS. 2 to 4. All other preferred embodiments of the nozzle 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901 and 1001 as well as other nozzles according to the invention can also be monitored with this method. The nozzle 101 has an inner tube 102 and an outer tube 103 as well as an inlay 113 arranged on the inner tube 102, the subsection 118 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the preferred nozzle 101 into an outlet area 112. The monitoring of the nozzle mouthpiece for deposits by the sensor 134 takes place in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 15 by a sensor 134 arranged outside the nozzle.

Furthermore, the structure for the first method has a sensor 134, in particular an optical sensor, very particularly preferably an imaging sensor, for example a camera, or an ultrasonic sensor, or a sensor that detects a physical measured variable, for example a pressure sensor, entirely particularly preferably a differential pressure sensor. The sensor 134 detects the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle mouthpiece 106, especially the outlet openings 107, 109 of the inner pipe 102 and / or the outer pipe 103 in the outlet area 112 of the nozzle 101. The sensor 134 is activated at a certain adjustable rate scanned. The sensor 134 is connected to a control unit 135, in particular a data processing computer, for example an industrial PC or an embedded PC or the like. , connected. Those detected by the sensor 134 Data are transmitted to the control unit 135. The control unit 135 evaluates the data from the sensor 134. The control unit 135 determines, for example, by an algorithm or the like. , thus whether on the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle mouthpiece 106, especially the outlet openings 107, 109 in the outlet area 112 of the nozzle 101 deposits are forming or have formed. Such deposits impair the quality of the spray, in particular the symmetry and / or the droplet size, during the production and / or spraying process.

As soon as, for example, a certain stored limit value is exceeded by the deposits, whereby the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray is impaired during the production and / or spraying process, the control unit 135 transmits a signal to a device 136. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG the device 136 designed as a vibration device and ver connected to the nozzle 101. The device 136 sets the nozzle 101 in vibration in such a way that the deposits on the nozzle 101 are detached. As soon as the deposits on the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle mouthpiece 106, especially the outlet openings 107, 109 in the outlet area 112 of the nozzle 101, are no longer present, the corresponding signal is detected by the sensor 133 and transmitted to the control unit 135, which then transmits a signal to device 136 that device 136 will be turned off. This process is repeated as often as necessary over the entire manufacturing and / or spraying process.

The continuous monitoring of the preferred nozzle 101 carried out with the sensor 134 is preferably carried out as an inline, atline or online measurement. E.g. an ultrasonic sensor records the current shape and dimensions the preferred nozzle 101 (actual value). These data are then used in the control unit 135 to assess the spray quality and compared with the original data (target value) of the preferred nozzle 101. If the difference between the actual and setpoint values is too great, a signal is preferably transmitted from the control unit 135 to the device 136 and the necessary measures (vibration) are started. In this case, the device 136, designed as a vibration unit, is connected to the nozzle 101, which sets the nozzle 101 in vibration when it receives a signal from the control unit 135, so that the deposits on the nozzle mouthpiece 106 are loosened. The integration of the aforementioned steps in the manufacturing and / or spraying process enables the automatic monitoring of the spray quality over the entire duration of the manufacturing and / or spraying process.

The monitoring of the nozzle mouthpiece 106 for deposits by the sensor 134 takes place in the exemplary embodiment of FIG

16 by a sensor 134 arranged inside the nozzle 101. Such an arrangement is sometimes useful, especially in the case of structurally cramped conditions, for example in the case of drum coaters or the like that have a small volume.

A second schematic structure of a method for monitoring the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle mouthpiece 106, very particularly the outlet openings 107, 109 in the outlet area 112 of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 is shown in FIG. The pressure conditions of the original nozzle shape in the outlet area 112, ie without deposits or caking, correspond to the setpoint value for the pressure measurement. Here, one pressure sensor 134 is arranged in each case in the fluid channel 105 and in the annular gap 108. The method preferably comprises several sensors 134, in particular sensors 134, which work independently of one another. Due to the multiple rere sensors 134 it is possible to determine the symmetry and

Deposits that negatively influence the size of the droplets can be detected even better at the nozzle mouthpiece 106 of the nozzle 134, so that the most suitable measure for detaching the deposits, for example vibration or pulse, can be initiated.

The two sensors 134 are scanned at a certain adjustable rate or in a certain cycle. If deposits or agglomerations occur on the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle mouthpiece 106, especially the outlet openings 107, 109 in the outlet area 112, the pressure in the fluid channel 105 and / or in the annular gap 108 (actual value) increases. This pressure increase is detected by sensor 134 and transmitted to a control unit 135. By means of the recorded physical measured variable, here for example the absolute pressure, the mass flow and thus also the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and / or the atomizing gas can be calculated. The measured pressure at the sensors 134 allows conclusions to be drawn about the deposits on the nozzle mouthpiece 106. Deposits b on the nozzle mouthpiece 106 lead to an increase in pressure in front of the outlet openings 107, 109 in the fluid channel 105 or annular gap 108 and thus to a greater flow rate of the substance and / or the gas to be sprayed, so that if threshold values (target value) or tolerance ranges are specified accordingly (for example + 10% deviation) and the overshoot or undershoot of which the control unit 135 can initiate by transmitting a signal to the device 136 suitable countermeasures for removing the deposits.

During the monitoring, the control unit 135 constantly compares the actual and setpoint values. As soon as a certain limit value (target value) has been exceeded or not reached by the control unit 135, the control unit 135 transmits a corresponding signal to a device 136. In the embodiment of FIG. This is realized, for example, by means of control valves on the corresponding supply lines for the fluids. The device 136 generates a pulsating flow of the substance to be sprayed and / or of the gas, in particular of the atomizing gas, shown by the two diagrams in FIG

Fig. 16. The gas flow is preferably pulsed only briefly. If the pressure falls below or exceeds the limit value again, the manufacturing and spraying process is continued. If the limit value is further exceeded or fallen below, a new pulse is generated. The impressed pulse can have different frequencies, in particular between 1 Hz and 1500 Hz, preferably between 25 Hz and 250 Hz. This causes the deposits on the nozzle mouthpiece 106 in the area of the outlet openings 107, 109 of the inner and outer pipes 102, 103 improved solved and removed. This process is repeated until the deposits or agglomerations on the nozzle 101 have been removed, so that the required spray quality is always ensured.

A third method is the monitoring of the droplet size of the spray during the manufacturing and / or spraying process, for example by means of a laser measurement method. In the event of deviations from the actual value to the nominal value of the droplet size, i.e. if the droplet size is not optimal, the measures to be taken generally correspond to the measures of the first and second method according to FIG. 15 or FIG. 16.

Claims

Expectations

1. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) for spraying substances, in particular dispersions, emulsions or suspensions, comprising - one having a nozzle mouthpiece (106 206 306 1006)

Nozzle body (104, 304),

- The nozzle body (104, 304) having an inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902) connected to a feed for the substance to be sprayed, an inner wall (114) and an outlet opening (107 207 307 807 1007)

1002) and an outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003) which is spaced apart from the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) and connected to a feed for a gas and has an outlet opening (109 209 309 809 909 1009), and

- The outlet opening (107 207 307 807 1007) of the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) and the outlet opening (109 209 309 809 909 1009) of the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003) in the area of the Nozzle mouthpiece (106 206 306 1006) are arranged, characterized in that the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) is at least partially made of an elastic material rial is formed, and wherein the inner tube (102 202 302 402

802 902 1002) an inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) is arranged, which is to be sprayed through the substance to be sprayed out of the outlet opening (107 207 307 807 1007) of the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) can be set in vibration or is set in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the exit area of the substance to be sprayed and / or the gas, the inside

tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) and the inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) are designed as a one-piece line (932, 1032).

2. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) designed as a one-piece line (832, 932, 1032) is at least partially reinforced Wall (425, 925), in particular by a reinforced wall structure.

3. nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an additional inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) on the inner wall (526) or on an outer wall (729) or in a wall (628) of the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703

803 903 1003) and at least partially protrudes into an exit area of the substance to be sprayed and / or of the gas.

4. nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003) and the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) are arranged coaxially about an axis XX.

5. nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003) and the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) are arranged to one another in such a way that the outlet opening (109 209 309 809 909 1009) of the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003) is concentric to the outlet opening (107 207 307 807 1007) of the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) is arranged.

6. nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the additional inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) can be arranged or arranged interchangeably.

7. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a partial section (115 315 515 715 116 316 516 716 117 317 917 417 517 617 717 1017 118 218 318 418 518 618 718 918 1018) of the additional inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) is adjustable in length.

8. nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the additional inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) is made of at least one elastic material .

9. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) and / or the one-piece line (932, 1032) is made from at least one polymer.

10. The nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one polymer is a synthetic polymer, in particular a silicone.

11. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece (106 206 306 1006) between the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003 ) and the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) an attachment (121 221 321 421 521 621 721) in the form of swirl bodies, swirl plates or the like is arranged for gas guidance.

12. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to claim 11, characterized in that the attachment (121 221 321 421 521 621 721) for guiding the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) is arranged .

13. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the attachment part (121 221 321 421 521 621 721) with the inner tube (102 202 302 402 802 902 1002) and / or the outer tube (103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003) is firmly connected.

14. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional inlay (113 213 313 413 513 613 713 813 913 1013) and / or the one-piece line (932, 1032) has a variable wall thickness.

15. Nozzle (101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillation is a high-frequency oscillation.