US2618512A - Atomizing nozzle - Google Patents

Description

1952 c. M. SLIEPCEVICH 2,618,512

ATOMIZING NOZZLE Filed Aug. 21, 1948 FIG.I

Il8 6l97 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

CEDOMI R M. SLIEPCEVICH ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 18, 1952 ATOMIZING NOZZLE Cedomir M. Sliepcevich, Ann Arbor, Mich., as-

signor to Kask Technical Corporation, Jackson Heights, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 21, 1948, Serial No. 45,529

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to nozzles for atomizing liquids. Particularly in one aspect this invention relates to such a nozzle in which a vibrating member is employed to bring about the desired degree of atomization.

In the commercial atomizing nozzles on the market today in which pressure alone is employed as the atomizing force as contrasted with those in which a gas under pressure is used as the propelling and disruptive agency, the atomization of the liquid is produced by subjecting it to a whirling action before ejecting it from an orifice of the desired shape and size. The whirling motion is imparted to the liquid by passing it under pressure through a chamber of special construction. All of the nozzles of this type are inherently inefiicient because of the pressure drop caused by the absorption of energy as fluid friction when the liquid traverses the nozzle chamber.

It is an object of the present invention to produce an atomizing nozzle of a design radically different from that discussed above in which energy losses due to fluid friction are in a large part eliminated.

It is a further object of this invention to produce an atomizing nozzle in which a much lower fluid pressure is required to obtain a certain degree of atomization than is the case with the presently-known types of atomizing nozzles.

It is stillanother object of the invention to provide an atomizing nozzle of relatively simple and compact construction which brings about a more efiicient atomization of liquids than those presently in use.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide an atomizing nozzle which will operate efiiciently and bring about a fine degree of atomization of a liquid by using only the force supplied by the liquid under pressure.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 of the drawing is a front elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the device of this invention in which atomization is eiiected by a vibrating orifice-containing resilient member.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view, partly in cross-section, of a modification of the device of Figure l in which the vibrating orifice-containing member is an integral part of the body portion of the device.

Referring with greater particularity to the device of Figure 1, numeral 4 designates a body portion of any desired shape, preferably cylin-- 2 drical, having a chamber 6 therein, an inwardly flanged end section I forming a circular opening, and an internally threaded end section 8. Chamber 6 is preferably cylindrical and of circular cross-section; however, chamber 6 may be oval or polygonal in shape, if desired.

A flanged and hollow male plug 9 suitably threaded is fitted into threaded end section 8 of body portion 4. Plug 9 may be connected to body portion 4 by welding or may even constitute an integral part of body portion 4 such as when the nozzle is made by casting or molding in a suitable manner. Plug 9 contains a plurality of apertures H surrounding a central threaded aperture I2 in the end thereof. Apertures II and I2 openly communicate between chamber 6 and the hollow interior of plug 9. The juncture between plug 9 and body portion 4 may be sealed by means of a conventional circular gasket l3.

A threaded valve member l4 comprising a sonically-shaped terminal portion I6 and an enlarged terminal portion I'I containing a groove or notch to receive a screw driver is screwed into aperture [2 of plug 9. When in position, the conically-shaped terminal section It of valve member [4 presses against an orifice-containing resilient member I 8 and is seated in a cylindrical orifice [9 of circular cross-section in member 18. Member [8 is made of a circular disk of suitable spring steel or other resilient material and orifice I9 is located centrally therein. Valve member l4 and orifice I9 are axially aligned and may be made of suitably hard material to resist erosion and wear, for example of hardened steel or alloy known to those skilled in the art.

Valve member I4 is seated on the inner edge of orifice I9 to form a line or knife edge contact and urges the orifice-containing member 18 firmly against a conventional gasket 2| and flanged end section I of body portion 4. Gasket 21 effectively seals the juncture between member l8 and body portion l. Member Hi may be sealed to body portion 4 by welding or soldering without departing from the scope of this invention.

Hollow plug 9 is connected to a conduit 22 supplying liquid under pressure to chamber 6. Any suitable means may be employed to connect conduit 22 to the device of Figure 1, such as threading as shown, or soldering or welding, without departing from the scope of this invention. The various other parts of the device may be connected by the above methods, if desired.

In operation liquid under pressure passes from conduit 22 through apertures ll to chamber 6 and thence through orifice l9. The size of orifice I I9, the resiliency and mass of orifice-containing member I8, and the force with which valve member I4 presses against orifice I9 are so co-related to one another that the passage of liquid under pressure through orifice I9 supplies a force in correct phase relationship so that orifice-containing member I8 is maintained in forced vibration. The rapid vibration of the edge of orifice I9 upon the comically-shaped terminal portion I6 of valve member I4 breaks up the liquid passing through orifice I9 into a fine spray-like form.

Member I8 is preferably a circular disk be-'- tween about and about A; of an inch thick but may be as thin as 0.01 of an-inch. Orificecontaining member I8 actslike aspring:

In general the greater the mass of the vibrating member I8, the lower will be the'frequency tweenabout 60 and severalthousandcyclesper second.

Figure 2'of'the drawing illustrates amodification in whichthe orifice-containing member and vibrating member is an-integral part of the body portionhaving 'a-chamber- 3 I thereinand an end section 32 containing an orifice 33- of' circular cross-section. The opposite end of body" portion 29is internally and externally threaded at and 39,- respectively. End-section 32 is usually relatively thin in comparison-to other portions of body portionze-so that it is'slightly-fiexiblewhen Sesction 32 0fthe' nozzle may bemade of special alloys or of steel heat treated in a suitable manner to impart subjected to considerable force.

to it the desired hardness-andresiliency.

As in the device of Figure 1, the device ofFigure- 2' hasamale-plug 38 suitably threaded to fit into the internallythreaded section 3d of 'body portion 2-9I Plug 35 may be connected to body portion'29by other conventional'methools'such as welding, bolting, etc., without-departing from the scope of this invention. Plug 36-contains a pluralityof apertures 31' surrounding a central threaded aperture-38;

A threaded valve member 41 comprising "a" conically-shaped terminal portion 43 and an enlarged terminal portion- 42 is screwed into aperture 38 of-plug'35'. When inposition-inaperture 38,- the conica-lly-shaped' terminal section 43 of valve member H presses against the inner edgeof orifice 33 and isseatedthereintomake a knife edge contact therewith.- Valve member 4| and-orifice 33 are'axially aligned. Theforcewith which the end 32 and valve-member 4| make-contact is adjustedby screwing valve member 4'I into aperture'38'of plug 36; or by adjusting the position of plugteitself;

Body portion 23 is connected to-a conduit 34* supplying'liquid underpressure-to' chamber 3i, such as by threading'asshownat- 33; The liquid passes from conduit t l-through apertures 37 of plug 36 tochamber 3I.

The arrangements of the elements of the device of Figure 2 obviate the necessity of any'gaskets for sealing the various parts'in order to prevent leakage of liquid from the nozzle. Valve member 4| may be easily made an integral part of plug 36 by machining, casting or welding in a manner known to those skilled in the art. When an integral part of plug 36, valve member H is adjusted by changing the position of plug 36.

The operationof the device of Figure ZJis similar to the device of Figure 1. liquid under pressure passes from chamber 3I through orifice 33 and causes end section 32 to vibrate. The vibration'of' end section 32 breaks up the liquid from orifice 33 into a fine spray as the result of the vibrationofthe-inner edge of orifice 33 against .conically-shaped terminal portion 43 of valve by the comically-shaped portion=of the valve head of the nozzles shown in Figures 1 and 21s between 60 and'about' 150' degrees, the-actual anglebest suitedfor any particular valve head-Will'depend on:such factors as the sizeofthe'orificeand the pressure of. the liquid'beingatomized. Included angles" between and .120 degrees forwthe valve head'are preferred.

In operatiom. the" potential energy available from the pressure. off. the liquid is consumed by the friction: of" the liquidpassing through the nozzle. and by the energy necessary. to cause vibration of the orifice-containing member. For

maximum efiiciency, therefore; it is desirableto' reduce'the energy'losses'to' a minimum. The

greater the proportion of the total energy available-for'usein vibrating the orifice-containing member; thehigher the frequency of vibrationthat can be obtained which results in the maximumdispersion of theliquid'as a'spray or fog for a givenpressure. In fact,,if energy losses are too great the valve-member will not vibrate.

Accordingly; the dimensions and" shapes of such' elements asthe orifice and'the valve member are important and the following dimensions serve as a guide for the construction ofa-nozzle havingminimum frictional losses.- The diameter of the orifice should not be so small as to cause excessive energy losses by the passage of liquid therethrough. Generallyi the diameter of the orifice will be between about & and about inch, but larger or smaller diameter orificesmay be useddepending on such factors-as the pressure of the liquids and the'capacity of the nozzle.

The diameter of the valve head is only slightly larger than the diameter ofthe mouthof the orifice in order to insure uniform particle'size. Preferably, the diameter'of the valve head-'isnot more than-a ibi an'inch larger than the diameter' of the orifice. For-example; a valve head not greater than 6% of an inch in diameter should be used with an orifice of an inch in diameter.

The atomizing nozzles shown inF'igures 1 and 1 2 may be used on liquids at various pressures. Best results are obtained at pressures above about pounds per squareinch gage-and upto pressures as high as the tension oftheorifir've v containing member correlated with the orifice diameter will permit. Pressures as high as 6000 pounds per square inch gage may be used with the vibrating type nozzle of this invention with excellent results characterized by high efficiency. For maximum capacities and finest sprays, pressures between 1000 and 6000 pounds er square inch gage are preferred for the nozzles shown but lesser pressures can be used at sacrifice of capacity and fine dispersion.

Various alterations and modifications of the nozzle illustrated, such as the size and shape of the orifice and the orifice-containing member, may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this invention, Various uses of the nozzle and its principle of operation are contemplated such as for the use in humidification, emulsification, milk spraying, spray drying, fuel injection, spray painting, powder metallurgy, surface cooling, fire extinguishing distillation, etc. The vibrating principle of the nozzle in atomizing liquids has its obvious application as an integral part of equipment and appliances, such as, oil burners, internal combustion engines, fire extinguishers, etc. In any of these instances the nozzle portion of the apparatus is defined by the various associated parts necessary to produce a, vibrating action of the orifice-containing member, the result of which vibrating action liquid is atomized.

It is understood that the essence of the present invention is the employment of a vibrating orifice-containing member, whether a separable or integral portion of the nozzle, for atomizing of a liquid, and it is realized that there are many available ways other than those specifically disclosed herein for bringing about the desired results.

Having described my invention, I claim:

An atomizing nozzle comprising a metallic body portion having a chamber within said body portion and an outlet orifice of circular cross secion of 4 4 to A; of an inch in diameter and smaller than said chamber in one end of said body portion, the other end of said body portion being threaded. internally and externally, the orifice-containing end of said body portion being resilient and 0.01 to of an inch in thickness, a perforated plug threaded and positioned in said threaded end of said internally threaded portion of said body portion and adapted to receive a threaded valve member, a stationary valve member positioned in said threaded plug and having a conically shaped terminal portion of circular cross section or" not greater than about of an inch in diameter greater than said orifice and having a conically shaped terminal portion pressing against the edge of said orifice, and said valve member having an apex angle between about and about and terminating adjacent said outlet orifice.

CEDOMIR M. SLIEPCEVICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 465,013 Bourdil Dec. 15, 1891 1,589,238 Scott June 15, 1926 1,589,242 Scott June 15, 1926 1,589,244 Scott June 15, 1926 1,589,245 Scott June 15, 1926 2,052,560 French Sept. 1, 1936 2,144,874 Edwards Jan. 24, 1939 2,308,504 French Jan. 19, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 157,428 Great Britain May 10, 1922

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