Patent Application
20180111135
This invention relates to systems and methods to adjust a nozzle, conduit, valve, vent, vane, funnel, flap, or diaphragm to disperse fluids. Nozzles are common in fuel propulsion systems, such as rockets, jet engines and automobiles. Nozzles are also common in water pumping systems, such as for irrigation, cleaning, manufacturing and firefighting. Nozzles are commonly used to extrude food products, for spray painting or inkjet printing and to control gaseous mixtures such as for welding, scuba diving or HVAC humidifiers.
Even a mixture of large and small size rocks can behave as a liquid, as evidenced by several landslides that flowed for a distance over dry land like flash floods, destroying homes. Therefore any flowing material is considered a fluid. The nozzle and fluid pressure exert control on the rate of flow for a fluid through an orifice. Once the nozzle has been designed, then typically fluid pressure is controlled and adjusted to achieve a desired effect. The nozzle also exerts control on the direction and pattern of the fluid dispersed. Direction, pattern, position, trajectory, distance, range and quantity or volume are all dependent variables of the pressure, fluid and nozzle characteristics; these aspects are all affected by the dispersion activity directly. The measurement of these aspects will therefore be affected by the dispersion activity that occurs, and we would define these aspects as dependent variables. An independent variable exists and acts separately from the model or method of other variables proposed or measured. In a statistical or mathematical model, we measure the group of “other” variables that are dependent or affected by the independent variable. If we set up a matched control group where the independent variable is held steady or we measure the group of dependent variables before and after a state change for the independent variable, this will help measure the accuracy and effectiveness of the model. For this invention, our independent variable is an object, action or event that occurs or acts separately from the apparatus and separately from the fluid dispersed. When dispersing water, the external water vapor pressure is an independent variable that affects whether a droplet size will create fog or mist or drizzle. By measuring water vapor pressure and adjusting nozzle aperture the apparatus can consistently deliver the droplet size for the desired state of fog or mist or drizzle desired. The benefits for water dispersion include visual effects, shading, and transfer of fluid to specific areas. A corresponding benefit may result for other materials such as gasoline or paint or food paste. Other instruments can be layered into the device, such as heating elements to heat the fluid. In alternate embodiments, the measurement of remote variables can be processed by a central computer and direction provided as a composite signal to a group of nozzle apertures that achieve an overall strategy. The list of aspects provided for fluid dispersion are examples and not limiting. Water vapor pressure is also an example of an independent variable that may affect the fluid, dispersion and dependent variables, and therefore possible benefits, but water vapor pressure is not a limiting example.
A variety of methods have been designed to adjust the aperture of a nozzle in order to further control the rate of flow or pattern. Most of these systems are using a manual adjustment or adjustment affected by the pressure within the nozzle. For example, Bullock's U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,608 describes adjusting the size of a dispersal orifice by means of a spring from the pressure within the nozzle, or by means of a manual thread. In another example, Modes' U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,762 describes a fluid flow device that is self-adjusting to the pressure of the flow, and can add a pneumatic thermostat to adjust the dimensions through pressure within the nozzle. In another example, Cline et al.'s U.S. Pat. No. 6,913,166 describes an apparatus for dispensing liquids with a number of feedback mechanisms, but specifically using pressure to control the pump rather than the valve. Another example is Tian's U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,337 that describes a nozzle with flexibly deformable sidewall to respond to internal pressure. With the advent of automatic control systems and sensors, a number of methods have been introduced to adjust fluid pressure, which together with a manually adjusted aperture can deliver a precise flow or pattern. A few mechanisms internally adjust an aperture as fluid pressure fluctuates, maintaining a steadier rate of flow. None of the methods previously introduced employ a sensor of an independent variable, adjusting the nozzle aperture automatically based on the signal from a sensor of object or action separate from the mechanism or from the fluid dispersed.
In general, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a nozzle, adjustable aperture diaphragm, solenoid or motor, sensor, wiring and optionally a processor. The processor is present in an ideal embodiment, but is not required for a minimal embodiment. Sensors can be designed to send a signal, either on/off or proportional to a measurement, and then the signal can be used to activate or adjust a motor, solenoid or drive mechanism. The apparatus will include the electronic circuitry to receive a signal that is based on external information or measurement by a sensor or device. It is possible to construct circuitry that interprets signals and gives direction to the mechanism or mechanical device that adjusts the aperture of the nozzle. It is also possible to include a processor or an electronic control board that interprets the signals from measuring devices and provides direction for the adjustment of the nozzle aperture.
The approximate aperture size for a nozzle to produce droplets within a target range can be determined. However, there is a small and sensitive difference between the droplet sizes that result in drizzle compared to mist or compared to fog. The droplet size is also dependent on the ambient water vapor pressure, which is a more determining factor as to whether fog or mist will result. Commercial fog machines either depend on oil and other chemical mixtures, or rely on the constricted humidity conditions of a controlled, indoor environment. In the natural world, droplets within the range may result in rain or fog or just evaporate, depending on the relative humidity in the atmosphere. In fact, while meteorologists can cite a dew point for a given temperature, they find it difficult to predict where fog will actually occur. As a result, they will report “a chance of fog” or “the dew point is 42 degrees.”
H. W. Lull of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture collected empirical measurements of the falling velocity for water droplets within the defined categories. This showed that drizzle would range from 0.1 millimeters to 0.96 millimeters in diameter, and then for mist down to 0.01 millimeters, and anything smaller than this would remain suspended as fog for 15 minutes even at a height of 10 feet. This illustrates that the approximate size of droplets can be determined, but you would need the more exact adjustment of droplet size to the exact water vapor pressure to ensure that the dispersed fluid creates mist or fog:
In addition, the dispersed mist or fog is a composite of different size droplets within a range. Larger droplets are impacted by pressure as they fall, then distort and break apart. These larger droplets are more likely to break apart where ambient air pressure is greater, and the larger droplets will also collide and break apart. Water droplets will also evaporate into gas and the hydrogen and oxygen atoms will recompose in molecules within the air. The longer that a droplet of fog or mist remains suspended and the smaller the droplet, the more likely it is to transform in this manner. Higher temperature and greater wind will also lead to greater and faster evaporation.
A preferred result is to have a majority of droplets within the target range: greater than 50% of all the droplets. To create a heavy mist of water that will remain suspended longer than 10 seconds but not evaporate, more than 50% of the droplets should be between the size of 0.05 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters. To deliver the preferred droplet size and overall plume of the dispersed fluid, the main variables are nozzle and aperture size, pump pressure, and surrounding relative humidity, while nozzle capacity and shape design have a smaller influence. If we hold the fluid pressure constant at 1000 psi, and weather conditions are within a typical range for a North American forest in the spring or fall season, then we know the preferred nozzle size will be greater than 1.0 mm diameter and less than 3 mm to produce droplets that result in drizzle. Existing equipment outside these ranges produce different results: commercial misters use a nozzle size that is 1 mm or smaller, at 1000 psi while commercial agricultural irrigators will use a nozzle size that is 4 mm or larger, at 1000 psi, and commercial cleaning or cutting water jets will use nozzle size smaller than 0.5 mm at 30,000 or more psi. As the air temperature increases or the water vapor pressure decreases then the size of the droplet dispersed must increase to release the same fog result. The nozzle must adjust over time proportional to the atmospheric conditions.
When dispersing water, the external water vapor pressure is an independent variable that affects whether a droplet size will create fog or mist or drizzle. To have a system measure water vapor pressure and adjust nozzle aperture to consistently deliver the droplet size for the desired state of fog or mist or drizzle can have advantages. To create an effective fog machine that could cover a broad, outdoor crowd without covering people with oil or smoke, you would need to adjust the nozzle aperture and continue to adjust the aperture as the ambient pressure changes. When spray painting the exterior walls of a building, a painter will adjust the nozzle to keep the right density of paint droplets on the surface, and the nozzle aperture required will change as the atmospheric conditions determine how quickly the paint evaporates or pools; an automatically adjusting nozzle can save the time and difficulty of test patches, and ensure that paint is applied and dries evenly over all the surfaces. Current irrigation systems are designed to eliminate the effect of wind, and then rely on duplicate coverage patterns of multiple sprinkler heads to reach all areas. However, this strategy can result in excess water to some areas and will not optimize the use of water for the precise needs of diverse plants. The use of adjusting nozzles designed to create a fine drizzle that can carry in the wind over a broader area can optimize the use of water as a commodity. In a similar way, an automatically adjusting nozzle can prevent undue water loss where a commercial farmer must leave his irrigation equipment running over the course of a day and does not have the ability to adjust the nozzles or turn it on and off from cool morning hours to the heat of the afternoon. A flower horticulturist that finds misters effective in an indoor greenhouse would not use the same equipment outdoors; without constantly adjusting the nozzle aperture, the mist would either be too fine and evaporate or it would be too dense and damage the flowers. It may be desirable to water one area, and then further irrigate an area adjacent or separate from the area where the apparatus sits or disperses the fluid, either to make the irrigation efficient or to irrigate an area that is not accessible to place a piece of apparatus or piping to the apparatus. Therefore an automatically adjusting nozzle can make misters more effective.
The collision of larger water droplets will shift a percentage of the droplets from a larger size to the preferred size within the target range. Creating a swirl or whirlwind while dispersing the fluid can increase this collision and maintain a tighter pattern for a longer duration. As some of the droplets evaporate, other droplets will reduce in size to retain a proportion in the target range. The nozzle can be shaped to vent the fluid in a cone or funnel, and the nozzle could be further spun to create a funnel cloud. The spin can be adjusted along with aperture, based on external factors, to achieve the desired effect. The impact to local weather would be tested. This tactic may provide a useful tool to pre-emptively dissipate the heat or moisture differences that lead to extreme weather. The shaped nozzle with spin or movement while adjusting the aperture is to disperse the fluid for an anticipated behavior over a period of time.
Water vapor pressure is an example of a naturally occurring independent variable. Other environmental factors or naturally occurring aspects that can serve as independent variables are sunlight, moisture, salinity, pH, wind or water current, or earthquake. The fluid may be water or sea water dispersed into a gas such as air, and the aperture is based on the amount of sunlight or soil moisture. The independent variable could be the presence or proximity of an object or creature, or the motion of this object or creature toward, away or across the field of sensing of the apparatus. The conditions or sensing of the natural phenomena, creature or object may be specific, for factors such as color, size, speed or species, or any combination thereof. With the right sensor and coding, a device could detect the approach of a cat, and activate the apparatus to spray water to dissuade the cat from approaching. Another device measuring the water vapor pressure could assist the adjustment of the aperture to consistently deliver mist that may be more visible and disorienting to the cat. In a similar fashion, a device that detects the approach of a shark and disperses air bubbles underwater may serve to help repel the shark. In a similar fashion, when an intruder or burglar is approaching a protected area, the apparatus can be activated with a mix or second fluid of paint included and the aperture adjusted for a broad pattern, for the purpose to mark the intruder that will enable tracking, potential capture or identification, or otherwise repulse and repel the intruder. An alternate embodiment could include food or smells to entice or attract people, creatures including insects or underwater organisms.
Other flow devices would benefit from the automatic adjustment. A truck dispensing salt on the highway is directed from headquarters to begin salting as a manager determines overall weather patterns and needs for traffic. From that point when the truck starts dispensing, the salt is delivered in a “shotgun” approach of putting a broad pattern at a consistent flow rate over miles of roadway. Some stretches of road may be dry due to heavy wind; salt deposited there is blown into the vegetation and causes harm. Other pockets where precipitation is pooling and temperature is lower and the incline of the roadway or curve makes it more treacherous would need more salt. A computer attached to sensors could take into account these factors and adjust the flaps immediately to more accurately apply salt where it is needed, and also reduce overall quantity and cost of the salt treatment.
Other instruments or features can be layered into the device, such as heating elements to heat the fluid. Salt that is heated or even misted as it is dropped may increase its adhesion in those areas where wind is likely to blow the salt away. In other zones, it may be desirable to increase coverage by adding a fan or blower. When dispersing water droplets, a fan will typically increase evaporation and evaporative cooling. Therefore a fan, blower or some wind instrument is also a feature or device that can be layered or integrated with the adjusting nozzle. Therefore an intermittent application according to conditions can improve performance. When a manager gives the “go” signal to groups of trucks in different regions of a state, he is making a composite judgment of the many variables of weather forecast, road types and commuter needs. In addition to satellite and permanent weather station readings, each truck can operate as a local and mobile weather monitoring station. Those weather measurements and forecasts could be tabulated from regional and local sensors, processed and analyzed by a central computer, and then projected across the local conditions, forecast and needs for the trucks. That information can be sent wirelessly to a receiver on each truck and automatically adjust the salt dispensing flaps for each device, delivering a robust, comprehensive strategy for salt application. The system can permit manual override by the central station manager or the local truck operator. The actual application and resulting road conditions can be monitored by each truck and transmitted back to the central computer. The computer can log activity of the nozzle along with the conditions and then the final results to build predictive models, refine the strategies employed, provide reports and further manage the devices.
It is therefore an object of the invention to automatically adjust the aperture of a nozzle, conduit, valve, vent, vane, funnel, flap, or diaphragm, based on at least one independent variable.
It is a further object of the invention to adjust the aperture of a nozzle based on at least one independent variable to disperse a target droplet size.
It is a further object of the invention to employ a shaped nozzle with rotation, spin or movement while adjusting the aperture based on at least one independent variable to disperse a fluid with an anticipated behavior.
It is a further object of the invention to include other devices or features such as heating elements or blowers with the adjusting nozzle that can optimize the characteristics and behavior of fluids dispersed.
It is a further object of the invention to network a system of apparatus units with adjustable apertures that will optimize the fluid dispersed in multiple areas or as a total strategy through selective activation, deactivation and adjustment of individual apparatus units.
It is a further object of the invention to log activity of each apparatus, aperture adjustment, and remote environment for management of the area, the apparatus and to inform interested parties.
The citations are specifically incorporated herein by reference for all that the citations disclose and teach. Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood or apparent from the following detailed descriptions, drawings and appended claims of the invention.
When the armature [42] is extended or contracted, the armature [42] will rotate the iris retaining ring [15]. As the iris retaining ring [15] is rotated, each of the radial iris blades [12] is forced by the adjoining blades to collapse, or close the aperture [25] in the case of a counter-clockwise rotation. In the case of a clockwise rotation of the iris retaining ring [15], each of the radial iris blades [12] is pulled apart from the adjoining blades, to open the aperture [25]. That action can be further impelled and made precise through the use of a nub on the top surface of each of the iris blades [12] but is not necessary and not preferred in order to keep the surface of the iris blades [12] flush. The three dimensional overlap pattern of the iris blades [12] is sufficient to force the aperture [25] open and closed. Whether the iris blades [12] are termed blades, flanges, slides. leafs or similar, and whether such a design uses clockwise or counterclockwise motion to open or close the aperture is unimportant as the action and result will be the same.
The armature [42] is extended from the solenoid [40] when the solenoid receives an electrical signal. In this embodiment, the electrical signal is sent from the electronic control unit [50], although a signal could be sent directly from a sensor. The electrical control unit [50] in this depiction corresponds to an electrical control board made by Arduino, which would receive signals from a computer processor after analysis of sensor signals. When the computer processor determines from the sensor signals that the aperture should be closed, then the signal to the electrical control unit [50] can be turned off and the solenoid [40] will contract. This embodiment in
As a sensor sends a signal to the processor and results in a signal and power to the electronic control unit [50], then the electronic signal is relayed to the motor [40], which drives a screw shaft [45]. The screw shaft [45] is rotated according to the measurement of the independent variable, and in this way the aperture [25] can be adjusted continuously through the range of sizes desired. The screw shaft [45] rotates counterclockwise and will lift the screw bar [46] that is attached to the platform [21], sliding the nozzle [20] forward within the cover [30]. As the nozzle [20] slides forward within the cover [30], the aperture [25] is closed. By sending an opposing signal through the electronic control unit [50] to the motor [40], the motor [40] will rotate the screw shaft [45] in a clockwise direction, lowering the screw bar [46] and withdrawing the nozzle [20] from the cover [30], which will open the aperture [25].
The shape of the nozzle and the cover will force the fluid dispersed to converge as it escapes. The shape to achieve this effect is consistent throughout the aperture size from fully open to fully closed. One benefit of this convergence is to increase the collision of fluid droplets over time after dispersion. The collision will transform larger fluid droplets into smaller fluid droplets within the desired range of diameter, serving to optimize the percentage of droplets in the desired range even as some droplets evaporate. Another benefit of this convergence is to hold the plume or cloud of dispersed fluid more tightly. This benefit will be specific to some applications, such as where it is desired to have the plume stay together longer in wind, or to be carried more effectively by wind.
An alternate embodiment is to provide moisture to a broader or more remote zone being irrigated. A sensor could be soil moisture, but unlike conventional irrigation systems that turn a system's pressure on or off, this embodiment will adjust the aperture size. Irrigation systems will typically use fluid pressure to adjust trajectory, pattern or otherwise turn a system on and off, and the adjustment of fluid pressure will provide other benefits. The adjustment of aperture size provides specific benefits. In this embodiment, when a set of sensors measure the soil moisture of a remote area, read the water vapor pressure, and measure the wind direction and velocity, then this information can be processed by a computer to adjust an aperture to provide an optimum plume of mist that will be carried by the wind over the dry area.
An alternate embodiment employs this nozzle with a rocket to hit a moving object. One problem with a rocket hitting a moving object is the significant speed advantage of the rocket, which can unfortunately lead to a rocket missing its target as the rocket is not able to adjust its direction quickly enough should the target move. It would be a benefit in some situations if the rocket could reduce its speed differential in comparison to the target as the rocket closes its distance to the target. In this way, the rocket will have time to adjust its tracking. In this embodiment, the rocket would use a range finder or similar sensor to measure the distance to its target, the rate of decrease in that distance, along with other typical measurements such as the amount of three dimensional change by the target as a proxy indication of evasion. That information is provided to a computer that processes the measurements according to set points to decrease speed. Many rockets are using solid fuel or have designs that make variable thrust difficult. Adjusting the aperture may reduce thrust by opening the aperture where the dispersion pattern would provide less force against the air behind the rocket, or may reduce thrust by constricting the aperture where fuel is ignited as it leaves the aperture. Therefore the exact benefit of the aperture will be dependent on the rocket design, but the use of sensors to adjust the aperture will provide unique benefits to the rocket flight. In this embodiment, the nozzle is adjusted to change the thrust of the fluid or the thrust resulting from the chemical process that is occurring with the fluid expelled from the rocket. The independent variable could be any transportation vehicle or moving device.
In an alternate embodiment, a supervisor can remotely watch the flight of the rocket as the computer automatically adjusts the nozzle and flight, and the supervisor can choose to override the nozzle and the flight, now with an additional flight parameter to aid his objective.
The inlet pipe [60] has molded screw threads that secure an inner bracket [53]. The motor [76] that rotates the nozzle [20] is secured to the inner bracket [53] with a band or tie [59]. The nozzle [20] is held flush by the several brackets and sleeves to the inlet pipe [60] spaced with a rubber grommet or washer band that is more clearly described in
The swirling fluid dispersed [96] will form a small funnel cloud that generates further lift. The benefits will be collision of fluid droplets over time after dispersion and to hold the plume or cloud of dispersed fluid more tightly. It can be tested whether the funnel cloud created is sufficient to deliver warm moisture into an approaching cold front for the purpose of dissipating the differential energy and thereby reducing the threat of severe weather.
In an alternate embodiment, a heating element is introduced within the nozzle and activated differentially according to the weather conditions to provide flash heating to the fluid as it is dispersed. The heating element is an example of one or more additional features that are integrated to the nozzle to work in unison, collaboratively with, adjustment of the aperture. These features may reinforce, control, limit or refine the dispersion resulting from adjustment of the aperture. The effect of the heating element is to further suspend the fluid, cause lift and dissipate the weather differential.
An alternate embodiment could lightly spray the salt with warm water as the salt is dispersed, for the purpose of making the salt stick to the ground or icy road where the salt is dispersed. The inclusion of an additional fluid is an additional feature similar to the heating element, and the device for this additional feature can be integrated to the apparatus. The feature may reinforce, control, limit or refine the dispersion resulting from adjustment of the aperture.
In
The central station [595] receives data signals [596] from each individual truck transmission [573] and also receives signals [596] sent from weather satellite signals [590], regional data feeds by computer or internet [591] and other information sources. This external information can formulate a signal that will adjust the nozzle aperture. The processor logs this data to its center data storage device [550] and proceeds to process code [546]. In processing code [546], the processor pulls historical data from the data storage device [550], pulls prediction models and strategic algorithms and the current data for comparison. The processor can also compare current data with prior strategies to assign or alter odds or probabilities that it attaches to strategies as an indication of the success of that strategy, thereby refining its predictive models. From this processing [546], the processor will select a preferred strategy along with secondary strategies and sub-optimal strategies and even disadvantageous actions [547]. The processor may assign probabilities to the rank order of strategies, and may use a random number generator to select a second rank strategy or even a suboptimal strategy to test empirically the soundness of the processor's decision algorithms, so to further refine its predictive modelling. The processor of the central station [595] will display the data and rank order of strategies selected on a computer monitor or display screen for a manager's review [592]. The manager can choose to monitor or can intervene to override the strategy selected. The processor will then proceed to employ its strategy selected, or alter the strategy and direction if a manager interrupts and commands the processor to do so. The processor sends the direction for each individual truck apparatus [500] by transmitter [597] to the receiver for each individual truck apparatus [500], which receives its direction signal [575]. The processor also sends to the display screen a report of the information on directions that were transmitted to each individual truck, and this is displayed for the manager review [592]. A similar summary or individualized display can be created in the truck cab for review by the truck driver or operator. And any portion or entirety of this information could be transmitted to the internet, websites or virtual private network for review and interaction by interested parties.
Each individual truck apparatus [500] will adjust its nozzle [560] and add any features such as a heating element based on the signal received [575] from the direction of the central station [597], or based on its default selection based on set points [574] if no signal was received. If a person approaches the dispenser unit while it is operating, a proximity indicator can cause an interrupt [584] to have a signal sent to the processor of the individual apparatus [500]. In a similar way, the truck driver or another person acting as local operator can determine from the operation of the salt dispenser and whatever local conditions are occurring or obstructions may be in the roadway or pedestrians in the proximity that an interrupt signal or an adjustment of the aperture and features may be appropriate and therefore the signal sent [586] as an override. In particular, it would be beneficial to have the dispensing halted or slowed when the truck comes to a stop at a red light on local roadways. An effective method to accomplish this is to close the flap that effectively constricts the aperture, so that the remainder of the equipment is still running and operating and can resume immediately as the truck accelerates. The apparatus can be programmed for this type of interrupt automatically [585] when the speedometer falls below 5 miles per hour or reaches 0, as example, but it is also possible to have the operator provide an interrupt. The status of the individual truck apparatus [500], in terms of nozzle operation, features and other device functions, and local weather conditions as the sensors measure, is transmitted [561] to the central station [595]. The information of the current status is received [596] by the central station [595] and merged with the continuous stream of data on sensor readings received [596] by the central station [595]. Therefore the loop of activity and measurements and processing of decision protocols is an ongoing process.
The descriptions contained herein of the specific embodiments reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications of such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptation and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. While the foregoing has been set forth in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the drawings and detailed embodiments are presented for elucidation and not limitation. Design variations, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangements of parts may be made but are within the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that such changes or modifications of the invention or combinations of elements, variations, equivalents or improvements therein are still within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US16/13772 | 1/18/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62104850 | Jan 2015 | US |
