Patent Application
20080301869
The invention relates to the field of spraying apparatus, in particular to a washing device and a method for operating a washing device according to the preamble of the respective independent patent claims.
Such a washing device is known, for example, from WO 2004/101163 A1. A shower head is described therein, in which water nozzles are arranged in pairs, so that the jets from two nozzles of a pair impact one another and create droplets by way of this. The purpose of the device is to provide a pleasant shower experience at different operating pressures between 0.2 bar and 10 bar, and also to reduce the water consumption compared to conventional shower heads. Thereby, apart from the water droplets, one should, however, prevent a mist of very fine droplets from occurring. For this, the jets impacting one another are preferably arranged such that they do not fully intersect one another.
Furthermore, it is known, for example, from WO 98/07522, to install a heater in a shower sprinkler, in order to heat water directly before dispensing through the shower sprinkler. Thereby however, a large amount of heating power is required in accordance with the quantity of water flowing through.
An electrical shower is described in the product handbook “The Heatstore Aqua-Flow. Pumped Electric Shower Handbook” of the company Heatstore Limited, Island Park, Bristow Broadways, Bristol BS11 9FB, downloaded from www.heatstore.co.uk on Jul. 11, 2006. The shower is provided in order to be fed from a cistern, and thus, comprises a pump for delivering the water. A two-stage electrical heater is provided for heating the water, whose heating power is 8.5 kW/7.8 kW or 9.5 kW/8.7 kW, depending on the model. The temperature of the dispensed water is set by way of varying the water throughput quantity. A hand-operated control valve is arranged downstream of the pump for this. The entry pressure in front of the apparatus may not be too high, probably for the protection of the pump, which is why the apparatus may not be connected to water supply mains, and may not be arranged more than 10 m below the cistern. The heating power as well as the throughput quantity, is thus relatively high.
DE 100 04 534 A1 describes a hydro-massage nozzle for producing a pulsating waterjet. For this, the massage nozzle is suitably activated by pumps or valves. The massage nozzle is provided for operation in a pool such as a shower bath, jacuzzi, swimming pool or exercise pool, thus for operation below water, so that no atomisation takes place.
BE 514 104 shows a spray head with atomisation by way of jets impacting one another. A spray core comprises four or more oblique bores with a diameter of 1 mm to 12 mm, which are directed onto a common focal point. A sieve acts as a dirt filter. A pressure increase by a pump for example, is not, however, mentioned.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a washing device and a method for the operation of a washing device, or for the preparation of water for washing, of the initially mentioned type, which permits a reduction of the consumption of energy and/or water compared to the state of the art.
A further object of the invention is to provide a washing device which may be installed with little effort and in particular may also be installed into buildings or installations with existing water mains and electrical mains, without significant modification of the mains.
A further object is to provide a washing device and a method for the operation of a washing device, which is not susceptible with regard to the spreading of infectious diseases.
These objects are achieved by a washing device and a method for operating a washing device with the features of the respective independent patent claims.
The washing device for dispensing water or a mixture based on water, in particular in the sanitary field, for example in a shower or a sink, includes at least one outlet for spraying fluids with a low flow rate and under a high pressure, as well as at least one delivery device for increasing the fluid pressure to an operating pressure of the outlet, before spraying.
If the washing device is connected to a water main, then the operating pressure of the outlet lies above the nominal pressure of the water mains. This nominal pressure is typically about 2.5 bar, and the pressure in the house installations (depending on the regulations of the local water main company) is typically limited to 5 bar or 6 bar for the protection of the conduits.
The spraying of the fluid is effected naturally in a gaseous medium, and with a washing device, typically in the atmosphere or the surrounding air, in which the washing device is operated.
The sprayed fluid as a rule is water or a water-based mixture. An addition such as soap or another cleaning agent or disinfectant may be admixed to the water. The mixture may come from all nozzles. It is also possible to supply the different nozzles with different fluids or fluid mixtures, for example one nozzle with water and another with fluid soap, or one with water and another with disinfectant. In further embodiments of the invention, gaseous fluids may be fed through individual nozzles. A gas jet under high pressure may also be used for atomising a fluid jet. The gas jet may, in particular, be a steam jet.
The washing device, apart from the sanitary field, may also be applied in the therapeutic, field, the cosmetic field as well as the pharmacy field. The admixed fluids thereby may also contain cosmetic or medical active ingredients.
With the application in other fields, additives such as nutrients, fertilisers, pesticides etc. may also be admixed, wherein a good atomisation and, thus, an increase in the total surface of the fluid to be atomised takes place. Basically, fluids other than those based on water maybe sprayed with similar types of means, for example fuels in drives or heaters, or chemicals in processing chemistry. Industrial applications of the atomisation methods and atomisation devices for coating and impregnating are likewise possible.
By way of the pressure increase, it is possible, despite a small throughput rate, to spray the fluid such that a pleasant washing experience or shower experience arises. In particular, in trials, it has been found that the skin is completely moistened, even with unexpectedly low throughput rates, and there is no sensation that too little water is dispensed. This perception is due to the fact that the particle size of the water droplets is significantly reduced compared to conventional showers, on account of the spraying or atomisation with an increased pressure and accordingly by way of narrow nozzles. By way of this, the whole surface of the fluid droplet is significantly larger than with the same fluid quantity with larger drops, and the effect on wetting the body is accordingly also increased. For example, given the same volume, drops of 50 micrometers radius have a 20 times greater contact surfaces than a drop of 1 mm radius.
This delivery device or pump, as a part of the washing device, is thus arranged in a preferably local manner, in the vicinity of the outlet or a shower head, thus in a bathroom or as an installation element of a mobile or stationary shower cubicle. Basically, a central pressure increase, for example in a building for several installations, is also conceivable. Such a central pressure increase may be provided for whole buildings, or several units may be applied for the central pressure increase, for example, in each case one unit for one storey, or in each case one unit for a vertical supply line through several storeys. Thus, the pump noises may be kept away from the users in an improved manner. However, existing conduits in buildings as a rule are overburdened with the preferably applied operating pressures of the outlet of 10 to 40 or 50 bar, in particular 15 to 25 bar, and new pressure conduits for water would have to be applied for this. The pump for example is electrically operated.
Vice versa, with the application of de-centralised pumps, one may also apply several pumps per washing device, in particular if different fluids are mixed in the washing device. Thus one may provide an individual pump for each of the fluids, and the quantity of this fluid may be controlled by way of activation of the respective pump. Thereby, the mixture of the fluids is either effected before the spraying or during the spraying itself. In order for a clean spraying to take place in the second case, the pumps may, for example, be activated in a coordinated manner, or at least one pair of nozzles directed counter to one another and which are fed by the same pump may be present for each of the fluids. Thus, a clean atomisation takes place for each of the fluids, independently of the exact delivery quantity and jet speed of the other fluid. The impact points of the several nozzle pairs (corresponding to the several fluids) may coincide, or may for example be distanced to one another in the main spraying direction.
A control of the throughput quantity may be effected by way of control of the pump(s) or by way of mechanical control means at the outlet or in the feed conduit. Such a mechanical control means is e.g. a manually adjustable reduction valve.
The washing device is particularly suitable for the installation in transport means such as trains, aircraft, campers or other mobile set-ups, such as travelling washing installations, etc. on account of the low water consumption. Other applications are, for example, in showers or washing installations, in public swimming baths, in dish washers or for the irrigation of plants.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the pump or a means for pressure production is operated in a manual manner. Thus firstly, pressure may be produced in a pressure storage means without external energy supply, and a washing device may be used subsequently or over a longer period of time. This embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous when it is combined with the solar production of warm water. With this, one obtains a completely autonomous washing unit with low water consumption. Preferably thereby, the pressure storage means is identical with a water storage means, and furthermore comprises a surface which may be exposed to radiation, for heating the water storage means. The pressure, thereby, may be stored by way of expansion of a flexible vessel and/or by way of compression of an air volume in the pressure storage means.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device includes a heating device for heating the water or the fluid. This heater may be designed in a comparatively small manner thanks to the low throughput rate. In particular, it may be designed as a tankless water heater, thus without any storage means in which the water is heated, as is the case with boiler heating or thermal storage heating. The heater may be operated electrically, with a fluid fuel such as gas or oil, or also in a different manner.
In another embodiment of the invention, the supply with warm water is effected from a boiler, thus from a storage heating installation or generally with stored warm water.
An electrical heater may be operated with existing electrical house installations on account of the low required heating power. The heating may be arranged in a decentralised manner by way of this, i.e. each shower or washing device has its own heater, and no central warm water provision is required. Various advantages result from this, in particular for installations in hotels:
One requires only a single cold water supply for the washing device, and one may make do without a warm water supply.
The storage losses and the conduit losses of a conventional central warm water provision are eliminated, on account of the de-centralised heating which is only effected on demand.
No cultures of infectious diseases such as legionnaire's disease may arise since the system only contains cold water until shortly before use.
The heating device is preferably set up for heating the water with closed-loop control shortly before dispensing at a predefined dispensing temperature. With this, one may set a temperature by way of a manually adjustable setting device, e.g. by way of a dial. The water temperature is measured and is automatically controlled with a closed loop by way of adapting the heating power. This is significantly more accurate, quicker and more comfortable than the conventional closed-loop control of the temperature by way of setting a mixing ratio at a mixing tap. Preferably thereby, the manually adjustable rated temperature of the closed-loop temperature control is limited to a predefined value and/or the dispensing temperature is limited to a predefined value. Such a value for washing devices for persons is for example 45° C. or 50° C. or 55° C. With this, on the one hand one prevents scalding, and on the other hand the heating power may be kept low or limited in accordance with the maximal throughput quantity.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, unheated water is admixed to the heated water after the heating, in order to reduce the water temperature. With this, the heating may be operated at a different (more efficient) operating point, than if the heating were to reach the lowered temperature without admixture. For example, the heater may heat the water to about 90° C., whereupon (for sanitary applications) it may be brought to a lower dispensing temperature by way of admixing cold water. One may also use a higher dispensing temperature for other applications.
Amongst other things, tankless water heaters, as are disclosed in EP 0 832 400 B1, or in EP 0 869 731 B1 are suitable for the heating. These documents are adopted into the application by way of reference. Accordingly, a heated tube is suspended such that it is movable or deformable on operation. The cause for the movement or deformation may be temperature changes, pressure changes and/or vibrations of a pump. Furring in the tube may be detached by way of this. These tankless water heaters were originally conceived for coffee machines and thus—compared to conventional washing devices and shower devices—for relatively low throughput quantities. They may be combined with spraying devices with a low throughput according to the present invention, possibly whilst adapting the heating power. These tankless water heaters are, in particular, suitable for high operating pressures, in particular up to 10 bar or more. The closed loop control of the temperature may also be effected by way of a closed-loop control of the electrical heating power or by way of admixing cold water.
The washing device, thus, preferably comprises a supply with cold water and a supply with energy for the heating, but no supply with warm water. The energy supply may be an electrical one or a supply with a combustible gas. Another supply, however, may not be ruled out.
The washing installation may thus be designed as a compact construction unit with only one cold water connection and one electrical supply connection. Such a construction unit, in a housing contains the pressure pump and the heater as well as preferably a pre-treatment unit for the fed water, or fluid. The pre-treatment unit preferably comprises one or a combination of the following functions: coarse filter, micro-filter, disinfection, antibacterial treatment, deliming. Operating elements for the control of the temperature and/or pressure may be present as control inputs. These may be attached to the construction unit itself or on a relocated operating unit.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the maximal throughput quantity of the outlet is 5 l/min or 3 l/min, and preferably 1.0 to 1.5 to 2 l/min, which corresponds to a heating device with a maximal heating power of about 3 kW.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the maximal throughput quantity of the outlet is 1 l/min and preferably 0.5 l/min, which corresponds to a heating device with a maximal heating power of about 1 kW. These conditions are suitable, for example, for an outlet in a water tap for a wash basin (or rinse basin or sink).
The throughput quantities mentioned above, in each case relate to one nozzle set. The throughput is accordingly increased when applying several nozzle sets. The heating power for an electrical heater is typically limited to 2, 4 or 6 kW depending on the fuse protection and the number of applied phases. The maximal throughput quantity with a de-centralised heating is limited by way of this, which represents an important incentive to reduce the throughput quantity whilst simultaneously maintaining the washing quality.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device comprises a mixing device for mixing the water with soap before dispensing. This mixing device may be switched on and off, so that the washing installation may be operated in a first operating mode and second operating mode, wherein soap is admixed to the water and the water throughput for example is less than 3 l/min or less than 1 l/min and is preferably 0.5 l/min, in the first operating mode (“lathering”), and no soap is admixed to the water and the water throughput is up to 1 l/min or (with a shower) up to 3 l/min or up to 5 l/min in the second operating mode (“rinsing”).
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet comprises a nozzle body, said nozzle body comprising two nozzle disks, wherein the nozzle disks are arranged, rotatable to one another in different positions. Thereby, one set of nozzles of the first nozzle disk is connected to different sets of nozzles of the second nozzle disk, depending on the angle of rotation. If the first nozzle disk is an upper nozzle disk, i.e. the nozzle disk which is impinged by pressurised water, and the second nozzle disk is a lower one which faces the consumer or the spray direction, then one nozzle set with selectable characteristics may be coupled to the feeding nozzle set of the upper nozzle disk by way of rotating the second nozzle disk.
In the case that the first nozzle disk is a lower nozzle disk, then one of different feeding nozzle sets of the second upper nozzle disk may be selected by way of rotating the first nozzle disk. Different feeding nozzle sets may for example be fed with different fluids or fluid combinations, so that a selection of the mixture of the sprayed fluid is possible by way of rotating the first nozzle disk.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation is accomplished by way of a fluid jet impinging an obstacle with a high relative speed. Thereby, the obstacle may be a moved or stationary solid body or at least one further jet of a fluid, thus a liquid jet or a gas jet. The relative speed arises on account of the speed of the fluid jet and/or a movement of the solid body. Means for achieving a high relative speed are therefore nozzles for producing a fluid jet, under certain circumstances, in combination with a pump for pressure increase, and/or moved solid bodies, onto which one or more fluid jets impinge. In particular, such a solid body, hereinafter also called atomisation body, may rotate with a high speed of revolution. The revolution speed is directed to the desired relative speed and the radius of an impact point of a fluid jet, with respect to the rotation axis.
The relative speed between the particles in the fluid jet and the atomisation body is above 20, 30 or 40 m/s and preferably at least approximately 50 m/s. A suitable size and speed of the atomised jet is achieved with this.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation is accomplished by way of the outlet comprising at least one nozzle set with at least two nozzles for producing fluid jets impacting one another and for atomising the fluid. The nozzle set, for example, comprises two, three, four or more nozzles, whose jets at least approximately hit one another in one point. In a further variant, the jets may be deliberately displaced slightly, so that they do not impact in a point, in order for example to effect a massage sensation.
If the fluid, apart from water, comprises a further medium such as soap, then this further medium may be admixed to the supply of all nozzles or however only individual nozzles. For this, the washing device comprises a mixing device for admixing soap into the fluid supply of at least one of the nozzles.
With an adequately low viscosity, the further medium may alternatively be fed as a liquid to at least one nozzle in an unmixed manner. In both cases, the liquids are additionally mixed and distributed on colliding. Basically, it is also possible when supplying the nozzles with different fluids, to thereby vary the supply pressure, the type of the several applied pumps and the nozzle diameter of the nozzles amongst one another, according to the respective liquids. An optimal, balanced atomisation may be achieved with this. For example, soap may be led from above to the impact point of the colliding jets and thus be admixed.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device comprises protective bodies which are arranged in the direction of the nozzles, so that a liquid jet which is not hit by other fluid jets impinges a protective body. With this, given a blockage of a nozzle, one prevents the jet from another nozzle of the nozzle set from directly hitting the skin or eyes.
However, it has been found that should there be no perfect alignment of the jets of a nozzle set, these partly atomise and the remaining part causes a “prickling” effect on the skin, which, depending on the intensity and personal preference, may be perceived as being pleasant or as massaging. For this reason, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are not aligned to one another in an exact manner, but for example, one with an intersection (overlapping) of the jet surfaces of 60% or 80%. One may, however, also switch over between operating modes with a different intersection and, thus, a different shower sensation. This may be effected by way of switching over between several nozzle sets, or by way of mechanical variation of the alignment of at least one nozzle of a nozzle set.
An asymmetry of the atomised water jet arises by way of the only partial intersection of the jet surfaces. Other possibilities for producing an asymmetry are, for example, the application of different nozzle diameters with at least two nozzles of a nozzle set. However, two nozzles of a nozzle set may also be operated with different fluid pressures. This may be achieved by way of using separate pumps per nozzle or by way of using different pressure reduction means (throttles) per nozzle. Basically, it is also possible to vary and control different pressures per nozzle also over time. The shape and thus also a movement of the atomised jet may be dynamically varied with this.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet comprises exactly one nozzle set. The outlet may be manufactured in a very compact and simple manner by way of this.
Preferably, a diameter of the nozzles 3 is between 0.1 or 0.2 or 0.3 mm and 1.3 mm to 2 mm, in particular between 0.4 mm and 0.7 mm. The length of the nozzles for achieving a laminar flow in the jet, is at least double the diameter. Preferably thereby, a pressure of 10 bar to 50 bar, in particular of 15 bar to 25 bar is used as the operating pressure of the outlet, wherein the pressure is preferably essentially constant, thus is not pulsating. Half the impact angle, relative to the vertical, preferably lies between 35 and 55 degrees, in particular at 45 degrees. It may, however, basically be between zero and almost 90 degrees.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure may be set by a user. Thereby, either the pressure is set in a controlled manner according to the sensation of the user, or a nominal value is set by the user, to which one controls with a closed loop by way of pressure measurement and by way of a pressure regulation.
In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the outlet has at least one nozzle for producing a water jet or fluid jet, as well as a movable or fixedly arranged atomisation body for atomising this jet. The jet is, thus, directed onto the atomisation body. A fixedly arranged atomisation body is attached on the outlet in a fixed manner and is not movable with respect to the jet or the jets.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation body may be moved along a line with respect to the at least one nozzle. A change of the atomisation characteristics or of the geometry of the droplet cloud produced on atomising is achieved by way of this.
Preferably, the nozzle is directed along the mentioned line in each case onto a different region of the atomisation body, in accordance with the position of the atomisation body. Thereby, the regions have different characteristics, in particular a different orientation with respect to the jet and/or a different surface structure.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation body may be rotated about a rotation axis with respect to the at least one nozzle. Different functions may be achieved by way of this. On the one hand, a differently fashioned region of the atomisation body may be rotated into the jet or the jets by way of a temporary rotation about the rotation axis, similarly as with the linear displacement, so that the atomisation characteristics are changed. On the other hand, one may achieve an atomisation without the fluid jet from the at least one nozzle having a particularly high pressure or a high energy, by way of a permanent rotation with a high rotation speed. This embodiment may, also, therefore be realised without a pressure increase or pump.
Preferably, the atomisation body is at least approximately an ellipsoid of revolution, in particular a sphere, or at least approximately a disk, wherein the at least one nozzle is directed onto a disk surface or onto a disk edge. The atomisation body may also have a prismatic shape with an arbitrary cross section.
The method for operation of a washing installation for dispensing water or a water-based mixture, and optionally a further liquid, preferably in the sanitary field, in particular in a shower or a sink, comprises the following steps:
increasing the water pressure or the fluid pressure to an operating pressure of an outlet; and
spraying the water or the fluid at a high pressure and low throughput rate through the outlet.
Further preferred embodiments are to be deduced from the dependent patent claims. Thereby, the features of the method claims may be combined, analogously, with the device claims and vice versa.
The subject matter of the invention is hereinafter explained in more detail by way of the preferred drawings. In each case there are shown schematically in:
The reference numerals used in the drawings and their significance are listed in a conclusive manner in the list of reference numerals. Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.
The fluid is led to the outlet 1 preferably via a hose 19 or generally via an outlet conduit which is designed with regard to the operating pressure of the outlet, thus may withstand this operating pressure. The outlet conduit may be assembled in a fixed manner. The outlet may be a shower sprinkler assembled in a fixed manner or a shower sprinkler which is movable and is held by hand, or a shower head. The liquid is heated by the heater 5 having an energy supply 13, and is delivered by a pump 6 and brought to an increased operating pressure. In another embodiment of the invention, the heater 5 is arranged in front of the pump 6 in the flow direction, so that therefore the pump 6 is designed for delivering the already heated water. Preferably a micro-filter 7 is arranged at the feed of the fluid 11 or is arranged at another location of the fluid path, in order to prevent the nozzles 3 from becoming blocked. In the shown embodiment of the invention, the supply of the fluid is a cold water supply 11.
The filter 7 is preferably provided for filtering particles with a size of more than 100, in particular over 50 micrometers, from the water or the liquid.
A soap feed 15 is drawn in as a further embodiment of the invention, via which soap may be admixed to the water by way of a mixing device 14. Instead of soap, also other fluid or powder-like additives may be admixed in this manner. The mixing device 14 may usefully be switched on and off, so that one may switch between one operating mode “lathering” with soap, and an operating mode “rinsing” without soap. In this case, the mixing device 14 must be arranged extremely close to the shower head, so that only water leaves to shower head as soon as possible after switching of the mixing device 14. Preferably, the delivered water quantity per unit of time, thus the throughput is increased with the operating mode “rinsing” compared to the operating mode “lathering”, for example by way of switching over between different nozzle sets 2, or by way of raising the water pressure by the pump 6, or by way of variation of the nozzle diameter.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the construction unit 16 has the same elements with the exception of the pump 6, and is connected to an external pump for increasing the pressure. The external pump may supply several such construction units 16. A washing device system according to this embodiment, thus, comprises at least one construction unit 16 and an external pump and a pressurised water conduit for feeding the at least one construction unit 16 by the pump 6.
Preferably, the pump 6 and the heater 5, activated by the operating unit, are switched on for operating the washing device for dispensing heated water. Warm water may be taken in a quasi direct manner, thus without any significant heating-up time, since the heater 5 preferably has no storage means. As the case may be, for this, the pump may be switched on with a small delay of a few seconds, i.e. less than 2 or 5 or 10 seconds. Alternatively, the pump 6 in this time may be controlled from standstill, and be gradually run up to the normal delivery power, so that the dispensing temperature may be increased already from the beginning.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the switching-on and switching-off of the washing device is controlled by an electrical switch or sensor at the outlet 1. Alternatively, a mechanical valve is arranged on the outlet 1 or in the feed conduit 19. When the user opens the valve, a pressure change in the feed conduit 19 takes place, which is detected by a sensor in the construction unit 16, whereupon the washing device, with pump and, as the case may be, also the heater 5, is switched on by way of the control of the construction unit 16.
If two equally strong water jets are directed against one another, then a thin water disk is formed between them. The disk disintegrates at a certain distance from the point of impact of the two jets, and produces fine drops by way of this.
If the two water jets are equally strong, then the vertical components of their impulses neutralise on impact, and a thin water layer propagates horizontally by way of the pressure which has arisen at the moment of impact. The disk is destroyed as soon as holes arise, which increase further in size on account of the surface tension of the water.
The nozzles and, thus, the produced fluid jets as a rule are round, but may also have a rectangular cross section or generally have a prismatic shape.
Calcifications in the nozzles are not formed at all or are then eroded again by way of (for the sanitary field) high operating pressures and the low water temperatures.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet 1 comprises several nozzle sets which are arranged next to one another in a row or are arranged on a circular arc or circle.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the outlet 1 comprises at least two nozzle sets, wherein the nozzles 3 are arranged at least approximately in a plane, and the impact points of the two nozzle sets 2 are distanced to one another in a direction which runs at least approximately perpendicular to this plane.
The soap may be fluid or powder-like, and may be led with the soap feed 23 closer to the impact point 23 than is indicated in the figure. In this manner, other fluids or powder-like additives may also be admixed instead of soap. Also gaseous additives may be supplied or blown with its own nozzle as a gas jet onto the impact point 23 in a directed manner.
The nozzle body 40 is arranged in the outlet 1, such that the upper nozzle disk 41 is impinged with the fluid under pressure, and the lower nozzle disk 42 faces the spray direction. The upper nozzle disk 41 comprises a set of upper bores 43, and the lower nozzle disk 42 at least two sets of lower bores 44. The position of the upper bores 43 may be selectively brought to correspond with the position of one of the sets of the lower bores 44 by way of rotating the nozzle disks to one another. Thus different sets of lower bores 44 are in operation in a selective manner. These are preferably designed in a different manner, so that different spray characteristics result, depending on the selection of the lower set of bores. This different design may, for example, relate to the diameter of the nozzles or their mutual alignment.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper nozzle disk 41 comprises several sets of upper bores 43, which in each case are fed with different fluids or fluid combinations. The lower nozzle disk 42 in this embodiment only comprises one set of lower bores 44, and may be connected in each case to one of the sets of the upper bores 43 by way of rotation, so that a different composition of the sprayed fluid results, depending on the selection of the upper set of bores.
One the one hand the nozzles are adequately long and comprise a smooth inner surface, by which means a laminar flow is achieved, for achieving a precise jet. Preferably, the nozzles are at least double the length of their diameter. On the other hand, the reflection edges at the end of the nozzle inner side are shaped in a suitable manner, preferably by way of them forming a right angle. This is preferably the case for all embodiments of the invention.
The tube pieces may be formed on a single piece of metal and be peripherally injected together, as is shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation body 34 has different surface structures along the displacement axis, so that different atomisation characteristics may be achieved by way of displacing the atomisation body 34. For example, with the atomisation body 34 of
In another embodiment according to
Such an atomisation body 34 may be applied with different operating modes, wherein certain embodiments for the invention may also be directed only to individual ones of these operating modes. In a first operating mode, the water jets or fluid jets 21 in the nozzles 3 are produced with a high pressure, and the linear displacement ability of the atomisation body 34 is used in order to obtain different or dynamically variable atomisation bodies. For this, it is not absolutely necessary for the atomisation body 34 to also be rotatable or to be rotated. The energy for atomisation originates from the high speed of the jets. By way of moving the atomisation body 34, be it by way of rotation and/or displacement, differently structured surface regions may be brought into the region of the jet 21.
In a second operating mode, the atomisation body 34 is rotatable with a high speed about the rotation axis 33. The energy for atomisation originates from the rotation of the atomisation body 34, so that the nozzles may be operated at high pressure but also at low pressure, which means that they may be operated without a pump 6. Thereby, the atomisation body 34 may also be displaceable as in the first operating mode, but it may also be non-displaceable.
The disk surface 36, in a different embodiment of the invention, is curved according to
Suitable rotational speeds for rotating atomisation bodies 34 range from 5,000 to 200,000 rpm. The average droplet size in the atomised jet is varied by way of varying the rotational speed, wherein the droplet size is dependent on the relative speed between the jet and the atomisation body 34. It has been shown that a droplet size of about 20 to 80 micrometers requires a relative speed of about 50 m/s This for example means that for this, with a stationary atomisation body 34, the jet must have a speed of about 50 m/s. Vice versa, if the jet has a speed of only a few m/s, then the atomisation body 34 must move at this speed at the impact point. This for example means that a surface point of a disk or a cylinder with a diameter of 30 mm must rotate at approx. 30,000 rpm.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the maximal throughput quantity of the outlet is 3 l/min and preferably 1.5 to 2 l/min, which corresponds to a heating device with a heating power of about 3 kW. Preferably, 3 nozzles with a diameter of 0.4 mm are operated at a pressure of 20 bar. Half the impact angle φ is preferably 45°. Most, thus about 80% or more of the produced droplets thereby preferably have a diameter of below 100 micrometers.
This lies within the framework of a heater 5 which may be supplied by a common house installation with 230V alternating current or 400V three-phase current.
The shower water must be heated to about 20 to 35 degrees depending on the season and the desired water temperature. This corresponds to the shaded region in the representation. In this region, thus an electrical instantaneous (tankless) heating may be used for throughput quantities between 1 and 2 litres. A storage heater or boiler or a more powerful heater is required for greater throughput quantities.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890/05 | Nov 2005 | CH | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CH06/00660 | 11/27/2006 | WO | 00 | 6/20/2008 |
