HK1261554A1 - Nozzle and spacing plate - Google Patents

Description

Nozzle and partition plate

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream of a fluid.

The invention also relates to a spacer plate for use in a nozzle.

The invention relates more particularly to a device for efficiently dispensing atomized fluid through a nozzle in a volume filled with air or other gas.

Background

There are a wide variety of commercially available fire suppression systems. A problem with these fire suppression systems is that the nozzles used to atomize and disperse the discharge stream of fluid are of rather complex construction and therefore expensive to manufacture, and moreover, cumbersome to customize for the different requirements of the application environment.

Disclosure of Invention

Viewed from a first aspect, there may be provided a nozzle for atomising and dispersing a discharge stream of a fluid, the nozzle comprising:

-a valve cover, the valve cover comprising:

-an inlet port for receiving the fluid into a nozzle;

-a first surface extending outwardly from the access port;

-at least one deflector base, said deflector base comprising:

-a second surface arranged opposite the first surface,

wherein

-at least one spacer plate arranged between the first surface of the valve cover and the second surface of the deflector base, the spacer plate comprising:

-at least one gap extending through the spacer plate in the vertical direction of the spacer plate and extending a distance from the outer periphery of the spacer plate towards the inner section of the spacer plate; and

-a discharge port fluidly connected to the inlet port allowing said fluid to flow from the inlet port to around the nozzle, the discharge port being formed between the first and second surfaces and being defined by at least one gap of the spacer plate.

Thereby, a simple and customizable nozzle may be achieved. The capacity and footprint of the nozzle are easily replaced without having to readjust the nozzle body. Thus, for example, the spacers of the nozzles to be arranged in the space can be optimized in a simple and cost-effective manner even during field installation work. In this way, the amount of fluid dispersed through the nozzle or groups of nozzles can be optimized.

Viewed from another aspect there may be provided a spacer plate for use in the above nozzle, the spacer plate comprising at least one gap extending through the spacer plate in a perpendicular direction of the spacer plate and extending a distance from an outer periphery of the spacer plate towards an inner section of the spacer plate.

Thereby, a simple and customizable spacer plate can be realized.

The nozzle and the partition plate are characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of the independent claims. Some other embodiments are characterized by what is stated in the other claims. Embodiments of the invention are also disclosed in the description and drawings of the present patent application. The inventive content of the patent application can also be defined in other ways than is done in the claims below. The inventive content may also be formed by several separate inventions, especially if the invention is examined in the light of expressed or implicit sub-tasks or in view of benefits or groups of benefits obtained. Some of the definitions contained in the claims below may then be unnecessary in view of the separate inventive concepts. The features of different embodiments of the invention can be applied to other embodiments within the scope of the basic inventive concept.

In one embodiment, the spacer plate includes a plurality of gaps.

The advantage is that the fluid can be distributed in many directions.

In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces are planar surfaces. The advantage is that the direction and coverage area of the discharge flow of the nozzle can be optimized.

In one embodiment, one of the first and second surfaces is a concave surface and the other of the first and second surfaces is a convex surface.

The advantage is that the atomized and dispersed flow can be optimally directed to the surroundings of the nozzle.

In one embodiment, the concave surface and the convex surface are tapered surfaces.

The advantage is that these surfaces can be easily manufactured.

In one embodiment, the spacer plate is arranged at a cone angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the nozzle, the cone angle α being in the range of 0 ° -180 °.

The advantage is that the direction of the discharge flow and the nozzle footprint can be optimized.

In one embodiment, the first surface and/or the second surface is arranged in contact with an outer edge region of the partition plate, and a cavity is arranged between an inner edge region of the partition plate and the first surface and/or the second surface, the cavity being arranged to connect the discharge port to the inlet port.

The advantage is that the flow channel in the nozzle can be produced in a simple manner.

In one embodiment, the nozzle comprises a connection arranged between the spacer plate and the deflector base and at least one second spacer plate arranged between the connection and the deflector base, the nozzle thus comprising a second set of discharge ports defined by at least one gap of the second spacer plate.

The advantage is that the atomisation and dispersion capabilities of the nozzle may be enhanced.

In one embodiment, the spacer plate comprises at least one gap extending through the spacer plate in a vertical direction of the spacer plate and extending a distance from an outer periphery of the spacer plate towards an inner section of the spacer plate.

The advantage is that the spacer plate can be manufactured in a simple manner.

In an embodiment of the distance plate, the gap narrows towards the outer periphery.

The advantage is that the flow resistance caused by the spacer plate can be reduced without jeopardizing the atomization of the fluid and without increasing the flow resistance. Lower drag means lower energy consumption, smaller pumps and smaller piping, which reduces the cost of the system.

Drawings

Some embodiments illustrating the disclosure are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1a is a schematic exploded view of a nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream;

FIG. 1b is an assembled view of the nozzle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are cross-sectional side views of the nozzle of FIG. 1 in a closed state;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are cross-sectional side views of the nozzle of FIG. 1 in an open state;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show schematic top and side views of a spacer plate for use in a nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream; and

fig. 5a, 5b and 5c are schematic views of another nozzle for atomizing and dispersing the discharge stream.

In the drawings, some embodiments are shown simplified for clarity. In the drawings, like parts are marked with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a is a schematic exploded view of a nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream, and fig. 1b shows the nozzle assembled.

The nozzle 100 is a water spray or mist nozzle of a fire suppression system. According to this idea, the nozzle is a spray nozzle. However, the claimed nozzle may also be used for other purposes.

The fluid to be atomized and dispersed is water. However, the fluid may be other liquids or gases, may be a mixture of liquids and/or gases and/or solid particles.

The nozzle 100 comprises a valve cap 1, which valve cap 1 comprises an inlet port 2, which inlet port receives the fluid to be atomized and dispersed. The inlet port 2 may be provided with, for example, threads (not shown) by which the nozzle 100 may be attached to a fluid conduit system (not shown).

The valve cap 1 further comprises a first surface 3 arranged at one end of said valve cap 1. The end of the access port 2 is located on the first surface 3 such that the first surface 3 extends outwardly from said end of the access port 2. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1a and 1b, the access port 2 is arranged coaxially with the first surface 3, and the first surface 3 extends symmetrically around the end of the access port 2. It should be noted, however, that in another embodiment, the first surface 3 may extend asymmetrically around the end of the access port 2.

The nozzle 100 further comprises a deflector base 4, which deflector base 4 comprises a second surface 5. In the assembled nozzle, the second surface 5 is opposite the first surface 3.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1a, 1b, the valve cap 1 comprises an internal thread (not shown) and the deflector base 4 comprises an external thread 19 matching said internal thread. The valve cover 1 is attached to the deflector base 4 by means of said internal and external threads. It should be noted, however, that the attachment of the valve cover 1 and the deflector base 4 may also be arranged in other ways.

The external thread 19 of the deflector base 4 comprises two portions separated by two cut-outs 20. The cut-out 20 forms part of a flow channel connecting the inlet port 2 to the discharge port 10. The number of cut-outs 20 may vary from one cut-out to three cut-outs, four cut-outs or even more cut-outs. The cut-out 20 shown in the figures is straight and planar. However, the cut-out 20 may have an alternative shape, for example, a V-shaped groove or a U-shaped groove, etc.

At least one spacer plate 6 is arranged between the first surface 3 and the second surface 5. The embodiment shown in fig. 1a, 1b comprises a spacer plate 6. In other embodiments, there are two or even more spacer plates 6 stacked between the first surface 3 and the second surface 5.

The embodiment of the distance plate 6 shown in fig. 1a has a circular outer periphery 8 and a coaxial hole 11. Thus, the partition plate 6 has substantially a ring shape.

The partition plate 6 shown in fig. 1a comprises eight interspaces 7, which interspaces 7 extend in the vertical direction P of the partition plate through the partition plate 6 and extend a distance D from an outer periphery 8 of the partition plate 6 towards an inner section 9 of the partition plate 6.

A spacer plate 6 arranged between the first and second surfaces 3, 5 keeps the first and second surfaces 3, 5 apart from each other and forms eight discharge ports 10, said discharge ports 10 being slits or openings on the outer periphery 8 and between the first and second surfaces 3, 5. These discharge ports 10 allow fluid to flow around the nozzle 100.

Embodiments of the partition plate 6 will be described in more detail later in this specification.

The nozzle 100 may include a control device for controlling the flow of fluid through the nozzle. For this purpose, the embodiment shown in fig. 1a, 1b comprises a thermally responsive unit 13 supported by a frame arm arrangement 15 known per se. This will be discussed in more detail in the description with respect to fig. 2 a-3 b.

The valve cover 1, deflector base 4 and spacer 6 may be made of any suitable material selected from the group consisting of metals, polymers and composites.

Fig. 2a and 2b are cross-sectional side views of the nozzle of fig. 1 in a closed state, and fig. 3a and 3b are cross-sectional side views of the same nozzle in an open state.

The access port 2 is arranged to open on the first surface 3 and to be coaxial with the centre of the first surface 3.

In one embodiment, the spacer plate is manufactured as a planar or two-dimensional piece of material. Then, the partition plate 6 is arranged and pressed between the first surface 3 and the second surface 5. Thus, the partition plate 6 is bent and takes on a three-dimensional shape defined by the first surface 3 and the second surface 5.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 a-3 b, the first surface 3 is a concave surface and the second surface 5 is a convex surface. Furthermore, the surface is a conical surface. The first surface 3 has a more acute angle of taper than the second surface 5. Thus, a cavity 21 is formed between the first surface 3 and the spacer plate 6. The first surface 3 presses against the spacer plate 6 only on the outer edge region 22 of the spacer plate 6 but not in the inner edge region 23, where the spacer plate 6 is located in the cavity 21. The outer edge region 22 is shown in fig. 3 a. The width of the outer edge region 22 may be as short as near zero, i.e. will only be in contact on their outermost edges if the first surface 3 and the second surface 5 are arranged against each other. However, in other embodiments, the width of the outer edge region 22 may be larger, for example, a few millimeters.

In another embodiment the second surface 5 has a more acute cone angle than the first surface 3, so that the cavity 21 is arranged between the distance plate 6 and the second surface 5. The cavity 21 may reduce flow resistance in the nozzle.

The cavity 21 connects the inlet port 2 to the gap 7 and the discharge port 10.

According to one aspect, the partition plate 6 has a cone angle α relative to the longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 8 in one embodiment the cone angle α is in the range of 0 ° -180 °, in one embodiment the cone angle α in the edge area 22 is in the range of 45 ° -90 °, i.e. 45 ° -offset from a perpendicular angle towards the deflector base 4 in another embodiment the cone angle α in the edge area 22 is in the range of 90 ° -135 °, i.e. 45 ° -offset from a perpendicular angle towards the valve cover 1, the cone angle α relative to the longitudinal axis X of the nozzle in the edge area 22 may typically be 35 °, 45 °, 50 °, 55 °, or 60 ° -the cone angle α in the edge area 22 being in the range of 90 ° ± 5 °.

In one embodiment, the first surface 3 and the second surface 5 are flat surfaces. This means that the first and second surfaces 3, 5 and the distance plate 6 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

In one embodiment, one of the first and second surfaces 3, 5 is a concave surface and the other of the first and second surfaces 3, 5 is a planar surface.

In the embodiment of the nozzle 100 shown in the figures, there is a circular groove 24 in the second surface 5. The groove 24 may facilitate distribution of fluid from the inlet port 2 and through the cut-out 20 in the gap 7.

Furthermore, the illustrated embodiment of the nozzle 100 comprises at least one hole 25, which hole 25 extends from the second surface 5 to the bottom surface of the deflector base 4. These holes serve as flow channels for allowing some fluid to be ejected in the direction of the longitudinal axis X.

When comparing fig. 2a, 2b with fig. 3a, 3b, the function of the nozzle 100 can be seen. When the thermally responsive unit or frangible thermal element 13 ruptures and collapses under the influence of heat, the plug shaft 17, plug 16 and plug seal 18 are allowed to move towards the frame arm arrangement 15. Thus, fluid pressure present in the fluid piping system (not shown) pushes the plug 16 and the plug seal 18 attached to the plug out of blocking the access port 2. Thus forming an open flow path extending from the inlet port 2 to the discharge port 10, with the atomized fluid discharge stream dispersed about the nozzle 100.

Fig. 4 shows schematic top and side views of a spacer plate for use in a nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream.

The basic shape of the spacer plate 6 is circular and it comprises a coaxial hole 11 for receiving the centre pin of the nozzle.

In one embodiment, the spacer plate has a constant thickness. According to this concept, the thickness is in the range of 0.01 mm-5 mm, preferably in the range of 0.1 mm-0.5 mm.

According to this concept, the thickness of the spacer plate may be in the range of, for example, 0.01 mm-0.5 mm for embodiments of pure water or any other fluid having a substantially similar viscosity.

According to an idea, the thickness may be in the range of 0.2 mm-5 mm for embodiments with significantly higher viscosity fluids.

The material of the spacer 6 may be, for example, metal (e.g. steel, copper, aluminium) or plastic (e.g. polyolefin, polyamide, polyester) or composite material (e.g. glass fibre reinforced plastic). The spacer plate 6 may be manufactured by any method known per se, e.g. by cutting (e.g. laser cutting), stamping, die cutting, casting, moulding, 3D printing, etc.

The embodiment shown in fig. 4 comprises eight (8) gaps 7 evenly distributed around the spacer plate 6. Thus, the exhaust flow is directed in all directions of the surrounding environment.

The gap 7 extends in the vertical direction P of the partition plate through the partition plate 6 and extends a distance D from the outer periphery 8 of the partition plate 6 towards the inner section 9 of the partition plate.

According to an idea, the number of gaps 7 may vary from one gap to several tens of gaps. In one embodiment of the partition plate 6, the gaps 7 may be arranged in a non-uniform distribution, but a section with an outer periphery 8 comprises more or more densely arranged gaps than another section of the same outer periphery 8. In yet another embodiment of the partition plate 6, the rather wide section of the outer periphery 8 has no gap at all. For example, all gaps 7 may be arranged in a section whose length is 25% or 50% of the length of the outer periphery 8. Thus, the discharge flow may be directed along certain sections of the surrounding environment.

The gap 7 may narrow towards the outer periphery 8 as in the embodiment shown in fig. 4. In another embodiment, the gap 7 widens towards the outer periphery 8. In a further embodiment, the gap 7 has a constant width. Further, gaps 7 of different shapes may be present in the same partition plate 6.

According to one concept, the cross-section (i.e., cross-sectional area and shape) of the discharge port 10 has a significant effect on the amount of dispersed fluid, while the shape of the gap 7 primarily affects the flow resistance and dispersion pattern, i.e., how the dispersed fluid spreads around the nozzle.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of another nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream. According to an aspect, the nozzle 100 may include a connection 14 disposed between the spacer plate 6 and the deflector base 4 and at least one second spacer plate 6 disposed between the connection 14 and the deflector base 4. This means that the nozzle 100 comprises two layers of discharge ports 10, wherein the second set of discharge ports 10 is defined by the gaps 7 of the second partition plate 6. Similarly, in embodiments including at least two connectors 14, there are three or more layers of discharge ports 10. In one embodiment, the taper angles (a) of the various layers of discharge ports 10 are different.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below. The attributes of different embodiments and applications may be used in combination with or instead of the attributes of another embodiment or application within the scope of the inventive concept.

The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the inventive concept. The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the inventive concept defined in the following claims.

Reference numerals

1 valve cover

2 inlet port

3 first surface

4 deflector base

5 second surface

6 partition board

7 gap

8 outer periphery

9 inner section

10 discharge port

11 coaxial holes

12 center pin

13 thermally responsive unit or frangible thermal element

14 connecting piece

15 frame arm device

16 plug

17 plug shaft

18 seal

19 external screw thread

20 cut-out portion

21 chamber

22 outer edge region

23 inner edge region

24 groove

25 holes

100 nozzle

Distance D

P vertical direction

X longitudinal axis

Claims (15)

1. A nozzle for atomizing and dispersing a discharge stream of a fluid, the nozzle (100) comprising:

-a valve cap (1), said valve cap comprising:

-an inlet port (2) for receiving the fluid into the nozzle (100);

-a first surface (3) extending outwardly from the access port;

-at least one deflector base (4) comprising:

-a second surface (5) arranged opposite to said first surface (3),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

-at least one spacer plate (6) arranged between said first surface (3) of said valve cap and said second surface (5) of said deflector base, said spacer plate (6) comprising:

-at least one gap (7) extending through the partition plate (6) in its vertical direction (P) and extending a distance (D) from the outer periphery (8) of the partition plate (6) towards the inner section (9) of the partition plate; and

-an exhaust port (10) fluidly connected to the inlet port (2) allowing the fluid to flow from the inlet port (2) around the nozzle (100), the exhaust port (10) being formed between the first and second surfaces (3, 5) and being defined by the at least one gap (7) of the partition plate (6).

2. Nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that the basic shape of the dividing plate (6) is circular,

the spacer plate (6) comprises a coaxial bore (11) for receiving a centre pin (12) arranged in the deflector base (4) for attachment to the valve cover (1).

3. Nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spacer plate (6) comprises a plurality of gaps (7).

4. The nozzle according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the first and second surfaces (3, 5) are flat surfaces.

5. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein one of the first and second surfaces (3, 5) is a concave surface and the other of the first and second surfaces (3, 5) is a convex surface.

6. The nozzle according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein one of the first and second surfaces (3, 5) is a concave surface and the other of the first and second surfaces (3, 5) is a flat surface.

7. A nozzle according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the concave and convex surfaces are tapered surfaces.

8. The nozzle according to claim 7, wherein the partition plate (6) is arranged with a cone angle (α) relative to the longitudinal axis (X) of the nozzle, the cone angle (a) being within 0 ° -180 °.

9. The nozzle according to any of claims 5-8, characterized in that the first and/or second surface (3, 5) is arranged to be in contact with the spacing plate (6) over an outer edge area () of the spacing plate (6).

Cavities () are arranged between the inner edge region () of the partition plate (6) and the first and/or second surface (3, 5),

the cavity is arranged to connect the discharge port (10) to the inlet port (2).

10. A nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet port (2) is arranged to open coaxially with the centre of the first surface (3) on the first surface (3).

11. The nozzle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the nozzle includes: a connection (14) arranged between the spacer plate (6) and the deflector base (4); and is

At least one second partition plate (6) arranged between said connection (14) and said deflector seat (4), said nozzle (100) thus comprising a second set of discharge ports (10) defined by said at least one gap (7) of said second partition plate (6).

12. A nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle is a spray nozzle of a fire extinguishing system.

13. A nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is a liquid, such as water.

14. A spacer plate for use in a nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spacer plate comprises:

at least one gap (7) extending through the partition plate (6) in its vertical direction (P) and extending from an outer periphery (8) of the partition plate (6) towards an inner section (9) of the partition plate for a distance (D).

15. A partition plate according to claim 14, wherein the gap (7) narrows towards the outer periphery (8).