[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/162,882, filed on March 18, 2021, which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to pulse width modulating spraying systems, and more particularly, to spray nozzles for use with such spraying systems in producing conical spray patterns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In many spray applications, there are benefits to adjusting the flow rate to optimize performance based on process feedback. One way to control flow rate during a process is to connect the fluid feed to a rapidly operating solenoid valve that can be cycled at frequencies of lHz and faster. The frequency is the number of valve cycles per minute. This is variable by the system controller. The amount of time the valve is open during each cycle is called the duty cycle and is typically represented as percentage of full flow. If the pulsating flow control valve is fully open during the complete cycle, then this is referred to as a 100% duty cycle. If the control valve is open for only half of the complete cycle, this is referred to as a 50% duty cycle. For certain processes, variable duty cycles can be supplied to the control valve from an operating control for achieving the appropriate application rate based on changes in processing speed, desired application for particular products, different moisture levels, and other variables. Varying the frequency and duty cycle can also be used to reduce and/or eliminate dripping from the nozzle when pulsed.

[0004] To properly direct liquid from the control valve, spray nozzles are used to control the flow rate and create an appropriate spray pattern. The most common spray nozzle used with pulse width modulating spraying systems are flat fan spray tips. Such nozzle design allows for rapid spray formation, good flow rate control, and rapid spray collapse with minimal dripping when the control is turned off. There are times when a full or hollow cone spray pattern would be better suited for particular applications, but currently available spray nozzles have not functioned well with pulse width modulating flow control systems in producing desired conical spray patterns.

[0005] When using current conical spray nozzle designs in pulse width modulating spraying systems, the spray performance can be significantly affected by the fast on/off cycling of the valve. Instead of an expected conical spray pattern with a given spray angle and flow rate, such as when operated at 100% duty cycle, the spray angle can be greatly reduced and fails to deliver the desired full cone or other conical spray coverage or distribution. While the flow rate desirably also should be reduced in controlled relation to the duty cycle supplied the valve, current conical spray nozzles with pulse width modulation further have been unreliable in that regard.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pulse width modulating spraying system operable for directing controlled conical spray patterns at variable pulsing operating conditions.

[0007] Another object is to provide a pulse width modulating spraying system as characterized above in which the flow rate can be predictably controlled in relation to the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation.

[0008] A further object is to provide a pulse width modulating spraying system of the above kind that is operable for reliably generating desired full cone spray patterns at variable duty cycles.

[0009] Yet another object is to provide a pulse width modulating spraying system of the foregoing type that is operable for reliably generating hollow cone spray patterns at variable duty cycles.

[0010] Still another object is to provide a plurality of interchangeable spray nozzle designs adapted for producing controlled full or hollow cone conical spray patterns.

[0011] Another object is to provide a spray nozzle that prevents dripping when used in pulsating operating conditions.

[0012] A further object is to provide such spray nozzles that are relatively simple in design and easily adaptable for use in pulse width modulating spraying systems.

[0013] Still another object is to provide a nozzle that produces the same performance as standard full cone or hollow cone tip with or without pulsing and can be used in non pulsating applications.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon references to the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a liquid supply header having a plurality of laterally spaced pulse width modulating spraying devices or systems in accordance with the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective of one of pulse width modulating spray systems shown in FIG. 1 depicting the conical liquid spray discharge;

[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the pulse width modulating spraying system shown in FIG. 2 with the valve thereof in a closed position;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the illustrated pulse width modulating spraying system with the valve in an open position, and displaying the liquid flow path through the system;

[0019] FIG. 4A is an enlarged vertical section of the downstream discharge end of the pulse width modulating spraying system shown in FIG. 4, again depicting the liquid flow path through the system;

[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the spray nozzle assembly of the illustrated spraying system for producing a full cone spray pattern;

[0021] FIG. 5A is a vertical section of the nozzle body of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a downstream end view of the spray nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 5;

[0023] FIG. 7 is an upstream view of the inlet plate of the spray nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 5;

[0024] FIG. 7A is a downstream view of the inlet plate of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly, depicting the liquid flow discharge;

[0025] FIGS. 8 and 9 are vertical sections of the inlet plate taken in the planes of lines 8-8 and 9-9 respectively in FIG. 7;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a downstream end view of an alternative embodiment of liquid inlet plate for use in directing a hollow cone spray; and

[0027] FIG. 11 is a vertical section of the inlet plate shown in FIG. 10.

[0028] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative spray boom 10 having a liquid supply conduit 11 for supplying liquid to a plurality of pulse width modulating spraying systems 12 in accordance with the invention mounted in spaced relation along the liquid supply conduit 11. The pulse width modulating spraying systems 12, as depicted in FIGS. 2-4, each comprise a pulse width modulation assembly 14 and a spray nozzle assembly 15

[0030] The pulse width modulation assembly 14 is configured to allow the spray nozzle assembly 15 to achieve a pulsing flow that rapidly alternates between on and off flow conditions. To that end, the pulse width modulation assembly 14 includes an electrically actuated on/off solenoid valve 18 that can oscillate rapidly between an open position in which fluid is allowed to pass to the spray nozzle assembly 15 and a closed position in which the flow of fluid to the spray nozzle assembly 15 is blocked. The pulse width modulation assembly 14 may be of a commercially known type such as offered by Spraying Systems Co., assignee of the present application, under the trademark PulsaJet. Various components and their mode of operation of the illustrated pulse width modulation assembly may be similar to those described in US 7,086,613, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0031] The illustrated pulse width modulation assembly 14 includes an inlet housing 21 having a liquid inlet port 22 for coupling to a liquid supply and a downstream outer housing body 24 that includes a forwardly extending annular end 25 upon which the nozzle assembly 15 is mounted and retained by a threaded retainer cap 26. The solenoid valve 18 of the illustrated pulse width modulation assembly 14 includes spring biased plunger 30 operated by a solenoid coil 31 electrically controlled by a data input cable 32 coupled to an appropriate control 33 for reciprocating movement between raised and lowered positions that open and close an outlet passage 34 of a housing end plate 35 fixed to the lower end annular extension 25 and which communicates with the spray nozzle assembly 15. When the plunger 30 is in a raised open position, a liquid flow stream communicates from the upstream liquid inlet port 22, along a flow passage 38 about the plunger 30 and through the outlet port 34 of the end plate 35 which in this case has a raised annular plunger seat 39 about the outlet port 34. As indicated above, the use of the pulse width modulation assembly 14 allows the flow rate to the spray nozzle assembly 15 to be adjusted without changing the pressure of the fluid supply simply by adjusting the on/off frequency and duty cycle of the pulse width modulation assembly 14.

[0032] In accordance with an important aspect of the present embodiment, the spray nozzle assembly 15 of the pulse width modulating spraying system 14 is effective for generating controlled conical spray discharges over a wide range of pulse modulating operating conditions. The illustrated spray nozzle assemblies 15, as depicted in FIGS. 3-8 each comprise a two part assembly including a nozzle body 40 and an upstream liquid directing inlet plate 41. The nozzle body 40 defines an inwardly converging conical chamber 42 that communicates with a short length cylindrical outlet passage section 44 that transitions to an outwardly angled conical section 45 that defines a downstream discharge orifice 46 (FIG. 5). The conical chamber 42 in this case is tapered inwardly at an angle of about 60 degrees and terminates with a transverse annular turbulence inducing ledge 47 about the inlet of the outlet passage 44. The illustrated nozzle body 40 has an upstream counterbore 49 that receives and locates a reduced diameter downstream cylindrical mounting end 50 of the liquid directing plate 41. The illustrated housing end plate 35 and spray nozzle assembly liquid directing plate 41 define a narrow width expansion chamber 37 between the end plate 35 and the spray nozzle assembly 15 into which the pulse width modulated discharge is directed. The expansion chamber 37 in this case is defined in an upstream side of liquid directing plate 41 and has an axial length less than one third of the diameter of expansion chamber 37.

[0033] In carrying out this embodiment, the liquid directing inlet plate 41 may be designed for effecting a full cone or hollow cone spray discharge from the nozzle body discharge orifice 46. The liquid directing plate 41, as depicted in FIGS 5-9, is effective for generating a full cone spray pattern. To this end, the orifice plate 41 is formed with two concentric rings of circumferentially liquid directing passages 43a, 43b with the passages 43a of one ring oriented at an opposing flow direction to the passages 43b of the other ring of passages. The liquid directing passages 43a in the outer ring in this case are tangentially oriented with respect to the circumference of the outer ring at acute angles, preferably between 35 and 45 degrees to the flow axis 48 of the nozzle body 40, for directing liquid in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7. The liquid directing passages 43b in the inner ring, on the other hand, are tangentially oriented in an opposite direction, again preferably between about 35 and 45 degrees to the flow axis 48 of the nozzle body 40, and are smaller in diameter than the passages of the outer ring 43a for directing liquid in an opposite counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 7, for filling in the conical spray pattern. It has been unexpectedly found that such dual circumferential arrangement of such oppositely directed liquid passages 43a, 43b both generate rotation in the discharging liquid spray into conical form while further forming the spray pattern into a controlled full cone discharge. It further has been found that such arrangement of liquid directing passages 43 a, 43b eliminates drippage from the spray nozzle assembly 15 during on and off pulses of the spraying system since there is no straight path through the nozzle assembly 15 to the discharge orifice 43b. [0034] In keeping with this further feature of the present embodiment, the spraying systems may be easily converted for discharging and directing a hollow cone spray pattern by using different combinations of an inlet plate and body, such as in FIGS. 10 and 11. A single circular ring of angled liquid directing passages 52 in this case angled in a common direction, again between 35 and 45 degrees to the central flow axis of the nozzle, imparts a swirling movement to the discharging liquid spray and forms it with a hollow internal core. It will be appreciated that the liquid directing plates 41 and 51 can be designed for interchangeable replacement in the nozzle body 41 for particular spray applications. The angled liquid directing passages in both the full cone and hollow cone spray applications have been found to eliminate dripping from the nozzle during on and off pulsation of the solenoid. The exit orifice 46 of the nozzle body may also be sized larger for hollow cone spraying in particular applications.

[0035] From the foregoing, it can be seen that a pulse width modulating spraying system is provided that is operable for directing controlled conical spray patterns at various pulsating rates of operation. The spraying system includes a spray nozzle assembly having a liquid directing orifice plate that can be interchangeable for directing full cone or hollow cone spray patterns at variable operating conditions. The spray nozzle assemblies furthermore, are relatively simple in design and easily adapted for use with pulse width modulating spraying systems.