Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Combining of separately supplied fluids – At or beyond outlet
Patent
1995-05-19
1998-04-07
Oberleitner, Robert J.
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Combining of separately supplied fluids
At or beyond outlet
2394162, B05B 706
Patent
active
057354685
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The presentation invention relates generally to a mixing apparatus for atomising a liquid in a gas stream.
The invention has been developed primarily for use in fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application in an automotive context. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In various mixing devices such as carburettors, fuel injection nozzles, burner jets and the like, an atomised spray of fuel droplets is produced by directing liquid fuel into a stream of moving gas such as air.
In the past, various prior art devices have generally performed this function by directing a single jet of liquid into the gas stream. However, such devices have proven to be inefficient because of a general inability to produce a uniform spray of droplets of consistent and sufficiently small size.
Attempts have been made to overcome these deficiencies by providing a number of jets, and pumping the liquid under increased pressure. However, this has led to an increase in cost, size, weight and/or mechanical complexity of the injection system all of which are particularly undesirable in automotive applications. Moreover, the droplet size has still been too large and inconsistent to ensure completely uniform and efficient combustion, and such attempts have so far met with limited success.
The disclosure of GB A 2129492 shows a known fuel injector wherein fuel is sprayed from an injection opening. That spray is thereafter enveloped by a stream of air flowing at high speed. That mode of spraying attempts to break up the fuel as it passes through the injection opening before it is enveloped by the air. In addition the air passage for that disclosure which delivers the air terminates at a position upstream of the fuel nozzle opening so that the nozzle does not direct the fuel into the gas passage. The present invention proposes a gas liquid mixing apparatus which is in marked contrast to the arrangement of GB A 2129492 in that in the present invention the nozzle directs liquid into a gas passage. By such an arrangement a sheet of liquid is directed into a gas flow passage so that the gas flow functions to shear liquid particles away from the sheet of liquid.
It would be desirable to provide an improved mixing apparatus which overcomes or substantially alleviates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the invention as presently contemplated consists of a mixing apparatus comprising a nozzle in fluid communication with a source of liquid, and a passage disposed to direct a gas past the nozzle, characterised in that the nozzle is adapted to direct the liquid into the passage as a substantially continuous generally radially or conically emanating sheet such that, in use, gas flowing through the passage impacts the liquid sheet to produce a substantially uniform cloud of atomised liquid droplets downstream of the nozzle.
Preferably, the passage surrounds the nozzle and the nozzle is adapted to direct the liquid into the surrounding passage as a substantially continuous, generally conically or radially outwardly emanating sheet.
The passage is preferably annular, and substantially coaxial with the central nozzle. Preferably, the radial sheet is produced by directing the liquid through a peripheral channel extending circumferentially around the nozzle. Preferably, the gas stream is directed at an angle of between 5.degree. and 175.degree. relative to the axis of the passage, more preferably between 20 and 160 degrees, and most preferably between 30 and 150 degrees.
The cross-sectional flow area of the passage is prederably reduced in the vicinity of the nozzle to define a venturi region whereby the resultant increase in gas velocity around the nozzle enhances atomisation of the liquid sheet.
Preferably, the venturi region extends a sufficient distance upstream of the nozzle to minimise turbulance of the gas f
REFERENCES:
patent: 4006719 (1977-02-01), Kanda
patent: 4434766 (1984-03-01), Matsuoka
patent: 4545354 (1985-10-01), Jaggle
patent: 4794902 (1989-01-01), McKay
patent: 4836453 (1989-06-01), Poehlman
patent: 4946105 (1990-08-01), Pane, Jr. et al.
patent: 5067657 (1991-11-01), Young et al.
Bartz C. T.
Oberleitner Robert J.
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