360.degree. SPRAY NOZZLE

Abstract

Apparatus for producing a 360.degree. radial spray comprising an axial nozzle adapted to eject a liquid jet and a deflector extending transversely of the axis of the nozzle and having an annular channel concentric with the axis with a radial section in the form of a curve adapted to deflect the liquid from axial to radial direction and to discharge the liquid in the form of a spray around its entire periphery.

Description

This invention relates to apparatus for producing a radial liquid spray and more particularly to apparatus for producing a uniform liquid spray extending around its entire periphery.

An object is to provide an apparatus of the above type which is efficient in operation to produce a spray of high kenetic energy with a minimum pressure drop.

Another object is to provide such a spray having extremely uniform characteristics around its entire periphery.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus in which the spray angle may be controlled.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes a generally cylindrical nozzle having a tip through which a jet of liquid is ejected in an axial direction. A deflector member extends transversely of the axis of the jet in a position to receive and deflect the same. This member has, in its under surface, an annular channel disposed concentric with said jet and curved in radial section to deflect the liquid into a radial direction and to discharge the liquid in the form of a spray which extends uniformly around its entire periphery.

The shape of this surface in radial section determines the angle at which the spray is discharged and may be selected in accordance with the spray requirements.

In one embodiment the nozzle includes a surface registering with said channel to form a closed liquid passage extending radially to a discharge zone adjacent the periphery of the deflector and adapted to effect a further control of the spray pattern.

The apparatus is adapted for use in washing gases which are passed along an annular path concentric with the nozzle, as in a gas washing apparatus of the type disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 155,916. It may also be used for washing or cleaning the inner surfaces of cylinders or the like which require a uniform spray around their entire periphery. Other uses and adaptations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

The nature of the invention and its various uses and adaptations will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which certain specific embodiments have been set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a gas washing apparatus showing a spray nozzle embodying the invention, with parts in section for clarity;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showing the nozzle construction;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and

FIG. 4 is a section similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, the invention is shown as embodied in a gas washing apparatus of the type wherein a gas stream is passed through a radial spray into an annular passage having a venturi section. Apparatus of this type is shown in copending application Ser. No. 155,916.

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a vessel 10 which constitutes a washing zone. The vessel 10 has outer cylindrical walls 11 and a central, axial post 12 forming with the walls 11 an annular gas passage 13 along which gas which is introduced through upper inlet opening 14 from an inlet duct, now shown, flows in an annular stream. The top 15 of the post 12 is made convex for drainage purposes. A deflector ring 16 is carried by the wall 11 at the inlet end of the annular passage 13 to form, with the outer wall of the post 12, a venturi section.

The spray apparatus which produces a radial spray pattern and is adapted to eject a uniform radial spray around its entire periphery is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as comprising a cylindrical nozzle housing 20 having a cylindrical bore 21 in its lower portion and having, at its upper end, a smaller cylindrical bore 22 communicating with the bore 21 through a flared passage 23. The housing 20 is attached at its lower end to a pipe 24 by means of a coupling member 25 and, at its upper end, extends through the top 15 of the post 12. The pipe 24 supplies the spray liquid under a predetermined pressure.

A rod 28 extends through the bore 22 of the housing 20 and has a clearance with the sides of the bore 22 to form an annulus 29 for the flow of the spray liquid. At its lower end the rod 28 is mounted in a spider 30 having legs 31 which fit within the bore 21 and are secured by one or more set screws 32. The legs 31 of the spider are streamlined in section so as to permit the flow of liquid thereover without turbulence. The rod 28 may be centered in the bore 22 by a suitable tool which is removed after the set screws 32 are tightened for clamping the spider in place.

For converting the annular liquid stream which flows axially around the rod 28 in the form of a hollow jet, into a radial spray pattern, a deflector 40 is provided. This deflector is in the form of a disc having a peripheral surface 41, a convex top surface 42 for directing gas and liquids into the annular passage 13, and an annular channel surface 43 in its under surface. The deflector 40 is mounted on the rod 28 and may be adjusted axially thereon by a set screw 44.

In radial section the inner portion of the channel 43 extends downwardly in a smooth curve to intersect the outer surface of the rod 28 so as to scoop up the liquid jet from the surface of the rod without turbulence. The annular surface of the channel 43 is gradually and smoothly curved to effect an angular turn of the liquid and to eject the same outwardly around its entire periphery in the form of a radial spray. At the periphery of the channel surface the disc 40 is undercut as shown at 45 for the purpose of protecting the channel surface from injury or distortion.

The radial spray may be caused to extend outwardly in a substantially horizontal plane or at an upwardly inclined or at a downwardly inclined angle according to the shape of the surface of the channel 43 at its peripheral portion. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the spray extends radially outward at a downwardly inclined angle to impinge on the ring 16 and thus to extend in a uniform liquid curtain across the entrance of the annular gas passage 13. The kinetic energy of the spray particles causes them to impinge upon and remove particulate material or liquid droplets which may be entrained in the gas stream. The spray particles are then removed from the gas by any suitable means such as that shown in said copending application.

The curvature of the top 15 of the post 12 cooperates with the channel surface 43 in determining the angle of discharge of the uniform spray pattern around the entire periphery of the nozzle and is assured by the concentricity of the parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a second nozzle 50 in the upper portion of the vessel 10. This nozzle is similar in construction to that above described and comprises a cylindrical housing 51 carried by a pipe 52 and having a deflector 53 similar to the deflector 40. The deflector 52 is shown as adapted to produce a horizontal spray pattern. This last spray may be used as a preliminary wash for the gases or may be omitted if not required.

It is obvious that the nozzle of this invention is suitable for general use as in cleaning cylinders or other objects and is not limited to gas washing apparatus which is shown merely as one illustration of the utility of the device.

FIG. 4 shows a nozzle of the above type in which the liquid stream is maintained to a zone near the periphery of the disc. In this embodiment a nozzle housing 60 is carried by a liquid supply pipe 61 and has a bore 62 terminating in a cylindrical portion 63. At its discharge end this portion is flared outwardly as at 64 and registers with the top surface 65 of post 66.

A rod 67 carrying a deflector disc 68 is disposed within the bore 62. The disc 68 is formed with an annular channel 69 in its under surface similar to the channel 43 above described. This channel 69 cooperates with the top surface 65 of the post 66 to form a confined passage for the liquid substantially to its discharge as a spray at the periphery of the disc 68. The rod 67 is centered in the bore 62 of the housing by a spider 30 as in the form of FIG. 2.

The arrangement of the parts in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar to that described in connection with FIG. 2 and the operation is similar. This embodiment prevents mixture of air with the liquid until the radial spray is formed and may be used in cases where a heavy spray is required.

It is to be understood that various changes and modifications of the parts may be made for adapting the spray device to specific end uses and that a specific form has been set forth for purposes of illustration only.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for producing a radial spray pattern comprising a nozzle housing having an axial bore, a rod disposed in said bore and forming therewith an annular passage adapted to form a hollow cylinder of liquid around said rod, a deflector extending transversely of said bore in the path of said liquid, said deflector having in its under surface an annular channel concentric with said bore, said channel in radial section having a surface extending inwardly into the path of said cylinder of liquid to intercept the same, said surface having a contour to deflect said liquid into a radial path at its outer periphery, whereby the liquid is ejected radially around the entire periphery of said deflector in the form of a spray, said housing being fixed in a plate having a surface conforming to the path of the liquid in said channel and cooperating therewith to form a spray opening around its periphery, said bore in said housing being outwardly flared at its discharge end, and the surface of said plate forming a continuation of said flared surface.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the surface of said plate and the surface of said channel cooperate to confine the liquid to a peripheral discharge point.

3. Apparatus for producing a radial spray pattern comprising a nozzle housing having an axial bore, a rod disposed in said bore and forming therewith an annular passage adapted to form a hollow cylinder of liquid around said rod, a spider supporting said rod and having legs mounted in said bore, means supplying liquid for spraying axially to said bore in advance of said spider to provide axial flow of liquid along said bore, said bore and said rod having uninterrupted surfaces throughout their extent, a deflector mounted on said rod and extending transversely of said bore in the path of said liquid, said deflector having in its under surface an annular channel concentric with said bore, said channel in radial section having a surface extending inwardly into the path of said cylinder of liquid to intercept the same, said surface forming a continuation of the surface of said rod and having a contour to deflect said liquid into a radial path at its outer periphery, whereby the liquid is ejected radially around the entire periphery of said deflector in the form of a spray.

4. Spray apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said bore is cylindrical throughout its entire extent.

5. Spray apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the bore in said housing is flared outwardly at its discharge end to conform to the curve of said channel in said transverse plate to form a smoothly confined passage for said liquid to a peripheral discharge opening.