Method of analyzing spray particulates through a transparent sidewall
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Publication Number
US-10871418-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A wind tunnel and method of use thereof. The wind tunnel has an airflow system which is capable of delivering air vertically down through, and optionally horizontally across, a spray chamber having transparent sidewalls, wherein spray particulates produced in the spray chamber can be analyzed through the transparent sidewalls, preferably by use of a laser. The dimensions of the spray chamber are preferably greater than that of the airflow system. The use of the wind tunnel enables a wider range and more accurate spray particle measurements, especially for an agrochemical composition, to be made in a single test environment.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of analyzing spray particulates in a wind tunnel by providing an airflow system and a spray chamber comprising a transparent sidewall. The airflow system delivers air vertically down through the spray chamber, and the method includes spraying spray particulates from a spray tip and analyzing the spray particulates through the transparent sidewall. The spray chamber cross-sectional area is greater than the cross-sectional area of the airflow system, so that the spray and airflow geometry are configured to support optical analysis.
A further aspect is that the wind tunnel switches from a spatial particle size measurement technique to a temporal particle size measurement technique with no change in configuration. In one described implementation, spatial particle size measurement is performed using a laser diffraction technique, and temporal particle size measurement is performed using a laser by image analysis and/or phase Doppler. This supports obtaining spatial and temporal particle size measurements within a single configuration/test by switching measurement modes.
The corresponding wind tunnel includes the airflow system and the spray chamber with at least one transparent sidewall, and an arm adapted to receive a spray tip capable of spraying particulates vertically down into the spray chamber. The wind tunnel incorporates the cross-sectional area relationship where the spray chamber cross-sectional area is greater than the airflow system cross-sectional area, and includes the capability of switching from spatial to temporal particle size measurement technique without changing configuration. Internal partial sidewalls with a gap and removability are described as structural features supporting uninterrupted airflow and access for measurement.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, a method claim and a wind tunnel apparatus claim. Across these claims, the coverage centers on vertically downward airflow through a larger spray chamber with a transparent sidewall for optical analysis, and switching between spatial and temporal particle size measurement techniques without changing configuration. Dependent claims further specify chamber-to-duct sizing relationships, laser placement relative to transparent sidewalls, and internal partial sidewalls with a gap, optionally removable, and arm traversal.
Vertically downward airflow through a larger transparent spray chamber
The airflow system delivers air vertically down through the spray chamber comprising a transparent sidewall, wherein the spray chamber cross-sectional area is greater than the cross-sectional area of the airflow system.
Optical analysis through transparent sidewall
Spraying the spray particulates from a spray tip and analyzing the spray particulates through the transparent sidewall.
Spatial to temporal particle size switching with no configuration change
The wind tunnel is capable of switching from a spatial particle size measurement technique to a temporal particle size measurement technique with no change in configuration.
Arm adapted to receive a spray tip spraying vertically down into the spray chamber
The spray chamber comprises at least one transparent sidewall and an arm adapted to receive a spray tip capable of spraying particulates vertically down into the spray chamber.
Internal partial sidewalls with a gap for spray arm passage
The spray chamber has at least two internal partial side walls with a gap that allows a spray arm to pass through.
Removable internal partial sidewalls
The internal partial side walls are removable.
Arm traversing through the spray chamber
The arm with a spray tip can move through the spray chamber.
Overall, the independent claim set covers a wind-tunnel geometry that uses vertically downward airflow through a larger transparent spray chamber for analyzing spray particulates, together with the ability to switch between spatial and temporal particle size measurement techniques without changing configuration. Dependent claims narrow the system by specifying a relative chamber/airflow cross-sectional sizing relationship and internal partial sidewalls with gap and removability, as well as arm traversal.
Stated Advantages
Enables spatial particle size measurements and temporal particle size measurements in a single configuration/test by switching measurement modes with no change in configuration.
Allows analysis of spray particulates through transparent sidewalls in the wind tunnel.
Enables uninterrupted airflow and measurement access via internal partial sidewalls with gaps adapted for spray arm passage, including removable configurations.
Documented Applications
Closed/open-circuit wind-tunnel use for agrochemical spray analysis and measuring droplet size distributions.
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