Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A spraying nozzle assembly (100) for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head above a liquid level, the spraying nozzle assembly comprising:
a central nozzle (101), having a nozzle tip (101d) and a nozzle tip orifice/opening (101a);
an air-liquid coupler (103), having a coupler (103) head, a head orifice (103a), and a plurality of inlets (103b, and 103c) for air disinfectant and liquid disinfectant respectively at rear end, wherein the head orifice (103a) of the air-liquid coupler (103) is connected with the orifice/opening (101a) of central nozzle (101);
a vented inner cap (104) to create pressure differential for suction of the disinfectant creating a symmetrical radial gap between the nozzle tip (101d) and the vented inner cap (104);
an outer cap (105) to hold the vented inner cap (104).
2. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the orifice/opening (101a) withstands pressure exerted by air liquid mix.
3. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spraying nozzle comprising a charging ring (108), a ground ring (107) and an electrode (106) to charge the liquid disinfectant.
4. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein an outer surface (101c) of central nozzle tip (101d) maintains a streamline flow of air through symmetrical radial gap.
5. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-4, wherein the coupler head (103) matches coaxially with rear end (101b) of central nozzle (101) for laminar flow of liquid disinfectant.
6. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-5, wherein equally spaced holes (101e) made coaxial to nozzle tip orifice/opening (101a) for compressed air passage to maintain a symmetrical laminar flow of air through the gap between vented inner cap (104) and nozzle tip (101d).
7. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-6, wherein the outer cap (105) holds charging ring (108) and ground ring (107) and electrode (106) is used to charge the liquid disinfectant.
8. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-7, wherein the cross-section of inner surface of the vented inner cap (104) gradually reduces air gap between central nozzle tip (101d) and inner surface (104a) of the vented inner cap (104) as air moves from inlet to outlet.
9. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-8, wherein the central nozzle (101), the air-liquid coupler (103), the vented inner cap (104), and the outer cap (105) are made of material including Nylon.
10. The spraying nozzle assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1-9, wherein the outer cap (105) is made of material including Teflon.
, Description:SPRAYING NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR PNEUMATIC PRESSURIZED SYSTEM SUCH AS ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE UNIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to design and development of spraying nozzle assembly for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head above a liquid level. More particularly, the invention relates to the spraying nozzle assembly for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head of 0-2 meter above liquid level with compressed air supply at 2-3 bar.

BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Reducing pathogen load on surfaces has been a major concern across the scientific and industrial community. Cleaning the surface with disinfectant solutions is a cumbersome and inefficient process resulting in higher chemical discharge in the environment. Other drawbacks are limited approach to the surface to be cleaned, wastage and higher material consumption etc.
[004] Electrostatic disinfection, is one of the most effective and efficient way to clean the surface and drastically reduce the pathogen load while minimizing the wastage. It has seen wide spectrum of usage in agriculture, industries, public places including pesticides and fungicides spraying, painting, printing etc.
[005] In the wake of Covid Pandemic, Electrostatic discharge is serving the desired purpose of sanitizing the living and non-living surfaces without direct physical contact with higher efficiency and reduced wastage.
[006] During the Covid pandemic, Electrostatic Disinfection Units have been developed. Electrostatic Disinfection process based on the electrostatic principles produces uniform and fine spray droplets of disinfection liquid. The micro size of droplets increases the surface area of the droplet spread. Charged droplets from electrostatic nozzle cover the exposed and obscured surfaces uniformly with increased efficiency and efficacy. The machine uses very less disinfection material as compared to conventional methods and therefore reduces the chemical waste/ disinfection liquid being disposed in the environment. Excessive chemicals also adversely affect human health through increase in chemical load on the environment. Electrostatic disinfection is one of the best technological solutions which reduce the disinfectant and sanitization chemical consumption significantly with higher efficiency and bio-efficacy. Electrostatic charging of spray droplets has potential for low volume application with increased deposition efficiency on the targeted surface. Low volume application of small droplets under properly designed air-assist sprayer effectively provides adequate spray coverage while maintaining spray drift within acceptable limits.
[007] Air-assisted spray nozzle is more preferred because it can give fine spray droplets and covers long target distance. In air-assisted nozzle systems, air assistance provides a means to carry the fine droplets to intended target as well as the energy for droplets formation. Compressed air provides the energy source for atomization and moment of inertia to propel the fine droplets onto the desired targets. In this method, direct-transfer to the droplet-formation zone of a liquid jet results from electrostatic induction of electrons on to the continuous jet and in order to maintain it at ground potential the presence of closely positioned induction electrode of positive polarity is required. Droplets, formed from the surface of this negatively-charged jet, will each depart with net negative charge provided the droplet-formation zone remains subject to the inducing electric field acting between the non-ionizing electrode and the liquid jet.
[008] To fight against Covid pandemic there was a need to design the air assisted nozzles in such a way that it is able to spray disinfectant from floor to roof and works well at a height of around 2 meter above liquid level.
[009] In view of the above, there is requirement to devise an apparatus/fixture which can address the aforesaid shortcoming(s)/fulfill the requirements. Hence, the present invention has been introduced to serve the purpose efficiently.
[0010] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] It is therefore the object of the present subject matter to provide a spraying nozzle assembly which overcomes the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0012] The present invention is based on the object of designing and development of spraying nozzle for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head of 0-2 meter above liquid level with compressed air supply at 2-3 bar.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide spraying nozzle which is able to spray disinfectant from floor to roof.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to maintain spray consistency in terms of flow of disinfectant.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0016] One or more drawbacks of conventional systems and process are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus/composition and a method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be part of the claimed disclosure.
[0017] The present invention relates to design and development of spraying nozzle for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head above a liquid level.
[0018] Electrostatic Disinfection Machine are used for spraying the liquid based disinfectants Electrostatic spray technology has a cut above performance in getting better droplet size, size distribution, deposition rate and uniformity.
[0019] The air assisted nozzles can work well at or below the liquid level SIPHON SET-UPS The spraying distance and the head above which it can spray disinfectant depends on the design of nozzle. Depending on the geometry of the nozzle, when a fast gas stream is injected into the atmosphere, at the end of the tube, it causes a pressure difference between the liquid in the tube and the lower pressure in the gas stream, in accordance with Bernoulli's principle. The difference between the reduced pressure at the end of the tube and the higher atmospheric pressure inside in the liquid tank pushes the liquid from the reservoir in the tube and into the moving stream of air where it is broken up into small droplets and carried away with the stream of air. The geometry of the nozzle components is optimized to spray disinfectant at a head of 2 m above liquid level with compressed air supply at 2 bar.
[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a spraying nozzle assembly for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head above a liquid level, the spraying nozzle assembly comprising:
a central nozzle, having a nozzle tip and a nozzle tip orifice/opening;
an air-liquid coupler, having a coupler head, a head orifice, and a plurality of inlets for air disinfectant and liquid disinfectant respectively at rear end, wherein the head orifice of the air-liquid coupler is connected with the orifice/opening of central nozzle;
a vented inner cap, to create pressure differential for suction of the disinfectant creating a symmetrical radial gap between the nozzle tip and the vented inner cap;
an outer cap to hold the vented inner cap.
[0021] The present invention is achieved by the features of principal claim and subsequent claims.

[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0023] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
[0025] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of nozzle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of central nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of air-liquid coupler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of vented inner-cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of outer cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

[0032] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0033] The present invention relates to design and development of spraying nozzle for electrostatic disinfection unit for spraying at a head above a liquid level, however it can be used for other air assisted system.
[0034] In the present invention, the design for air assisted electrostatic nozzle system has been optimized to provide for efficient mass transfer, increased surface coverage at head above 2 meter of water level and effectively charged deposition rate. The spraying distance of 2 meter can cover from floor to roof of any room.
[0035] The Electrostatic Disinfection Machines, used for spraying the liquid based disinfectants electrostatic spray technology has a cut above performance in getting better droplet size, size distribution, deposition rate and uniformity. The Electrostatic Disinfection Machine, based on the electrostatic principles, produces uniform and fine spray droplets of disinfection material in the range of 10-20 µm. Due to the small size of droplets, the surface area of spray droplets increases which enhances the interaction with the harmful microorganisms. The electrostatic disinfectant unit, based on the electrostatic principles, produces uniform and fine spray droplets of disinfection materials. Air assisted electrostatic nozzle system releases fine liquid droplets and covers wide area. Since air is the main source to provide requisite energy to droplets reaching intended target, the nozzle system is optimized to accelerate the air flow which allows working at a head of 2 meter from the datum line at reduced flow rate of 70-80 ml/min at a maintained uniform pressure of 2 bar.
[0036] The Electrostatic disinfection unit comprises of following main parts:
1. Air Assisted Electrostatic Nozzle: Due to its function it is also called spray gun.
2. Air Compressor for Air Supply: The air compressor supply air, as required.
3. Liquid Tank: The liquid tank is for example of 10L capacity, connected through liquid pipe to the spray gun.
4. Power Supply Section: This section provides high voltage for electrostatic charging.
[0037] A twin fluid, internal mixing, air-induced, concentric, air assisted electrostatic nozzle with annular ring electrode is used in the electrostatic disinfection unit as mentioned in point 1 above is the heart of the unit. Here the nozzle performs atomization, electrification and propagation of charged spray.
[0038] Now, reference may be made to the accompanying figures.
[0039] Referring to Figure 1, illustrating a schematic view of spraying nozzle assembly (100) for electrostatic disinfection Unit (EDU) comprising a Central Nozzle (101), an Air- Liquid Coupler (103), a Vented Inner Cap (104), an Outer Cap (105), a charging ring (108), a ground ring (107), and an electrode (106).

[0040] Referring to Figure 2, illustrating a cross sectional view of central nozzle (101). The Central Nozzle (101) is the main unit of spraying nozzle assembly (100). Compressed air and disinfectant liquid flows through central nozzle (101). The compressed air flows through six symmetrical holes and liquid flows from central hole. Nylon is to be used for Central Nozzle (101). Nylon is a polyamide thermoplastic with high creep resistance. It has high toughness and rigidity, easy to machine with accuracy and high resistance to wear, tear and abrasion.

[0041] Referring to Figure 3, illustrating a cross sectional view of Air- Liquid Coupler (103). The Air- Liquid Coupler (103) is designed in such a way that liquid disinfectant and compressed air do not have any contact between them. The liquid passes through a tapered hole and compressed air passes through straight hole. Nylon is to be used for Air- Liquid Coupler (103).

[0042] Referring to Figure 4, illustrating a cross sectional view of Vented Inner Cap (104). The Vented Inner Cap (104) is the most important part of the nozzle (100). The liquid is sucked by the pressure differential of compressed air created at the vented inner cap (104). The disinfectant liquid and air is mixed in the Vented Inner Cap (104). Nylon is to be used for Vented Inner Cap (104).

[0043] Referring to Figure 5, illustrating a cross sectional view of Outer Cap (105). The outer cap (105) holds metallic electrode for conductance. It is made up of Teflon. Teflon is a fluoropolymer with high dialectical properties. It is hydrophobic with non-stick and non-slip characteristics and it is chemically inert. It provides proper insulation between electrode and liquid jet.

[0044] High Pressure liquid based disinfectant flows through small opening/orifice (101a) of Central Nozzle (101). It has been designed to withstand high pressure exerted by air liquid mix. The liquid disinfectant flows through nozzle tip orifice (101a) which is connected with Air- Liquid Coupler orifice (103a). It has inlets for both air (103b) and liquid (103c) disinfectant at the rear end. The inlet (103c) for liquid connects to coupler head orifice (103a) through a tapered path (103d). The coupler head (103e) matches coaxially with rear end (101b) of Central Nozzle (101) for laminar flow of liquid disinfectant. The length of coupler head (103e) is kept at optimum length to butt the central nozzle rear end (101b) to avoid any leakages. The liquid and compressed air goes to central nozzle (101). The outer surface (101c) of central nozzle tip is designed in such a way to maintain a streamline flow of air through symmetrical radial gap created between inner cap (104) and nozzle tip (101d). There are six equally spaced holes (101e) made coaxial to nozzle tip orifice (101a) for compressed air passage. This will maintain a symmetrical laminar flow of air through the gap between vented inner cap (104) and nozzle tip (101d).

WORKING OF INVENTION

[0045] The working of the invention is described below:

[0046] The compressed air accelerates through the holes (101e) to the vented inner cap (104). The inner surface of the vented inner cap (104) is designed in such a way to gradually reduce the cross-sectional air gap between central nozzle tip (101d) and inner surface (104a) of the vented inner cap (104) as air moves from inlet to outlet. This will give an accelerated flow to air through the gap. As the speed of the air increases it reduces the pressure in the vented inner cap (104). The pressure differential created in the vented inner cap (104) sucks the disinfectant. This pressure differential is enough to create suction of disinfectant at a head of 2 meter above liquid tank.

[0047] The outer cap (105) provides directional flow to the mist and holds vented inner cap (104) at place when high velocity air hits inner cap surface (104a). Outer cap (105) also holds charging (108) and ground (107) rings and electrode (106) used to charge the liquid disinfectant.

[0048] The material above has been given as an example without restricting scope of the invention to the same. Thus, other materials readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be within scope of the invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

1. The advantage of present invention is that it works well above water head.
2. Another advantage of present invention is that it can be used to spray disinfectant from floor to roof.
3. Further another advantage of present invention is that it improves spray consistency in terms of flow of disinfectant.

TEST RESULT

Please provide
The Spraying Nozzle Assembly was tested successfully with electrostatic disinfectant Unit at a head of 2 meter above the liquid level at a uniform pressure of 2 bar and effective spraying distance of 2.5 meter.

[0049] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0050] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0051] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particulars claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogue to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

[0052] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

[0054] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0055] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.