阅读说明：本技术 自清洁式喷嘴 (Self-cleaning nozzle ) 是由 R·诺瓦克 L·施泰因克 于 2020-03-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于喷洒物质的喷嘴(101),所述物质尤其是分散剂、乳化液或者悬浮液,所述喷嘴包括具有喷嘴口的喷嘴体。(The invention relates to a nozzle (101) for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersant, an emulsion or a suspension, comprising a nozzle body having a nozzle opening.)

1. Nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersant, an emulsion or a suspension, comprising:

a nozzle body (104, 304) having a nozzle opening (1062063061006),

-wherein the nozzle body (104, 304) has an inner tube (1022023024028029021002) connected with a supply for the substance to be sprayed, the inner tube having an inner wall (114) and an escape opening (1072073078071007), and an outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) spaced apart from the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and connected with a supply for gas, the outer tube having an escape opening (1092093098099091009), and

-the escape opening (1072073078071007) of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and the escape opening (1092093098099091009) of the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) are arranged in the region of the nozzle opening (1062063061006),

characterized in that the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) is at least partially composed of an elastic material, and wherein an inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is arranged at the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), which inlay can be brought or set into oscillation by the substance to be sprayed escaping from an escape opening (1072073078071007) of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the escape region of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas, wherein the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and the inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) are constructed as an integral line (932, 1032).

2. Nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) of the line (832, 932, 1032) constructed as one piece has at least in part a reinforced wall (425, 925) which is reinforced in particular by a reinforced wall structure.

3. Nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an additional inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is arranged at the inner wall (526) or at the outer wall (729) or in the wall (628) of the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) and projects at least partially into the escape region of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas.

4. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any of claims 1-3, wherein the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) and the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) are coaxially arranged about an axis X-X.

5. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) and the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) are arranged relative to each other in such a way that an escape opening (1092093098099091009) of the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) is arranged concentrically with an escape opening (1072073078071007) of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002).

6. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the additional inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is replaceably arranged or replaceable.

7. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any one of claims 3-6, wherein a length of the sub-segment (11531551571511631651671611731791741751761771710171182183184185186187189181018) of the additional inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) can be changed.

8. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any of claims 3-7, wherein the additional inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is made of at least one resilient material.

9. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any preceding claim, wherein the additional inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) and/or the integral tubing (932, 1032) is made of at least one polymer.

10. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of claim 9, wherein the at least one polymer is a synthetic polymer, particularly silicone.

11. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any preceding claim, wherein an attachment (121221321421521621721) in the region of the nozzle opening (1062063061006) is arranged between the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) and the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), the attachment being in the form of a scroll, a scroll plate or the like for gas guidance.

12. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of claim 11, wherein the attachment (121221321421521621721) is arranged to guide the inner tube (1022023024028029021002).

13. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of claim 11 or 12, wherein the attachment (121221321421521621721) is fixedly connected with the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and/or the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003).

14. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any preceding claim, wherein the additional inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) and/or the integral tubing (932, 1032) has a variable wall thickness.

15. The nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) of any preceding claim, wherein the oscillation is a high frequency oscillation.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a nozzle for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersion, an emulsion or a suspension, comprising a nozzle body having a nozzle opening, wherein the nozzle body has an inner tube which is connected to a supply for the substance to be sprayed and has an inner wall and an exit opening, and an outer tube which is spaced apart from the inner tube and is connected to the supply for gas, the outer tube has an exit opening, and the exit opening of the inner tube and the exit opening of the outer tube are arranged in the region of the nozzle opening.

Background

In industrial processes, for example in granulation, in the coating of tablets and pellets and in the direct production of pellets, nozzles or spray nozzles are used very frequently. In this case, the particles are coated with a coating and/or film. Usually a liquid is sprayed in which the solid matter is dissolved or suspended. This injection process can last for several hours. By atomization, the liquid jet is atomized into small droplets. The droplet size produced in this case is important for the manufacturing process and/or the jetting process. If the droplet size is too small, there is a risk that the droplets will already dry before reaching their destination, and if the droplet size is too large, there is a risk that undesired agglomeration will occur. By means of the process-related turbulence in front of the nozzle, deposits, i.e. slag formation (Bartbildung), can occur at the nozzle opening, in particular in the case of a permanent spraying process. These deposits affect the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size, so that undesirable process effects, such as spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration, occur.

The prior art described below shows solutions for preventing or at least minimizing undesired deposits at the nozzle, in particular at the nozzle opening.

European patent document EP 1497034B 1 shows a self-cleaning spray nozzle and in particular a self-cleaning spray nozzle for use in an apparatus for preparing particulate material by a controlled agglomeration process. A self-cleaning spray nozzle comprises: an intermediate pipe having a central passage for supplying a liquid, wherein the passage merges in an opening for discharging the liquid; a second pipe surrounding the intermediate pipe, whereby a first passage for supplying primary air is formed between the intermediate pipe and the second pipe; a nozzle cone arranged at the end of the second tube and forming the outer periphery of the first outlet gap of the first passage, whereby air supplied through the first passage is mixed with the liquid so as to form a liquid/air spray; a third pipe surrounding the second pipe, whereby a second passage for supplying secondary air is formed between the second pipe and the third pipe; a sleeve disposed at an end of the third pipe, the sleeve forming an outer periphery of the second outlet gap of the second passage; wherein a nozzle cone for adjusting the size of the first outlet gap is arranged in an adjustable manner at the end of the second tube.

International patent application WO 2013/010930 a1 describes a self-cleaning nozzle for spraying fluids, having a nozzle housing and a nozzle head arranged therein, which nozzle head is of multi-part design and which nozzle head contains a flow channel with an escape opening for the fluid, wherein the nozzle head has at least one fixed and at least one displaceably mounted head element, which head elements each form a section of the escape opening, wherein the displaceable head element is pressed against a stop in the flow direction of the fluid by the fluid pressure during normal operation and is pressed against the flow direction by a spring in the event of a reduction in the fluid pressure during self-cleaning.

Publication DE 4324731 a1 shows a self-cleaning spray nozzle for spraying fluid from a pressure medium source, wherein a tubular fitting is provided, which has an internal fluid channel running in its longitudinal direction, which is provided with an inlet and an outlet, and which is provided with a connection device for establishing a connection to the pressure medium source; providing a tubular shank having an inlet and an outlet, through which the fluid can be conducted, wherein the inlet of the shank projects partially into the outlet-side end of the fitting in such a way that the fluid entering the fitting flows through the shank in the longitudinal direction, the shank being provided with a flange; providing a valve seat with a flap, which has an inner face dimensioned such that it fits in a manner such that it can be displaced slidably about the rod, and an outer face dimensioned such that it fits into the outlet of the tubular fitting in order to fix the radial position of the valve seat, wherein the valve seat furthermore has a projection (Lippe) dimensioned such that it positions the valve seat in the longitudinal direction at the outlet of the tubular fitting and forms a seal between the valve needle and the outlet of the tubular fitting; means are provided by which the valve seat is held necessarily in contact with the fitting, so as to prevent the valve seat from moving longitudinally and radially; providing a spray head having fastening means for fastening a tubular shank, wherein the spray head comprises discharge means and has a surface adapted to the valve seat; a spring is provided which surrounds the shank and is pretensioned against a flange of the shank in order to produce a fixed, predetermined pretension towards the valve seat, wherein the spring presses the valve seat against the mating surface of the injection head such that a seal is formed between the valve seat and the mating surface of the valve head in order to restrict the fluid flow at this seal, and wherein the discharge device forms such a channel for the fluid flow that, when the seal is formed, this fluid flow is dispersed or sprayed according to a predetermined pattern; wherein a force applied to the spray head sufficient to overcome the spring prestress separates the spray head from the valve seat, thereby counteracting the sealing effect and enabling flushing of the discharge device by the fluid.

DE 10116051B 4 discloses a spray nozzle for a swirl layer system, which spray nozzle comprises a nozzle body, a nozzle cap, at least one escape opening for liquid loaded with solid matter and at least one escape opening for gas, wherein a flexible cleaning cap is arranged around the nozzle cap, and a supply for compressed air loaded with cleaning air, which consists of a compressed air channel arranged in the nozzle body, is arranged between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap, wherein the compressed air channel is connected to an annular turned part in the outer face of the nozzle cap by an annular turned part (Eindrehung) in the outer face of the nozzle body and at least one transverse bore in the nozzle cap. The cleaning cap is directly and tightly abutted against the nozzle cap. The compressed air channel is supplied with pressurized clean air at adjustable different intervals or over a relatively large period of time. Clean air is supplied through the annular lathe and the transverse bore of the annular lathe. The clean air is supplied over the entire circumference between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap by means of an annular turned part. Due to the pressure impact of the cleaning air, the cleaning cap made of an elastic material is arched outward, so that the cleaning air is guided between the outer face of the nozzle cap and the inner face of the cleaning cap in the direction of the escape opening of the spray nozzle. The clean air is guided as a pressure jet annularly from all sides to the nozzle opening of the injection nozzle, so that the momentum of the jet can be utilized directly in a loss-free manner and eddies are avoided. The resulting material deposit in the vicinity of the escape opening of the spray nozzle is blown away by the cleaning air.

A disadvantage of the above-described solutions is that the self-cleaning nozzles mentioned in the prior art each have a large number of parts which are assembled to form complex, maintenance-intensive nozzles, whereby the solutions shown are expensive in terms of their production and maintenance.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a self-cleaning nozzle which is cost-effective and can be produced and manufactured easily due to its small number of parts, and which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

In the case of a nozzle of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved by: the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) is at least partially made of an elastic material, and wherein an inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is arranged at the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), which inlay can be brought or set into oscillation by the substance to be sprayed escaping from an escape opening (1072073078071007) of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the substance to be sprayed and/or in the escape region of the gas, wherein the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and the inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) are constructed as an integral line (932, 1032).

Advantageously, the inner tube together with the inlay is constructed as an integral pipeline, so that the integral pipeline is very easy to construct on the one hand and can be replaced and discarded after its use on the other hand. It is also advantageous if an additional inlay can be arranged on the outer tube, wherein the inlay of the integrated line is arranged in such a way that it can be moved, in particular oscillated, in particular at high frequency, by the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, escaping from the escape opening of the inner tube and/or by the gas, in particular atomized air, escaping from the escape opening of the outer tube. Preferably, the oscillation has a frequency of 5Hz to 1500Hz, particularly preferably between 25Hz and 500Hz, very particularly preferably between 25Hz and 250 Hz. By means of the high-frequency movement of the inlay of the integrated line, vibrations of a defined frequency are generated at the inlay of the integrated line, whereby the material to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion agent, is prevented or at least minimized from caking at the nozzle opening. The symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are therefore not influenced by agglomeration of the substance to be sprayed during the production process and/or the spraying process, so that undesirable spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration do not occur.

Further advantageous embodiments of the preferred nozzle are set out in the dependent claims.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the inner pipe of the integrated pipeline has at least in part a reinforced wall, which is reinforced in particular by a reinforced wall structure. In this way, the inner tube can be reinforced in a targeted manner at highly stressed points, so that the inner tube can be adapted to a permanent process in a better manner.

In an additional preferred development of the invention, the additional inlay is arranged at the inner wall or at the outer wall or in the wall of the outer tube and projects at least partially into the escape region of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas. By means of this arrangement, the additional inlay, which projects at least partially into the escape region of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas, is particularly well placed in oscillation, so that the substance to be sprayed is significantly reduced or even completely prevented from caking in the region of the nozzle opening, so that there is always symmetry of the spray and an optimized droplet size during the production process and/or the spraying process.

Preferably, the outer tube and the inner tube are arranged coaxially about the axis. Particularly preferably, the outer tube and the inner tube are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the escape opening of the outer tube is arranged concentrically to the escape opening of the inner tube. This significantly improves the flow guidance, in particular of the gas in the annular gap, so that the spray symmetry and the droplet size can be set in an optimized manner.

In addition to this, the additional inlay can be arranged in a replaceable manner or in a replaceable manner. By replacing the additional inlay, the production process and/or the injection process can be directly influenced, for example, by adapting the inlay to the substance to be injected. For example, if the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid, is an abrasive substance or an acid or base, the inlay material can be easily adapted to the new process conditions. Rapid and simple replacement of inlays is also very advantageous and useful, in particular in terms of strict process specifications in the pharmaceutical industry or in food technology, for example in terms of product purity and/or food compatibility.

Preferably, the length of the subsections of the additional inlay can be varied. On the basis of the length of the partial section of the additional inlay which projects at least partially out of the inner or outer tube of the nozzle, it is possible to vary the mobility of this partial section, in particular the frequency of the oscillation of the partial section of the inlay, and to adapt it, for example, to the changing process conditions during the production process and/or the injection process. The production process and/or the spraying process can thereby be directly influenced in that the oscillation frequency of the additional inlay is or can be adapted to the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, for example a highly viscous fluid or suspension, an emulsion or the like. Thereby preventing deposition at the nozzle orifice. If the nozzle, in particular its nozzle opening, is monitored by a sensor, for example by a camera, it is furthermore possible to change the frequency online during the ongoing process, in order to prevent caking.

In an additional embodiment of the nozzle according to the invention, the additional inlay and/or the integrated line is made of at least one elastic material, preferably a polymer. Preferably, the at least one polymer is a synthetic polymer, in particular a silicone. Polymers are a variety of materials that can be manufactured cost-effectively, are very robust, for example, but can also be very resistant to high temperatures depending on the polymer. Polymers, especially synthetic polymers, are therefore very suitable as inlays for a wide variety of processes and substances to be sprayed.

Preferably, an attachment in the form of a swirl body, swirl plate or the like for gas guidance is arranged between the outer tube and the inner tube in the region of the nozzle opening. Particularly preferably, the attachment is arranged for guiding the inner tube. It is entirely particularly preferred that the attachment piece is fixedly connected with the inner tube and/or the outer tube. The flow guidance of the gas, in particular atomizing air, at the nozzle opening can be influenced by the installation of the attachment in the form of a scroll, a scroll plate or the like, whereby the movement behavior and the oscillation behavior of the inlay, in particular the oscillation frequency of the subsections of the inlay, which project at least partially from the inner and/or outer tube, can be changed. This allows the spray symmetry and the droplet size of the sprayed liquid, i.e. the liquid to be sprayed, to be adjusted directly. In addition, the inner tube is guided when installed in the outer tube and is always held in the desired position. Furthermore, the attachment prevents oscillation of the inner tube, which not only changes the size of the exit opening of the inner tube, but also of the exit opening of the outer tube, which changes the flow ratio of the substance to be sprayed and the gas at the nozzle orifice and thus also changes the spray symmetry and droplet size.

Preferably, the additional inlay and/or the integrated pipeline have a wall thickness that can vary. The wall thickness of the inlay, in particular of the subsection of the inlay projecting out of the inner tube, can be adapted to the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid to be sprayed, whereby the spraying behavior of the nozzle according to the invention, which is preferably spray symmetry and the adjustment of the droplet size, can be optimized. The oscillation behavior is changed by changing the wall thickness with the same length of the inlay projecting at least partially from the inner tube and/or the outer tube, whereby the inlay can be adapted or adapted to the respective method technology.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the attached drawing. The figures show:

figure 1 is a nozzle according to the prior art,

section B-B according to figure 4 of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle of figure 2,

figure 3 is a detailed view according to the segment a of figure 2 of a part of the nozzle opening of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle,

fig. 4 is a top view of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle according to fig. 2, having a cross-sectional plane B-B intersecting the axis X-X,

fig. 5 shows a section through a second embodiment of a preferred nozzle with an attachment in the annular gap, in the form of a swirl plate for gas guidance,

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a third embodiment of the preferred nozzle having an attachment in the form of a vortex plate for gas guidance in the annular gap,

figure 7 is a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of the preferred nozzle,

figure 8 is a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of the preferred nozzle,

figure 9 is a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of the preferred nozzle,

figure 10 shows a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of the preferred nozzle,

fig. 11 shows a section through a preferred nozzle according to a first embodiment, wherein the nozzle has an axially displaceable nozzle needle for closing an exit opening of the nozzle,

FIG. 12 is a cross-section of a preferred nozzle, wherein the inlay and the inner tube comprise an integral inner wire of the preferred nozzle,

FIG. 13 shows a section through a preferred nozzle, wherein the inlay and the inner tube form the inner line of the preferred nozzle, and the preferred nozzle has a device, the volume of which can be varied, between the inner tube and the outer tube in the region of the nozzle opening, wherein the device shows the open position of the preferred nozzle in FIG. 13,

FIG. 14 is a section through a preferred nozzle, wherein the inlay and the inner tube form the inner line of the preferred nozzle, and the preferred nozzle has a device, the volume of which can be varied, between the inner tube and the outer tube in the region of the nozzle opening, wherein the device shows the closed position of the preferred nozzle in FIG. 14,

FIG. 15 schematic configuration of a first method for monitoring the nozzle openings of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle, an

Fig. 16 is a schematic configuration of a second method for monitoring the nozzle openings of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a nozzle 1 known from the prior art. The nozzle 1 includes a nozzle body 4 having an inner tube 2 and an outer tube 3. In this case, the inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3 are arranged coaxially to the axis X-X.

The inner tube 2 has a fluid channel 5 which is designed to supply the substance to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. This fluid channel merges in the region of the nozzle opening 6 into an escape opening 7 of the inner tube 2. In the region of the escape opening 7 facing away from the inner tube 2, the inner tube 2 has an attachment point 10 for a supply line, not shown, for the substance to be sprayed.

The outer tube 3 is arranged spaced apart from the inner tube 2, whereby an annular gap 8 is created for supplying gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 8 merges in the region of the nozzle opening 6 into an escape opening 9 of the outer tube 3. In the region of the escape opening 9 facing away from the outer tube 3, the outer tube 3 has an attachment point 11 for a supply line for gas, not shown.

Fig. 2 shows a section B-B according to fig. 4 of a first embodiment of a preferred nozzle 101. As already shown in fig. 1, the preferred nozzle 101 comprises a nozzle body 104 having an inner tube 102 and an outer tube 103. The inner tube 102 and the outer tube 103 are arranged coaxially to the axis X-X.

The inner tube 102 has a fluid channel 105 for supplying the substance to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. This fluid channel merges in the region of the nozzle opening 106 into an escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102. In the region of the escape opening 107 facing away from the inner tube 102, the inner tube 102 has an attachment point 110 for a supply line, not shown, for the substance to be sprayed.

The outer tube 103 is arranged spaced apart from the inner tube 102, thereby creating an annular gap 108 for the supply of gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 108 merges in the region of the nozzle opening 106 into an escape opening 109 of the outer tube 103. Preferably, the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102 and the escape opening 109 of the outer tube 103 are arranged concentrically to each other. This ensures that the flow ratio of the gas fed in the annular gap 108 is optimally, in particular uniformly, configured so that the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray produced by means of the preferred nozzle 101 exactly match the requirements of the production and/or injection process, in particular for granular materials, tablets or the like. In the region of the escape opening 109 facing away from the outer tube 103, there is already an attachment point 111 for a supply line for gas, not shown. Preferably, the escape openings 107, 109 lie in the plane C-C and merge into the escape area 112 of the nozzle 101. In the escape area 112, a spray of coating particles is generated by the encounter of the substance to be sprayed and the atomizing gas. Advantageously, both the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are adjusted in an optimized manner during the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process.

The inner tube 102 has an inlay 113. In fig. 2, the inlay 113 is arranged in its preferred position at the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. The inlay 113 is preferably made of a polymer, particularly preferably a synthetic polymer, all particularly preferably silicone. Polymers are a variety of materials that can be manufactured cost-effectively while having high robustness and can be very resistant to high temperatures depending on the polymer. Thus, polymers, especially synthetic polymers, are well suited for use as inlays 113 for a wide variety of manufacturing and/or jetting processes. Due to the replaceability of the inlay 113, the preferred nozzle 101 can be used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes and/or injection processes.

In a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101, the inlay 113 has four subsections 115 to 118. The subsections 115 fix the inlay 113 in the nozzle 101, so that the inlay 113 is arranged in the preferred nozzle 101 during the entire production process and/or the spraying process. Advantageously, the inlay 113 is connected to the inner tube 102 in such a way that it is fixed there. In the preferred nozzle 101, the subsections 116 and 117 are arranged between the subsection 115 and the subsection 118 and rest against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. The subsection 118 of the inlay 113 protrudes at least partially out of the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102. Since the holding point of the subsection 115 at the inner tube 102 can be adjusted, the length of the subsection 118 of the inlay 113 protruding out of the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102 can be changed.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a section a according to fig. 2 of a nozzle opening 106 of a first embodiment of a preferred nozzle 101. The inner tube 102 and the outer tube 103 are arranged coaxially around the axis X-X such that the escape openings 107, 109 are arranged concentrically around the intersection of the axis X-X with the plane C-C. Furthermore, the escape openings 107 of the inner tube 102 and the escape openings 109 of the outer tube 103 lie in the plane C-C and merge into the escape region 112 of the nozzle 101. In the escape area 112, a spray of coating particles is generated by the encounter of the substance to be sprayed and the atomizing gas. Advantageously, both the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are adjusted in an optimized manner during the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process.

The partial section 117 of the inlay 113 rests against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102 of the preferred nozzle 101 and is connected to the partial section 118 of the inlay 113. The subsection 118 of the inlay 113 projects at least partially out of the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102 of the preferred nozzle 101. Preferably, the length of the subsection 118 of the inlay 113 can be changed. The length-modifiable property is shown by the dot-dash line adjoining the subsection 118. The length change can be achieved either directly by replacing the inlay 113, by adjusting the holding point of the inlay 113 at the inner tube 102 and/or by making other changes to the arrangement of the inlay 113 in the nozzle 101.

The inner pressure 119 acts on the inlay 113 by means of the substance to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion, which is conveyed in the direction of the exit opening 107 in the fluid channel 105 through the inner tube 102 with the inlay 113. The internal pressure 119 acting on the inlay 113 presses the inlay 113 against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. In the region of the nozzle opening 106, in particular in the region of the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102, the forces which move the inlay 113 away from the axis X-X also act on the subsections 118 of the inlay 113 as a result of the internal pressure 119 acting on the inlay 113.

Furthermore, the force 120 acting in the direction of the axis X-X acts on a subsection 118 of the inlay 113 which at least partially protrudes out of the exit opening 107 of the inner tube 102. The force 120 acting in the direction of the axis X-X is caused by the gas, in particular atomizing air, escaping from the annular gap 108 from the escape opening 109.

The liquid escaping from the preferred nozzle 101 into the escape region 112 of the nozzle 101 and/or the gas, in particular atomizing air, escaping from the preferred nozzle 101 into the escape region 112 of the nozzle 101 thereby moves, advantageously with high frequency, the inlay 113 which at least partially protrudes from the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102. By means of this advantageously high-frequency movement of the inlay 113 which projects at least partially from the exit opening 107 of the inner tube 102, the liquid to be sprayed (verdsen) is prevented from depositing at the nozzle opening 106, in particular in the exit region 112, or from agglomerating. Thus, the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are not influenced during the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process, so that undesired spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration do not occur.

Additionally, the frequency of the vibration of the subsection 118 of the inlay 113 can be changed, for example, by the length-modifiable nature of the subsection 118 of the inlay 113. In this way, the production process or the injection process can be directly influenced. The vibration frequency can be further varied, for example by adjusting the pressure of the substance and gas to be sprayed. A change in the inflow angle α of the gas, in particular of the atomizing air, also causes a change in the oscillation frequency of the inlay 113 and therefore influences the quality of the spray and its quality, in particular with regard to symmetry and droplet size. For example, the arrangement of the outer tube 103 and the inner tube 102, in particular in the region of the nozzle openings 106, can be adapted to one another in order to vary the inflow angle α of the gas. In addition to this, the inflow of the inlay 113 can be adjusted by means of a modified flow guidance in the annular gap 108. It is entirely preferred to adjust only the annular gap 108 such that this annular gap has a different inflow angle with respect to the partial section 118 of the inlay 113.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a preferred nozzle 101 having a cross-sectional plane B-B intersecting the axis X-X. The inner tube 102 and the outer tube 103 are coaxially oriented with respect to the axis X-X, so that the escape openings 107, 109 for the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion agent, or for a gas, in particular atomizing air, are arranged concentrically to one another about the axis X-X. The inlay 113 is arranged at the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102.

In fig. 5, a second embodiment of a preferred nozzle 201 is shown in section, with an optional attachment 220 in the annular gap 208 in the form of a swirl plate for gas guidance (dralblech).

The preferred nozzle 201 according to the second embodiment corresponds in its basic structure to the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 shown in fig. 2 to 4. The difference between the two embodiments is that, unlike the nozzle 101, the preferred nozzle 201 has an optional attachment 221, which is configured in the form of a swirl plate for gas guidance. In the present second embodiment of the preferred nozzle 201, the attachment 221 has an opening 222 which is configured at an angle to the gas, in particular atomizing air, flowing parallel to the outer tube 203. Thus, the gas flowing in the annular gap 208 experiences a swirl about the axis X-X. By swirling about the axis X-X, the inflow and movement behavior and thus also the vibration frequency of the inlay 213 protruding at least partially from the escape opening 207 of the inner tube 202 can be influenced.

The attachment 221 can likewise be configured in the form of a swirl body (e.g. a flow guide plate or the like) for gas guidance. The attachment 222 is preferably fixedly connected with the inner tube 202 and the outer tube 203. This increases the stability of the nozzle 201 in the region of the nozzle opening 206. Furthermore, the flow guidance of the gas, in particular atomizing air, at the nozzle opening 206, in particular in the escape region 212 of the nozzle 201, is influenced by the mounting of the attachment 221 in the form of a scroll, scroll plate or the like, as a result of which the movement behavior of the inlay 213, in particular the oscillation frequency of a subsection of the inlay 213, which at least partially protrudes from the inner tube 202, can be changed. The oscillation frequency can thus be adapted to the manufacturing process and/or the injection process in an improved manner. In addition, the spray symmetry and the droplet size of the sprayed, i.e. to-be-sprayed, substance, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, can thus be adjusted directly. In addition, the inner tube 202 is guided and always held in a desired position when mounted in the outer tube 203, in fig. 5 in a concentric position about the axis X-X. Furthermore, the attachment 221 prevents oscillation of the inner tube 102, which not only changes the escape opening 207 of the inner tube 202, but also the escape opening 209 of the outer tube 203, which changes the flow ratio at the nozzle opening 206, in particular in the escape region 212 of the nozzle 201, and thus also influences the spray symmetry and the droplet size of the spray.

Preferably, inlay 213, which protrudes at least partially out of escape opening 207 of inner tube 202, has a wall thickness that can vary. The wall thickness of the inlay 213, in particular of the partial section 218 projecting from the inner tube 202, can be adapted to the substance to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, whereby the preferred spray behavior of the nozzle 201, preferably the spray symmetry and the adjustment of the droplet size, can be optimized. Thus, the inlay 213 can also be adapted to the abrasive type of substance to be sprayed. The oscillation behavior of the subsection 218 projecting at least partially from the exit opening 207 can be varied by varying the wall thickness, or by adjusting the length of the inlay 213, while the wall thickness of the inlay 213 remains constant, while the length of the inlay 213 projecting at least partially from the inner tube 202 is the same, so that the inlay 213 used can be specifically adapted to the respective process technology. Advantageously, the inlay 213 is connected to the inner tube 202 in such a way that it is fixed there.

Fig. 6 shows a section through a further third embodiment of a preferred nozzle 301 with an optional attachment 321 in the annular gap 308 in the form of a swirl plate for gas guidance.

The preferred nozzle 301 includes a nozzle body 304 having an inner tube 302 and an outer tube 303, wherein the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303 are coaxially oriented with respect to the axis X-X.

The inner tube 302 has a fluid channel 305 configured for supplying a substance to be sprayed. This fluid channel opens out into the escape opening 307 of the inner tube 302 in the region of the nozzle opening 306. In the region of the escape opening 307 facing away from the inner tube 302, the inner tube 302 has an attachment point 310 for a supply line, not shown, for the substance to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension.

The outer tube 303 is arranged spaced apart from the inner tube 302, thereby creating an annular gap 308 for the supply of gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 308 merges into an escape opening 309 of the outer tube 303 in the region of the nozzle opening 306. In the region of the escape opening 309 facing away from the outer tube 303, the outer tube 303 has an attachment point 311 for a supply line for gas, not shown.

An attachment 321 having an opening 322 is disposed between the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303. An attachment 321 fixedly interconnects the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303. The gas flowing through the annular gap 308, in particular the atomizing air, is swirled by the attachment 321. The frequency of inlay 313 protruding at least partially out of exit opening 309 of outer tube 303 is influenced by means of the swirl. Inlay 313 is arranged in annular gap 308 at outer wall 323 and abuts against outer wall 323.

Inlay 313, which projects at least partially from exit opening 309 of outer tube 303 into exit region 312, has four subsections 315, 316, 317 and 318. The sub-section 315 is fixed (e.g. clamped) in a groove 324 arranged at the outer wall 323. Subsections 316 and 317 connect subsections 315 and 318. The length of inlay 313 can be varied, in particular the length of a subsection 318 of inlay 313 can be adapted to the parameters of the manufacturing process and/or the injection process. Furthermore, the wall thickness of inlay 313, in particular of sub-section 318 of inlay 313, which extends at least partially from escape opening 309 of outer tube 303 into escape region 312, can be adapted to the process parameters. In fig. 6, the wall thickness of inlay 313 decreases from subsection 315 towards subsection 318.

The material to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, escaping from the preferred nozzle 301 and/or the gas, in particular atomizing air, escaping from the preferred nozzle 301, which moves the inlay 313, in particular at high frequency, at least partially from the escape opening 309 of the outer tube 303 into the escape region 312. By means of the, in particular, high-frequency movement or oscillation of inlay 313, which extends at least partially from escape opening 309 of outer tube 303 into escape region 312, vibrations of a specific frequency are generated at inlay 313, as a result of which caking and/or sticking of the substance to be sprayed, which is preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersant, an emulsion or a suspension, which leads to deposits at nozzle opening 306, are prevented. By preventing deposition at the nozzle openings 306 in the escape area 312 and/or by preventing agglomeration of the substance to be sprayed, the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are not influenced during the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process, so that undesired spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration do not occur.

Fig. 7 to 10 show four further embodiments of the preferred nozzles 401, 501, 601, 701 as schematic sectional views, which generally do not differ from the first embodiment of the nozzle 101 in terms of their structural configuration. In particular, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 in that the inlays 413, 513, 613 and 713 are arranged at different positions at the inner tube 402, 502, 602, 702 or the outer tube 403, 503, 603, 703. The four embodiments of the preferred nozzles 401, 501, 601, 701 are explained in more detail below.

In this case, a cross section of a fourth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 401 is shown in fig. 7. In a fourth embodiment of the preferred nozzle 401, an inlay 413 is arranged in a wall 425 of the inner tube 402 and a subsection 418 of the inlay projects into the escape region 412 of the nozzle 401. According to a fourth embodiment, inlay 413 has two subsections 417 and 418, wherein subsection 417 serves to fasten inlay 413 in wall 424 of inner tube 402. Advantageously, inlay 413 is clamped in a wall 425 of inner tube 402 or the like, so that this inlay is fixed there.

Fig. 8 shows a cross section of a fifth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 501. According to fig. 8, in a fifth embodiment of the nozzle 501, the inlay 513 is arranged at an inner wall 526 of the outer tube 503. In this case, inlay 513 has four subsections 515, 516, 517 and 518, with subsection 518 protruding at least partially from exit opening 509 of outer tube 503 into exit region 512. Inlay 513 is arranged by means of subsections 515 in a groove 527 in an inner wall 526 of outer tube 503 and is fixed there, for example by pressing.

Fig. 9 shows a section through a sixth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 601, wherein in the sixth embodiment of the nozzle 601 an inlay 613 is arranged in a wall 628 of an outer tube 603. In this case, inlay 613 is arranged in wall 628 of outer tube 603 and its subsections 618 project into escape region 612 of nozzle 601. According to a sixth embodiment, the inlay 613 has two subsections 617 and 618, wherein the subsection 617 serves for fastening the inlay 613 in the wall 628 of the inner tube 603. Advantageously, the inlay 613 is clamped in a wall 628 of the inner tube 603 or the like, so that this inlay is fixed there.

Fig. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of a preferred nozzle 701, wherein an inlay 713 is arranged at an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703. According to fig. 10, in a seventh embodiment of the nozzle 701, an inlay 713 is arranged at an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703. In this case, inlay 713 has four subsections 715, 716, 717, and 718, sub-subsection 718 projecting at least partially into escape region 712. Inlay 713 is disposed in groove 730 in outer wall 729 of outer tube 703 by means of sub-section 715 and secured (e.g., clamped or pressed) thereto.

All embodiments 101 to 701 can have an optional attachment 101 to 701 for flow guidance in the annular gap 108 to 708. In addition, there is the possibility of arranging the inlays 113 to 713 at the inner tubes 102 to 702 and of arranging additional inlays 113 to 713 at the outer tubes 103 to 703, so that the preferred nozzles 101 to 701 have two inlays 113 to 713.

Fig. 11 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 801 according to a first embodiment, wherein the nozzle 801 according to fig. 11 has a nozzle needle 831 which is displaceable in the axial direction of the axis X-X and which serves to close an exit opening 807 of an inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801. The escape opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801 with the inlay 813 is closed by axially displacing the nozzle needle 831 in the Z direction along the axis X-X from the initial position according to fig. 11 into the final position shown in dashed lines. Thereby preventing escape of the substance to be sprayed from the preferred nozzle 801. Further, there is a possibility that: in addition to the nozzle needle 831, the inner tube 802 is also displaced in the Z direction, so that the escape opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801 and the escape opening 809 of the outer tube 803 of the nozzle 801 are both closed. The expansion of the inner tube 802 by the nozzle needle 831 can also be achieved. This is achieved, for example, in the case of filling granulators, coating machines (in particular roller coating machines) or fluidizing devices, that the granules or particles cannot penetrate into the escape openings 807, 809 of the nozzle 801 and therefore they are already blocked before the production process begins. Preferably, in this case, the inner tube 802 and the inlay 813 are constructed integrally as a line, preferably in the form of an elastic material, preferably in the form of silicone. In addition, displacement of the inlay 813 relative to the inner tube 802 due to displacement of the nozzle needle 831 is thereby prevented.

Fig. 12 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 901, in which inlay 913 and inner tube 902 of preferred nozzle 901 are formed in one piece as a line 932. However, inlay 913 and inner tube 902 can likewise be constructed as two separate members. According to this embodiment, inlay 913 and inner tube 902 constitute inner tube line 929. This inner line is preferably made of an elastic material, preferably a polymer, in particular silicone. Advantageously, the inner line 932 of the preferred nozzle 901 with the substance to be sprayed can thereby also be replaced more easily. Further, there is a possibility that: configuring the inner tube line as a disposable item, for example in the pharmaceutical industry, when changing the substance to be sprayed due to product changes, results in significant advantages and a significant simplification of the working process compared to cleaning the inner tube 902.

According to fig. 12, in particular the partial section 918 which projects from the escape opening 909 of the outer tube 903 into the escape region 912 is designed with a very small wall thickness. Advantageously, for reasons of stability of inner tube 902, wall 925 of inner tube 902 is configured to have a greater wall thickness than sub-section 918. It is particularly preferred if the highly stressed wall section is likewise designed in a reinforced manner, for example by means of a fiber-reinforced polymer or the like at this point.

Fig. 13 and 14 show a further preferred embodiment of a nozzle 1001 with a device 1033 whose volume can be varied.

Fig. 13 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 1001, in which inlay 1013 and inner tube 1002 preferably form a line 1032 of nozzle 1001 in one piece. The line 1032 is at least partially made of an elastic material, in particular a polymer, and preferably entirely of silicone, and in the annular gap 1008 between the inner tube 1002 and the outer tube 1003, in the region of the nozzle openings 1006, a device 1033 whose volume can be varied, in particular an expandable compressed air ring or the like, is arranged.

The volume-modifiable device 1033, in particular a compressed air ring, has at least one inlet, not shown here, for the supply of fluid and at least one outlet, not shown here, for the discharge of fluid. Thus, the volume of the device 1033 can be changed, i.e., increased or decreased, by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, so that the device 1033 can be brought or shifted from the open position, shown for example in fig. 13, into the closed position, shown in fig. 14, and vice versa. Regardless of the degree of opening of the annular gap 1008 through which gas, in particular atomizing air, flows, the closed position is always present once the inner tube 1002 is closed by the device 1033. In the open position shown in fig. 13, on the one hand, the annular gap 1008 can be traversed for gas and, on the other hand, the fluid channel 1005 can be traversed for the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid or a dispersant, whereby the gas can atomize the substance to be sprayed at the outlet opening. Advantageously, the device 1033 has no or negligible effect on the flow of gas through the annular gap 1008.

It is always noted that the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid, should not escape from the nozzle 1001 in an unaeromized manner. For this purpose, it must be ensured that at the beginning of each spraying operation, firstly gas, in particular atomizing gas, flows through the annular gap 1008 and thus out of the nozzle 1001, and then the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid. At the end of the spraying process, the supply of the substance to be sprayed is first stopped or interrupted and then the supply of gas is stopped. It is thereby ensured at any time that the substances to be sprayed are atomized during the spraying process and that at the end of each spraying process the substances to be sprayed do not drip out of the nozzle (possibly onto the material to be treated (coated)) in an unaeromized manner. This can be ensured, for example, by an automatic "advance" (Vorlaufen) or "retard" (Nachlaufen) of the gas when starting or ending the injection process.

What is called the open bit state is all the following bit states: in this position, fluid can flow through the annular gap 1008 and/or the fluid channel 1005. It is thereby possible to provide a stepless adjustment of the volume flow with a flow rate of 0% and 100% for the gas and/or for the substance to be sprayed, wherein the adjustment of the volume flow is dependent on each other in the case of only one device 1033. In the case of a plurality of, in particular two, apparatuses 1033 being used, i.e. for the substance to be sprayed conveyed in the fluid channel 1005 and the gas conveyed in the annular gap 1008, respectively, the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed in the fluid channel 1005 of the inner tube 1002 and the volume flow of the gas in the annular gap 1008 can be adjusted independently of one another or can be adjusted independently of one another, i.e. the volumes of the apparatuses 1033 used can be changed independently of one another by fluid supply or fluid discharge. By the independent adjustability of the volumes of the different apparatuses 1033, it is likewise possible to adapt the volumetric flow of the substance to be sprayed to the atomizing gas in an optimized manner and vice versa. Thereby, it is also possible to react to minimal changes in the symmetry and droplet size of the spray. The devices 1033 for the substances to be sprayed and the gas are regulated and/or controlled independently of one another by control means and/or regulating means which are not shown here.

Apparatus 1033 is preferably arranged concentrically around conduit 1032 and is surrounded by outer tube 1003, with subsection 1018 extending at least partially from escape opening 1009 of outer tube 1003 into escape region 1012. In fig. 13, the apparatus 1033 is configured annularly around the inner tube 1002. The device 1033 is preferably configured as a compressed air loop. However, the device 1033 can also be configured in any other embodiment as desired.

The device 1033 is preferably connected to a regulating or control device, not shown here, which regulates or controls the fluid supply or the fluid discharge of the device 1033, so that the volume of the device 1033 can be regulated or adjusted. It is entirely particularly preferred that the volume of the one device 1033 can be steplessly changed or steplessly changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, or that the volumes of the plurality of devices 1033 can be steplessly changed or steplessly changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge. By means of the stepless adjustability of the volume of the one device 1033 or of the volumes of the plurality of devices 1033, the volumetric flow of the substance to be sprayed and the volumetric flow of the gas atomizing the substance to be sprayed can be adapted to one another accurately and specifically, so that the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size can be adjusted in an optimized manner for the process, in particular for the particle, preferably tablet, coating process. In fig. 13, the volume of apparatus 1033 is minimized so that nozzle 1001 is in the maximum open position. Correspondingly, the maximum open state is characterized by the smallest volume of the device 1033.

Fig. 13 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 1001, in which the inlay 1013 and the inner tube 1002 form a line 1032 of the preferred nozzle 1001, the preferred nozzle 1001 having a device 1033, the volume of which can be varied, in the region of the nozzle opening 1006 between the inner tube 1002 and the outer tube 1003, the device being shown in fig. 14 in the closed position of the preferred nozzle in that the device 1033 closes off the fluid channel 1005 and the annular gap 1008. The inlay 1013 is set in oscillation, in particular in high-frequency oscillation, by the substance to be sprayed escaping through the escape opening 1007 of the inner tube 1002 and/or by the gas escaping through the escape opening 1009 of the inner tube 1003, in order to minimize or completely prevent deposits in the escape regions 1007, 1009 of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas. Preferably, the length of sub-section 1018 of inlay 1013 can be changed, especially during jetting. Based on the additional length of the partial section 1018 of the inlay 1013 that at least partially protrudes from the inner tube 1002 or the outer tube 1003 of the nozzle 1001, it is possible to vary the mobility of the partial section 1018, in particular the frequency of the vibrations of the partial section 1018 of the inlay 1013. By the above measures, the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are not influenced by the deposition of the substance to be sprayed during the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process, so that undesired spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration do not occur.

Fig. 14 shows a preferred nozzle 1001 with an increased volume of the device 1033 compared to the open position according to fig. 13. For this purpose, the compressed air ring preferably used as the device 1033 is expanded by means of a fluid, in particular a gas, preferably compressed air or the like. The device 1033 is connected, for example, via a line, not shown, to a storage container, also not shown, via which the device 1033 can be filled or emptied, for example, by means of a control device and/or a regulating device, not shown, so that the device 1033 changes its volume from the first volume in the open position according to fig. 13 to the second volume in the closed position according to fig. 14, and vice versa.

In the present embodiment, by the increased volume of the arrangement 1033, not only the line 1032, in particular the subsections 1017 and 1018 arranged in the nozzle opening 1006, but also the annular gap 1008 are sealed. With the increased volume, line 1032 (here subsection 1018) is pressed together and the escape opening 1009 is additionally closed off, so that fluid can flow neither through the fluid channel 1005 nor through the annular gap 1008. This is achieved, for example, in the case of a filling granulator, a coating machine (in particular a roller coating machine) or a fluidizing device, that the granules or particles cannot penetrate into the escape openings 1007, 1009 of the nozzle 1001 and therefore they are already blocked before the beginning of the production process.

Other advances to the preferred nozzle 1001 with apparatus 1033 whose volume can be varied can be considered. For example, the following possibilities exist: the nozzle 1001 has a plurality of devices 1033, in particular two devices 1033. Preferably, the devices are separated from each other by means of plates or the like, so that the devices can be operated independently of each other. Advantageously, the nozzle 1001 has a first device 1033 for closing the annular gap 1008 and a second device 1033 for closing the fluid channel 1005. In this case, the two devices 1033 are preferably separated by a plate or the like serving as a separation wall, such that a change in volume of the first device 1033 closes or opens the fluid channel 1005 and a change in volume of the second device 1033 closes or opens the annular gap 1008, while a change in volume of one device 1033 does not affect the other device 1033. It is thereby possible to provide a stepless adjustment of the volume flow with a flow rate of 0% and 100% not only for the atomizing gas but also for the substances to be sprayed, wherein the adjustment of the volume flow can be carried out independently of one another or in relation to one another.

When using at least two apparatuses 1033, care must be taken that the substances to be sprayed, in particular the liquids, are not allowed to escape from the nozzles 1001 without atomization, since otherwise production waste can arise, for example, as a result of agglomerated tablets. For this purpose, it must be ensured that at the beginning of each spraying operation, firstly gas, in particular atomizing gas, flows through the annular gap 1008 and thus out of the nozzle 1001, and then the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid. At the end of the spraying process, the supply of the substance to be sprayed is first stopped and then the supply of gas is stopped. The adjusting means or the control means can follow this fact. This ensures that the substances to be sprayed are atomized at all times during the spraying process and that at the end of each spraying process the substances to be sprayed do not drip out of the nozzle (possibly onto the material to be treated (coated)) in an unaeromized manner.

It must always be ensured that when the device 1033 is brought from the closed position of the inner pipe 1002 into the at least one open position of the inner pipe 1002, the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008 starts to flow through the annular gap 1008 at least while the device 1033 is brought from the closed position of the inner pipe 1002 into the at least one open position of the inner pipe 1002. It is also advantageous that when the device 1033 is brought from the at least one open position of the inner tube 1002 into the closed position of the inner tube 1002, the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008 stops flowing through the annular gap 1008 at the earliest while the device 1033 is brought from the at least one open position of the inner tube 1002 into the closed position of the inner tube 1002.

Advantageously, by this method it is ensured that: when starting or ending the spraying process, no escape of the substance to be sprayed takes place at the nozzle, i.e. at the escape openings 1007, 1009 of the inner tube 1002 and the outer tube 1003, without the substance to be sprayed being atomized directly by the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008. Thus, by this method, atomization of the substance to be sprayed is always ensured. As a result, on the one hand no deposits occur at the nozzle or during drying of the prematurely escaping substance to be sprayed, and on the other hand no agglomeration of the particles to be sprayed as a result of the non-atomized substance to be sprayed occurs.

Fig. 15 is a schematic structure of a first method for monitoring the nozzle opening 106 of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101. The nozzle 101 corresponds to the description of fig. 2 to 4. All other preferred embodiments of the nozzles 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901 and 1001 and also other nozzles according to the invention can also be monitored by means of this method. The nozzle 101 has an inner tube 102 and an outer tube 103 and an inlay 113 arranged on the inner tube 102, wherein a subsection 118 projects at least partially out of the preferred exit opening 107 of the nozzle 101 into the exit region 112.

The monitoring of the deposition of the nozzle openings by the sensor 134 takes place in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 15 by means of a sensor 134 arranged outside the nozzle.

In addition, the configuration for this first method has a sensor 134, in particular an optical sensor, particularly preferably an imaging sensor, for example a camera, or an ultrasonic sensor, or a sensor for detecting a physical measurement variable, for example a pressure sensor, particularly preferably a differential pressure sensor. The sensor 134 detects the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle opening 106, in particular the escape openings 107, 109 of the inner tube 102 and/or of the outer tube 103 in the escape region 112 of the nozzle 101. The sensor 134 is scanned at a determined adjustable rate. The sensor 134 is connected to a control unit 135, which is in particular a computer that processes data, for example an industrial PC or an embedded PC. The data detected by the sensor 134 is transmitted to the control unit 135. The control unit 135 analyzes the data using the sensor 134. Thus, the control unit 135 finds, for example by an algorithm or the like: whether or not deposition has occurred or has occurred at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle opening 106, in particular completely at the escape openings 107, 109 in the escape region 112 of the nozzle 101. Such deposits seriously impair the quality of the spray, in particular the symmetry and/or the droplet size, during the production process and/or the spraying process.

For example, if the deposition exceeds a certain stored limit value, whereby the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are impaired during the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process, the control unit sends a signal to the device 136. In the embodiment of fig. 15, the device 136 is configured as a vibration device and is connected to the nozzle 101. The apparatus 136 puts the nozzle 101 into vibration in such a way that the deposition at the nozzle 101 falls off. If there is no longer a deposit at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle opening 106, in particular completely in particular at the escape openings 107, 109 in the escape region 112 of the nozzle 101, a corresponding signal is detected by the sensor 133 and is transmitted to the control unit 135, which then transmits a signal to the device 136 to switch off the device 136. This process is repeated as necessary throughout the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process.

The continuous monitoring of the preferred nozzle 101 performed by means of the sensor 134 is preferably performed as inline, near-on-line or on-line measurement. For example, the ultrasonic sensor detects the current shape and the current size (actual value) of the preferred nozzle 101. These data are then used in the control unit 135 to evaluate the spray quality and to compare them with the initial data (setpoint values) of the preferred spray nozzle 101. Preferably, if the difference between the actual value and the target value is too great, a signal is sent from the control unit 135 to the device 136 and the necessary measures (vibrations) are initiated. In this case, a device 136 configured as a vibration unit is connected to the nozzle 101, which device, upon receiving a signal from the control unit 135, brings the nozzle 101 into vibration, so that deposits on the nozzle opening 106 fall off. The integration of the aforementioned steps into the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process enables an automatic monitoring of the spray quality over the entire duration of the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process.

The monitoring of the deposition of the nozzle openings 106 by the sensor 134 takes place in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 16 by the sensor 134 arranged in the nozzle 101. Such an arrangement is sometimes of interest, especially in structurally narrow environments, such as in the case of a roll coater or the like having a small volume.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic second embodiment of a method for monitoring the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle opening 106, in particular the escape openings 107, 109 in the escape region 112 of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101. The pressure ratio of the original nozzle shape in the escape area 112 (i.e. without deposits or agglomerates) corresponds to the nominal value at the time of the pressure measurement. In this case, the pressure sensor 134 is arranged in the fluid channel 105 and in the annular gap 108. The method preferably comprises a plurality of sensors 134, in particular sensors 134 which operate independently of one another. By means of the plurality of sensors 134 it is possible to better detect deposits on the nozzle openings 106 of the nozzles 134 which have a negative influence on the symmetry and droplet size, so that the most suitable measures to lift off deposits, for example vibrations or pulses, can be taken.

The two sensors 134 are scanned at a certain adjustable rate or at a certain rhythm. If deposits or agglomerates occur at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle opening 106, in particular at the escape openings 107, 109 in the escape region 112, the pressure (actual value) in the fluid channel 105 and/or in the annular gap 108 increases. This pressure increase is detected by the sensor 134 and communicated to the control unit 135. For example, by means of the detected physical measured variable (here, for example, absolute pressure), the mass flow and thus also the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the atomizing gas can be calculated. The pressure detected in a measurement-related manner at the sensor 134 allows conclusions to be drawn about the deposition at the nozzle opening 106. The deposition at the nozzle openings 106 leads to a pressure increase in front of the escape openings 107, 109 in the fluid channel 105 or the annular gap 108, which in turn leads to a greater flow speed of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas, so that in the case of correspondingly predefined threshold values (nominal values) or tolerance ranges (for example a deviation of ± 10%), and in the case of exceeding or falling below the threshold values or tolerance ranges, the control unit 135 can be prompted to take appropriate countermeasures to remove the deposition by transmitting a signal to the device 136.

During monitoring, a continuous comparison between the actual value and the setpoint value is performed by the control unit 135.

If a certain limit value (setpoint value) is exceeded or undershot as registered by the control unit 135, the control unit 135 transmits a corresponding signal to the device 136. In the embodiment of fig. 16, the apparatus 136 is configured as a pulsating device. This is achieved, for example, by means of a regulating valve on the respective supply line for the fluid. The device 136 generates a pulsating flow of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas, in particular of the atomizing gas, which is illustrated by two diagrams in fig. 16. Preferably, the gas flow is pulsed only briefly. If the pressure is again below or exceeds the limit value, the production process and the injection process are continued. If the limit value is still exceeded or undershot, a new pulse is generated. The applied (aufgepr ä gt) pulses can have different frequencies, in particular between 1Hz and 1500Hz, preferably between 25Hz and 250 Hz. Thereby, deposits at the nozzle openings 106 in the region of the escape openings 107, 109 of the inner and outer tubes 102, 103 can be lifted off and removed in an improved manner. This process is repeated until the deposits or agglomerates at the nozzle 101 have been removed, so that the desired spray quality is always ensured.

The third method forms a monitoring of the droplet size of the spray during the production process and/or the spraying process, for example by means of a laser measurement method. In the case of deviations of the actual value of the droplet size from the setpoint value, i.e. in the case of non-optimized droplet sizes, the measures to be taken generally correspond to the measures of the first and second method according to fig. 15 or 16.