阅读说明：本技术 改进的去氧化皮喷嘴组件 (Improved descaling nozzle assembly ) 是由 T·R·塔耶巴利 L·皮特森 O·F·萨索 于 2021-05-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种喷雾喷嘴组件,用于将细的、直线的、高压液体喷雾引导到移动的钢材板坯上,以穿透和去除在钢加工操作中积累的氧化皮。喷雾喷嘴组件包括由上游过滤器和下游高冲击附接管限定的液体入口,用于加速液体流动。单件式多级液体矫直叶片段设置在喷嘴组件的中心液体流动通道内,用于更有效地减少高压液体流的液体湍流,从而改善对细且扁平的喷雾板件的紧密性的控制。单件式叶片段还适于在喷雾喷嘴组件中高效地组装和更换,而不需要处理和精确对准多个单独的叶片元件。(A spray nozzle assembly for directing a fine, straight, high pressure liquid spray onto a moving steel slab to penetrate and remove scale buildup during steel processing operations. The spray nozzle assembly includes a liquid inlet defined by an upstream filter and a downstream high impact attachment tube for accelerating liquid flow. A one-piece, multi-stage liquid straightening vane segment is disposed within the central liquid flow passage of the nozzle assembly for more effectively reducing liquid turbulence of the high pressure liquid stream, thereby improving control of the tightness of the thin, flat spray plate member. The one-piece vane segment is also adapted for efficient assembly and replacement in the spray nozzle assembly without the need for handling and precise alignment of multiple individual vane elements.)

1. A high impact liquid spray nozzle assembly comprising: an elongated nozzle body having a liquid passage with a section extending in a downstream direction along a longitudinal axis of the liquid passage with an inwardly tapering diameter; a spray tip at a downstream end of the nozzle body, the spray tip having an elongated discharge orifice oriented transverse to a longitudinal axis of the liquid passageway for emitting and directing a flat liquid spray pattern; a liquid inlet communicating with an upstream end of the nozzle body liquid passage upstream of the spray tip; a single-piece, multi-stage blade section disposed in the liquid passage upstream of the spray tip, the single-piece blade section including an upstream blade section and a downstream blade section downstream of the upstream blade section, the upstream and downstream blade sections each having a plurality of flattened blade elements defining a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced, laminar flow channels communicating between the liquid inlet and the spray tip for directing liquid longitudinally in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the liquid passage, and the radial blade elements of the downstream blade section being circumferentially offset from the radial blade elements of the upstream blade section.

2. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 in which said one-piece blade section includes a central hub extending longitudinally along the center of said blade section, and said blade elements of upstream and downstream blade sections each extend radially outwardly from said central hub.

3. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 2 in which said one-piece vane segment includes an integrally formed outer cylindrical collar disposed in surrounding relation to the vane elements of both said upstream and downstream vane segments such that said central hub, vane elements and outer cylindrical collar circumferentially enclose said plurality of laminar flow passages extending axially through said vane segments.

4. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 2 in which said central hub of said one-piece blade section has an upstream projection extending upstream of said upstream blade section, said upstream projection having a frustoconical outer guide surface tapering outwardly in a downstream direction for guiding liquid into said circumferentially spaced laminar flow channels of said upstream blade section.

5. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 4 in which said central hub has an axial passage extending through said hub for defining another laminar flow passage, and said frusto-conical guide surface of said upstream hub projection intersects said hub axial passage to form a pointed annular upstream end of an upstream projection for splitting a liquid flow for channeling through said central hub laminar flow passage and onto said frusto-conical guide surface of said upstream projection.

6. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 4 in which said vane elements of said upstream and downstream vane segments have upstream tips for splitting liquid flow to respective circumferential laminar flow channels of the respective vane segments.

7. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 4 in which said central hub has a downstream frustoconical protrusion tapering inwardly in a downstream direction for directing liquid from said circumferentially spaced laminar flow passages of said downstream blade sections.

8. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 2, wherein the vane segments each have a similar number of vane elements.

9. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 2 in which the vane elements of the upstream and downstream vane segments are circumferentially offset from one another such that, when viewed in the axial direction thereof, the radial vane elements of the downstream vane segment are oriented in a substantially centered relationship with respect to the pair of radial vane elements of the upstream vane segment.

10. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 2 in which said vane sections are disposed in axially spaced relation to one another so as to define a transition passage therebetween.

11. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 1 in which said liquid inlet is defined by a filter formed with a plurality of longitudinal openings disposed circumferentially about said filter in parallel relationship to a longitudinal axis of said elongated nozzle body.

12. A high impact liquid spray nozzle assembly comprising: an elongated nozzle body having a liquid flow channel, the elongated nozzle body comprising an upstream body section having a liquid inlet and a downstream body section comprising a high impact attachment tube having a liquid channel extending in a downstream direction along a longitudinal axis of the liquid channel with an inwardly tapered diameter; a spray tip at a downstream end of the nozzle body having an elongated discharge orifice oriented transverse to a longitudinal axis of the liquid passageway for emitting and directing a flat liquid spray pattern; a liquid inlet communicating with an upstream end of the nozzle body liquid passage; a single-piece blade section interposed between the upstream and downstream nozzle body sections through which liquid directed through the liquid flow channels passes, the single-piece blade section comprising an upstream blade section and a downstream blade section downstream of the upstream blade section, the upstream and downstream blade sections each having a plurality of flat blade elements defining a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced laminar flow channels communicating between the liquid inlet and the spray tip for longitudinally directing liquid in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the liquid channel, and the radial blade elements of the downstream blade section being circumferentially offset from the radial blade elements of the upstream blade section.

13. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 12 in which said one-piece vane segment is connected in interposed relation between said upstream and downstream nozzle body segments.

14. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 12 in which said blade sections have cylindrical collars integral with the blade elements of said upstream and downstream blade sections and said outer cylindrical collar has an upstream end secured to said upstream body section and a downstream end secured to said downstream nozzle body section.

15. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 12 in which said one-piece blade section includes a central hub extending longitudinally along a central axis thereof, and said blade elements of upstream and downstream blade sections each extend radially outwardly from said central hub.

16. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 15 in which said one-piece vane segment includes an integrally formed outer cylindrical collar disposed in surrounding relation to the vane elements of both said upstream and downstream vane segments such that said central hub, vane elements and outer cylindrical collar circumferentially enclose said plurality of laminar flow passages extending axially through said vane segments.

17. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 16 in which said central hub has an axial channel extending therethrough for defining an additional laminar flow channel.

18. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 16 in which said central hub of said one-piece blade section has an upstream projection extending upstream of said upstream blade section, said upstream projection having a frustoconical outer guide surface tapering outwardly in a downstream direction for guiding liquid into said circumferentially spaced laminar flow passages of said upstream blade section.

19. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 18 in which said central hub has an axial passage extending through said hub for defining an otherwise laminar flow passage, and said frusto-conical guide surface of said upstream hub projection intersects said hub axial passage to form a pointed annular upstream end of said upstream projection for splitting a liquid flow stream for channeling through said central hub laminar flow passage and onto said frusto-conical guide surface of said upstream projection.

20. The spray nozzle assembly of claim 19 in which said vane elements of said upstream and downstream vane segments have upstream tips for splitting liquid flow into respective circumferential laminar flow channels of the respective vane segments.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to spray nozzle assemblies and, more particularly, to a descaling spray nozzle assembly that is particularly effective for directing a wide thin line high pressure liquid discharge for penetrating and descaling steel in a steel manufacturing operation.

Background

Descaling spray nozzle assemblies are widely used in steel processing for directing a wide fine line high pressure spray onto the surface of a steel slab prior to steel rolling and subsequent processing to penetrate and remove accumulated iron oxide scale on the surface. In such spray systems, it is desirable that the high pressure liquid discharge be as fine as possible for maximum impact pressure and scale penetration. It is also desirable that the distribution of the liquid discharge is uniform across the width of the spray pattern.

Such descaling spray nozzle assemblies typically include: a tubular body (sometimes referred to as a high impact attachment tube) formed with a liquid flow passage tapering inwardly in a downstream direction for accelerating liquid flow; a filter secured to the upstream end of the tubular body for filtering particulate matter and scale from recycled steel mill water typically used in such descaling processes; and a tungsten carbide insert tip mounted at the downstream end of the tubular body having an elongated liquid discharge orifice for forming and directing a flat spray discharge pattern. The high pressure liquid, typically at 2000 to 4000 psig, directed through the filter is diverted into the high impact attachment tube, typically at a right angle, creating extensive turbulence that can adversely affect the uniformity and impact force of the discharge spray.

In order to reduce turbulence and straighten the liquid flow stream through the high impact attachment tube prior to passing through the spray tip, it is known to provide a vane having a plurality of radial vane elements downstream of the filter which effectively define a plurality of circumferentially spaced laminar flow channels. It is also known to use a plurality of blades assembled in axially spaced, circumferentially offset relation to one another to further enhance liquid straightening.

Even with such vanes, a substantial amount of turbulence is retained in the high pressure flow stream, partially created by the vanes themselves, which reduces the energy of the liquid and reduces the impact of the discharged spray. Wear of the vanes from the high pressure liquid also detracts from efficient liquid straightening performance. Furthermore, the use of multiple staged blades requires that the blades be accurately assembled and aligned in proper relation to each other, which can prevent efficient assembly and replacement.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a descaling spray nozzle assembly that more efficiently directs and directs liquid through the spray nozzle assembly while reducing turbulence and energy losses.

It is another object to provide a descaling spray nozzle assembly as described above having a plurality of stepped liquid straightening vanes that more effectively reduce turbulence and energy losses in the liquid flow stream that alter the impact force of the discharged liquid spray.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a descaling spray nozzle assembly of the above-mentioned type in which the liquid straightening vanes are not easily worn by the high-pressure liquid directed through the spray nozzle assembly after a long period of time.

It is a further object to provide a descaling spray nozzle assembly of the aforementioned type having a plurality of liquid straightening vanes adapted for easier and more efficient assembly. A related object is to provide a descaling spray nozzle assembly of this type which eliminates the need for handling and precise assembly of a plurality of individual vanes.

It is a still further object to provide a descaling spray nozzle assembly of the aforementioned type which is relatively simple in design and lends itself to economical manufacture.

Drawings

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic end elevational view of an illustrative descaling spray system having a spray nozzle assembly according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of one descaling spray nozzle assembly of the illustrative spray system;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged downstream end view of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly taken in the plane of line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the tungsten carbide insert spray tip of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the spray nozzle assembly of FIG. 2 taken in the plane of line 5-5;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side plan view of a one-piece blade segment of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of the one-piece blade segment shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged detail view of an upstream end of one of the blade sections of the one-piece blade section depicted in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7B is an enlarged detail view depicting the vane element end of the illustrated one-piece vane segment;

FIG. 8 is an upstream end view of the illustrated one-piece bucket segment;

FIG. 9 is a downstream end view of the illustrated one-piece blade segment;

FIG. 10 is a transverse section taken in the plane of line 10-10 in FIG. 6; and

fig. 11 is a transverse section taken in the plane of line 11-11 in fig. 6.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Detailed Description

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative descaling spray system 10 having a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies 11 according to the present invention for directing high pressure liquid sprays on opposite sides of a moving steel slab 12 in a steel manufacturing operation. In this case, the spray system 10 includes upper and lower liquid supply headers 14a, 14b, which are typically supplied with mill water that is recirculated in a steel manufacturing facility. These spray nozzle assemblies 11 are mounted in laterally spaced relation along the respective headers 14a, 14b such that the plurality of flat, fine line spray patterns 13 penetrate and remove scale across the width of the steel slab 12. In this case, the spray nozzle assembly 11 is supported in a depending manner from the upper liquid supply header 14a for directing the liquid spray onto the upper side of the moving mat 12, and the spray nozzle assembly 11 is supported in upwardly extending relation to the lower liquid supply header 14b for directing the spray pattern on the underside of the mat 12. Each spray nozzle assembly 11 is supported by its respective header 14a, 14b with an upstream end within the header for receiving supply liquid therefrom and a downstream end disposed outside the header in facing relationship with the moving plate 12. Since each spray nozzle assembly 11 has a similar construction, only one need be described in detail herein.

The illustrated spray nozzle assemblies 11 each have an elongate nozzle body 13, the nozzle body 13 comprising an upstream section in the form of an elongate generally cup-shaped liquid filter 18 through which supply water from the headers 14a, 14b enters the spray nozzle assembly 11, and a downstream section in the form of an elongate high impact attachment tube 15 supported within the walls 16 of the headers 14a, 14 b. A tungsten carbide insert spray tip 19 is mounted at the downstream end of the high impact attachment tube 15, the attachment tube 15 being formed with an elongated discharge orifice 20 for discharging and directing the flat spray pattern, and a spray tip retainer 21 securing the spray tip 19 in the mounted position. A spray tip retainer 21 is threaded onto the downstream end of the high impact attachment tube 15 with an inwardly directed annular lip 22 holding the spray tip 19 in abutting relationship against the downstream end of the high impact attachment tube 15.

In this case, spray nozzle assembly 11 is supported within the manifold by means of a cylindrical adapter 23, which adapter 23 is suitably secured within a radial opening in manifold 16. The adaptor 23 has an externally threaded lower end against which an outwardly extending radial flange 21a of the spray tip holder 21 is retained by an internally threaded retaining ring 24 fixed to the cylindrical adaptor 23.

To accelerate the liquid during passage through the spray nozzle assembly, the high impact attachment tube 15 is formed with a liquid flow channel 25, which liquid flow channel 25 tapers inwardly in the downstream direction. In this case, the tungsten carbide insertion spray tip 19 secured to the downstream end of the high impact attachment tube 15 is formed with an inlet passage section 32, the inlet passage section 32 communicating between the high impact attachment tube passage 25 and the discharge orifice 20 through a rounded inlet passage section 34 (fig. 4). In this case, the elongate discharge orifice 20 is defined by a cylindrical groove or cut-out 35, which groove or cut-out 35 extends transversely across the end of the spray tip 19 in intersecting relationship with the entry channel section 34.

To filter small particulate matter that may be present in the recirculated steel mill water directed through headers 14a, 14b from the flow stream entering spray nozzle assembly 11, filter 18 is formed with a plurality of elongated slots 38 extending circumferentially around the filter, communicating through the cylindrical side wall 39 of the filter, and partially into the upstream end 39a thereof. The supply water enters the filter 18 mainly in a radial direction through the elongated slits 38 and a 90 ° change in direction movement has to be made, causing significant turbulence in the liquid as it is directed towards the inwardly tapering channel 25 of the high impact attachment tube 15 before being directed from the spray tip 19. As mentioned above, turbulence in the high pressure liquid flow stream directed at spray tip 19 can adversely affect liquid discharge (particularly by increasing the transverse thickness of the fine line spray pattern), which reduces liquid impact forces and penetration, and thereby alters liquid distribution, particularly at the opposite end of the broad spray pattern, which can lead to uneven liquid penetration and scale removal.

In accordance with an important aspect of the present embodiment, the spray nozzle assembly has a one-piece, multi-stage liquid straightening blade segment 40 disposed within a central liquid flow passage 41 of the nozzle body 13 defined by the upstream filter 18 and the high impact attachment tube 15, which more effectively reduces liquid turbulence before the liquid is directed and passed through the spray tip 19, resulting in improved control of the tightness of the fine, flat spray pattern and uniformity of liquid distribution throughout the spray pattern. The illustrated one-piece, multi-stage liquid straightening blade segment 40 includes a plurality of integrally formed and circumferentially offset liquid straightening blade segments 45a, 45b, which lends itself to easier and more efficient assembly and replacement in the spray nozzle assembly without requiring cumbersome handling of multiple individual blade components. In this case, the illustrated one-piece blade section 40 comprises a central longitudinally extending hub 44 having a first or upstream blade section 45a and a second or downstream blade section 45b downstream of the first blade section 45a, the first or upstream blade section 45a comprising a plurality of flat blade elements 46a extending in a radial plane radially outwardly from the central hub 44 through the longitudinal axis of the central liquid flow channel 41, the second or downstream blade section 45b comprising a plurality of similar flat blade elements 46b extending radially outwardly from the common central longitudinal hub 44 in circumferentially offset relationship relative to the blade elements 45a of the first blade section 45 a.

The illustrated single-piece blade section 40 has an outer cylindrical collar 48 that is integrally formed in surrounding relation to the blade elements 46a, 46b of both the upstream and downstream blade sections 46a, 46 b. The outer collar 48, the central hub 44 and the blade elements 46a of the upstream blade section 45a define a plurality of circumferentially spaced, enclosed laminar flow channels 50a (fig. 11), and the outer collar 48, the central hub 44 and the blade elements 46b of the downstream blade section 45b define a second circumferential array of enclosed laminar flow channels 50b circumferentially offset from the laminar flow channels 50b of the first blade section 45a (fig. 10). In the illustrated embodiment, the blade sections 45a, 45b each have five radial blade members 46a, 46b extending between the common central hub 44 and the outer collar 48 for defining five circumferentially spaced laminar flow channels 50a, 50b, the blade members 46b of the downstream blade section 45b being disposed intermediate the blade members 46a of the upstream blade section 45a when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the blade sections 45a, 45b each have a common number of blade elements 46a, 46b between four and six.

The vane elements 46b of the downstream vane segment 46b are axially spaced from and circumferentially offset from the radial vane elements 46a of the upstream vane segment 45a for providing graded straightening of the high pressure liquid 46a through the vane segment 40 before the high pressure liquid 46a enters the high impact attachment tube 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade elements 46b of the downstream blade section 45b are aligned medially with respect to the laminar flow channel 50a of the upstream blade section 45a, when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the vane elements 46a, 46b each have an equal longitudinal length L and are separated by an axial gap D (fig. 5 and 7) that defines the length of the transition flow channel 52 between the vane sections 45a, 45 b. In a preferred embodiment, the gap D is less than half the axial length of the individual lengths of the vane elements 46a, 46 b.

Consistent with another aspect of the present embodiment, blade segment 40 has a streamlined design for reducing turbulence and energy losses in the high pressure liquid stream directed through blade segment 40. More particularly, the blade segments 40 are designed to minimize blunt surfaces that tend to impede the high pressure liquid flow stream and impart further turbulence thereto. To this end, the central hub 44 is formed with a longitudinal central channel 54 that defines an additional laminar flow channel through the blade segment 40. The central hub 44 also has a projection 55, the projection 55 extending upstream of the upstream blade section 45a, the upstream blade section 45a being formed with a frusto-conical outer liquid guiding surface 56 (fig. 7 and 7B) which tapers radially outwardly in the downstream direction. The frustoconical liquid guiding surface 56 in turn intersects the central liquid passage 54 of the hub 44 for defining a pointed annular entry end 58 that opens into both the central liquid passage 54 and the frustoconical liquid guiding surface 56. It has been found that such upstream projections 55 help to direct liquid into the central liquid channel 54 and onto the frusto-conical liquid guiding surface 56 in a more controlled manner, but also into the laminar flow channel 50a of the upstream blade section 45a, without the blunt surface imparting further turbulence to the high pressure liquid flow stream. To further assist in directing liquid into the laminar flow channel 50a, the vane elements 46a, 46b of the upstream and downstream vane segments 45a, 45b have upstream tips 58, as shown in fig. 7A. In this case, the central hub 44 also has a downstream protrusion 59, which downstream protrusion 59 has an outer frustoconical surface tapering inwardly in the downstream direction, also for guiding liquid from the laminar flow channel 46b of the downstream blade section 45b into the high-pressure attachment tube 25.

In further carrying out this embodiment, the spray nozzle assembly 11 is adapted for efficient assembly with the vane segment 40, the vane segment 40 comprising discrete sections of the nozzle body 13 of the spray nozzle assembly. To this end, the vane segment 40 is mounted in interposed relationship between an upstream segment of the nozzle body (in this case the liquid filter 18) and a downstream segment of the nozzle body (in this case the high impact attachment tube 15). In the illustrated embodiment, the downstream end of the filter 18 is fixedly crimped onto the upstream end of the vane segment collar 48, and the downstream end of the vane segment collar 48 is crimped onto the upstream end of the high impact attachment tube 15. In this case, the collar 48 of the blade segment 40 has a diameter that coincides with the diameter of the high impact attachment tube 15 and the filter 18. It should be appreciated that such a spray nozzle assembly 11 may be easily assembled without the need to handle or precisely align multiple liquid straightening vanes.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a descaling spray nozzle assembly is provided for more effectively and efficiently straightening the flow of liquid through the spray nozzle assembly while reducing turbulence and energy losses. The one-piece, multi-stage liquid straightening blade segment further minimizes turbulence and energy losses of the liquid flow stream that alter the impact force of the discharged liquid spray and are less susceptible to wear from high pressure liquid directed through the spray nozzle assembly over long periods of time. Furthermore, the spray nozzle assembly is adapted for easier and more efficient assembly and replacement without the need for handling and precise alignment of multiple individual vane elements.