阅读说明：本技术 用于控制喷嘴的体积流量的方法 (Method for controlling the volume flow of a 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控制或调节喷嘴(101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001)的待喷洒的物质和/或气体的体积流量的方法,所述喷嘴适合于喷洒物质、尤其分散剂、乳化液或悬浮液,其中喷嘴(101 201 301 401 501 601 701 801 901 1001)包括具有喷嘴头(106 206 306 1006)的喷嘴体(104 304),其中喷嘴体(104 304)具有内管(102 202 302 402 802 902 1002)和外管(103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003),内管与用于待喷洒的物质的供应部连接,内管具有内壁(114)和逸出开口(107 207 307 807 1007),外管与内管(102 202 302 402 802 902 1002)间隔开并且与用于气体的供应部连接,外管具有逸出开口(109 209 309 809 909 1009),并且内管(102 202 302 402 802 902 1002)的逸出开口(107 207 307 807 1007)和外管(103 203 303 503 603 703 803 903 1003)的逸出开口(109 209 309 809 909 1009)布置在喷嘴头(106 206 306 1006)的区域中。(The invention relates to a method for controlling or regulating the volume flow of a substance to be sprayed and/or a gas of a nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) which is suitable for spraying substances, in particular dispersants, emulsions or suspensions, wherein the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) comprises a nozzle body (104304) having a nozzle head (1062063061006), wherein the nozzle body (104304) has an inner tube (1022023024028029021002) which is connected to a supply for the substance to be sprayed, an inner tube which has an inner wall (114) and an escape opening (1072073078071007), and an outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) which is spaced apart from the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and connected to the supply for the 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 head (1062063061006).)

1. Method for controlling or regulating the volumetric flow rate of a substance and/or gas to be sprayed of a nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) suitable for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, wherein the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001)

-comprising a nozzle body (104, 304) with a nozzle head (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 head (1062063061006),

characterized in that the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) is at least partially made of an elastic material and in that a device (1033) is arranged in an annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) between the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003), said device having an inlet for a fluid supply and an outlet for a fluid discharge, wherein the device (1033) has a closed position for closing the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and at least one open position, wherein in the at least one open position at least a fluid channel for the substance to be sprayed can be traversed, and wherein the device (1033) is designed such that the volume of the device (1033) can be changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, whereby the device (1033) can be brought from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into or into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), vice versa, wherein, upon bringing the device (1033) from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), the gas flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) starts to flow through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) at least while bringing the device (1033) from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in bringing the device (1033) from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), the gas flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) starts flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) before bringing the device (1033) from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when bringing the device (1033) from the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), the gas flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) stops flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) at the earliest while bringing the device (1033) from the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002).

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, when bringing the apparatus (1033) from the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), the gas flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) stops flowing through the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) at the earliest after bringing the apparatus (1033) from the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) comprises a plurality of devices (1033), in particular two devices (1033), wherein the devices (1033) adjust and/or control the substance to be sprayed and the gas independently of each other.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of said one device (1033) is steplessly changeable or changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge, or the volumes of said plurality of devices (1033) are steplessly changeable or changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the volumes of the plurality of devices (1033) are changeable or changed independently of each other by fluid supply or fluid discharge.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) has an inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013), wherein the inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is placed in oscillation by the substance to be sprayed escaping through an escape opening (1072073078071007) of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and/or by the gas escaping through an escape opening (1092093098099091009) of the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003).

9. The method of any of the above claims, wherein the inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is capable of changing length.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oscillation is a high frequency oscillation.

11. Method for controlling or regulating the volumetric flow rate of a substance and/or gas to be sprayed of a nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) suitable for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, wherein the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001)

-comprising a nozzle body (104, 304) with a nozzle head (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 head (1062063061006),

characterized in that the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) is at least partially made of an elastic material, and in that a device (1033) is arranged in an annular gap (1082083084085086087081008) between the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003), said device having an inlet for a fluid supply and an outlet for a fluid discharge, wherein the device (1033) has a closed position for closing the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and at least one open position, wherein in the at least one open position at least a fluid channel (1053051005) for the substance to be sprayed can be flowed through, and wherein the device (1033) is designed such that the volume of the device (1033) can be changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, whereby the device (1033) can be brought from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into or can be brought into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), vice versa, wherein, in order to bring the device (1033) from the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), a fluid is discharged from the device (1033) and the volume of the device is thereby reduced, or in order to bring the device (1033) from the at least one open position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) into the closed position of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002), a fluid is supplied to the device (1033) and the volume of the device is thereby increased.

12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the volume of the device (1033) can be steplessly changed by fluid supply or fluid discharge.

13. Method according to any of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the volume of the device (1033) is set by a control means or a regulating means by a fluid supply or a fluid discharge.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for controlling or regulating the volume flow of a substance to be sprayed and/or a gas of a nozzle which is suitable for spraying substances, in particular dispersants, emulsions or suspensions, wherein the nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle head, 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 escape opening, and an outer tube which is spaced apart from the inner tube and is connected to the supply for the gas, and the outer tube has an escape opening, and the escape opening of the inner tube and the escape opening of the outer tube are arranged in the region of the nozzle head.

Background

In industrial processes, such as, 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 may 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 at the nozzle opening, i.e. slag formation (Bartbindung), can occur, 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, for example, spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration, occur. Furthermore, deposits occur or the particles are coated with inadequate spray quality due to an inappropriate throughflow control and/or throughflow regulation of the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed as a function of the gas atomizing the substance to be sprayed.

The following prior art shows solutions for preventing or at least minimizing undesired deposits at the nozzle, in particular at the nozzle head.

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. The self-cleaning spray nozzle has: 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 a 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 tube, the sleeve forming a 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 at the end of the second tube in an adjustable manner.

International patent application WO 2013/010930 a1 describes a self-cleaning nozzle for spraying fluids, having a nozzle housing and a multi-part nozzle head arranged therein, which nozzle head comprises 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 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 a 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 with the pressure medium source; a tubular rod is provided, which has an inlet and an outlet and through which fluid can be conducted, wherein the inlet of the rod extends partially into the end of the fitting on the outlet side in such a way that the fluid entering the fitting flows through the rod in the longitudinal direction, and the rod is provided with a flange; providing a valve seat with a flap, the flap having an inner surface which is dimensioned such that it fits in a manner such that it can be displaced slidably around the rod, and an outer surface which is 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) which is 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 necessarily held in contact with the fitting so as to prevent movement of the valve seat in the longitudinal direction and in the radial direction; providing a spray head having fastening means for fastening a tubular stem, wherein the spray head comprises discharge means and has a surface adapted to a valve seat; a spring is provided, which surrounds the rod and is prestressed against the flange of the rod in order to produce a fixedly predefined prestress towards the valve seat, wherein the spring presses the valve seat against the adapted surface of the injection head such that a seal is formed between the valve seat and the adapted surface of the valve head in order to restrict the fluid flow at this seal, and wherein the discharge device forms a channel for the fluid flow such that, when a seal is formed, this fluid flow is dispersed or sprayed according to a predefined pattern; wherein a force applied to the spray head sufficient to overcome the spring pretension 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 is composed of a nozzle body, a nozzle cap, at least one escape opening for liquid to which solid matter is applied and of at least one escape opening for gas, wherein a flexible cleaning cap is arranged around the nozzle cap, and a supply composed of a compressed air channel arranged in the nozzle body for cleaning air to which compressed air is applied is arranged between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap, wherein the compressed air channel is connected with an annular turned part in the outer surface of the nozzle cap by an annular turned part (Eindrehung) in the outer surface 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 supply of the clean air to which compressed air is applied takes place via the compressed air channel at different intervals which can be adjusted or over a larger time period. The clean air is supplied through the annular turned part and the transverse bore of the annular turned part. The clean air is supplied over the entire circumference between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap by 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 surface of the nozzle cap and the inner surface 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 material deposits which occur in the immediate region of the escape opening in the spray nozzle are blown away by the clean air.

International patent application WO 2002/074446 a1 shows an external mixing nozzle for coating pharmaceutical products, such as tablets, with a pigment, wherein the pharmaceutical products are located in a rotatably arranged drum. The product is coated with pigment by means of a pigment mist (farbnel) and a product which is moved by means of the rotation of the drum. The external mixing nozzle used for this purpose consists of a nozzle body, at which a flat spray cap is fastened. As an addition, a nozzle needle can be arranged centrally in the nozzle body and centrally in the liquid insert, the escape opening of which can be closed by the nozzle needle.

The aforementioned technical solution has the disadvantages that: the self-cleaning nozzles mentioned in the prior art each have on the one hand a large number of individual parts which are assembled to form a complex nozzle requiring extensive maintenance, whereby the illustrated solution is expensive in its production and maintenance and on the other hand there is no suitable method for spraying the substance to be sprayed in such a way that no or at least few deposits form at the nozzle and the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and the gas can also be set precisely.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for a nozzle, in particular for a cleaning nozzle, which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved in the case of a method of the type mentioned at the outset in that: the inner tube is at least partially made of an elastic material and a device is arranged in an annular gap between the inner tube and the outer tube, the device having an inlet for a fluid supply and an outlet for a fluid discharge, wherein the device has a closed position for closing the inner tube and at least one open position, wherein in the at least one open position at least a fluid channel for the substance to be sprayed can be flowed through, and wherein the device is designed such that the volume of the device can be changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, whereby the device can be brought from the closed position of the inner tube into or into the at least one open position of the inner tube and vice versa, wherein, upon bringing the device from the closed position of the inner tube into the at least one open position of the inner tube, a gas flowing through the annular gap at least upon bringing the device from the closed position of the inner tube into the at least one open position of the inner tube Simultaneous start of flow through the annular gap in at least one open position.

Advantageously, in this way it is ensured that: when the spraying process is started, no escape of the substance to be sprayed takes place at the spray opening, i.e. at the escape openings of the inner and outer tubes, without the substance to be sprayed being directly atomized by the gas flowing through the annular gap. Thus ensuring atomization at all times. As a result, on the one hand, no deposits or lumps occur at the nozzle, for example during the premature drying of the material to be sprayed, and on the other hand no agglomeration of the particles to be sprayed due to the material to be sprayed that is not atomized occurs.

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

According to a development of the invention in this respect, when the device is brought from the closed position of the inner tube into the at least one open position of the inner tube, the gas flowing through the annular gap starts to flow through the annular gap before the device is brought from the closed position of the inner tube into the at least one open position of the inner tube. Thereby, the addition of the substance to be sprayed is further optimized such that no escape of the substance to be sprayed occurs in case the substance to be sprayed is not directly atomized by the gas flowing through the annular gap. Thus, likewise, atomization is always ensured, wherein the gas flowing through the annular gap, atomizing gas, is already set to the correct volume flow rate for the material to be sprayed, as a result of which deposits at the nozzle or agglomeration of the particles to be sprayed due to the non-atomized material to be sprayed are reliably prevented.

It is also advantageous if, when the device is brought from the at least one open position of the inner tube into the closed position of the inner tube, the gas flowing through the annular gap stops flowing through the annular gap at the earliest while the device is brought from the at least one open position of the inner tube into the closed position of the inner tube. It is entirely particularly preferred that, when the device is brought from the at least one open position of the inner tube into the closed position of the inner tube, the gas flowing through the annular gap stops flowing through the annular gap at the earliest after bringing the device from the at least one open position of the inner tube into the closed position of the inner tube. The steps of the method ensure that: even when the spraying process is ended, all the material to be sprayed which escapes from the escape opening of the inner tube in the region of the nozzle head is atomized at all times by the gas flowing through the annular gap.

Furthermore, the nozzle advantageously comprises a plurality of devices, in particular two devices, wherein the devices regulate and/or control the substances and gases to be sprayed independently of one another. Advantageously, the volume of the one device is steplessly changeable or variable by fluid supply or fluid discharge, or the volumes of the plurality of devices are steplessly changeable or variable by fluid supply or fluid discharge. Particularly preferably, the volumes of the plurality of apparatuses can be changed or varied independently of one another by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge. By means of the stepless adjustability of the volume of the device or of the devices, the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and the volume flow of the gas atomizing the substance to be sprayed can be adjusted accurately and specifically, so that the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size can be adjusted or regulated optimally for the process, in particular for the particle, preferably tablet coating process. By means of the independent adjustability of the volumes of the different devices, it is likewise possible to optimally adapt the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed to the atomizing gas and vice versa. Thereby, it is also possible to react to a minimum change in symmetry or droplet size in the spray.

Particularly preferably, the nozzle has an inlay, wherein the inlay is set into oscillation by the substance to be sprayed escaping through the exit opening of the inner tube and/or by the gas escaping through the exit opening of the outer tube. Advantageously, the inlay is arranged on the inner tube or on the outer tube, wherein the inlay is arranged such that it can be set or set in motion, in particular in oscillation or the like, in particular in high-frequency oscillation, by the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, escaping from the exit opening of the inner tube and/or by the gas, in particular atomized air, escaping from the exit opening of the outer tube, in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the escape region of the substance and/or gas to be sprayed. Preferably, the oscillation has a frequency of 5Hz to 1500Hz, particularly preferably between 25Hz and 500Hz, very particularly preferably between 25Hz and 250 Hz. Vibrations of a defined frequency occur at the inlay due to the high-frequency movement of the inlay, as a result of which caking of the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion agent, at the nozzle head is prevented. The symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are therefore not influenced by the deposition 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.

Preferably, the length of the subsections of the 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 changed 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 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 head. If the nozzle, in particular its nozzle head, 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 agglomeration.

In addition, this object is achieved in the case of a method of the type mentioned at the outset by: an inner tube which is constructed at least partially from an elastic material and in which a device is arranged in an annular gap between the inner tube and the outer tube, which device has an inlet for a fluid supply and an outlet for a fluid discharge, wherein the device has a closed position for closing the inner tube and at least one open position, wherein in the at least one open position at least a fluid channel for the substance to be sprayed can be flowed through, and wherein the device is designed such that the volume of the device can be changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, whereby the device can be brought from the closed position of the inner tube into or into the at least one open position of the inner tube and vice versa, wherein, in order to bring the device from the closed position of the inner tube into the at least one open position of the inner tube, fluid is discharged from the device, whereby the volume of the device is reduced or, in order to bring the device from the at least one open position of the inner tube into the closed position of the inner tube, the device is supplied with a fluid, so that the volume of the device is increased. The advantages of this embodiment of the method according to the invention are: the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed can be optimally matched to the process, in particular to the coating method in the pharmaceutical industry.

Furthermore, the volume of the device can advantageously be varied steplessly by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge. It is very particularly preferred if the volume of the device is set by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge here by a control or regulating device.

Drawings

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

figure 1 shows a nozzle according to the prior art,

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

figure 3 shows a detailed view according to fig 2 of a part of the nozzle head of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle,

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

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

fig. 6 shows a cross section of a third embodiment of the preferred nozzle with an attachment in the form of a vortex plate for gas guidance in the annular gap,

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

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

figure 9 shows 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 escape opening of the nozzle,

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of a preferred nozzle, wherein the inlay and the inner tube constitute an integral internal conduit 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, in the region of the nozzle head, between the inner tube and the outer tube, wherein the device shows the open position of the preferred nozzle in fig. 13,

fig. 14 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 head, wherein the device shows the closed position of the preferred nozzle in fig. 14,

fig. 15 shows a schematic structure of a first method for monitoring the nozzle head of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle, and

fig. 16 shows a schematic structure of a second method for monitoring the nozzle head 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 into the escape opening 7 of the inner tube 2 in the region of the nozzle head 6. 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 head 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 into the escape opening 107 of the inner tube 102 in the region of the nozzle head 106. 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 into an escape opening 109 of the outer tube 103 in the region of the nozzle head 106. 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 material (granules), 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 coating the 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 optimally adjusted 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 temperature variations, depending on the polymer. Thus, polymers, especially synthetic polymers, are well suited as inlays 113 for use in 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 the nozzle head 106 of the first embodiment of the 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 coating the 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 optimally adjusted 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 dotted 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 head 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 head 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 spray and its quality, in particular with regard to symmetry and droplet size. For example, the arrangement from the outer tube 103 and to the inner tube 102, in particular in the region of the nozzle head 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 head 206. Furthermore, the flow guidance of the gas, in particular atomizing air, at the nozzle head 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 leads to a change of the exit opening 207 of the inner tube 202 but also of the exit opening 209 of the outer tube 203, which changes the flow ratio at the nozzle head 206, in particular in the exit 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. The inlay 213 can therefore also be adapted to the substance to be sprayed in a grinding type. The oscillation behavior of the subsection 218 projecting at least partially out of the escape opening 207 can be varied by varying the wall thickness with the same length of the inlay 213 projecting at least partially out of the inner tube 202 or by adjusting the length of the inlay 213 with the wall thickness of the inlay 213 remaining constant, as a result of which the inlay 213 used can be specifically adapted to the respective process in terms of method 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 head 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 forming 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 head 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 process parameters in terms of method technology. 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 exit opening 309 of outer tube 303 into exit 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, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, which leads to deposition at nozzle head 306, is prevented. By preventing deposition at the nozzle head 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 affected 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 or the like in wall 425 of inner tube 402, 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, inlay 613 has two subsections 617 and 618, wherein subsection 617 serves for fastening inlay 613 in wall 628 of outer tube 603. Advantageously, the inlay 613 is clamped or the like in the wall 628 of the outer tube 603, 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 nozzle 101 to 701 has 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 conduit 929. This internal line is preferably made of an elastic material, preferably a polymer, in particular silicone. Advantageously, the internal line 932 of the preferred nozzle 901 with the substance to be sprayed can thus also be replaced more easily. Further, there is a possibility that: configuring the internal lines as a disposable item, for example in the pharmaceutical industry, when changing the substance to be sprayed due to a product change, 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 head 1006, an apparatus 1033 whose volume can be varied, in particular a ring of expandable compressed air (presslufring) 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 flowing 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 for the gas and/or for the substance to be sprayed with a flow rate of 0% and 100%, wherein the adjustment of the volume flow is dependent on one another in the case of only one device 1033. In the case of a plurality of, in particular two, apparatuses 1033 being used, namely 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, namely by the volumes of the apparatuses 1033 used which can be changed independently of one another by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge. By the independent adjustability of the volumes of the different devices 1033, the volumetric flow rate of the substance to be sprayed can likewise be optimally adapted to the atomizing gas and vice versa. Thereby, it is also possible to react to a minimum change in symmetry or droplet size in 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 volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and the volume flow of the gas atomizing the substance to be sprayed can be adapted to one another in an accurate and targeted manner, so that the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size can be adjusted optimally or optimally for the process, in particular for a 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, and the preferred nozzle 1001 has a device 1033, the volume of which can be varied, in the region of the nozzle head 1006 between the inner tube 1002 and the outer tube 1003, wherein the device in fig. 14 shows the closed position of the preferred nozzle in such a way that the device 1033 closes 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 subsection 1018 of inlay 1013 can also be changed, in particular during the injection process. Based on the additional length of the partial section 1018 of the inlay 1013 which projects at least partially out of 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 apparatus 1033, not only the lines 1032, in particular the sub-sections 1017 and 1018 arranged in the nozzle head 1006, are sealed, but also the annular gap 1008. 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 comprises a plurality of devices 1033, in particular two devices 1033. Preferably, the devices are separated from each other by means such as 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% for both the atomizing gas and the substance 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, for example during the premature drying of the material to be sprayed, and on the other hand no agglomeration of the particles to be sprayed as a result of the material to be sprayed that has not been atomized occurs.

Fig. 15 is a schematic structure of a first method for monitoring the nozzle head 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 nozzle head with respect to the deposition by means of the sensor 134 is carried out in the 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 head 106, and 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 or the like. 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 a deposition is or has occurred at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle head 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.

As soon as, for example, the deposition exceeds a certain stored limit value, whereby the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are impaired during the production process and/or the spraying process, the control unit 135 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. As soon as there is no longer a deposit at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle head 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 measurement, near line measurement or online 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 align them with the initial data (nominal values) of the preferred nozzle 101. Preferably, if the difference between the actual value and the target value is too great, a signal is sent by 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, puts the nozzle 101 into vibration, so that the deposition at the nozzle head 106 is shed. The incorporation of the aforementioned steps into the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process enables automatic monitoring of the quality of the spray during the entire duration of the manufacturing process and/or the spraying process.

The monitoring of the nozzle head 106 with respect to the deposition by means of the sensor 134 takes place in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 16 by means of 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 configuration of a method for monitoring the escape openings 107, 109 in the escape region 112 of the first embodiment of the nozzle 101, in particular of the nozzle head 106, in particular 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 which have a negative influence on the symmetry and droplet size also at the nozzle head 106 of the nozzle 134, so that the most suitable measures to lift-off the deposits, such as 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 head 106, in particular at the escape openings 107, 109 in the escape region 112, in particular, 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 rate, and thus also the volume flow rate, of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the atomizing gas can be calculated. The pressure at the sensor 134, which is detected in a measuring-technical manner, allows conclusions to be drawn about the deposition at the nozzle head 106. The deposition at the nozzle head 106 leads to a pressure increase in front of the escape openings 107, 109 in the fluid channel 105 or the annular gap 108 and thus to a greater flow speed of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the gas, so that in the case of correspondingly predetermined 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 adjustment between the actual value and the setpoint value is carried out by the control unit 135.

As soon as the exceeding or falling below a defined limit value (setpoint value) is 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 a regulating valve at 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. Then, if the pressure drops below or exceeds the limit value again, the production process and the injection process are resumed. If the limit value is still exceeded or undershot, a new pulse is generated. The modulated (aufgepr ä gt) pulses can have different frequencies, in particular between 1Hz and 1500Hz, preferably between 25Hz and 250 Hz. Thereby, the deposition at the nozzle head 106 in the area of the escape openings 107, 109 of the inner and outer tubes 102, 103 is 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-optimal droplet sizes, the measures to be taken generally correspond to the measures according to the first and second method of fig. 15 or 16.