阅读说明：本技术 用于针对喷嘴处的沉积物监视喷嘴喷口件的方法 (Method for monitoring a nozzle orifice piece for deposits at 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针对在喷嘴(101)处的沉积物监视喷嘴喷口件(106)的方法,该喷嘴用于喷洒物质,尤其分散物、乳液或悬浮液。(The invention relates to a method for monitoring a nozzle orifice piece (106) for deposits at a nozzle (101) for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersion, emulsion or suspension.)

1. A method for monitoring a nozzle orifice member (1062063061006) for deposits at a nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) for spraying a substance, in particular a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, the nozzle comprising:

-a nozzle body (104304) having the nozzle spout piece (1062063061006),

-wherein the nozzle body (104304) 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 output opening (1072073078071007), and an outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003) spaced apart from the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and connected with a supply for gas, and having an output opening (1092093098099091009), and,

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

characterized in that an inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is arranged at the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) or the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003), wherein the inlay (1132133134135136137138139131013) is arranged in such a way that, as a result of the material to be sprayed being discharged from the output opening (1072073078071007) of the inner tube (1022023024028029021002) and/or as a result of the gas flowing out of the output opening (1092093098099091009) of the outer tube (1032033035036037038039031003), the inlay can be set in vibration or set in vibration in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the output region (1122123124125126127128129121012) of the material and/or gas to be sprayed, wherein a sensor (134) connected to a control unit (135) monitors the nozzle orifice piece (1062063061006) for deposits and transmits a signal to the control unit (135), wherein, when a deposit is determined by the sensor (134) in the output region (1122123124125126127128129121012) of the material and/or gas to be sprayed, the control unit (135) transmits a signal to a device (136).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nozzle orifice piece (1062063061006) is monitored for deposits by a sensor (134) disposed outside or inside the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method comprises a plurality of sensors (134).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensors (134) operate independently of one another.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sensor (134) transmits a signal to the control unit (135) and when a threshold value is exceeded the control unit transmits a signal to the device (136).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (134) is an optical sensor (134) or a sensor (134) detecting a physical measuring variable, in particular a pressure sensor.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (136) receiving a signal from the control unit (135) is a vibration unit or a pulsation unit.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the vibration unit is connected to the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) and upon receiving a signal from the control unit (135), the nozzle (1012013014015016017018019011001) is placed in vibration such that deposits at the nozzle orifice piece (1062063061006) break off.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, upon receiving a signal from the control unit (135), the pulsation unit applies pulses to the substance to be sprayed guided in the fluid channel (1053051005) and/or the gas guided in the annular gap (1082083084085086087081008), causing the deposits at the nozzle orifice (1062063061006) to break off.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a nozzle mouthpiece for spraying substances, in particular dispersions, emulsions or suspensions, for deposits at a nozzle, comprising a nozzle body having a nozzle mouthpiece (Duesenmudsteck), wherein the nozzle body has an inner tube which is connected to a supply for the substance to be sprayed, the inner tube having an inner wall and an outlet opening (Austritsoeffnung), and an outer tube which is spaced apart from the inner tube and connected to the supply for gas and has an outlet opening, and wherein the outlet opening of the inner tube and the outlet opening of the outer tube are arranged in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece.

Background

In industrial processes such as granulation, coating of tablets and pills, and direct manufacture of pills, nozzles or spray nozzles are used very frequently. The particles are coated with a layer and/or a film. Typically, a liquid is sprayed in which the solids are dissolved or suspended. These spraying processes may last for several hours. The liquid jet is atomized into small droplets by the atomizing section. The size of the droplets produced here is critical for the manufacturing and/or spraying process. If the droplets are too small, there is a risk that they dry out before they reach their destination; if the droplets are too large, there is a risk of undesirable agglomeration (Agglomerate) occurring. Due to the process-induced swirling in front of the nozzle, especially in the case of permanent spraying processes, deposits, i.e. burr formation (Bartbildung), can occur at the nozzle opening. These deposits affect the symmetry and droplet size of the Spray (Spray) and thus give rise to undesirable process effects, such as Spray drying and/or local over-wetting and caking. The droplet size may furthermore be influenced by the fact that: in the supply for the substance to be sprayed or in the supply for the gas, in particular atomizing gas, the particles to be coated or treated are deposited or attached. This deposition or adhesion can take place in particular in a non-spraying period, for example in the case of filling devices, in particular fluidizing devices or roller coaters, in such a way that the particles reach the outlet openings of the nozzles and thereby block these outlet openings.

The following prior art is a technical solution to prevent or at least minimize undesired deposits at the nozzle, in particular at the nozzle orifice piece.

European patent document EP 1497034B 1 shows a self-cleaning spray nozzle, and in particular a self-cleaning 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 an intermediate passage for supplying liquid, wherein the passage opens into an opening for outputting liquid; a second pipe surrounding the intermediate pipe, thereby forming a first passage between the intermediate pipe and the second pipe for supplying primary air; a nozzle cone disposed at an end of the second pipe and forming an outer periphery of the first outlet gap of the first passage, thereby mixing air supplied from the first passage with the liquid to form a liquid/air-spray mist (spraehnebel); a third tube surrounding the second tube, thereby forming a second passage between the second tube and the third tube for supplying secondary air; a sleeve arranged at the end of the third tube, the sleeve forming an outer periphery of the second outlet gap of the second passage, wherein, for adjusting the size of the first outlet gap, the nozzle cone is displaceably arranged at the end of the second tube.

International patent application WO 2013/010930 a1 describes a self-cleaning nozzle for spraying fluids, having a nozzle housing and a multi-part nozzle head arranged in the nozzle housing, which nozzle head encloses a flow channel for the fluid, which flow channel has an outlet opening, wherein the nozzle head has at least one fixed and at least one movably arranged head element, which head elements each form a section of the outlet opening, wherein the movable 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 when the fluid pressure decreases 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 fitting has an inner fluid channel running in its longitudinal direction, which fluid channel is provided with an inlet and an outlet, and a connection means is provided for establishing a connection with the pressure medium source; a tubular shaft is provided, which has an inlet and an outlet and through which a fluid can be conducted, wherein the inlet of the shaft extends partially into the end of the fitting on the outlet side in such a way that the fluid entering the fitting flows in the longitudinal direction through the shaft provided with the flange; providing a valve seat with a skirt having an inner face dimensioned such that it fits slidably around the shaft and an outer face dimensioned such that it fits into the outlet of the tubular fitting so as to fix the radial position of the valve seat, wherein the valve seat furthermore has a lip 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 seat and the outlet of the tubular fitting; means are provided by which the valve seat is forcibly held in contact with the fitting so as to prevent displacement of the valve seat in the longitudinal and radial directions; a sprinkler head is provided with a fixing means for fixing the tubular shaft, wherein the sprinkler head comprises an outlet means and has a surface adapted to the valve seat; providing a spring surrounding the shaft and pre-tensioned against a flange of the shaft so as to generate a fixed pre-set pre-tensioning force against the valve seat, wherein the spring presses the valve seat against the mating surface of the sprinkler head so as to form a seal between the valve seat and the mating surface of the valve head so as to restrict fluid flow at the seal, and wherein the outlet means forms such a channel for fluid flow that, when a seal is established, the fluid flow is dispersed or sprayed according to a pre-set pattern; wherein the force applied to the sprinkler head, which is sufficient to overcome the spring pre-pressure, separates the sprinkler head from the valve seat, thereby cancelling the sealing action and enabling flushing of the outlet mechanism by the fluid.

DE 10116051B 4 discloses a spray nozzle for a fluidized bed system, consisting of a nozzle body, a nozzle cap, at least one outlet opening for a liquid to which a solid is applied and at least one outlet opening for a gas, wherein a flexible cleaning cap is arranged around the nozzle cap and a supply of cleaning air for the application of compressed air is arranged between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap, which supply consists of a compressed air channel arranged in the nozzle body, wherein the compressed air channel is connected to the annular bore in the outer face of the nozzle cap via an annular bore (Eindrehung) in the outer face of the nozzle body and at least one transverse bore in the nozzle cap. The cleaning cap is closely adjacent to the nozzle cap. The supply of clean air loaded with compressed air takes place via the compressed air channel at adjustable different intervals or over a longer period of time. Clean air is supplied through the annular bore and the transverse bore of the annular bore. Via the annular bore, clean air is supplied between the nozzle cap and the cleaning cap over the entire circumference. Due to the pressure impact of the cleaning air, the cleaning cap made of an elastic material is arched outward, so that the cleaning air is guided between the outer face of the nozzle cap and the inner face of the cleaning cap toward the outlet opening of the spray nozzle. The clean air is guided as a pressure jet annularly from all sides to the nozzle spout of the spray nozzle, so that the pulses of the jet can be used directly without losses and turbulence can be avoided. The material deposits produced in the immediate vicinity of the outlet opening of the spray nozzle are blown away by the cleaning air.

A disadvantage of the aforementioned technical solutions is that the self-cleaning nozzles mentioned in the prior art each have a large number of individual components which are assembled to form complex, maintenance-intensive nozzles, whereby the disclosed technical solutions are expensive in terms of their production and maintenance. It is furthermore possible that, despite the technical design of these nozzles to prevent deposits or lumps (antibackung), deposits or lumps still form at the nozzles.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for monitoring a self-cleaning nozzle, which obviates the disadvantages of the prior art.

This object is achieved in a nozzle of the type mentioned at the outset in that an inlay (or inlay, i.e. inlay) is arranged on the inner tube or the outer tube, wherein the inlay is arranged in such a way that it can be set or set in vibration as a result of the material to be sprayed emerging from the outlet opening of the inner tube and/or as a result of the gas flowing out of the outlet opening of the outer tube in order to minimize or prevent deposits in the outlet region of the material and/or gas to be sprayed, wherein a sensor connected to the control unit monitors the nozzle orifice piece for deposits and transmits a signal to the control unit, which transmits a signal to the device when a deposit is determined by the sensor in the outlet region of the material and/or gas to be sprayed.

Advantageously, by means of the method according to the invention, further deposits or agglomerates at the nozzle orifice piece in the region of the outlet openings of the inner and outer tubes of the self-cleaning nozzle, which influence the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size, are identified by monitoring and are prevented or at least further minimized by suitable measures, so that undesirable process effects, such as spray drying and/or local over-humidification and agglomeration, occur.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

According to a further development of the method according to the invention, the nozzle mouthpiece is monitored for deposits by means of a sensor arranged outside or inside the nozzle. Due to the different process requirements, it is sometimes expedient to arrange the sensors inside the nozzle, in particular in situations of narrow construction, for example in the case of roll coaters or the like having a small volume. The optical sensor, preferably a camera, particularly preferably a high-speed camera, preferably monitors the nozzle orifice piece from outside the nozzle. Very good results are likewise obtained thereby.

The method preferably comprises a plurality of sensors. In particular sensors that work independently of each other. By means of a plurality of sensors, which preferably operate independently of one another, deposits or agglomerates which have a negative influence on the symmetry and droplet size can also be better located and identified, so that the most suitable measures, for example vibrations or pulses, can be introduced.

The sensor advantageously transmits a signal to the control unit, and when the threshold value is exceeded, the control unit transmits a signal to the device. The sensor can already detect a minimum of deposits at the nozzle orifice, i.e. in the region of the outlet opening for the substance and/or gas to be sprayed. In order not to cause a long-lasting reaction by the sensor, the sensor may be given a threshold value, for example a minimum value of deposits or agglomerates that are still acceptable for the spray quality. If the threshold value is exceeded, a signal is transmitted by the sensor to the control unit, so that the control unit causes a suitable countermeasure for removing the deposit by transmitting a signal to the device.

The sensor is very preferably an optical sensor, in particular a camera, particularly preferably a high-speed camera, or a sensor which detects a physical measurement variable, in particular a pressure sensor or a differential pressure sensor. Due to the optical sensor, the possibility exists to detect the contamination optically. By means of sensors which detect physical measurement variables, the mass flow and thus also the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the atomizing gas can be calculated, for example from the pressure difference, so that deposits or agglomerates at the nozzle mouthpiece can be inferred. Deposits or agglomerates at the nozzle orifice lead to a pressure increase before the outlet opening in the fluid channel or annular gap and thus to an increase in the flow speed of the substance and/or gas to be sprayed, so that the control unit causes suitable countermeasures for removing deposits by transmitting a signal to the device when a threshold value or a tolerance range (for example ± 10% deviation) is respectively preset and when they are exceeded or fallen below.

According to an additional embodiment of the method according to the invention, the device receiving the signal from the control unit is a vibration unit or a pulsation unit. Here, a vibration unit is connected to the nozzle, which upon receiving a signal from the control unit puts the nozzle into vibration, so that deposits at the nozzle orifice piece fall off. Alternatively, on receiving a signal from the control unit, the pulsation unit applies (aufpraegen) pulses to the substance to be sprayed guided in the fluid channel and/or to the gas guided in the annular gap, so that deposits at the nozzle orifice are detached. The applied pulses may have different frequencies, in particular between 1Hz and 1500Hz, preferably between 25Hz and 250 Hz. Thereby better shedding and removing deposits or agglomerates at the nozzle orifice piece in the region of the outlet openings of the inner and outer tubes.

Drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a nozzle according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a section B-B according to FIG. 4 of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of a portion of a nozzle orifice member according to a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle of section A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle according to FIG. 2, wherein the sectional plane B-B intersects the axis X-X;

fig. 5 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of a preferred nozzle with an attachment means (Anbauteil) in the form of a swirl plate (dralblech) for guiding the gas in the annular gap;

FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a third embodiment of a preferred nozzle with an attachment means in the form of a swirl plate for guiding the gas in the annular gap;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a seventh embodiment of the preferred nozzle;

fig. 11 shows a section through a preferred nozzle according to the first embodiment, wherein the nozzle has a nozzle needle which is movable in the axial direction for closing the outlet opening of the nozzle;

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section of the preferred nozzle with the inlays and the inner tube configured as a one-piece inner line of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-section of a preferred nozzle, wherein the inlays and the inner tube are configured as an internal line of the preferred nozzle, and the preferred nozzle has a means of varying its volume between the inner tube and the outer tube in the area of the nozzle orifice piece, wherein the means in FIG. 13 shows an open position of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 14 shows a cross-section of a preferred nozzle where the inlays and the inner tube form the inner line of the preferred nozzle and the preferred nozzle has a means of varying its volume between the inner tube and the outer tube in the area of the nozzle mouthpiece, where the means in FIG. 14 shows the closed position of the preferred nozzle;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic configuration of a first method for monitoring the nozzle orifice member of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle;

fig. 16 shows a schematic structure of a second method for monitoring the nozzle orifice member of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle.

Detailed Description

A nozzle 1 known from the prior art is shown in fig. 1. The nozzle 1 includes a nozzle body 4 having an inner tube 2 and an outer tube 3. The inner tube 2 and the outer tube 3 are here arranged coaxially to the axis X-X.

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

The outer tube 3 is arranged spaced apart from the inner tube 2 and is thus configured as an annular gap 8 for supplying gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 8 opens into an outlet opening 9 of the outer tube 3 in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece 6. In the region of the outlet opening 9 facing away from the outer tube 3, the outer tube 3 has a coupling point 11 for a not shown supply line of gas.

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 nozzle 101 preferably 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, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. This opens into an outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece 106. In the region of the outlet opening 107 facing away from the inner tube 102, the inner tube 102 has a coupling point 110 for a supply line, not shown, of the substance to be sprayed.

The outer tube 103 is arranged spaced apart from the inner tube 102 and thereby constitutes an annular gap 108 for supplying gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 108 opens into an outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece 106. The outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 and the outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 are preferably arranged concentrically with respect to one another. This ensures that the flow conditions of the gas conveyed in the annular gap 108 are optimally, in particular uniformly, configured, so that the symmetry and the droplet size of the spray produced by means of the preferred nozzle 101 are precisely matched to the requirements of the production and/or spraying process (in particular for the production and/or spraying process of granules, tablets, etc.). In the region of the outlet opening 109 facing away from the outer tube 103, there is a coupling point 111 for a not shown supply line of gas. The outlet openings 107, 109 are preferably located in the plane C-C and open into an outlet area 112 of the nozzle 101. In the output region 112, as the substance to be sprayed and the atomizing gas meet each other, a spray is generated, which coats the particles. Advantageously, not only the symmetry of the spray but also the droplet size of the spray are optimally adjusted during the manufacturing and/or spraying process.

The inner tube 102 has an inlay 113. In fig. 2, the inlay 113 is arranged at 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, very particularly preferably silicone. Polymers are multifunctional materials which can be produced cost-effectively with high robustness and, depending on the polymer, can be very heat-resistant. Polymers, in particular synthetic polymers, are therefore very suitable as inlays 113 for use in various manufacturing and/or spraying processes. Due to the replaceability of the inlays 113, the preferred nozzle 101 may be used for a variety of different manufacturing and/or spraying processes.

In the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101, the insert 113 has four subsections 115 to 118. The sub-section 115 secures the insert 113 in the nozzle 101 such that the insert 113 is disposed in the preferred nozzle 101 during the entire manufacturing and/or spraying process. The inlay 113 is advantageously connected to the inner tube 102 in such a way that it is fixed there. Subsections 116 and 117 are arranged in the preferred nozzle 101 between subsection 115 and subsection 118 and rest against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102. The subsections 118 of the inlay 113 protrude at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102. Due to the possibility of adjusting the holding point of the subsegment 115 at the inner tube 102, the length of the subsegment 118 of the inlay 113 protruding from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 can be varied.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a part of the nozzle orifice piece 106 of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 according to section a of fig. 2. The inner tube 102 and the outer tube 103 are coaxially arranged about the axis X-X such that the output openings 107, 109 are concentrically arranged about the intersection of the axis X-X with the plane C-C. The outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 and the outlet opening 109 of the outer tube 103 are furthermore located in the plane C-C and open into the outlet region 112 of the nozzle 101. In the output region 112, as the material to be sprayed and the atomizing gas meet each other, a spray is generated, which coats the particles. Advantageously, not only the symmetry of the spray but also the droplet size of the spray are optimally adjusted during the manufacturing and/or spraying process.

The partial section 117 of the insert 113 rests preferably against the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102 of the nozzle 101 and is connected to the partial section 118 of the insert 113. The subsections 118 of the inlays 113 protrude at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102 of the preferred nozzle 101. The sub-sections 118 of the inlay 113 are preferably variable in length. The length variability is shown by the dashed line adjacent to subsection 118. The change in length may be made directly by replacing the insert 113, by adjusting the retention point of the insert 113 at the inner tube 102, and/or by otherwise changing the placement of the insert 113 in the nozzle 101.

The internal pressure 119 acts on the insert 113 by means of the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersion, suspension or emulsion, which is conveyed in the fluid channel 105 through the inner tube 102 with the insert 113 towards the outlet opening 107. Insert 113 is pressed against inner wall 114 of inner tube 102 by internal pressure 119 acting on insert 113. In the region of the nozzle outlet piece 106, in particular in the region of the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102, the force which moves the insert 113 away from the axis X-X likewise acts on a partial section 118 of the insert 113 as a result of the internal pressure 119 acting on the insert 113.

Furthermore, a force 120 acting in the direction of the axis X-X acts on a subsection 118 of the inlay 113 which projects at least partially from the outlet 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, being discharged from the annular gap 108 via the outlet opening 109.

The inlay 113, which protrudes at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102, is thereby moved, advantageously at high frequency, by the liquid, which is discharged from the preferred nozzle 101 into the outlet region 112 of the nozzle 101, and/or the gas, in particular atomizing air, which is discharged from the preferred nozzle 101 into the outlet region 112 of the nozzle 101. By means of this advantageous high-frequency movement of the inlay 113 which protrudes at least partially from the outlet opening 107 of the inner tube 102, the liquid to be atomized is prevented from depositing at the nozzle mouthpiece 106, in particular in the outlet region 112, or from agglomerating. Thus, the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are not affected during manufacture and/or spraying, so that undesired spray drying and/or local over-wetting and caking do not occur.

The vibration frequency of the partial section 118 of the inlay 113 can additionally be varied, for example, by the length variability of the partial section 118 of the inlay 113. This can directly influence the production or spraying process. The vibration frequency can be further varied, for example by adapting the pressure of the substance to be sprayed and the gas. 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 insert 113 and thus has an effect on the spray and its quality, in particular with regard to symmetry and droplet size. In order to vary the inflow angle α of the gas, the arrangement of the outer tube 103 and the inner tube 102 can be adapted to one another, in particular in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece 106, for example. Furthermore, the inflow of the insert 113 can also be adapted by a modified flow guidance in the annular gap 108. Very preferably, only the annular gap 108 is adapted such that it has a further inflow angle with respect to the subsections 118 of the inlay 113.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101, wherein the sectional plane B-B intersects 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 outlet openings 107, 109 for the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, or for a gas, in particular atomizing air, can be arranged concentrically with respect to one another about the axis X-X. An inlay 113 is arranged at the inner wall 114 of the inner tube 102.

Fig. 5 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of a preferred nozzle 201 with an optional attachment means 220 in the form of a swirl plate for guiding the gas in the annular gap 208.

The preferred nozzle 201 according to the second embodiment corresponds in its basic structure to the structure of the first embodiment shown in fig. 2 to 4 of the preferred nozzle 101. The difference between the two embodiments is that, in contrast to the nozzle 101, the nozzle 201 preferably has an optional attachment part 221 in the form of a swirl plate configured for guiding the gas. In the present second embodiment of the preferred nozzle 201, the attachment part 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 swirling flow about the axis X-X. By swirling about the axis X-X, the inflow and the motion behavior, and thus also the vibration frequency of the inlay 213 protruding at least partially from the outlet opening 207 of the inner tube 202, can be influenced.

The attachment part 221 can likewise be configured in the form of a cyclone body, for example a flow baffle or the like, for gas guidance. The attachment member 222 is preferably securely connected with the inner tube 202 and the outer tube 203. Thereby improving the stability of the nozzle 201 in the region of the nozzle orifice 206. Furthermore, by mounting the attachment part 221 in the form of a swirl body, swirl plate or the like, the flow guidance of the gas, in particular atomizing air, at the nozzle spout 206, in particular in the output region 212 of the nozzle 201, is influenced, as a result of which the movement behavior of the insert 213, in particular the vibration frequency of the subsections of the insert 213, which protrude at least partially from the inner tube 202, can be changed. The vibration frequency can thus be adjusted to an improved degree according to the production and/or spraying process. In addition, the spray symmetry and the spray, i.e. the droplet size of the substance to be atomized, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, can thus be adjusted directly. Furthermore, the inner tube 202 is guided when mounted in the outer tube 203 and always remains in the desired position, in fig. 5 in a concentric position around the axis X-X. Furthermore, the attachment part 221 prevents the inner tube 102 from swinging, which not only results in a change of the output opening 207 of the inner tube 202, but also of the output opening 209 of the outer tube 203, which changes the flow conditions at the nozzle orifice 206, in particular in the output region 212 of the nozzle 201, and thereby also affects the spray symmetry and droplet size.

Inlay 213, which protrudes at least partially from output opening 207 of inner tube 202, preferably has a variable wall thickness. The wall thickness of the insert 213, in particular of the partial section 218 protruding from the inner tube 202, can be adapted to the substance to be sprayed, preferably a liquid, particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension, whereby the spraying behavior of the preferred nozzle 201, preferably the adjustment of the spray symmetry and droplet size, can be optimized. The inlay 213 can thus also be adapted to the abrasive material to be sprayed. By varying the wall thickness with the same length of inlay 213 protruding at least partially from inner tube 202, or by adapting the length of inlay 213 with the same wall thickness of inlay 213, the vibration behavior of subsections 218 protruding at least partially from output opening 207 is varied, whereby the inlay 213 used can be adapted in particular to the course of the respective method technique. The inlay 213 is advantageously connected to the inner tube 202 such that it is fixed there.

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

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 into an outlet opening 307 of the inner tube 302 in the region of the nozzle spout part 306. In the region of the outlet opening 307 facing away from the inner tube 302, the inner tube 302 has a coupling point 310 for a not shown supply line for the substance to be sprayed, 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 supplying gas, in particular atomizing air. The annular gap 308 opens into an outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 in the region of the nozzle spout 306. In the region of the outlet opening 309 facing away from the outer tube 303, the outer tube 303 has a coupling point 311 for a not shown supply line of the gas.

An attachment member 321 having an opening 322 is disposed between the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303. The attachment member 321 connects the inner tube 302 and the outer tube 303 to each other preferably firmly. Due to the attachment member 321, the gas, in particular atomizing air, flowing through the annular gap 308 exerts a swirling flow. The frequency of inlay 313 protruding at least partially from outlet opening 309 of outer tube 303 is influenced by the swirling flow. The inlay 313 is arranged in the annular gap 308 at the outer wall 323 and rests against the outer wall 323.

Inlay 313, which protrudes at least partially from output opening 309 of outer tube 303 into output region 312, has four subsections 315, 316, 317 and 318. The partial section 315 is fixed, for example 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 may vary, in particular the length of sub-section 318 of inlay 313 may be adapted to the parameters of the manufacturing and/or spraying process. Furthermore, the wall thickness of inlay 313, which protrudes at least partially from outlet opening 309 of outer tube 303 into outlet region 312, in particular the wall thickness of partial section 318 of inlay 313, can be adapted to process parameters in terms of method engineering. In fig. 6, the wall thickness of inlay 313 decreases from sub-section 315 to sub-section 318.

The inlay 313, which protrudes at least partially from the outlet opening 309 of the outer tube 303 into the outlet region 312, moves, in particular with high frequency, as a result of the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid, which is discharged from the preferred nozzle 301 and/or the gas, in particular atomizing air, which is discharged from the preferred nozzle 301. Due to the particularly high-frequency movement or oscillation of inlay 313, which protrudes at least partially from output opening 309 of outer tube 303 into output region 312, vibrations with a specific frequency are generated at inlay 313, thereby preventing agglomeration and/or sticking of the substance to be atomized, preferably a liquid, very particularly preferably a dispersion, emulsion or suspension (which leads to deposits at nozzle mouthpiece 306). By preventing deposits at the nozzle orifice 306 in the output 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 and/or spraying process, so that undesired spray drying and/or local over-humidification and agglomeration do not occur.

Fig. 7 to 10 show in cross section four further embodiments of the preferred nozzle 401, 501, 601, 701, which are substantially indistinguishable from the first embodiment of the nozzle 101 in terms of their configuration. In particular, these embodiments differ from the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101 in that the inlays 413, 513, 613 and 713 are arranged at another location at the inner tube 402, 502, 602, 702 or the outer tube 403, 503, 603, 703. Four embodiments of the preferred nozzles 401, 501, 601, 701 are explained in more detail below.

Fig. 7 shows a cross section of a fourth embodiment of a preferred nozzle 401. In a fourth embodiment of the preferred nozzle 401, the insert 413 is arranged in the wall 425 of the inner tube 402 and its partial section 418 projects into the output region 412 of the nozzle 401. According to a fourth embodiment, inlay 413 has two partial sections 417 and 418, sub-section 417 being used to fix inlay 413 in wall 424 of inner tube 402. The inlay 413 is advantageously clamped (or in a similar manner) in the wall 425 of the inner tube 402, so that it 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 nozzle 501, inlay 513 is arranged at an inner wall 526 of outer tube 503. In this case, inlay 513 has four subsections 515, 516, 517 and 518, with subsection 518 protruding at least partially from output opening 509 of outer tube 503 into output region 512. The insert 513 is arranged by means of the partial section 515 in a groove 527 in the inner wall 526 of the outer tube 503 and is fixed there, for example by pressing.

Fig. 9 shows a cross section of 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. The insert 613 is arranged here in a wall 628 of the outer tube 603 and its subsections 618 project into the outlet region 612 of the nozzle 601. According to a sixth embodiment, inlay 613 has two subsections 617 and 618, sub-subsection 617 being used to fix inlay 613 in wall 628 of outer tube 603. The insert 613 is advantageously clamped (or in a similar manner) in the wall 628 of the outer tube 603 so that it is fixed there.

Fig. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of a preferred nozzle 701, in which an inlay 713 is arranged on an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703. According to fig. 10, in a seventh embodiment of the nozzle 701, the inlay 713 is arranged at an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703. The inlay 713 has four subsections 715, 716, 717 and 718 in this case, the subsection 718 protruding at least partially into the output region 712. The inlay 713 is arranged by means of the partial section 715 in a groove 730 in an outer wall 729 of the outer tube 703 and is fixed, for example clamped or pressed there.

All embodiments 101 to 701 can have optional attachment means 101 to 701 for guiding the flow in the annular gap 108 to 708. Furthermore, the following possibilities exist: inserts 113 through 713 are disposed at inner tubes 102 through 702 and additional inserts 113 through 713 are disposed at outer tubes 103 through 703, such that the preferred nozzles 101 through 701 have two inserts 113 through 713.

Fig. 11 shows a section through a preferred nozzle 801 according to the first embodiment, wherein the nozzle 801 according to fig. 11 has a nozzle needle 831 which is movable in the axial direction of the axis X-X for closing an outlet opening 807 of an inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801. The outlet opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801 with the insert 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 end position shown in dashed lines. Thereby preventing the substance to be sprayed from exiting the preferred nozzle 801. In addition, the following possibilities exist: in addition to the nozzle needle 831, the inner tube 802 is also moved in the Z direction, so that not only the outlet opening 807 of the inner tube 802 of the nozzle 801 but also the outlet opening 809 of the outer tube 803 of the nozzle 801 are closed. The inner tube 802 may also be expanded by the nozzle needle 831. This makes it possible, for example, in the case of filling granulators, coating machines, in particular roller coating machines or fluidizing devices, for the pellets or granules to not penetrate into the outlet openings 807, 809 of the nozzle 801, so that these outlet openings are already blocked before the production process begins. The inner tube 802 and the inlay 813 are preferably designed in one piece here as a line, preferably in the form of an elastic material, preferably silicone. Furthermore, insert 813 is thereby prevented from moving relative to inner tube 802 as nozzle needle 831 moves.

Fig. 12 shows a cross section of a preferred nozzle 901, the insert 913 and the inner tube 902 of the preferred nozzle 901 being formed in one piece as a line 932. However, inlay 913 and inner tube 902 may likewise be constructed as two separate members. According to this embodiment, inlay 913 and inner tube 902 form an inner wire 929. The inner wire is preferably made of an elastic material, preferably a polymer, in particular silicone. The replacement of the internal line 932 with the substance to be sprayed of the preferred nozzle 901 can thus advantageously also be achieved more simply. Furthermore, the following possibilities exist: the design of the internal circuit as a disposable item, for example in the pharmaceutical industry, leads to significant advantages when changing the substance to be sprayed on due to a product change, and significantly simplifies the work process compared to cleaning the inner tube 902.

According to fig. 12, in particular, the partial section 918 which projects from the outlet opening 909 of the outer tube 903 into the outlet region 912 is designed with a very small wall thickness. For reasons of stability of the inner tube 902, the wall 925 of the inner tube 902 is advantageously configured to have a greater wall thickness than the sub-section 918. Very particularly preferably, the wall sections subjected to high stresses are likewise of reinforced design, for example by means of fiber-reinforced polymers or the like at this point.

Fig. 13 and 14 show a further preferred embodiment of a nozzle 1001 with means 1033 for varying its volume.

Fig. 13 shows a cross section of a preferred nozzle 1001, wherein inlay 1013 and inner tube 1002 form a preferred one-piece line 1032 of nozzle 1001. The line 1032 is at least partially made of an elastic material, in particular a polymer, more preferably silicone, and in the annular gap 1008 between the inner tube 1002 and the outer tube 1003, in the region of the nozzle jet 1006, there is arranged a device 1033, in particular an inflatable compressed air ring or the like, which can change its volume.

The device 1033, which can change its volume, 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. Thereby, the volume of the device 1033 can be changed, i.e. increased or decreased, by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, whereby the device 1033 can be brought or brought from an open position, e.g. as shown in fig. 13, to a closed position as shown in fig. 14 and vice versa. As long as the inner tube 1002 is closed by the device 1033, the closed position is always produced, irrespective of the degree of opening of the annular gap 1008 through which the gas, in particular atomizing air, flows. In the open position shown in fig. 13, on the one hand the annular gap 1008 allows gas to flow through and on the other hand the fluid channel 1005 allows the substance to be sprayed, in particular a liquid or dispersion, to flow through, whereby the gas can atomize the substance to be sprayed at the outlet. Advantageously, the device 1033 has no or negligible effect on the flow of gas through the annular gap 1008.

It should always be noted that the substance to be sprayed, in particular the liquid, should not be discharged from the nozzle 1001 without atomization. For this purpose, it is ensured that at the beginning of each spraying process, firstly the gas (in particular the atomizing gas) flows through the annular gap 1008 and thus out of the nozzle 1001 and then the substance to be sprayed (in particular the liquid). At the end of the spraying process, the supply of the substance to be sprayed should be stopped or interrupted first and then the supply of gas. It is thereby always ensured that the substance to be sprayed is atomized during the spraying process and that at the end of each spraying process no substance to be sprayed drips from the nozzle without being atomized, if possible onto the material to be treated (coated). This can be ensured, for example, by automatic "lead" (vorlaufen) or "lag" (navlaufen) of the gas when starting or stopping the spraying process.

All positions at which the annular gap 1008 and/or the fluid channel 1005 may be flowed through by fluid are referred to as open positions. In this way, a stepless adjustment of the volume flow for the gas and/or for the substance to be sprayed can be provided at a flow rate of 0% and 100%, wherein the adjustments of the volume flow are dependent on one another in the case of only one device 1033. When using a plurality of, in particular two, devices 1033, i.e. for the substance to be sprayed conveyed in the fluid channel 1005 and the gas conveyed in the annular gap 1008, respectively, the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed in the fluid channel 1005 of the inner tube 1002 and the volume flow of the gas in the annular gap 1008 can be adjusted independently of one another or can be adjusted independently of one another, i.e. the volume of the devices 1033 used can be changed independently of one another by fluid supply or fluid discharge. Since the volumes of the different devices 1033 can be adjusted independently, the volumetric flow of the substance to be sprayed can likewise be optimally adapted to the atomizer gas and vice versa. It is thereby 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 controlled and/or regulated independently of one another by control and/or regulating means not shown here.

Device 1033 is preferably arranged concentrically around line 1032 and is surrounded by outer tube 1003, wherein subsection 1018 projects at least partially from output opening 1009 of outer tube 1003 into output region 1012. In fig. 13, the device 1033 is annularly configured around the inner tube 1002. The device 1033 is preferably configured as a compressed air loop. However, the device 1033 can also be designed in any other conceivable embodiment.

The device 1033 is preferably connected to a control or regulating device, not shown here, which controls or regulates the fluid supply or the fluid discharge of the device 1033, so that the volume of the device 1033 can be preset or preset. Very particularly preferably, the volume of the device 1033 is steplessly changeable or changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge, or the volume of the device 1033 is steplessly changeable or changed by the fluid supply or the fluid discharge. Since the volume of the device 1033 or of the devices 1033 can be adjusted in a stepless manner, 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 precisely and specifically relative to one another, so that the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size can be adjusted or regulated optimally for the process (in particular the particle-preferably tablet-coating process). In fig. 13, the volume of the device 1033 is minimized so that the nozzle 1001 is in the maximum open position. Accordingly, the maximum open position is characterized by the device 1033 having a minimum volume.

In fig. 13, a cross section of a preferred nozzle 1001 is shown, wherein 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 between the inner tube 1002 and the outer tube 1003 changing its volume in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece 1006, wherein the device in fig. 14 shows a closed position of the preferred nozzle in such a way that the device 1033 closes the fluid channel 1005 and the annular gap 1008. Due to the material to be sprayed which is discharged via the output opening 1007 of the inner tube 1002 and/or due to the gas which is discharged via the output opening 1009 of the outer tube 1003, the inlay 1013 is set in oscillation, in particular in high-frequency oscillation, in order to minimize or completely prevent deposits in the output areas 1007, 1009 of the material and/or gas to be sprayed. Preferably, the subsections 1018 of the inlay 1013 can also change in length, in particular during the spraying process. Due to the additional length variability of the subsection 1018 of the inlay 1013 protruding at least partially from the inner tube 1002 or the outer tube 1003 of the nozzle 1001, the mobility of the subsection 1018, in particular the vibration frequency of the subsection 1018 of the inlay 1013, may be changed. Due to the aforementioned measures, the symmetry of the spray and its droplet size are not affected by the deposits of the substance to be sprayed during the manufacturing and/or spraying process, so that undesired spray drying and/or local over-wetting and agglomeration do not occur.

A preferred nozzle 1001 of the device 1033 with an increased volume compared to the open position according to fig. 13 is illustrated in fig. 14. The compressed air ring preferably used as the device 1033 is aerated for this purpose with 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 a control and/or regulating mechanism, not shown, so that the device 1033 changes its volume from a first volume in the open position according to fig. 13 to a second volume in the closed position according to fig. 14 and vice versa.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the increased volume of device 1033 seals not only line 1032, in particular subsections 1017 and 1018 arranged in nozzle mouthpiece 1006, but also annular gap 1008. By increasing the volume, line 1032 (here sub-section 1018) is compressed and additionally closes off output opening 1009 such that fluid cannot flow through neither fluid channel 1005 nor annular gap 1008. This makes it possible, for example, in the case of filling granulators, coating machines, in particular roller coating machines or fluidizing devices, for the pills or granules to not pass into the outlet openings 1007, 1009 of the nozzle 1001 and therefore to block them already before the production process begins.

Other modifications of the preferred nozzle 1001 with means 1033 for varying its volume are conceivable. For example, the following possibilities exist: the nozzle 1001 comprises a plurality of devices 1033, in particular two devices 1033. These devices are preferably separated from each other by a mechanism such as a metal plate or the like so that they can work independently of each other. The nozzle 1001 advantageously has a first device 1033 for closing the annular gap 1008 and a second device 1033 for closing the fluid channel 1005. Here, the two devices 1033 may preferably be separated by a metal plate or the like serving as a separation wall, such that a volume change of a first device 1033 closes or opens the fluid channel 1005 and a volume change of a second device 1033 closes or opens the annular gap 1008, while a volume change of one device 1033 does not affect the other device 1033. It is thereby possible to provide a stepless adjustment of the volume flow for both the atomizing gas and the substances to be sprayed at flow rates of 0% and 100%, wherein the adjustment of these volume flow rates can be carried out independently of one another or in relation to one another.

When using at least two devices 1033, it is to be noted that the substances to be sprayed, in particular liquids, must not be discharged from the nozzle 1001 without atomization, since otherwise production waste would occur, for example, as a result of agglomerated tablets. For this purpose, it is ensured that at the beginning of each spraying process, 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 liquid, flows through. 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 regulation or control mechanism may follow this fact. It is thereby always ensured that the substance to be sprayed is atomized all the time during the spraying process and that at the end of each spraying process the substance to be sprayed does not drip from the nozzle without being atomized, if possible onto the (coated) material to be treated.

It is always ensured that when the device 1033 is brought from a closed position of the inner tube 1002 to at least one open position of the inner tube 1002, the gas flowing through the annular gap 1008 starts to flow through the annular gap 1008 at least simultaneously with bringing the device 1033 from a closed position of the inner tube 1002 to at least one open position of the inner tube 1002. It is also advantageous that, when bringing the device 1033 from at least one open position of the inner tube 1002 to a 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, simultaneously with bringing the device 1033 from at least one open position of the inner tube 1002 to a closed position of the inner tube 1002.

This method advantageously ensures that when the spraying process is started or ended at the nozzle outlet, i.e. at the outlet openings 1007, 1009 of the inner and outer tubes 1002, 1003, the material to be sprayed is not discharged without 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, deposits cannot form at the nozzle opening, for example, when the prematurely discharged substance to be sprayed dries, and on the other hand, agglomeration of the particles to be sprayed as a result of the non-atomized substance to be sprayed does not occur.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic structure of a first method for monitoring the nozzle orifice 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 of the other nozzles according to the invention can also be monitored with this method. The nozzle 101 has an inner tube 102 and an outer tube 103 and an insert 113 arranged on the inner tube 102, wherein a partial section 118 projects at least partially from the preferred outlet opening 107 of the nozzle 101 into the outlet region 112.

The monitoring of the nozzle orifice piece for deposits is carried out by a sensor 134, which is arranged outside the nozzle in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 15.

In addition, the configuration for the first method has a sensor 134, in particular an optical sensor, very 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, very particularly preferably a differential pressure sensor. The sensor 134 detects the nozzle 101, in particular the nozzle spout 106, very particularly the output openings 107, 109 of the inner tube 102 and/or the outer tube 103 in the output region 112 of the nozzle 101. The sensor 134 scans at a certain adjustable rate. The sensor 134 is connected to a control unit 135, in particular a computer processing data, such as 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 evaluates the data of the sensor 134. The control unit 135 thus determines, for example by means of an algorithm or the like, whether a deposit is or has been formed on the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle orifice 106, very particularly in the output region 112 of the nozzle 101 at the output openings 107, 109. Such deposits seriously impair the spray quality, in particular the symmetry and/or the droplet size, during the manufacturing and/or spraying process.

As soon as a certain stored limit value is exceeded, for example due to deposits, so that the symmetry of the spray and the droplet size are impaired during production and/or spraying, the control unit 135 transmits a signal to the device 136. In the embodiment of fig. 15, the device 136 is configured as a vibrating mechanism and is connected to the nozzle 101. The device 136 vibrates the nozzle 101 in such a way that deposits on the nozzle 101 fall off. As soon as no deposits are present anymore at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle spout 106, very particularly in the output area 112 of the nozzle 101, at the output openings 107, 109, a corresponding signal is detected by the sensor 133 and transmitted to the control unit 135, which then transmits a signal to the device 136, so that the device 136 is switched off. This process is repeated as often as necessary throughout the manufacturing and/or spraying process.

The continuous monitoring of the preferred nozzle 101 performed with the sensor 134 is preferably performed as an in-line, on-line or on-line measurement. For example, the ultrasonic sensor detects the current shape and the current size (actual value) of the preferred nozzle 101. These data are then used in the control unit 135 to evaluate the spray quality and compared with the raw data (nominal values) of the preferred nozzle 101. When the difference between the actual value and the setpoint value is too large, a signal is preferably transmitted from the control unit 135 to the device 136 and the necessary measures (vibration) are initiated. In this case, a device 136 configured as a vibration unit is connected to the nozzle 101, which, upon receiving a signal from the control unit 135, puts the nozzle 101 into vibration, thereby causing deposits at the nozzle orifice member 106 to fall off. Integrating the above steps into the manufacturing and/or spraying process allows for automatic monitoring of spray quality throughout the length of the manufacturing and/or spraying process.

The monitoring of the nozzle spout part 106 for deposits by the sensor 134 takes place in the embodiment of fig. 16 by the sensor 134 arranged inside the nozzle 101. Such an arrangement is sometimes meaningful, especially in situations where the structure is narrow, such as in the case of a roll coater or the like having a small volume.

Fig. 16 shows a second schematic configuration of a method for monitoring the outlet openings 107, 109 of the nozzle 101, in particular of the nozzle spout part 106, very particularly in the outlet region 112 of the first embodiment of the preferred nozzle 101. The pressure conditions (i.e., absence of deposits or agglomerates) of the original nozzle shape in the output region 112 correspond to the nominal values at the time of the pressure measurement. Here, the pressure sensors 134 are arranged in the fluid channel 105 and the annular gap 108, respectively. The method preferably comprises a plurality of sensors 134, in particular sensors 134 working independently of each other. By means of the plurality of sensors 134, it is possible to better detect deposits which have a negative influence on the symmetry and the droplet size at the nozzle orifice 106 of the nozzle 134, so that the most suitable measures for shedding off deposits, for example vibrations or pulses, can be introduced.

Both sensors 134 scan at a certain adjustable rate or with certain clock pulses (Takt). If deposits or agglomerates occur at the nozzle 101, in particular at the nozzle orifice 106, very particularly in the outlet region 112 at the outlet openings 107, 109, the pressure (actual value) in the fluid channel 105 and/or the annular gap 108 increases. This pressure increase is detected by the sensor 134 and transmitted to the control unit 135. By means of the detected physical measured variable (here, for example, absolute pressure), the mass flow and thus also the volume flow of the substance to be sprayed and/or of the atomizing gas can be calculated, for example. The measured pressure at sensor 134 allows for the inference of deposits at nozzle orifice 106. The deposits b at the nozzle orifice 106 lead to a pressure increase in the fluid channel 105 or the annular gap 108 before the outlet openings 107, 109 and thus to a greater flow speed of the substance and/or gas to be sprayed, so that the control unit 135 can cause suitable countermeasures for removing the deposits by transmitting a signal to the device 136 when a threshold value (nominal value) or a tolerance range (for example ± 10% deviation) is respectively preset and when they are exceeded or fallen below.

During monitoring, a comparison takes place constantly between the actual value and the setpoint value by the control unit 135.

As soon as a certain limit value (setpoint value) is exceeded or undershot, which is recorded by the control unit 135, the control unit 135 transmits a corresponding signal to the device 136. In the embodiment of fig. 16, the device 136 is configured as a pulsating mechanism. This pulsation mechanism is realized, for example, by a regulating valve at the respective supply line of 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, as shown by the two graphs in fig. 16. The gas flow is preferably only briefly pulsed. If the pressure subsequently falls below or exceeds the limit value again, the production and spraying process is continued. If the limit value is further exceeded or undershot, a further pulse is generated. The applied pulses may have different frequencies, in particular between 1Hz and 1500Hz, preferably between 25Hz and 250 Hz. Thereby, deposits at the nozzle spout member 106 in the area of the output openings 107, 109 of the inner and outer tubes 102, 103 are better dislodged and removed. This process is repeated until the deposits or agglomerates at the nozzle 101 are removed, thereby always ensuring the desired spray quality.

A third method is to monitor the droplet size of the spray during the manufacturing and/or spraying process, for example by means of laser measurement methods. In the case of deviations of the actual value of the drop size from the target value (i.e. in the case of non-optimal drop sizes), the measures to be taken generally correspond to the measures of the first and second methods according to fig. 15 or 16.