Spray nozzle

A spray nozzle for emitting therefrom a spray pattern of liquid droplets, wherein a liquid flow is supplied to the spray nozzle from a liquid supply line at a liquid supply pressure, the liquid supply pressure is subject to changes, and the spray nozzle is configured to control a size of the liquid droplets, the spray nozzle comprising:

• first means having an upstream end and a downstream end and for directing said liquid flow in a downstream direction toward the downstream end, wherein the first means includes a liquid inlet connectable in fluid communication with the liquid supply line, and the liquid inlet receives the liquid flow from the liquid supply line and introduces the liquid flow into the first means where the liquid flows in the downstream direction;
• a nozzle portion located at the downstream end of the first means, the nozzle portion including (i) a nozzle body defining an opening therethrough, and (ii) second means including at least a portion thereof located within the opening of the nozzle body for defining a gap therebetween in fluid communication with the first means, wherein the gap receives the liquid flow from the first means and directs said liquid flow through the gap between the nozzle body and the second means and out of the downstream end in the spray pattern of liquid droplets, wherein at least one of the second means or nozzle body is movable axially or linearly relative to the other during said liquid flow within a range of said relative movement between the second means and the nozzle body;
• and
• third means operatively connected to at least one of the nozzle body or the second means for driving the relative axial or linear movement of the nozzle body and the second means during said liquid flow and within said range of relative movement and wherein the nozzle body and second means are not rotatably driven, for preventing said changes in the liquid supply pressure from changing the relative position of the second means and nozzle body within said range of relative axial or linear movement and for controlling said relative axial or linear movement of the second means and nozzle body during said liquid flow and independently of said changes in the liquid supply pressure for controlling a size of said gap and the size of the liquid droplets in the spray pattern.

A method for emitting a spray pattern of liquid droplets from a spray nozzle, wherein a liquid flow is supplied to the spray nozzle from a liquid supply line at a liquid supply pressure, the liquid supply pressure is subject to changes, and the method controls a size of the liquid droplets, the method comprising:

• flowing the liquid into the spray nozzle, wherein the spray nozzle comprises
• a hollow body having an upstream end and a downstream end and a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the hollow body and connectable in fluid communication with the liquid supply line, wherein the flowing step includes receiving the liquid flow from the supply line through the liquid inlet and into the hollow body where the liquid flows in a downstream direction toward the downstream end;
• a nozzle portion located at the downstream end of the body, the nozzle portion including a nozzle body defining an opening therethrough, and a stem having at least a portion located within the opening of the nozzle body, wherein one or more of the stem or nozzle body is movable axially or linearly relative to the other so that, within a range of relative axial or linear movement between the stem and the nozzle body, the nozzle body and the stem define a gap therebetween in fluid communication with the hollow body, wherein the flowing step includes receiving the liquid flow into the gap between the stem and nozzle body;
• and
• a motor operatively connected to at least one of the stem or nozzle body, wherein the motor is configured to drive the relative axial or linear movement of the stem and nozzle body during said liquid flow within said range of relative movement and said stem and nozzle body are not rotatably driven;
• spraying the liquid through the gap between the stem and nozzle body and out of the downstream end in the spray pattern of liquid droplets;
• and
• controlling the size of said gap independently of said changes in the liquid supply pressure by operating the motor to drive one or more of the nozzle body or the stem axially or linearly relative to the other, but not rotatably drive the stem or nozzle body, from a first position within said range to a second position within said range during said liquid flow to thereby control the size of the liquid droplets in the spray pattern.