Internally cooled aerodynamically centralizing nozzle (ICCN)
AssigneeNortheastern University
InventorOzan C. Ozdemir
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment is a nozzle for use in additive manufacturing and other applications. The nozzle defines a flow path and is configured to generate a supersonic flow of particles or fluid during operation. The embodiment provides at least one auxiliary flow path port that is configured to introduce an auxiliary flow into the nozzle relative to the flow path that protects an internal surface of the nozzle from wear and corrosion, thereby extending the life of the nozzle for extended periods of continuous operation. An embodiment centralizes particle location along its continuous flow path to achieve small footprint material deposition, thereby increasing 3D print resolution for building more intricate components.
Claims15
A nozzle, comprising:
- a converging portion that defines a flow path that decreases in cross-sectional area from an inlet port to a converging portion throat port;
- a throat region that defines a flow path having a cross-sectional area that matches the cross-sectional area of the converging portion throat port;
- a supersonic portion that defines a flow path, having a supersonic portion throat port with cross-sectional area matching the cross-sectional area of the throat region, to an outlet port;
- wherein the flow paths of converging portion, throat region, and supersonic portion define a continuous flow path through the nozzle from the inlet port to the outlet port and wherein at least one of the converging portion, throat region, and supersonic portion defines four or more auxiliary flow path ports symmetrically arranged with respect to a center of the continuous flow path, on an outer wall of the nozzle, configured to enable multiple auxiliary coolant gas flows to be introduced into the continuous flow path through the nozzle;
- a jacket coupled to the nozzle forming a pressure-controllable chamber surrounding the four or more auxiliary flow path ports, wherein a given wall of the pressure-controllable chamber is the outer wall of the nozzle;
- and
- a mass flow controller configured to regulate pressure in the chamber to cause the auxiliary coolant gas flows to aerodynamically focus particle flow in the continuous flow path toward the center of the continuous flow path.
A cold spray system, the cold spray system comprising:
- a nozzle comprising (i) a converging portion that defines a flow path that decreases in cross-sectional area from an inlet port to a converging portion throat port, (ii) a throat region that defines a flow path having a cross-sectional area that matches the cross-sectional area of the converging portion throat port, (iii) a supersonic portion that defines a flow path, having a supersonic portion throat port with cross-sectional area matching the cross-sectional area of the throat region, to an outlet port, wherein the flow paths of converging portion, throat region, and supersonic portion define a continuous flow path through the nozzle from the inlet port to the outlet port and wherein at least one of the converging portion, throat region, and supersonic portion defines four or more auxiliary flow path ports symmetrically arranged with respect to a center of the continuous flow path, on an outer wall of the nozzle, configured to enable multiple auxiliary coolant gas flows to be introduced into the continuous flow path through the nozzle, (iv) a jacket coupled to the nozzle forming a pressure- controllable chamber surrounding the four or more auxiliary flow path ports, wherein a wall of the pressure-controllable chamber is the outer wall of the nozzle, and (v) a mass flow controller configured to regulate pressure in the chamber to cause the auxiliary coolant gas flows to aerodynamically focus particle flow in the continuous flow path toward the center of the continuous flow path;
- a sensor measuring an output flow in the continuous flow path at the outlet port;
- and
- a controller configured to modify at least one auxiliary coolant gas flow based on the output measured by the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.