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.
Claims20
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;
- and
- 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 from the inlet port to the outlet port and wherein at least one of the converging portion, throat region, and supersonic portion defines an auxiliary flow path port configured to enable an auxiliary flow to be introduced into 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, and (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 from the inlet port to the outlet port and wherein at least one of the converging portion, throat region, and supersonic portion defines an auxiliary flow path port configured to enable an auxiliary flow to be introduced into 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 the auxiliary flow based on the output measured by the sensor.
A method for controlling a flow through a nozzle, the method comprising:
- converging a flow into a throat region of a nozzle using a converging portion of the nozzle;
- accelerating the flow upon exit of the throat region using a supersonic portion of the nozzle;
- and
- modifying the flow in at least one of the converging portion, the throat region, and the supersonic portion using an auxiliary flow.
An apparatus for controlling a flow, the apparatus comprising:
- means for converging a flow and forming a first portion of a flow path;
- means for accelerating the flow in the flow path and forming a second portion of the flow path;
- and
- means for introducing an auxiliary flow to modify the flow in at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.