Diffuser nozzle for improved carbonation dispensing
Systems, devices, and methods for fluid dispensing nozzles are described. Various implementations include a fluid dispensing nozzle including an inlet section which defines an inlet channel with a first diameter, and a restriction region which defines a restriction channel fluidically coupled to the inlet channel. The restriction channel extends along a first predetermined length and has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The nozzle includes an expansion chamber which defines an expansion channel fluidically coupled to the restriction channel. The expansion chamber has a trumpet shape with a maximum diameter at an outlet of the expansion chamber. The maximum diameter of the expansion chamber is greater than the first diameter; and nozzle includes a diffuser plate positioned at the outlet of the expansion chamber. The diffuser plate includes a plurality of openings and a mesh insert that is disposed across the plurality of openings.
1 . A fluid dispensing nozzle, comprising:
an inlet section which defines an inlet channel with a first diameter;
a restriction region which defines a restriction channel fluidically coupled to the inlet channel, the restriction channel extending along a first predetermined length and having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter;
an expansion chamber which defines an expansion channel fluidically coupled to the restriction channel, the expansion chamber having a trumpet shape with a maximum diameter at an outlet of the expansion chamber, wherein the maximum diameter of the expansion chamber is greater than the first diameter; and
a diffuser plate positioned at the outlet of the expansion chamber, the diffuser plate comprising a plurality of openings and a mesh insert that is disposed across the plurality of openings.
2 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the trumpet shape of the expansion chamber comprises a curved expansion section comprising a flared body that extends from the second diameter of the restriction channel and increases in diameter toward the expansion chamber outlet.
3 . The nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the flared body as viewed through an axial cross section of the expansion chamber forms an exponential curve on each side of and spaced apart from a central longitudinal axis of the expansion chamber.
4 . The nozzle of claim 2 , wherein the trumpet shape of the expansion chamber further comprises a linear expansion section extending between a maximum diameter of the curved expansion section and the maximum diameter at the outlet of the expansion chamber.
5 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the outlet diameter of the expansion chamber is from 10 to 20 times an inlet diameter of the expansion chamber.
6 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the expansion chamber has an axial length from 0.10 to 0.20 times the maximum diameter at the outlet of the expansion chamber.
7 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the mesh insert has from 100 to 500,000 mesh openings per square foot.
8 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the mesh insert includes a plurality of mesh intersections, wherein at least one of the mesh intersections is positioned across a cross section of each of the plurality of openings of the diffuser plate.
9 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the second diameter of the restriction region is from 10 to 20 times smaller than the first diameter of the inlet section.
10 . The nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the restriction region has an axial length greater than the second diameter of the restriction region.
11 . The nozzle of claim 1 , further comprising a straight tube outlet that defines a straight tube channel.
12 . The nozzle of claim 11 , wherein the straight tube outlet has a length from 0.25 inches to 1.5 inches.
13 . The nozzle of claim 11 , wherein the straight tube channel has a uniform diameter that is equal to a maximum diameter of the expansion body.
14 . The nozzle of claim 11 , wherein the straight tube outlet has an axial length from 0.50 to 3.0 times the diameter of the straight tube channel.
15 . A beverage dispensing system, the system comprising:
a nozzle;
a carbonator with a water inlet, a carbon dioxide inlet, and a carbonated water outlet; and
a carbonated water line extending between the carbonated water outlet and the nozzle,
wherein the nozzle comprises:
an inlet section which defines an inlet channel with a first diameter;
a restriction region which defines a restriction channel fluidically coupled to the inlet channel, the restriction channel extending along a first predetermined length and having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter;
an expansion chamber which defines an expansion channel fluidically coupled to the restriction channel, the expansion chamber having a trumpet shape with a maximum diameter at an outlet of the expansion chamber, wherein the maximum diameter of the expansion chamber is greater than the first diameter; and
a diffuser plate positioned at the outlet of the expansion chamber, the diffuser plate comprising a plurality of openings and a mesh insert that is disposed across the plurality of openings.
16 . The nozzle of claim 15 , wherein the carbonator water outlet is fluidically coupled to the restriction channel to provide carbonated water through the expansion channel.
17 . The nozzle of claim 15 , wherein the restriction channel is configured to provide a backpressure from the nozzle to the carbonator.
18 . The nozzle of claim 15 , wherein the carbonator is configured to supply carbonated water to the carbonated water outlet at a first pressure and exit the system at a second pressure, and wherein the expansion chamber is configured to mitigate turbulence of carbonated water exiting the system.
19 . The nozzle of claim 18 , wherein the expansion chamber is configured to promote a uniform fluid velocity across a cross section of the expansion channel.
20 . The nozzle of claim 15 , wherein the nozzle further comprises a straight tube outlet that defines a straight tube channel.