IP Library Granted Patent US 8,387,901
Granted Patent B2
US 8,387,901 · App. 12/518,867 · Granted Mar 5, 2013

Jet for use in a jet mill micronizer

Inventors: Harry E. Flynn (Edmond, OK); Robert O. Martin (Edmond, OK); Charles A. Natalle (Pampa, TX)
Assignee: Tronox LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,387,901
App. No.
12/518,867
Granted
Mar 5, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The current invention provides an improved jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill or retrofitting to an existing jet mill. The improved jet nozzle incorporates a coanda effect inducing element to enhance entrainment of particles to be ground within the vortex created by the micronizing jet mill. When the jet mill uses steam to generate the jet, use of the improved nozzle will reduce energy costs by increasing the efficiency of the jet mill.

Claims (20)

1. A jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill and constructed and arranged to provide a gaseous jet that creates a supersonic zone for grinding friable materials, comprising:

a nozzle body having a first open end and a second open end with a passageway joining said first and second ends; and

a Coanda effect inducing element positioned within said passageway and extending outward from said second end of said nozzle, said Coanda effect inducing element extending outward from said second end of said nozzle for a distance sufficient to ensure development of a Coanda effect and thereby extend said supersonic grinding zone outward from said nozzle body.

2. The jet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said Coanda effect inducing element has a geometric configuration corresponding to a geometric configuration of said second open end of said nozzle body.

3. The jet nozzle of claim 2 , wherein said second open end of said nozzle body has a slot-like configuration.

4. The jet nozzle of claim 2 , wherein said second open end of said nozzle body has a slot-like configuration defined by two longer, essentially inwardly hyperbolic sides and opposing generally rounded ends.

5. The jet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said Coanda effect inducing element extends outwardly from said second open end a distance of from about 2.5 mm to about 38.1 mm and wherein said Coanda effect inducing element has a geometric configuration corresponding to a geometric configuration of said second open end of said nozzle body.

6. The jet nozzle of claim 3 , wherein an exterior surface of said Coanda effect inducing element and an interior surface of said second open end define a gap, and wherein the portion of said Coanda effect inducing element which conforms to the configuration of said second open end extends into said passageway a distance ranging from about ten times said gap to about 20 times said gap.

7. The jet nozzle of claim 3 , wherein said first open end of said nozzle body carries interior threads and an exterior surface of said Coanda effect inducing element and an interior surface of said second open end define an air passage, and said jet nozzle further comprises

a Coanda effect inducing element retainer positioned within the first end of said nozzle, thereby securing said Coanda effect inducing element within said passageway.

8. The jet nozzle of claim 7 , wherein said retainer has a passageway passing therethrough.

9. The jet nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said Coanda effect inducing, element is adjustably positioned within said passageway joining said first and second open ends of said nozzle body.

10. The jet nozzle, of claim 5 , wherein an exterior surface of said Coanda effect inducing element and an interior surface of said second open end define a gap, and wherein the portion of said Coanda effect inducing element which confirms to the geometric configuration of said second open end extends into said passageway a distance ranging about ten times said gap to about 20 times said gap.

11. The jet nozzle of claim 10 , wherein said second open end of said nozzle body has a slot-like configuration defined by two longer, essentially inwardly hyperbolic sides and opposing generally rounded ends.

12. A jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill and constructed and arranged to provide a gaseous jet that creates a supersonic zone for grinding friable materials, comprising:

a nozzle body having a first open end and a second open end with a passageway joining said first and second ends; and

a Coanda effect inducing element positioned within said passageway and extending outward from said second end of said nozzle, said Coanda effect inducing element extending outward from said second end of said nozzle for a distance sufficient to ensure development of a Coanda effect and thereby extend said supersonic grinding zone outward from said nozzle body, wherein said Coanda effect inducing element has a geometric configuration corresponding to a geometric configuration of said second open end of said nozzle body, and wherein said second open end of said nozzle body has a slot-like configuration defined by two longer, essentially inwardly hyperbolic sides and opposing generally rounded ends.

13. A jet nozzle suitable for use in a micronizing jet mill and constructed and arranged to provide a gaseous jet that creates a supersonic zone for grinding friable materials, comprising:

a nozzle body having a first open end and a second open end with a passageway joining said first and second ends; and

a Coanda effect inducing element positioned within said passageway and extending end outward from said second end of said nozzle, said Coanda effect inducing element extending outward from said second end of said nozzle for a distance sufficient to ensure development of a Coanda effect and thereby extend said supersonic grinding zone outward from said nozzle body, wherein said Coanda effect inducing element has a geometric configuration corresponding to a geometric configuration of said second open end of said nozzle body, wherein said second open end of said nozzle body has a slot-like configuration, and wherein an exterior surface of said Coanda effect inducing element and an interior surface of said second open end define a gap, and wherein the portion of said Coanda effect inducing element which conforms to the configuration of said second open end extends into said passageway a distance ranging from about ten times said gap to about 20 times said gap.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2022
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TRONOX LLC
Reel/Frame 059629/0581 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 044100/0339 Recorded Mar 12, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055578/0880 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2021
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TRONOX LLC
Reel/Frame 055583/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2020
From: TRONOX LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052554/0529 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: TRONOX LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044100/0339 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL AT REEL/FRAME NOS. 027682/0086 AND 030047/0422 Recorded Sep 26, 2017
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRONOX LLC
Reel/Frame 044018/0893 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2017
From: TRONOX LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 043993/0340 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Sep 25, 2017
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRONOX LLC; TRONOX WORLDWIDE LLC
Reel/Frame 043993/0306 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 18, 2012
From: TRONOX LLC; TRONOX WORLDWIDE LLC
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 028582/0669 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 12, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: TRONOX LLC; TRONOX WORLDWIDE LLC
Reel/Frame 028535/0362 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2012
From: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC
To: TRONOX LLC
Reel/Frame 027682/0064 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 9, 2012
From: TRONOX LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 027682/0086 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 22, 2011
From: TRONOX LLC; TRONOX PIGMENTS (SAVANNAH) INC.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 025822/0026 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 15, 2011
From: TRONOX LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025795/0130 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2010
From: FLYNN, HARRY E.; MARTIN, ROBERT O.; NATALIE, CHARLES A.
To: TRONOX LLC
Reel/Frame 024024/0564 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100025502A1 · Feb 4, 2010