Abstract: A method of conditioning a flow of fluid comprises the steps of introducing a fluid into a nozzle body having an opening defining an inlet, an opening defining an outlet, and an inner surface connecting the inlet and the outlet, directing the fluid introduced into the inlet of nozzle body over the inner surface, and applying a pressure to the fluid. The inner surface of the nozzle is asymmetric with respect to a centerline of the inlet to provide a first region outside the nozzle of relative maximum pressure and a second region outside the nozzle of relative minimum pressure, where the first and second regions are substantially the same distance from the outlet. A fluid-conditioning nozzle comprises an inlet having an edge defining a first circumference, an outlet, offset from and spaced apart from the inlet, having an edge defining a second circumference, smaller than the first circumference, and a transition surface extending between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A nozzle 10 and method for enhancing entrainment of a fluid near a face 18 of the nozzle 10, where the nozzle 10 includes a nozzle body 18 defining a nozzle opening 14 for ejecting a fluid therethrough. At least one indentation 20 is formed in the nozzle face 18 adjacent to, but spaced from, the nozzle opening 14 and includes a contoured surface 22 defined by first and second side surfaces 24 and 26 that converge toward the nozzle opening 14 to form a leading edge 28 closest to the nozzle opening 14. The imaginary extension 30 of at least a portion of the contoured surface 22 converges at a focal point 32 distal the nozzle face 18, defining an entrainment path. The focal point 32 is closer to an imaginary projection 34 of the nozzle opening 14, extending outwardly from and normal to the nozzle face 18, than the leading edge 20 is to the nozzle opening 14. Thus, fluid near the nozzle face in the indentation 20 is entrained into the entrainment path 30 and fluid ejected through the nozzle opening 14.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly is disclosed which includes a housing 12 having inlet opening 13 in fluid communication with at least one outlet opening 14 adapted to receive a nozzle body 42. The housing also includes a housing face 16 in surrounding relationship to the outlet opening 14. At least one indentation 18 is formed in the housing. The indentation 18 has a contoured surface 20 defined by first and second side surfaces 22 and 24 in the housing face 16 converging away from the outlet opening 14, and third and fourth side surfaces 26 and 28 in an internal wall 30 of the outlet opening 14 that converge away from the housing face 16. A nozzle body 42 may be releasably disposed within the outlet opening 14. The nozzle body 42 includes a nozzle opening 44 for ejecting a fluid and a nozzle face 46 in surrounding relationship to the nozzle opening 44. At least one indentation 38 is formed in the nozzle face 46 adjacent to, but spaced from, the nozzle opening 44.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a flow of fluid comprises the steps of introducing a fluid into a nozzle body having an opening defining an inlet, an opening defining an outlet, and an inner surface connecting the inlet and the outlet, directing the fluid introduced into the inlet of nozzle body over the inner surface, and applying a pressure to the fluid. The inner surface of the nozzle is asymmetric with respect to a centerline of the inlet to provide a first region outside the nozzle of relative maximum pressure and a second region outside the nozzle of relative minimum pressure, where the first and second regions are substantially the same distance from the outlet. A fluid-conditioning nozzle comprises an inlet having an edge defining a first circumference, an outlet, offset from and spaced apart from the inlet, having an edge defining a second circumference, smaller than the first circumference, and a transition surface extending between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a flow of fluid comprises the steps of introducing a fluid into a nozzle body having an opening defining an inlet, an opening defining an outlet, and an inner surface connecting the inlet and the outlet, directing the fluid introduced into the inlet of nozzle body over the inner surface, and applying a pressure to the fluid. The inner surface of the nozzle is asymmetric with respect to a centerline of the inlet to provide a first region outside the nozzle of relative maximum pressure and a second region outside the nozzle of relative minimum pressure, where the first and second regions are substantially the same distance from the outlet. A fluid-conditioning nozzle comprises an inlet having an edge defining a first circumference, an outlet, offset from and spaced apart from the inlet, having an edge defining a second circumference, smaller than the first circumference, and a transition surface extending between the inlet and the outlet.