In high-altitude curtain wall and exterior facade cleaning, frequent nozzle swaps, poor foam adhesion, and heavy onboard accessories have long driven up downtime and payload burden. Kitefly Tethered conducted a structured field test of its self-developed dual-mode drone cleaning nozzle, covering weight, foam generation, mode switching, wall adhesion, and platform compatibility. This page documents the test results.

1  Hardware Test — Lightweight Forged Body, Universal Thread Interface

The nozzle uses a forged synthetic aluminum body. Field-measured specifications are listed below. At 71 g, it preserves the drone's effective payload margin and maintains stable flight dynamics during close-range facade operations. The standard threaded interface installs without pipe modification on most mainstream industrial cleaning drone systems.

2  Foam Performance Test — Patented Vortex-Jet Structure, Strong Wall Adhesion

Testing was conducted on a commercial glass curtain wall using the nozzle's proprietary air vortex-jet patent structure. Foam performance on vertical surfaces exceeded baseline expectations:

• Extended projection range and strong wind resistance — foam reaches the surface reliably under field conditions.

• High-pressure air mixing generates dense, fine foam that spreads evenly across vertical glass without rapid run-off.

• Long wall adhesion — foam maintains surface contact long enough to soften dust, mineral scale, and adhesive residue.

• Compared to direct water spray, foam pre-treatment reduces the number of high-pressure rinse passes required per section, conserving water and improving cycle efficiency.

3  Dual-Mode Test — One Nozzle, One-Click Switching, No Disassembly

The core design advantage is an integrated dual-mode architecture. Foam and clean-water modes are switched by controlling the foam air supply — no components to remove, no tools required, no descent to change heads between passes.

This eliminates the conventional sequence of descending after each foam pass, swapping to a rinse head, and re-ascending — a meaningful reduction in time-on-task and operator workload for high-altitude operations.

4  Recommended Cleaning Workflow

1. Install the dual-mode nozzle using the standard threaded connection.

2. Engage foam mode and apply cleaning agent evenly across the facade surface.

3. Allow foam to dwell on the surface per the cleaning agent instructions — sufficient contact time softens deposits before rinsing.

4. Switch to clean-water mode by closing the foam air supply.

5. Rinse with high-pressure clean water until foam residue and loosened dirt are fully removed.

6. Complete a visual check and repeat on targeted areas only if required.

5  Application Scenarios

6  Pre-Deployment Checklist

• Confirm hose connector thread specification matches the nozzle before installation.

• Verify pump pressure and flow output against the foam and rinse requirements of the cleaning task.

• Allocate sufficient drone payload margin for the nozzle, hose, spray rod, and any additional mounting hardware.

• Select a cleaning agent with appropriate viscosity and dilution ratio for stable foam generation.

• Assess wind conditions, working distance, and facade material before beginning high-altitude operations.

7  Field Test Summary

Based on the full field test, the dual-mode drone cleaning nozzle delivers a practical onboard accessory solution for UAV-based facade cleaning. The table below summarises the key findings:

Kitefly Tethered will continue testing under varying air pressure conditions and cleaning agent formulations, refining drone-mounted cleaning accessories through field data for the high-altitude cleaning industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this nozzle switch between foam and clean water without replacing the nozzle?

Yes. The integrated dual-mode design allows switching by controlling the foam air supply only. No disassembly is required in the field.

How much does the nozzle weigh, and what is it made of?

Field measurement confirmed a total weight of 71 g. The body is manufactured using forged synthetic aluminum, combining low mass with structural durability suited to airborne applications.

Does installation require custom pipe modification?

In most configurations, no. The nozzle uses a standard threaded interface compatible with most mainstream industrial cleaning drone water lines. Confirm the thread specification against your platform before final installation.

What surfaces has this nozzle been field-tested on?

Testing was conducted on commercial glass curtain walls. The nozzle is applicable to building facades, photovoltaic panels, and exterior wall signage cleaning where both foam pre-treatment and water rinsing are required.

Can it remove all types of stains?

It is effective for common facade contamination including dust, water stains, and light surface residue. Heavy oil, hardened cement, or aged adhesive may require a compatible cleaning agent, extended dwell time, or an additional mechanical process.

Is it compatible with all cleaning drones?

It is designed for mainstream industrial UAV cleaning systems. Final compatibility depends on the drone's payload margin, pump output, hose connection, and mounting configuration — these should be confirmed before deployment.

What further testing is planned?

Kitefly Tethered will continue testing under different wind pressure conditions, cleaning agent formulations, and long-term field use scenarios to refine performance data.

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