Fluid control devices, methods, and systems

Abstract

A fluid control device includes a housing having a plurality of surfaces that define a cavity within the housing. The housing includes an inlet to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet to direct the fluid mixture out of the housing. The fluid mixture includes a fluid combined with debris. An array of structures is disposed within the cavity and includes a plurality of structures. Each of the plurality of structures includes a first surface coupled with an inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed a distance away from the inner surface of the housing. The array of structures includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least some of the debris from the fluid, and the second portion is configured to direct the fluid and at least some of the debris toward the outlet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The described subject matter relates to fluid control devices, methods, and systems. BACKGROUND

[0002] Atmospheric fluids can be used in electrical and / or mechanical systems, for example, to control thermal energy of the system. For example, an electrical system can be coupled with a heat exchanger having a fluid control device through which fluid can be directed through the heat exchanger to control the temperature of the electrical assembly. As another example, fluid can be used in a system that can control or change properties of the fluid, such as a compressor. The compressor can also include a filter or filter system located at an inlet of the compressor to control movement of the fluid such that some portions of the fluid can be directed through the compressor while other portions can not be directed through the compressor. The electrical and / or mechanical systems can be used in mobile systems onboard, such as vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, or within stationary systems, such as wind turbines, manufacturing machinery, power generation systems, and the like.

[0003] However, fluid directed through the system can be a mixture of the fluid and some debris. For example, the debris can include particulates, contaminants, dust, or other matter that can be mixed with the fluid. The fluid can be a liquid, such as water, can be a gas, such as atmospheric air, or optionally can be a liquid-gas mixture having debris incorporated therewith. However, one technical problem with fluid control devices is that at least some of the debris incorporated with the fluid can separate from the fluid and can remain within the fluid control device. As a result, over time, the amount of debris can increase, causing the fluid control device to become clogged, thereby causing a reduction in pressure of the fluid mixture moving within the device. Operation of the electrical system can need to be stopped in order to clean the device, thereby removing the debris accumulated within the fluid control device. As the amount of debris clogging within the fluid control device increases, properties of the fluid moving through the device, such as pressure or pressure drop, velocity, flow direction, and the like, can be compromised, causing a reduction in efficiency of the electrical and / or mechanical system through which the fluid is directed. SUMMARY

[0004] In one or more embodiments, a fluid control device includes a housing having a plurality of surfaces that define a cavity within the housing. The housing includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet configured to direct the fluid mixture out of the housing. The fluid mixture includes a fluid incorporated with debris. An array of structures is disposed within the cavity of the housing and includes a plurality of structures. Each of the plurality of structures includes a first surface operably coupled with an inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed a distance away from the inner surface of the housing. The array of structures includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the array of structures is configured to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least some of the debris from the fluid, and the second portion of the array of structures is configured to direct the fluid and at least some of the debris toward the outlet.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, a method includes directing a fluid mixture having a fluid combined with debris into a housing via an inlet. The housing includes a plurality of surfaces that define a cavity within the housing. At least some of the debris is separated from the fluid with a first portion of an array of structures as the fluid mixture moves within the first portion of the array of structures disposed within the cavity. The array of structures includes a plurality of structures, and each of the plurality of structures includes an interface surface, a first surface operably coupled with an interior surface of the housing, and a second surface disposed a distance away from the interior surface of the housing. The fluid and the at least some of the debris are directed through a second portion of the array of structures toward an outlet of the housing.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, a system includes a fluid control device having a housing that includes a plurality of surfaces that define a cavity within the housing. The housing includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet configured to direct the fluid mixture out of the housing. The inlet of the housing extends between a first end and a second end of the housing. The fluid mixture includes a fluid combined with debris. The fluid control device includes an array of structures disposed within the cavity of the housing, the array of structures including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the array of structures is configured to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least a portion of the debris from the fluid, and the second portion of the array of structures is configured to direct the fluid and the portion of the debris toward the outlet. The system includes a channel fluidically coupled with the fluid control device. The channel extends between a channel inlet and a channel outlet. The channel outlet is fluidically coupled with the inlet of the housing. The channel outlet extends between the first end and the second end of the housing. The fluid mixture is configured to move in a first direction within the channel, and the fluid mixture is configured to move in a second direction within the cavity that is opposite the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The subject matter of the present application can be understood more readily by reference to the following description of non-limiting embodiments and the attached drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1 a panel assembly is depicted in accordance with one embodiment;

[0009] Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the panel assembly depicted in Figure 1

[0010] Figure 3 a panel assembly is depicted in accordance with one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the panel assembly depicted in Figure 3

[0012] Figure 5 a panel assembly is depicted in accordance with one embodiment;​​

[0013] Figure 6 The illustration depicts an embodiment. Figure 5 The top cross-sectional view of the panel assembly shown;

[0014] Figure 7 The illustration depicts an embodiment. Figure 5 The side cross-sectional view of the panel assembly shown;

[0015] Figure 8 A partial side view of the structure of a fluid control device according to one embodiment is illustrated;

[0016] Figure 9 A partial top view of a structural array of a fluid control device according to one embodiment is shown;

[0017] Figure 10 A partial perspective view of a structural array of a fluid control device according to one embodiment is shown;

[0018] Figure 11 It is illustrated Figure 10 A side view of the structure of the array shown;

[0019] Figure 12 Performance graphs of a system according to one embodiment are illustrated; and

[0020] Figure 13 A performance graph of a system according to one embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to systems having fluid control devices, and methods including guiding fluid mixtures in different directions within the system. The system may also be referred to as a panel assembly, comprising a panel operatively coupled to the fluid control device. One or more channels of the panel guide the fluid mixture into the panel assembly and are fluidly coupled to a housing of the fluid control device. The housing includes a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity, an inlet receiving the fluid mixture from one or more channels of the panel, and an outlet guiding the fluid mixture out of the housing. In one or more embodiments, the inlet of the housing may extend a width between two surfaces of the housing, and the channels may extend the same width between the two surfaces of the housing. Optionally, the width of the channel may be less than or narrower than the width of the inlet of the housing of the fluid control device.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the fluid control device may include an array of structures disposed within a cavity, wherein a first portion of the array has a different configuration (e.g., shape, size, orientation, etc.) than a second portion of the array. For example, the first portion may interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least some debris from the fluid in the fluid mixture, and the second portion of the array may guide the fluid and some debris toward an outlet of the fluid control device. The fluid mixture may exchange heat with one or more other fluids and / or surfaces of the thermal system to control the temperature of the thermal system.

[0023] The array of structures may include multiple structures. In one example, a structure may include a first surface coupled to an inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. Optionally, the structures may have alternative configurations and may be coupled to one or more inner surfaces of the housing via other orientations. The multiple structures may include one or more interference surfaces disposed and extending between the first and second surfaces of each structure. For example, the interference surfaces may be angled or inclined, such that the interference surfaces are disposed at increasing distances from the inner surface of the housing and from the entrance of the housing. Optionally, one or more structures of the array may include two or more interference surfaces forming a step feature.

[0024] Figure 1 A panel assembly 100 according to one embodiment is illustrated. Figure 2 It is illustrated Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the panel assembly. In one or more embodiments, the panel assembly may be an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverter, or it may be an alternative electrical assembly such as a pulsed gate drive transformer, a full-pulse module gate drive, a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), such as a power MOSFET. The panel assembly may be coupled to portable or mobile systems, such as vehicle systems, rail vehicles, cars or other buses, mining vehicles, buses, aircraft (manned or unmanned, such as drones), agricultural equipment or other off-highway vehicles, trucks, ships, etc. Optionally, the panel assembly may be coupled to non-vehicle alternative systems, such as wind turbines, manufacturing machinery, power generation systems, residential or commercial cooling systems, personal appliances, etc.

[0025] The panel assembly and the XYZ coordinate system are used herein only for the purpose of explaining various aspects of this subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In this regard, directional indications such as "left" and "right," "front" and "back," and "top" and "bottom" are used only to indicate the relative positioning of the two sides of the system along the X, Y, and Z directions, respectively.

[0026] The panel assembly includes a panel 124 and a fluid control device 102 operatively coupled to the panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid control device is coupled to the panel via a plurality of fasteners 120; however, alternatively, the fluid control device may also be coupled to the panel via other coupling methods, such as welding, bonding, or other coupling components or features. The fluid control device includes a housing 104 having a plurality of surfaces defining cavities 118 within the housing. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the panel and fluid control device is shown.

[0027] In one embodiment, the fluid control device can control the amount of heat energy transferred between the fluid control device and the panel and / or panel assembly. For example, the fluid control device may be referred to as a radiator, cooling device, or system. In one or more embodiments, the fluid control device can control the temperature of a vehicle system or other non-vehicle system. In another embodiment, the fluid control device can control the amount of another type of energy (e.g., mechanical energy, electrical energy, radiant energy, etc.) transferred between a fluid mixture within the fluid control device and another fluid or substance within one or more components of the panel assembly. Optionally, the fluid control device may be a filter or filter system that controls which portions of the fluid mixture may be directed through the fluid control device and / or through other portions of the panel assembly, and which portions of the fluid mixture may not be directed through the fluid control device, or may be directed through other portions of the panel assembly.

[0028] The panel includes inlets 108A and 108B located on either side of the fluid control device. A fluid mixture 110 is guided into the panel via the first inlet and through a channel 122 in a first direction. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, a channel is positioned between the side surface of the panel and the fluid control device. For example, the channel may guide a fluid mixture from a location outside the fluid control device and along a side portion of the fluid control device. The fluid mixture may be a fluid combined with debris. The fluid may be a gas, such as air, or a liquid, such as a coolant. In one embodiment, the fluid may be atmospheric air that can combine or mix with debris from atmospheric air.

[0029] The fluid mixture moves within the channels of the panel toward inlets 106A and 106B of the housing of the fluid control device. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels of the panel and the housing of the fluid control device are positioned such that the fluid mixture moves within the channels of the panel in a first direction and is guided within the cavity of the housing in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction. For example, the fluid mixture rotates approximately 180 degrees before being guided into the inlets of the housing of the fluid control device. Optionally, the first direction may be tangential relative to the second direction, such that the fluid mixture can rotate less than 180 degrees or more than 180 degrees to be guided into the inlets of the housing of the fluid control device.

[0030] The fluid control device includes an array of structures 126 disposed within a cavity of the housing. The array of structures may include one or more structures for controlling the direction of movement of the fluid mixture. For example, the array of structures may include one or more channels, channels, or other structures that can alter one or more properties of the fluid mixture, such as, but not limited to, the direction of movement of the fluid mixture, the pressure, velocity, or flow rate of the fluid mixture, the amount of turbulence, the amount of fluid mixture moving in one or more directions or toward one or more regions of the housing, and the amount of energy (e.g., thermal energy, electrical energy, etc.) transferred between the fluid mixture and one or more surfaces of the housing. In one or more embodiments, the array of structures may be made of a metallic alloy (e.g., aluminum, steel, copper, etc.) or a non-metallic material (e.g., plastic materials, composite materials, etc.).

[0031] The fluid mixture is guided out of the housing via outlet 114 of the housing of the fluid control device and out of the panel via outlet 116 of the panel. In one or more embodiments, as the fluid mixture moves between the inlet and outlet of the housing, a portion of debris may separate from the fluid. For example, some or all of the debris may interfere with one or more surfaces of the structure array and may separate from the fluid. The fluid mixture guided into the panel and the fluid control device may have a first amount or percentage of debris bound to the fluid, and the outlet mixture 112 guided out of the fluid control device and the panel may have a second amount or percentage of debris bound to the fluid. For example, the first amount or percentage of debris bound to the fluid to form the fluid mixture may be greater than the second amount or percentage of debris bound to the fluid to form the outlet mixture. For example, a portion of the debris may remain within the fluid control device.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the positioning of the fluid control device relative to the panel can be varied to control one or more flow characteristics of the fluid mixture within the fluid control device. For example, Figure 3 A panel assembly 300 according to one embodiment is illustrated, and Figure 4 It is illustrated Figure 3A cross-sectional view of the panel assembly. The panel assembly includes a panel 324 and a fluid control device 302 operatively coupled to the panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid control device is coupled to the panel via a plurality of fasteners 326, but may also be coupled to the panel via other coupling methods.

[0033] The fluid control device includes a housing 304 having multiple surfaces that define a cavity 322 within the housing. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the housing of the fluid control device is relative to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing of the fluid control device shown rotates. Additionally, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The housing of the fluid control device shown is larger than Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dimensions of the housing of the fluid control device are shown. In one embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The panel assembly shown may include Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two housings of the fluid control device are shown. For example, the same housing of panel assembly 100 may be used within panel assembly 300, which includes two housings and panel assembly 100 includes a single housing that rotates relative to the two housings of panel assembly 300. Alternatively, panel assembly 300 may include a fluid control device, wherein the housing of the fluid control device relative to panel assembly 100 is the only housing.

[0034] The panel includes inlets 308A and 308B that are fluidly coupled to first inlets 306A and 306B of the housing. The fluid mixture 310 is guided into the inlets of the panel and toward the inlets of the housing of the fluid control device. Figure 2 In an alternative to the fluid control device shown, the inlet of the housing is positioned relative to the inlet of the panel such that the fluid mixture is guided into the panel in a first direction and into the housing via the inlet in the same or substantially the same first direction. In one or more embodiments, the fluid mixture may be atmospheric air mixed or combined with debris. Alternatively, the fluid mixture may be an alternative gas or liquid combined with debris.

[0035] The fluid mixture moves within the housing toward the first outlets 314A and 314B of the fluid control device housing. For example, the fluid mixture may be guided in a first direction through a portion of the housing between the first inlet and the first outlet. After the fluid mixture is guided out of the first outlet and before it is redirected back into the housing via the second inlets 316A and 316B, the fluid mixture may rotate approximately 180 degrees. Optionally, the cavity of the housing may be configured to guide the fluid mixture in different directions, such that the fluid mixture may rotate or be rotated a distance less than or greater than 180 degrees to be guided into the second inlet of the housing.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The fluid control device of the panel assembly shown is referred to as a two-way fluid control device. For example, a fluid mixture can be guided through the fluid control device at least twice, e.g., along two different directions. For instance, a two-way fluid control device can guide the fluid mixture in a first direction as a first pass through the fluid control device, and can guide the fluid mixture in a different second direction as a second pass through the fluid control device. Alternatively, the housing of the fluid control device can have alternative configurations such that the fluid mixture can flow through the fluid control device more than twice (e.g., three times, as in a three-way system), or less than twice (e.g., in a single-way system, as in a three-way system). Figure 1 and Figure 2 (As shown).

[0037] The housing of the fluid control device includes an array 328 of structures disposed within a cavity of the housing. The array of structures may include multiple structures having uniform and / or unique shapes, sizes, orientations, etc. As the fluid mixture moves within the fluid control device, these structures can interfere with the fluid mixture to control one or more properties of the fluid mixture. For example, these structures may be positioned, arranged, oriented, sized, etc., to control one or more properties, such as, but not limited to, pressure, turbulence, flow rate or velocity, direction of movement, etc. Controlling the properties of the fluid mixture can control the amount of energy transferred between the fluid mixture and one or more surfaces of the housing. For example, the fluid mixture may transfer heat energy with one or more surfaces of a panel assembly or through other materials moving through the panel assembly to control the temperature of the panel assembly.

[0038] The fluid mixture is guided out of the housing via a second outlet 320 of the housing of the fluid control device and out of the panel via an outlet 318 of the panel. In one or more embodiments, as the fluid mixture moves between the first inlet and the second outlet of the housing, a portion of the debris bound to the fluid may separate from the fluid. For example, at least some debris may separate from the fluid when the fluid mixture interferes with the structure of the structure array. The fluid mixture guided out of the fluid control device may have a smaller amount of debris bound to or mixed with the fluid than the amount of debris bound to or mixed with the fluid mixture guided into the fluid control device. For example, the outlet mixture 312 of the fluid control device and the panel may have a different amount of debris bound to the fluid compared to the fluid mixture guided into the fluid control device. Additionally or alternatively, the outlet mixture may have one or more flow characteristics or thermal characteristics different from those of the fluid mixture guided into the fluid control device. For example, the amount of thermal energy of the outlet mixture may be greater than that of the fluid mixture guided into the fluid control device. Optionally, the pressure of the outlet mixture may be different from that of the fluid mixture guided into the fluid control device.

[0039] Optionally, the fluid control device may have alternative configurations. For example, Figure 5 A panel assembly 500 according to another embodiment of the subject matter described herein is illustrated. Figure 6 A top cross-sectional view of the panel assembly is shown, and Figure 7 It is illustrated Figure 5 The diagram shows a side cross-sectional view of the panel assembly. Figure 3 Similar to the panel assembly 300 shown, panel assembly 500 includes a panel 546 and a fluid control device 502. The fluid control device includes a housing 504 operatively coupled to the panel via a plurality of fasteners 548. Optionally, the housing may be coupled to the panel via alternative coupling methods.

[0040] The housing of the fluid control device includes multiple surfaces, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 Surfaces 506, 508, 510, and 512 are shown. These surfaces define a cavity 514 in the housing of the fluid control device. The housing includes an inlet 524 that is fluidly coupled to an inlet 526 of the panel via a panel channel 534. A fluid mixture 518 may be directed into the panel via the panel inlet and out of the panel channel toward the inlet of the housing. The fluid mixture may be a fluid combined with or mixed with debris. The fluid may be a gas, a liquid, or a mixture of gas and liquid. In one embodiment, the fluid mixture may be atmospheric air suitable for controlling the temperature or thermal level within the control panel assembly. Alternatively, the fluid mixture may be an alternative coolant fluid.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, surface 506 may define a first end of the housing, and surface 508 may define a second end of the housing. In the illustrated embodiment, an inlet of the housing extends in a first direction between surfaces 506 and 508 (e.g., between the first and second ends of the housing). For example, the width of the inlet is substantially the same as the width of the housing of the fluid control device. Optionally, the width of the inlet may be less than or narrower than the width of the housing between surfaces 506 and 508. Optionally, the inlet may be positioned such that the center or substantially the center of the inlet is aligned with the central axis (not shown) of the housing between surfaces 506 and 508. Optionally, the center of the inlet may be positioned closer to surface 506 relative to surface 508. Optionally, the inlet may have any alternative positioning, shape, or size. Furthermore, a channel outlet of a panel channel extends between surface 506 (e.g., the first end of the housing) and surface 508 (e.g., the second end of the housing). For example, the width of the channel outlet between surfaces 506 and 508 may be substantially the same as the width of the inlet of the housing.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, Figure 5 to Figure 7 The fluid control device of the panel assembly shown is referred to as a single-pass fluid control device. For example, a fluid mixture can move through the fluid control device in a single pass. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The two-way fluid control device shown is the opposite, in which the fluid mixture is guided through the fluid control device at least twice.

[0043] and Figure 1 and Figure 2 Similar to the panel assembly 100 shown, the fluid control device of the panel assembly 500 is positioned such that the fluid mixture can rotate approximately 180 degrees after being guided through the panel channel and before being guided into the inlet of the housing. Optionally, the cavity of the housing can be configured to guide the fluid mixture in different directions, such that the fluid mixture can rotate or be rotated a distance less than or greater than 180 degrees to be guided into the inlet of the housing. The fluid mixture is guided out of the housing via the outlet 528 of the housing of the fluid control device and out of the panel via the outlet 530 of the panel.

[0044] The fluid control device includes an array of structures 516 disposed or positioned within a cavity of the housing. The array of structures includes a plurality of structures 536 positioned to interfere with a fluid mixture moving within the cavity. In one or more embodiments, the structures of the array may form or create channels within the cavity to control the direction of movement of the fluid mixture. Optionally, these structures may be positioned, shaped, and sized to control the pressure of the fluid mixture at different locations or positions within the cavity. Optionally, these structures may be positioned, shaped, and sized to control other flow characteristics of the fluid mixture, such as, but not limited to, velocity or flow rate, turbulence, rotational forces, etc.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, as the fluid mixture moves between a first inlet and a second outlet of the housing, a portion of the debris bound to the fluid may separate from the fluid. For example, when the fluid mixture interferes with the structure of the structure array, at least some debris may separate from the fluid. The fluid mixture exiting the fluid control device may have a smaller amount of debris bound to or mixed with the fluid than the amount of debris bound to or mixed with the fluid mixture entering the fluid control device. For example, the outlet mixture 532 exiting the fluid control device and panel may have a different amount of debris bound to the fluid compared to the fluid mixture entering the fluid control device, and may have one or more flow or thermal characteristics different from those of the fluid mixture entering the fluid control device, etc.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the structure array may be divided into two or more parts. For example, a first part 520 may be disposed or positioned near the inlet of the housing, while a second part may be disposed or positioned near the outlet of the housing. For example, the second part of the structure array may be located downstream of the first part of the structure array in the direction of movement of the fluid mixture through the fluid control device. The structure of the first part of the structure array may have a different shape, size, and / or configuration than that of the second part of the structure array. For example, the first part of the structure array may have one or more features designed to interfere with the fluid mixture, and the second part of the structure array may have different features designed to control the movement of the fluid mixture. The first part of the structure array may be designed to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate some debris from the fluid, and the second part of the structure array may be designed to control the flow characteristics (e.g., velocity, pressure, direction of movement, rotational force, turbulence, etc.) of the fluid mixture as it is guided through the second part of the structure array toward the outlet of the housing, while reducing the amount of debris in the fluid.

[0047] Figure 8An example cross-sectional view of a first portion 520 of a structure 536 according to one embodiment is illustrated. The structure includes a first surface 540 operatively coupled to an inner surface 538 of a housing. In one embodiment, the first surface may be coupled to the inner surface via one or more coupling methods (e.g., welding, bonding, fastening, etc.), or alternatively, the structure may be formed integrally with the inner surface of the housing as a single structure or body. For example, the structure and housing may be formed as a single structure by casting, printing, molding, etc.

[0048] The structure includes a first surface coupled to an inner surface of the housing, and a second surface 542 disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. In one embodiment, the second surface may be coupled to another inner surface of the housing. Optionally, the second surface may be disposed at a location within a cavity of the housing. Optionally, a portion of the second surface may be coupled to an inner surface of the housing (not shown), while another portion of the second surface may not be coupled to the inner surface of the housing, or may be separated from the inner surface of the housing by a distance.

[0049] The structure includes an interference surface 544 extending between a first surface and a second surface of the structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the interference surface and the inner surface of the housing increases continuously in the direction of movement of the fluid mixture 518 (e.g., a first direction). Furthermore, the interference surface is positioned at an increasing distance from the housing inlet. For example, the interference surface is an angled or inclined surface relative to the inner surface of the housing and extends between the first and second surfaces of the structure. Optionally, the angled, inclined, or oblique surface of the interference surface may increase discontinuously in the direction of movement of the fluid mixture. For example, the interference surface may include steps, waves, etc.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, a first portion of the structure including the interference surface may be configured to control the amount of debris that can be separated from the fluid. For example, the interference surface may be configured to increase the amount of debris separated from the fluid within the first portion of the structure array. The first portion of the structure array may be configured to control the amount of debris mixed with the fluid directed into a second portion of the structure array. For example, increasing the amount of debris separated from the fluid within the first portion of the structure array reduces the amount of debris moving within the second portion of the structure array.

[0051] Figure 9A top view of a structural array 916 of a fluid control device according to one embodiment is illustrated. The structural array includes a first portion 920 and a second portion 922 located downstream of the first portion in the direction of movement of a fluid mixture 518 within the fluid control device. The structural array includes a plurality of structures 936A, 936B. Each of the plurality of structures includes interference surfaces 944A and 944B, respectively, which interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least some debris from the fluid. The fluid mixture with a reduced amount of debris can be moved toward an outlet (not shown) of the housing via a channel or conduit defined by adjacent structures.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the interference surface 944A of the first structure 936A is linearly offset from the interference surface 944B of the second structure 936B. For example, the interference surface 944A of the first structure 936A is positioned at a first location (e.g., near the inlet 902 of the fluid control device), while the interference surface 944B of the second structure 936B is positioned at a second location (e.g., a distance away from the inlet in the direction of movement of the fluid mixture), such that adjacent first and second structures are staggered relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, each first structure is positioned adjacent to a second structure, and each first structure is linearly offset from each second structure. Optionally, the structure array may have structures arranged or positioned in alternative patterned and / or random arrangements. By controlling the positioning of the interference surfaces of the different structures, the amount of fluid mixture that can be guided within the channels between adjacent first structures and within the channels between adjacent first and second structures is controlled. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second structures are positioned such that the width or spacing between each adjacent first and second structure within the structure array is substantially the same. Optionally, one or more structures may be positioned closer to or further away from neighboring structures, resulting in uneven widths or spacing between neighboring structures within the structure array.

[0053] Figure 10 A partial perspective view of the structural array 1016 of a fluid control device according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 11 It is illustrated Figure 10 The diagram shows a side view of structure 1036 of the structural array. A first portion 1004 of the structural array includes a step feature 1020. This step feature may be referred to as a chamfered step, chamfered feature, inclined step, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, each structure includes a first surface 1040 operatively coupled to the inner surface 1038 of the housing. The structure also includes a second surface 1042 disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. The second surface is disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing in a first direction 1022 and at a distance from the inlet 1002 of the fluid control device in a second direction 1024.

[0054] The structure also includes a third surface 1048 disposed between a first surface coupled to the inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed at a distance away from the inner surface. The structure includes a first interference surface 1044 extending between the first and third surfaces, and a second interference surface 1046 extending between the third and second surfaces. For example, the two interference surfaces form a stepped feature of a first portion of the structural array. In the illustrated embodiment, the interference surfaces extend radially relative to the inner surface of the housing. For example, the interference surfaces are positioned at an increasing distance from the inner surface of the housing in a first direction 1022 and at an increasing distance from the inlet in a second direction 1024. Optionally, the interference surfaces may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the housing, or may extend in an alternative radial direction relative to the inner surface of the housing.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the first portion may include additional surfaces disposed at different distances from the inner surface, and additional interference surfaces extending therebetween to form step features having multiple steps. Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, three structures are coupled to the inner surface of the housing, and these three structures have substantially similar step features. Optionally, the array of structures may include any number of structures, and one or more of the structures may have step features that are different from or unique to the step features of another structure.

[0056] The step features included with each of the structures are shaped to control the amount of debris separated from the fluid, control the direction of movement of the fluid mixture, and / or control different locations within the first section where different amounts of debris are separated from the fluid, and the fluid mixture (e.g., having a reduced amount of fluid-bound debris) is guided to different locations in the second section of the structural array. For example, the fluid mixture is guided toward the first interference surface 1044. In response to the fluid mixture interfering with the first interference surface, a portion of the debris is separated from the fluid. A first portion 1052A of the first reduced fluid mixture (e.g., having a reduced amount of debris relative to the fluid mixture guided into the fluid control device) is guided in a direction away from the third surface of the step features toward a channel or conduit formed between adjacent structures of the structural array, and toward the inner surface of the housing. Furthermore, a second portion 1052B of the first reduced fluid mixture is guided toward the second interference surface 1046.

[0057] In response to the interference of a second portion of the first reduced fluid mixture with the second interference surface, another portion of the debris separates from the fluid to produce a second reduced fluid mixture 1054. The amount of debris bound to the fluid in the second reduced fluid mixture is less than the amount of debris in the first reduced fluid mixture, and less than the amount of debris in the fluid mixture itself. The second reduced fluid mixture is directed in a direction away from the second surface of the step feature toward a channel formed between adjacent structures of the structural array, and toward the inner surface of the housing. For example, debris may accumulate on the first and second interference surfaces, and the fluid bound to the reduced amount of debris may be allowed to move or flow between adjacent structures, through the second portion of the structural array, and toward the outlet of the fluid control device.

[0058] Figure 12 A performance graph 1200 of a system according to one embodiment, such as a panel assembly, is illustrated. The graph includes a horizontal axis 1204 representing the increase in the amount of debris moving through the system, and a vertical axis 1202 representing the resistance of the fluid mixture as it moves within the system. For example, resistance may indicate pressure changes in the fluid mixture within the system, such as pressure drop. Figure 12 The performance charts shown can represent Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated panel assembly demonstrates the performance of its fluid control device. For example, the system may include a panel and a fluid control device, wherein the panel includes a channel disposed between a side surface of the panel and a side surface of the fluid control device. Furthermore, the fluid control device may be a one-way fluid control device. Data line 1206 indicates an increase in resistance as the amount or quantity of debris bound to the fluid increases. Data point 1210 indicates that the pressure drop in the fluid control device increases by approximately 200% after approximately 1600 grams of debris is directed into the fluid control device.

[0059] Alternatively, Figure 13 A performance graph of another system according to one embodiment is illustrated. The graph includes a horizontal axis 1204 representing the increase in the amount of debris moving through the system, and a vertical axis 1202 representing the resistance of the fluid mixture as it moves within the system. For example, resistance may indicate the pressure drop of the fluid mixture within the system. Figure 13 The charts shown can represent Figure 5 to Figure 7 The performance of the fluid control device in the illustrated panel assembly. For example, the system may include a panel and a fluid control device, wherein the inlet of the fluid control device extends to a width substantially the same as the width of the housing of the fluid control device. Furthermore, the fluid mixture can move in a channel with a width substantially the same as the width of the housing, such that the volume of the fluid mixture moving toward the inlet of the fluid control device is distributed (substantially uniform or non-uniform) along the width of the inlet.

[0060] The chart includes data line 1306 indicating increased resistance as the amount or quantity of debris increases. Data point 1310 indicates approximately 1600 grams of debris being guided into and through the fluid control device. Figure 12 The performance charts shown are different. Figure 13 Data point 1310, as illustrated, indicates that after introducing approximately 1600 grams of debris into the fluid control device, there is essentially no pressure drop (e.g., minimal change in resistance). For example, the resistance change from zero grams of debris to approximately 1600 grams of debris is less than 0.5%. Furthermore, the resistance change from approximately zero grams to approximately 8000 grams of debris is less than 5%. For example, relative to movement through... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The fluid mixture depicted in the fluid control device moves through Figure 5 to Figure 7 The fluid mixture in the illustrated fluid control device has a reduced pressure drop. In one or more embodiments, relative to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The fluid control device shown is in Figure 5 to Figure 7 The reduced pressure drop of the fluid mixture moving within the illustrated fluid control device indicates a reduction in the amount of debris clogging the housing.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the fluid control device includes a housing having a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity within the housing. The housing includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet configured to guide the fluid mixture out of the housing. The fluid mixture includes fluid combined with debris. A structure array is disposed within the cavity of the housing and includes a plurality of structures. Each of the plurality of structures includes a first surface operatively coupled to an inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. The structure array includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the structure array is configured to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least some debris from the fluid, and the second portion of the structure array is configured to guide the fluid and at least some debris toward the outlet.

[0062] Optionally, fluid and at least some debris can move toward the outlet between adjacent structures of multiple structures in the structure array via a second part of the structure array.

[0063] Optionally, the shape of the first part of the structure array may be different from the shape of the second part of the structure array.

[0064] Optionally, one or more of the multiple structures of the structure array may include two or more interference surfaces that form the step features of the first part of the structure array.

[0065] Optionally, the two or more interference surfaces forming the step feature may be operatively coupled together via one or more third surfaces of a plurality of structures.

[0066] Optionally, the third surface may be disposed between the first surface operatively coupled to the inner surface of the housing and the second surface disposed at a distance away from the inner surface of the housing.

[0067] Optionally, each of the plurality of structures in the structure array may include an interference surface. One or more of the interference surfaces of the plurality of structures may be angled relative to the inner surface of the housing.

[0068] Optionally, the interference surface of the first structure in the plurality of structures may be linearly offset from the interference surface of the second structure in the plurality of structures. The first structure may be adjacent to the second structure.

[0069] Optionally, the second part of the structure array may be located downstream of the first part of the structure array in the direction of movement of the fluid mixture.

[0070] Optionally, the housing may be fluidly coupled to a channel configured to guide a fluid mixture toward an inlet of the housing. The channel may be configured to guide the fluid mixture within the channel in a first direction, and the cavity may be configured to guide the fluid mixture within the cavity in a different second direction.

[0071] Optionally, the inlet of the housing may be fluidly coupled to the channel. The inlet of the housing may extend between a first end and a second end of the housing, and the channel may extend between the first end and the second end of the housing.

[0072] Optionally, the housing may be operatively coupled to the vehicle system. As the fluid mixture moves within the housing, it can control the temperature of the vehicle system.

[0073] Optionally, the housing may have a width between a first end and a second end of the housing. The inlet may extend between the first end and the second end of the housing with the same width.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the method includes guiding a fluid mixture having fluid bound to debris into a housing via an inlet. The housing includes a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity within the housing. As the fluid mixture moves within a first portion of an array of structures disposed within the cavity, the first portion of the array of structures separates at least some debris from the fluid. The array of structures includes a plurality of structures, each of the plurality of structures including an interface surface, a first surface operatively coupled to an inner surface of the housing, and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. The fluid and at least some debris are guided through a second portion of the array of structures toward an outlet of the housing.

[0075] Optionally, the second part of the structure array may be located downstream of the first part of the structure array in the direction of movement of the fluid mixture within the housing.

[0076] Optionally, the method may include guiding a fluid mixture in a first direction within a channel fluidly coupled to the housing, and guiding a fluid mixture in a different second direction within a cavity.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the system includes a fluid control device having a housing comprising a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity within the housing. The housing includes an inlet configured to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet configured to guide the fluid mixture out of the housing. The inlet of the housing extends between a first end and a second end of the housing. The fluid mixture includes fluid combined with debris. The fluid control device includes an array of structures disposed within the cavity of the housing, the array of structures including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the array of structures is configured to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least a portion of the debris from the fluid, and the second portion of the array of structures is configured to guide the fluid and a portion of the debris toward the outlet. The system includes a channel fluidly coupled to the fluid control device. The channel extends between a channel inlet and a channel outlet. The channel outlet is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the housing. The channel outlet extends between the first end and the second end of the housing. The fluid mixture is configured to move within the channel in a first direction, and the fluid mixture is configured to move within the cavity in a different second direction.

[0078] Optionally, the structure array may include multiple structures, each of which includes an interference surface, a first surface operatively coupled to the inner surface of the housing, and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. One or more of the interference surfaces of the multiple structures may be angled relative to the inner surface of the housing.

[0079] Optionally, the interference surface of the first structure in the plurality of structures may be linearly offset from the interference surface of the second structure in the plurality of structures.

[0080] Optionally, one or more of the structures in the structure array may include two or more interference surfaces forming a step feature of a first portion of the structure array. The two or more interference surfaces forming the step feature may be operatively coupled together via a third surface of one or more of the structures. The third surface may be disposed between a first surface operatively coupled to the inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing.

[0081] As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer,” as well as related terms such as “processing device,” “computing device,” and “controller,” are not limited to those integrated circuits referred to as computers in this art, but refer to microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and other programmable circuits. Suitable memory may include, for example, computer-readable media. Computer-readable media may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), computer-readable non-volatile media, such as flash memory. The term “non-transitory computer-readable media” refers to tangible computer-based devices implemented for short-term and long-term storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and submodules, or other data in any device. Therefore, the methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, including but not limited to storage devices and / or memory devices. When executed by a processor, such instructions cause the processor to perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. Similarly, the term includes tangible computer-readable media, including but not limited to non-transitory computer storage devices, including but not limited to volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media, such as firmware, physical and virtual memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and other digital sources, such as networks or the Internet.

[0082] The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Optional” or “optionally” means that an event or situation described subsequently may or may not occur, and the description may include both cases where the event occurs and cases where the event does not occur. Approximate language used throughout the specification and claims may be used to modify any quantitative expression that allows for variation without altering its underlying function. Therefore, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately” may not be limited to the specified precise value. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Scope limitations may be combined and / or interchanged throughout this document and throughout the specification and claims, and such scopes are identifiable and include all subscopes contained therein unless the context or language indicates otherwise.

[0083] This written description uses examples to disclose embodiments, including best practices, and enables those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making and using any device or system and any methods of integration. The claims define the patentable scope of this disclosure and include other examples that would occur to those skilled in the art. Such other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that do not substantially differ from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A fluid control device comprising: A housing comprising a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity within the housing, the housing including an inlet configured to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet configured to guide the fluid mixture out of the housing, the fluid mixture comprising fluid combined with debris; as well as A structural array disposed within the cavity of the housing, the structural array comprising a plurality of structures, each of the plurality of structures having a first surface operatively coupled to an inner surface of the housing and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing. in, The structure array includes one or more interference surfaces arranged between the first and second surfaces and extending along one or more radial directions relative to the direction of movement of the fluid mixture between the first and second surfaces. The structure array comprises a first portion and a second portion. Wherein, a first interference surface of the first portion of the structure array is configured to interfere with the first portion of the fluid mixture to separate at least some of the debris from the first portion of the fluid mixture; a second interference surface of the first portion of the structure array is configured to interfere with a second portion of the fluid mixture to separate at least some of the debris from the second portion of the fluid mixture; and the second portion of the structure array is configured to guide the fluid and at least some of the debris toward the outlet. Each of the plurality of structures included in the structure array includes one or more interference surfaces, and the one or more interference surfaces of the plurality of structures are arranged at an angle relative to the inner surface of the housing such that: as the distance from the inlet of the housing increases, the distance from the inner surface of the housing also increases; Wherein, one or more of the multiple structures of the structure array include two or more interference surfaces that form the step features of the first portion of the structure array. Wherein, the two or more interference surfaces forming the step feature are operably coupled together via one or more third surfaces of the plurality of structures; and The third surface is disposed between the first surface and the second surface.

2. The fluid control device of claim 1, wherein the fluid and at least some of the debris are configured to move toward the outlet via the second portion of the structure array between adjacent structures in the plurality of structures of the structure array.

3. The fluid control device of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the structure array includes one or more interference structures operably coupled to and extending away from the inner surface of the housing, the one or more interference structures interfering with the fluid mixture, wherein, The second part of the structure array does not have an interference structure.

4. The fluid control device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more interference surfaces of the first structure of the plurality of structures is linearly offset from at least one of the one or more interference surfaces of the second structure of the plurality of structures, wherein the first structure is adjacent to and linearly offset from the second structure.

5. A fluid control method, comprising: A fluid mixture containing fluid bound to debris is guided via an inlet into a housing comprising a plurality of surfaces defining cavities within the housing. As the fluid mixture moves within a first portion of a structural array disposed within the cavity, at least some of the debris is separated from the fluid by the first portion of the structural array, the structural array comprising a plurality of structures, each of the plurality of structures including a first surface operatively coupled to an inner surface of the housing, and a second surface disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the housing; wherein... The second surface is linearly offset from the first surface. Each of the plurality of structures includes an interference surface extending between the first and second surfaces, the interference surface extending at one or more angled directions relative to the flow direction of the fluid mixture, such that the distance between each interference surface and the inner surface of the housing increases with increasing distance from the inlet of the housing; wherein a first interference surface of a first portion of the structure array is configured to interfere with a first portion of the fluid mixture to separate at least some debris from the first portion of the fluid mixture; a second interference surface of the first portion of the structure array is configured to interfere with a second portion of the fluid mixture to separate at least some of the debris from the second portion of the fluid mixture, and the second portion of the structure array is configured to guide the fluid and at least some of the debris toward an outlet; wherein one or more of the plurality of structures of the structure array include two or more interference surfaces forming a step feature of the first portion of the structure array, the two or more interference surfaces forming the step feature being operatively coupled together by one or more of the third surfaces of the plurality of structures, wherein the third surface is located between the first and second surfaces; and The fluid and at least some of the debris are guided through the second part of the structural array toward the outlet of the housing.

6. A fluid control system comprising: Fluid control device, comprising: A housing including a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity within the housing, the housing including an inlet configured to receive a fluid mixture and an outlet configured to guide the fluid mixture out of the housing, the inlet of the housing extending between a first end and a second end of the housing, the fluid mixture including fluid combined with debris; as well as A structural array, disposed within the cavity of the housing and comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the structural array includes one or more stepped features having two or more interference surfaces configured to interfere with the fluid mixture to separate at least a portion of the debris from the fluid; wherein, One or more of the step features have a first interference surface configured to interfere with a first portion of the fluid mixture, and one or more of the step features have a second interference surface configured to interfere with a second portion of the fluid mixture. The first and second interference surfaces are angled relative to the inner surface of the housing, and the second portion of the structure array is configured to guide a third portion of the fluid mixture, comprising the fluid and a portion of debris, toward the outlet. as well as A channel, fluidly coupled to the fluid control device, extending between a channel inlet and a channel outlet, wherein the channel outlet is fluidly coupled to the inlet of the housing, and wherein the channel outlet extends between the first end and the second end of the housing. The fluid mixture is configured to move in a first direction within the channel, and the fluid mixture is configured to move in a different second direction within the cavity.

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