Flame suppressor based on Tesla valve unit

Abstract

The invention discloses a flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit, and relates to the technical field. The device specifically comprises a fire retardant element, and the fire retardant element is provided with at least one flow channel allowing combustible gas to pass through. The fire-retardant element is a fire-retardant inner plate; the flow channel is a Tesla valve structure flow channel integrally formed on the fire-retardant inner plate, and the fire-retardant inner plate can be constructed to be in an irregular shape used for being matched with a non-standard installation space. The invention aims to provide reliable flame propagation protection for non-standard and irregular installation spaces.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of flame arresters, in particular to a flame arrester based on a Tesla valve unit. BACKGROUND

[0002] A flame arrester, also known as a flame arrestor, is an important industrial safety device. Its core function is to allow normal gas or liquid to pass through while effectively preventing the spread of flame from the ignition side to the protection side, thereby protecting the safety of the equipment and personnel on the protection side. In many fields such as petroleum, chemical industry, mining and aerospace, where flammable and explosive media exist, flame arresters are usually installed to prevent backfire accidents and avoid catastrophic losses.

[0003] The core flame arrestment element of existing flame arresters has various structural forms. Common ones include metal corrugated plate type, metal mesh type, porous sintered material type, and honeycomb ceramic type. The basic principle of these structures is to divide the fluid passage into a large number of small gaps or pores. When the flame front reaches these narrow passages, the cooling effect of the passage wall forms a quenching effect, and the flame heat is quickly absorbed, causing the temperature to drop below the ignition temperature, resulting in flame extinguishment.

[0004] However, traditional flame arresters have certain limitations in structure. The flame arrestment element is usually designed in a regular shape, such as a disc or a rectangle, to facilitate installation between standard circular or square pipe flanges. This standardized design is effective in most general working conditions, but it encounters difficulties in some special application scenarios. For example, in the fuel venting system of an aircraft engine or some highly integrated precision chemical equipment, in order to make the most of space, the pipelines and cavities are often designed in irregular curved shapes, forming many non-standard narrow spaces.

[0005] In these irregular narrow spaces, standard-shaped flame arresters are often difficult to install, or even cannot be installed at all. Forced installation not only damages the sealing of the flame arrester and affects its flame arrestment performance, but also may cause damage to the surrounding equipment structure.

[0006] Therefore, how to provide reliable flame propagation protection for non-standard and irregular installation spaces has become a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0007] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a flame arrester based on a Tesla valve unit, which aims to provide reliable flame propagation protection for non-standard and irregular installation spaces.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present application provides a flame arrester based on Tesla valve unit, comprising a fire blocking element, at least one flow channel for allowing combustible gas to pass through is arranged on the fire blocking element; the fire blocking element is a fire blocking inner plate; the flow channel is integrally formed; the fire blocking inner plate is provided with Tesla valve structure flow channel, and the fire blocking inner plate can be configured to adapt to irregular shape of non-standard installation space.

[0009] Further, the fire blocking inner plate is an arc-shaped plate.

[0010] Further, when a plurality of Tesla valve structure flow channels are integrally formed on the fire blocking inner plate, the plurality of Tesla valve structure flow channels are arranged in sequence and staggered.

[0011] Further, the slit width of the Tesla valve structure flow channel is d, and 0.6≤d≤1.2mm.

[0012] Further, the Tesla valve structure flow channel is composed of a straight channel and a circular arc channel, and the straight channel is tangent to the circular arc channel.

[0013] Further, the minimum distance between the inner walls of adjacent Tesla valve structure flow channels is equal to the slit width of the flow channel.

[0014] Further, it further comprises: at least one cover plate, the cover plate covers the fire blocking inner plate to close the Tesla valve structure flow channel, and an outer fixing member for fixedly connecting the fire blocking inner plate and the cover plate.

[0015] Further, the Tesla valve structure flow channel is in the shape of a water droplet, the tip of the water droplet is arranged to face the non-protection side, and the blunt end is arranged to face the protection side.

[0016] The above technical scheme has the following advantages: Firstly, the huge resistance to reverse fluid generated by the Tesla valve can effectively prevent the spread and backfire of the flame, while allowing the combustible gas to pass through smoothly in the forward direction, ensuring the unity of low flow resistance and high fire resistance performance. Secondly, the flow channel and the fire blocking element are integrally formed on a single inner plate, which greatly simplifies the structure, making it more solid, durable, less prone to blockage and damage, and easy to clean and maintain than traditional multi-layer mesh or filled flame arrester. Finally, the fire blocking inner plate can be customized to be irregular in shape as needed, solving the problem of installing traditional standard flame arrester in compact or irregular space, and showing high installation flexibility and scene adaptability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments and drawings, in which: Figure 1The exploded view of the embodiment 1 of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 The structure view of the flow channel of the single Tesla valve structure in the embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 3 The schematic view of the arrangement of the multiple Tesla valve structure flow channels on the planar fire blocking inner plate in the embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 4 The schematic view of the arrangement of the multiple Tesla valve structure flow channels on the arc-shaped fire blocking inner plate in the embodiment 2 of the present application.

[0021] Figure 5 The schematic view of the arrangement of the multiple Tesla valve structure flow channels on the complex curved shape fire blocking inner plate in the embodiment 3 of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application more clear, the present application is further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0023] Embodiment 1 The present application provides a flame arrester based on Tesla valve unit, please refer to Figure 1 , which is the overall structure schematic view of an embodiment of the present application. The flame arrester comprises a fire blocking element, a cover plate 2, and an outer fixing member for fixedly connecting the fire blocking element and the cover plate 2. In the embodiment, the fire blocking element is specifically a fire blocking inner plate 1. The flame arrester can further comprise a first outer baffle 4 and a second outer baffle 6, and an outer pipeline 5. The outer fixing member can be specifically two outer fixing plates, which are a first outer fixing plate 3 and a second outer fixing plate 7. The fire blocking inner plate 1, the cover plate 2, the first outer baffle 4, the second outer baffle 6, the first outer fixing plate 3, and the second outer fixing plate 7 are fixed on the outer pipeline 5 by fasteners such as bolts, to form a complete flame arrester module.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The flame arrestor inner plate 1 has at least one flow channel for allowing combustible gases to pass through. This flow channel is a Tesla valve structure flow channel integrally formed on the flame arrestor inner plate 1. "Integral forming" means that the flow channel structure is formed directly on the base material of the flame arrestor inner plate 1 through processes such as machining, chemical etching, laser cutting, or additive manufacturing, rather than being assembled from multiple independent parts. This integral forming structure makes the overall structure of the flame suppressor simpler and more robust, reduces potential leakage points, and lowers manufacturing costs.

[0025] The cover plate 2 covers the inner flame-retardant plate 1 to seal the flow channel of the Tesla valve structure, forming a complete pipe through which fluid can pass. In some applications of the present invention, the cover plate 2 may be made of a transparent material, such as an acrylic plate, for ease of observation or research, and the outer baffle 4 may also be made of a transparent glass plate, but this is not a limitation of the present invention.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, the flow channel of a single Tesla valve structure is shaped like a special teardrop. This flow channel consists of a straight channel and a circular arc channel, with the straight and circular arc channels smoothly tangent at their junction to ensure smooth fluid flow. The technical characteristics of the flow channel of a single Tesla valve structure can be determined by several key geometric parameters, including the slit width d, the slit angle θ, and the inner radius r of the circular arc channel.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, multiple Tesla valve structure flow channels can be integrally formed on a single flame-retardant inner plate 1. When multiple flow channels exist, these Tesla valve structure flow channels are preferably arranged in a staggered manner. This staggered arrangement design helps to achieve a higher flow channel density within a limited space and can more effectively disrupt the reverse flow of fluid, thereby enhancing the flame-retardant effect. To ensure the stability of the structure and the independence of the flow channels, a minimum distance should be maintained between the inner walls of adjacent Tesla valve structure flow channels. In this embodiment, this minimum distance is set to be equal to the slit width d of the flow channel.

[0028] The core principle utilized in this invention lies in the unidirectional flow characteristics of the Tesla valve structure. When combustible gas flows in the forward direction, i.e., from the blunt end to the tip of the flow channel, the fluid experiences minimal resistance and pressure drop, allowing the gas to pass smoothly. When the flame attempts to propagate in the reverse direction, i.e., from the tip to the blunt end, the unique geometry of the flow channel guides the fluid to split and counteract, forming vortices, thereby generating significant flow resistance and a substantial pressure drop. This large reverse pressure drop effectively prevents the propagation of the flame front, while the large surface area of ​​the flow channel wall absorbs the flame's heat through a quenching mechanism, reducing the flame temperature below the extinguishing point, ultimately preventing flame spread.

[0029] Therefore, in practical installation applications, such as in the fuel venting system of an aircraft engine, the teardrop-shaped tip of the Tesla valve's flow channel should face towards the unprotected side, i.e., the side of the potential ignition source. Simultaneously, the blunt end of the teardrop shape should face towards the side requiring protection. This installation orientation ensures that the normal exhaust function of the fuel venting system is not significantly affected, while effectively preventing external flames from flashing back into the system.

[0030] In a specific experimental verification, the flame-arresting inner plate 1 used in this embodiment is a rectangular flat plate with 10 Tesla valve units installed on it, i.e., n equals 10. The parameters of each unit are: slit width d is 1.0 mm, slit angle θ is 60 degrees, and the inner radius r of the arc channel is 4 cm. A kerosene-air mixture is introduced into the pipe and ignited at the tip. The experimental results clearly show that the flame can propagate stably before reaching the flame suppressor, but it is quickly extinguished after entering the Tesla valve structure flow channel of the flame-arresting inner plate 1 and fails to penetrate to the protected side. This proves that the technical solution disclosed in this invention has excellent flame-arresting performance and practical feasibility.

[0031] Compared with existing technologies, the flame suppressor of this embodiment solves the problem that traditional honeycomb flame arresting elements are difficult to apply to non-standard narrow spaces. Irregular narrow spaces are common in aviation fuel venting systems, which traditional flame suppressors cannot accommodate. However, the flame arresting inner plate 1 of this invention can be manufactured into various shapes according to actual needs, and the geometric parameters of its internal Tesla valve unit, such as the slit width d and the slit angle θ, can also be adjusted. For example, the slit width d can be adjusted within the range of 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, achieving a balance between flow performance and flame arresting performance, thereby adapting to different working environments and safety requirements. This design flexibility is unmatched by existing technologies.

[0032] Example 2 This embodiment is a variation of Embodiment 1. Please refer to... Figure 4 The flame suppressor in this embodiment is basically the same as that in embodiment 1 in terms of overall structure and working principle. The main difference lies in the overall shape of the flame-arresting inner plate 1. In embodiment 1, the flame-arresting inner plate 1 is a rectangular flat plate, while in this embodiment, the flame-arresting inner plate 1 is constructed into an irregular shape to adapt to non-standard installation spaces, specifically an arc-shaped plate.

[0033] In aerospace, precision chemical and other fields, pipelines and equipment cavities are often designed with bends or arcs to accommodate compact layouts. Traditional flat-plate flame suppressors cannot be installed in such non-standard spaces. The arc-shaped flame arrestor inner plate 1 in this embodiment can be perfectly embedded into the arc-shaped pipeline or cavity, solving this long-standing technical problem. Multiple Tesla valve structure flow channels are arranged alternately along the central axis of the arc-shaped flame arrestor inner plate 1, and the structural parameters and the arrangement relationship between the flow channels can be referred to the description of Embodiment 1.

[0034] In a specific verification experiment, the same Tesla valve unit parameters as in Example 1 were used: slit width d = 1.0 mm, slit angle θ = 60 degrees, inner radius r of the arc channel = 4 cm, and number of Tesla valve units n = 10. This arc-shaped flame suppressor was installed in a curved pipe, a kerosene-air mixture was introduced, and ignited at one end. The experimental results also showed that the flame was quickly extinguished after entering the flame arrestor unit. This result strongly demonstrates that the flame-arresting performance of the present invention is not reduced by the change in the shape of the flame-arresting inner plate. It successfully combines the flame-arresting mechanism of the Tesla valve with the structural adaptability of irregular shapes, greatly expanding the application scenarios of flame suppressors.

[0035] Example 3 This embodiment further demonstrates the advantages of the present invention in terms of structural adaptability. Please refer to... Figure 5 In this embodiment, the fire-resistant inner plate 1 is constructed into a more complex curved plate shape. This indicates that the shape of the fire-resistant inner plate 1 of the present invention is not limited to a simple plane or arc surface, but can be customized according to the specific geometry of the installation space, such as S-shaped, twisted, or other arbitrary irregular shapes.

[0036] This high degree of customization enables the present invention to provide reliable backfire protection for various irregularly shaped and narrow spaces, which is of great significance for improving the safety of complex systems such as aero-engine fuel systems and highly integrated chemical equipment. In these systems, narrow spaces filled with oil and gas mixtures are often the most vulnerable areas for safety hazards, and existing technologies have lacked effective means of fire and explosion protection for such spaces. The present invention provides a simple and efficient solution by combining a functional Tesla valve flow channel with an adaptable irregular substrate shape.

[0037] In this embodiment, the parameters of the Tesla valve unit, such as the slit width d, the slit angle θ, the inner radius r of the arc channel, and the number of units n, can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual working conditions to achieve the optimal flame-retardant effect and gas flow performance. Other structures, such as the cover plate 2, the first outer fixing plate 3, and the second outer fixing plate 7, will also be adapted to the shape of the flame-retardant inner plate 1.

[0038] In summary, this invention cleverly applies a Tesla valve unit to a flame suppressor and integrates the flow channel into a fire-retardant inner plate adaptable to irregular spaces using a one-piece molding manufacturing method. This not only achieves reliable unidirectional fire-retardant function but, more importantly, solves the problem that existing technologies cannot meet the fire-retardant requirements in non-standard, narrow spaces. Its simple structure, low cost, and flexible design make it highly valuable for engineering applications and have significant commercial prospects.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit, characterized in that, It includes a flame arrestor element, which has at least one flow channel for allowing combustible gas to pass through; the flame arrestor element is a flame arrestor inner plate; the flow channel is a Tesla valve structure flow channel integrally formed on the flame arrestor inner plate and the flame arrestor inner plate can be configured into an irregular shape to adapt to non-standard installation spaces.

2. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fire-resistant inner plate is an arc-shaped plate.

3. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When multiple Tesla valve structure channels are integrally formed on the flame arrestor inner plate, the multiple Tesla valve structure channels are arranged in an alternating manner.

4. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The slit width of the flow channel in the Tesla valve structure is d, where 0.6 ≤ d ≤ 1.2 mm.

5. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Tesla valve structure flow channel consists of a straight channel and an arc channel, and the straight channel is tangent to the arc channel.

6. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The minimum spacing between the inner walls of adjacent Tesla valve structure flow channels is equal to the slit width of the flow channel.

7. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one cover plate covers the flame-retardant inner plate to seal the flow channel of the Tesla valve structure; as well as An outer fastener used to securely connect the fire-retardant inner plate and the cover plate.

8. The flame suppressor based on a Tesla valve unit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flow channel of the Tesla valve structure is teardrop-shaped, with the tip of the teardrop facing the non-protected side and the blunt end facing the protected side.

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