Self-adjusting vortex tube coping with incoming flow temperature change

Abstract

The utility model discloses a self-adjusting vortex tube coping with incoming flow temperature change, the vortex tube is provided with a vortex chamber, an inlet nozzle (11), a cold end tube (3) and a hot end tube (4), the inlet nozzle (11), the cold end tube (3) and the hot end tube (4) are all communicated with the vortex chamber, an incoming flow main pipeline is connected with the vortex inlet nozzle (11), and an outlet of the hot end tube is provided with an adjusting valve (5) used for adjusting outlet flow. A bimetallic structure (7) capable of switching between an elongated state and a contracted state according to a temperature change; the temperature conduction module is at least connected with the incoming flow main pipeline and transmits the incoming flow temperature to the bimetallic structure (7); and the transmission assembly is arranged between the adjusting valve (5) and the double-metal structure (7), and the flow of an outlet of the hot end pipe is adjusted according to the stretching state and the contracting state of the double-metal structure (7), so that the temperature change of incoming flow is adjusted in a self-adaptive mode to cope with complex working conditions of different temperatures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of temperature control, and particularly relates to a vortex tube capable of self-adjusting in response to the change of the incoming flow temperature. Background Art

[0002] A vortex tube is a mechanical device mainly used to divide high-pressure gas into cold flow and hot flow, and the two flows flow out from both ends respectively. When in use, the operation of the vortex tube starts from a high-speed rotating air flow. When compressed gas enters the vortex tube, it is injected into the vortex chamber tangentially through a specially designed nozzle to form a free vortex. In the vortex, gas particles rub against each other due to different rotation speeds. The gas in the central part has a smaller angular momentum, its speed decreases, and its temperature drops, thus forming a cold air flow; while the peripheral gas has a larger angular momentum, rubs against the tube wall, its speed increases, and its temperature rises, forming a hot air flow. The two are led out through the tubes at the cold and hot ends respectively to achieve the temperature separation of the gas. Structurally, the vortex tube mainly consists of a nozzle, a vortex chamber, a separation orifice plate, a control valve, and the tubes at the cold and hot ends. The nozzle is used to accelerate the gas into the vortex chamber to form a high-speed rotating air flow. The vortex chamber is the core area for forming a free vortex. The separation orifice plate is located between the vortex chamber and the cold tube, and its function is to only allow the cold air flow in the central part to pass through. The control valve is located at the outlet of the hot end tube, and by adjusting this valve, the flow rate and temperature of the cold and hot air flows can be controlled.

[0003] Research shows that by controlling the cold and hot end flow rates, the refrigeration efficiency and temperature effect of the vortex tube can be optimized. There is an optimal cold flow rate range that maximizes the refrigeration temperature effect, unit refrigeration capacity, and refrigeration efficiency. The change of the ambient temperature will affect the working efficiency of the vortex tube. Flow control can automatically adjust according to the inlet temperature, enabling the vortex tube to adapt to different working environments. Different application environments and requirements require the vortex tube to work in different states. Through flow control, different working conditions can be adapted to meet the changing refrigeration requirements, ensuring that the vortex tube can operate stably under various operating conditions and is not affected by external environmental changes. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] In view of the above problems, the utility model provides a self-adjusting vortex tube for coping with the change of the incoming flow temperature. The change of the incoming flow parameters refers to the change of the incoming flow temperature, thus achieving the goal of adjusting the performance of the vortex tube according to the incoming flow temperature only by relying on mechanical transmission components.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the technical problems is as follows:

[0006] A self-regulating vortex tube for coping with the change of the incoming flow temperature. The vortex tube has a vortex chamber, an inlet nozzle, a cold end tube, and a hot end tube that are all connected to the vortex chamber. The incoming flow main pipeline is connected to the vortex inlet nozzle, and a regulating valve for adjusting the outlet flow rate is provided at the outlet of the hot end tube. It is characterized in that it further includes:

[0007] A bimetallic structure that can switch between an extended state and a contracted state according to temperature changes;

[0008] A temperature conduction module that is at least connected to the incoming flow main pipeline and transfers the incoming flow temperature to the bimetallic structure;

[0009] A transmission component that is arranged between the regulating valve and the bimetallic structure and adjusts the flow rate at the outlet of the hot end tube according to the extended state and the contracted state of the bimetallic structure.

[0010] A hot end self-regulating component that controls the hot end control valve to adjust the hot end outlet area according to the temperature of the incoming flow gas, thereby adjusting the flow rate at the outlet of the hot end of the vortex tube, and further adjusting the flow rate ratio between the hot and cold ends of the vortex tube.

[0011] Preferably, the transmission component is a linkage lever. The temperature conduction module can transfer heat to the bimetallic structure and is respectively connected to the incoming flow main pipeline and the outlet of the hot end of the vortex tube. When the bimetallic structure changes its shape according to temperature changes, it drives the linkage lever to move. The linkage lever is connected to the regulating valve, and the regulating valve can move along the axial direction of the hot end tube and adjust the opening degree of the outlet of the hot end of the vortex tube.

[0012] Preferably, the temperature conduction module is a capillary tube, and the bimetallic structure is a coiled bimetallic strip. The bimetallic strip can contract or extend according to temperature changes, thereby driving the linkage lever to rotate. One end of the capillary tube is connected to the incoming high-pressure gas, and the other end is connected to the low-pressure gas at the outlet of the hot end of the vortex tube. Under the action of the pressure difference, the incoming flow continuously flows from the incoming flow main pipeline to the outlet of the hot end of the vortex tube through the capillary tube.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present utility model will be described in detail in specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required to be used in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present utility model, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the working principle of a vortex tube in the prior art.

[0016] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the inlet self - regulating structure of the self - regulating vortex tube of the present utility model for coping with the change of oncoming flow pressure

[0017] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the inlet self - regulating structure of the self - regulating vortex tube of the present utility model for coping with the change of oncoming flow temperature

[0018] Figure 4 Stereoscopic schematic diagram of the inlet self - regulating structure of the present utility model for coping with the change of oncoming flow pressure

[0019] Figure 5 is Figure 4 side view

[0020] Figure 6 is Figure 5 A - A sectional view of

[0021] Reference numerals: 1: nozzle; 2: vortex chamber; 3: cold end tube; 4: hot end tube; 5: regulating valve; 6: temperature conduction module; 7: bimetallic structure; 8: cylinder; 10: inlet drive structure; 11: inlet nozzle; 12: first control ring; 13: second control ring; 14: regulating block; 15: control pull rod; 16: control valve plate; 17: nozzle; 18: valve seat; 19: drive block Detailed implementation manners

[0022] In order to more clearly understand the above - mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific implementation manners

[0023] In the following description, many specific details are set forth in order to fully understand the present utility model. However, the present utility model can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below

[0024] It should be noted that the descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the present application are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those skilled in the art can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions results in contradictions or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present application

[0025] A vortex tube is a device that uses a high-speed rotating airflow for energy separation. By injecting compressed gas into the vortex tube, it rotates at high speed inside the tube, thereby achieving temperature separation and forming two cold and hot airflows. The performance of the vortex tube is affected by various factors, among which the flow rate and pressure control of the incoming flow at the inlet nozzle are key parameters. In addition, the cold flow rate is also an important key parameter in the field of vortex tubes, which is defined as the ratio of the cold airflow to the total inlet airflow. Research shows that the cold flow rate has a significant impact on the refrigeration effect of the vortex tube. In this specific embodiment, it is proposed to adaptively adjust the flow rate of the vortex tube according to the parameters (temperature and pressure) of the incoming flow of the vortex tube and keep the vortex tube in an optimal working state at all times.

[0026] Embodiment 1:

[0027] As Figure 2 shown, a self-regulating vortex tube for coping with the change of incoming flow pressure is proposed. The vortex tube has a vortex chamber and an inlet nozzle 11, a cold end tube 3, and a hot end tube 4 that are all communicated with the vortex chamber. It further includes:

[0028] Based on the main structure of the vortex tube, a piston-type cylinder and an inlet transmission structure are newly added, that is, Figure 2 the inlet transmission structure 10 in

[0029] which includes a cylinder 8 and a ring structure driven to rotate by the cylinder; the main incoming flow pipeline is connected to the inlet nozzle 11, the branch incoming flow pipeline is communicated with the rodless cavity of the cylinder 8, and the piston rod of the cylinder 8 is drivingly connected to the ring structure;

[0030] During use, if the incoming flow pressure increases, part of the incoming flow gas enters the piston cylinder through the bypass. The gas pressure above the self-regulating vortex tube cylinder increases and squeezes the piston to move downward, thereby driving the outer ring of the inlet transmission device to rotate clockwise, and then pushing the control rod inward to squeeze the movable valve plate, thus expanding the area of the vortex tube inlet nozzle to adapt to the higher inlet pressure and flow rate. When the incoming flow pressure decreases, some of the gas in the piston cylinder leaves the cylinder and merges into the main path through the bypass. The gas pressure above the cylinder decreases and pulls the piston upward, thereby driving the outer ring of the inlet transmission device to rotate counterclockwise, and then pulling the control rod outward. The movable valve plate rebounds to reduce the area of the vortex tube inlet nozzle to adapt to the lower inlet pressure and flow rate. Thus, the device enables the vortex tube pressure reduction system to maintain a relatively stable outlet state under different incoming flow pressures.

[0031] The adaptability to the change of the incoming flow pressure at the inlet is an important inventive contribution of this embodiment. The self-regulating vortex tube cylinder can accurately adjust the valve opening of the nozzle 17 by sensing the change of the incoming flow fluid pressure, so as to achieve more precise flow and pressure control. The adaptive adjustment structure allows the system to automatically compensate for deviations according to the actual situation, ensuring that the controlled parameters are maintained within the set range, thereby improving the control accuracy of the entire system. Moreover, it does not require an additional control unit or energy-consuming control components such as a controller, improving the reliability of the system operation. The adaptive adjustment structure driven by the cylinder reduces the need for manual intervention. The operator only needs to set the parameters, and the remaining adjustment work is automatically completed by the system.

[0032] The cylinder-driven adaptive adjustment structure of the self-regulating vortex tube can quickly respond to fluid pressure fluctuations, stabilize the output by adjusting the valve opening, and reduce the oscillation and overshoot of the system. Moreover, the cylinder can adapt to harsh environments such as high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive media, ensuring the normal operation of the valve under these conditions. This structure helps to maintain the stable operation of the production line.

[0033] Embodiment 2:

[0034] In this embodiment, in addition to including the features of the foregoing embodiment, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 , it further includes: a ring structure is coaxially installed with the vortex tube. An adjustment block 14 is provided on the ring structure. A driving block 19 is provided on the side of the vortex chamber. The driving block 19 can control the rotation of the valve plate 16 relative to the valve seat 18. The driving control rod 15 passes through the adjustment block 14 and is connected to the driving block 19.

[0035] In this embodiment, there are multiple inlet nozzles 11 which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The multiple inlet nozzles 11 can better accelerate the high-pressure incoming gas and form a high-speed swirling flow, creating conditions for energy separation. When the gas passes through the inlet nozzles 11, it will expand and accelerate rapidly, forming a strong swirling airflow. This swirling airflow generates an energy separation effect inside the vortex chamber, causing a temperature difference between the center and the outer edge of the gas.

[0036] The circular ring structure is used to synchronously control the valve openings of the multiple inlet nozzles 11. Therefore, it is selected to be coaxially installed with the self-regulating vortex tube. The gas pressure above the cylinder increases and squeezes the piston to move downward, thereby driving the outer circular ring of the inlet transmission device to rotate clockwise. A driving block 19 is provided on the side of the vortex chamber. Figure 4 The driving block 19 is arranged on the side end of the vortex chamber close to the cold end tube. The driving block 19 can control the rotation of the valve plate 16 relative to the valve seat 18. The driving control rod 15 passes through the adjusting block 14 and is connected to the driving block 19. When the gas pressure above the cylinder of the self-regulating vortex tube increases and squeezes the piston to move downward, it drives the outer circular ring structure of the inlet transmission device to rotate clockwise. The circular ring structure then drives the driving block 19 to rotate by pushing the control rod 15. The driving block 19 further rotates the control valve plate 16, and the angles of rotation of the multiple control valve plates 16 are the same. Therefore, the openings of each nozzle 11 are also the same.

[0037] Embodiment 3:

[0038] In this embodiment, in addition to including the features of the foregoing embodiment, see Figure 4 , Figure 5 , it further includes: The circular ring structure includes a first control circular ring 12 and a second control circular ring 13. The adjusting block 14 is rotatably arranged between the first control circular ring 12 and the second control circular ring 13. The hole of the adjusting block 14 is slidably connected to the control rod 15 in a relative manner. The driving block 19 includes a sleeve and a shaft on the outer side of the sleeve. The sleeve is fixedly connected to the control rod 15, and the shaft passes through the side of the vortex chamber and is fixedly connected to the control valve plate 16.

[0039] When the circular ring structure rotates and pushes the control rod 15, due to the change in position of the control rod 15, its relative position with the adjusting block 14 also changes, and a sliding displacement occurs between the control rod 15 and the hole of the adjusting block 14. This sliding fit between the hole and the shaft can prevent movement interference between the transmission components.

[0040] Embodiment 4:

[0041] In this embodiment, in addition to including the features of the foregoing embodiment, it further includes a reset element, which can keep the control valve plate 16 at the preset opening of the nozzle 17 or restore it to the preset opening of the nozzle 17.

[0042] The reset component is a prior art. For example, a spring is sleeved on the piston rod of the cylinder. When the incoming flow pressure resumes the preset value, the piston of the cylinder can return to the preset position under the action of the spring. That is, the entire self-regulating vortex tube is reset.

[0043] Embodiment 5:

[0044] In this embodiment, in addition to including the features of the foregoing embodiments, the self-regulating vortex tube for coping with the change of the incoming flow temperature further includes a hot-end self-regulating component, and further includes:

[0045] A temperature conduction module, a bimetallic structure 7 and a linkage lever. The temperature conduction module can transfer heat to the bimetallic structure 7 and is respectively connected to the incoming flow main pipeline and the hot-end outlet of the vortex tube. When the bimetallic structure 7 changes its shape according to the temperature change, it drives the linkage lever to move. The linkage lever is connected to the regulating valve 5, and the regulating valve 5 can move axially along the hot-end pipe 4 and adjust the opening degree of the hot-end outlet of the vortex tube.

[0046] A hot-end self-regulating component, which is used to control the hot-end control valve according to the temperature of the incoming flow gas to adjust the hot-end outlet area, so as to adjust the flow rate of the hot-end outlet of the vortex tube, and further adjust the flow rate ratio of the hot and cold ends of the vortex tube.

[0047] The bimetallic structure is composed of two different metals. This composite structure can give play to the respective advantages of the two metals and produce a synergistic effect, thereby improving the overall performance. In the temperature self-adaptive regulation system, the bimetallic structure is used in combination with the temperature conduction module, and can respond to the change of the incoming flow temperature according to the temperatures of the incoming flow main pipeline and the hot-end outlet of the vortex tube.

[0048] A preferred solution is that the temperature conduction module is a capillary tube, and the bimetallic structure 7 is a coiled bimetallic strip. The bimetallic strip can contract or elongate according to the temperature change, thereby driving the linkage lever to rotate. In Figure 3In it, the capillary tube covers the surface of the bimetallic strip. One end is connected to the incoming high-pressure gas, and the other end is connected to the low-pressure gas at the hot end outlet of the vortex tube. The bimetallic strip is connected to the hot end regulating valve through a linkage lever. By means of the lever principle LAB>>LBC, the deformation of the bimetallic strip on the horizontal position of the hot end regulating valve is enlarged. When the temperature of the incoming flow is relatively low, the temperature of the gas in the capillary tube drops, and the bimetallic strip contracts when cooled, pulling the lever to rotate counterclockwise around point B and driving the hot end regulating valve to move to the right. As a result, the outlet area of the hot end of the vortex tube is enlarged, the cold flow ratio decreases, the performance of the vortex tube is improved, and finally the temperature of the gas at the outlet of the vortex tube pressure reduction system increases. When the temperature of the incoming flow is relatively high, the temperature of the gas in the capillary tube rises, the bimetallic strip expands when heated, pushing the lever to rotate clockwise around point B and driving the hot end regulating valve to move to the left. As a result, the outlet area of the hot end of the vortex tube is reduced, the cold flow ratio increases, the performance of the vortex tube is reduced, and finally the temperature of the gas at the outlet of the vortex tube pressure reduction system decreases. Thus, this device realizes that the vortex tube pressure reduction system can maintain a relatively stable gas outlet state at different incoming flow temperatures. The capillary tube, as a temperature conduction module, is connected to the incoming high-pressure gas at one end and the low-pressure gas at the hot end outlet of the vortex tube at the other end. Under the action of the gas pressure of the incoming flow, it continuously flows from the high-pressure end to the low-pressure end at the hot end outlet of the vortex tube. Therefore, the bimetallic strip can quickly respond to the change of the incoming flow temperature.

[0049] In this embodiment, it can cope with the fluctuations in the incoming pressure of pipeline natural gas caused by the differences in the actual number of operating pipelines due to the different demands for urban natural gas in each quarter. The fluctuations in the incoming pressure and temperature of the vortex tube are adaptively adjusted by the inlet transmission structure and the hot end self-regulating component, so as to cope with the complex working conditions of different pressures and temperatures. This not only improves the control accuracy and stability of the system, but also simplifies the operation and maintenance, enhances the response speed and energy efficiency, and strengthens the reliability and adaptability of the system.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; under the idea of the present invention, the technical features in the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, and the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other changes in different aspects of the present invention as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-regulating vortex tube for coping with temperature changes of incoming flow, the vortex tube comprising a vortex chamber and an inlet nozzle (11), a cold end pipe (3), and a hot end pipe (4) all connected to the vortex chamber, the incoming flow main pipeline being connected to the vortex inlet nozzle (11), and a regulating valve (5) for regulating the outlet flow rate being provided at the outlet of the hot end pipe, characterized in that: Also includes: a bimetallic structure (7) which is capable of switching between an extended state and a contracted state according to temperature changes; A temperature conduction module, the temperature conduction module is connected to at least the incoming flow main pipeline and transmits the incoming flow temperature to the bimetallic structure (7); The transmission component is arranged between the regulating valve (5) and the bimetallic structure (7), and adjusts the flow rate of the outlet of the hot end tube according to the extension state and the contraction state of the bimetallic structure (7), that is, controls the hot end control valve to adjust the hot end outlet area according to the temperature of the incoming gas, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the hot end outlet of the vortex tube, and further adjusting the flow rate ratio of the hot and cold ends of the vortex tube.

2. The self-regulating vortex tube for coping with incoming flow temperature changes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission component is a linkage lever, wherein the temperature conduction module can transfer heat to the bimetallic structure (7) and is respectively connected to the main flow path and the hot end outlet of the vortex tube. When the bimetallic structure (7) changes shape according to temperature changes, the linkage lever is driven to move. The linkage lever is connected to the regulating valve (5). The regulating valve (5) can move axially along the hot end tube (4) and adjust the opening of the hot end outlet of the vortex tube.

3. The self-regulating vortex tube for coping with incoming flow temperature changes as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature conduction module is a capillary tube, and the bimetallic structure (7) is a rolled bimetallic strip. The bimetallic strip can shrink or stretch according to temperature changes, thereby driving the linkage lever to rotate. One end of the capillary tube is connected to the incoming high-pressure gas, and the other end is connected to the low-pressure gas at the hot end outlet of the vortex tube. Under the action of the pressure difference, the incoming flow continuously flows from the incoming flow main line to the hot end outlet of the vortex tube through the capillary tube.

Images