Aeration Device Auxiliary Intake Unit Deep Water Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aeration devices are limited in depth operation due to the need for high power output and cannot effectively mix air and water at greater depths, leading to inefficient aeration performance.

Innovation Solution

The aeration device incorporates an auxiliary intake unit and a discharge unit with protrusions to enhance air intake and mixing, allowing water and air to be efficiently mixed and discharged at deeper depths without a separate pump, using an air adjusting valve to control air flow and improve mixing rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the aeration device operates at greater depth, then the aeration performance is improved, but the power output requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaeration performanceVSAvoidpower output
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The aeration device is divided into multiple functional segments: a mixing unit with impeller for initial air-water mixing, a discharge unit with protrusions for enhanced mixing, and an auxiliary intake unit with diagonal holes for additional air intake. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to aeration performance without requiring excessive power from a single source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary intake unit introduces air through diagonal holes at 45-degree angles, adding a dimensional aspect to air intake that improves mixing efficiency. The discharge unit's protrusions create three-dimensional turbulence patterns, enhancing gas-liquid contact without increasing power consumption proportionally to depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the air intake force is increased to suck water in the inflow pipe, then the aeration efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaeration efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary intake unit is integrated directly onto the impeller structure, merging the air intake function with the existing mixing mechanism. The diagonal holes in the auxiliary intake unit combine with the impeller's rotational motion to create effective air-water mixing without requiring separate complex air intake mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The impeller serves multiple functions: it drives water circulation, creates suction for air intake through its rotation, and works in conjunction with the auxiliary intake unit to enhance mixing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, maintaining simplicity while improving aeration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If the mixing between water and air is enhanced using protrusions, then the dissolved oxygen level is increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolved oxygenVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Protrusions are added only to the discharge unit where they are most needed for enhancing gas-liquid mixing. This localized modification creates turbulence and extends air bubble residence time in the water without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire device, keeping manufacturing relatively simple while effectively increasing dissolved oxygen levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design improves air intake force, maintains air bubbles underwater, increases dissolved oxygen levels, and enhances aeration performance by mixing water and air effectively, supporting continuous aerobic microorganism cultivation and fermentation.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller located inside the mixing unit and coupled to a driving shaft of the motor, the driving shaft being extended to the mixing unit, in such a manner as to be rotated unitarily with the driving shaft, to generate a flow in an outward radial direction upon the rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

an auxiliary intake unit located on the front side of the impeller in such a manner as to be rotated unitarily with the driving shaft of the motor and adapted to be inserted into the air inflow unit in such a manner as to allow s fluid in the air inflow unit to flow backward upon the rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow reversal:

Implementation Method 3

mixing the water and air mixed in a mixing unit again by means of protrusions formed on the discharge unit to prevent the contact surfaces between the water and the air from being decreased during the discharging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 4

making the air stay under water for a long period of time, mixing the water and air mixed in a mixing unit again by means of protrusions formed on the discharge unit to prevent the contact surfaces between the water and the air from being decreased during the discharging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3023393B1Aeration device
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 JANG SUN WON
  • EP3023393B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3023393B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3023393B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates an aeration device including: a hollow casing having a motor mounted therein; a mixing unit formed on the front side of the casing and having a discharge hole formed in a radial direction and an intake hole formed on the front thereof; an impeller located inside the mixing unit and coupled to a driving shaft of the motor, the driving shaft being extended to the mixing unit, in such a manner as to be rotated unitarily with the driving shaft, to generate a flow in an outward radial direction upon the rotation; an air inflow unit having one side end portion located in front of the impeller and serving as an air inflow pipe for introducing air to the mixing unit; and an auxiliary intake unit located on the front side of the impeller in such a manner as to be rotated unitarily with the driving shaft of the motor and adapted to be inserted into the air inflow unit in such a manner as to allow s fluid in the air inflow unit to flow backward upon the rotation. Accordingly, the aeration device can improve the air intake force so as to suck the water filled in the inflow pipe introducing air at the beginning of starting, thus performing the aeration efficiently even in deep water.