Water Vortex Formation Through Apertured Plate Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water flow and vortex formation techniques are complex to install and maintain, and running water features can be overpowering or difficult to manage, particularly when forming and maintaining water vortexes.
Innovation Solution
A system and apparatus featuring a plate with apertures, a tubular member, nozzles, and a water pump that simplifies setup and maintenance by creating and maintaining a water vortex through controlled fluid velocities, allowing water to overflow and recycle within a tubular member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external forces are used to manipulate fluid velocity and form water vortexes, then vortex formation is achieved, but the system becomes complex to install and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water flow control into multiple nozzles (first nozzle and second nozzle) positioned at different locations and orientations around the tubular member. Each nozzle independently controls fluid velocity at specific zones, allowing complex vortex patterns to be created through simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using external forces to push water into vortex motion, the system uses internal drainage through the plate aperture to create the vortex. The water pump draws water from the tubular member through the plate aperture, and this internal drainage mechanism naturally generates the vortex effect, inverting the conventional external-force approach
2Ease of manufacture
If water features are designed to create strong visual and audio effects, then aesthetic appeal is enhanced, but the features become overpowering and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a plate with multiple apertures where the first aperture (through which the vortex forms) has a width between 30-60% of the subset apertures, and the tubular member width is specifically 5-13% of the maximum aperture width. These proportional relationships create optimal vortex effects without excessive water flow, achieving aesthetic appeal while maintaining manageable, soothing water features
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls vortex characteristics by adjusting specific parameters: the water pump hourly rate is set between 215-430 times the tubular member volume, and the first aperture width is precisely controlled at 30-60% of subset apertures. These parameter changes create desirable vortex intensity that is visually and auditorily appealing without being overpowering
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
Simplifies the installation and maintenance of water vortex systems by ensuring a desirable water volume range and continuous vortex formation without user intervention, promoting a soothing auditory experience.
Implementation Method 1
pumping, via the water pump, water into a pipe of the number of pipes and out of the first nozzle and the second nozzle... such that a water vortex is formed within the tubular member
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure include an apparatus. The apparatus includes a plate with a number of apertures extending from a first side of the plate to a second side of the plate opposite to the first side. The number of apertures include a first aperture and a subset of apertures. The apparatus includes a tubular member fixedly coupled to the second side of the plate at a first tubular member end. The tubular member has a perimeter surrounded by the subset of apertures and surrounding the first aperture. The apparatus includes a first nozzle and a second nozzle. The apparatus includes a number of pipes and a pump configured to pump water through a pipe of the number of pipes and out of at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle.