Axial Flow Water Pump Laminar Flow Box Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional propulsion systems for aquatic therapy and sports suffer from inefficiencies due to turbulence, cavitation, and air introduction, limiting water flow and velocity, with existing systems achieving only about 65% efficiency and maximum water flow rates of 2500 GPM for a 10 H.P. motor.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an axial flow water pump assembly with a Kaplan-type ducted propeller and a laminar flow box assembly, utilizing a variable frequency motor drive and axial vane flow straightener to produce a laminar water flow, reducing turbulence and increasing water velocity and flow rates up to 4000 GPM, while eliminating air assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If water is pushed through a tee fitting in conventional propulsion systems, then the system can be simplified in structure, but tremendous turbulence and cavitation occur, greatly reducing pump efficiency and limiting water flow to maximum of 2500 GPM for a 10 H.P. motor
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separate functional components: a pump body, a flow straightener with axial vanes, and a propeller assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the flow straightener specifically designed to eliminate turbulence from tee fittings while maintaining high water flow rates up to 4000 GPM for a 10 H.P. motor
Solution Approach 2:
An axial flow straightener with axial vanes is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump body and the propeller. This flow straightener acts as a mediator that eliminates turbulence and cavitation caused by tee fittings, enabling the system to achieve higher water flow rates without sacrificing efficiency
2Device complexity
If a propeller with large hub and disproportionally small blades is used in conventional systems, then the propeller can be simpler in design, but the pitch angle becomes inefficient with 10′′ pitch angle, limiting maximum propeller RPM to 1150 and reducing overall system efficiency to about 65%
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller blades are designed with varying local properties: the blade pitch angle is optimized at each location along the blade length, with the hub region having different characteristics than the tip region. This local optimization allows the propeller to achieve higher RPMs while maintaining efficient water propulsion, overcoming the limitations of conventional uniform pitch designs
3Speed
If aerated or air assisted venturi type jets are used in conventional propulsion systems, then the system can achieve higher water velocity, but turbulence and distortion of water current occur, reducing overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The air assistance and venturi jet components are completely removed from the propulsion system. Instead of using aerated jets to achieve water velocity, the invention employs a clean axial flow pump with flow straightener and propeller configuration that generates water velocity through pure hydraulic means, eliminating the turbulence and distortion caused by air-water interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional aerated venturi jet mechanism is replaced with a purely mechanical axial flow pump system. The flow straightener with axial vanes and the propeller work together to generate water flow and velocity through mechanical means alone, substituting the complex aerated mechanical system with a simpler, more efficient purely hydraulic system
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 configuration enhances energy efficiency by achieving at least 30-40% more water velocity and flow rate compared to conventional systems, providing a more durable and efficient propulsion system with reduced turbulence and cavitation, and maintaining 100% positive drive efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an axial flow water pump assembly
Implementation Method 2
a propeller assembly including a propeller shaft, water bearing and seal
Implementation Method 3
a laminar flow box assembly adapted to generate a variable speed streamline laminar slipstream of water current
Implementation Method 4
This configuration enhances energy efficiency by achieving at least 30-40% more water velocity and flow rate compared to conventional systems, providing a more durable and efficient propulsion system with reduced turbulence and cavitation
Implementation Method 5
The proposed solution involves an axial flow water pump assembly with a Kaplan-type ducted propeller
Implementation Method 6
producing a variable speed streamline laminar slipstream of water current with a variety of water velocities and thrusts
Implementation Method 7
utilizing a variable frequency motor drive and axial vane flow straightener to produce a laminar water flow
Implementation Method 8
The axial flow water pump assembly is structured to initially direct water through the axial vane flow straightener to correct the axial rotation of water downstream of the propeller
Implementation Method 9
The axial flow water pump assembly is structured to initially direct water through the axial vane flow straightener to correct the axial rotation of water downstream of the propeller
Implementation Method 10
utilizing a variable frequency motor drive and axial vane flow straightener to produce a laminar water flow
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to propulsion systems, and, more particularly, to a propulsion system including an axial flow water pump assembly and a laminar flow box assembly for generating a streamline laminar slipstream of water velocity that is used in aquatic therapy, aquatic sport fitness rehabilitation, aquatic rehabilitation, swimming, and a variety of other functional therapy and training modalities.