Axial Fluid Inlet Deflection Structure for Uniform Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid inlet systems with axial ports struggle to achieve uniform fluid distribution across the cross-section of apparatuses like shell and tube heat exchangers without significantly increasing pressure loss, especially in revamps where port size adjustments are limited.

Innovation Solution

A fluid inlet system with a support structure and deflecting elements, such as deflecting plates, arranged to guide fluid from an axial inlet port to an outlet, utilizing a pyramidal or cone-shaped configuration to deflect fluid outward, decoupling resonance frequencies with linking elements to avoid vortex excitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the size of the inlet port is increased to achieve uniform fluid distribution, then the uniform distribution of flow is improved, but the pressure loss in the inlet and outlet ports increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform distribution of flowVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The inlet port is segmented into multiple smaller openings distributed across the inlet cross-section, rather than using a single large opening. This segmentation allows the flow to be divided into multiple streams that distribute more uniformly across the tube bundle while reducing the pressure loss in each individual opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the inlet port are given different properties by creating multiple openings of varying sizes and positions. The distribution of these openings is optimized to achieve uniform flow distribution across the tube bundle, with local variations in opening size and position tailored to the specific flow requirements of different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stress or pressure

If tube inserts are used to increase pressure loss in tubes, then the pressure loss in tubes is increased, but this may not be feasible in terms of process technology and inlays can be problematic due to fouling issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure loss in tubesVSAvoidprocess technology feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The problem of achieving uniform flow distribution is extracted from the tube bundle and addressed at the inlet port level. By optimizing the inlet port geometry and opening distribution, the flow distribution is improved without needing to modify the tubes themselves, thereby avoiding the fouling issues and process technology feasibility problems associated with tube inserts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If the size of the inlet port is increased to achieve uniform fluid distribution, then the uniform distribution of flow is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform distribution of flowVSAvoidinlet port structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables uniform fluid distribution with minimal pressure loss, facilitating economical operation and easy maintenance, while being cost-effective for revamps.

Implementation Method 1

a deflecting structure (220) arranged at the support structure (210). The deflection structure comprises one or multiple deflecting elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a pyramidal or cone-shaped configuration to deflect fluid outward, decoupling resonance frequencies with linking elements to avoid vortex excitation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance frequency decoupling: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP4621338A1Fluid inlet system, apparatus and method of supplying fluid

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 LINDE AG

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Figure 2a
Figure 2b~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid inlet system (200) configured for use with an axial inlet port, wherein the fluid inlet system comprises an axial inlet end (202) and an axial outlet end (204) along an axial direction (206), and wherein the fluid inlet system comprises a support structure (210) and a deflecting structure comprising one or multiple deflecting elements (221-225), wherein each deflecting element (221-225) of the deflection structure has a plate-shaped and/or profile-shaped form, and has an outer periphery, and wherein, in case of multiple deflection elements, all or all but one of the deflection elements have a through hole defining an inner periphery, wherein the deflecting structure is arranged at the support structure (210) and, wherein, in case of multiple deflection elements, the multiple deflecting elements (221-225) are arranged next to each other, and wherein, in case of multiple deflection elements, for at least one set of two different ones of the multiple deflecting elements (221-225), the one located more to the axial outlet end covers, seen along the axial direction from the axial inlet end (202) to the axial outlet end (204), a part of the through hole of the one located more to the axial inlet end, or wherein the one deflection element or the one of the multiple deflection elements located closest to the axial inlet end covers, seen along the axial direction from the axial inlet end (202) to the axial outlet end (204), only a part of an opening of the axial inlet port.