Beveled Intake Device for Pump Station Flow Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intake devices for propeller and axial flow pumps face challenges in creating a uniform flow of liquid when the incoming flow is rotating or swirling, leading to mechanical stress on the propeller and vanes, and require larger space to accommodate longer flow paths for straightening the flow, which increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An intake device with a beveled circumferential wall edge at the inlet section, redirecting the flow smoothly from a horizontal to a vertical direction, and a decreasing cross-sectional area to accelerate the flow uniformly, allowing for a compact design that can handle both straight and swirling flows without additional space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the intake device is made longer to allow flow to become uniform, then the flow uniformity improves, but the device size and pump station volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces and smooth transitions within the intake device to guide flow more effectively. The inlet section features a curved inlet edge and the redirecting section uses smooth curved transitions to redirect flow from horizontal to vertical direction, reducing turbulence and promoting uniform flow distribution without requiring excessive length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flow straightening element with specific local geometry - a curved inlet edge with a defined radius of curvature. This local geometric feature is designed to match the expected flow pattern and actively straighten rotating flow, creating uniform flow distribution at a compact scale rather than relying on overall device length.
2Stability of the object's composition
If dividing walls are added to create separate cells for each pump, then flow uniformity improves, but the pump station area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow straightening function from the overall pump station structure (dividing walls and separate cells) and concentrates it into a compact flow straightening element integrated within the intake device. This element alone is sufficient to straighten rotating flow and create uniform flow distribution, eliminating the need for complex dividing wall structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flow straightening element (curved inlet edge radius, length-to-diameter ratio) to optimize its performance. By carefully selecting these parameters, the element can effectively straighten flow from various directions and create uniform flow distribution without requiring the complex multi-cell structure of prior art solutions.
3Reliability
If the intake device processes rotating flow effectively, then pump reliability improves, but the device requires larger size to accommodate longer flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved surfaces and smooth transitions within the intake device to guide flow more effectively. The inlet section features a curved inlet edge and the redirecting section uses smooth curved transitions to redirect flow from horizontal to vertical direction, reducing turbulence and promoting uniform flow distribution without requiring excessive length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flow straightening element with specific local geometry - a curved inlet edge with a defined radius of curvature. This local geometric feature is designed to match the expected flow pattern and actively straighten rotating flow, creating uniform flow distribution at a compact scale rather than relying on overall device length.
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
The beveled intake device ensures a uniform flow to the propeller pump, reducing mechanical stress and allowing for a more compact pump station design, capable of handling both straight and swirling flows without the need for extensive lengthening, thus reducing space and cost.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet section (11) having an orifice (14) and a decreasing cross section area seen in the direction from said orifice (14) for gradually accelerating a flow of pumped liquid
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of a circumferential wall edge of said inlet section extending around said orifice comprises a bevel
Data Source
AI summary
In a first aspect the invention relates to an intake device (3) for creating a uniform flow of liquid entering a pump (4), which flow of liquid is free from rotation and swirls about the inlet of said pump. The inlet device (3) comprises an inlet section (11) having an orifice (14) and a decreasing cross section area seen in the direction from said orifice (14) for gradually accelerating a flow of pumped liquid, a redirection section (12) for redirecting the flow of pumped liquid from a mainly horizontal direction to a mainly vertical direction, and an outlet section (13) arranged to be connected to an inlet (6) of a pump (4). The device is characterized in that at least a part of a circumferential wall edge of said inlet section (11) extending around said orifice (14) comprises a bevel (17). In a second aspect the invention also relates to a pump station comprising such an intake device.