Coanda Effect Air Flow Amplifier for Pollen Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pollen collection and distribution technologies, such as those using Venturi effect systems, often compromise the viability of 'recalcitrant' pollen due to turbulence, friction, and obstacles, leading to reduced pollen viability during artificial pollination.

Innovation Solution

An air-moving device employing a Coanda effect air flow amplifier to induce a laminar, high-velocity flow of air within a conveying channel, minimizing obstacles and maximizing the ratio of secondary air flow to primary drive air, thereby maintaining pollen viability during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a Venturi effect system is used to generate air flow for pollen transport, then air flow can be generated, but turbulence and friction increase which compromises pollen viability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow speedVSAvoidpollen viability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical Venturi effect system with a pneumatic Coanda effect system. The Coanda effect uses a jet of compressed air to induce and amplify secondary air flow without mechanical moving parts, eliminating the turbulence and friction generated by mechanical fans and Venturi geometries while maintaining effective pollen transport speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs pneumatic principles through the Coanda effect, where a primary jet of compressed air flows along a curved surface and induces secondary air flow. This pneumatic system generates the required air flow for pollen transport without the mechanical turbulence associated with traditional systems, thereby preserving pollen viability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Speed

If drive air is injected under pressure through a nozzle to generate air flow, then air flow is generated, but the nozzle clutters the pipe and creates friction and impacts harmful to fragile pollen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow speedVSAvoidfriction and impacts on pollen

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic nozzle component from the system. Instead of injecting drive air through a nozzle that clutters the pipe, the Coanda effect uses a jet outlet positioned to flow along the pipe wall, inducing secondary air flow without obstructing the pollen transport path and minimizing friction and impacts on fragile pollen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If compressed air is injected to transport pollen, then pollen can be transported, but turbulence and excess speeds compromise recalcitrant pollen viability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollen transport efficiencyVSAvoidrecalcitrant pollen viability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating different flow regimes in different zones. The primary compressed air jet creates a high-velocity core flow for efficient pollen transport, while the Coanda effect along the pipe walls generates a lower-velocity boundary layer that reduces turbulence and friction on the pollen, preserving recalcitrant pollen viability while maintaining transport productivity.

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

The Coanda effect air flow amplifier significantly amplifies the air flow while reducing obstacles, ensuring the viability of 'recalcitrant' pollen by minimizing friction and turbulence, allowing for efficient and effective pollination.

Implementation Method 1

an air flow amplifier which employs Coanda effect for inducing a flow of air inside the conveying channel from the means for collecting the pollen to the means for distributing the pollen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoanda effect: Coanda Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12114627B2Air-moving device employing Coanda effect for pollinating a recipient plant using pollen collected from a donor plant

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 SYNGENTA FRANCE SAS

AI summary

An air-moving device (10) for pollinating at least one recipient plant using pollen collected on at least one donor plant includes a pollen collector for collecting pollen from the at least one said donor plant, and a distributor for distributing pollen on at least one recipient plant. A channel for conveying the pollen collected from the pollen collector to the distributor is provided. An air flow amplifier (18) employs Coanda effect for inducing a flow of air inside the conveying channel (16) from the pollen collector to the distributor for distributing the pollen. A pneumatic deflector deflects the Coanda effect flow of pollen disposed at the level of the pollen distributor.