Integrated Cooling Manifold With Check Valves for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifolds fail to effectively merge multiple inlet pipes into a single pipe while preventing backflow and meeting flow and pressure drop requirements in constrained spaces, particularly in cooling systems of electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An integrated manifold with three parallel inlets, each equipped with check valves, directs fluid flow through a narrowing cross-section to a single outlet, maintaining a compact design and ensuring minimal pressure drop, with the outlet axis parallel to the inlets, capable of handling high flow rates and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple inlet pipes are merged into a single pipe using a conventional manifold, then the number of pipes is reduced, but backflow prevention and flow requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold is divided into multiple inlet ports with individual check valves for each port, allowing independent flow control and backflow prevention for each inlet while merging into a single outlet. This segmentation enables reliable backflow prevention without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
Check valves are introduced as intermediary components between the inlet ports and the manifold body. These check valves act as mediators that allow forward flow while blocking backflow, solving the reliability issue without compromising the simplified manifold structure.
2Productivity
If the manifold is designed to handle high flow rates with low pressure drop, then flow efficiency is improved, but the manifold size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold transitions from a two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional structure with vertical outlets extending upward from the base. This dimensional change allows the manifold to handle high flow rates through optimized flow paths while maintaining a compact footprint in the constrained space.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold incorporates curved transition sections and rounded corners in the flow paths, reducing flow separation and turbulence. This curvature optimization allows efficient high-flow handling with minimized pressure drop while keeping the manifold compact.
3Area of stationary object
If the inlet ports are arranged in a constrained space, then space utilization is improved, but backflow prevention becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each inlet port is equipped with its own check valve, segmenting the backflow prevention function across multiple simple components rather than requiring a complex centralized system. This segmentation enables effective backflow prevention even when inlet ports are tightly packed in constrained spaces.
4Reliability
If check valves are added to each inlet port, then backflow prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple check valves are merged into a single manifold base structure, with all check valves integrated into one unified component rather than being separate assemblies. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliable backflow prevention across all inlet ports.
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 solution enables efficient fluid management with minimal pressure loss, allowing the use of smaller pumps and effective cooling of electric vehicle batteries, while preventing backflow and meeting temperature and pressure requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Respective check valves may be located in each of the inlets of the manifold to prevent backflow through any of the inlets
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid manifold for cooling systems has parallel inlets directing flow through a base of a nozzle to an outlet which is preferably parallel to the inlets. The pressure drop from the inlets to the outlet is preferably less than 3 psi and the inlets have inlet portions with check valves connected thereto.