Curved Fluid Flow Guide With Enlarged Bends for Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow guides with narrow radii of curvature and large deflections lead to turbulence, increasing hydraulic resistance, which is difficult to manage in terms of process technology and mechanical requirements, and result in undesirable shunt currents in energy storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow guide with an elongated curved path that includes curve deflections of at least 70°, featuring a larger flow cross-section in deflection areas to accommodate turbulence, and a diffuser design to ensure low-turbulence fluid introduction and discharge, integrated into a distributor plate for energy storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the curved track includes tight radii of curvature and large deflections to achieve compact dimensions, then the geometric compactness is improved, but turbulence occurs leading to increased hydraulic resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cross-section is varied locally along the curved path: larger in curve deflection areas to accommodate turbulence and smaller in straight sections to maintain laminar flow. This local adaptation of geometry allows compact overall dimensions while minimizing energy loss in critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional cross-sectional view to a three-dimensional varying cross-section along the flow path. By allowing the cross-section to change in the longitudinal dimension, the design accommodates turbulence in curve areas without increasing the overall footprint.
2Productivity
If the fluid is pressurized to higher pressure to counteract turbulence and maintain flow rate, then the flow rate is maintained, but mechanical and pressure-mechanical demands on materials increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cross-section parameter is changed along the curved path, being larger in curve deflection areas. This geometric parameter change reduces turbulence intensity and allows maintaining flow rate with lower pressure, thereby reducing material strength requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the flow cross-section is reduced in curve deflection areas to maintain laminar flow, then laminar flow is preserved, but the effective flow cross-section is reduced increasing hydraulic resistance
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the curved path have different cross-sectional characteristics: straight sections maintain smaller cross-sections for laminar flow stability, while curve deflection areas have larger cross-sections to accommodate turbulence and maintain effective flow area.
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 design reduces pressure loss and maintains low hydraulic resistance while increasing electrical resistance, effectively managing fluid flow and reducing shunt currents in energy storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
at tight radii of curvature or edges, such as circular or semicircular ones, turbulence occurs in the fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
a laminar flow with comparatively low flow resistance (hydraulic resistance) typically develops
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser design to ensure low-turbulence fluid introduction and discharge
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid flow guide is described for guiding a flowing fluid between a first connection (223) of the fluid flow guide (222) to a fluid channel (221) and a second connection (224) of the fluid flow guide (222). The fluid flow guide (222) describes an elongated curved path (270) extending between the first connection (223) and the second connection (224). The path (270) includes at least one curve deflection (271) and at least one straight or curved section (272) adjoining the curve deflection (271). The curve (271) deflects the path (270) by at least 70°. The flow cross-section of the path (270) in the region of the curve deflections (271) is larger than in the region of the straight or curved sections (272).Furthermore, uses of the fluid flow guide (222) as a shunt channel, in a redox flow battery, in a fuel cell, in a heat exchanger or in a particle filter are described.