Cylindrical Fluid Mixer with Spiral Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid mixers for emulsifying liquids are complex and costly to manufacture, and they struggle to refine and homogenize the dispersion phase at a micro or sub-micro level effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fluid mixer with a cylindrical body and spiral flow path design, where a first fluid flows axially and a second fluid is introduced through a peripheral wall to swirl around the axial flow path, creating a high-speed shearing action for uniform mixing and refinement of the dispersion phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional emulsifying apparatus with laminated plate-shaped portions and multiple flow path forming passages is used, then mixing functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the axial flow path and spiral flow path into a single integrated mixer body structure. The axial flow path is formed by the central cavity of the mixer body, while the spiral flow path is created by the spiral blade structure, eliminating the need for separate laminated plate-shaped portions and multiple flow path forming passages. This integration significantly simplifies the overall structure and reduces manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential mixing functionality into a simple cylindrical mixer body with a spiral blade, removing unnecessary complex flow path forming passages. The spiral blade itself serves as the flow path guiding structure, taking out the redundant components while maintaining the emulsifying function.
2Manufacturing precision
If a conventional emulsifying apparatus with complex flow path forming passages is used, then fluid mixing is achieved, but the dispersion phase cannot be refined at a sub-micro level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spiral blade structure that rotates to generate spiral flow, creating continuous shearing and mixing actions. This dynamic motion refines the dispersion phase at sub-micro levels by repeatedly breaking and redistributing droplets throughout the continuous phase, achieving high manufacturing precision without complex static flow path structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid rotation of the spiral blade generates mechanical vibrations and turbulence in the fluid flow, which enhances the refinement of the dispersion phase. The vibrational effects create intense shearing forces that break down droplets to sub-micro levels, improving manufacturing precision through dynamic mechanical action rather than complex geometric flow paths.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple cylindrical mixer body with axial and spiral flow paths is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and structure is simplified, but mixing effectiveness must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cylindrical mixer body with a spiral blade that creates curved flow paths. The spiral curvature of the blade guides the fluid in a rotating pattern, ensuring thorough mixing while maintaining a simple manufacturable cylindrical structure. The curved geometry naturally promotes fluid circulation and contact between phases without requiring complex internal passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by designing the spiral blade to generate fluid dynamic forces during rotation. The blade angle, speed, and configuration are optimized to create appropriate shear stress and turbulence in the fluid, ensuring effective mixing and emulsification through hydrodynamic action rather than mechanical complexity.
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 fluid mixer achieves efficient and cost-effective refinement and homogenization of the dispersion phase at a micro or sub-micro level, enabling rapid production of high-quality emulsions with enhanced emulsifying speed and reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral flow path in which a second fluid introduced into the spiral flow path through a hole for introducing fluid into the mixer body formed in a peripheral wall of the mixer body is made to flow along an inner peripheral surface of the mixer body while being swirled in a spiral manner about an axis of the axial flow path
Implementation Method 2
the second fluid introduced by suction into the mixer body through the hole for introducing fluid into the mixer body formed in the mixer body is made to form a swirl flow in a spiral manner through the spiral flow path around the first fluid which flows through the axial flow path so that the first fluid is sheared and dispersed over the whole region of the spiral flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to refine and homogenize a dispersion phase on a micro level to a sub-micro level inexpensively and with the simple structure, a cylindrical mixer body having an opening portion on both ends thereof forms therein: an axial flow path in which a first fluid introduced into the axial flow path through the opening portion at one end is made to flow therethrough in the axial direction and the first fluid is made to exit from the opening portion at the other end; and a spiral flow path in which a second fluid introduced into the spiral flow path through a hole for introducing fluid into the mixer body formed in a peripheral wall of the mixer body is made to flow along an inner peripheral surface of the mixer body while being swirled in a spiral manner about an axis of the axial flow path so that the first fluid and the second fluid are mixed with each other and a mixture formed of the first fluid and the second fluid is made to exit from the opening potion at the other end.