Deaeration Device Pressure Gradient Air Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional liquid heating and cooling systems face efficiency losses due to constant fluid bleed and aeration issues, particularly at higher flow rates, which is detrimental for electric vehicle applications that require higher efficiency and lower temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A deaeration device with a reservoir and fluid flow path that utilizes a pressure regulating structure, such as a reverse curve or baffle, to create a pressure gradient, allowing air to be expelled from the fluid flow path and entraining liquid back into the path, reducing aeration and maintaining fluid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant fluid bleed is used to remove air from the system, then air removal is achieved, but system efficiency decreases and thermal performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts air from the fluid stream by introducing a counter-flowing fluid that carries air bubbles out of the main flow path through a separate outlet, rather than constantly bleeding off the entire fluid stream. This removes only the harmful air component while preserving the bulk fluid for continued thermal service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid stream that flows in the opposite direction to the main fluid. This intermediary stream acts as a carrier that picks up air bubbles from the main flow and transports them to a separate discharge point, enabling air removal without sacrificing the main thermal fluid.
2Productivity
If higher flow rates are used to improve thermal performance, then heat transfer efficiency increases, but aeration problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation at high flow rates by providing a continuous air removal mechanism that operates concurrently with the thermal fluid flow. The counter-current fluid stream continuously captures and removes air bubbles as they form, maintaining deaerated conditions throughout the system during high-rate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary counter-flowing fluid serves as a mediator that separates the air removal function from the thermal transport function, allowing the thermal fluid to maintain high flow rates for improved thermal performance while the intermediary stream handles the air removal task independently.
3Reliability
If traditional deaeration methods are used, then air is removed from the fluid, but fluid loss increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the air component from the fluid mixture using a counter-current flow mechanism, allowing the deaerated fluid to return to the system for reuse. This selective extraction minimizes fluid loss compared to methods that bleed off entire fluid streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards only the air bubbles that are carried by the counter-flowing stream to a separate outlet, while recovering and returning the deaerated thermal fluid to the system for continued use. This selective discarding and recovery approach minimizes valuable fluid loss.
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 deaeration device operates at high flow rates with increased efficiency compared to constant bleed systems, minimizing the impact of aeration and maintaining thermal performance, suitable for electric vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure regulating structure that creates a pressure gradient along the fluid flow path. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid to exit the fluid flow path through the fluid exit and join the fluid in the reservoir. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid from the reservoir to join the fluid flow path through the fluid entrance.
Data Source
AI summary
A deaeration device for a fluid includes a reservoir that contains a portion of the fluid, a fluid flow path that carries a portion of the fluid, a pressure regulating structure that creates a pressure gradient along the fluid flow path, a fluid exit in the fluid flow path, and a fluid entrance in the fluid flow path. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid to exit the fluid flow path through the fluid exit and join the fluid in the reservoir. The pressure gradient causes some of the fluid from the reservoir to join the fluid flow path through the fluid entrance.