Additive Manufacturing Diamond Fluid Channels for Gastight Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measuring devices with fluid channels for engine and aircraft applications are costly and difficult to manufacture reliably, as they require gastight connections of multiple components, which complicates the production process.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with a fluid channel featuring a diamond-shaped cross-section and complex course, produced via additive manufacturing, allowing for flexible orientation and deflection of the measuring fluid by more than 90° without the need for separate component connections, enabling more complex designs and reduced production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are assembled to form fluid channels, then the measuring device can be manufactured with conventional methods, but the production process becomes costly and difficult to control reliably due to gastight connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidgastight connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components into a single integrated body with internally formed fluid channels. The fluid channels are produced directly within the body material through additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate pipes and gastight connections between components. This integration resolves the contradiction by simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring inherent sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from conventional subtractive or assembly-based methods to additive manufacturing. This parameter change enables the direct formation of complex internal fluid channel geometries within the body material, transforming the manufacturing approach from component assembly to monolithic production, thereby improving both ease of manufacture and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the fluid channel has a complex course with more than 90° deflection, then the inlet can be positioned more flexibly on or off the engine, but the production becomes more difficult with conventional manufacturing methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinlet position flexibilityVSAvoidproduction difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the third dimension by forming fluid channels that extend deep within the body material rather than being confined to surface-level routing. Additive manufacturing enables complex three-dimensional channel courses with multiple deflections and spatial variations, allowing the inlet to be positioned flexibly while maintaining ease of production through direct digital fabrication of the internal geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing capability parameter to enable complex internal geometries. Additive manufacturing technology provides the necessary parameter change to produce fluid channels with more than 90° deflection and complex spatial courses directly within the body, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If separate components are used for fluid channel structure and air conveyance, then the device can be assembled with conventional methods, but the number of components and assembly steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent integrationVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fluid channel structure and air conveyance functions into a single integrated body. The fluid channels are formed as internal voids or passages within the body material itself, eliminating the need for separate pipes and reducing the total component count. This integration directly improves productivity by reducing assembly steps while managing device complexity through functional consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the fluid channels for air conveyance, and enables the required deflection angles. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, improving production efficiency while the integrated design manages overall device complexity through functional consolidation rather than component proliferation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11549862B2Measuring device comprising at least one fluid channel for guiding a measurement fluid

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 ROLLS ROYCE DEUT LTD & CO KG

AI summary

A measuring device with at least one fluid channel for conveying a measuring fluid, wherein the fluid channel includes at least one inlet for the entry of the measuring fluid into the fluid channel and at least one outlet for the exit of the measuring fluid from the fluid channel.The fluid channel includes a diamond-shaped cross-section and includes a course from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet over which the measuring fluid entering the fluid channel is deflected by at least 90° before the measuring fluid exits the fluid channel at the at least one outlet.