Device for feeding a fluid and its use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for feeding fluids into containers in solar and building technology face inefficiencies, require long times to achieve acceptable efficiency, and have limitations with variable flow volumes and temperature stratification, especially in fluctuating weather conditions.

Innovation Solution

A device with a diffuser that converts turbulent flow into laminar flow, featuring a chamber diffuser with a plate and gap structure, and a riser gap with parallel surfaces, allowing for adjustable flow rates and high layer efficiency, and can be adapted for use with heat pumps without losing temperature stratification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional inlet devices are used without diffusers, then the device structure is simple, but the layer efficiency is low and takes a long time to achieve acceptable efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the inlet device and the container. The diffuser converts turbulent flow from the inlet device into laminar flow before the fluid enters the container, thereby achieving high layer efficiency without requiring complex internal structures within the container itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser changes the flow regime parameter from turbulent to laminar. This parameter change enables efficient layering and rapid achievement of acceptable efficiency levels while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If devices are designed for fixed flow volumes, then the structure can be optimized for specific conditions, but the device cannot adapt to variable flow volumes without significant losses in effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow volume adaptabilityVSAvoideffectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser design enables the device to function effectively across a wide range of flow volumes. The diffuser's geometry and flow distribution characteristics allow it to maintain performance whether the inlet device delivers low or high flow volumes, making the system universally applicable without significant loss in effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If storage-within-a-storage arrangement is used with different thermal conductivity materials, then thermal efficiency may be improved, but the device fails to function at high flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidflow rate capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the thermal management function from the complex storage-within-a-storage arrangement with differentiated materials and implements it through the simpler diffuser structure. The diffuser achieves both thermal efficiency and high flow rate capability through its flow distribution design, eliminating the need for complex multi-material construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of time

If devices require long times to achieve acceptable efficiency, then simpler structures can be used, but this is inadequate for fluctuating weather conditions where short sunshine periods must be utilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to achieve efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser is pre-configured to immediately establish laminar flow conditions upon fluid entry. This preliminary arrangement of flow patterns ensures that layering efficiency is achieved rapidly from the start, allowing the system to充分利用 even short periods of sunshine or favorable weather conditions without requiring complex time-delayed adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device achieves high layer efficiencies quickly, operating effectively with variable flow rates and maintaining temperature stratification, outperforming prior art in achieving over 70% efficiency within 10 minutes.

Implementation Method 1

A device with a diffuser that converts turbulent flow into laminar flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow to laminar flow conversion: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

maintaining temperature stratification, outperforming prior art in achieving over 70% efficiency within 10 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature stratification: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3163207B1Device for feeding a fluid and its use
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 KETTL RALPH
  • EP3163207B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3163207B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~9b
  • EP3163207B1 patent drawingFigure 10~14c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for feeding a fluid into a container. The device comprises an inflow device comprising a diffuser, a special riser gap, a connection between the inflow device and the riser gap, and an outlet opening. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container comprising this device and the use of the device in the fields of solar and building technology. There is also provided a method of feeding a fluid into a container using the device.