Dual-Axis Fluid Outlet Cradle for Reduced Swing Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems face challenges in achieving a compact footprint and efficient fluid flow due to large swing radii and clearance areas required for rotation, which limits their versatility and efficiency in applications like firefighting and de-icing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fluid delivery device with a base section, an intermediate section, and an outlet section that rotate about two axes, featuring a cradle that supports the outlet section without encircling the fluid passageway and utilizing thrust rods to manage pressure, allowing for reduced clearance areas and increased flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fluid delivery device uses a traditional cradle configuration that encircles the fluid passageway, then the outlet section can be supported and rotated, but the swing radius and clearance area become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cradle structure from encircling the fluid passageway and repositions it to support the outlet section from the side. This removes the unnecessary material that would increase the swing radius while maintaining the essential function of supporting and enabling rotation of the outlet section about the second axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle is repositioned from a configuration that encircles the fluid passageway (radial dimension) to one that supports from the side (tangential dimension). This dimensional change allows the outlet section to be supported without increasing the radial clearance area required for rotation.
2Area of stationary object
If the device is designed with a compact footprint, then the clearance area is reduced, but the swing radius limits the rotation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful encirclement of the fluid passageway by the cradle is removed, extracting only the essential support function. This allows the outlet section to rotate within a smaller clearance area while maintaining full rotation capability about the second axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into discrete components (cradle, bearings, thrust rod) that are strategically positioned to enable rotation without requiring a large encircling structure. This segmentation allows compact design while preserving rotational versatility.
3Strength
If the cradle encircles the fluid passageway to support the outlet section, then structural support is provided, but friction losses increase due to larger clearance area
Solution Approach 1:
The unnecessary encirclement of the fluid passageway is removed, extracting only the essential support function. This reduces the clearance area and consequently reduces friction losses while maintaining adequate structural support through the repositioned cradle and bearing arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle is positioned to provide localized support at the outlet section without encircling the fluid passageway. This localized support approach maintains structural integrity where needed while minimizing the clearance area that would cause friction losses.
4Ease of operation
If the outlet section is supported by a cradle that encircles the fluid passageway, then rotation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex encircling cradle configuration is removed, retaining only the essential support and rotation-enabling functions. This simplification is achieved by repositioning the cradle to support from the side and using bearings positioned to enable rotation without the need for a complex encircling structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid delivery systems and methods for using fluid delivery systems are rotatable around two axes. In one embodiment, the fluid delivery system has a reduced swing radius and/or a reduced clearance area needed to rotate the fluid delivery device about one of the axes. The reduced swing radius and/or reduced clearance area allow for a more compact footprint of the fluid delivery system and a larger ratio of flow rate of fluid per unit of required clearance area.