Ejector Nozzle Arc-Shaped Rounding to Reduce Vortex Energy Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

In commercial heat recovery or work recovery systems, the formation of vortices in ejectors leads to fluid energy loss, reducing efficiency, especially in systems requiring a large pressure differential.

Innovation Solution

The design of an ejector with a high-pressure fluid nozzle featuring an arc-shaped rounded portion at its front end, which reduces flow energy loss by eliminating obtuse angles and increasing the smoothness of the transition, thereby minimizing vortex formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional high-pressure fluid nozzle with straight edges is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but vortices are formed causing fluid energy loss and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid energy lossVSAvoidnozzle manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by replacing the straight-edged nozzle design with an arc-shaped rounded portion at the front end of the high-pressure fluid nozzle. This curved geometry eliminates the obtuse angles that cause vortex formation, thereby reducing fluid energy loss while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard rounding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the arc-shaped rounded portion is formed with greater thickness, then the structural strength is improved, but the flow smoothness is reduced causing increased vortex formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle structural strengthVSAvoidfluid energy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the arc-shaped rounded portion to a specific range (0.5mm to 1.5mm) that balances structural strength requirements with flow smoothness needs. This parameter optimization ensures the nozzle maintains sufficient strength while minimizing vortex formation and associated energy losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design enhances the efficiency of the ejector by reducing fluid energy loss and improving the overall performance of the heat recovery or work recovery system by approximately 1%.

Implementation Method 1

a high-pressure fluid nozzle to convert the high-pressure fluid into a high-momentum fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The ejector usually includes a high-pressure fluid nozzle to convert the high-pressure fluid into a high-momentum fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBernoulli effect: Bernoulli Effect

Implementation Method 3

The suction fluid is suctioned in with the high-momentum fluid and mixed with the high-momentum fluid in a mixing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Implementation Method 4

then diffuses in a diffusion chamber to increase the pressure of the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3858472B1Ejector for a heat recovery or work recovery system and fluid mixing method
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 CARRIER CORP
  • EP3858472B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3858472B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An ejector (80) for a heat recovery or work recovery system, a heat recovery or work recovery system, and a method of mixing fluids in a heat recovery or work recovery system are provided by the present disclosure. The ejector includes: a high-pressure fluid passage (1) including a high-pressure fluid inlet (11) and a high-pressure fluid nozzle (12); a suction fluid passage (2) including a suction fluid inlet (21) and a suction chamber (22) surrounding the high-pressure fluid nozzle; a mixing chamber (3) in fluid communication with the high-pressure fluid passage and the suction fluid passage respectively; and a diffusion chamber (4) downstream of the mixing chamber; wherein a front end of an outer wall of the high-pressure fluid nozzle has an arc-shaped rounded portion. The ejector according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has improved efficiency.