Filling Element Liquid Channel Design for Uniform Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filling elements for bottles experience turbulence and non-uniform flow due to abrupt changes in flow cross-section, leading to inefficient filling performance and foaming issues with CO2-containing liquids, which results in contamination of gas channels and adjoining spaces.
Innovation Solution
The liquid channel has a constant flow cross-section upstream of the valve and the gas tube is widened adjacent to the valve, preventing abrupt changes and accommodating foam in the gas channel, ensuring a uniform flow and preventing foam penetration into critical areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the liquid channel has a conventional design with abrupt cross-section changes at the valve body, then the device structure is simple, but turbulence occurs in the charge flow and filling performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid channel cross-sectional area is changed along its length, with the first section having a larger cross-section than the second section. This gradual parameter change reduces turbulence in the charge flow while maintaining effective filling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid channel is divided into multiple sections (first liquid channel section and second liquid channel section) with different cross-sectional characteristics. This segmentation allows optimization of flow characteristics in each section independently, reducing turbulence while maintaining structural functionality.
2Reliability
If the gas channel has a small cross-section, then the filling element structure is compact, but foamed charge penetrates into the gas channel and causes contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The gas channel is positioned in the axial direction relative to the liquid channel, creating a spatial separation that prevents foamed charge from entering the gas channel. This dimensional arrangement allows the gas channel to have sufficient volume for contamination prevention without increasing the overall radial footprint of the filling element.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid channel acts as an intermediary barrier between the charge and the gas channel. The liquid channel's structure and flow characteristics prevent foamed charge from reaching the gas channel, serving as a protective intermediary that maintains gas channel cleanliness.
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 achieves a harmonious, uniform flow and prevents foam from entering critical areas, enhancing filling system performance and reducing contamination, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the filling process.
Implementation Method 1
the direction of flow of the charge is deflected through 90° or approximately 90° after entering the liquid channel of the filling element, which generally leads to not inconsiderable turbulence within the charge
Implementation Method 2
at the end of the respective filling process and of the pressure release to atmospheric pressure which takes place at that point and which partially takes place via a gas channel (return gas channel), a foaming of the charge and an associated rising of the foamed charge into this gas channel occurs
Data Source
AI summary
Filling element for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid filler, comprising a liquid channel which is formed in a filling-element housing and which has a connection for delivery of the liquid filler into the liquid channel and has a discharge opening for discharging the liquid filler into a container that is to be filled, and comprising at least one liquid valve, which is arranged in the liquid channel and controls the discharging of the liquid filler, said liquid valve having a valve body provided on a gas tube that can be moved in a controlled manner in a filling-element axis in order to open and close the liquid valve and that acts as valve plunger.