Fishway Outlet Flow Control via Vortex Throttle and Brush Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishway systems struggle to guide fish effectively due to high turbulence and flow velocity at the outlet, making it difficult for fish to navigate through the channel, especially when the water flow is reduced to minimize construction costs and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a vortex throttle and a brush ring, followed by a gate with pivotable guide elements, which slows down and aligns the water flow to create a calm, attractive lure flow at the fishway outlet, reducing turbulence and directing fish into the channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the water flow through the fishway is reduced to minimize construction costs and space requirements, then the construction cost and space requirement are reduced, but the turbulence and flow velocity at the outlet increase making it difficult for fish to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
A device with a brush ring and gate is introduced as an intermediary element between the water flow source and the fishway channel. This device mediates the flow by slowing it down and reducing turbulence before water enters the channel, allowing fish to navigate easily while maintaining reduced water flow quantities for cost-effective construction
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical parameters of the water flow by reducing its velocity and turbulence intensity. The brush ring and gate structure transforms high-velocity turbulent flow into low-velocity laminar flow, creating favorable conditions for fish passage while allowing operation with reduced water flow rates
2Ease of manufacture
If the water flow through the fishway is reduced to minimize construction costs and space requirements, then the construction cost and space requirement are reduced, but the flow velocity at the outlet increases making it difficult for fish to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The device with brush ring and gate acts as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between main water flow quantity and outlet velocity. It allows reduced overall water flow while maintaining low outlet velocity by dissipating kinetic energy through the brush elements and controlling flow distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes the kinetic energy of the incoming water flow itself to drive the mechanism. The water flow activates the brush ring rotation and gate operation, using its own energy to slow down and condition the output flow without requiring additional external power sources
3Ease of operation
If a vortex throttle is used to generate attracting flow, then fish attraction is improved, but turbulence is generated that can hinder fish entry
Solution Approach 1:
The brush ring serves as an intermediary between the vortex throttle and the fishway channel. It selectively dampens harmful turbulence while preserving the attractive flow patterns, allowing fish to be drawn toward the channel without being repelled by excessive turbulence at the entrance
Solution Approach 2:
The device converts the harmful turbulence generated by the vortex throttle into beneficial flow patterns. The brush elements dissipate chaotic turbulent energy while maintaining the directed flow component that attracts fish, transforming a harmful effect into a useful one
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 generates a controlled, non-turbulent lure flow that effectively guides fish into the fishway without disrupting the hydroelectric power plant's efficiency, ensuring fish can navigate the channel within their physiological limits.
Implementation Method 1
The water flow which has exited the throttle hits the brushes of the brush ring, the flow of water is slowed down and the turbulence is reduced
Implementation Method 2
The rotating and therefore conical water flow emerging from the vortex throttle hits the brush ring, which on the one hand ensures a calming of the water flow, ie in particular reduces the turbulence
Implementation Method 3
downstream of the brush arrangement is the device for deflecting or directing the water flow, in particular in the form of a gate with a plurality of guide elements running parallel to one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for generating a doping flow for arrangement on a fish passage facility, in particular in the area of the outlet (17) of a channel of a fish pass (1), wherein a vortex throttle (14) arranged in a water flow with a downstream device for slowing down and/or directing the water flow exiting the vortex throttle (14).