Flattened Probe Tube for Laminar Cleanroom Flow Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for visualizing gas flows in cleanrooms, particularly laminar flows, suffer from turbulence and instability due to high velocity discharge of visualization fluid and mismatched exit directions, leading to distorted flow patterns.
Innovation Solution
A probe tube with a flattened cross-sectional profile and boundary layer extraction system, featuring outlet openings at the trailing edge and suction openings along the sides, ensures precise visualization by minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If smoke or fog is introduced using a conventional probe tube with outlet openings, then gas flows can be visualized, but turbulence and instability occur due to high velocity discharge and mismatched exit directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the probe tube by implementing a flattened cross-sectional profile with specific aspect ratios and positioning outlet openings at the trailing edge. These parameter changes optimize the flow characteristics, reducing turbulence and improving visualization precision while maintaining flow pattern stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe tube employs an asymmetric flattened cross-sectional profile rather than a conventional circular or symmetric design. This asymmetric geometry creates favorable pressure distributions and flow patterns that reduce turbulence at the outlet, thereby stabilizing the flow pattern while enabling precise visualization of gas flows.
2Device complexity
If a conventional probe tube is used for visualization, then the device structure is simple, but turbulence is generated due to boundary layer effects around the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary layer from the probe tube surface by introducing suction openings that remove the turbulent boundary layer. This extraction eliminates the harmful turbulence generated by boundary layer effects while maintaining the relatively simple overall structure of the probe tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe tube uses a flattened cross-sectional profile with specific dimensional parameters that minimize boundary layer separation and turbulence generation. By optimizing the aspect ratio and outlet positioning parameters, the design reduces turbulence without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If outlet openings are positioned at the leading edge or center of the probe tube, then fluid can be easily discharged, but the exit direction does not match the gas flow direction causing distorted patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the outlet openings at the trailing edge of the flattened probe tube, utilizing the extended dimension along the flow direction. This dimensional positioning ensures that the discharged fluid aligns with the gas flow direction, improving flow pattern accuracy while maintaining ease of fluid discharge through the optimized outlet geometry.
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 allows for precise visualization of gas flows by uniformly introducing fluid filaments, reducing turbulence, and maintaining laminar flow patterns, thereby enhancing process optimization in cleanrooms.
Implementation Method 1
the probe tube further having at least one suction opening through which a boundary layer of a gas flow around the probe tube can be extracted to reduce turbulence in the gas flow
Implementation Method 2
The fluid can be, for example, a (gaseous) glycerin-water mixture and/or (gaseous) pure water or (gaseous) glycol. Preferably, the water and/or glycol condenses when the fluid exits the outlet openings. This forms visible droplets, which then make the gas flow visible.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for visualizing gas flows (24) in a space (2) comprising a probe tube (3) which is configured to extend into the space (2), wherein the probe tube (3) has at least one outlet opening (4) through which a metered addition of a fluid to visualize the gas flows (24) into the space is possible, wherein a supply channel (5) for supplying the at least one outlet opening (4) with fluid is arranged in the probe tube (3), wherein the probe tube (3) has a flattened cross-sectional profile (6) with a leading edge (7) and a trailing edge (8), and wherein the outlet opening (4) is arranged on the probe tube (3) in the region of the trailing edge (8), wherein the probe tube (3) further has at least one suction opening (25) through which a boundary layer (22) of a gas flow (24) around the probe tube (3) can be suctioned in order to to reduce turbulence in the gas flow (24).