Flow Conditioner for Distorted Airflow Homogenization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly distorted airflow from wind tunnel models during aerodynamics testing can lead to inaccurate mass flow rate measurements due to the inability of conventional calibration methods to account for extreme flow distortions, resulting in invalid data.
Innovation Solution
A flow conditioning device with a cylindrical and domed flow conditioner that forms an annulus region and a mixing chamber, equipped with multiple holes to redistribute airflow, combined with a flow straightener to produce a uniform flow field, minimizes pressure loss and ensures accurate airflow smoothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional calibration methods are used in uniform flow facilities, then calibration simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under distorted airflow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow condition parameter from uniform to distorted, matching actual testing conditions. The calibration facility now intentionally generates distorted airflow patterns that replicate those encountered during wind tunnel testing, allowing the mass flow plug calibration to remain valid under realistic operating conditions without requiring complex correction factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-distorting the airflow in the calibration facility before the mass flow plug measurement occurs. This ensures that the calibration is performed under conditions that closely match actual testing scenarios, eliminating the need for post-calibration corrections and improving measurement accuracy directly
2Measurement precision
If multi-probe total pressure rake and wall static pressure ports are used to account for flow distortion, then measurement correction capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow distortion generation function from the complex multi-probe system and concentrates it into a single distortion generating element. This simplifies the calibration facility structure while maintaining the ability to account for distorted airflow conditions, reducing the number of components needed without sacrificing measurement correction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The distortion generating element serves multiple functions: it creates distorted airflow patterns, characterizes the distortion, and enables calibration under realistic conditions. This single element replaces the need for multiple separate measurement and correction systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive distorted airflow compensation
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
Enables accurate mass flow plug calibration over a wide range of operating conditions and orientations, providing valid and precise aerodynamics test results by transforming highly distorted airflow into a uniform flow field.
Implementation Method 1
The flow conditioner has a plurality of holes throughout the flow conditioner that are configured to permit air to flow from the inlet of the casing and the annulus into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
The flow conditioner also forms a mixing chamber interior to the flow conditioner
Implementation Method 3
a flow straightener located at the outlet of the casing that is configured to straighten the airflow as it flows from the mixing chamber out of the device
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain embodiments, a device for conditioning a flow of air includes a casing with an inlet and an outlet. The device has a flow conditioner disposed within the casing and concentrically aligned with the casing. The flow conditioner has a cylindrical portion and a domed end portion capping the cylindrical portion. The flow conditioner forms an annulus region between the flow conditioner and the casing. The flow conditioner also forms a mixing chamber interior to the flow conditioner. The flow conditioner also has a plurality of holes throughout the flow conditioner that are configured to permit air to pass from the inlet of the casing and the annulus into the mixing chamber. The device also has a flow straightener located at the outlet of the casing configured to straighten the airflow as it flows from the mixing chamber out of the device.