Flow divider with internal vane
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Solution Overview
Problem
In applications where gases must traverse sharp turns and split into multiple streams, existing flow dividers often result in uneven mass distribution due to gas compressibility, especially in large engines with low-pressure fuel delivery systems where upstream turning vanes cannot be added.
Innovation Solution
A flow splitter design incorporating an internal vane that turns the flowing fluid between 0 degrees and 150 degrees, with outlets forming a plane and varying cross-sectional areas to minimize volumetric flow variation between outlets, ensuring even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flow splitter is placed downstream of a sharp turn to divide gas flow, then the flow can be split into multiple streams, but uneven mass distribution occurs due to gas compression at the sharp turn
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter is divided into multiple functional sections: a sharp turn section for direction change, a compression section with gradually varying cross-sectional area to decompress the gas, and a flow splitting section with multiple outlets. This segmentation allows each section to address a specific problem in the flow distribution sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression section with gradually varying cross-sectional area performs preliminary decompression of the gas before it reaches the flow splitting section. This preliminary action prevents compression-induced uneven mass distribution from occurring at the outlets, ensuring uniform flow distribution from the start.
2Manufacturing precision
If a turning vane is added upstream of the flow splitter to account for uneven mass distribution, then mass distribution can be improved, but the device complexity increases and cannot be used in large engines with low-pressure fuel delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter combines the sharp turn, compression, and flow splitting functions into a single integrated component. This merging eliminates the need for separate upstream turning vanes, reducing device complexity while maintaining uniform mass distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow splitter performs multiple functions simultaneously: it changes flow direction through the sharp turn, decompresses the gas through the varying cross-sectional area section, and divides the flow into multiple streams. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Device complexity
If the cross-sectional area of the flow splitter is kept constant, then the structure is simpler, but uneven mass distribution occurs due to gas compression
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional area of the flow splitter is made non-uniform in the compression section, with the area gradually changing from the inlet toward the outlets. This local variation in geometry is specifically designed to decompress the gas and achieve uniform mass distribution, while other sections maintain simpler geometries.
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 internal vane configuration significantly reduces mass flow variation between outlets to 30% or less, improving the evenness of gas distribution post-sharp turn, as demonstrated by comparison with conventional flow dividers.
Implementation Method 1
the internal vane is configured to turn, between the first end and the second end, an internal flowing fluid from 0 degrees to a degree between about 60 degrees and 150 degrees
Implementation Method 2
many fluids, such as gasses, are easily compressible. As such, the compressed gas will tend to compress at and shortly after the sharp turn
Implementation Method 3
varying cross-sectional areas to minimize volumetric flow variation between outlets, ensuring even distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A flow splitter may include an inlet, at least two outlets, and an internal vane comprising a first end corresponding to the inlet and a second end corresponding to the at least two outlets, wherein the internal vane is configured to turn, between the first end and the second end, an internal flowing fluid from 0 degrees to a degree between about 60 degrees and 150 degrees. Methods of dividing fluid flow are also provided.