Flow Limiter Tubular Pipe Eliminating Retention Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow limiting devices in turbomachines require complex assembly and can suffer from coking issues due to retention zones, which complicates their installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A flow limiter with a tubular pipe having a regular helical shape and chambers of varying cross-sections, manufactured using additive laser powder-melting technology, eliminating retention areas and simplifying assembly through the use of metallic or aluminum-based materials like Hastelloy X or AS7G06, and incorporating strainers for filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional flow limiting devices use multiple assembled parts, then the device can be manufactured with standard components, but the assembly complexity increases and installation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (sprinklers, plates, retention zones) into a single integrated tubular pipe structure manufactured via additive manufacturing. This merging eliminates the need for manual assembly of multiple parts while maintaining the flow limiting function, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs additive manufacturing technology to create complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional manufacturing methods. This parameter change in manufacturing approach enables the integration of multiple functions into a single component, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturability.
2Device complexity
If conventional flow limiters include retention zones, then the structure can be simpler, but coking problems occur in these retention zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tubular pipe geometry with continuous curvature and no dead zones, eliminating retention areas where fluid can stagnate. This curved, streamlined design prevents fluid accumulation that leads to coking, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and resistance to coking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the retention zone feature entirely from the design, extracting the problematic element that causes coking while maintaining the essential flow limiting function through the tubular pipe structure with controlled cross-sections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts are assembled manually in situ, then flexibility in installation is improved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple assembleable parts into a single integrated tubular pipe component, the patent eliminates manual assembly operations entirely. The single-piece design maintains installation flexibility through its adaptable flow limiting characteristics while dramatically reducing installation time and labor requirements.
4Manufacturing precision
If additive manufacturing is used to create complex geometries, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages additive manufacturing technology to achieve high geometric precision for complex tubular pipe geometries that would be difficult or impossible to manufacture with conventional methods. While manufacturing cost increases, the precision and functional performance achieved justify the investment, particularly for specialized aerospace applications.
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 solution reduces the risk of blockages and aeration/cavitation, simplifies assembly by eliminating complex part assembly, and prevents coking phenomena by ensuring continuous fluid flow without retention areas, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of fluid control in turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
The additive manufacturing process is of the laser powder-melting type
Implementation Method 2
laser powder-melting type
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow limiter which comprises a body (1) comprising a fluid intake (2) and a fluid outlet (3), in which body a pipe (5) for circulating the fluid is provided, comprising a series of chambers having different cross-sections, connected to the fluid intake as well as to the fluid outlet, the pipe being generally tubular, and the pipe having a bottom which has a regular curve so that the pipe does not have one or more areas that retain the fluid circulating in the pipe.