Thermally Adaptive Flow Tube With CTE Gradient Shape Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory shape materials used in flow control devices are susceptible to unwanted shape changes due to surrounding temperature variations, which can compromise their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A flow control device is designed with a wall structure that incorporates segments with different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), creating a transverse CTE gradient. This structure, combined with a thermoelectric junction, allows for controlled thermal expansion and contraction, enabling precise manipulation of the device's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If memory shape material is used in flow control device, then the device can maintain its shape without complex machinery, but the shape is undesirably controlled by surrounding temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the thermal expansion characteristics of the wall material through creating a transverse CTE gradient. Different segments of the wall have different coefficients of thermal expansion, allowing the material to respond differently to temperature changes and maintain shape control reliability despite temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating regions with different CTE values within the same wall structure. The first segment has a first CTE and the second segment has a second CTE that differs from the first CTE, allowing different parts of the wall to have different thermal response characteristics tailored to their specific functional requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform CTE material is used in wall segments, then manufacturing is simpler, but thermal expansion control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality variations by incorporating fibers with different CTE values in specific segments of the wall. The first segment includes first fibers formed of a second material that differs from the first material and has the second CTE, allowing precise control of thermal expansion in different regions while maintaining a relatively simple composite manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a matrix material with reinforcement fibers having different CTE values. The wall is formed of a first material with fibers formed of a second material, creating a composite structure where the fiber orientation and material selection control the effective CTE of each segment independently.
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 achieves controlled elastic deformation and strategic control of thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring reliable operation despite temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric junction disposed around said outer boundary or between said first and second segments
Implementation Method 2
the first segment has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the second segment has a second CTE that differs from the first CTE, to define a transverse CTE gradient
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control device, having: a flow tube extending between upstream and downstream, and a neck region between the first and second ends, wherein the flow tube includes: a wall defining an outer boundary and extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and transversely from a first side to a second side, wherein: the wall is nonmetal; the wall defines: a first segment extending longitudinally between the first and second ends and transversely from the first side to a segment junction; and a second segment extending longitudinally between the first and second ends and transversely from the second side to the segment junction; and the first segment has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the second segment has a second CTE that differs from the first CTE, to define a transverse CTE gradient.