Fluid Circulation Device with Intersecting Micro-channels and Bypass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid circulation devices face significant efficiency drops and operational rate reductions due to blockages in micro-channels, often caused by foreign substances or freezing, which necessitate maintenance and cessation of fluid circulation.

Innovation Solution

The device features a structure with intersecting micro-channels and communicating parts that allow fluid diversion from adjacent channels, enabling continuous operation even with blockages by routing fluid around obstructed areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If micro-channels are used for fluid circulation, then treatment efficiency is improved, but blockage occurs reducing operating rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidoperating rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flow passage is segmented into multiple micro-channels arranged in parallel, allowing independent circulation paths. When one micro-channel becomes blocked, other micro-channels remain functional, preventing complete system failure and maintaining treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Communicating parts are introduced as intermediary structures that connect adjacent micro-channels. These communicating parts enable fluid to bypass blocked sections by diverting through adjacent channels, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining high operating rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If micro-channels are used for fluid circulation, then treatment efficiency is improved, but maintenance work is required causing cessation of fluid circulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficiencyVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into multiple independent micro-channel segments. Blockages in one segment do not affect other segments, eliminating the need to stop fluid circulation for maintenance and enabling continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communicating parts ensure that fluid circulation continues uninterrupted by providing alternative paths around blockages. This maintains continuous treatment operation without requiring cessation for maintenance work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If foreign substances or freezing occur, then blockage in micro-channels occurs, but fluid circulation must be stopped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage resistanceVSAvoidoperating rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple parallel micro-channels provide redundant circulation paths. When blockages occur due to foreign substances or freezing in one channel, other channels continue to function, maintaining system reliability and operating rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Communicating parts act as mediators that enable fluid to bypass blockages caused by foreign substances or freezing by diverting through adjacent micro-channels, preventing operating rate reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3336475B1Fluid circulation device
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 KOBE STEEL LTD
  • EP3336475B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3336475B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3336475B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fluid circulation device capable of preventing that efficiency of a treatment by a fluid circulation is significantly lowered, even in a case where a blockage has occurred in a micro-channel, to prevent lowering of an operating rate. The fluid circulation device 1 is provided with a structure body 2 comprising: a plural number of second flow passages 22 extended in a direction, and at the same time, arranged so as to be lined up in a direction intersecting the direction, each for circulating a second fluid; and introduction part-communicating parts 75, first to third communicating parts 78, 79 and 80 for linking second flow passages 22 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction of the plural number of second flow passages 22 to allow communicating with each other; formed therein.