Fluid dynamic rain-making apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rain-making methods are limited in scope and precision, requiring costly catalysts and unable to effectively control the area of rainfall, as they rely on delivering moisture-absorbing powders into the atmosphere without efficiently condensing moisture into raindrops.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dynamic rain-making apparatus that cools moist air to the dew point using a tubular member with a thermal conductor and heat sinks, allowing moisture to condense into raindrops without catalysts, featuring a tapered fluid channel and heat sinks arranged parallel to the fluid flow to enhance cooling and a tail vane for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If catalyst (moisture absorbing powder) is delivered into the atmosphere to change cloud property, then rain generation is achieved, but the scope of area is limited and cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical catalyst-based rain-making system with a fluid dynamic system that uses controlled water flow and thermal conduction. The apparatus uses a tapered tubular member to accelerate water flow, creating a cooling effect that condenses moisture into raindrops without requiring chemical catalysts, thereby eliminating the trade-off between catalyst quantity and area control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by controlling water flow velocity and temperature through the tapered tubular member. By adjusting flow rate and thermal conduction parameters, the system can precisely control the location and extent of rain generation, replacing the uncontrollable catalyst dispersion approach with parameter-based precision control
2Productivity
If catalyst is used to generate rain, then rain making is achieved, but additional cost is required to purchase and use catalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses readily available water and atmospheric moisture as its 'raw materials,' eliminating the need to purchase expensive catalysts. The apparatus self-regulates by using the flow of water through the tapered tube to create the necessary cooling and condensation effects, making the rain-making process economically sustainable without external substance inputs
3Temperature
If water flow is accelerated through the fluid channel, then cooling effect is enhanced, but the channel cross section must decrease along the flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tapered tubular member with a smooth, continuous curvature that gradually decreases in cross-section along the flow direction. This curved geometry efficiently accelerates water flow and enhances cooling through thermal conduction to the heat sinks, while avoiding abrupt changes that would complicate manufacturing. The smooth transition maintains laminar flow and prevents turbulence, achieving effective cooling with relatively simple geometry
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 precise and extensive rainfall control by condensing moisture into raindrops, reducing catalyst usage and maintaining rainfall over a desired area without additional costs, while ensuring structural integrity and alignment with fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
an axial cross section of the fluid channel configured to decrease along a direction from the first opening toward the second opening... the fluid is able to flow smoothly at the fluid dynamic rain-making apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the cooled fluid cools the second tubular member while flowing through the second tubular member, thereby allowing a temperature of each one of the heat sinks to be lower than a temperature of the fluid at an external of the thermal conductor
Implementation Method 3
cool moist air to the dew point to allow moisture to condense into rain drop
Implementation Method 4
cool moist air to the dew point to allow moisture to condense into rain drop to achieve the raining effect
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fluid dynamic rain-making apparatus includes a first tubular member (10) and a thermal conductor (20). The first tubular member (10) includes a fluid channel having a first opening (12) and a second opening (13). An axial cross section of the fluid channel (11) decreases from the first opening (12) toward the second opening (13). The thermal conductor (20) includes a second tubular member (21) attached to the second opening (13) of the first tubular member (10) and heat sinks (22) circumferentially arranged on an outer surface thereof. A fluid (A) enters the fluid channel (11) from the first opening (11) and forms a cooled fluid (A1) through flowing through the fluid channel (11) for cooling the second tubular member (21), thus the heat sinks (22) are cooler than the external fluid (A). Accordingly, moist air is cooled to reach the dew point to form water drop for rainfall.