Fluid flow-path device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow-path devices, such as heat exchangers, face challenges with foreign substances entering the flow paths, causing clogs and requiring burdensome maintenance to remove adhering substances from strainers, which necessitate stopping fluid flow and occupy significant space, and require pressure-resistant designs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow-path device with a distribution header and partition member that separates the flow path into upstream and downstream spaces, using a fluid passable portion to allow target fluid flow while blocking foreign substances, and includes introduction and discharge ports for washing fluid to remove adhering substances without stopping fluid flow, facilitating maintenance and reducing the need for thick, pressure-resistant designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strainer is arranged in the pipe to prevent passage of foreign substance, then foreign substance removal function is improved, but maintenance burden increases and flow path area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member is extracted from the traditional strainer configuration and integrated into the distribution header structure. The fluid passable portion is positioned at the downstream end of the distribution space, allowing foreign substances to be trapped and removed easily without requiring a separate strainer component in the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution header structure provides self-service by incorporating the partition member that automatically traps foreign substances in the distribution space. The design allows for easy removal of accumulated foreign substances through the open structure at the downstream end without requiring external maintenance intervention.
2Reliability
If strainer area is increased to ensure sufficient foreign substance filtration, then foreign substance removal function is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition member is merged with the distribution header structure, combining the foreign substance filtration function with the fluid distribution function. This integration eliminates the need for a separate strainer component and reduces the overall space requirement while maintaining effective foreign substance removal.
3Strength
If strainer is designed as pressure-resistant member to withstand fluid pressure, then structural strength is improved, but strainer thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution header is segmented into an upstream side and a downstream side by the partition member. This segmentation allows the fluid passable portion to be positioned at the downstream end where pressure is lower, reducing the thickness requirement while maintaining structural integrity. The distribution space acts as a pressure buffer zone.
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
This configuration prevents clogs by removing foreign substances effectively without stopping fluid flow and reduces maintenance burdens, allowing for efficient operation and design optimization by eliminating the need for thick, pressure-resistant strainers.
Implementation Method 1
having a fluid passable portion allowing the target fluid supplied into the distribution space through the supply port to flow to the downstream-side space from the upstream-side space while preventing a foreign substance contained in the target fluid from flowing to the downstream-side space from the upstream-side space
Implementation Method 2
the washing fluid for discharging the foreign substance adhering to the fluid passable portion from the inside of the space to the outside of the distribution header is supplied to the downstream-side space through the introduction port and passes through the fluid passable portion in a direction from the downstream-side space toward the upstream-side space to remove the foreign substance adhering to the fluid passable portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is a fluid flow-path device with which it is possible to easily perform maintenance that is an operation to remove a foreign substance, which adheres to a member for preventing passage of the foreign material, from the member. This fluid flow-path device is provided with a distribution header including a partition member and a header body disposed in a flow-path formation body. The partition member partitions a distribution space formed by the distribution header into an upstream-side space that communicates with a supply opening provided in the header body, and a downstream-side space that communicates with each of a plurality of flow paths formed in the flow-path formation body. The partition member includes a region that prevents a foreign substance included in a fluid of interest from flowing from the upstream-side space to the downstream-side space while allowing the fluid of interest to flow from the upstream-side space to the downstream-side space. The header body has formed therein an introduction opening that allows a washing fluid to flow into the downstream-side space, and a discharge opening that allows the washing fluid to be discharged from the upstream-side space.