Fluid Injection Device With Constricted Flow Pathway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid injection systems fail to accurately inject products at the desired rate and concentration, often requiring continuous dilution within the container, leading to decreased concentration over time and difficulty in adjusting feed rates and dilution.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection device with a venturi tube and shroud configuration that creates a constricted fluid pathway, using a diverter port to divert feeder fluid and an injection port to draw product from the container, ensuring a consistent metering rate and dilution of the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If continuous dilution of product within the container is used prior to spraying, then the product can be dispensed, but the concentration of product being dispensed decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dilution process from the container interior and relocates it to the flow tube. Product is drawn from the container through the injection port and immediately mixed with feeder fluid in the flow tube, preventing concentration change within the container itself. This extraction of the dilution function resolves the contradiction by maintaining constant product concentration in the container while achieving continuous dilution in the delivery path.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow tube acts as an intermediary between the product container and the spray system. It introduces feeder fluid as a mediator substance that mixes with the product in a controlled manner through the constricted fluid pathway, enabling consistent dilution without affecting the product concentration in the source container. This intermediary mechanism allows continuous operation at constant concentration.
2Ease of operation
If multiple components are used to divert feeder fluid and push product out, then product can be injected, but adjusting feed rate and dilution becomes difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of feeder fluid diversion, product injection, and dilution control into a single integrated flow tube structure. The constricted fluid pathway combines the diverter port, injection port, and mixing chamber into one component, eliminating the need for multiple separate adjustment mechanisms. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining ease of operation through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow tube serves multiple functions simultaneously: it diverts feeder fluid through the diverter port, draws product through the injection port, provides the constricted pathway for mixing, and delivers the diluted mixture. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall system while maintaining operational flexibility for adjusting feed rate and dilution.
3Quantity of substance
If discrete aliquots of product are periodically injected into the fluid stream, then product can be delivered, but small continuous quantities cannot be injected
Solution Approach 1:
The constricted fluid pathway in the flow tube enables continuous product injection by maintaining a constant flow regime. The venturi effect created by the constriction continuously draws product through the injection port and mixes it with feeder fluid in a steady stream, eliminating the periodic discontinuities of discrete aliquot injection. This continuous action allows precise control of small quantities while maintaining consistent delivery rates.
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 system effectively dispenses a diluted product at a fixed metering rate, maintaining concentration consistency and simplifying adjustments to feed rates and dilution, while minimizing waste and allowing for continuous injection of small quantities.
Implementation Method 1
A shroud may be positioned an intermediate distance between the inlet end and the outlet end and have a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud may redefine at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway.
Implementation Method 2
A diverter port may be located between the inlet end and the shroud. The diverter port may be configured to divert a portion of the feeder fluid from the inlet end into the container.
Implementation Method 3
An injection port may be located between the shroud and the outlet end and may be configured to receive the product from the container.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injection system includes a container and fluid injection device. The fluid injection device includes a housing having a flow tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A shroud is positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end and has a first end and a second end defining a ramped surface therebetween. The shroud redefines at least a portion of the fluid pathway as a constricted fluid pathway. A diverter port is between the inlet end and the shroud and diverts a portion of the inlet fluid into the container. An injection port is between the shroud and the outlet end and receives product from the container. The first end of the shroud includes a step defining a notch in fluid communication with the diverter port. The second end defines a recess in fluid communication with the injection port.