Fluid Integrating Manifold With Angled Inlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges in finding beverages and other fluids that match their specific sensory preferences, as existing products often do not align with individual desires, leading to a need for a system that can produce fluids with customized characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A fluid integrating system comprising a manifold with angled input fluid inlets, pressure and flow sensors, and a controller that receives user-defined preferences to optimize the combination of multiple fluids into a target fluid with specific characteristics, minimizing mixing and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pre-formulated fluids are offered to match consumer preferences, then the variety of options is improved, but the device complexity and inventory management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid mixing process into discrete components by using separate fluid lines for each input fluid, with individual flow control valves and a manifold that integrates them. This allows independent control of each fluid's flow rate and timing, enabling precise customization without requiring a complex inventory of pre-mixed products.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the output fluid by dynamically adjusting the volumetric percentages of input fluids through electronic flow control. The manifold receives control signals that modify flow rates and mixing ratios in real-time, allowing infinite variations of fluid compositions without physical reconfiguration or inventory changes.
2Productivity
If fluids are mixed rapidly to meet consumer preferences, then the productivity is improved, but unwanted mixing and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsing of fluid lines through electronically controlled valves, opening and closing them in sequence to deliver discrete fluid pulses. This periodic action allows rapid fluid delivery while maintaining control over the mixing process, preventing unwanted turbulence by timing the pulses to minimize chaotic mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold maintains continuous integration of fluid pulses as they arrive from multiple lines, smoothly combining them into a unified output stream. The continuous action at the manifold outlet ensures that even though input pulses are discrete and controlled separately, the output is a steady, well-integrated flow without harmful turbulence or mixing artifacts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid integrating system includes an integrating manifold having two or more input fluid inlets disposed at oblique angles relative to a center axis of the integrating manifold. The two or more input fluid inlets intersect in the integrating manifold to define an integrating chamber. The fluid integrating system also includes a pressure sensor fluidly connected to the integrating chamber that is operable to send a pressure signal indicative of the pressure of the fluid in the integrating chamber. A integrating controller is operatively coupled to the two or more valves and to the pressure sensor and is operable to selectively control the flow of input fluids into the integrating chamber by actuating the two or more valves based on the pressure signal received from the pressure sensor.