Fluidic Jet Oscillator With Auxiliary Channels to Prevent Cavitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluidic components for producing high-speed or high-momentum fluid jets either require costly moving parts, leading to high maintenance costs and noise, or suffer from cavitation due to steep pressure gradients, limiting their lifespan and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A fluidic component design featuring a flow chamber with an inlet opening of larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening, incorporating auxiliary flow channels to generate a spatially oscillating fluid jet, eliminating the need for moving parts and minimizing cavitation by controlling fluid flow direction and pressure distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If nozzles with high pressure are used to produce high-speed fluid jets, then jet speed and momentum are improved, but moving component parts are required which lead to high maintenance costs and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid jet speedVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with a purely fluidic oscillation mechanism. The fluid jet itself generates the oscillation through fluid dynamic interactions within the flow chamber, eliminating motors, bearings, and other mechanical components that would require maintenance and have limited lifespans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses fluid pressure and flow dynamics to create the oscillating jet. The high-pressure fluid flow interacts with the flow chamber geometry and auxiliary channels to produce self-sustained oscillations, using pneumatic/hydraulic principles instead of mechanical actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If moving component parts are used to actuate nozzles, then fluid jet direction control is improved, but production and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid jet direction controlVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical actuation systems and replaces them with a fluidic oscillation mechanism. The direction control is achieved through the natural instability and feedback mechanisms of the fluid flow itself, controlled by the flow chamber geometry and auxiliary channels, significantly reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluidic component is self-actuating through the fluid flow itself. The oscillating jet is generated automatically by the interaction between the main fluid flow and the auxiliary channels, without requiring external mechanical actuators or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If moving component parts are installed in fluidic components, then fluid flow direction control is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow direction controlVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces bulky mechanical actuators with a compact fluidic oscillation mechanism. The entire direction control system is integrated into the flow chamber geometry, requiring minimal additional space compared to mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the direction control function directly into the flow chamber structure. The auxiliary channels and flow chamber geometry work together as an integrated system, eliminating the need for separate mechanical actuator assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Speed

If steep pressure gradients are created in fluidic components, then fluid jet speed is improved, but cavitation occurs reducing component life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid jet speedVSAvoidcavitation

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the auxiliary channels to manage pressure gradients in a way that prevents cavitation. The gradual pressure adjustment through the auxiliary flow paths converts what would be a harmful steep gradient into a controlled pressure distribution that maintains component life while still achieving high jet speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary channels act as intermediaries between the high-pressure inlet and the outlet. They provide a gradual pressure transition zone that prevents sudden pressure drops and cavitation, while still enabling high-speed jet formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Area of stationary object

If known fluidic components are used for surface wetting, then spray coverage is improved, but fluid jet momentum is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface coverageVSAvoidfluid jet momentum

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different flow characteristics in different regions of the flow chamber. The main flow channel maintains high momentum for jet production, while the auxiliary channels provide flow distribution for surface coverage, allowing both functions to coexist with optimized local flow patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design produces a compact, high-speed fluid jet with reduced maintenance costs and noise, offering enhanced cleaning and mixing capabilities while preventing cavitation, thus extending component lifespan and improving performance in applications like waterjet cutting.

Implementation Method 1

at least one means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner, wherein, in particular, the means is designed to generate a spatial oscillation of the fluid flow at the outlet opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Implementation Method 2

the inlet opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening or that the inlet opening and the outlet opening have cross-sectional areas that are equal in size

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient control: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a steep pressure gradient often occurs within the fluidic components in the case of the known fluidic components, and therefore cavitation, i.e., the formation of cavities (bubbles), can occur within the components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCavitation prevention: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS11471898B2Fluidic component

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 FDX FLUID DYNAMIX GMBH

AI summary

A fluidic component having a flow chamber allowing a fluid flow to flow through, said fluid flow entering the flow chamber through an inlet opening of the flow chamber and emerging from the flow chamber through an outlet opening of the flow chamber, and which flow chamber has at least one means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner. The flow chamber has a main flow channel, which interconnects the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and at least one auxiliary flow channel as a means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner. The inlet opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening or the inlet opening and the outlet opening have cross-sectional areas that are equal in size.