Heated Airfoil Probe Tube for Laminar Cleanroom Flow Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas flow visualization methods in cleanrooms, such as using smoke or fog, often result in unstable laminar flows due to high velocity discharge and misalignment with gas flow direction, leading to turbulence and condensation issues, which hinder effective process optimization.
Innovation Solution
A probe tube with a flattened, aircraft wing-like cross-sectional profile and heating element, featuring multiple outlet openings and a supply channel, ensures uniform fluid introduction and matches fluid velocity to gas flow, minimizing turbulence and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If smoke or fog is introduced using conventional probe tubes with outlet openings, then gas flows can be visualized, but unstable laminar flows and turbulence occur due to high velocity discharge and misalignment with gas flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The probe tube is designed with a flattened cross-sectional profile resembling an aircraft wing, featuring a rounded leading edge and a tapered trailing edge. This curved, aerodynamic shape allows the probe tube to align with and match the gas flow direction, reducing flow separation and turbulence while maintaining stable laminar flow patterns for accurate visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet opening is positioned in the tapered region of the trailing edge where the cross-sectional dimensions change. This parameter variation in the tube geometry creates a velocity profile that matches the surrounding gas flow, preventing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow stability during visualization.
2Measurement precision
If probe tubes are used without heating devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but condensation of visualization fluid occurs leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
A heating device is integrated into the probe tube to maintain the temperature of the visualization fluid above its dew point. This thermal control prevents condensation of the visualization fluid within the tube and at the outlet, ensuring accurate flow visualization without compromising measurement precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If outlet openings are positioned at the leading edge of the probe tube, then fluid introduction is simplified, but flow separation and turbulence increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is strategically positioned in the tapered region of the trailing edge rather than at the leading edge. This positioning, combined with the aerodynamic shape, allows smooth fluid introduction while maintaining alignment with the gas flow direction, preventing flow separation and turbulence.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular cross-sectional probe tubes are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but flow alignment with gas flow direction is poor causing turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The probe tube employs a flattened cross-sectional profile with a rounded leading edge and tapered trailing edge, similar to an aircraft wing. This aerodynamic shape improves flow alignment with the gas flow direction, reducing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow patterns, while still being manufacturable using standard techniques.
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 visualization of gas flows by maintaining laminar flow patterns and preventing condensation, allowing for optimized cleanroom design and process improvement.
Implementation Method 1
the probe tube further comprises a heating device with which at least the supply channel can be heated
Implementation Method 2
The fluid can be, for example, a (gaseous) glycerin-water mixture and/or (gaseous) pure water or (gaseous) glycol. In particular, the fluid can also be a mixture of air (and/or pure nitrogen) and dissolved liquids such as water or glycol. Preferably, the water and/or glycol condenses when the fluid exits the outlet openings. This forms visible droplets, which then make the gas flow visible.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Device (1) for visualizing gas flows in a room (2) comprising a probe tube (3) which is configured to extend into the room (2), wherein the probe tube (3) has at least one outlet opening (4) through which a metered addition of a fluid to visualize the gas flows into the room (2) is possible, wherein a supply channel (5) for supplying the at least one outlet opening (4) with fluid is arranged in the probe tube (3), wherein the probe tube (3) has a flattened cross-sectional profile (6) with a leading edge (7) and a trailing edge (8), and wherein the outlet opening (4) is arranged in the region of the trailing edge (8) on the probe tube (3), wherein the probe tube (3) further comprises a heating device (9) with which at least the supply channel (5) can be heated.