Helical Flow Deflector for Foam-Free Carbonated Product Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow deflectors for filling carbonated products interfere with the vortex flow of the filling fluid, leading to foam formation and are often complex in design, requiring variable positioning and additional ducts for gas evacuation.

Innovation Solution

A compact flow deflector with a swirl body featuring a helical passage for the filling fluid and a coaxial, helically extending passage for gas evacuation, which are complementarily shaped to minimize interference and avoid additional ducts, using materials like stainless steel or titanium.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a helical deflector with a transverse duct section is used for gas evacuation, then gas can be evacuated from the receptacle, but the transverse duct section disturbs the vortex motion of the filling fluid and increases foam formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam formationVSAvoidduct configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The duct is divided into two functional sections: a first section that extends centrally at the inlet for gas evacuation, and a second section that runs parallel to the valve body away from the inlet. This segmentation allows the duct to perform gas evacuation while minimizing interference with the vortex flow of the filling fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The duct configuration transitions from a transverse section (perpendicular to the valve body) to a parallel section (aligned with the valve body axis). This dimensional change allows the duct to exit the receptacle in a direction that does not disturb the vortex motion, resolving the contradiction between gas evacuation and vortex flow preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If deflectors are positioned at the connection area between the body and neck to achieve good deflection, then foam formation is reduced, but the deflector design becomes variable and complex to adapt to different receptacle shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam formationVSAvoidreceptacle shape adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flow deflector is designed with a standardized configuration that can be used across different receptacle formats. The deflector includes a body portion and a neck portion with specific geometric relationships that provide universal applicability while maintaining effective deflection performance for various receptacle shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector design incorporates variable parameters such as the angle of the deflection surface and the dimensions of the body and neck portions. These parameters can be adjusted to optimize performance for different receptacle shapes and sizes, providing adaptability without requiring fundamentally different designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a compact flow deflector with coaxial helical passages is used, then gas evacuation is achieved without disturbing vortex flow, but the structural simplicity must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam formationVSAvoidpassage configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas evacuation passage and the filling fluid passage are merged into a single coaxial helical structure. The deflector creates a unified flow path where both gases and filling fluid follow helical trajectories, eliminating the need for separate complex duct systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector incorporates helical and curved surfaces that guide both the filling fluid and gas in smooth vortex motions. The curved geometry of the deflection surfaces and the helical passage configuration minimize turbulence and foam formation while maintaining a compact, simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution effectively evacuates gas without disturbing the vortex flow, reducing foam formation and simplifying the design for easy adaptation to different receptacle shapes, while being suitable for both carbonated and flat product filling.

Implementation Method 1

The first passage consists of coils which impose a vortex motion on the filling fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

The second passage comprises a helically extending section defined by the outer walls of the coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical flow: Helix

Data Source

PatentEP4101809B1Flow deflector and filling device for filling a receptacle comprising such a flow deflector
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 GEA PROCOMAC
  • EP4101809B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4101809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4101809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Flow deflector (1) for use in a filling device (10) for filling a receptacle, comprising: a swirl body (2) defining a first passage (3) having a helical extension for a filling fluid, the first passage (3) consisting of coils (4) which impose a vortex movement on the filling fluid, in the swirl body (2) a second passage (5) being obtained for a gas to be evacuated, the second passage (5) being coaxial with the first passage (3) and having an at least partially helical extension.