Hood Inflection Points for Cyclone Airflow Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi cyclone blocks in air cleaners for internal combustion engines have limitations in pre-separation efficiency and require frequent maintenance, including scavenging to remove collected particles, which complicates the maintenance process.

Innovation Solution

The design of a hood with a distributor volume and inflection points in its wall structure ensures a fluid-tight connection with cyclone cells, improving airflow distribution and pre-separation efficiency, potentially eliminating the need for scavenging by uniformly loading particles and extending maintenance intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional hood design is used, then the structure is simple, but the pre-separation efficiency is insufficient and maintenance frequency is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepre-separation efficiencyVSAvoidhood structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hood wall incorporates inflection points where the curvature changes, creating specific flow patterns that enhance particle separation. The curved surface design with controlled inflection points optimizes airflow distribution to the cyclone cells, improving pre-separation efficiency without requiring complex additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the geometric parameters of the hood wall by introducing inflection points at specific locations. This changes the flow characteristics and pressure distribution within the hood, enabling improved particle separation efficiency through optimized airflow patterns to the cyclone cell inlets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional airflow distribution is used, then the hood design is simple, but particle separation is uneven and scavenging is required frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle separation uniformityVSAvoidmaintenance interval

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hood wall is designed with different curvature characteristics at different locations, specifically incorporating inflection points where the curvature changes. This creates locally optimized airflow patterns that ensure uniform particle separation across all cyclone cells, preventing premature clogging and extending maintenance intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the hood does not provide fluid-tight connection, then assembly is easier, but airflow distribution to cyclone cells is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow distribution precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hood outlet is designed with a curved surface that surrounds the cyclone cell inlets, creating a natural fluid-tight connection through geometric interlocking. The curved geometry ensures proper alignment and sealing without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, achieving both airflow precision and assembly ease

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

This design enhances pre-separation efficiency up to 80% and reduces the frequency of scavenging, simplifying maintenance and potentially making it obsolete, while allowing for flexible installation in confined spaces.

Implementation Method 1

the wall includes at least one point of inflection, in particular at least one line or area of inflection, where at least one inner surface of the wall changes its curvature... Such concavities and convexities influence the airflow in the hood. The in-coming raw air will be guided by use of the inventive shape of the wall of the hood.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance through geometric inflection:

Implementation Method 2

The cyclone cells separate particles from the air to be cleaned. The separated particles being collected in the cyclone block.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Data Source

PatentUS10570859B2Hood of a multi cyclone block of an air cleaner and air cleaner

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 MANN HUMMEL GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hood (40) of a multi cyclone block (12) and an air cleaner (10). The cyclone block (12) has a plurality of cyclone cells (28). The hood (40) having at least one hood-inlet (50) and at least one hood-outlet (52) for air to be fed to the cyclone cells (28). The at least one hood-outlet (52) is designed for surrounding, a plurality of cell-inlets (36) of the cyclone cells (28) of the cyclone block (12). A wall (70) of the hood (40) defines a distributor volume (72) inside the hood (40), which is located between the at least one hood-inlet (50) and the at least one hood-outlet (52). The wall (70) has at least one line or area of inflection (74), where at least one inner surface of the wall (70) changes its curvature.