Horizontal Agitator Flow Direction and Adaptive Blade Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional horizontal agitators for clearing basins have low efficiency and are not universally applicable, requiring specific propeller designs for each basin size and operating speed, which is costly and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A horizontal agitator design where the propeller and submersible motor configuration directs flow from the propeller to the motor, eliminating flow hindrances, with elastically deformable blades and bent end sections to optimize efficiency across varying conditions, and a double propeller arrangement to counteract spiral flows, along with plate-shaped flow conducting elements to prevent braided flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the submersible motor is arranged axially to the propeller (conventional design), then the structure is compact, but flow hindrances reduce efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidflow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional flow direction arrangement. Instead of directing flow from the motor toward the propeller (creating suction-side hindrances), the design directs flow from the propeller toward the motor, eliminating flow resistance on the critical suction side of the propeller while maintaining axial arrangement for structural compactness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If a specific propeller is selected for each clearing basin size (conventional design), then optimal efficiency is achieved, but manufacturing costs and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclearing efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by making the propeller blades elastically deformable. The blades are constructed from composite materials with specific fiber arrangements that allow them to automatically adjust their pitch angle in response to varying operating conditions (rotation speed, fluid density, viscosity), enabling a single propeller design to optimize performance across different clearing basin sizes and operational parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The propeller transitions from a static, rigid blade design to a dynamic, adaptive design where blade pitch angle changes continuously based on operating conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the propeller to maintain optimal efficiency across a wide range of rotation speeds and fluid conditions without requiring multiple specialized propellers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly improves efficiency by allowing operation over a wide range of speeds and basin sizes without the need for multiple propellers, reducing manufacturing costs and extending bearing life by matching propeller density with the liquid medium.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic deformation of the blades made of elastically deformable material is set so that, at least in the area of a radial, outer section, their profile pitch angle increases in a specified manner with increasing rotation speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flow is produced which is directed from the propeller to the submersible motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS8210738B2Horizontal agitator and method for producing a flow in a clearing basin using the horizontal agitator
Publication Date: 2012.07.03 INVENT UMWELT & VERFAHRENSTECHNIK AG
  • US8210738B2 patent drawing
  • US8210738B2 patent drawing
  • US8210738B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a horizontal agitator for producing a flow in a clearing basin, wherein a propeller (2) having a plurality of blades (4) is connected to a submersible motor (1) axially disposed thereto. In order to increase the efficiency of the horizontal agitator, according to the invention the propeller (2) and the submersible motor (1) are configured such that during operation of the submersible motor (1) a flow (P2) that is directed from the propeller (2) to the submersible motor (1) is produced.