Hydraulic Separator Layout for Bubble and Dirt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removal devices for gas micro-bubbles and dirt particles in liquid conduit systems are complex, costly, and limited in installation capabilities, particularly unsuitable for smaller buildings with limited horizontal piping, and hydraulic separators face issues with excessive leak flow during unsteady conditions.
Innovation Solution
A removal device with a housing featuring a main flow channel and branching channels that merge into quiet zones for effective particle settlement and bubble formation, combined with a hydraulic separator that includes flow obstruction members to regulate leak flow, allowing for balanced flow and efficient installation in vertical pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If longitudinal baffles are used to define flow channels, then flow separation is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase due to complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple flow channels using longitudinal baffles, which segment the flow path to achieve effective flow separation between dirty and clean fluid streams, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliability through structural segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex three-dimensional baffles as in prior art, the invention uses simple flat plates to define flow channels, inverting the approach from complex to simple geometry while achieving the same flow separation function, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
2Ease of operation
If horizontal piping is used for removal device installation, then flow distribution is improved, but installation capability is limited in smaller buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device is designed with a compact structure that can be installed in both horizontal and vertical orientations, making it universally adaptable to different building types and piping configurations, thereby resolving the contradiction between flow distribution optimization and installation versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal-only installation to multi-dimensional installation capability by optimizing the internal flow channel geometry to function effectively in both horizontal and vertical orientations, enabling installation in the vertical dimension for smaller buildings while maintaining horizontal flow distribution characteristics
3Device complexity
If branch flow channels discharge directly into main flow channel, then device complexity is reduced, but dirt settlement and bubble formation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Quiet zones are introduced as intermediary regions between branch flow channels and the main flow channel, serving as transition zones where flow velocity is reduced to enable effective dirt settlement and bubble formation before fluid returns to the main channel, resolving the contradiction by adding a functional intermediary element
Solution Approach 2:
The quiet zones create local regions with different flow characteristics (lower velocity) compared to the main flow channel, allowing dirt settlement and bubble formation to occur in specific localized areas without affecting the overall device simplicity, thereby maintaining reliability through local quality differentiation
4Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic separator allows leak flow during unsteady conditions, then flow balancing is achieved, but excessive leak flow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Flow obstruction members are positioned to dynamically adjust the leak flow parameters during unsteady conditions, allowing controlled flow balancing while limiting the volume of leak flow, thereby resolving the contradiction by changing the flow parameters through strategic obstruction placement
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 provides effective distribution and removal of gas bubbles and dirt particles with reduced manufacturing costs and improved installation suitability for smaller buildings, while the hydraulic separator effectively balances flow variations and minimizes excessive leak flow.
Implementation Method 1
the velocity of the liquid in the at least one quiet zone is substantially smaller than in the main flow channel and small enough to allow dirt to settle
Implementation Method 2
small enough to allow dirt to settle and/or gas bubbles to form and rise in the at least one quiet zone
Data Source
AI summary
An hydraulic separator for balancing varying flows in a primary liquid circuit and a secondary liquid circuit includes a housing which defines an inner space, an upper entry and an upper exit located in an upper region of the housing, and a lower entry and a lower exit located in a lower region of the housing. The upper entry and lower exit are constructed to be connected to a primary liquid circuit and the upper exit and lower entry being constructed to be connected to a secondary liquid circuit A fluid communication channel is provided between the upper region and the lower region, such that when in use the flow in the primary or secondary circuit suddenly varies, a leak flow is allowed to occur between the upper entry and lower exit or between the lower entry and upper exit, for balancing the flows.