Inspection Chamber Base With Selectable-Angle Flow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection chamber and manhole bases have limited versatility and performance in fluid flow direction changes, with restricted angle ranges and inadequate maintenance of smooth flow profiles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base with multiple flow channels that can be selectively closed to form single, bent flow channels with adjustable angles up to 180 degrees, using plugs to create seamless transitions and maintain laminar flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bases with straight main channels and selected number of branches are used, then the number of variants required is reduced, but the flow possibilities are limited and cannot form bends with selected angles
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple separate channel elements that can be independently configured. Each element can be selectively connected or closed to create different flow path configurations, enabling bends with various angles while maintaining a modular structure that doesn't overly complicate the overall base design
Solution Approach 2:
The base configuration is made dynamic through the ability to selectively open or close different channel elements. This allows the same physical base structure to adapt to different flow direction requirements by changing which channels are active, rather than requiring multiple fixed-configuration bases
2Reliability
If conventional junctions with limited angle ranges are used, then the structure is simple, but smooth (laminar) flow of the fluid is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The channel elements incorporate curved transitions instead of sharp angles. The curved geometry allows the flow to change direction smoothly, maintaining laminar flow conditions while achieving a variety of bend angles. The curvature is designed to minimize turbulence and energy loss in the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~5c
Figure 6
AI summary
There is provided an inspection chamber base (2) or manhole base (2), comprising: a plurality of flow channels (6), each channel having a respective port (8) located at an inlet/outlet region of the base (2) from which the plurality of flow channels (6) extend, the ports (8) being circumferentially distributed around the base (2) at unequal distances from each other, wherein the plurality of flow channels (6) are selectively closeable to form a single bent flow channel having a selected bend angle.