Liquid Distributor Trough Holes for Gravity Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-pressurized liquid distributors face issues with contamination and operational instability due to solids collection at the bottom of the trough and shifting capillary spaces, which impede efficient liquid distribution over a large area with varying viscosity, surface tension, and quantity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid distributor design featuring a trough with holes or openings on its floor, where distribution elements from a holding plate protrude through these holes to facilitate liquid discharge without pressure, allowing for adjustable storage height and capillary effect support, enabling efficient liquid distribution across a wide area without pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the inlet is positioned significantly above the trough bottom to enable non-pressurized liquid distribution, then gravity-driven liquid flow is achieved, but solids collect on the bottom of the trough causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The trough bottom is segmented into multiple discharge regions with numerous small holes distributed across the surface. This segmentation allows liquid to be discharged at multiple locations simultaneously, preventing solids from accumulating in a single area and reducing contamination while maintaining gravity-driven flow without pressurization energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The array of holes in the trough bottom acts as an intermediary structure between the liquid inlet and the discharge points. This intermediary enables the liquid to flow through the trough bottom at multiple locations, distributing the liquid evenly while preventing solids from directly contacting and contaminating the discharge areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-pressurized systems use large flow cross-sections to compensate for lack of pressure, then sensitivity to solid fractions is reduced, but the system cannot spray from bottom to top or sideways
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from traditional vertical or sideways spray directions to horizontal discharge through the trough bottom. By discharging liquid through holes in the bottom surface, the system achieves multi-directional distribution (upward, sideways, and downward) simultaneously, expanding spray direction flexibility without requiring large flow cross-sections or pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The trough bottom is divided into multiple discharge locations with small holes distributed across the surface. This segmentation enables the system to achieve versatile spray patterns in multiple directions from numerous small openings, compensating for the lack of pressurization while reducing the required flow cross-section area.
3Use of energy by moving object
If capillary liquid conductors are used to transport liquid through plates, then liquid distribution is achieved without pressure, but the capillary spaces shift during operation impairing functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid distribution function from the complex capillary plate system and implements it directly through the trough bottom structure with integrated holes. This simplification eliminates the moving capillary spaces between plates that cause operational instability, while maintaining pressure-free liquid transport through the trough bottom to multiple discharge points.
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 ensures operational stability and efficient liquid distribution over a large area, accommodating varying viscosities and surface tensions, while minimizing contamination and maintaining functionality by allowing free flow and capillary transport through strategically arranged holes and distribution elements.
Implementation Method 1
The distance between the holding plate and the bottom of the tub can be designed to support a free flow of the liquid or the capillary effect.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The application relates to a liquid distributor (1) for supplying a liquid in a pressure-free manner over a surface area, having a distributor trough (2) with a trough base (3) which, for the purpose of discharging liquid, has an arrangement of holes (5), which extends over at least part of the surface of the trough base (3), having an inflow (4), via which a liquid which is to be distributed can be introduced in the distributor trough (2) such that the liquid introduced accumulates on the trough base (3), and having a retaining device with a retaining plate (7), which is arranged opposite the trough base (3) and at a distance apart therefrom, wherein distributing elements (6), which project from the retaining plate (7) in the direction of the trough base (3), each engage through an associated hole of the arrangement of holes (5) in the trough base (3) and are accommodated loosely therein such that the liquid accumulating on the trough base (3) can be discharged through free hole regions (10), which are not affected by the distributing elements (6) extending through the holes (5).