Modular Fluid Handling Device With Tessellating Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid handling devices, such as fermenters and distillers, are time-consuming, expensive, and unsuitable for pressurized or extreme temperature processes due to their fragility and material limitations, making it difficult to construct durable and efficient prototypes or small-scale models for thermodynamic and power cycle experiments.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid handling system comprising tessellating blocks with central bores and fluid passages, allowing for horizontal and vertical arrangement, affixed together using fasteners, and incorporating fluid intake/outlet blocks with tangentially oriented ducts for efficient fluid flow, along with star wheels and rotor discs for pumping and power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If glassware vessels with rubber tubing are used to construct fluid handling devices, then construction time and expense are reduced compared to metal vessels, but the devices become fragile and unsuitable for pressurized or extreme temperature processes
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular blocks that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. Each block contains specific fluid handling components, allowing the system to be constructed from standardized units rather than custom-built glassware or metal vessels, achieving both ease of manufacture and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The blocks are constructed from composite materials including a block body, O-ring seals, and fasteners that together create a structure suitable for pressurized and extreme temperature applications while maintaining reasonable construction effort. The combination of durable materials compensates for the simplicity of assembly
2Reliability
If metal vessels with brazed copper tubing are used to construct fluid handling devices, then durability and suitability for pressurized processes are improved, but construction time, cost, and fabrication burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into pre-fabricated modular blocks that maintain durability through their construction but eliminate the need for complex field fabrication. Each block is self-contained with integrated fluid passages and connection points, reducing assembly to simple stacking and fastening operations
Solution Approach 2:
The blocks are designed with universal features including standardized fastener openings, O-ring seals, and fluid passage configurations that allow the same basic block design to serve multiple functions in different thermodynamic cycle applications, reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining durability
3Adaptability or versatility
If blocks are arranged in two-dimensional arrays with side fasteners, then horizontal connectivity and fluid routing options are improved, but device complexity and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocks incorporate universal fastener openings and fluid passage configurations that work the same way regardless of whether blocks are arranged horizontally or vertically. This universality allows complex fluid routing capabilities while maintaining simple, repeatable assembly steps using the same fastening mechanism in all directions
4Adaptability or versatility
If blocks are stacked vertically with face fasteners, then vertical connectivity and stacking flexibility are improved, but alignment precision requirements and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blocks are designed with symmetric fastener opening arrangements on their faces, creating equivalent alignment conditions for vertical stacking. This symmetry ensures that alignment requirements are consistent and manageable, allowing flexible vertical configurations without increasing assembly difficulty
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
Enables rapid construction of durable and versatile fluid handling devices suitable for various processes, including pressurized and high-temperature applications, with efficient fluid flow and power derivation, reducing construction time and costs while enhancing durability.
Implementation Method 1
star wheels and rotor discs for pumping and power generation
Implementation Method 2
fluid intake/outlet blocks with tangentially oriented ducts for efficient fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
A modular fluid handling device includes at least one block having opposing block faces shaped as tessellating regular polygons, and a series of block sides therebetween. Each block includes a central bore and fluid passages extending between the block faces, and possibly ducts extending between the bore and the fluid passages. The blocks may be rapidly horizontally and/or vertically affixed with their bores and/or fluid passages in communication to form a fluid handling device having the desired configuration (e.g., with the bores and fluid passages forming a desired process flow path, fluid circuit, or the like). Star wheels and/or rotor discs can be provided within the block bores for purposes of pumping fluids flowing within the bores, and/or for purposes of deriving power from fluid flow within the bores.