Multi-scale Edge Fluid Flow Modification Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow modification apparatuses lack the flexibility to control fluid flow parameters effectively, particularly in terms of flow speed, direction, and noise reduction, as they are limited by their geometry and scale, which restricts their application in various fields such as aeronautics and industrial mixing.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow modification apparatus with a multi-scale edge, formed by alternating projections and openings of different scales, which increases the length of the edge while maintaining or reducing the surface area, allowing for more complex and flexible control of fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the edge length is increased to improve fluid flow control, then the control flexibility and range of parameters are improved, but the surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge is segmented into multiple scales with alternating projections and openings, creating a fractal-like structure that increases edge length without proportionally increasing surface area. This segmentation allows the edge to interact with fluid flow at multiple length scales simultaneously, improving control flexibility while managing surface area growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-scale edge structure embeds smaller-scale features within larger-scale features, creating a nested hierarchy of projections and openings. This nesting allows the edge to achieve greater effective length by utilizing space more efficiently, where smaller features are positioned within the boundaries of larger features, reducing the overall surface area required compared to a simple extended edge.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the edge length is increased to improve fluid flow control, then the control flexibility and range of parameters are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge is divided into repeating units of projections and openings at different scales, which segments the complex structure into manageable, patterned elements. This segmentation makes the design more systematic and potentially easier to manufacture through repetition of standardized features rather than creating entirely unique complex geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the edge have different local geometries (projections versus openings, different scales) that are optimized for specific fluid flow control functions. This local differentiation allows the edge to address multiple flow control requirements simultaneously while maintaining an overall systematic structure.
3Productivity
If the surface area is maintained or reduced while increasing edge length, then the efficiency of fluid flow control per unit area is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The edge is segmented into discrete projections and openings that can be manufactured as separate features or patterns. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing approaches where precision can be controlled at the level of individual features rather than requiring extreme precision across the entire edge, potentially simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the multi-scale geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid flow modification apparatus (10) has a surface (15), the surface having an edge (65) of length Y over or past which a fluid can flow in use. The edge (65) has a virtual boundary (30) of length X where Y is greater than X. At least a first portion of the apparatus (10) within the virtual boundary (30) comprises an opening (55) and at least a second portion of the apparatus (10) comprises a projection (60) which extends beyond the virtual boundary (30) to provide the edge (65). The edge (65) is multi-scale.