Parallel-Path Flow Valve for Low-Loss One-Way Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional flow control valves with no moving parts, such as Tesla valves, exhibit high hydraulic resistance to both forward and reverse flows, limiting their practical utility in industrial piping systems due to significant parasitic losses in forward flow, which reduces the rate at which fluid can perform work.
Innovation Solution
The design of a flow device with multiple fluid flow paths connected in parallel, featuring a cylindrical configuration with tortuous loops that redirect reverse flow against itself, creating a high hydraulic resistance in the reverse direction while maintaining low resistance in the forward direction, thereby optimizing the flow path geometry to increase the open area available for forward flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional Tesla valve is used to prevent reverse flow without moving parts, then reverse flow resistance is improved, but forward flow resistance increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow device is segmented into multiple flow paths (at least three) that are hydraulically connected in parallel between the inlet and outlet. Each flow path has its own tortuous loop configuration, allowing the device to distribute forward flow across multiple parallel channels while maintaining reverse flow resistance through the collective geometry of all paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flow device have different geometric properties optimized for their specific function. The tortuous loops in each flow path are configured with specific curvature radii and orientations that create high resistance to reverse flow while maintaining low resistance to forward flow. The parallel arrangement of multiple flow paths with different local geometries allows optimization of both forward and reverse flow characteristics.
2Reliability
If tortuous loops are added to redirect reverse flow, then reverse flow resistance is improved, but the open area for forward flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow paths are arranged in a three-dimensional cylindrical configuration rather than a planar arrangement. The tortuous loops extend in multiple spatial dimensions with different curvature radii (inner, middle, outer radii), allowing the device to maintain large open area for forward flow while creating complex three-dimensional flow patterns that resist reverse flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple flow paths with individual tortuous loops are merged into a single integrated cylindrical flow device. The parallel connection of multiple flow paths combines their open areas to provide sufficient forward flow capacity while the combined geometry of all tortuous loops works together to create high reverse flow resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a flow device including an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of fluid flow paths hydraulically connected in parallel to the inlet and the outlet, wherein the plurality of fluid flow paths forms a first ring of fluid flow paths circumferentially arranged at a first radial distance from a centerline of the fluid flow device a second ring of fluid flow patch circumferentially arranged at a second radial distance from the centerline of the fluid flow device, each of the plurality of fluid flow paths has a first hydraulic resistance in a forward flow direction and a second hydraulic resistance in a reverse flow direction, and the second hydraulic resistance is greater than the first hydraulic resistance.