Pipe Protrusion Geometry After Bends for Higher Flow in Compact Elbows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage systems, such as those described in Patent Document 1, can improve flow rate but result in larger elbow components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating protruding members inside straight pipes downstream of bends to partially reduce the flow channel cross-sectional area, utilizing a configuration that minimizes the cross-sectional area while maintaining fluid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radius of curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the elbow is increased to improve flow rate, then the flow rate improves, but the elbow becomes relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a protrusion with specific geometric characteristics (radius ratio between 0.05 and 0.5) at a localized position within the elbow. This protrusion modifies the flow characteristics locally without requiring the entire elbow to have a large radius of curvature, thus improving flow rate while maintaining compact elbow dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flow channel by introducing a protrusion with controlled dimensions. The radius ratio parameter (r/R) is specifically optimized to be between 0.05 and 0.5, which creates optimal flow conditions that enhance flow rate without increasing the overall elbow size.
2Speed
If the flow channel cross-sectional area is reduced to improve flow velocity, then flow velocity increases, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses curvature by designing the protrusion with a rounded surface characterized by a specific radius ratio. This curved geometry guides the flow smoothly around the protrusion, reducing flow separation and turbulence that would otherwise cause excessive pressure loss, while still maintaining increased flow velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by introducing a protrusion that only partially obstructs the flow channel rather than significantly reducing the cross-sectional area. This partial obstruction is sufficient to increase flow velocity and improve flow rate while minimizing the increase in pressure loss that would result from more aggressive area reduction.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a protruding member, a piping member, and a piping system which can improve the flow rate while downsizing. A protruding member (6-1) is disposed inside a straight pipe (vertical pipe 3) disposed on a downstream side of a bend (5-1) for changing a direction of a flow channel, to partially reduce a flow channel cross-sectional area of the straight pipe (vertical pipe 3), and includes: a top (6c) positioned between a first end (6a) facing upstream and a second end (6b) facing downstream to minimize the flow channel cross-sectional area of the straight pipe (vertical pipe 3); and a projection (6h) that protrudes from a region between the top (6c) and the second end (6b) toward a center of the straight pipe (vertical pipe 3) as viewed along a direction of a center axis (C3) of the straight pipe (vertical pipe 3) but does not protrude beyond the top (6c).