Plasma Blower Blade Profile for Lower Entry Loss and Higher Static Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Blowers with multiple airflow generators stacked in a regular interval face challenges in reducing entry loss, suppressing outlet flow separation, and increasing static pressure due to increased flow path width, limiting their performance and compactness.

Innovation Solution

A blower design featuring a duct with blades having a leading edge with decreasing thickness towards the inlet, a trailing edge with decreasing thickness towards the outlet, and a uniform middle section with an airflow generator between them, which includes electrodes and a dielectric to generate airflow, and optionally catalysts for ozone adsorption and decomposition, to reduce entry loss and enhance static pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple airflow generators are disposed in a stacked manner, then airflow generation capability is improved, but entry loss increases and static pressure decreases due to increased flow path width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow generation capabilityVSAvoidentry loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The blade cross-section is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution: the leading edge portion has thickness decreasing toward the inlet to reduce entry loss, while the trailing edge portion has thickness decreasing toward the outlet to suppress flow separation. This local quality variation optimizes different regions of the blade for different functions, resolving the contradiction between stacked configuration benefits and entry loss increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a conventional uniform blade design to a three-dimensional variable thickness design. By varying the thickness in the streamwise direction (creating first, second, and third parts with different thickness characteristics), the design adds a dimensional aspect to blade geometry that enables simultaneous optimization of entry loss and flow separation suppression while maintaining stacked configuration advantages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple airflow generators are disposed in a stacked manner, then airflow generation capability is improved, but flow separation at outlet increases due to increased flow path width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow generation capabilityVSAvoidoutlet flow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing edge portion of the blade is designed with thickness decreasing toward the outlet, creating a specific local geometry that suppresses flow separation. This local quality modification at the trailing edge stabilizes the outlet flow while preserving the benefits of multiple stacked airflow generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If flow path width is increased to accommodate stacked airflow generators, then airflow generation capability is improved, but static pressure decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow generation capabilityVSAvoidstatic pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively decreases entry loss, stabilizes outlet flow, and increases static pressure, improving airflow uniformity and performance while maintaining compactness.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of blades arranged in the duct to be spaced a regular distance from each other in a vertical direction, wherein each of the plurality of blades includes a first part having a thickness decreasing in a direction toward the inlet, a second part having a thickness decreasing in a direction toward the outlet, a third part formed between the first part and the second part and having a uniform thickness, and an airflow generator having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric and disposed on the third part to generate airflow in a direction from the inlet to the outlet when a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma actuator: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

Each of the plurality of blades may further include a catalyst applied to one surface of the second part to adsorb and decompose ozone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

The duct may include a catalyst applied to an inner surface of the duct that is closer to the outlet than the airflow generator so as to adsorb and decompose ozone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS11231051B2Blower and air conditioner having the same

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A blower including a duct configured to allow air to flow in and out and a plurality of blades disposed to be parallel to the duct. Each of the blades including a first part, a second part, and an airflow generator configured to generate airflow in a direction from the inlet to the outlet by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode which are disposed between a first electrode on a side of the inlet, a second electrode on a side of the outlet, and a dielectric. In a cross section of the blade in the airflow direction when cut in a cross section perpendicular to each of the blades, the first part has a thickness decreasing in a direction toward the inlet and the second part has a thickness decreasing in a direction toward the outlet.