Radial Diffuser Water Collector for Compact Moisture Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water collectors are often bulky and inefficient in capturing free moisture from airflow, consuming significant package space due to their design.

Innovation Solution

A water collector assembly featuring a radial diffuser assembly with an inverted conical design, incorporating a swirl vane and a diffuser body with a center body, which directs moisture-laden air towards a drain port for efficient moisture collection and simplified packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If a conventional water collector design is used, then moisture collection function is provided, but the device occupies large package space and is bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage spaceVSAvoidmoisture collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the conventional linear/axial diffuser design into a radial diffuser configuration where airflow moves from the center toward the outer perimeter in a radial pattern. This dimensional change allows the water collector to capture moisture more efficiently while occupying significantly less package space, as the radial arrangement compactly integrates the separation and collection functions within a smaller footprint volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If a radial diffuser with inverted conical design is used, then package space is reduced and moisture collection is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage spaceVSAvoiddiffuser assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the radial diffuser assembly: the inverted conical structure serves simultaneously as the diffuser body, the separation device for directing moisture, and the structural framework for support members. By merging these previously separate components into a single integrated radial diffuser assembly, the design reduces overall device complexity while achieving compact packaging and effective moisture collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 assembly effectively captures free moisture from airflow, allowing for more compact and efficient packaging while enhancing evaporative cooling by directing collected moisture to heat exchangers.

Implementation Method 1

a radial diffuser assembly (16) having a flow direction arranged to direct a portion of the airflow radially outward from a center towards an outer perimeter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial flow:

Implementation Method 2

a separation device that directs the moisture present within the airflow to outer walls of the separation device and direct the free moisture towards a drain port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3620222B1High pressure water collector with radial diffuser
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3620222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3620222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water collector assembly includes a diffuser assembly (16) having a diffuser body (40). The diffuser body extends between an inlet duct (12) and an outlet duct (14) along a first axis. The diffuser body includes a first end wall (60) extending from a second inlet duct end towards a first inlet duct end, a second end wall (62) extending from a first outlet duct end towards a first inlet duct end, and a side wall (64) extending between the first end wall and the second end wall.