Semi-Active Ejector Suction for High Fluid Flow With Lower Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive systems for aerodynamic suction fail to provide the required fluid flow efficiently due to high energy consumption and complexity, while active systems are not viable due to reliability and energy concerns.
Innovation Solution
A semi-active system utilizing a jet pump or ejector to drive fluid flow, which compromises between aerodynamic drag and fluid flow, offering energy savings and reduced system weight by using a jet pump instead of a conventional pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a passive suction system is used, then the system complexity and energy consumption are reduced, but the required fluid flow cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
A jet pump is introduced as an intermediary device between the passive suction system and the active pump system. The jet pump uses a high-velocity fluid jet to create a low-pressure region that draws fluid through the outlet, providing flow enhancement without requiring a complex active pumping system. This mediator approach achieves the required fluid flow while maintaining system simplicity.
2Productivity
If an active pump system is used, then the required fluid flow is achieved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pump operates on the principle of self-service by using the kinetic energy of a high-velocity fluid jet to create the suction effect. Instead of requiring an external power source to drive a mechanical pump, the system uses the fluid's own momentum to generate the low-pressure region that draws fluid through the outlet, significantly reducing energy consumption and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a high-velocity fluid jet (typically gas) to create a low-pressure region through the jet pump. This pneumatic approach replaces the need for mechanical active pumps, reducing both energy consumption and system complexity while achieving the required fluid flow through pressure differential creation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a jet pump is used to drive fluid flow, then energy consumption is reduced, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pump and outlet system are designed with local quality optimization, concentrating the aerodynamic effects in specific localized regions rather than creating widespread drag. The outlet geometry and jet pump configuration are tailored to minimize the aerodynamic footprint and drag impact on the surrounding airflow, allowing energy savings to outweigh the localized drag penalty.
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 semi-active system achieves higher mass/fluid flow with lower energy consumption and aerodynamic drag, maintaining performance even if the jet pump fails, and is economically beneficial by reducing fuel usage and system weight.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe (10) provided within the exhaust channel (23), the pipe being configured to fluid-communicatively couple to the device (30), and entrain, by the produced jet fluid flow (12), the exhaust fluid flow (11)
Data Source
AI summary
A semi-active system for providing a required fluid flow, the system comprising an outlet configured to protrude into the main flow direction of an external fluid flow external to the semi-active system, an exhaust channel provided, in relation to the main flow direction of the external fluid flow, beneath the outlet, the exhaust channel being configured to inject an exhaust fluid flow into the external fluid flow, a device configured to produce a jet fluid flow and a pipe provided within the exhaust channel, the pipe being configured to fluid-communicatively couple to the device, and entrain, by the produced jet fluid flow, the exhaust fluid flow.