Centrifugal Separator Seal Undulation for Condensation Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal separators face inefficiencies in discharging dew condensation water from the rotor room due to high airflow speeds and large condensation water amounts, which can lead to water overriding the riser part and failing to be effectively discharged, increasing resistance and potential contamination of samples.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an undulated part on the upper surface of the seal member, which guides dew condensation water spirally flowing along the seal member towards the outer circumferential edge, preventing it from swirling back towards the rotation center and ensuring efficient discharge through a drain hole on the riser part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the chamber is cooled to 0°C to maintain the rotor at 4°C, then the rotor temperature is maintained, but dew condensation water is generated on the chamber surfaces when the door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful dew condensation water into a beneficial flow by using the existing airflow in the rotor room to drive the condensation water toward the drain hole. The undulated part on the seal member guides this flow, transforming the potential harm of condensation water into an efficient drainage system that utilizes the natural airflow patterns already present during rotor operation.
2Productivity
If a drain hole is provided in the bottom of the chamber to discharge dew condensation water, then water discharge is enabled, but at high airflow speeds and large condensation amounts, water overrides the riser part and fails to be discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The undulated part on the upper surface of the seal member introduces a curved, wave-like structure that guides the dew condensation water flow. This curvature design creates a spiral flow pattern that directs water toward the outer circumferential edge and prevents it from overriding the riser part, ensuring reliable discharge even under high airflow conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The undulated part creates an asymmetric flow path on the seal member surface, directing water flow preferentially toward the drain hole location rather than allowing symmetric spreading. This asymmetric guidance ensures that condensation water is channeled efficiently to the discharge point regardless of the high-speed airflow direction.
3Device complexity
If the dew condensation water remains in the rotor room, then the structure remains simple, but airflow is hindered and driving device resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is given a dual function: it not only seals the chamber but also serves as a flow guide for dew condensation water through its undulated surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex drainage structures, maintaining simplicity while effectively reducing airflow resistance by channeling water to the drain hole.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the dew condensation water enters the sample or bucket, then contamination occurs, but preventing this requires more complex drainage guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The undulated part is specifically positioned on the upper surface of the seal member where dew condensation water accumulates. This localized structural modification creates a flow guidance function exactly where needed, directing water away from the rotor and sample areas without requiring complex drainage structures throughout the entire chamber.
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
This solution enhances the discharging efficiency of dew condensation water, reduces air resistance, and prevents contamination by effectively guiding the water to the drain hole, even at high airflow speeds and large condensation amounts, without increasing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerating pipe 18 is wound around the chamber 106... The refrigerating pipe 18, compressor 17a, condenser 17b, throttle mechanism, and so on constitute a cooling device, which effectively cools the chamber 106 by passing a refrigerant through the refrigerating pipe 18
Implementation Method 2
when the rotor holding the sample is rotated at a high speed in the atmosphere, the temperature tends to rise due to frictional heat occurring between an outer surface of the rotor and the air inside the rotor room
Implementation Method 3
when a door 7 is opened in a thus cooled state, immediately after the operation has stopped, an outside air intrudes into the rotor room 105, and water contained in the outside air is condensed on inner and outer surfaces of the chamber 106, to generate dew condensation water
Implementation Method 4
an undulated part for guiding a flow of the dew condensation water is provided on an upper surface of the seal member... guides dew condensation water spirally flowing along the seal member towards the outer circumferential edge, preventing it from swirling back towards the rotation center
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal separator includes: a rotor configured to hold a sample to be separated; a driving device configured to rotate the rotor and including a driving shaft; a chamber configured to contain the rotor and including a through hole through which the driving shaft is passed; a seal member configured to fitted over the through hole of the chamber and the driving shaft; a drain hole configured to discharge liquid in the chamber to an exterior; and an undulated part configured to guide a flow of the liquid and is provided on an upper surface of the seal member.