Ship Micro-bubble Generator Wing Air Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship designs that utilize micro-bubbles to reduce frictional resistance face challenges such as the need for large-scale devices, unsuitable bubble generation structures, and inefficient air supply systems that allow air to escape, leading to insufficient negative pressure for bubble formation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of micro-bubble generators with a wing-attached plate and a window on the hull, connected to an air supply system that includes a compressor to generate and maintain negative pressure, allowing for effective air-liquid interface depression and micro-bubble generation along the hull surface using the Kelvin-Helmholtz-Instability phenomenon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If air is supplied from a blower through an open fluid passage, then air can be delivered to the bubble generation region, but air escapes from the upper part and the air-liquid interface cannot be pushed down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by using a closed passage instead of an open one, and uses air pressure to push the interface down rather than relying on negative pressure suction. This reversal solves the air escape problem and ensures reliable bubble generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical suction system (negative pressure formation part) with a pressure-based system (air pressure source pushing interface), fundamentally changing the mechanical approach to achieve more reliable air delivery and bubble generation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a negative pressure formation part is used to generate micro-bubbles, then micro-bubbles can be created through Kelvin-Helmholtz-Instability, but sufficient negative pressure cannot be achieved at moderate ship speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing air in a storage tank before delivery to the bubble generation region. This ensures that sufficient air pressure is available to push the air-liquid interface down and generate micro-bubbles even at moderate ship speeds where negative pressure formation would be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air storage and pressure-controlled delivery to the bubble generation region, replacing the hydrodynamic negative pressure approach with a more controllable pneumatic system that works effectively at various ship speeds.
3Quantity of substance
If a large-scale device is used to supply air from blower to air tank, then air can be accumulated in compressed state, but the device complexity and scale increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air supply system multi-functional by using the same compressed air storage tank to serve both as an accumulation chamber and as a pressure source for pushing the air-liquid interface. This eliminates the need for separate large-scale delivery mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining air accumulation capacity.
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 significantly reduces frictional resistance and fuel consumption by generating and adhering micro-bubbles to the hull, achieving effective friction reduction without requiring large compressors, even at moderate navigation speeds.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure which is generated by the wing with the navigation of the ship
Implementation Method 2
An air pressure source, such as a compressor, is connected to the pipe to depresses the air-liquid interface in the air charging pipe to the micro-bubble generation region
Implementation Method 3
The window has a certain capacity, and this window functions as micro-bubble generation space by utilizing the Kelvin-Helmholtz-Instability phenomenon
Implementation Method 4
a ship's hull friction resistance in water will be decreased by supplying air bubbles to the moving hull's surface
Data Source
AI summary
Micro-bubble generators attached to a ship hull below the waterline decrease frictional resistance during navigation and improve fuel efficiency. Each micro-bubble generator is supplied with air and has a wing positioned outside the hull for generating negative pressure. The negative pressure created by the wing increases with an increase in ship's speed, which pushes the air-liquid interface outwardly toward the wing. As the air and the water move at different speeds due to difference in their densities, micro-bubbles are generated in the micro-bubble generator according to the Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability mechanism and discharged downstream to move closely along the outside surface of the hull.