Sleeved Airflow Splitter for Homogeneous Flow and Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airflow splitter technologies in ventilator and anesthesia machines often result in non-homogeneous gas flow due to the pressure difference across strainers, leading to inaccurate flow measurements and reduced maximum airflow rates.
Innovation Solution
An airflow splitter design featuring sequentially sleeved splitting members with small and large aperture ends, forming an annular gap between adjacent members, which allows gas to flow homogeneously through multiple pathways before exiting, reducing pressure drop and enhancing measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strainers are placed at the expanded tube to achieve homogeneous flow, then flow measurement accuracy is improved, but pressure drop increases and maximum flow rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow splitter divides the single flow path into multiple flow paths by using multiple splitting members with apertures. This segmentation allows the flow to be distributed across several channels, reducing the velocity and pressure drop in each individual path while maintaining overall flow rate, thereby achieving homogeneous flow without the energy loss associated with traditional strainers
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow splitter acts as an intermediary device placed between the small diameter tube and large diameter tube. It mediates the transition by distributing the flow through multiple apertures in the splitting members, creating homogeneous flow patterns without requiring high pressure differences, thus avoiding the pressure drop problem caused by conventional strainers
2Measurement precision
If multiple strainers are used to ensure flow sensor measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow splitter performs multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes flow to create homogeneous patterns, reduces velocity for accurate measurement, and eliminates the need for separate strainer components. This multi-functionality achieves flow measurement accuracy without increasing device complexity, as the splitter itself is the primary flow conditioning element
3Stability of the object's composition
If air flows through strainers to achieve homogeneous flow, then flow uniformity is improved, but maximum flow rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flow into multiple paths through the splitting members' apertures, the device creates uniform flow distribution without creating significant resistance. Each aperture provides a direct flow path that maintains velocity and pressure, allowing the system to achieve both flow uniformity and high maximum flow rate capability
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 solution ensures homogeneous gas flow, improving the accuracy and stability of flow sensor measurements while maintaining high airflow rates by distributing gas flow evenly through multiple pathways.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two splitting members are sleeved sequentially. In two adjacent splitting members, the large aperture end of one splitting member is located in the small aperture end of the other splitting member. An annular gap is formed between the two adjacent splitting members, and the annular gap is further communicated with the flow pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow splitter is provided. The airflow splitter includes an inlet, an outlet, at least two splitting member. The splitting member includes a small aperture end and a large aperture end opposite to each other, the small aperture ends of all the splitting members face the inlet, and the large aperture ends of all the splitting members face the outlet. A flow pathway is defined between the small aperture ends and the large aperture ends. The at least two splitting members are sleeved sequentially. In two adjacent splitting members, the large aperture end of one splitting member is located in the small aperture end of the other splitting member. An annular gap is formed between the two adjacent splitting members, and the annular gap is further communicated with the flow pathway.