Streamlined Valve Flow Path to Prevent Vortices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valves experience reduced lifetime and hindered fluid flow due to vortices caused by rectangular and angled shapes in the fluid flow space, leading to smaller fluid transfer amounts per hour.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a streamlined fluid flow space from the inlet to the opening-closing member, featuring a curved inner upper surface with a specific radius-to-distance ratio, minimizing obstacles and allowing smooth fluid flow, thereby increasing fluid transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fluid flow space has rectangular cross section and angled shape, then the manufacturing is easier, but vortices occur causing reduced lifetime and hindered fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the fluid flow space by replacing rectangular cross-sections with curved surfaces and angled shapes with rounded transitions. The inner upper surface and inner lower surface both feature curved geometries that guide fluid flow smoothly, eliminating sharp corners and edges that would otherwise generate vortices. This curvilinear design maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving flow characteristics and component lifetime.
2Device complexity
If the fluid flow space has rectangular cross section and angled shape, then the device complexity is lower, but vortices occur causing hindered fluid flow and reduced transfer amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces curved geometries in the fluid flow space, specifically in the inner upper surface and inner lower surface, to replace sharp angular transitions. These curved surfaces guide fluid flow smoothly through the valve, preventing vortex formation and maintaining high flow velocity. The increased fluid transfer amount (by 70% or more) justifies the moderate increase in design complexity.
3Device complexity
If the fluid flow space has vertical part as obstacle, then the structure is simpler, but fluid flow is hindered reducing transfer amount per hour
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates vertical obstacles by implementing fully curved flow paths. The inner upper surface curves downward toward the outlet, and the inner lower surface curves upward, creating a smooth, continuous flow channel without abrupt vertical transitions. This design removes flow separation zones and dead spaces that would otherwise reduce effective flow area and transfer efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve having a streamlined fluid flow space is disclosed. The valve includes a main body and an opening-closing member, a fluid flow space through which fluid flows is formed inside the main body, the opening-closing member opens or closes flow of the fluid. Here, the fluid flow space has a streamlined shape from an inlet in a direction from the inlet to the opening-closing member or from an outlet in a direction from the outlet to the opening-closing member.