Swirl generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration systems, especially under adverse gravity conditions like those in aerospace applications, the flow dynamics into evaporator passages from distributors can result in reduced contact between the working fluid and the evaporator, leading to reduced system effectiveness due to non-uniform fluid distribution and reduced heat absorption efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A swirl generator is introduced, featuring a body with a curved outer boundary and a center passage that extends along a body-center axis, with a swirl passage forming an acute angle with the body-center axis, guiding the fluid to exit at the curved boundary, creating a swirling fluid stream that moves towards the sidewall of the evaporator passage, ensuring better contact and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional distributors are used to divide refrigerant flow, then fluid distribution to evaporator passages is achieved, but under adverse gravity conditions the contact between working fluid and evaporator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet end of the swirl generator body features a curved outer boundary that forms a convex curve extending radially inward from the outer diameter surface to the outer axial surface. This curved geometry guides the refrigerant flow to exit tangentially and create a swirling motion, ensuring the fluid contacts the evaporator passage sidewall along its entire length, thereby resolving the fluid contact issue under adverse gravity conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a swirl passage that extends between the center passage and the curved outer boundary along a swirl passage axis forming an acute angle with the body-center axis. This angular orientation adds a rotational dimension to the otherwise linear flow path, transforming the flow from simple axial movement to a three-dimensional swirling flow that maintains contact with the evaporator surface.
2Reliability
If single-phase liquid or two-phase refrigerant flow is divided equally, then uniform feed to evaporator passages is achieved, but flow reduction from larger to smaller area results in reduced contact under adverse gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The curved outer boundary at the outlet end creates a tangential flow exit that generates swirling motion. This curvature-based design ensures that as the refrigerant flows from the larger distributor area to the smaller evaporator passage area, it maintains contact with the evaporator sidewall through the swirling action, preventing the reduction in contact area that would otherwise occur under adverse gravity conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The swirl passage axis forms an acute angle with the body-center axis, changing the flow direction parameter from purely axial to oblique. This parameter change creates a velocity vector with both axial and tangential components, ensuring the refrigerant maintains contact with the evaporator surface while transitioning from the distributor's larger area to the evaporator's smaller area.
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 swirl generator enhances the uniformity of fluid distribution and heat absorption within the evaporator passages, improving the overall efficiency of the refrigeration system by ensuring the fluid contacts the sidewall along its entire length, thereby increasing the system's effectiveness and preventing heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
the swirl passage axis forms an acute angle with the body-center axis... creating a swirling fluid stream that moves towards the sidewall of the evaporator passage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a swirl generator for an evaporator, having: a body that extends along a body-center axis between opposing inlet and outlet ends, and includes: a fluid inlet at the inlet end; an outer surface that, at that the outlet end, defines an outlet region with a curved outer boundary forming a convex curve that extends radially inward from an outer diameter surface of the body to an outer axial surface of the body; a center passage formed within the body that extends from the inlet towards the outlet along the body-center axis; and a swirl passage formed at the outlet end of the body, the swirl passage extending between the center passage and the curved outer boundary along a swirl passage axis, whereby a fluid entering from the inlet exits the body at the curved outer boundary, the swirl passage axis forming an acute angle with the body-center axis.