Tapering Fluid Mixing Chamber with Tangential Inlets

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid mixing devices are inefficient in terms of energy usage and mixing quality, often requiring artificial acceleration of fluids via pumps or compressors, which is costly and detrimental to durability.

Innovation Solution

A continuously operating fluid mixing device with a tapering main mixing chamber and premixing chamber design, utilizing tangential and axial fluid inlets to create a Venturi effect for efficient mixing, eliminating the need for active acceleration of the quaternary fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If artificial acceleration of quaternary fluid is implemented using pumps or compressors, then fluid mixing effectiveness is improved, but operational costs increase and device durability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid mixing effectivenessVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses the kinetic energy of the tertiary fluid jet to draw in and mix with the quaternary fluid automatically, without requiring external pumps or compressors. The system serves itself by converting the flow energy of one fluid into the mixing mechanism for another fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs fluid dynamics principles where a tertiary fluid is accelerated through a nozzle to create a low-pressure region that draws in quaternary fluid through a inlet opening. The hydraulic jet creates the mixing action purely through fluid pressure and flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If artificial acceleration of quaternary fluid is implemented using pumps or compressors, then fluid mixing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid mixing effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the mixing function from complex mechanical acceleration devices and implements it through simple fluid dynamic interactions. By removing pumps and compressors, the system achieves mixing through the natural behavior of flowing fluids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the kinetic energy of the tertiary fluid jet to draw in and mix with the quaternary fluid automatically, without requiring external pumps or compressors. The system serves itself by converting the flow energy of one fluid into the mixing mechanism for another fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If conventional mixing chambers are used with parallel fluid inlets, then device simplicity is maintained, but mixing quality and energy efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber features asymmetric geometry with a tapered configuration that is wider at the inlet and narrower at the outlet. The fluid inlets are positioned asymmetrically relative to the chamber geometry, creating optimized flow patterns that enhance mixing while reducing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing chamber geometry changes along the flow direction, with the cross-sectional area decreasing from inlet to outlet. This parameter change in the chamber dimensions creates favorable flow conditions that improve mixing efficiency and reduce turbulent energy dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If conventional mixing chambers are used with parallel fluid inlets, then device simplicity is maintained, but mixing quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidmixing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber features asymmetric geometry with a tapered configuration that is wider at the inlet and narrower at the outlet. The fluid inlets are positioned asymmetrically relative to the chamber geometry, creating optimized flow patterns that enhance mixing while reducing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing chamber geometry changes along the flow direction, with the cross-sectional area decreasing from inlet to outlet. This parameter change in the chamber dimensions creates favorable flow conditions that improve mixing efficiency and reduce turbulent energy dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device achieves energy-efficient and effective mixing of fluids, producing an optimally mixed quinary fluid without the need for mechanical acceleration, reducing operational costs and improving durability.

Implementation Method 1

A continuously operating fluid mixing device with a tapering main mixing chamber and premixing chamber design, utilizing tangential and axial fluid inlets to create a Venturi effect for efficient mixing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

Supplying a primary fluid via the tangential primary fluid inlet into the premixing chamber of the premixing chamber, so that a turbulent flow forms in the premixing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

Supplying the tertiary fluid via the tangential tertiary fluid inlet to the main mixing space of the main mixing chamber, so that a turbulent flow forms in the main mixing space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3643396B1Continuously operating and fluid-respiring fluid mixing machine and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 TECHNOALPIN HLDG SPA
  • EP3643396B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643396B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643396B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fluid mixing device (1) comprising a main mixing chamber (2) with a main mixing space (4) which tapers in its cross-section along a main extension direction (Rx2) from an inlet end (6) to an outlet end (8), and which has a quaternary fluid inlet (400) opening axially into the main mixing space (4) to supply a quaternary fluid to the main mixing space (4), and a tertiary fluid inlet (300) opening tangentially into the main mixing space (4) to supply a tertiary fluid to the main mixing space (4), wherein the tertiary fluid inlet (300) comprises a premixing chamber (302) with a premixing space (304) that tapers in its cross-section, wherein the premixing chamber (302) has a secondary fluid inlet (200) opening axially into the premixing space (304) to supply the to supply a secondary fluid to the premixing chamber (304), and a primary fluid inlet (100) opening tangentially into the premixing chamber (304),to supply a primary fluid to the premixing chamber (304).