Thermos Stopper Pressure Equalization Chamber for Laminar Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow control devices for thermos bottles often result in turbulent and unstable liquid flow, leading to dripping and splashing, which causes loss and inaccuracy when pouring, especially at greater distances, posing issues during activities like preparing maté herb tea.
Innovation Solution
A metering stopper with a cylindrical body, a drive assembly, and a fluid passageway arrangement featuring a pressure equalization chamber, output duct with a conical section, and a vent tube, which stabilizes the flow by homogenizing pressure and directing the liquid in a laminar regime, preventing splashing and dripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stoppers are used for pouring liquid from thermos bottles, then the device structure is simple, but the liquid flow becomes turbulent and unstable causing dripping and splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is divided into multiple functional components: a drive assembly with valve set for flow control, a pressure equalization chamber for pressure homogenization, and an output duct with conical section for flow stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to address specific flow issues independently, achieving reliable laminar flow without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure equalization chamber acts as an intermediary between the input and output of the stopper. It homogenizes the pressure of the liquid before it reaches the output duct, preventing pressure fluctuations that cause turbulent flow and splashing. This intermediary chamber is crucial for achieving stable laminar flow.
2Loss of substance
If conventional stoppers allow free flow, then ease of operation is high, but liquid loss due to splashing and dripping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper incorporates a dynamic drive assembly with a valve set that can adjust the flow state. The valve set includes a valve body and valve seat that can be actuated to control flow opening, allowing the system to dynamically transition between closed and open states. This dynamic control prevents liquid loss during pouring while maintaining simple operation through the push-button interface.
3Productivity
If pouring distance is increased, then serving efficiency improves, but flow instability and inaccuracy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The output duct incorporates a conical section that gradually changes the flow parameters of the liquid. The conical geometry transforms the flow from potentially turbulent to laminar by gradually adjusting velocity and pressure distribution. This parameter change ensures stable, accurate flow even at increased pouring distances, maintaining both productivity and precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If simple stopper design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but flow control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve set is nested within the drive assembly, with the valve body and valve seat integrated into the stopper body structure. The drive mechanism is nested within the cylindrical housing, creating a compact hierarchical structure. This nesting approach achieves precise flow control through multiple integrated components while maintaining manufacturability through modular assembly.
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 a stable, laminar, and accurate liquid flow, reducing losses and improving precision when pouring at various distances, enhancing user safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure equalization chamber is configured to accumulate fluid, in order to allow pressure homogenization thereof
Implementation Method 2
the output duct presents a substantially circular cross section... the jet of liquid should be in a laminar regime
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention refers to a flow control device (1) for inserting into container openings, comprising a body (2), a drive assembly (3) and a fluid passageway arrangement (4). The drive assembly (3) is configured to restrict or allow the flow passage of a container to the inside of the flow control device (1), the body (2) is configured in a substantially cylindrical manner and houses the fluid passageway arrangement (4) and the fluid passageway arrangement (4) communicates the inside of the flow control device (1) with the outside environment. The fluid passageway arrangement (4) comprises, contiguously, a pressure equalization chamber (5) and an output duct (6), wherein the pressure equalization chamber (5) is configured to accumulate fluid, in order to allow pressure homogenization thereof; and the output duct (6) presents a substantially circular cross section.