Twisted Vane Jet Pump for Turbomachine Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid supply systems for turbomachines, such as those using jet pumps, face inefficiencies that are temperature-dependent and vary with operating conditions, necessitating improvements in mixing and turbulence generation to enhance overall performance.
Innovation Solution
The jet pump incorporates twisted vanes within the active fluid inlet conduit to promote rotational mixing of active and passive fluids, increasing vorticity and turbulence, with features like NACA aerodynamic profiles and tilted leading edges to reduce friction and recirculation losses, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing temperature-dependent variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a jet pump is used in a fluid supply system, then the reliability is improved due to no movable parts, but the efficiency is insufficient and highly dependent on temperature and operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces through NACA aerodynamic profiles on the vanes, which are designed with specific curvature characteristics to optimize fluid flow. The twisted vanes feature curved surfaces that guide the active fluid rotation, creating optimal flow patterns that enhance mixing efficiency while maintaining reliable operation without movable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension by adding twist to the vanes along their length. Instead of simple planar vanes, the twisted configuration adds rotational complexity that generates stronger vorticity and turbulence in the mixing zone, thereby improving efficiency across a broader range of operating conditions while preserving the reliability of the movable-part-free design.
2Productivity
If the jet pump efficiency is improved through enhanced mixing, then the yield increases, but the complexity of the device increases with additional components like twisted vanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of fluid guidance, rotation induction, and mixing enhancement into a single integrated component structure. The twisted vanes simultaneously perform multiple functions: guiding the active fluid flow, inducing rotation through their angled configuration, and generating turbulence for enhanced mixing, thereby increasing yield without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The twisted vanes are designed as multi-functional elements that perform several roles within the jet pump: they act as flow guides, rotation inducers, and turbulence generators. This multi-functionality allows the device to achieve higher yield across various operating conditions without requiring separate components for each function, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If twisted vanes are added to promote fluid rotation and mixing, then the efficiency becomes less temperature-dependent, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs NACA aerodynamic profiles with specifically optimized geometric parameters that have been proven to deliver consistent performance across varying temperature conditions. By carefully selecting and standardizing these geometric parameters, the design achieves temperature independence while maintaining manufacturability through well-established manufacturing tolerances for aerodynamic surfaces.
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 increases the yield of the jet pump and stabilizes efficiency across varying temperatures, leading to improved fluid mixing and reduced losses in the fluid supply system for turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
the vanes being connected to each other at their inner side edge which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube... the vanes are configured to rotatably drive the active fluid with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube... the vorticity and overall turbulence in the mixing zone of the active and passive fluids is increased
Implementation Method 2
at least one inner portion of the trailing edge of at least one of the vanes comprises a NACA type aerodynamic portion. This profile is useful for decreasing losses in the fluid by fluid friction and recirculations at the trailing edge of the vane
Implementation Method 3
at least one part of the trailing edge of at least one of the vanes comprises a substantially planar external surface, preferably substantially orthogonal to the axis of the tube. This substantially planar part promotes creating turbulences in the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A jet pump for a system for supplying fluid to a turbomachine. The jet pump includes an active fluid inlet pipe including a tube delimiting the inlet pipe, and a passive fluid inlet pipe that is fluidically separated from the active fluid inlet pipe by the tube. The active fluid inlet pipe includes at least one twisted blade that is positioned within the tube and is configured to make the active fluid rotate with respect to the axis of the tube.