Two-Stage Vortex Tube Design for Low-Pressure Seat Climatization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vortex tubes require high pressure and flow rates to generate significant temperature differentials, which is undesirable for applications like seat climatization where low pressure and low flow rates are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A vortex tube design that includes a main body with a cylindrical vortex chamber and a coaxial air circulation chamber, featuring a compressed air inlet with a tangential outlet port to introduce air with axial momentum, allowing for efficient vortex generation at lower pressures and flow rates, and a manifold assembly for distributing hot and cold air to a seat system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed air is sprayed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vortex generation chamber, then high pressure is required to generate necessary air speed and temperature differentials, but high pressure is undesirable for seat climatization applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-vortex chamber that pre-rotates the compressed air before it enters the main vortex generation chamber. This preliminary action of creating rotation in advance allows the system to achieve the necessary air speed and temperature differentials at lower operating pressures, resolving the contradiction between temperature differential and operating pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation of the compressed air inlet from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to tangential to the vortex generation chamber. This dimensional change in the inlet orientation allows the air to enter with axial momentum that contributes to vortex formation, reducing the pressure required to achieve the necessary air speed for temperature differential
2Productivity
If high pressure systems are used to generate large temperature differentials and flow rates, then cooling performance is improved, but the system becomes unsuitable for low pressure applications like seat climatization
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-vortex chamber performs preliminary rotation of the air stream before it enters the main vortex generation chamber. This preliminary action increases the air speed and rotational momentum in advance, enabling the system to achieve high flow rates at lower operating pressures, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and operating pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by introducing axial momentum through the tangential inlet configuration. This parameter change in the air flow characteristics allows the system to generate sufficient air speed and flow rate at lower pressures, making it suitable for seat climatization applications
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
This design enables efficient separation of air into hot and cold streams at reduced pressures and flow rates, improving the efficiency of the vortex tube for applications like seat heating and cooling systems, allowing for effective climatization with lower operational demands.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex generator disposed in the vortex chamber of the main body... create a rotating column of air and separate the rotating column of air into hot and cold air streams
Implementation Method 2
separate the rotating column of air into hot and cold air streams... hot air travels in an outer vortex in one direction of the tube while cold air travels in an inner vortex in a reverse direction of the tube
Implementation Method 3
a compressed air inlet coupled in fluid communication to the vortex chamber for generating a pre-vortex in an inflow of compressed air... an arcuate portion extending between the inlet port and the tangential outlet port
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Two-stage vortex tube assemblies including an internal vortex generation chamber for generating a main vortex and a compressed air inlet having a tangential outlet port for creating a pre-vortex in an inflow of compressed air in a direction of flow of the main vortex. The two-stage vortex assemblies may be utilized in low pressure and low flow applications such as seat climatization, local heating or cooling, etc. Further disclosed are seat constructions and seat climatization systems utilizing a two-stage vortex tube as a single source for heating or cooling.