Identifying Valid Flow Paths in Porous Bodies via Pressure Gradient Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating the performance of porous bodies, such as ceramics filters, fail to accurately distinguish between valid and invalid flow paths, leading to incomplete assessment of fluid flow and filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that perform fluid analysis based on 3D structure data to identify valid flow paths by analyzing pressure distribution gradients, isobaric surfaces, and cross-sectional areas, allowing fluid to flow from inflow to outflow surfaces, and invalid flow paths with no fluid flow, using computational methods like Lattice Boltzmann to generate precise data for evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluid analysis is performed based on artificial porous body data to calculate flow velocity, then information regarding flow velocity in spatial voxels is obtained, but it is difficult to accurately distinguish between valid and invalid flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the porous body into spatial voxels and further categorizes each voxel as belonging to either a valid flow path or an invalid flow path based on pressure gradient analysis. This segmentation allows distinct evaluation of different flow path types, resolving the inability to distinguish between valid and invalid paths while maintaining flow velocity measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure gradient as an intermediary parameter to determine flow path validity. By analyzing the pressure gradient in each spatial voxel, the method identifies whether fluid actually flows through a pore (valid path) or if the pore is isolated (invalid path), thereby recovering the lost flow path validity information without compromising flow velocity measurement accuracy.
2Quantity of substance
If all pores are considered in performance evaluation, then total porosity is calculated, but the evaluation does not reflect actual fluid flow performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total porosity into two distinct components: porosity of valid flow paths and porosity of invalid flow paths. This segmentation enables separate evaluation of pores that actually contribute to fluid flow versus those that do not, thereby improving the reliability of performance evaluation while maintaining awareness of total porosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality analysis by evaluating different regions (valid vs. invalid flow paths) with different criteria. Valid flow path porosity is evaluated based on actual fluid flow capability, while invalid flow path porosity is identified as non-contributing. This localized evaluation approach ensures that performance metrics reflect actual functional characteristics rather than just geometric properties.
3Loss of information
If pressure distribution analysis is performed to identify valid flow paths, then flow path validity is determined, but additional computational complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service by utilizing the pressure distribution data already generated during the fluid analysis process. Instead of requiring separate experimental measurements or additional complex imaging techniques, the method uses the existing pressure field information to automatically determine flow path validity through gradient calculation, thereby minimizing additional computational complexity while recovering flow path validity information.
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 approach enables more precise evaluation of porous body performance by distinguishing valid flow paths, improving filtration efficiency and identifying areas for improvement in design and manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
identifying a valid flow path that allows the fluid to flow from the inflow surface to the outflow surface based on a gradient of pressure values along a flow direction of the fluid in the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
Method of identifying a valid flow path includes: performing fluid analysis of a porous body, which is ought to have inflow surface and outflow surface, based on structure data representing a 3-dimentional structure of the porous body to generate data indicating at least a pressure distribution of a fluid in a flow path in the porous body; and identifying a valid flow path that allows the fluid to flow from the inflow surface to the outflow surface based on a gradient of pressure values along a flow direction of the fluid in the flow path.