Variable Diameter Venturi for Marine Jet Pump
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine jet propulsion systems with adjustable venturi designs face challenges in achieving high power throughput while maintaining robustness and minimizing the risk of catastrophic failure, particularly in harsh marine environments, as they often require compromises between flow volume, velocity, and pressure, and are prone to mechanical breakage or hydraulic contamination.
Innovation Solution
A variable diameter venturi system that uses a deformable ring with a collar mechanism, allowing for adjustable compression to change the venturi diameter from the captain's position, enabling efficient power conversion from acceleration to top speed without the need for mechanical articulation or hydraulic systems, thus reducing the likelihood of failure and environmental contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bladder style adjustment is used to vary venturi diameter, then the venturi can be adjusted, but the system becomes complex with hydraulic components that can fail and contaminate the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic system and bladder components entirely, replacing them with a simple manual adjustment mechanism. The venturi diameter is changed by physically removing and replacing different diameter venturi components, eliminating complex hydraulic systems that could fail or leak, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, replaceable venturi components that can be easily swapped out. Rather than maintaining complex adjustable mechanisms, the system uses interchangeable venturi pieces that are simple in construction and can be replaced if worn, providing a reliable and maintenance-friendly solution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If trap door style adjustment is used to restrict water flow, then the venturi diameter can be reduced, but the system becomes prone to mechanical breakage due to brute force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates trap doors and mechanical articulation mechanisms that require brute force to operate. Instead, the system uses simple interchangeable venturi components that are installed without requiring forceful mechanical action, thereby avoiding mechanical breakage while maintaining adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If iris style adjustment with overlapping leaves is used, then the venturi diameter can be varied, but the system requires many fragile moving parts that are not suitable for harsh marine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes iris-style overlapping leaves and all associated moving parts. The system instead uses fixed-diameter venturi components that can be manually swapped, eliminating fragile mechanisms that would fail in harsh marine conditions while preserving the ability to adjust venturi diameter.
4Reliability
If fixed diameter venturi is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but performance must be compromised between flow volume, velocity and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the venturi diameter can be changed by the operator based on performance needs. Different fixed-diameter venturi components are selected and installed to optimize for either flow volume, velocity, or pressure depending on the operating conditions, combining simplicity with adaptability.
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
Enables efficient power conversion from low-speed acceleration to high-speed operation by varying the venturi diameter, enhancing performance and reducing maintenance costs while minimizing the risk of mechanical failure and environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable ring with a collar mechanism, allowing for adjustable compression to change the venturi diameter
Data Source
AI summary
A marine jet pump with an adjustable venturi. An annularly compressible ring is affixed coaxially to the aft end of the pump housing. A collar coaxial to the ring is moveable coaxial to the ring. In a constricted mode the collar is mechanically forced over the aft end of the ring thereby reducing the diameter of the ring. In a dilated mode the collar is mechanically withdrawn to a predetermined degree from over the aft end of the ring allowing the ring to revert to it naturally dilated state. The transition between dilated mode and constricted mode can occur under full power.