Varying Depth Fluidized Bed Multi-Level Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidized bed systems face challenges in optimizing weight distribution for patients, as they often require a balance between pressure distribution and minimizing the volume of fluidizable medium needed to support varying body weights effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tank assembly with a first and second diffuser board at different heights, where the second diffuser board is configured to create a pressure drop that matches the pressure difference between the two heights, ensuring optimal gas flow and distribution within the fluidizable medium, thereby supporting heavier body parts with a reduced volume of medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single diffuser board is used in the fluidized bed, then the structure is simple, but the pressure distribution is insufficient for supporting varying patient weights effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The single diffuser board is divided into multiple diffuser boards positioned at different heights within the tank assembly. Each diffuser board serves a specific zone, with the first diffuser board at a lower height and the second diffuser board at a higher height. This segmentation allows each board to independently manage pressure distribution in its respective zone, improving overall pressure distribution reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser board system transitions from a two-dimensional single-plane configuration to a three-dimensional multi-level configuration. By positioning diffuser boards at different vertical heights (first height h1 and second height h2), the system creates multiple gas injection planes that work together to achieve uniform pressure distribution throughout the fluidizable medium, addressing the limitations of single-plane diffusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a larger volume of fluidizable medium is used, then patient support capacity increases, but the weight and volume of the bed increases
Solution Approach 1:
Gas is introduced at multiple predetermined heights through the diffuser boards before the fluidizable medium can become insufficient. The first diffuser board introduces gas at height h1 and the second diffuser board introduces gas at height h2, creating preliminary gas distribution that maintains fluidization and support capacity without requiring excessive medium volume. This preliminary gas injection action ensures adequate patient support while minimizing medium requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of gas injection from a single-point injection to multi-point injection at different heights. By introducing gas at both the first height (h1) and second height (h2), the system optimizes the fluidization process throughout the entire medium column, improving patient support capacity while reducing the total volume of fluidizable medium needed compared to single-point injection systems.
3Reliability
If gas flow rate through the second diffuser board is increased, then pressure drop matching improves, but gas flow rate through the first diffuser board must also increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow path is segmented into multiple stages with the first diffuser board handling initial gas distribution and the second diffuser board handling secondary gas distribution. The second diffuser board is configured to create a pressure drop that matches the pressure difference between heights h1 and h2, allowing each segment to operate at optimized flow rates rather than requiring uniformly high flow rates throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second diffuser board is designed to provide partial gas flow (a portion of the gas from the first diffuser board) rather than requiring all gas to pass through both boards at full flow rates. This partial action approach allows the pressure drop matching to be achieved with moderate gas flow rates, avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from requiring high flow rates through the entire system.
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 configuration allows for improved weight distribution by ensuring that heavier body regions receive adequate support while minimizing the overall weight and volume of the fluidizable medium required, enhancing the ability to support patients with varying weights efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
said second diffuser board is configured to cause a predetermined pressure drop in gas flowing through it
Implementation Method 2
pressure drop in gas flowing through said second diffuser board is configured to match pressure drop in the fluidizable medium commensurate to difference between the second height and the first height
Implementation Method 3
A first diffuser board assembly at a first height from bottom of a tank assembly configured to supply gas to a fluidizable medium contained in the tank assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A varying depth fluidized bed comprises a tank assembly containing fluidizable medium. The tank assembly comprises at least one step such that the depth of fluidizable medium is greater in one region of the tank assembly relative to another.