Venturi Mixing Device Helical Rib Flow Straightener
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing venturi mixing devices face challenges in activating the mixing process due to air presence in the outlet channel, leading to reduced flow rate and increased resistance, and prior solutions either require special pipes or complex, expensive configurations.
Innovation Solution
A flow straightener with a helical rib is integrated into the venturi mixing device, creating a swirling motion and ensuring a wide clear central section for fluid passage without generating resistance or flow rate decrease, effectively activating the device and preventing obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow straightener is added to create swirling motion and fill the outlet channel, then mixing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightener is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently manufactured and installed in the outlet channel. This segmentation allows the mixing device body to remain simple while the flow straightener provides the specialized swirling flow generation function through its helical rib structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightener acts as an intermediary element between the outlet channel and the discharge point. It mediates the flow transformation from axial to swirling motion, enabling reliable mixing activation without requiring complex modifications to the main device structure.
2Reliability
If restrictions are added to force outlet channel filling, then mixing activation is improved, but flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using restrictions that create harmful pressure drops and reduce flow rate, the invention converts the natural flow energy into beneficial swirling motion through the helical rib structure. This transforms the flow's kinetic energy into rotational motion that fills the outlet channel without requiring flow rate reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightener changes the flow parameters by transforming axial flow into swirling flow through the helical rib geometry. This parameter transformation achieves outlet channel filling and reliable mixing activation while maintaining the original flow rate and pressure characteristics.
3Reliability
If special pipes or complex configurations are used to activate mixing, then mixing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightener is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be manufactured from standard materials. Its straightforward geometry allows for low-cost production through common manufacturing processes, making it an economical solution compared to special pipes or complex configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow straightener serves multiple functions: it generates swirling motion, fills the outlet channel, activates mixing, and prevents obstructions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If the outlet channel is filled with fluid, then mixing activation is improved, but resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helical rib structure introduces curvature to the flow path, transforming linear axial flow into rotational swirling flow. This curved flow pattern naturally fills the outlet channel and activates mixing while the smooth helical geometry minimizes flow separation and pressure losses, maintaining low resistance.
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 flow straightener enables reliable and efficient operation of the venturi mixing device across all conditions, maintaining flow rate and preventing obstructions, while avoiding pressure drops and chemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
a flow straightener (43) configured to create a swirling motion of the fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
the flow straightener enables reliable and efficient operation... creating a swirling motion
Implementation Method 3
a mixing device (4) based on the Venturi effect, that mixes the water with the chemical product
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2~7
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Flow straightener (43A; 43B) comprising a cylinder (44) having an inlet mouth (46) and an outlet mouth (47), the cylinder (44) being internally provided with a helical rib (45) running on an inner surface (450) of the cylinder (44), wherein a ridge (456; 460) of the helical rib (45) follows a cylindrical helix with pitch p wrapped around a cylindrical volume having diameter d coaxial with the cylinder (44), whereby the ridge (456; 460) of the helical rib (45) delimits a clear central cylindrical section of the cylinder (44) having diameter d, wherein the helical rib (45) has a front main surface (457), facing the inlet mouth (46), and a rear main surface (458), facing the outlet mouth (47), the front main surface (457) forming with the inner surface (450) of the cylinder (44) a front angle α that is obtuse, whereby 90° < α < 180°.