Vortex-Generating Duct Arrangement for Wake and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft and watercraft face challenges in reducing the magnitude of the wake and noise generated by fluid interactions, which affect thrust production and environmental impact, and existing technologies have limitations in efficiently managing these issues.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a duct arrangement with a vortex generator surface that induces vortices in fluid flow, reducing wake magnitude and improving rotor efficiency, combined with a method of selectively configuring the vortex generator surface to optimize fluid interaction and propulsion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional duct sections are used to guide fluid flows, then fluid flow guidance is achieved, but the magnitude of wake induced by the duct sections is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a vortex generator surface at a specific location on the duct section (at the leading edge or upstream portion) to create localized vortices that modify the flow structure. This local modification improves the overall wake characteristics without requiring complete redesign of the entire duct system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention intentionally generates vortices using the vortex generator surface, which initially appears as a disturbance. However, these controlled vortices actually reduce the overall wake magnitude by energizing the boundary layer and preventing larger-scale flow separation and turbulence downstream.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If vortex generator surface is added to duct section, then wake magnitude is reduced, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is divided into distinct functional sections: a vortex generator surface portion (with projections or serrations) and a standard duct portion. This segmentation allows the complex vortex-generating function to be isolated to a specific component that can be manufactured separately and attached to the conventional duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex generator surface employs curved or serrated projections rather than sharp angular features. This curvature approach simplifies manufacturing compared to complex angular geometries while still effectively generating the desired vortex structures for wake reduction.
3Productivity
If vortex generator surface is configured to induce vortices, then rotor efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex generator surface uses relatively simple geometric features (projections or serrations) that do not require extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. The design accepts some variation in the exact vortex characteristics while still achieving sufficient flow energization to improve rotor efficiency, avoiding the need for high-precision manufacturing.
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 solution effectively reduces the vorticity magnitude of the wake, enhances rotor efficiency, and minimizes noise, leading to improved propulsion performance and reduced environmental disturbance.
Implementation Method 1
the vortex generator surface is arranged to induce vortices in the fluid flow through the first duct section
Implementation Method 2
the vortex generator surface is configured to interact with a fluid flow to induce vortices such that the properties of fluid flow comprises a vorticity magnitude... the vorticity magnitude of the wake is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present disclosure there is provided a liquid flow influencing duct arrangement comprising: a first duct section arranged to receive a liquid flow therethrough, the first duct section defining a first direction through the first duct section from a liquid inlet end to a liquid outlet end; a second duct section defining a second direction through the second duct section from a liquid inlet end to a liquid outlet end, the second duct section comprising a vortex generator surface, wherein the vortex generator surface is arranged to induce vortices in the liquid flow through the first duct section, wherein the duct arrangement further comprises a rotor housed in one of the duct sections.