Vortex Prevention Adapter Blade Assembly for Agricultural Eductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vortex formation in agricultural spraying equipment's eductor can lead to air ingress and foam formation in the tank, causing inefficiencies and incomplete chemical dispensing, which existing solutions do not adequately address across different eductor designs and volumes.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped gasket with a blade assembly mounted on its top surface, featuring plural blades that interrupt fluid flow and create channels to prevent vortex formation, while also acting as a filter to limit particulate matter passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a vortex break element is added to the eductor, then vortex formation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex break element is segmented into multiple discrete blades arranged radially around the central outlet. Each blade independently interrupts vortex flow, and the segmented structure allows the element to be broken down into smaller manufacturing units that can be assembled from standard components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining vortex prevention effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex break element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it breaks vortex formation, filters particulate matter through defined channels between blades, and maintains structural simplicity through its radial blade design. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate vortex breakers and filters, reducing device complexity while addressing multiple harmful effects.
2Productivity
If the eductor operates at higher suction volumes, then chemical dispensing efficiency improves, but vortex formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial blades are positioned to preemptively interrupt vortex formation before it can develop fully during high-speed suction operations. By placing blades at strategic radial positions around the outlet, the design counteracts the vortex-generating forces that occur during high-productivity dispensing, allowing efficient chemical transfer without the harmful effects of vortexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade geometry parameters (number of blades, blade angle, blade height) are optimized to match specific suction volume requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the same basic vortex break element design can effectively handle different productivity levels, allowing the eductor to operate at higher suction volumes without excessive vortex formation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing vortex break elements are used, then vortex action is reduced, but they do not work across different eductor designs and volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The radial blade configuration creates a universal vortex break element that can be adapted to different eductor designs and suction volumes. The same basic radial blade structure works across various eductor geometries because it addresses the fundamental vortex formation mechanism at the outlet, making the solution versatile rather than design-specific.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows parameter adjustment (number of blades, blade spacing, blade height) to match different eductor characteristics and suction volumes. This parametric flexibility enables the same vortex break element concept to be effectively applied across different eductor designs while maintaining vortex prevention performance.
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
Prevents vortex formation, ensuring efficient chemical dispensing and rinsing operations by minimizing air ingress and maintaining tank capacity, applicable across various eductor designs and volumes.
Implementation Method 1
A vortex prevention adapter and corresponding system of the present disclosure prevent the formation of a vortex in a chemical container (e.g., eductor, also known as an inductor hopper)
Implementation Method 2
During filling of the main tank with fresh water, a plumbing system (e.g., venturi system) creates a suction effect in the eductor to draw out the chemicals
Implementation Method 3
a plumbing system (e.g., venturi system) creates a suction effect
Implementation Method 4
Each pair of the plural blades defines a filter based at least in part on spacing between the pair of plural blades
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to prevent formation of a vortex has a ring-shaped gasket having a bottom surface and a top surface; and a blade assembly mounted on the top surface and comprising a center portion and plural blades of a defined height. Each of the blades extend from the center portion to the top surface, with each pair of the plural blades defining a filter based at least in part on spacing between the pair of plural blades.