Vortex Tube Structure for Main Body Heat Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vortex tubes heat the main body during the separation of hot and cold air, posing a risk of burns to users due to the external spinning hot air increasing the temperature of the main body.

Innovation Solution

A vortex tube design with a main body, an air circulating chamber, and a passage channel between the main body and the air circulating chamber, where compressed air is introduced between the main body and the chamber to prevent heat transfer from hot air to the main body, featuring a vortex generator and outlets for cold and hot air with a valve for regulating hot air discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If hot air spins externally in the conventional vortex tube, then the vortex tube can separate hot and cold air effectively, but the main body temperature increases causing burn risk to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemain body temperatureVSAvoidburn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guide wall structure that acts as an intermediary between the hot air vortex and the main body. The guide wall redirects the externally spinning hot air toward the center of the tube, preventing direct contact with the main body surface. This mediator structure allows the hot air to maintain its heating function while isolating the harmful thermal effect from the main body, thereby reducing burn risk to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the vortex tube structure is simplified, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to control hot air flow and prevent main body heating is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat isolation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex tube is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inlet section, a vortex generation section with the guide wall, and outlet sections for both hot and cold air. The guide wall itself is segmented with specific geometric features that redirect the hot air flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through modular design principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 the main body from heating up during air separation, ensuring user safety by isolating the hot air from the main body, thus maintaining efficient air separation and discharge.

Implementation Method 1

the sprayed air forms a vortex such as whirlwind and spins round along an inner wall of the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

the compressed air passes through between the protrusions and cools the outer surface of the air circulating chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9242207B2Vortex tube

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 KYOUNGDO

AI summary

A vortex tube includes a main body, an inlet coupled to the main body and into which compressed air is introduced, an air circulating chamber installed in the main body, a passage channel through which the air introduced through the inlet passes forwards, a vortex generator configured to enable the air to spin in the air circulating chamber, a cold air-outlet through which cold air is discharged outside from the air circulating chamber, and a hot air-outlet through which hot air is discharged outside from the air circulating chamber.