Vortice-Amplified Diffuser for Buoyancy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing buoyancy reduction technologies face challenges in controlling the size, shape, and intensity of expanding gas bubbles or bubble plumes, which affects the lethality level of non-lethal interdiction methods used to stop errant vessels without causing harm to occupants.

Innovation Solution

A vortice-amplified diffuser section with adjustable diffusion ports and vortex generators, along with a reduction sleeve, is used to control the buoyancy reduction by generating vortices and varying the mass flow rate, allowing for precise control over the bubble plume's characteristics and lethality level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If gas is released to generate expanding gas bubbles or bubble plume for buoyancy reduction, then the ability to inhibit vessel movement is improved, but control over the size, shape, and intensity of the bubble plume deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel movement inhibitionVSAvoidbubble plume control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser is divided into multiple diffusion ports arranged in arrays, allowing the bubble plume to be constructed from numerous small bubbles rather than a single large bubble. This segmentation enables better control over the overall plume characteristics while maintaining the buoyancy reduction effect needed to inhibit vessel movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Vortex generators are placed at specific locations within the diffuser to create localized rotational flow patterns. These local modifications to the flow structure enhance mixing and control the distribution of gas throughout the water, thereby controlling the size, shape, and intensity of the resulting bubble plume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If gas flow rate is increased to enhance bubble plume intensity, then the lethality level is improved, but the ability to control lethality level deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble plume intensityVSAvoidlethality level control

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates adjustable components that allow the operator to dynamically modify the diffusion characteristics in real-time. By changing the configuration of the diffuser or gas flow distribution, the lethality level can be adjusted to match the specific situation, providing controlled escalation or de-escalation of the buoyancy reduction effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables control over multiple parameters simultaneously including bubble size distribution, plume intensity, and diffusion rate. By independently adjusting these parameters, the operator can precisely control the lethality level of the bubble plume while maintaining the ability to inhibit vessel movement when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables effective inhibition of vessel movement and operation disruption while maintaining a controlled lethality level, ensuring safe intervention by adjusting the size, shape, and intensity of the bubble plume.

Implementation Method 1

The vortex generators may generate vortices of gas bubbles in the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex generation: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

The reduction sleeve may be configurable to block off some of the diffusion ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow control through port blocking:

Implementation Method 3

Buoyancy reduction of water can be used to inhibit motion of an errant vessel as well as disrupt operations of the vessel by generating an expanding gas bubble or bubble plume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy reduction: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8402895B2Vortice amplified diffuser for buoyancy dissipater and method for selectable diffusion

Publication Date: 2013.03.26 RAYTHEON CO

AI summary

Embodiments of a vortice-amplified diffuser section for use in a buoyancy dissipater are generally described herein. The vortice-amplified diffuser section may include a plurality of diffusion ports to diffuse an expanding gas, a reduction sleeve to adjust an amount of diffusion flow, and vortex generators within at least some of the diffusion ports to generate vortices. The reduction sleeve may be configurable to block off some of the diffusion ports. The vortex generators may generate vortices of gas bubbles in the water to reduce the water's buoyancy and to inhibit movement or disrupt the operations of an errant vessel. The reduction sleeve may be used to control the size, shape, and intensity of the expanding gas bubble or bubble plume as well as to control the lethality level of the buoyancy reduction.