Wedge Wire Screen Intake With Flow Modifiers for Uniform Water Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water collection systems face challenges in increasing intake capacity and flow performance while maintaining structural strength to resist external pressures and impact loads, particularly in environments with varying conditions and potential ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A screen intake assembly with a central manifold and internal flow modifiers that allow for adjustable fluid intake capacity, incorporating expandable screen sections and integral cleaning assemblies to enhance flow characteristics and resist external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the screen intake capacity is increased to improve water collection, then the fluid intake capacity increases, but the flow velocity through the screens increases causing turbulent flow and reduced flow performance
Solution Approach 1:
The screen intake assembly is divided into multiple screen sections (first screen section, second screen section, etc.) that can be selectively attached to the central manifold. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high intake capacity through multiple sections while each section maintains manageable flow velocity for laminar flow performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-dimension screen intakes to a multi-dimensional radial configuration with screen sections arranged around a central manifold. This dimensional change increases intake capacity by utilizing circumferential space while maintaining optimal flow characteristics through the radial arrangement.
2Strength
If conventional screen intake designs are used to maintain structural simplicity, then the device complexity remains low, but the structural strength is insufficient to resist external pressures and impact loads
Solution Approach 1:
The screen intake assembly is segmented into modular components (central manifold, multiple screen sections, flow modifiers) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength while the overall assembly complexity is managed through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with screen sections comprising wedge wire screens supported by structural frameworks, and flow modifiers made from durable materials. This composite approach provides enhanced structural strength to resist external pressures and impact loads while maintaining functional performance.
3Reliability
If flow modifiers are added to improve flow uniformity across the screening surfaces, then the flow performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Flow modifiers are segmented into multiple individual components distributed across different screen sections rather than one complex centralized system. Each flow modifier is a simple element that collectively achieves flow uniformity across the entire screening surface, reducing individual component complexity while improving overall flow performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If screen sections are made removable and selectively attachable to the central manifold, then the adaptability and ease of operation improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen intake assembly is segmented into modular screen sections that can be independently attached to or removed from the central manifold. This segmentation provides adaptability and ease of operation for maintenance and configuration changes, while the standardized connection interfaces manage assembly complexity through simplicity and repeatability.
Data Source
AI summary
Screen intake assemblies and related methods of fabrication and operation that improve both operational performance and structural strength. The screen intake assembly can include one or more screen portions that run substantially and continually along the length of the screen assembly to provide increase fluid intake and uniform flow. The screen intake assembly can comprise a central manifold having an exterior manifold screen portion to provide additional filtering capacity. The screen intake assembly can be used alone or in combination with internal flow modifier structures to increase fluid intake and uniformity. Internal flow modifiers can include a perforated flow modifier pipe, an internal flow modifier pipe, and/or converging flow modifiers. The screen intake assembly can include cleaning systems that operate continuously or on demand.