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US 11,448,350 B2Granted
Flow divider with internal vane
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorsGeorge Martin Tolhurst, Alan C. Anderson, John Robert Andras, Jonathan Bowen Wickliff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow splitter may include an inlet, at least two outlets, and an internal vane comprising a first end corresponding to the inlet and a second end corresponding to the at least two outlets, wherein the internal vane is configured to turn, between the first end and the second end, an internal flowing fluid from 0 degrees to a degree between about 60 degrees and 150 degrees. Methods of dividing fluid flow are also provided.
Claims18
A flow splitter comprising:
- an inlet receiving a fluid flow flowing along a first axis;
- at least two outlets, one outlet receiving a first portion of the fluid flow, and another outlet receiving a second portion of the fluid flow;
- and
- an internal vane comprising a first end corresponding to the inlet and a second end corresponding to the at least two outlets, wherein the internal vane forms a first conduit having a first cross-sectional area and a second conduit having a second cross-sectional area using the internal vane and is configured to turn the fluid flow about the first axis from 0 degrees at the first end to a degree between about 60 degrees and 150 degrees at the second end;
- wherein an average cross-sectional area of the first conduit is greater than an average cross-sectional area of the second conduit such that the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area are different sizes;
- and
- wherein the size difference between the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area causes a pressure differential between the at least two outlets.
4 more elements
A method of splitting fluid flow comprising:
- directing a fluid flow through a sharp turn;
- directing the fluid flow into an inlet of a flow splitter downstream of the sharp turn;
- dividing the fluid flow with an internal vane into a first sub-fluid flow through a first conduit having a first cross-sectional area and a second sub-fluid flow through a second conduit having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the internal vane comprises a first end of the internal vane that is substantially parallel with the fluid flow before directing the fluid flow through the sharp turn;
- directing the first sub-fluid flow to a first outlet of the flow splitter;
- and
- directing the second sub-fluid flow to a second outlet of the flow splitter;
- wherein an average cross-sectional area of the first conduit is greater than an average cross-sectional area of the second conduit such that the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area are different sizes;
- and
- wherein the first cross-sectional area is between about 20% to about 35% larger than the second cross-sectional area.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.