US 12,674,478 B2Granted

Fluid vortex breaker

AssigneeHydrogenics Corporation

InventorsMichel Distelmans, Julie Colin, Robert Sperry, Dustin Vickress, Michael Vale

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Abstract

A vortex breaker assembly includes a vessel, a first conduit, and a fluid source. The vessel having a first fluid arranged therein. The vessel includes an opening formed in an outer wall. The first conduit is coupled to the vessel and configured to open into the vessel via the opening such that the first fluid can flow into the first conduit via the opening. The first conduit includes an inlet formed therein. The fluid source provides a second fluid to the at least one inlet. The second fluid flows into the first conduit from the inlet at a predetermined flow momentum such that the second fluid interacts with the first fluid flowing from the vessel and through the first conduit so as to disrupt a flow field of the first fluid and minimize formation of a fluidic vortex of the first fluid at the opening.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A vortex breaker assembly, comprising:

a vessel having a first fluid arranged therein, the vessel including an opening formed in an outer wall of the vessel through which the first fluid is configured to selectively flow;
a first conduit coupled to the vessel and configured to fluidically open into the vessel via the opening such that the first fluid is configured to flow from the vessel and into the first conduit via the opening, the first conduit including at least one inlet formed in an outer wall of the first conduit and opening into the first conduit;
and
a fluid source configured to provide a second fluid to the at least one inlet, and
at least one inlet pipe fluidically coupled to the at least one inlet,
wherein the at least one inlet pipe is arranged such that the second fluid flows against a direction of rotation of the fluidic vortex of the first fluid,
wherein the second fluid flows into the first conduit from the at least one inlet at a predetermined flow momentum such that the second fluid interacts with the first fluid flowing from the vessel and through the first conduit so as to disrupt a flow field of the first fluid and minimize formation of a fluidic vortex of the first fluid at the opening of the vessel.

4 more elements

A method of breaking a fluidic vortex, comprising:

providing a first fluid within a vessel, the vessel including an opening formed in a sidewall of the vessel through which the first fluid is configured to selectively flow;
coupling a first conduit to the vessel that opens into the vessel via the opening such that the first fluid is configured to flow from the vessel and into the first conduit via the opening;
forming at least one inlet in an outer wall of the first conduit, the at least one inlet opening into the first conduit;
providing a second fluid from a fluid source to the at least one inlet;
drawing the first fluid from the vessel and into the first conduit;
and
ejecting the second fluid into the first conduit at a predetermined flow momentum such that the second fluid interacts with the first fluid flowing from the vessel and through the first conduit so as to disrupt a flow field of the first fluid and minimize formation of a fluidic vortex of the first fluid at the opening of the vessel,
wherein the ejecting of the second fluid includes ejecting the second fluid against a direction of rotation of the fluidic vortex of the first fluid.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/316,728Filed 12 May 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 20 May 2022
Published: US 2023/0375016 A123 Nov 2023
Granted: 7 Jul 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B01D 19/0063
Degasification of liquids: regulation, control including valves and floats
F15D 1/008
Using active means, e.g. supplying external energy or injecting fluid: comprising fluid injection or suction means
B01D 19/0042
Degasification of liquids: modifying the liquid flow
B01D 19/0068
Degasification of liquids: general arrangements, e.g. flowsheets