Passive diode-like device for fluids
AssigneeThe Johns Hopkins University
InventorsSen Lin, James Kevin Guest, Takeru Igusa
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to an improved fluid diode using topology optimization with Finite Element Method (FEM). Topology optimization as a flexible optimization method has been extended to the fluid field. For given boundary conditions and constraints, it distributes a specific amount of pores (or remove materials to get channel) in the design domain to minimize/maximize an objective function. In this design, inlet and outlet ports are aligned and inflow and outflow are in the same direction. The present invention features an intricate network of fluid channels having optimized fluid connectivity and shapes, which significantly improves the diodicity of fluidic passive valves.
Claims20
A fluid flow device comprising:
- an inlet;
- an outlet;
- a network of fluid channels disposed between the inlet and the outlet such that the network of fluid channels has a predetermined fluid connectivity and predetermined shapes to provide a predetermined diodicity for the fluid flow device, and such that the inlet and outlet are in fluid communication, and fluid flow is unidirectional.
A method of manufacturing a fluid flow device comprising:
- positioning a fluid inflow and a fluid outflow aligned in a same plane;
- configuring a network of fluid flow channels such that the inlet and outlet are in fluid communication;
- positioning the network of fluid flow channels between the inlet and the outlet such that the network of fluid channels, such that the network of fluid flow channels has a predetermined fluid connectivity and predetermined shapes to provide a predetermined diodicity for the fluid flow device;
- configuring the device to provide unidirectional fluid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.