US 5,265,636 A · Fluidic rectifier

Abstract

A single-stage and multiple-stage fluidic rectifier wherein each stage has a trunk channel and a reversing channel that joins the trunk channel at a downstream position of the trunk channel, downstream with respect to fluid flowing in a reverse direction through the fluidic rectifier. A first vena contracta is formed upon entry of the fluid into the body, when the fluid is flowing in the reverse direction. Further vena contractas are formed within the trunk channel of each corresponding stage, preferably by flow through the reversing channel being discharged and impinged upon flow through the trunk channel. Such discharged flow from the reversing channel contracts the flow through the trunk channel at a particular area. When fluid flows through the fluidic rectifier in a forward direction, each vena contracta is disabled. Thus in the forward direction, the overall head loss of the fluidic rectifier is less than the overall head loss of the fluidic rectifier when the fluid is flowing in the reverse direction.

Claims34

Dependent claims

In a method wherein a fluid entering an inlet of a fluidic rectifier in a reverse direction is divided into trunk flow through a trunk channel and reversing flow through a reversing channel which communicates with said trunk channel at a downstream position of said trunk channel, when said fluid is flowing in said reverse direction said downstream position being downstream with respect to an area where said reversing channel divides from said trunk channel, the improvement comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a first vena contracta upon entry of said fluid within a body defining said trunk channel;
(b) directing said trunk flow through said trunk channel at a first angle (.alpha.) of approximately 22.5.degree. measured clockwise from a 0.degree. rectilinear axis of rectilinear flow entering said inlet;
(c) directing said reversing flow through a converging cross-sectional area straight section of said reversing channel;
(d) further directing said reversing flow through a curved section of said reversing channel such that said reversing flow impinges said trunk flow at a second angle (.beta.) of approximately 157.5.degree. measured clockwise from said 0.degree. rectilinear axis;
and
(e) forming a second vena contracta in a contracta area of said trunk channel where said reversing flow impinges said trunk flow.

3 more elements

In a fluidic rectifier having a body with a trunk channel and a reversing channel that joins said trunk channel at a downstream position of said trunk channel, when fluid is flowing in a reverse direction through said fluidic rectifier said downstream position being downstream with respect to a division of said reversing channel from said trunk channel, the improvement comprising:

first means for forming a first vena contracta upon entry of said fluid into said body, when said fluid is flowing in said reverse direction;
second means for forming a second vena contracta within said trunk channel whereby reversing flow of said fluid discharged from said reversing channel impinges upon and contracts trunk flow of said fluid through said trunk channel;
and
disablement means for disabling said first vena contracta and said second vena contracta when said fluid flows in a forward direction through said fluidic rectifier.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluidic rectifier

Life of this patent

Fluidic rectifier

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34