Patent Application
20140338768
The present invention relates generally to the flow of fluid in a conduit, and more particularly, relating to a device for inducing a vortical fluid flow in a conduit.
It is known that a spinning flow of combustion exhaust gas through a flue pipe is more efficient than a non-spinning flow of combustion exhaust gas through the same flue pipe. A spinning flow of combustion exhaust gas encourages the combustion gas to exit the flue pipe as opposed to back flowing towards the combustion source. Also a spinning flow of combustion exhaust gas also prevents debris from sticking to the interior of the flue pipe and clogging the flue pipe.
It is also known that a spinning flow of pre-combustion gas into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine increases combustion efficiency and reduces pollution contained within the combustion exhaust gas.
There exist numerous devices of various constructions aimed at the purpose causing combustion exhaust gas to spin as it flows through a flue pipe. There also exist numerous devices of various constructions similarly aimed at the purpose of causing pre-combustion gas in an internal combustion engine to spin as it flows into a combustion chamber. While the devices heretofore fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, a need exists for an improved device, which substantially departs from the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of inducing a vortical fluid flow in a conduit.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fluid flow arrangements now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new a device for inducing a vortical fluid flow wherein the same can be used for increasing the efficiency of a furnace or a combustion engine.
In general, in one aspect, a device for inducing vortical flow in a fluid moving through a conduit is provided. The device includes a central hub and a plurality of vanes that extend radially from the central hub. Each vane has an interior edge that extends substantially along the length of the hub, a top edge that tapers from narrow to wide in the direction from an inlet end towards an outlet end of the device, a vertical outer edge, and an outside corner at the outlet end bent inwardly at a 45-degree angle to the longitudinal axis.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:
With reference to
Device 10 includes a central hub 12 with a longitudinal axis 14 and a plurality of vanes 16 extending radially from the central hub. Each vane 16 has an interior edge 18, a top edge 20, a vertical outer edge 22, and an outside corner 24. The interior edge 18 of each vane 16 extends substantially long the length of said central hub 12 between an inlet end 26 and an outlet end 28 of device 10. The top edge 20 of each vane 16 tapers from narrow to wide in a direction from the inlet end 26 towards the outlet end 28. Collectively, top edges 20 define the inlet end 26 of device 10 as a cone. The outside corner 24 is inwardly bent toward the central hub 12 at a 45-degree angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 14.
With reference to
As best illustrated in
Although device 10 has been described in connection with a flue pipe of a furnace, it is not limited in application. Device 10 may be employed in a number of applications where inducing a vortical flow in a fluid moving through an enclosed conduit is desirable. As one example, device 10 may readily be used in connection with a combustion engine wherein the device 10 may be positioned within the intake of the combustion engine to increase fuel economy.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
