CN107206868B

CN107206868B - Fluid diffusion device with divergent main part and component acting on fluid

Info

Publication number: CN107206868B
Application number: CN201580073166.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: H·拉热尔; E·科兰; J·德尔维尔; C·富尔芒
Original assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS; Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
Current assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique CNRS; PSA Automobiles SA
Priority date: 2015-01-12
Filing date: 2015-12-16
Publication date: 2020-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-16
Also published as: FR3031474A1; CN107206868A; FR3031474B1; EP3247579A1; WO2016113480A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid Diffusion Device (DD) which is coupled to an End (EC) of a Conduit (CD) in which a fluid flows. The device (DD) comprises: a main portion (PP) defining a tube having a tapered inner surface (FI), said tube comprising an upstream end portion (EA1) associable with said end portion (EC) of said duct (CD) and a downstream end portion (EV1) having an inner cross-sectional area greater than that of said upstream end portion (EA 1); and an active component (MA) mounted substantially on the interface between said End (EC) and the upstream end (EA1) and configured to act on said fluid in such a way as to locally reduce the cross-sectional area thereof by separating at least one selected portion of said internal surface (FI) so as to orient said fluid along a selected main direction and with a selected expansion ratio.

Description

Fluid diffusion device with divergent main part and component acting on fluid

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a fluid diffusion device for coupling with a pipe (or duct) in which a fluid (gaseous, liquid, or multiphase) flows.

Background

In some fields (for example the field of transport, optionally of motor-driven type), fluid diffusion devices (or ventilators, or diffusers) are used to diffuse a fluid coming from a duct in at least one of the parts of a certain area and/or along a chosen main direction.

In order to enable the user to select the portion of the area in which the diffusion of the fluid is desired and/or the main direction of diffusion of this fluid, the fluid diffusion device is generally arranged with at least one set of blades, optionally fitted on a movable part (for example an open hemisphere).

These blades are movable parts (optionally movable with respect to each other), often having complex shapes and therefore difficult to produce, the movement of which often requires a coupling with other driving parts (also often having complex shapes and therefore difficult to produce), which usually requires a plurality of assembly operations. The bonds result in relatively high cost, difficult to change patterns, large load losses, difficulty in maintaining flow for large deflection angles, and small fluid spreads that make thermal optimization of the mixing in which the bonds participate difficult.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an alternative solution which does not comprise blades and does not have all or part of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention provides a fluid diffusion device for coupling with an end of a conduit in which a fluid flows, and comprising at least:

-a main portion defining a tube having a tapered inner surface, the tube comprising an upstream end portion couplable with an end portion of the conduit and a downstream end portion having an inner cross-sectional area greater than that of the upstream end portion, and

-an active component mountable substantially at the interface between the end of the pipe and the upstream end of the main portion and configured to act on the fluid in such a way as to locally reduce the internal cross-sectional area of the fluid by separating at least one selected portion of the internal surface, so as to orient the fluid along a selected main direction and with a selected expansion ratio.

A reduction in the number of moving parts and a reduction in the complexity of the shape, a simplification of the assembly, an optimal directionality of the fluid, a more easily controlled fluid expansion rate, and an improvement in the mixing of the fluid in the region of the fluid diffusion are thus obtained, among other things.

The diffusion device according to the invention may comprise other features which may be adopted individually or in combination, in particular:

the inner cross-section of the main portion of the diffuser means may be circular everywhere;

-the taper may have a divergence angle between about 5 ° and about 25 °;

the diffuser means may comprise at least one bell mouth, the at least one bell mouth: on the one hand, having an internal cross-sectional area that increases between an upstream end integral with the downstream end of the main portion and a downstream end, and on the other hand, capable of modifying by the coanda effect the selected main direction and/or the selected expansion rate defined by the active component;

the inner section of the bell mouth can be round everywhere;

in a first embodiment, the active part of the diffusion device may comprise: a plate mounted against the upstream end of the main portion and having an aperture having a shape substantially identical to the shape of the internal section of the upstream end of the main portion, on the one hand, and a control member configured for moving the plate in a plane substantially parallel to the internal section of the upstream end of the main portion, in order to orient the fluid along a selected main direction and with a selected expansion ratio, on the other hand;

the control means may comprise three screws disposed substantially at 120 ° to each other and having ends in contact with the plate;

in a second embodiment, the active part of the diffusion device may comprise: in one aspect, at least one pneumatic circuit supplying pressurized air to nozzles mounted in openings defined at least one selected location of the upstream end of the main portion, and in another aspect, control means configured for selectively operating each pneumatic circuit to cause at least one of the associated nozzles to eject a flow of pressurized air in a plane substantially parallel to an internal cross-section of the upstream end of the main portion so as to orient the fluid along a selected main direction and with a selected expansion rate.

The invention also provides a vehicle, optionally of the mobile type, comprising at least one conduit for fluid flow having an end coupled to at least one fluid diffusion device of the above-mentioned type.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a section of a portion of a duct in a plane XZ, this portion comprising an end portion coupled to an embodiment of a fluid diffusion device according to the invention placed in a first condition,

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross-section of the duct of FIG. 1 in the plane XZ with the fluid diffusion means placed in the second condition,

fig. 3 schematically shows a cross-section of the fluid diffusion device of fig. 1 (at the upstream end position of the main part) in a plane XY, placed in a first state, and

fig. 4 schematically shows a cross-section of the fluid diffusion device of fig. 1 (at the upstream end position of the main part) in plane XY, placed in a second state.

Detailed Description

It is an object of the present invention, inter alia, to provide a fluid diffusion device DD for coupling with an end EC of a conduit CD in which a fluid flows.

In the following, by way of non-limiting example, the duct CD and its fluid diffusion device DD are considered for fitting on a motor vehicle (for example a car). Thus, the fluid is a gas (more precisely air). The invention is not limited to this application. The invention relates to virtually any system, apparatus, device, apparatus, or building that may include at least one conduit capable of flowing a fluid to be diffused in a selected portion of an area and/or along a selected main direction of diffusion. The present invention therefore relates to a means of transport (of whatever type (land, sea (or river), or air), an installation (including an industrial type of installation), a house, or a building, and more generally to any system comprising at least a fluid to be distributed, whether in liquid, gaseous, or multiphase form, in particular a blower, an air curtain, a whirlpool and whirlpool, a marine or aeronautical apparatus propulsion jet.

In addition, in the following, the duct CD and its fluid diffusion device DD are considered, as a non-limiting example, to be part of a heating/air conditioning apparatus of a motor vehicle. But this is not essential. Thus, the conduit and its fluid diffusion means may be part of an air treatment device (such as a nebuliser or spray can) or a ventilation apparatus, which may optionally be portable, for example.

As an example, the (fluid) diffusion device DD according to the invention can be installed in the dashboard, ceiling light, console, seat back or door of a vehicle.

In fig. 1 to 4, a direction X is a longitudinal direction, a direction Y is a lateral direction perpendicular to the direction X, and a direction Z is a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and to the lateral direction Y.

A portion of a duct CD comprising an end EC coupled to an embodiment of a diffusion device DD according to the present invention is schematically shown on figures 1 and 2.

The end EC of the duct CD has, for example, a first inner section s1, which is substantially circular and has a first surface. Note that this end EC may optionally be provided with a fitting or interface part (or adapter).

In the following, the inner cross section is considered in a plane YZ perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. In addition, the main direction of flow of the fluid (here air) in the end EC of the duct CD (as embodied by the arrow F1 in fig. 1 and 2) is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

As shown in non-limiting manner in fig. 1 and 2, the diffusion device DD according to the invention comprises at least a main portion PP and an active component MA, which are coupled to each other.

The (each) main portion PP defines a tube having a tapered (and therefore divergent) inner surface FI, comprising an upstream end portion EA1 and an opposite downstream end portion EV 1. The upstream end portion EA1 can be coupled to the end portion EC of the duct CD and therefore preferably has an internal section having a shape and area substantially identical to the shape and area of the first internal section s 1. The downstream end portion EV1 has a second internal section s2 that is strictly greater (and therefore larger) than the internal section area of the upstream end portion EA 1.

In the following, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are considered with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid (here, the air stream). The air flow thus passes through the upstream portion of the element before passing through the downstream portion of the same element.

It is noted that when end EC is provided with a joint or interface element (or adaptor), upstream end EA1 of main portion PP is coupled with the joint or interface element, which therefore has a first internal section s1 substantially identical to the first internal section of upstream end EA 1.

For example, the inner cross-section of the main part PP is everywhere circular. But this is not essential. In fact, the inner section may have whatever shape or section, in particular rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal. Preferably, the shape of these internal sections is the same as the shape of the first internal section s1 of the end EC of the duct CD.

The angle of divergence of the taper is preferably between about 5 ° and about 25 °. For example, the divergence angle may be chosen to be equal to 13 °.

The active component MA can be mounted substantially at the interface between the end EC of the duct CD and the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP. Said active means are configured for acting on the air flow in such a way as to locally reduce its internal cross-sectional area by separating at least one selected portion of the internal surface FI of the main portion PP, so as to orient it along a selected main direction dp and with a selected expansion ratio (optionally less than 1).

The word "substantially" here means that the active component MA can be mounted precisely at the interface between the end EC of the duct CD and the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP and is therefore interposed between the end EC and the upstream end EA1, or completely at the head of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP.

A non-limiting example of a division of the inner surface FI to direct the air flow along a selected main direction dp and with a selected expansion ratio is shown on fig. 2. The diffusion device DD is here arranged in the second state. As can be observed, the intervention of the active component MA at or in front of the upstream end EA1 results in a recirculation zone ZR of a fraction of the air flow downstream of the intervention position of said active component. The recirculation zone ZR is intended to separate the remaining part of the air flow from the portion of the inner surface FI where said recirculation zone is temporarily created and thus to push it towards the portion opposite to the recirculation zone ZR and "proximate" to the recirculation zone ZR. The interposition of the active element MA more or less in the main portion PP (or in front of said main portion PP) enables control of the deflection angle of the air flow and of the expansion rate of this air flow.

Fig. 1 shows a situation in which the active component MA does not act on the air flow and therefore there is no partition. The diffusion device DD is here arranged in a first state. It is noted that the divergence of the internal section of the main portion PP spontaneously causes a slight expansion of the section of the air flow, contrary to what occurs in a constant internal section portion.

It is noted that, as shown in a non-limiting way in fig. 1 and 2, the diffuser device DD may also advantageously comprise at least one bell mouth PD having an internal section with an area that increases between an upstream end EA2, integral with the downstream end EV1 of the main portion PP, and a downstream end EV 2. The flare PD is configured to modify, by the coanda effect, a selected main direction dp and/or a selected expansion rate defined by the active element MA and observable at the downstream end EV1 of the main portion PP. The main direction, modified and observable at the downstream end EV1 of the main portion PP, is marked with reference dp' on figure 2.

It is understood that the function of this bell mouth PD is to amplify the variation of the orientation of the main direction dp of the air flow caused by the active component MA and/or the expansion rate of the air flow by cooperating with the main portion PP. The use of a bell-mouth PD and the shape and dimensions of this optional bell-mouth PD are therefore selected according to the maximum directional amplitude of the main direction of the air flow and/or the maximum expansion rate amplitude of the air flow desired to be arranged and/or the desired directional power (not necessarily centered on the axis of the device).

For example, the inner cross section of the flare PD is circular everywhere. But this is not essential. In fact, the inner section may have whatever shape or section, in particular rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal. Preferably, these inner sections have the same shape as the inner section shape of the main portion PP.

As described above, the downstream end portion EV2 of the bell mouth PD has a larger cross-sectional area than the upstream end portion EA 2. Note, however, that the magnitude of the radius of curvature of the flare PD is preferably between about two times and about eight times the inner radius of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP.

It is also noted that the main part PP and the flare PD may be two parts integral with each other, or two sub-parts of the same part.

At least two embodiments are conceivable for the active component MA.

A first embodiment is shown on figures 1 to 4. In this first embodiment, the active part MA comprises a board PA and a control part MC, as better shown in fig. 3 and 4.

The plate PA is mounted against the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP (at the interface with the end EC of the duct CD) and is provided with a hole TP having a shape substantially identical to the shape of the internal section of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP. In the example considered here, the shape is substantially circular.

Preferably, as shown, the size of the hole TP is substantially the same as the size of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP, so as not to disturb the air flow (arrow F1) when the main direction of the air flow does not need to be changed.

Note that the plate PA is here substantially circular. But this is not essential. In fact, the plate may have other shapes, in particular square or rectangular.

The control means MC are configured for moving the plate PA in a plane YZ substantially parallel to the inner cross-section of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP, so as to orient the air flow along a selected main direction dp and with a selected expansion ratio. The plate PA thus acts here as an "obstacle" which is more or less placed in the path of the air flow.

The movement of the plate PA can be carried out along a unique direction (for example Z or Y) so as to cause a change of the main direction mainly in a plane (for example XZ or XY), or along at least two different directions (for example Z and Y) so as to cause a change of the main direction in at least one of the directions contained in a half-space located in front of the plate PA.

For example, as shown in non-limiting manner in fig. 3 and 4, the control member MC may comprise three screws arranged substantially at 120 ° to each other and having an end in contact with the plate PA (for example at the peripheral edge of said plate). It is understood that in this example, the three screws cause a movement along three different directions contained in the plane YZ and are therefore able to change the main direction in almost all directions contained in the half of the space located in front of the plate PA.

These screws can for example be fitted on a fixedly mounted wall PS (here in the vehicle) which is integral with the end EC of the duct CD and/or the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP. This wall PS can be, for example, a sub-part of the dashboard of the vehicle, or constitute an enclosure integral with said dashboard. As a variant, said screw may be integral with the end EC of the duct CD or with the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP.

For example, due to the presence of electric motors, the respective operation of which is controlled by at least one actuator controlled by the user, the screws can be driven in rotation either manually by the user or automatically.

Note that other technical means may be considered to move the board PA. Thus, for example, two levers for controlling the vertical or horizontal orientation of the plate PA, or buttons associated by friction with the catch members of the movable part, can be used.

It is also noted that, as shown in non-limiting manner in fig. 1 and 2, it is preferable to provide sealing means on both sides of the area in which the plate PA moves, so as to avoid the air from exiting outwards through the holes TP when a portion of the holes TP is outside the outer surface of the end portion EA1 disposed at the front end portion PP of the main portion PP and/or of the end portion EC of the duct CD. These sealing means may for example have the form of two rings made of (optionally synthetic) rubber, silicone or fine felt, respectively placed on the front end EA1 of the main portion PP and on the end EC of the duct CD.

In a second embodiment (not shown), the action means MA comprise at least one pneumatic circuit and control means (or actuator).

Each pneumatic circuit is configured for supplying pressurized air to a nozzle mounted in an opening defined at least one selected position of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP, preferably in a plane YZ.

In this case, the control means are configured for selectively operating each pneumatic circuit so as to cause at least one of the associated nozzles to inject a flow of pressurized air in a plane YZ substantially parallel to the internal section of the upstream end EA1 of the main portion PP, so as to orient said flow along a selected main direction dp and with a selected expansion ratio. This type of control is described in particular in patent document US 2004216446.

As in the first embodiment, the air flow can act along a single direction (for example Z or Y) so as to cause a change of the main direction mainly in the plane (for example XZ or XY), or along at least two different directions (for example Z and Y) so as to cause a change of the main direction in at least one of the portions contained in the half-space in front of the nozzle.

For example, three pneumatic circuits may be used, respectively associated with three nozzles disposed substantially at 120 ° to each other. It is understood that in this example the three nozzles cause movements along three different directions contained in the plane YZ and are therefore able to change the main direction in almost all directions contained in the half of the space located in front of the nozzles.

The respective operation of the pneumatic circuits may be controlled by at least one actuator which is itself controlled by the user. Note that the pneumatic circuit may optionally be configured to vary the flow rate of the air stream and not to operate in only a binary mode (on-off). The flow variation can in fact facilitate control of the amplitude of deflection of the air flow.

The use of multiple air streams also enables control of the mixing of the air streams (here in the cabin portion). To this end, the pneumatic circuits may be actuated independently so as to simultaneously change the directionality and the diffusion of the air flow. The pneumatic actuators may thus be activated simultaneously or individually or according to a more complex azimuthal and temporal sequence.

It is further noted that the diffusion device DD may optionally comprise a plurality of (at least two) main portions PP arranged in sequence, each of which is associated with an intrinsic reaction element MA. In this case, the operation of the different active components MA is preferably coupled. This selection serves to increase the maximum directional amplitude of the main direction of the air flow and/or the maximum expansion rate amplitude of the air flow.

The present invention provides a number of advantages, among others:

reduced number of moving parts and reduced complexity of shape, and therefore reduced cost,

the assembly is simplified and the assembly is simplified,

providing an optimal directionality of the fluid flow over a large range,

the expansion rate of the fluid flow is easier to control,

improved mixing of the fluid in the area of its diffusion,

providing optional automatic manipulation, in particular for improving the mixing of the fluids even more and/or implementing new management strategies for the thermal management of the air in the housing,

a significant reduction in the load losses is achieved,

the possibility of forming pattern effects is provided.

Claims

1. A fluid Diffusion Device (DD) associable with an end portion (EC) of a duct (CD) in which a fluid flows, characterized in that it comprises at least: i) a main portion (PP) defining a tube having a tapered inner surface (FI), said tube comprising an upstream end portion (EA1) associable with said end portion (EC) of said duct (CD) and a downstream end portion (EV1) having an inner cross-sectional area greater than that of said upstream end portion (EA1), and ii) an active component (MA) mountable substantially at the interface between said end portion (EC) and upstream end portion (EA1) and configured for acting on said fluid in such a way as to locally reduce the cross-sectional area thereof by separating at least one selected portion of said inner surface (FI) so as to orient said fluid along a selected main direction and have a selected expansion ratio.

2. Fluid diffusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner cross-section of the main portion (PP) is everywhere circular.

3. The fluid diffusion device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the taper has a divergence angle between 5 ° and 25 °.

4. The fluid diffusion device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one bell mouth (PD) that: i) has an internal cross-sectional area that increases between an upstream end (EA2) integral with the downstream end (EV1) of the main portion (PP) and a downstream end (EV2), and ii) is capable of modifying, by a coanda effect, the selected main direction and/or the selected expansion rate defined by the active component (MA).

5. The fluid diffusion device according to claim 4, characterized in that the internal cross section of the flare (PD) is everywhere circular.

6. The fluid diffusion device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein the active component (MA) comprises: i) a Plate (PA) mounted against said upstream end (EA1) of said main portion (PP) and provided with a hole (TP) having a shape substantially identical to the shape of an internal section of said upstream end (EA1) of said main portion (PP), and ii) a control Member (MC) configured for moving said Plate (PA) in a plane substantially parallel to said internal section of an upstream end (EA1) of said main portion (PP) so as to orient said fluid along a selected main direction and with a selected expansion ratio.

7. Fluid diffusion device according to claim 6, characterised in that said control Means (MC) comprise three screws arranged substantially at 120 ° to each other and having ends in contact with said Plate (PA).

8. The fluid diffusion device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein the active component (MA) comprises: i) at least one pneumatic circuit supplying nozzles mounted in openings defined at least one selected position of the upstream end (EA1) of the main portion (PP) with pressurized air, and ii) control means configured for causing each pneumatic circuit to be selectively operated so as to cause at least one of the associated nozzles to inject a flow of pressurized air in a plane substantially parallel to the internal section of the upstream end (EA1) of the main portion (PP) so as to orient the fluid along a selected main direction and with a selected expansion ratio.

9. A vehicle comprising at least one duct (CD) for the flow of a fluid, characterized in that it further comprises at least one fluid Diffusion Device (DD) according to any one of the preceding claims, associated with an end portion (EC) of said duct (CD).

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the motorized type.