CN113795716B

CN113795716B - Fluid discharge conduit assembly

Info

Publication number: CN113795716B
Application number: CN202080026988.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 纪郑怀; 祖基米斌卡里尔; 刘忆欣
Original assignee: Daikin Research and Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Daikin Research and Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2019-04-02
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2023-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-30
Also published as: CN113795716A; WO2020204694A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) of a device comprising: at least one conduit (110), the conduit (110) having a shape that mitigates significant or abrupt expansion of fluid flow to a degree such that internal fluid turbulence and turbulence-induced noise is mitigated before fluid flow is expelled from the conduit (110), wherein the shape causes a coanda effect in fluid flowing through the conduit (110) before being expelled from the conduit (110). The invention also provides an air conditioning unit (200) comprising such a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100).

Description

Fluid discharge conduit assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of fluid flow, and in particular to a fluid discharge conduit assembly. The fluid discharge conduit assembly of the present invention is suitable for use in an air conditioning system for reducing internal fluid turbulence and/or turbulence-induced noise generated by the significant and/or abrupt expansion of fluid flow prior to discharge of the fluid from the air conditioning system.

Background

There are various air conditioners on the market to meet the needs of different users. Generally, air conditioners are divided into several groups, including wall-mounted and floor-mounted. Wall-mounted air conditioners are commonly used to evenly distribute cool or hot air throughout buildings, particularly those that impede airflow (air flow). In the case where the wall-mounted air conditioner cannot be installed, a floor-type air conditioner may be used. Floor type air conditioners are known for their versatility and convenience of use.

Wall-mounted air conditioners and floor-mounted air conditioners can generate considerable noise when fluid flow in a fluid conduit, particularly at the fluid discharge outlet of the air conditioner, suddenly expands. When the fluid undergoes a sudden flow area expansion with sharp edges, immediately downstream of the sudden expansion, low pressure regions are formed, in particular at the sharp edges, where the fluid is sucked back from the main flow into these regions and a circulating vortex or turbulence is created. Turbulence in the fluid conduit causes large fluctuations in fluid pressure and conduit vibration and thus noise.

In the event of sudden expansion of the fluid area, a decrease in fluid flow is also common. The fluid pressure causes fluid to pass through the fluid conduit until it is expelled from the air conditioner. Turbulent flow is created in the fluid conduit due to the abrupt expansion of the fluid flow, resulting in fluid pressure loss. As the fluid pressure decreases, the fluid flow rate slows. As a result, the efficiency of the air conditioner is impaired.

Patent document US4326452 discloses a fluid diversion assembly, particularly suitable for use as a component of a fluid outlet structure of an air conditioner having a passage through which a fluid medium flows. The channel comprises: a nozzle for emitting a liquid flow when a fluid medium passes therethrough; a pair of spaced apart opposing guide walls (guide walls) having a shape that turns toward each other in a downstream direction with respect to a flow direction of the liquid flow and opens outward in a direction away from the nozzle; and a deflector vane supported in the passageway between the upstream and downstream ends of the nozzle. The fluid diversion assembly is capable of diverting the flow of a fluid stream at a relatively wide deflection angle without affecting the fluid flow rate. However, it fails to provide a solution to mitigate fluid turbulence and turbulence-induced noise caused by sudden expansion of the fluid flow immediately prior to its removal from the air conditioner.

There is a need for a fluid discharge conduit or assembly thereof for an air conditioning unit that is capable of mitigating internal fluid turbulence, turbulence-induced noise, and/or reduced fluid flow due to sudden expansion of the fluid flow.

Disclosure of Invention

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a fluid discharge conduit assembly for a device that includes at least one conduit shaped to reduce to some extent the significant or abrupt expansion of the fluid flow prior to discharge from the conduit such that the internal fluid is turbulent and noise caused by the turbulent flow is reduced. In particular, the device is an air conditioning unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fluid discharge conduit assembly for a device, particularly an air conditioning unit, comprising at least one conduit having a shape by which a coanda effect (coanda effect) is induced in the fluid flowing through the conduit before the fluid is discharged from the conduit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fluid discharge conduit assembly for an apparatus, particularly an air conditioning unit, including at least one conduit having outwardly flared sidewalls. More specifically, the side walls flare outwardly along the entire length between the top and bottom of the duct. The side walls have generally or partially flat, curved or sloped inner surfaces. The cross-section of the side walls may be triangular, trapezoidal or both in shape and may be constant or variable throughout the length of the side walls.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fluid discharge conduit assembly for a device, particularly an air conditioning unit, wherein the fluid is subject to expansion of the flow area and change in flow direction. Preferably, the device comprises at least one conduit having outwardly flared side walls with a triangular cross section at one end through which the fluid flows at a relatively high velocity and a trapezoidal cross section at the other end through which the fluid flows at a relatively low velocity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device, preferably a fluid discharge conduit assembly for an air conditioning unit, comprising two or more conduits arranged in a side-by-side manner wherein adjacent outwardly flared side walls of the conduits are joined together to form a single dividing wall between the conduits.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an air conditioning unit including the fluid discharge conduit assembly described above. In particular, the air conditioning unit is a floor-standing air conditioning unit having a suction structure.

At least one of the foregoing objects is met, in whole or in part, by the present invention, wherein an embodiment of the present invention describes a fluid discharge conduit assembly of an apparatus comprising at least one conduit having a shape that reduces to some extent the significant or abrupt expansion of fluid flow prior to exiting the conduit, thereby reducing internal fluid turbulence and turbulence-induced noise, wherein the shape causes a coanda effect in fluid flowing through the conduit prior to the fluid being expelled from the conduit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conduit is substantially straight or shaped in such a way that the fluid flow within the conduit changes direction before being expelled from the conduit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the conduit comprises at least one outwardly flaring side wall.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls flare outwardly along the entire length between the top and bottom of the duct.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall has a substantially or partially flat, curved or inclined inner surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall has a constant cross section over its entire length.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls have a different (varying) cross section over their entire length.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls have a triangular cross section, a trapezoidal cross section or both.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls have a triangular cross section at one end through which the fluid flows at a relatively high velocity and a trapezoidal cross section at the other end through which the fluid flows at a relatively low velocity.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid discharge conduit assembly comprises two or more conduits arranged in a side-by-side fashion such that adjacent outwardly flared side walls of the conduits abut together to form a single dividing wall between the conduits.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is an air conditioning unit.

The invention also describes an air conditioning unit comprising the fluid discharge conduit assembly described above.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning unit is a floor air conditioning unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning unit has a suction structure.

Drawings

In order that the invention may be readily understood, a preferred embodiment thereof, construction and operation, together with numerous advantages thereof, is best understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a fluid discharge conduit assembly having two conduits arranged in a side-by-side fashion.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of (a) a device having internal fluid turbulence due to a significant or abrupt expansion of the fluid flow prior to the fluid exiting the device, and (b) a device having a fluid discharge conduit assembly that mitigates internal fluid turbulence.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the side wall.

FIG. 4 illustrates fluid flow and possible fluid turbulence in a fluid discharge conduit assembly having turns and (a) side walls with triangular and trapezoidal cross sections at different ends; (b) side walls with triangular cross sections at both ends; or (c) side walls with trapezoid cross sections at two ends.

Detailed Description

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The present invention describes a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) of a device that can mitigate the undesirable effects of significant or abrupt expansion of fluid flow, including internal fluid turbulence and noise and fluid flow reduction caused by turbulence. Preferably, the device is an air conditioning unit (200). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) includes at least one conduit (110) having a shape that mitigates significant or abrupt expansion of the fluid flow to some extent prior to discharging the fluid out of the conduit (110) to mitigate internal fluid turbulence and turbulence-induced noise. In particular, the shape of the conduit causes a coanda effect in the fluid flowing through the conduit prior to being discharged from the conduit (110). The conduit (110) may be substantially straight or shaped in a manner such that the fluid flow within the conduit (110) changes direction before being discharged from the conduit (110). A graphical representation of the internal fluid turbulence caused by the significant or abrupt expansion of the fluid flow is provided in fig. 2 (a). It can be seen from fig. 2 (b) that the fluid flow is substantially laminar, substantially in the case of the device comprising the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100).

The fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) is used to mitigate the effects of significant or abrupt expansion of fluid flow as the fluid is transferred from an area having a restricted flow area to an area having a wider flow area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) is included in the device at a location downstream of the blower unit in terms of fluid flow (flow direction). In another preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 2 (b), a conduit assembly (100) is included in the device as the last conduit, through which fluid will immediately drain from the device to the surrounding environment.

An exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in fig. 1 and (b) of fig. 2. Specifically, (b) in fig. 1 and 2 shows a front view and a top view, respectively, of a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) (represented by the dashed box in (b) in fig. 2) having two conduits (110) arranged in a side-by-side manner whereby adjacent side walls (113) of the conduits (110) abut together at an outer surface (113 b) to form a single dividing wall (1133) between the conduits (110). Referring to fig. 1, the conduit (110) of the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) is a hollow tube having a generally square or rectangular cross-section. The tubing of the assembly shown in fig. 1 and 2 (b) is shaped in such a way that the fluid flow within the tubing changes direction, e.g. a 90 ° turn.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the duct (110) is shaped in such a way that at least one side wall (113) thereof flares outwards. More preferably, both side walls (113) of the duct are flared outwardly. In particular, the side walls (113) flare outwardly along the entire length between the top (111) and bottom (112) of the duct. The outwardly flaring sidewalls (113) allow fluid flowing therethrough to experience a gradual increase in flow area. As a result, the fluid flow within the conduit (110) is substantially laminar, thereby mitigating internal fluid turbulence. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 2 (b) and (a) - (c) in fig. 4, the side wall (113) of conduit (110) is immediately adjacent to and flares outwardly from the opening (211) of the upstream fluid passageway (210) if not in contact therewith. This configuration further reduces internal fluid turbulence near the intersection of the upstream fluid channel opening (211) and the conduit (110). In another preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two ducts (110) in the duct assembly (100), particularly in a side-by-side manner, with adjacent side walls (113) of each duct (110) flaring outwardly until abutting the outer surface (113 b) of the adjacent side wall (113) and forming a single dividing wall (1133) between the ducts (110). Thus, no internal fluid turbulence will be formed at the gaps between adjacent pipes (110).

The outwardly flaring side wall (113) of the conduit (110) can have a generally or partially flat, curved or sloped inner surface (113 a). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall (113) has a constant cross section over its entire length. As used herein, "cross section" refers to the transverse cutting of the sidewall. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall (113) has a varying cross section over its entire length. The inner surface (113 a) of the sidewall (113) may appear to be curved or inclined about the longitudinal axis (x). The side wall (113) of the conduit may be of any profile as long as it flares outwardly and its inner surface (113 a) is shaped in a manner that always allows laminar fluid flow through the conduit (110).

Referring to (b) of fig. 2, the outer surface (113 b) of the tube is substantially flat, while the inner surface (113 a) of the tube flares substantially outwardly. The cross-sectional shape of the conduit sidewall (113) may be triangular or trapezoidal. The cross-section may have similar or different shapes at both ends. Fig. 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the side wall (113) depicted in fig. 1 and 2 (b). It can be seen that the side walls (1131, 1132) on opposite sides of the duct have a triangular cross section at the upper end, while a single dividing wall (1133) between two adjacent ducts (110) has a cross section at the upper end formed by two adjacent triangular cross sections. The lower ends of the side walls (1131, 1132) at opposite sides of the duct are trapezoidal in cross section (not shown in fig. 3), while the lower end of the single partition wall (1133) is in the shape of two trapezoids combined together.

As previously described, the conduit (110) in the assembly (100) shown in fig. 1 and 2 (b) is shaped in such a way that the direction of fluid flow within the conduit (110) is changed. In particular, the fluid flow within the conduit (110) is made to make a 90 ° turn prior to being expelled from the device. This configuration of the conduit creates a fluid flow region having a relatively high velocity and a fluid flow region having a relatively low velocity. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in case of a change of flow direction of the fluid flow in the pipe, the side wall (113) of the pipe (110) has a triangular cross section at one end and a trapezoid cross section which slowly transitions to the other end, such that the inner surface (113 a) of the side wall (113) appears to be curved around its longitudinal axis (x). An illustration thereof is given in fig. 4 (a). Preferably, the side wall (113) has a triangular cross section at one end through which the fluid flows at a relatively high velocity and a trapezoidal cross section at the other end through which the fluid flows at a relatively low velocity. The inclusion of side walls (113) having triangular cross sections in the high fluid velocity region provides a gradual change in static pressure without any unnecessary pressure loss to the fluid flow. Thus, the fluid flow rate is maintained at a desired level. Side walls (113) having a trapezoidal cross section are disposed in the low fluid velocity region to induce a coanda effect in the fluid flowing therethrough to promote laminar fluid flow within the conduit (110). Preferably, the side wall (113) extends forward and flares outwardly along an opening (211) of the upstream fluid passageway (210). More preferably, a minimal or no gap is left between the side wall (113) and the opening (211) to prevent fluid turbulence from forming at the gap that can counteract the coanda effect.

When the duct (110) is provided with a 90 ° turn, it is less preferred that the side walls (113) of the duct (110) have only a triangular or trapezoidal cross section at both ends. Fig. 4 (b) and (c) illustrate the possibility of forming fluid turbulence in the vicinity of the side wall (113) when the side wall (113) has a triangular cross section in the low flow rate region and a trapezoidal cross section in the high flow rate region, respectively. In fig. 4 (b), the side wall has a constant triangular cross section along its entire length, forming a gap between the side wall (113) and the opening (211), resulting in the formation of fluid turbulence in the low fluid velocity region. Fluid turbulence formed near the side wall (113) may result in loss of fluid pressure.

In addition, the invention also provides an air conditioning unit (200) comprising the fluid discharge pipeline assembly (100). The air conditioning unit (200) may be of any type wherein internal fluid turbulence, turbulence-induced noise, and turbulence-induced reduced fluid flow are observed prior to discharging the fluid out of the duct without the fluid discharge duct assembly described above. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning unit (200) is a floor air conditioning unit. In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the air conditioning unit (200) has a suction structure.

Fig. 1 and 2 (b) show an air conditioning unit (200) including the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) described in the foregoing description. In particular, the air conditioning unit (200) comprises two fluid channels (210) through which fluid flows and is eventually discharged from the air conditioning unit (200). The fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) of the present invention is installed immediately downstream of the fluid passage (210) in terms of fluid flow and immediately prior to fluid discharge from the air conditioning unit (200) to the surrounding environment. In particular, the fluid passage (210) is located downstream of a blower unit (not shown in fig. 3). Referring to fig. 1 and 2 (b), the fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) includes two conduits (110), each for connection to an upstream fluid channel (210). Since the gaps between adjacent tubes (110) will create space for fluid turbulence, the adjacent sidewalls (113) of each tube (110) flare outwardly until abutting the outer surfaces (113 b) of the adjacent sidewalls (113) and forming a single dividing wall (1133) between the tubes (110).

Claims

1. A fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) for an air conditioning unit, wherein in the unit the assembly (100) is configured to be connected to an opening of an upstream fluid passage, the assembly comprising:

at least one duct (110), the duct (110) having a top plate (111), a bottom (112) and at least one outwardly flaring side wall (113), wherein the side wall (113) flares outwardly along the entire length between the top plate (111) and the bottom (112); the conduit is shaped such that fluid flow within the conduit (110) changes direction from an upstream fluid passage immediately after entering the conduit (110);

wherein the side wall (113) and the opening (211) have minimal or no gap therebetween, an

The side walls (113) have differently shaped cross sections throughout their length, wherein the cross sections are triangular at one end through which the fluid flows at a relatively high velocity and transition to trapezoidal at the other end through which the fluid flows at a relatively low velocity for inducing a coanda effect in the fluid flowing through the conduit and reducing to some extent the significant or abrupt expansion of the fluid flow transmitted from the relatively limited flow area region to the wider flow area region before the fluid is expelled from the conduit (110) into the surrounding environment such that internal fluid turbulence and turbulence-induced noise is reduced.

2. The conduit assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein,

the assembly (100) includes two or more conduits (110), the conduits (110) being arranged in a side-by-side manner such that side walls (113) of adjacent outwardly flared conduits (110) abut together to form a single partition wall (1133) between the conduits (110).

3. An air conditioning unit (200), characterized in that,

a fluid discharge conduit assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An air conditioning unit (200) according to claim 3, characterized in that,

the air conditioning unit (200) is a floor type air conditioning unit.

5. The air conditioning unit (200) of claim 4, wherein,

the air conditioning unit (200) has a suction structure.