Flow balancer

Abstract

A flow balancer to reduce turbulence and achieve a laminar water flow system for fish while being pumped. The flow balancer having a tubular guide for the fish made from spaced apart blades having a width greater than a thickness of the spaced blades forming the tubular guide. The tubular guide is constructed and arranged to prevent turbulent and non-parallel water flow and allow fish to pass in a laminar water flow.

Claims

1. A flow balancer comprising: a tubular shaped housing having an outer tube defining an interior chamber, said outer tube having a first conical shaped endwall coupled to an inlet and a second conical shaped endwall coupled to an outlet; a plurality of spaced apart blades extending between said inlet and said outlet, each said blade defined by an inner edge to form an inner tubular guide and an outer edge of each said blade extending a predetermined distance into said interior chamber; wherein said tubular guide is constructed and arranged to prevent turbulent and non-parallel water flow and allow fish to pass through said tubular guide in a laminar water flow.

2. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein said outer tube diameter is large enough to allow water flow around an interior space formed between said outer edges of said blades and an inner surface of said outer tube.

3. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein each said blade has a width defined as the distance between said inner edge and said outer edge, and a blade thickness smaller than said blade width.

4. The flow balancer according to claim 3 wherein said width of each blade is at least twice said blade thickness.

5. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein said outlet has a diameter greater than said inlet.

6. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein said outlet has a diameter greater than the inner tubular guide diameter.

7. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein said outer edge of each said blade is spaced apart from an inner surface of said outer tube forming a chamber therebetween.

8. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein said outer tube includes a first conical shaped endwall coupled to said inlet and a second conical shaped endwall coupled to said outlet.

9. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein each said blade is about 0.375 thickness and 2 width spaced 0.375 for reduced velocity differentials from 2.3 meters per second to 1 meter per second.

10. The flow balancer according to claim 1 wherein each said blade is about 0.25 thickness and 2 width spaced 0.44 for a dropped velocity variation of about 0.2 meters per second with symmetrical flow.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of a flow balancer;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional cut away view of the flow balancer; and

[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a flow balancer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] While the present invention can be constructed of various forms, shown in the drawings and hereinafter described is a preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

[0020] Earlier inventions by the Applicant include U.S. Pat. No. 7,462,016 which discloses a fish friendly pump with flutes or orifice shape serrations that improve performance of larger Coandas effect pumps. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 10,051,843 discloses an entrance cone that allows fish to swim into a pump facing forward which is less stress on the fish and has been found to improve sea lice removal. Applicant's U.S. patent Ser. No. 15/934,252 discloses a device that configures two Coandas effect pumps in series to provide directional positioning of fish. Using such devices improved sea lice removal from earlier techniques from 40-70 percent, and in some instances over 90 percent. Remaining opportunities include further sea lice removal efficiency and a reduction in fish damage.

[0021] Applicant's instant invention sets forth a flow balancer device that is also capable of improving sea lice removal while minimizing fish damage. Recognizing that fish damage is commonly caused by fish contacting the internal tubes, pipes and pump surfaces and excessive turbulence, the instant invention addresses each of these issues.

[0022] It is understood that water in tubular pipes tends to spin or rotate. Tubular pipes are commonly used to transfer fish from cages to boats, or cages to barges for delousing. The transfer of fish through pipes is caused by a fish pump capable of lifting the fish from one area to another. The differential inner and outer radius within pipes causes velocity gradients within the pipe leading to a disruption of water and fish flow. A problem, to which this invention addresses, is that fish not centered in a pipe prior to entering a fish pump will likely result in some injury during passage through the fish pump. Further, a high water flow rate can result in turbulence which can further harm the fish.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow balancer is formed from a tubular shaped housing 10 having an outer tube 12 defining an interior chamber 14 of a first diameter d.sub.1. In one embodiment the outer tube 12 is further defined by an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18 with a first conical shaped endwall 20 coupled to an inlet 22 and a second conical shaped endwall 24 coupled to an outlet 26.

[0024] A plurality of spaced apart blades 30 extend between the inlet 22 and the outlet 26. Each blade 30 having an inner edge 32 disposed in a circular pattern forming an inner tubular guide 34, an outer edge 36 of each blade 30 extending a distance into the interior chamber 14. The interior chamber forming the space between the outer edge 26 and the inner surface 16 of the outer tube 12. The blades 30 that form the tubular guide 34 are constructed and arranged to prevent turbulent and non-parallel water flow and creates a laminar water flow for ease of fish passage.

[0025] The energy loss from turbulence is directly related to the square of the velocity. Water speeds in a delousing system range from 3 to 12 meters per second. The energy disruption of non-laminar flow to a turbulent flow can result in the removal of fish scales, can cause gill bleeding and other damage to the fish. The speed differential and turbulence can be seen with FEA analysis using very fine elements. Efficient damage free delousing requires laminar and symmetrical flow with the fish centered in the pipe prior to entering a pump that has the ability to delouse a fish. The turbulent energy must be dissipated, and viscous drag can be used to slow the water flow and dissipate undesirable energy and turbulence created in the pipes or tubes. The flow balancer of the instant invention uses viscous drag to capture higher pressure and turbulence by positioning the blades 30 positioned parallel to the water flow forming an inner tubular guide 34 to center the fish. The high energy swirl and velocity imbalance are captured by the blades 30 and allowed to dissipate and balance in the interior chamber 14 formed between an outer blade edge 36 and the inner surface 16 of the outer tube 12. The interior chamber 14 has a diameter d.sub.2 measured between the inner edge 32 of diametrically opposing blades 30. The spacing between the blades having a diameter d.sub.3 along the inner edge 32 and a diameter d.sub.4 along the outer edge 36. The thickness t.sub.1of the blade 30 is between 0.25 and 0.375.

[0026] The instant device allows water pressure and water flow balance by passing partial flow through the blades 30 before the water flow exits the assembly. The water flow exiting from the interior chamber 14 joins an interior flow of water passing the inlet 22 and outlet 26 through the interior chamber 14 of the housing 10 and centers the fish in the laminar flow. The housing 10 is placed before fish pump. FEA models in a suction system traveling approximately 3.25 meters per second in a 10 tube. Guide blades of 0.250 thick and 2 wide spaced 0.25 apart showed very little improvement in FEA models. In the preferred embodiment, each blade 30 is about 0.375 thickness and 2 width spaced 0.375 apart for reduced velocity differentials from 2.3 meters per second to 1 meter per second. Alternatively, each blade 30 can be about 0.25 thick and 2 width spaced apart about 0.44 for a dropped velocity variation of about 0.2 meters per second with symmetrical flow. The blade 30 can be formed to a smaller diameter at the outlet 26 allowing fish fins that may enter between the blades 30 to pass without damage. The outer tube 12 diameter is large enough to allow water flow around an interior chamber 14 formed between the outer edges 36 of the blades 30 and the inner surface 16 of the outer tube 12. Each blade has a width defined as the distance between the inner edge 32 and the outer edge 36, in the preferred embodiment the blade thickness T is smaller than the blade width. The width of each blade 30 is at least twice the blade thickness T. In one embodiment the outlet 26 has a diameter greater than the inlet 22. Further the outlet has a diameter greater than the inner tubular guide diameter. The outer edge 36 of each blade 30 is spaced apart from an inner surface 16 of the outer tube 12 forming diameter d4 of a predetermined size that fits within the chamber 14 having diameter d.sub.1.

[0027] The present invention is also useful for dewatering. Suction water is usually in the range of 3-5 meters per second entering the pump and current flow balance device. The pump discharge water with fish can be from 9-12 meters per second. Water flow will be approximately 3000 gallons per minute suction and 6000+gallons output. The water must be separated from the fish to filter out the sea lice and eggs. Dewatering fish with lower parallel spaced bars at high speed causes tumbling and fish damage. With use of the present invention including a set of blades or bars to form a fish guiding tube with a water outlet 42 above or around the formed tube of blades 34 allows water to escape evenly around the central area without fish damage, and slows the fish sufficiently for conventional lower parallel bar dewatering without damage. The height of the discharge tube can be adjusted up or down to control the total vertical head for the pump to maximize the system efficiency.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3 illustrated is a flow balancer designed to reduce turbulence and achieve a laminar water flow system fish to prevent damage to fish while being pumped. The outer tube 52 is large enough to allow water flow around an interior chamber between an inner surface of the outer tube and an outer edge of the blades 54. The blades 54 forming an inner tubular guide 56, the blades each having a width that is more than twice the thickness T. The blades 54 form a smaller final opening 58 than the entrance 22. The outer diameter of the water outlet 62 larger than the formed tubular guide 56 of the spaced apart blades 54.

[0029] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

[0030] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

[0031] The term coupled is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term about means, in general, the stated value plus or minus 5%. The terms comprise (and any form of comprise, such as comprises and comprising), have (and any form of have, such as has and having), include (and any form of include, such as includes and including) and contain (and any form of contain, such as contains and containing) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an element of a device that comprises, has, includes or contains one or more features, possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features.