Abstract
A fluidic component having a flow chamber allowing a fluid flow to flow through, said fluid flow entering the flow chamber through an inlet opening of the flow chamber and emerging from the flow chamber through an outlet opening of the flow chamber, and which flow chamber has at least one means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner. The flow chamber has a main flow channel, which interconnects the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and at least one auxiliary flow channel as a means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner. The inlet opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening or the inlet opening and the outlet opening have cross-sectional areas that are equal in size.
Claims
1. A mixing system for mixing two or more different fluids, the mixing system comprising a fluidic component having a flow chamber allowing a fluid flow to flow through, said fluid flow entering the flow chamber through an inlet opening of the flow chamber and emerging from the flow chamber through an outlet opening of the flow chamber, and which flow chamber has at least one means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner to generate a spatial oscillation of the fluid flow at the outlet opening, wherein the flow chamber has a main flow channel, which interconnects the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and at least one auxiliary flow channel as a means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner, wherein the inlet opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening or the inlet opening and the outlet opening have cross-sectional areas that are equal in size, wherein the cross-sectional areas of the inlet opening and of the outlet opening are the smallest cross-sectional areas of the fluidic component through which the fluid flow passes when it enters the flow chamber and reemerges from the flow chamber, respectively.
2. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening is larger by a factor of up to 2.5 compared to the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
3. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluidic component has a component length, a component width and a component depth, wherein the component length determines the distance between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and the component width and the component depth are each defined perpendicularly to one another and to the component length, wherein the component width is greater than the component depth, and the outlet opening has a width which is ⅓ to 1/50 of the component width, wherein the inlet opening has a width which is ⅓ to 1/20 of the component width.
4. The mixing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the component depth is constant over the entire component length or decreases from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening.
5. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary flow channel has a greater or smaller depth than the main flow channel.
6. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separator is provided at an inlet of the at least one auxiliary flow channel, wherein the separator is designed as an inward protrusion which projects into the flow chamber transversely to the flow direction prevailing in the auxiliary flow channel.
7. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening is rectangular, polygonal or round.
8. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid flow enters the fluidic component via the inlet opening under a pressure and in that the pressure is substantially dissipated at the outlet opening.
9. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluidic component has two or more outlet openings, which are formed by arrangement of a flow divider directly upstream of the outlet openings, wherein the outlet openings each have a smaller cross-sectional area than the inlet opening, or the outlet openings and the inlet opening each have cross-sectional areas that are equal in size.
10. The mixing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a widened outlet portion follows downstream of the outlet opening.
11. The mixing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the widened outlet portion has a width which increases downstream of the outlet opening.
12. The mixing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the widened outlet portion is delimited by a wall which encloses an angle γ in a plane in which the emerging fluid jet oscillates within an oscillation angle α, wherein the angle γ of the widened outlet portion is 0° to 15° larger than the oscillation angle α.
13. The mixing system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cross-sectional area of said widened portion increases downstream from the outlet opening.
14. A process of use of the mixing system as claimed in claim 1 for mixing two or more different fluids, wherein the fluids are provided at the inlet opening of the fluidic component with an inlet pressure between 5 bar and 300 bar.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the drawings.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a fluidic component according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 2 shows a section through the fluidic component from FIG. 1 along the line A′-A″.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows a section through the fluidic component from FIG. 1 along the line B′-B″.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows three snapshots (images a) to c)) of an oscillation cycle of a fluid flow intended to illustrate the flow direction of the fluid flow which flows through a fluidic component according to another embodiment of the invention; a section (image d)) of the fluidic component from images a) to c) intended to illustrate the dimensions of said component.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows a flow simulation for the three snapshots from FIG. 4 intended to illustrate the respective speed distribution of the fluid.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows an illustration of the pressure distribution of the fluid for the snapshot b) from FIG. 5.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows an illustration of the fluid flow emerging from a fluidic component as a function of the pressure of the fluid flow at the inlet of the fluidic component, at a) 0.5 bar, b) 2.5 bar and c) 7 bar; a section (image d)) through the fluidic component from images a) to c) intended to illustrate the dimensions of said component.
[0048] FIG. 8 shows a cross section through a fluidic component according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the view corresponds to that from FIG. 3.
[0049] FIG. 9 shows a cross section through a fluidic component according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the view corresponds to that from FIG. 3.
[0050] FIG. 10 shows a cross section through a fluidic component having two outlet openings.
[0051] FIG. 11 shows a cross section through a fluidic component having two outlet openings according to another embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 12 shows a cross section through a fluidic component having a fluid flow guide.
[0053] FIG. 13 shows the fluidic component from FIG. 12 having a flow guiding body.
[0054] FIG. 14 shows a cross section through a fluidic component according to another embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 15 shows a cross section through a fluidic component having a cavity.
[0056] FIG. 16 shows a cross section through a fluidic component according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0057] FIG. 17 shows a section through the fluidic component from FIG. 16 along the line A′-A″.
[0058] FIG. 18 shows a section through the fluidic component from FIG. 16 along the line B′-B″.
[0059] FIG. 19 shows a cross section through a fluidic component according to another embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0060] A fluidic component 1 according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a section through said fluidic component 1 along the lines A′-A″ and B′-B″ respectively. The fluidic component 1 comprises a flow chamber 10 allowing a fluid flow 2 to flow through (FIG. 4). The flow chamber 10 is also referred to as an interaction chamber.
[0061] The flow chamber 10 comprises an inlet opening 101, via which the fluid flow 2 enters the flow chamber 10, and an outlet opening 102, via which the fluid flow 2 leaves the flow chamber 10. The inlet opening 101 and the outlet opening 102 are arranged on two opposite sides of the fluidic component 1. The fluid flow 2 moves substantially along a longitudinal axis A of the fluidic component 1 in the flow chamber 10 (said longitudinal axis connecting the inlet opening 101 and the outlet opening 102 to one another) from the inlet opening 101 to the outlet opening 102.
[0062] The longitudinal axis A forms an axis of symmetry of the fluidic component 1. The longitudinal axis A lies in two planes of symmetry S1 and S2 which are perpendicular to one another, relative to which the fluidic component 1 is mirror-symmetrical. As an alternative, the fluidic component 1 can be of non-(mirror-)symmetrical construction.
[0063] To change the direction of the fluid flow in a controlled manner, the flow chamber 10 has not only a main flow channel 103 but also two auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b, wherein the main flow channel 103 is arranged between the two auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b (when viewed transversely to the longitudinal axis A). Immediately behind the inlet opening 101, the flow chamber 10 divides into the main flow channel 103 and the two auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b, which are then combined again immediately ahead of the outlet opening 102. The two auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b are arranged symmetrically with respect to axis of symmetry S2 (FIG. 3). According to an alternative (not shown), the auxiliary flow channels are arranged non-symmetrically.
[0064] The main flow channel 103 connects the inlet opening 101 and the outlet opening 102 to one another substantially in a straight line, with the result that the fluid flow 2 flows substantially along the longitudinal axis A of the fluidic component 1. Starting from the inlet opening 101, the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b each extend initially at an angle of substantially 90° to the longitudinal axis A in opposite directions in a first section. The auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b then bend, with the result that they each extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A (in the direction of the outlet opening 102) (second section). In order to recombine the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b and the main flow channel 103, the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b change direction once again at the end of the second section, with the result that they are each oriented substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis A (third section). In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the direction of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b changes at the transition from the second to the third section by an angle of about 120°. However, it is also possible for angles other than that mentioned here to be chosen for the change in direction between these two sections of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b.
[0065] The auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b are a means for influencing the direction of the fluid flow 2 which flows through the flow chamber 10. For this purpose, the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b each have an inlet 104a1, 104b1, which is formed substantially by that end of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b which faces the outlet opening 102, and each have an outlet 104a2, 104b2, which is formed substantially by that end of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b which faces the inlet opening 101. Through the inlets 104a1, 104b1, a small part of the fluid flow 2, the auxiliary flows 23a, 23b (FIG. 4), flows into the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b. The remaining part of the fluid flow 2 (essentially the “main flow” 24) emerges from the fluidic component 1 via the outlet opening 102 (FIG. 4). The auxiliary flows 23a, 23b emerge from the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b at the outlets 104a2, 104b2, where they can exert a lateral impulse (transverse to the longitudinal axis A) on the fluid flow 2 entering through the inlet opening 101. In this case, the direction of the fluid flow 2 is influenced in such a way that the main flow 24 emerging at the outlet opening 102 oscillates spatially, more specifically in a plane in which the main flow channel 103 and the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b are arranged. The plane in which the main flow 24 oscillates corresponds to plane of symmetry S1 or is parallel to plane of symmetry S1. FIG. 4, which shows the oscillating fluid flow 2, will be explained in greater detail below.
[0066] The auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b each have a cross-sectional area which is virtually constant over the entire length of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b (from the inlet 104a1, 104b1 to the outlet 104a2, 104b2). As an alternative, the size and/or shape of the cross-sectional area can vary over the length of the auxiliary flow channels. In contrast, the size of the cross-sectional area of the main flow channel 103 increases continuously in the flow direction of the main flow 23 (i.e. in the direction from the inlet opening 101 to the outlet opening 102), wherein the shape of the main flow channel 103 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the planes of symmetry S1 and S2.
[0067] The main flow channel 103 is separated from each auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b by a block 11a, 11b. In the embodiment from FIG. 1, the two blocks 11a, 11b are identical in shape and size and arranged symmetrically with respect to mirror plane S2. In principle, however, they can also be of different design and not oriented symmetrically. In the case of non-symmetrical orientation, the shape of the main flow channel 103 is also non-symmetrical with respect to mirror plane S2. The shape of the blocks 11a, 11b, which is shown in FIG. 1, is merely illustrative and can be varied. The blocks 11a, 11b from FIG. 1 have rounded edges.
[0068] Separators 105a, 105b in the form of inward protrusions (of the boundary wall of the flow chamber 10) are furthermore provided at the inlet 104a1, 104b1 of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b. In this case, an inward protrusion 105a, 105b projects at the inlet 104a1, 104b1 of each auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b beyond a section of the circumferential edge of the auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b into the respective auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b and changes the cross-sectional shape thereof at this point, reducing the cross-sectional area. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the section of the circumferential edge is chosen in such a way that each inward protrusion 105a, 105b is (inter alia also) directed at the inlet opening 101 (oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A). As an alternative, the separators 105a, 105b can be oriented differently. By means of the separators 105a, 105b, the separation of the auxiliary flows 23a, 23b from the main flow 24 is influenced and controlled. By means of the shape, size and orientation of the separators 105a, 105b it is possible to influence the volume which flows out of the fluid flow 2 into the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b and to influence the direction of the auxiliary flows 23a, 23b. This, in turn, leads to influencing of the exit angle of the main flow 24 at the outlet opening 102 of the fluidic component 1 (and hence to influencing of the oscillation angle) and to influencing of the frequency at which the main flow 24 oscillates at the outlet opening 102. Through the choice of the size, orientation and/or shape of the separators 105a, 105b, the profile of the main flow 24 emerging at the outlet opening 102 can thus be influenced in a controlled manner. As an alternative, it is also possible for a separator to be provided only at the inlet of one of the two auxiliary flow channels.
[0069] In the embodiment from FIG. 1, the separators 105a, 105b each have a shape which describes a circular arc in plane of symmetry S1. On the one hand, this circular arc merges tangentially into the (linear) boundary wall of the outlet channel 107. On the other hand, this circular arc merges tangentially into another circular arc 104a3, 104b3, which delimits the inlet 104a1, 104b1 of the auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b. In this case, the circular arc of the separator 105a, 105b has a smaller radius than the circular arc 104a3, 104b3 of the inlet 104a1, 104b1 of the auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b. The circular arc 104a3, 104b3 of the inlet 104a1, 104b1 of the auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b furthermore merges tangentially into the boundary wall 104a4, 104b4 of the auxiliary flow channel 104a, 104b. In particular, the transition between the separators 105a, 105b and the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b, on the one hand, and the outlet channel 107, on the other hand, is of continuous design, without steps.
[0070] The separators 105a, 105b are formed in the boundary wall of the flow chamber 10, substantially opposite that end of the blocks 11a, 11b which faces the outlet opening 102. In particular, the separators 105a, 105b can be arranged at a distance from plane of symmetry S2 which is within the average width of the blocks 11a, 11b. The average width of a block 11a, 11b is the width which the block 11a, 11b has over half its length (when viewed in the flow direction).
[0071] Arranged upstream of the inlet opening 101 of the flow chamber 10 is a funnel-shaped extension 106, which tapers in the direction of the inlet opening 101 (downstream). The length (along the fluid flow direction) of the funnel-shaped extension 106 can be greater by a factor of at least 1.5 than the width b.sub.IN of the inlet opening 101. The funnel-shaped extension 106 is preferably larger by a factor of at least 3 than the width b.sub.IN of the inlet opening 101. The flow chamber 10 also tapers, namely in the region of the outlet opening 102. The taper is formed by an outlet channel 107, which extends between the separators 105a, 105b and the outlet opening 102. In this case, the funnel-shaped extension 106 and the outlet channel 107 taper in such a way that only the width thereof, i.e. the extent thereof in plane of symmetry S1 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A, decreases downstream in each case. The taper has no effect on the depth, i.e. the extent in plane of symmetry S2 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A, of the extension 106 and of the outlet channel 107 (FIG. 2). As an alternative, the extension 106 and the outlet channel 107 can also each taper in width and in depth. Furthermore, it is possible for only the extension 106 to taper in depth or in width, while the outlet channel 107 tapers both in width and in depth, or vice versa. The extent of the taper of the outlet channel 107 influences the directional characteristic of the fluid flow 2 emerging from the outlet opening 102 and thus the oscillation angle thereof. The shape of the funnel-shaped extension 106 and of the outlet channel 107 are shown purely by way of example in FIG. 1. Here, the width thereof in each case decreases in a linear manner downstream. Other shapes of the taper are possible.
[0072] The inlet opening 101 and the outlet opening 102 each have a rectangular cross-sectional area. These each have the same depth (extent in plane of symmetry S2 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A, FIG. 2) but differ in their width b.sub.IN, b.sub.EX (extent in plane of symmetry S1 perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A, FIG. 1). In particular, the outlet opening 102 is less wide than the inlet opening 101. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 102 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening 101. As an alternative, the width of the inlet opening 101 and the outlet opening 102 can be the same, while the outlet opening 102 is less deep than the inlet opening 101. In another alternative variant, both the width and the depth of the outlet opening 102 can be less than the width and depth of the inlet opening 101. In each case, the dimensions of the width and depth should be chosen so that the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 102 is smaller than or equal in size to the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening 101.
[0073] For cleaning applications which typically operate with inlet pressures of over 14 bar, the fluidic component 1 can have an outlet width b.sub.EX of 0.01 mm to 18 mm. The outlet width b.sub.EX is preferably between 0.1 mm and 8 mm. The ratio of the width b.sub.IN of the inlet opening 101 to the width b.sub.EX of the outlet opening 102 can be 1 to 6, preferably between 1 and 2.2. In this case, the dimensions of the component depth in the region of the inlet opening 101 and of the outlet opening 102 should be chosen so that the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 102 is smaller than or equal in size to the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening 101. The component width b can be greater by a factor of at least 4 than the outlet width b.sub.EX. The component width b is preferably greater by a factor of 6 to 21 than the outlet width b.sub.EX. The component length 1 can be greater by a factor of at least 6 than the outlet width b.sub.EX. The component length 1 is preferably greater by a factor of 8 to 38 than the outlet width b.sub.EX. The widest point of the main flow channel (the largest distance between the blocks 11a, 11b when viewed along the width of the fluidic component 1) can be greater by a factor of 2 to 18 than the outlet width b.sub.EX. This factor is preferably between 3 and 12.
[0074] In FIG. 4, three snapshots of a fluid flow 2 are shown for the purpose of illustrating the flow direction (streamlines) of the fluid flow 2 in a fluidic component 1 during an oscillation cycle (images a) to c)). In particular, the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 4 differs from the fluidic component 1 from FIGS. 1 to 3 in that no separators are provided and that the ends of the blocks 11 which face the inlet opening 101 are less rounded. The component length 1 of the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 4 is 18 mm and the component width b is 20 mm (image d)). The width b.sub.IN of the inlet opening 101 and the width b.sub.N of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b are the same and are each 2 mm. The outlet width b.sub.EX is 0.9 mm. The component depth is constant in this illustrative embodiment and is 0.9 mm. The main flow channel 103 has a maximum width b.sub.H between the blocks 11a, 11b of 8 mm. The fluid flowing through the fluidic component 1 has a pressure of 56 bar at the inlet opening 101, wherein the fluid is water. However, the fluidic component 1 illustrated is also suitable in principle for gaseous fluids.
[0075] Images a) and c) illustrate the streamlines for two deflections of the emerging main flow 24, which correspond approximately to the maximum deflections. The angle which the emerging main flow 24 covers between these two maxima is the oscillation angle α (FIG. 7). Image b) shows the streamlines for a position of the emerging main flow 24 which lies approximately in the center between the two maxima from images a) and c). The flows within the fluidic component 1 during an oscillation cycle are described below.
[0076] First of all, the fluid flow 2 is passed via the inlet opening 101 into the fluidic component 1 at an inlet pressure of 56 bar. In the region of the inlet opening 101, the fluid flow 2 undergoes virtually no pressure loss since it is allowed to flow unhindered through into the main flow channel 103. Initially, the fluid flow flows along the longitudinal axis A in the direction of the outlet opening 102.
[0077] By introducing a one-time random or selective disturbance, the fluid flow 2 is deflected sideways in the direction of the side wall of one block 11a which faces the main flow channel 103, with the result that the direction of the fluid flow 2 deviates to an increasing extent from the longitudinal axis A until the fluid flow has been deflected to the maximum extent. By virtue of the “Coanda effect”, the majority of the fluid flow 2, the “main flow” 24, adheres to the side wall of one block 11a and then flows along this side wall. A recirculation zone 25b forms in the region between the main flow 24 and the other block 11b. In this case, the recirculation zone 25b grows the more the main flow 24 adheres to the side wall of one block 11a. The main flow 24 emerges from the outlet opening 102 at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A which varies with respect to time. In FIG. 4a), the main flow 24 adheres to the side wall of one block 11a and the recirculation zone 25b is at its maximum size. Moreover, the main flow 24 emerges from the outlet opening 102 with approximately the greatest possible deflection.
[0078] A small part of the fluid flow 2, referred to as the auxiliary flow 23a, 23b, separates from the main flow 24 and flows into the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b via the inlets 104a1, 104b1 thereof. In the situation illustrated in FIG. 4a), (owing to the deflection of the fluid flow 2 in the direction of block 11a) that part of the fluid flow 2 which flows into the auxiliary flow channel 104b which adjoins block 11b, to the side wall of which the main flow 103 does not adhere, is significantly larger than that part of the fluid flow 2 which flows into the auxiliary flow channel 104a which adjoins block 11a, to the side wall of which the main flow 103 adheres. In FIG. 4a), therefore, auxiliary flow 23b is significantly greater than auxiliary flow 23a, which is virtually negligible. In general, the deflection of the fluid flow 2 into the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b can be influenced and controlled by means of separators. The auxiliary flows 23a, 23b (in particular auxiliary flow 23b) flow through the auxiliary flow channels 104a and 104b to their respective outlets 104a2, 104b2 and thus impart a momentum to the fluid flow 2 entering the inlet opening 101. Since auxiliary flow 23b is greater than auxiliary flow 23a, the momentum component which results from auxiliary flow 23b is the predominant component.
[0079] The main flow 24 is therefore pressed against the side wall of block 11a by the momentum (of auxiliary flow 23b). At the same time, the recirculation zone 25b moves in the direction of the inlet 104b1 of auxiliary flow channel 104b, thereby disturbing the supply of fluid to auxiliary flow channel 104b. The momentum component which results from auxiliary flow 23b therefore decreases. At the same time, the recirculation zone 25b shrinks, while another (growing) recirculation zone 25a forms between the main flow 24 and the side wall of block 11a. During this process, the supply of fluid to auxiliary flow channel 104a also increases. The momentum component which results from auxiliary flow 23a therefore increases. The momentum components of the auxiliary flows 23a, 23b continue to come closer and closer together until they are equal and cancel each other out. In this situation, the entering fluid flow 2 is not deflected, and therefore the main flow 24 moves approximately centrally between the two blocks 11a, 11b and emerges without deflection from the outlet opening 102. FIG. 4b) does not show precisely this situation but shows a situation shortly before it.
[0080] As the situation progresses, the supply of fluid to auxiliary flow channel 104a increases more and more, and therefore the momentum component which results from auxiliary flow 23a exceeds the momentum component which results from auxiliary flow 23b. As a result, the main flow 24 is forced further and further away from the side wall of block 11a, until it adheres to the side wall of the opposite block 11b owing to the Coanda effect (FIG. 4c)). During this process, recirculation zone 25b disappears, while recirculation zone 25a grows to its maximum size. The main flow 24 now emerges from the outlet opening 102 with a maximum deflection, which has the opposite sign from that in the situation from FIG. 4a).
[0081] The recirculation zone 25a will then move and block the inlet 104a1 of auxiliary flow channel 104a, with the result that the supply of fluid will fall again here. Subsequently, auxiliary flow 23b will supply the dominant momentum component, with the result that the main flow 24 will once again be forced away from the side wall of block 11b. The changes described now take place in the reverse order.
[0082] Owing to the process described, the main flow 24 emerging at the outlet opening 102 oscillates about the longitudinal axis A in a plane in which the main flow channel 103 and the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b are arranged, with the result that a fluid jet that sweeps backward and forward is produced. In order to achieve the effect described, a symmetrical construction of the fluidic component 1 is not absolutely necessary.
[0083] For each of the three snapshots a), b) and c) from FIG. 4, FIG. 5 shows a corresponding transient flow simulation in order to visualize the velocity field of the fluid flow 2 inside and outside the fluidic component 1. Here, FIG. 5a) corresponds to the snapshot from FIG. 4a) etc. The scale depicted in FIG. 5 converts the gray shades in which the fluid flow 2 is depicted into a speed in m/s of the fluid flow. Here, the speed is coded logarithmically with a color code. According to this, black corresponds to a fluid speed of 0 m/s, while white corresponds to a fluid speed of 150 m/s. The lighter the shade in which the fluid is depicted at a particular point, the higher is its speed at this point. Images a) to c) show that the main flow 24 emerges at the outlet opening 102 with a speed which is always higher than the speed at which the fluid flow 2 enters at the inlet opening 101. This is attributable to the fact that the outlet opening 102 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the inlet opening 101. In this example, the speed of the emerging main flow 24 is around 150 m/s. Thus, a fluid jet with a high speed or high momentum is produced. Despite the high speed of the emerging fluid jet, the oscillation mechanism is maintained.
[0084] FIG. 6 shows the corresponding pressure field of the fluid flow 2 for the snapshot from FIG. 4b) (FIG. 5b)). The pressure is coded logarithmically with a color code. The scale depicted ranges from 1 bar (white) to 60 bar (black). Upstream of the inlet opening 101, the pressure of the fluid is 56 bar. The ambient pressure is 1 bar (white). FIG. 6 shows clearly that the pressure of the fluid in said fluidic component 1 is high and corresponds substantially to the pressure before entry to the fluidic component 1 through the inlet opening 101. Only at the outlet opening 102 does the pressure of the fluid fall abruptly to the ambient pressure. In the context of FIG. 5b), it can be seen that the fluid is accelerated at this point where the fluid pressure drops.
[0085] FIGS. 7a) to c) show three individual recordings of a fluid jet emerging from a fluidic component 1 intended to illustrate the spray characteristic. The fluidic component 1 has a component length 1 of 22 mm, a component width of 23 mm and a component depth of 3 mm. The inlet opening 101 has a width b.sub.IN of 3 mm, and the outlet opening 102 has a width b.sub.EX of 2.5 mm. Separators 105a, 105b are provided at the inlets of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b. The auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b each have a constant width b.sub.N of 4 mm. The main flow channel 103 is 9 mm wide at its widest point (bd. Water flows through the fluidic component 1 as the fluid, wherein the pressure of the water at the inlet opening 101 is 0.5 bar in FIG. 7a), 2.5 bar in FIG. 7b) and 7 bar in FIG. 7c). As the pressure of the water at the inlet opening 101 rises, the oscillation frequency f of the emerging fluid jet increases, wherein the oscillation angle α remains substantially the same.
[0086] Cross sections through two further embodiments of the fluidic component 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The section in FIGS. 8 and 9 corresponds to that in FIG. 3. Thus, FIGS. 8 and 9 each show a section through the fluidic component 1 transversely to the longitudinal axis A and hence a section through the main flow channel 103 and the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b transversely to the flow direction. The fluidic components from FIGS. 8 and 9 correspond to the fluidic component 1 from FIGS. 1 to 3 and differ therefrom only in the cross-sectional shapes of the main flow channel 103 and of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b. Whereas, in the embodiment from FIG. 3, these are in each case rectangular, they are in each case oval in the embodiment from FIG. 8 and in each case rectangular with rounded corners in the embodiment from FIG. 9. The shapes illustrated should be taken to be purely illustrative. Other shapes or hybrid shapes are also possible. In this context, hybrid shapes should be taken to mean that the main flow channel 103 and the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b can have two or more different cross-sectional shapes, rather than the same shape. In this case, the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b can also have a triangular, polygonal or round cross-sectional area. However, the cross-sectional area of the main flow channel 103 generally has a shape, the extent of which along the component width b is greater than along the component depth t.
[0087] FIGS. 10 and 11 show two further embodiments of the fluidic component 1. These two embodiments differ from that in FIG. 1, in particular in that a flow divider 108 is provided in the outlet channel 107, but no separator is provided at the inlets 104a1, 104b1 of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b. The shape of the blocks 11a, 11b is also different. However, the fundamental geometric properties of these two embodiments correspond to those of the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 1.
[0088] The flow divider 108 in each case has the form of a triangular wedge. The wedge has a depth which corresponds to the component depth t. (The component depth t is constant over the entire fluidic component 1.) Thus, the flow divider 108 divides the outlet channel 107 into two subordinate channels with two outlet openings 102 and divides the fluid flow 2 into two subordinate flows, which emerge from the fluidic component 1. Owing to the oscillation mechanism described in the context of FIG. 4, the two subordinate flows emerge from the two outlet openings 102 in a pulsed manner. The two outlet openings 102 each have a smaller width b.sub.EX than the inlet opening 101.
[0089] In the embodiment from FIG. 10, the flow divider 108 extends substantially in the outlet channel 107, while, in the embodiment from FIG. 11, it projects into the main flow channel 103. In principle, the shape and size of the flow divider 108 is freely selectable according to the desired application. Moreover, a plurality of flow dividers can be provided (adjacent to one another along the component width) in order to divide the emerging fluid jet into more than two subordinate flows.
[0090] FIGS. 10 and 11 also show two further embodiments of the blocks 11a, 11b. However, these shapes are only illustrative and are not intended to be provided exclusively in the context of the flow divider 108. Likewise, the blocks 11a, 11b can be of different design when a flow divider 108 is used. The blocks from FIG. 10 have a substantially trapezoidal basic shape which tapers downstream (in width) and from the ends of which a triangular projection protrudes into the main flow channel 103 in each case. The blocks 11a, 11b from FIG. 11 are similar to those from FIG. 1 but do not have rounded edges.
[0091] FIG. 12 shows the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 1, which additionally has a fluid flow guide 109. The fluid flow guide 109 is a tubular extension, which is arranged at the outlet opening 102 and extends downstream from the outlet opening 102. The fluid flow guide 109 serves to concentrate the emerging fluid flow without affecting the oscillation mechanism in the process. The fluid flow guide 109 is arranged movably at the outlet opening 102 and is moved concomitantly by the movement of the emerging fluid flow. This is illustrated in FIG. 12 by the double arrow. In FIG. 12, one of the two maximum deflections of the fluid flow guide 109 is shown as a solid line and the other of the two maximum deflections of the fluid flow guide 109 is shown as a dotted line.
[0092] Another embodiment of the fluidic component 1 having the fluid flow guide 109 from FIG. 12 is illustrated in FIG. 13. The fluidic component 1 additionally has a flow guiding body 110, which is attached to the fluid flow guide 109 by means of a holder 111. The flow guiding body 110 serves to assist the deflection of the fluid flow emerging from the outlet opening 102 and hence also to assist the movement of the fluid flow guide 109 by exploiting the fluid dynamics in the flow chamber 10. Here, the holder 111 is configured in such a way that it does not disturb the oscillation mechanism of the emerging fluid flow. In particular, the holder has a small cross section and hence a negligible flow resistance. The holder 111 forms a rigid connection between the flow guiding body 110 and the fluid flow guide 109. The fluid guiding body 110 is therefore not movable relative to the fluid flow guide 109 but can only be moved together with the fluid flow guide 109. The shape of the flow guiding body 110 can be configured in different ways. In particular, the flow guiding body 110 can be streamlined in shape. The rectangular shape, illustrated in FIG. 13, of the flow guiding body 110 is only a schematic illustration.
[0093] The flow guiding body 110 described with reference to FIG. 13 is not restricted to the fluidic component 1 illustrated in FIG. 13 but can also be used in other fluidic components 1 that have a fluid flow guide 109. The fluid flow guide 109 can also be used in other fluidic components, apart from those in FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0094] FIG. 14 shows a fluidic component 1 which corresponds substantially to the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 1. The fluidic component 1 from FIG. 14 differs from that from FIG. 1 in that the cross-sectional area of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b is not constant over the length thereof. The component depth of the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 14 is constant over the entire fluidic component 1. The cross-sectional area of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b is accordingly achieved by means of a change in the width thereof.
[0095] Thus, auxiliary flow channel 104a has a greater width at the inlet 104a1 thereof and at the outlet 104a2 thereof than in a section between the inlet 104a1 and the outlet 104a2. For the widths b.sub.Na1, b.sub.Na2, b.sub.Na3 of auxiliary flow channel 104a which are illustrated in FIG. 14, b.sub.Na1>b.sub.Na2 and >b.sub.Na3>b.sub.Na2. In this case, b.sub.Na3>b.sub.Na1 but it can also be the case that b.sub.Na3=b.sub.Na1 or b.sub.Na3<b.sub.Na1.
[0096] Auxiliary flow channel 104b has a greater width at the inlet 104b1 thereof than at the outlet 104b2 thereof. For the widths b.sub.Nb1, b.sub.Nb2 of auxiliary flow channel 104b which are illustrated in FIG. 14, b.sub.Nb1>b.sub.Nb2. As an alternative (depending on the application), the inlet width can be less than the outlet width.
[0097] In FIG. 14, the width of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b changes differently over the length thereof. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the two blocks 11a, 11b are of different design in respect of shape and size and are not oriented symmetrically relative to mirror plane S2. As a result, the shape of the main flow channel 103 is also not symmetrical relative to mirror plane S2. However, both auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b can be the same in respect of the change in their width.
[0098] By means of the change in the cross-sectional area of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b, the production process (casting, sintering) of the fluidic component 1 can be simplified since foreign matter can be removed easily from the fluidic component during manufacture. Moreover, the finished fluidic component can be cleaned more easily, this being significant, for example, when the fluidic component is used with a fluid that is laden with foreign matter (particles). In the variant in which the cross section increases from the outlet of the auxiliary flow channel toward the inlet of the auxiliary flow channel, the fluidic component is self-flushing during operation. In the variant in which the cross section increases from the inlet of the auxiliary flow channel toward the outlet of the auxiliary flow channel, the fluid drains completely from the fluidic component when the fluidic component is switched off (i.e. when no more fluid is passed into the fluidic component). It is thus possible to avoid the accumulation of fluid in the fluidic component after it has been switched off and the proliferation of pathogens (e.g. legionella) present in the fluid or the deposition of mold, soap residues, limescale or other dirt. Draining of the fluidic component after switching off can be promoted by dispensing with separators.
[0099] However, the variable width of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b which is described with reference to FIG. 14 is not restricted to the fluidic component 1 illustrated in FIG. 14. On the contrary, the variable width of the auxiliary flow channels/of the auxiliary flow channel can also be applied to other shapes of fluidic components having one or more auxiliary flow channels.
[0100] FIG. 15 illustrates a fluidic component 1 which has a cavity 112 downstream of the outlet opening 102. In other respects, it corresponds to the fluidic component from FIG. 4d). The cavity 112 is an annular widened portion of the outlet channel 107 adjoining the outlet opening 102, said portion extending over a section of the outlet channel 107 (when viewed in the flow direction of the emerging fluid flow). An annular widened portion should be taken to mean a widened portion which has a continuous round, polygonal or oval contour or a continuous contour of some other shape. In FIG. 15, the cavity is arranged directly at the outlet opening 102. However, it can be arranged further downstream. The cavity 112 reduces the boundary layer depth of the fluid flow emerging from the outlet opening 102. This increases the compactness of the emerging fluid flow, i.e. the extent of the emerging fluid flow transversely to the flow direction. The cavity 112 can be provided for a very wide variety of embodiments of a fluidic component 1 and is not restricted to the fluidic component from FIG. 15.
[0101] The shapes of the fluidic components 1 in FIGS. 1 to 15 are merely illustrative. The invention can also be applied to already known fluidic components.
[0102] A fluidic component 1 according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in FIG. 16. FIGS. 17 and 18 show a section through this fluidic component 1 along the lines A′-A″ and B′-B″ respectively. The fluidic component 1 from FIGS. 16 to 18 corresponds substantially to the fluidic component from FIGS. 1 to 3. In particular, the fluidic component 1 from FIGS. 16 to 18 differs from the fluidic component from FIGS. 1 to 3 in that a widened outlet portion 12 is provided. The widened outlet portion 12 adjoins the outlet opening 102 downstream. Thus, the fluid flow 2 moves from the outlet opening 102 through the widened outlet portion 12 before the fluid flow 2 emerges from the fluidic component 1.
[0103] If the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening 102 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening 101, the pressure within the fluidic component 1 can increase and thus reduce the tendency for cavitation. As a result, the input pressure, which can be higher than 14 bar (above ambient pressure) but can also be over 1000 bar and is preferably between 20 bar and 500 bar, is dissipated essentially only at the outlet opening 102. Owing to the large pressure decrease directly at the outlet opening 102, the emerging fluid jet can tend to spread apart (in all directions). This spreading apart can be counteracted (at least partially) by means of the widened outlet portion 12. By means of the widened outlet portion 12, it is possible to achieve concentration of the emerging fluid jet (perpendicularly to the planes of symmetry S1 and S2). By means of this concentration of the fluid jet, an increase in the removal or cleaning power of the fluidic component 1 can be achieved.
[0104] The widened outlet portion 12 is of funnel-shaped design and has a cross-sectional area which increases in the fluid flow direction (from the inlet opening 101 to the outlet opening 102), starting from the outlet opening 102. In this case, the depth of the widened outlet portion 12 is constant, while the width of the widened outlet portion 12 increases in the fluid flow direction. According to FIG. 16, the width increases in linear fashion. However, some continuous increase other than the linear increase of the width is also possible. The outlet opening 102 forms the point with the smallest cross-sectional area between the flow chamber 10 and the widened outlet portion 12.
[0105] The walls delimiting the widened outlet portion 12 enclose an angle γ in the plane in which the emerging fluid jet oscillates. In the embodiment from FIG. 16, the angle γ corresponds to the oscillation angle α of the emerging fluid jet which would form without the widened outlet portion 12. The angle γ can also be larger than the corresponding oscillation angle α. In the case of a fluidic component 1 which produces a uniform distribution of the fluid on the surface to be sprayed (also known as a histogram) without a widened outlet portion 12, it is advantageous if the angle γ is up to 10° larger than the oscillation angle α. In the case where a fluidic component 1 without a widened outlet portion 12 produces a nonuniform distribution of the fluid on the surface to be sprayed (e.g. more fluid in the center than in the edge regions) or in the case where a smaller spray angle or oscillation angle α is desired, a widened outlet portion 12, the angle γ of which corresponds to the desired reduced oscillation angle α, can be provided. On the one hand, this produces a smaller oscillation angle α and, on the other hand, it produces more uniform distribution of the fluid on the surface to be sprayed or in the histogram.
[0106] The walls delimiting the outlet channel 107 enclose an angle 3 in the plane in which the emerging fluid jet oscillates. The angle 3 of the outlet channel 107 can be larger than the oscillation angle α and also larger than the angle γ of the widened outlet portion 12. The angle β of the outlet channel 107 is preferably larger than the angle γ of the widened outlet portion 12 by a factor of at least 1.1. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, 1.1*γ≤β≤3.5*γ.
[0107] The widened outlet portion 12 has a length l.sub.out which adjoins the component length l. The length l.sub.out of the widened outlet portion 12 can correspond at least to the width b.sub.EX of the outlet opening 102. The length l.sub.out of the widened outlet portion 12 can preferably be greater by a factor of at least 1.25 than the width b.sub.EX of the outlet opening 102. The length l.sub.out of the widened outlet portion 12 can preferably be greater by a factor of 1 to 32 than the outlet width b.sub.EX, in particular preferably by a factor of 4 to 16. At this ratio, a fluid jet of high jet quality can be produced.
[0108] The separators 105a, 105b are formed by an inward protrusion of the wall of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b. In this case, the inward protrusion has a shape which describes a circular arc in plane of symmetry S1. The radius of the circular arc can vary. For example, the radius of the circular arc can be 0.0075 to 2.6 times, preferably 0.015 to 1.8 times and, in particular, preferably 0.055 to 1.7 times the outlet width b.sub.EX.
[0109] In the illustrative embodiment in FIGS. 16 to 18, the component depth t is constant over the entire widened outlet portion 12 and corresponds to the component depth at the outlet opening 102. Depending on the area of application of the fluidic component 1, the depth t of the widened outlet portion 12 can increase or decrease downstream (in comparison with the component depth at the outlet opening 102). By means of a downstream decrease in the component depth in the region of the widened outlet portion 12, further focusing of the emerging fluid jet can be achieved.
[0110] A fluidic component 1 according to another embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in FIG. 19. This fluidic component 1 too, like the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 16, has a widened outlet portion 12. The shapes of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b, of the blocks 11a, 11b and of the separators 105a, 105b are similar to the shapes of the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 7d). The basic shape of the fluidic component 1 from FIG. is substantially rectangular. The blocks 11a and 11b have a substantially rectangular basic shape, adjoining which at the end thereof facing the inlet opening 101 is a triangular projection, which projects into the main flow channel. The blocks 11a and 11b can be sharp-edged or slightly rounded at the intersection points of the rectilinear sections, as illustrated in FIG. 19.
[0111] The auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b each extend initially at an angle of substantially 90° to the longitudinal axis A in opposite directions in a first section, starting from the inlet opening 101. The auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b then bend (substantially at a right angle), with the result that they each extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A (in the direction of the outlet opening 102) (second section). A third section adjoins the second section. The change in direction at the transition from the second to the third section is substantially 90°.
[0112] In contrast to the fluidic component 1 from FIG. 16, the separators 105a, 105b are not formed by an inward protrusion of the wall of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b but by the transition of the rectilinear third section of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b (which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A and to plane of symmetry S2) to the wall of the outlet channel 107, which encloses an angle of less than 90° with the longitudinal axis A (and plane of symmetry S2). The separators 105a, 105b are accordingly formed by an edge. As an alternative, the separators 105a, 105b can have a shape which describes a circular arc in plane of symmetry S1 (as in the embodiment from FIGS. 16 to 18). In the embodiment according to FIG. 19, the third section of the auxiliary flow channels 104a, 104b extends substantially perpendicularly to plane of symmetry S2, but the angle can also differ from 90°. The separators 105a, 105b can preferably be arranged at a distance from plane of symmetry S2 which is within the average width of the blocks 11a, 11b.
[0113] The shape of the fluidic components 1 having a widened outlet portion 12 is shown purely by way of example in FIGS. 16 to 19. The widened outlet portion 12 can also be provided in combination with other embodiments of the fluidic component 1 according to the invention.
