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Title:
FLUID FLOW DEVICES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/009166
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A fluid flow device having a conical diverter, helical vanes, an annular baffle, and a flue pipe, all of which are concentrically arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of cylindrical fluid flow passage, whereby in use the conical diverter and the helical vanes simultaneously create vortical fluid flow centrally through the annular baffle and the flue pipe, and accelerated laminar fluid flow circumferentially around the annular baffle and the flue pipe.

Inventors:
HODGSON BENJAMIN DAVID GEORGE (AU)
ELDRIDGE ROGER WATKIN (AU)
KIRKHAM GARY STANLEY (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2010/000925
Publication Date:
January 27, 2011
Filing Date:
July 21, 2010
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
A C N 138 460 107 PTY LTD (AU)
HODGSON BENJAMIN DAVID GEORGE (AU)
ELDRIDGE ROGER WATKIN (AU)
KIRKHAM GARY STANLEY (AU)
International Classes:
F01N13/08; F15D1/02; F02B29/00; F02B29/02; F02M35/10; F15C1/16; F15D1/14
Foreign References:
US3591011A1971-07-06
US2664966A1954-01-05
US20040025481A12004-02-12
US20060076185A12006-04-13
GB2110298A1983-06-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
DAVIES COLLISON CAVE (Melbourne, Victoria 3000, AU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A fluid flow device having a conical diverter, helical vanes, an annular baffle, and a flue pipe, all of which are concentrically arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of cylindrical fluid flow passage, whereby in use the conical diverter and the helical vanes simultaneously create vortical fluid flow centrally through the annular baffle and the flue pipe, and accelerated laminar fluid flow circumferentially around the annular baffle and the flue pipe. 2. A fluid flow device according to claim 1, further including a cylindrical flow guide extending concentrically from the conical diverter through the annular baffle and the flue pipe so as to terminate adjacent or within the outlet, whereby in use vortical fluid flow through the annular baffle and the flue pipe is guided to swirl around the flow guide. 3. A fluid flow device according to claim 2, wherein the annular baffle has an outer circumferential edge curved towards the inlet.

4. A fluid flow device according to claim 3, wherein the helical vanes radially overlap the conical diverter, and the annular baffle radially overlaps the helical vanes.

5. A fluid flow device according to claim 4, wherein the inlet and outlet are coaxially aligned and have a lesser diameter than a middle section of the flow passage.

6. A fluid flow device according to claim 5, wherein the flow passage diverges in diameter from the inlet to the middle section, and converges in diameter from the middle section to the outlet.

7. A fluid flow device according to claim 6, wherein the conical diverter, helical vanes, annular baffle, and flue pipe are arranged contiguous one another in the middle section of the flow passage.

8. , A fluid flow device according to claim 7, wherein inclined guide vanes are provided on the conical diverter to impart a swirl to fluid flow in advance of the helical vanes. 9. A fluid flow device according to claim 8, wherein the inlet and the outlet are fluidly connectable to an air intake or an exhaust of an internal combustion engine.

10. A fluid flow device comprising a substantially conical diverter, helical vanes, a substantially annular baffle, and a flue pipe, all of which are coaxially arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of a fluid flow passage, whereby in use the fluid flow device generates vortical fluid flow through a first flow path extending centrally through the substantially annular baffle and the flue pipe, and generates peripheral fluid flow through a second flow path extending around a periphery of the substantially annular baffle and a periphery of the flue pipe.

1 1. A fluid flow device according to claim 10, further comprising a housing defining the fluid flow passage and containing the substantially conical diverter, the helical vanes, the substantially annular baffle, and the flue pipe. 12. A fluid flow device according to claim 11, wherein:

the housing includes an inlet pipe section, an outlet pipe section, and a middle pipe section arranged between the inlet pipe section and the outlet pipe section;

the middle pipe section has a greater width or diameter than each of the inlet pipe section and the outlet pipe section; and

the substantially annular baffle is arranged within the middle pipe section.

13. A fluid flow device according to claim 11, wherein:

the housing includes an inlet pipe section, an outlet pipe section, and a middle pipe section arranged between the inlet pipe section and the outlet pipe section; and the helical vanes, the substantially annular baffle, at least a portion of the substantially conical diverter, and at least a portion of the flue pipe are arranged within the middle pipe section. 14. The fluid flow device according to claim 11, wherein:

the housing includes an inlet pipe section, an outlet pipe section, and a middle pipe section arranged between the inlet pipe section and the outlet pipe section;

the flow passage diverges in width or diameter from the inlet pipe to the middle pipe section; and

the flow passage converges in width or diameter from the middle pipe section to the outlet pipe section.

15. A fluid flow device according to claim 10, whereby the first flow path and the second flow path combine at or adjacent to the outlet.

16. A fluid flow device according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral fluid flow through the second flow path comprises accelerated laminar flow.

17. A fluid flow device according to claim 10, wherein the peripheral fluid flow through the second flow path is characterized by reduced vortical character as compared to the vortical fluid flow through the first flow path.

18. A fluid flow device according to claim 10, further comprising a cylindrical flow guide extending coaxially from the substantially conical diverter through the substantially annular baffle and the flue pipe, whereby in use vortical fluid flow through the first flow path is guided to swirl around the flow guide.

19. A fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the substantially annular baffle has an outer peripheral edge curved toward the inlet.

20. A fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein at least some of the helical vanes have a greater width or lateral dimension than the substantially conical diverter, and the substantially annular baffle has a greater width or lateral dimension than the helical vanes.

21. A fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the substantially conical diverter, the helical vanes, the substantially annular baffle, and the flue pipe are serially arranged contiguous one another within the flow passage. 22. A fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the substantially conical diverter comprises inclined guide vanes arranged on or along a surface thereof to impart a swirl to fluid flow in advance of the helical vanes in use of the fluid flow device. 23. A fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, being connectable to an air intake of an internal combustion engine.

24. A method of affecting fluid flow within an engine or machine, comprising use of a fluid flow device within a fluid intake element of the engine or machine to generate (i) a vortical fluid flow through a central portion of the fluid intake element, and (ii) a peripheral fluid flow through a peripheral portion of the fluid intake element, wherein the fluid flow device comprises a fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

25. An engine or machine comprising at least one fluid flow device according to any one of claims 10 to 18 arranged to affect flow of fluid to or from the engine or machine.

Description:
FLUID FLOW DEVICES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices for enhancing fluid flow, for example, enhancing flow of fluid into or out of combustion engines and machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fluid flow devices, such as vortex generators, have been proposed to enhance fluid flow, for example in intakes and/or exhausts of internal combustion engines to improve efficiency, performance, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A common disadvantage of previously proposed fluid flow devices is that they unintentionally adversely affect fluid flow so that any anticipated performance improvements (such as increased efficiency, increased output and reduced greenhouse gas emissions) are not realised in practice.

What is needed is a fluid flow device which addresses the above difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid flow device having a conical diverter, helical vanes, an annular baffle, and a flue pipe, all of which are concentrically arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of cylindrical fluid flow passage, whereby in use the conical diverter and the helical vanes simultaneously create vortical fluid flow centrally through the annular baffle and the flue pipe, and accelerated laminar fluid flow circumferentially around the annular baffle and the flue pipe.

A cylindrical flow guide can extend concentrically from the conical diverter through the annular baffle and the flue pipe so as to terminate adjacent or within the outlet, whereby in use vortical fluid flow through the annular baffle and the flue pipe is guided to swirl around the flow guide. The annular baffle can have an outer circumferential edge curved towards the inlet.

The helical vanes can radially overlap the conical diverter, and the annular baffle radially overlaps the helical vanes.

The inlet and outlet can be coaxially aligned and have a lesser diameter than a middle section of the flow passage.

The flow passage can diverge in diameter from the inlet to the middle section, and converge in diameter from the middle section to the outlet.

The conical diverter, helical vanes, annular baffle, and flue pipe can be arranged contiguous one another in the middle section of the flow passage. Inclined guide vanes can be provided on the conical diverter to impart a swirl to fluid flow in advance of the helical vanes.

The inlet and the outlet can be fluidly connectable to an air intake or an exhaust of an internal combustion engine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid flow device comprising a substantially conical diverter, helical vanes, a substantially annular baffle, and a flue pipe, all of which are coaxially arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of a fluid flow passage, whereby in use the fluid flow device generates vortical fluid flow through a first flow path extending centrally through the substantially annular baffle and the flue pipe, and generates peripheral fluid flow through a second flow path extending around a periphery of the substantially annular baffle and a periphery of the flue pipe.

In one embodiment, the first flow path and the second flow path as described above are combined at or adjacent to the outlet. The peripheral fluid flow through the second flow path may comprise accelerated laminar flow.

Peripheral fluid flow through the second flow path may be characterized by reduced vortical character as compared to the vortical fluid flow through the first flow path.

A fluid flow device may include a housing defining the fluid flow passage and containing the substantially conical diverter, the helical vanes, the substantially annular baffle, and the flue pipe.

A housing for a fluid flow device may include an inlet pipe section, an outlet pipe section, and a middle pipe section arranged between the inlet pipe section and the outlet pipe section, wherein the middle pipe section has a greater width or diameter than each of the inlet pipe section and the outlet pipe section, and the substantially annular baffle is arranged within the middle pipe section. In one embodiment, the substantially annular baffle, at least a portion of the substantially conical diverter, and at least a portion of the flue pipe are arranged within the middle pipe section.

A housing for a fluid flow device including an inlet pipe section, an outlet pipe section, and a middle pipe section may define a flow passage that diverges in width or diameter from the inlet pipe to the middle pipe section, and converges in width or diameter from the middle pipe section to the outlet pipe section.

A cylindrical flow guide may extend coaxially from the substantially conical diverter through the substantially annular baffle and the flue pipe, whereby in use vortical fluid flow through the first flow path is guided to swirl around the flow guide.

The substantially annular baffle may have an outer peripheral edge curved towards the inlet. At least some of the helical vanes may have a greater width or lateral dimension than the substantially conical diverter, and the substantially annular baffle can have a greater width or lateral dimension than the helical vanes. The substantially conical diverter, the helical vanes, the substantially annular baffle, and the flue pipe may be serially arranged contiguous one another within the flow passage.

Inclined guide vanes may be provided on or along a surface of the substantially conical diverter to impart a swirl to fluid flow in advance of the helical vanes in use of the fluid flow device.

A fluid flow device as described herein may be connectable to an air intake of an internal combustion engine. A method of affecting fluid flow within an engine or machine may include use of a fluid flow device as described herein within a fluid intake element of the engine or machine to generate (i) a vortical fluid flow through a central portion of the fluid intake element, and (ii) a peripheral fluid flow through a peripheral portion of the fluid intake element. An engine or machine may include a fluid flow device as described herein arranged to affect flow of fluid to or from the engine or machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of an assembled fluid flow device including the components illustrated in Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are respective inlet and outlet end views of the fluid flow device of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of a fluid flow device according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6a and 6b are respective side and perspective views of alternatively configured helical vanes for use with embodiments of the fluid flow device;

Figures 7a and 7b and front views of alternative annular baffles for use with embodiments of the fluid flow device;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of three fluid flow devices connected in an air intake and an exhaust of an internal combustion engine;

Figure 9 is a chart providing comparative plots of power output (hp) versus speed

(mph) for an automotive vehicle including an air intake fitted with a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention, an air intake and an exhaust fitted with a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the same vehicle lacking the fluid flow device;

Figure 10 is a chart providing comparative plots of torque (ft-lbs) versus speed

(mph) for an automotive vehicle including an air intake fitted a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention, an air intake and an exhaust fitted with a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the same vehicle lacking the fluid flow device;

Figure 1 1 is a chart plotting outlet pressure as a function of time from a simulation of a plenum chamber of an air intake system fitted with a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a chart plotting output pressure as a function of time from a simulation of a plenum chamber of an air intake system lacking a fluid flow device as described herein; and

Figures 13 and 14 are flow visualizations of the simulations of Figures 1 1 and 12, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fluid flow devices as described herein may be utilized to affect fluid flow within an engine or machine. A fluid flow device according to at least one embodiment includes a substantially conical diverter, helical vanes, a substantially annular baffle, and a flue pipe, all of which are coaxially arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of a fluid flow passage. In use, a fluid flow device generates vortical fluid flow through a first flow path extending centrally through the substantially annular baffle and the flue pipe, and generates peripheral fluid flow through a second flow path extending around a periphery of the substantially annular baffle and a periphery of the flue pipe.

The term "substantially conical" as utilized herein in connection with a diverter refers to a diverter of which at least a portion includes a conical, frustoconical, or approximately conical shape. A substantially conical diverter may include a conical or frustoconical first portion, and a second portion that is cylindrical or polygonal in shape. A substantially conical shape may include transverse cross-sections that are circular or polygonal (i.e., bounded by multiple straight lines) in shape, with a general increase in width or diameter in the direction of fluid flow. A surface of a substantially conical diverter may be smooth or may include one or more protrusions or indentations. Protrusions or indentations arranged along or in a surface of a substantially conical diverter may be used to impart a swirl to fluid flow in advance of helical vanes in use of a fluid flow device.

The term "substantially annular" as used herein in connection with a baffle refers to a baffle having ring-like shape with a hollow interior. Inner and/or outer peripheral edges of a substantially annular baffle may be circular or polygonal in shape, and may be smooth or may include one or more recesses or protrusions.

In certain embodiments, various elements of a fluid flow device (e.g., housing, substantially conical diverter, substantially annular baffle, and flue pipe) may have transverse cross-sections (i.e., perpendicular to the bulk direction of fluid flow through the fluid flow device) that are substantially circular in shape. In other embodiments, one or more of the foregoing elements or portions thereof may include transverse cross-sections of which at least a segment is polygonal or oval in shape.

Various elements of a fluid flow device (substantially conical diverter, substantially annular baffle, and flue pipe) may be interconnected within a housing, and supported within an interior flow passage defined by the housing by one or more support elements extending from an interior wall of the housing.

In certain embodiments, various elements of a fluid flow device (e.g., substantially conical diverter, helical vanes, substantially annular baffle, and flue pipe) are coaxially arranged in series within a housing. Segments or portions of a housing of a fluid flow device may be coaxially arranged with one another, and portions of a fluid flow device disposed internal to the housing may be coaxially arranged with a central axis of a housing extending between an inlet and outlet thereof.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a fluid flow device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The device 10 includes a housing 12 with coaxially aligned inlet and outlet pipe sections 14, 16 of a lesser diameter than a middle pipe section 18. The inlet and outlet pipe sections 14, 16 are respectively fluidly connected to the middle pipe section 18 by divergent and convergent frustoconical pipe sections 20, 22. The housing 12 internally defines a fluid flow passage.

A conical diverter 24, helical vanes 26, an annular baffle 28, and a flue pipe 30 are concentrically arranged contiguous one another in series in the fluid flow passage. Referring to Figure 1, the conical diverter 24 is mountable in the divergent frustoconical pipe section 20 by inclined guide vanes 32. The conical diverter 24 has its apex adjacent the juncture between the inlet pipe section 14 and the divergent frustoconical pipe section 20, and its base in the middle pipe section 18. The helical vanes 26 are disposed in the middle pipe section 18 between the base of the conical diverter 24 and the annular baffle 28. The annular baffle 28 is mounted in the middle pipe section 18 by spacers (not shown). The helical vanes 26 are mounted proximate to one face of the annular baffle 28, while the flue pipe 30 extends from the other side of the annular baffle 28 around its central opening. The flue pipe 30 extends axially from the central opening of the annular baffle 28 to the juncture between the convergent frustoconical pipe section 22 and the outlet pipe section 16. The helical vanes 26 radially overlap the base of the conical diverter 24, and the annular baffle 28 radially overlaps the helical vanes 26, that is, the helical vanes 26 have a greater width or lateral dimension than the conical diverter 24, and the annular baffle 28 had a greater width or lateral dimension than the helical vanes 26.

The housing 12, conical diverter 24, helical vanes 26, annular baffle 28, and flue pipe 30 are formed, for example, of stainless steel. Other materials including metals, plastics, composites, and the like, may be used. The housing 12 may be formed in multiple (e.g., two) parts before assembly.

As generally indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, fluid flow entering the inlet pipe section 14 is accelerated over the conical diverter 24 and separated into two flow paths, with one (central) flow path extending into the helical vanes 26 and another (peripheral) flow path extending through an annular gap between the inner wall of the housing 12 and the outer circumferential edge of the annular baffle 28. The inclined guide vanes 32 (as shown in Figure 1) on the conical diverter 24 impart a swirl to fluid flow in advance of the helical vanes 26. A portion of the air flowing past the conical diverter 24 is directed into the helical vanes 26 creating vortical fluid flow through a first flow path extending centrally through the annular baffle 28 and the flue pipe 30. Another portion of the air flowing past the conical diverter 24 generates peripheral fluid flow through a second flow path extending around a periphery of the annular baffle 28 and the flue pipe 30. In one embodiment, the peripheral fluid flow may comprise accelerated laminar flow and be characterised by reduced vortical character when compared to the fluid flow through the first flow path. While it is not intended to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the vortical fluid flow and the peripheral fluid flow contact and/or coalesce with each other downstream of the outlet pipe section 16 to form an aggregated flow having a vortex/low pressure centre with a high velocity bypass, of which the pulsed pressure characteristics are favourable for use with internal combustion engines. It is believed that operation of intake valves in an internal combustion engine inherently generates backpressure pulses within the plenum and/or air intake of the engine that impede fluid flow, and use of a fluid flow device as disclosed herein may create pressure pulses of sufficient character (e.g., with respect to amplitude and/or duration) to at least partially counteract or reduce backpressure pulses inherently created through operation of cylinder intake valves, thereby permitting greater flow of air (i.e., with greater average flow velocity, and reduced average backpressure) into and through the engine. Furthermore, use of the fluid flow device is thought to disrupt laminar flow in the flow passage to enable the damping or reduction of back pressure oscillation to occur.

While it is not intended to be bound to any particular theory, it is also believed that the vortical fluid flow and accelerated laminar fluid flow coalesce with each other downstream of the outlet pipe section 16 to form a larger fluid flow vortex having increased fluid flow velocity and decreased fluid flow pressure.

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the fluid flow device 10 that further includes a cylindrical flow guide 31 extending concentrically from the base of the conical diverter 24 through the annular baffle 28 and the flue pipe 30 so as to terminate adjacent the outlet pipe section 16, whereby in use vortical fluid flow through the annular baffle 28 and the flue pipe 30 is guided to swirl around the flow guide 31 (the helical vanes 26 (as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) are omitted for clarity in Figure 5). While it is not intended to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the flow guide 31 acts to focus and increase the size and/or intensity of the fluid flow vortex generated by the fluid flow device 10. The axial extent of the flow guide 31 is selected based on the desired fluid flow characteristics, for example, the flow guide 31 may extend axially into the outlet pipe section 16.

Figure 5 also illustrates that the annular baffle 28 has an outer circumferential edge that is curved towards the inlet pipe section 14 to direct fluid flow into the helical vanes 26 (note that the helical vanes 26 are omitted for clarity in Figure 5). Although not shown, the inclined guide vanes 32 on the conical diverter 24 (as illustrated in Figure 1) may have laterally or axially rounded leading edges to increase the swirl imparted to fluid flow in advance of the helical vanes 26.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate an alternative helical vane arrangement for use with embodiments of the fluid flow device. Two differently sized sets of helical vanes 26a and

26b and two different annular baffles 28a and 28b are provided in series. Each set of vanes

26a,26b has six vanes to provide a total of 12 vanes. The first set of vanes 26a is deeper than the second set of vanes 26b, having a height of 20mm for example, compared with a height of 13mm, for example, for the second set of vanes 26b. In the embodiment shown, the combined height of the first and second set of vanes 26a,26b is substantially the same as that of vanes 26 shown in Figure 1. Other fluid flow devices may use more than two sets of vanes arranged in series.

Figure 7a illustrates an annular baffle 28c for use with embodiments of the fluid flow device. The annular baffle 28c has a series of slots 29 in which portions of the helical vanes can be received and secured to enable assembly of the fluid flow device.

Figure 7b illustrates an alternative annular baffle 28d for use with embodiments of the fluid flow device. The baffle 28d has notches 31 formed around its periphery to increase the flow of fluid through the first flow path. In the example shown, six circular notches 31 are provided. In other examples, other numbers of differently sized and/or shapes notches may be used.

In one embodiment, a fluid flow device as described herein is connected within an intake of an internal combustion engine or other machine.

Figure 8 illustrates an intake system 34 and an exhaust system 36 of an internal combustion engine 38. A first fluid flow device 1OA is fluidly connected between an air cleaner 40 and a turbocharger 42 of the intake system 34. A second fluid flow device 1OB may be fluidly connected between an exhaust manifold 46 and a muffler 48 of the exhaust system 36. A third fluid flow device 1OC may be fluidly connected between the muffler 48 and the exhaust pipe 52 of the exhaust system 36. The exhaust system 36 also includes an optional selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system 50, for example a NO x SCR system, fluidly connected between the exhaust manifold 46 and the second fluid flow device 1OB. A fluid flow vortex generated by the second fluid flow device 1OB at least partially enhances exhaust fluid flow out of the exhaust manifold 46, and/or aid in mixing of exhaust fluid and the SCR catalyst, for example, NH 3 . A fluid flow vortex generated by the third fluid flow device 1 OC may at least partially enhance exhaust fluid flow out of the exhaust pipe 52. Any combination of one, two or more of the foregoing fluid flow devices 1OA, 1OB 1OC may be used in conjunction with an engine or machine.

The following examples are to be understood as illustrative only. They should therefore not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

Example 1

A 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche with a 5.3 litre petrol (gasoline) V8 engine was fitted to a chassis dynamometer to measure the power and torque of the engine. In different test runs, the vehicle was fitted with an intake system lacking a fluid flow device, with a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention fitted within the air intake, and with a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the present invention fitted within both the air intake and the exhaust system, to generate three different data sets. Figures 9 and 10 show the respective engine power against vehicle speed and torque against engine speed. In each of Figures 9 and 10, line A-A represents baseline performance of the standard vehicle, line B-B represents power/torque with a fluid flow device fitted within the air intake, and line C-C represents power/torque with a fluid flow device fitted within the air intake and the exhaust system. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, increased engine power and torque is available at lower vehicle speed/rpm when fluid flow devices are fitted and variation in the performance curves is reduced, providing a more constant performance curve. Example 2

A simulation was run using fluid dynamics software to model an air intake system for a conventional turbo diesel truck engine. Graphs of the pressure at an outlet of a plenum chamber were obtained. Figure 11 provides a chart of the outlet pressure of a standard system (lacking a fluid flow device according to the present invention), Figure 12 provides a chart of the outlet pressure of an air intake system having installed therein a fluid flow device according to one embodiment of the invention. It can be seen from Figure 12, when compared to Figure 11 , that the air pressure oscillation at the outlet of the plenum is damped by the fluid flow device, as evidenced by the reduced amplitude of pressure oscillations.

Figures 13 and 14 are respective flow visualisations of the simulations of Figures 11 and 12 respectively. The darker lines represent higher velocity fluid flow and the separation of the flow lines is indicative of pressure differentials created by pressure wave oscillation. It can be seen in Figure 14 that the effects of pressure oscillation are reduced.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention provide a fluid flow device that enhances fluid flow in fluid flow passages, such as intakes and/or exhausts of internal combustion engines. Such enhancement of fluid flow is believed to improve efficiency, performance, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, while it is not intended to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that use of the described fluid flow device in the intake of an internal combustion engine can dampen and reduce the effects of air pressure oscillation, which can generally impede the flow of air into the engine and increase flow losses through components of the intake, such as air filters and air flow meters.

Whilst the fluid flow device has been described in relation to internal combustion engines, it also can be advantageously used in other devices for modifying the flow of fluids, for example liquids and/or gases, where it is desired to enhance fluid flow characteristics by, for example, disturbing laminar flow to create turbulent flow. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims which follow.




 
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