GB2343391A

GB2343391A - Gravitational liquid oscillator

Info

Publication number: GB2343391A
Application number: GB9824559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Kilner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-11-07
Filing date: 1998-11-07
Publication date: 2000-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-07
Also published as: GB2343391B; GB9824559D0

Abstract

An arrangement of surfaces is described which converts continuous liquid inflow to pulsatile outflow through cyclic accumulation and discharge of liquid under the influence of gravity without the use of valves, electrical components or moving parts other than liquid itself. The arrangement consists of an inflow channel, tube or conduit, an asymmetric accumulation region defined by curved or plane surfaces and an outlet located lateral to the line of inflow on the side opposite that of the accumulation region. Part of the energy of inflow propagates as a wave or surge of liquid, guided by contours of the accumulation region back upon the inflowing stream. This causes deflection of the inflowing stream to the outlet, allowing the inflow, together with liquid that has accumulated, to escape. After emptying, the cycle repeats itself spontaneously, with periodic accumulation and escape of liquid, converting continuous inflow to pulsatile outflow.

Description

GRAVITATIONAL LIQUID OSCILLATOR This invention relates to a liquid flow system that converts continuous inflow to pulsatile outflow.

Decorative water features, recreational flumes, liquid treatment systems and other applications may benefit from delivery of intermittent surges of flow from continuous inflow. A device operating without valves, electrical components or moving parts may have commercial and aesthetic advantages.

According to the present invention there is provided an inlet, an asymmetric accumulation region and an outlet which, without valves, electrical components or moving parts other than the liquid itself, converts continuous inflow to pulsatile outflow through cyclic accumulation and discharge of liquid under the influence of gravity.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tubular inlet (A) delivering continuous inflow across an inclined plane surface (B) in such a way that it impinges on the upward border of an oblique barrier (C).

Figure 2 shows a view from above during the phase of liquid accumulation.

Figure 3 shows a similar view during the phase of discharge.

Accumulation and discharge follow one another in a spontaneously repeating cycle. Relationships between flow rate, angle of slope, direction of inflow and location of barrier the are crucial for cyclic function. Appropriate relationships are not easy to achieve, but can be arrived at by careful adjustment, observation and re-adjustment.

In other embodiments of the invention, inflow may be via a channel, pipe, conduit or other suitable arrangement. Plane and/or curved surfaces may underlie, bound or contain the region of accumulation. This region is asymmetric, part of it being located to one side of the line of inflow. The outlet slopes down on the other side of the line of inflow from the accumulation region. Surfaces of the accumulation region generally slope towards the outlet, but the direction of momentum of inflow causes liquid to accumulate during the accumulation phase. Part of the energy of inflow propagates cyclically in the accumulation region as a wave or surge of liquid guided by contours of underlying or bounding surfaces back upon the inflowing stream. This causes deflection of the inflowing stream to the outlet, allowing the inflow, together with liquid that has accumulated, to escape. After an emptying phase, the cycle repeats itself spontaneously, with periodic accumulation and escape of liquid, converting continuous inflow to pulsatile outflow. Pulsatility of outflow may be partial, with relative increase and decrease of flow rate, or complete, with periodic interruption of flow from the outlet.

The invention, which is asymmetrically arranged and functions in relation to gravity, may have'right-handed'or'left-handed'topology depending on whether the outlet is to the right or left, as viewed from the direction of inflow. The invention may be made in a range of sizes to accommodate small or large rates of flow.

Claims

Claim The invention is an arrangement of plane or curved surfaces, the geometric relations and contours of which convert continuous liquid inflow to pulsatile outflow through cyclic propagation of waves or surges of liquid under the influence of gravity. The invention can function without valves, electrical connections, compliant walls or moving components other than motion of the liquid itself.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows A process for producing a pulsating or intermittent flow wherein a continuous stream of fluid is directed against and deflected up a plane or curved surface which extends from a position in the line of the stream to one above and lateral to it, but which does not project substantially below it, and wherein a pulsating or intermittent stream emerges from the combined continuous stream and the deflected fluid under the influence of gravity.