Estimating flow rates in open-channel geometries having capillary pumping vanes
US6807493B2 · kind B2 · utility
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12References
32Claims
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Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/002
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of estimating liquid flow rates in capillary structures has application in determining the surface tension-driven flow rates of liquid fuel in propellant management devices in zero-gravity conditions. Analytic equations governing an assumed open-channel geometry are simplified by reasonable approximations, which allow a modified set of analytic equations to be derived. This modified set of analytic equations is derived by assuming an artificial taper in the capillary passage. Flow rate can be determined from the modified set of equations, which closely approximates the flow rate in the open-channel geometry.
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