A Design Basis for Vortex-Type Fluid Amplifiers Operating in the Incompressible Flow Regime

Abstract

A rational procedure is developed for the design of a class of vortex amplifiers which operate in the incompressible flow regime. The procedure is based upon analytical and experimental studies conducted to determine the effects of fluid properties and geometry on vortex amplifier behavior. These studies indicate that the nondimensional amplifier characteristic is essentially independent of the maximum flow Reynolds number, vortex chamber height, and supply port area if each of these parameters is within a specified broad range of values. The nondimensional characteristic was found to depend fundamentally upon the chamber exit to outer periphery radius ratio and the control port area to exit port area ratio. A systematic method is provided for progressing from a set of desired amplifier performance specifications, which include maximum control and supply port pressure and flow requirements, to a specification of each critical amplifier dimension. Three-point predictions of the transfer characteristics are obtained and the characteristics are checked to determine if multiple values of total flow exist at the cutoff value of control flow. The measured performance of a planar vortex amplifier designed with the aid of the procedure was found to agree closely with the desired performance specifications.