Theoretical Modeling, Design and Simulation of an Innovative Diverting Valve Based on Coanda Effect

Abstract

The present work is focused on the study of an innovative fluidic device. It consists of a two-ways diverter valve able to elaborate an inlet water flow and divert it through one of the two outlets without moving parts but as a result of a fluctuation of pressure induced by two actuation ports, or channels. Such apparatus is named Attachment Bi-Stable Diverter (ABD) and is able to work with the effect of the fluid adhesion to a convex wall adjacent to it, this phenomenon is known as Coanda Effect; it generates the force responsible for the fluid attachment and the consequent deviation. The main purpose of this work is to develop a knowhow for the design and development of such particular device. A mathematical model for the ABD has been developed and used to find the relationships between the geometrical parameters and the operative conditions. A configuration has been designed, simulated with a computational fluid dynamics approach. A prototype has been printed with and additive manufacturing printer and tested in laboratory to check the effective working point of the device.