Patents Examined by Randall Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7996195
    Abstract: A method is provided for predicting thermal energy transfer from an entrained particle to a wall surface, the entrained particle being incorporated within a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a flow scenario. Initially, the method generates grid geometry for the CFD model to form a plurality of finite element cells; and establishes initial and boundary conditions for the flow scenario. The model determines a characteristic particle size of the entrained particle; inserts the particle into a cell at an initial location; initializes physical conditions of the particle as a particle state; and calculates a time-step based on characteristic cell size and flow velocity. The model integrates state change in the particle state over the time-step in the cell; and computes collision effect in response to the particle crossing a face of the cell. After convergence, the model quantifies energy flux to the wall surface from impingement by the particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joseph M. Plaia, Luis C. Gominho, Keith M. DeLoach