Patent ID: 6305399
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: B63B,F15D,F42B,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of conditioning a drag-reducing substance prior to its release into a first fluid, and of releasing it into the first fluid, there being relative motion between said first fluid and a first surface so as to form a first fluid flow path, said method comprising the following steps:(a) conditioning the drag-reducing substance using fluid shear forces by causing a second fluid which includes said drag-reducing substance, to flow between surfaces having conditioning means to thereby cause the drag-reducing molecules in said second fluid to be in condition for reducing drag; and,(b) releasing the conditioned drag-reducing substance into a region consisting substantially of only the near-wall region of a boundary layer of the first fluid by causing the second fluid to flow over a convex Coanda surface as it enters the flow path of the first fluid, said convex Coanda surface being located on the downstream side of a slot through which the second fluid enters the flow path.