🔬 Biomimetic Operation – Fluid and Gas Flow Mechanism
This system is inspired by a mechanical lung—not to replicate a biological organ, but to mimic its passive cyclic behavior.
It is based on pressure differences, air compressibility, gravity, and one-way valves.
🫁 1. Inhalation
- When the pressure in the air column drops below a critical threshold (e.g., < 0.7 bar), an air intake opens automatically, allowing atmospheric air (1 bar) to enter.
- Air enters the air column, which:
- restores internal pressure (towards 1 bar),
- initiates the displacement of excess water present in the column (due to prior flow through the one-way valves from the water column).
- This return to atmospheric pressure helps push water back into the water column.
🔁 This phase acts as the “inhalation” of a respiratory system: air intake = pressure regulation = fluid movement.
🌬️ 2. Exhalation
- In the previous phase, water entered the air column → occupying part of the volume initially held by air.
- As air is compressible, it is not forcibly expelled but naturally redistributes:
- It shifts toward available spaces—some of which may be in the connected water column.
- This redistribution occurs passively due to volume and pressure balance.
- The air that enters the water column is then vented through a purge valve, which:
- reduces pressure in that column,
- creates a partial vacuum that facilitates water inflow in the next cycle.
🔁 This phase corresponds to “exhalation”: excess air is purged, and vacuum is created.
🔁 Passive Cycle Summary
- Pressure drop in air column → atmospheric air enters
- Air regulates pressure and pushes water back into its original column
- Water returns to the air column (via valves) → air compresses
- Some air redistributes into the water column (volume effect)
- Air is purged, generating a new vacuum
- Vacuum helps pull water back into the water column
- 🔄 The cycle restarts
📌 Technical Notes
This system includes:
- no motors
- no pumps
- no active mechanical components
It relies on:
- pressure laws and gas compressibility,
- gravity and buoyancy of fluids,
- a set of one-way valves to control flow direction.
⚠️ Actual performance will highly depend on:
- volumes and proportions,
- system geometry,
- timing and sync of each phase,
- overall system tightness (leak-proof design).
🧠 Project Purpose
This is not claimed to be a standalone energy device, but rather an experimental prototype:
A passive fluidic gravity-buoyancy cycle, inspired by natural breathing, for exploration, testing, and improvement.