Flow guide

摘要

A flow guide directs a fluid flow across a surface of a device, for example a lens surface of an endoscope, in a controlled manner to facilitate flow attachment to the surface. Embodiments include features that impart a non-uniform velocity profile and/or include guide surfaces for facilitating flow attachment and/or coverage.

主权项

1. A flow guide for directing a fluid flow across a surface of an endoscope, the flow guide comprising:
a locating arrangement for locating the endoscope with respect to the flow guide such that the surface of the endoscope is disposed generally in a first plane defined along first and second mutually perpendicular directions; a channel for directing the fluid flow, the channel having sides spaced with respect to each other in the first direction and extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions; an outer channel surface extending between the sides of the channel; and wherein an edge of the outer channel surface is convex-shaped to define an outlet of non-uniform height relative to the first plane, thereby imparting a non-uniform velocity profile to fluid constrained to flow between the edge of the outer channel surface and the first plane.