UVM Spout and fittings

[DrTimPerkins]

Any plans for a 2 piece spout option in mind?

The original design of the spout we used in testing from 2018-2022 was a straight-through spout simply for ease in prototyping (simplest to machine out of polycarbonate as opposed to injection-molding).

The current design is a one-piece spout with the added Arc-Flow design (curved outflow).

There is no reason it could not also be made as a two-piece (spout + stubby) as well, or have a CV incorporated. The new spout design is designed to solve the problem of blocking off the most recent tree rings, which happen to be the most productive in terms of sap flow and highest sap sugar content. The Arc-Flow design on the outflow channel is designed to reduce friction in the lateral lines by reducing turbulence that occurs. This friction is most apparent at tee fittings but occurs anytime that fluid (gases and liquids) moves through a fitting or tubing system.

[DRoseum]

Will the spouts and arc fittings incorporate the external connector design vs. traditional internal barb ?

[DrTimPerkins]

Will the spouts and arc fittings incorporate the external connector design vs. traditional internal barb ?

There are a number of different combinations that COULD be made. What variants are actually made will depend upon the manufacturer and distributor(s) of these spouts and fittings. I'm not involved in that.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Great work, very interesting stuff.

[DrTimPerkins]

https://www.themaplenews.com/video/a...g-design-/119/

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Nice........ Will be looking for them when they're available

[DrTimPerkins]

Nice........ Will be looking for them when they're available

That'll depend upon testing in the 2023 season. We've developed them over several years, and tested them the past 3 yrs at PMRC (Underhill, VT). This year we'll have some out in woods from OH to VT and from Quebec to WV and places in between.

[Sugar Bear]

During my presentation this past Saturday at the North American Maple Syrup Council meeting in Wisconsin I introduced some new fittings that Wade Bosley and I (UVM PMRC) have developed and tested over the past few years and will be testing further over the 2024 maple season. While I can't go into it really deeply in a short post, there are three main things:

1. Barb-Spout. The barrel (nose) is considerably shorter than a regular maple spout to reduce the amount of outer edge wood/xylem tissue that is blocked off by standard spouts. Sap flow and sugar content is highest in the other rings of wood, so this spout is designed to allow better and faster access to sap flow in that area. In order to maintain stability due to the shorter barrel, the spout has a series of graduated barbs (much like a ring-shank nail). The first pair of barbs engages in the wood, the next pair in the bark, and the last two provide a positive stop so spouts are not overdriven. If using in thick-barked trees, the larger flakes of bark should be scraped off first. We’ve seen a 10-23% improvement in sap yield in our testing over 2 yrs.

In the above did you mean to use the words "these outer" where you have used the words "the other"?

I am uncertain by the use of the word "the other" in this context, as it is not as tight binding as the words "these outer" would be with regards to what it refers to.

Thanks for clarifying.

[DrTimPerkins]

In the above did you mean to use the words "these outer"

You are correct. It should read:

1. Barb-Spout. The barrel (nose) is considerably shorter than a regular maple spout to reduce the amount of outer edge wood/xylem tissue that is blocked off by standard spouts. Sap flow and sugar content is highest in these outer rings of wood, so this spout is designed to allow better and faster access to sap flow in that area.

[Maples Maple]

Dr. Perkins,

You stated:
2. Arc-Flow Fittings. These fittings have a curved design which is designed to reduce friction and turbulence in fitting junctions. The Arc-Flow design can be incorporated into spouts, tees, saddles, end-tees, etc. In modeling calculations, it provides a 5-10% improvement in sap yield. Note that unlike a normal tee, the post faces downward instead of outward (away from the tree). This is so it can be easily flipped over for tapping below the lateral line. Only one end-line fitting needs to be made with this design as it can be used on either the right or the left side of the tree. The other thing that’ll be done on all these fittings is to bevel the connection edges at a 45° to reduce turbulence and friction between the liquid and fitting when entering and exiting the fitting. I've posted several videos we've made during testing at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...kN7muW8AXvxphj to help show turbulence inside the various types of fittings, and why the Arc-Flow fittings are superior to standard fittings.

You use the word turbulence multiple times (I bolded). With my journal reviewer hat on, are you sure that turbulence is the correct word. I am not sure what the Reynolds number is for sap coming out of tree but I would be surprised if it was fully developed turbulent flow. Laminar vs turbulent is important for drag, any build up on the walls, etc. If you have published work on this, please point to the paper. I could be total off base also so please correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you