Adsorption Heat Pump Rotor Layout Without Switching Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorption heat pump systems rely on opening and closing valves to switch between adsorption and desorption processes, which can be inefficient and limit the surface area for heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump configuration that alternates the roles of evaporator-condensers and adsorbents without using valves, utilizing a rotating flow path mechanism to switch between generating and condensing adsorbate, and adsorbing and desorbing processes, with evaporator-condensers and adsorbents arranged in a circular pattern to increase surface area for efficient heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If opening and closing valves are used to switch between adsorption and desorption processes, then the heat pump can control the flow of water vapor, but the device complexity increases and the surface area for heat exchange is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the valves from the system entirely. Instead of using opening and closing valves to control water vapor flow between the adsorbent and evaporator-condenser, the system uses a rotating rotor that physically separates these components during different phases of operation. This extraction of the valve function resolves the contradiction by eliminating device complexity while maintaining reliable control through mechanical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the rotor to switch between adsorption and desorption processes. The rotor rotates to bring different evaporator-condensers into position with the adsorbent, dynamically controlling which components are connected without using valves. This dynamic mechanism maintains reliable flow control while reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If valves are used to switch processes, then water vapor flow can be controlled, but the surface area for heat exchange is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By removing valves from the system, the patent eliminates the space and surface area that would be occupied by valve components. The rotating rotor mechanism allows for larger evaporator-condenser surfaces to be exposed without the interference of valve structures, thus increasing the effective heat exchange surface area while maintaining reliable water vapor flow control through mechanical positioning.
3Device complexity
If a rotating rotor is used to switch between processes without valves, then device complexity is reduced and surface area for heat exchange is increased, but the mechanism for controlling process switching must be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic rotation of the rotor to automatically switch between adsorption and desorption processes. The rotor completes full rotations, bringing different evaporator-condensers into position with the adsorbent in a repeating cycle. This periodic action provides automated process switching control without requiring complex valve mechanisms, resolving the contradiction by using simple rotational mechanics to achieve automated control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient alternation of adsorption and desorption processes without valves, enhancing heat exchange efficiency and increasing surface area for adsorption and desorption, thus improving the heat pump's performance.
Implementation Method 1
generate the adsorbate through exchanging heat with a first heating medium
Implementation Method 2
condense the adsorbate through exchanging heat with a second heating medium
Implementation Method 3
adsorb the adsorbate generated by the evaporator-condensers through exchanging heat with a third heating medium
Implementation Method 4
desorb the adsorbate through exchanging heat with a fourth heating medium that is at a higher temperature than the third heating medium
Data Source
AI summary
A switching device sequentially switches from having an evaporator-condenser generate an adsorbate and an adsorbent adsorb the adsorbate, to having an evaporator-condenser condense the adsorbate and an adsorbent desorb the adsorbate, such that the evaporator-condenser that generates the adsorbate and the adsorbent that adsorbs the adsorbate face each other, and the evaporator-condenser that condenses the adsorbate and the adsorbent that desorbs the adsorbate face each other. Accordingly, one adsorbent repeatedly desorbs and adsorbs in alternation, and another adsorbent repeatedly adsorbs and desorbs in alternation.