Buffer Box Baffle Design for Vacuum Drainage Air Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduced height of reservoirs in temperature-controlled cabinets causes air accumulation over fluid, leading to difficulties in the functioning of vacuum drainage systems, especially in removing condensate moisture.
Innovation Solution
A buffer box with a baffle structure that separates the main compartment from the suction compartment, allowing air to be removed through a pre-aeration port, creating a vacuum to accelerate fluid removal and prevent air from entering the suction compartment, while maintaining a low profile to fit under cabinets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the reservoir height is reduced to fit under temperature-controlled cabinets, then the buffer box can be installed in limited space, but air accumulation occurs over the fluid which interferes with vacuum drainage system operation
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer box is divided into two separate compartments by a baffle: a main compartment for fluid collection and a suction compartment for vacuum operations. This segmentation prevents air accumulation in the main compartment from interfering with vacuum drainage operations in the suction compartment, while maintaining a low overall height to fit under temperature-controlled cabinets.
Solution Approach 2:
A pre-aeration port is introduced as an intermediary element that allows controlled air intake into the suction compartment. This mediator enables the vacuum system to function properly by managing air-fluid interaction, preventing air locks, and ensuring reliable operation despite the reduced height and confined space.
2Length of stationary object
If a low-profile buffer box is used to fit under cabinets, then installation space is optimized, but air locks may form and prevent effective fluid removal
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-aeration port provides preliminary air intake to the suction compartment before vacuum operations begin. This preliminary action prevents air locks from forming during fluid removal, ensuring that the vacuum system can operate effectively and maintain high productivity despite the compact low-profile design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes pneumatic principles through the pre-aeration port to control air flow into the suction compartment. By managing pressure differentials and air-fluid dynamics, the system ensures efficient fluid removal through the vacuum drainage piping without air locks, maintaining productivity in a space-constrained configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the buffer box height is decreased to accommodate limited space, then installation flexibility is improved, but air accumulation interferes with vacuum pump operation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the buffer box into main and suction compartments with a baffle, the design achieves installation flexibility through reduced height while protecting vacuum pump operation from air accumulation. Each compartment can be optimized independently, allowing versatile installation in confined spaces while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-aeration port serves as an intermediary that facilitates proper vacuum pump operation in the low-profile configuration. It manages air intake to prevent air locks and ensure smooth vacuum pumping, making the compact design just as easy to operate as traditional taller models.
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
The buffer box effectively removes fluid without overflowing, even during surge flows, by ensuring a high-flow rinse action and preventing debris accumulation, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of vacuum drainage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pump connected to the vacuum drainage piping and configured to create negative pressure in the vacuum drainage piping
Implementation Method 2
the baffle is configured to prevent the air on top of the liquid in the main compartment to enter the suction compartment
Implementation Method 3
allowing air to be removed through a pre-aeration port, creating a vacuum to accelerate fluid removal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a buffer box of a vacuum drainage system, which vacuum drainage system comprises the buffer box, which buffer box comprises as an outer frame structure side walls, end walls, a top wall and a bottom wall and which buffer box further comprises at least one inlet and an outlet, a vacuum drainage piping, at least one collection branch connected to the vacuum drainage system and to the outlet of the buffer box, wherein each of the collection branches comprises a suction valve, a pump connected to the vacuum drainage piping and configured to create negative pressure in the vacuum drainage piping. The buffer box comprises at least two compartments, which comprise a main compartment and a suction compartment with a suction outlet. Between the main compartment and the suction compartment a baffle is located. The baffle extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall and is located at a distance from the bottom wall such that a baffle opening is formed between the main compartment and the suction compartment. The baffle is configured to prevent the air on top of the liquid in the main compartment to enter the suction compartment.