Capillary Flow Restrictor Prevents Solvent Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum degassing systems face issues with solvent vapor condensation and corrosion due to the use of sintered porous frits, which are prone to degradation and blockage, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A continuous vent channel formed by a capillary tube made from non-metallic materials, such as glass, is used to facilitate controlled dilution gas flow into the pump, minimizing solvent condensation and avoiding the drawbacks of sintered porous frits, including corrosion and blockage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sintered porous frits are used as flow restrictors, then solvent vapor concentration can be diluted, but the frits are prone to corrosion and blockage leading to operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sintered porous frit component entirely from the system. Instead of using a frit-based flow restrictor, the invention employs a fritless pump design where the pump cavity is directly vented to the atmosphere through a controlled opening, eliminating the corrosion and blockage issues associated with porous frit materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diaphragm as an intermediary component that separates the pump cavity from the external environment while allowing controlled venting. The diaphragm with its opening provides the necessary gas flow path without requiring porous frit structures, thereby preventing corrosion and blockage while maintaining pump functionality
2Quantity of substance
If sintered porous frits with small pore sizes are used, then solvent vapor dilution is achieved, but particles can become lodged in pores causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the porous frit structure completely, replacing it with a fritless design where the pump cavity vents through a diaphragm opening. This removal of small pores prevents particle lodgement and blockages while maintaining controlled vent gas flow through the diaphragm structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a diaphragm material that provides controlled porosity or opening structure for venting, but unlike traditional sintered frits, this diaphragm structure is designed to prevent particle blockage while allowing adequate gas flow. The diaphragm opening provides a larger, less restrictive passage that resists clogging
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-metallic capillary tubes are used for vent channels, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision and blockage resistance must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the capillary tube structure entirely from the vent channel design. Instead of using a narrow capillary tube that requires high manufacturing precision, the invention employs a fritless pump with a diaphragm opening that provides a larger, more tolerant vent path that is less sensitive to manufacturing variations and more resistant to blockage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the vent channel from a narrow capillary tube structure to a larger diaphragm opening configuration. This parameter change increases the vent channel cross-sectional area, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing precision requirements and improving resistance to particle blockage while maintaining corrosion resistance through material selection
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 solution effectively prevents solvent condensation and corrosion, maintaining pump efficiency and reducing operational costs by using a corrosion-resistant, less expensive capillary tube vent channel that minimizes blockages and maintains performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous vent channel that provides dilution gas flow into a pump cavity at a rate sufficient to prevent condensation of solvent in the pump cavity
Implementation Method 2
solvent vapor infiltrating the pump from the degassing vacuum chamber as a result of permeation of such solvent vapors through the semi-permeable membrane wall disposed in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
a continuous vent channel formed by a capillary tube that has a minimum cross-sectional area throughout its length
Data Source
AI summary
A pump for use in operably evacuating a chamber in a vacuum degassing apparatus includes one or more pumping cavities that are in fluid communication with the chamber, and a continuous vent channel that has an outlet disposed in fluid communication with a respective one of the one or more pumping cavities. The vent channel is configured to provide dilution gas flow into the pumping cavity of the pump at a rate sufficient to prevent solvent condensation in the pumping cavity during operation of the pump in liquid degassing applications.