Diffusion pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diffusion pumps are energy inefficient due to high energy consumption from unregulated heating and cooling processes, leading to unnecessary energy loss and increased cooling requirements.
Innovation Solution
The diffusion pump incorporates a thermally insulated boiling chamber, a heat pump to recycle thermal energy, and a temperature-controlled condenser cooling system, allowing for adaptive heating and cooling based on pumping situations, reducing energy consumption and cooling water requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the heating element operates at high temperature to vaporize propellant, then the pumping capacity is improved, but the energy consumption increases and heat must be dissipated by cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the condenser into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the propellant in the boiling chamber. The heat exchanger captures thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded and redirects it to assist the heating element, reducing the overall energy consumption while maintaining the required pumping capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature regulation to optimize the operating parameters of the heating element and condenser. By controlling the temperature profiles and using the heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy between stages, the system achieves efficient propellant vaporization with minimized energy loss, balancing pumping capacity with energy consumption.
2Reliability
If maximum cooling is applied to the condenser, then the propellant vapor condenses efficiently, but the energy loss increases due to excessive cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the condenser into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the propellant in the boiling chamber. The heat exchanger captures thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded and redirects it to assist the heating element, reducing the overall energy consumption while maintaining the required pumping capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature regulation to optimize the operating parameters of the heating element and condenser. By controlling the temperature profiles and using the heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy between stages, the system achieves efficient propellant vaporization with minimized energy loss, balancing pumping capacity with energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the heating element is unregulated with constant high temperature, then the propellant evaporates reliably, but unnecessary heat must be dissipated increasing cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static, unregulated heating to dynamic, regulated heating with temperature control. The heating element's power is adjusted based on operational requirements, and the heat exchanger dynamically transfers heat between the condenser and boiling chamber, optimizing performance while reducing unnecessary cooling demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature regulation to optimize the operating parameters of the heating element and condenser. By controlling the temperature profiles and using the heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy between stages, the system achieves efficient propellant vaporization with minimized energy loss, balancing pumping capacity with energy consumption.
4Device complexity
If thermal energy is not recovered from the condenser, then the system is simpler, but the energy consumption and cooling water requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat from the condenser into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the propellant in the boiling chamber. The heat exchanger captures thermal energy that would otherwise be discarded and redirects it to assist the heating element, reducing the overall energy consumption while maintaining the required pumping capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements temperature regulation to optimize the operating parameters of the heating element and condenser. By controlling the temperature profiles and using the heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy between stages, the system achieves efficient propellant vaporization with minimized energy loss, balancing pumping capacity with energy consumption.
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 design significantly reduces energy consumption by optimizing heating and cooling processes, minimizing energy loss, and ensuring efficient vacuum generation with reduced cooling water needs.
Implementation Method 1
A propellant is vaporized by the heating element in the boiling chamber
Implementation Method 2
The propellant vapor exiting the nozzle reaches the condenser and condenses on the nozzle
Implementation Method 3
the boiling chamber is thermally separated from the housing and in particular from the condenser by an insulator. The insulator prevents the heat generated by the heating element in the boiler room from being transferred to the condenser
Implementation Method 4
the cooling of the condenser of the diffusion pump according to the invention is connected to the heating element via a heat pump. As a result, heat generated at the condenser by the condensing of the propellant vapor is conveyed to the heating element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a diffusion pump, in particular an energy-efficient diffusion pump, comprising a housing (10) and a boiling chamber (14) connected to the housing (10). A heating element (16) is arranged in the region of the boiling chamber (14). Furthermore, a nozzle (20, 22), which is connected to the boiling chamber (14), is arranged in the housing (10). A condenser (24) is arranged on an inside of the housing (10) in the region of the nozzle (20, 22), wherein a cooler (25) for cooling the condenser (24) is provided in the region of the condenser (24). The boiling chamber (14) is thermally separated from the condenser (24) by an insulator (52). Alternatively or additionally, the cooler (26) of the condenser (24) is at least partially a water cooler. Alternatively or additionally, the cooler (26) of the condenser (24) is connected to the heating element (16) by means of a heat pump (40) such that heat is conveyed from the condenser (24) to the heating element (16). Alternatively or additionally, a temperature sensor (34) is provided, which senses the condenser temperature, wherein the temperature sensor (34) is connected to a condenser cooler controller for controlling the cooler (26) of the condenser (24). Alternatively or additionally, a heating element controller is connected to the heating element (16) in order to adapt the heating power of the heating element (16) to the existing pumping situation.