Electroosmotic Pump Using Ion-Selective Membranes Without Moving Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumps require mechanical parts for operation, leading to continuous energy consumption and maintenance needs due to mechanical part deformation over time.
Innovation Solution
A pump design that utilizes electrical conductivity to pressure liquids without mechanical parts, employing a primary and secondary medium separated by ion selective and pressure retaining membranes, with electrodes connected by a power supply to create osmotic pressure for pumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical parts are used in pumps for liquid pressurization, then the pump can effectively move and pressurize liquid, but the mechanical parts deform over time requiring maintenance and continuous energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pump system with an electrochemical system. Instead of using mechanical moving parts to pressurize liquid, the invention uses electrochemical reactions at electrodes to generate osmotic pressure differences that drive liquid flow through membranes. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and deformation issues while maintaining pump functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes all mechanical moving parts from the pump system. By eliminating motors, shafts, impellers, and other mechanical components, the system avoids the deformation and wear inherent in mechanical systems. The pump function is achieved solely through electrochemical and osmotic mechanisms with no moving parts.
2Power
If mechanical parts are used in pumps, then liquid can be pressurized and moved, but continuous energy input is required to operate the mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical pump operates through periodic electrochemical reactions at the electrodes. By applying electrical energy in controlled periods to drive ion transport and osmotic pressure generation, the system achieves liquid pressurization without the continuous mechanical energy input required by traditional pumps. The periodic nature of electrochemical cycling reduces overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical energy conversion with electrochemical energy conversion. Instead of converting electrical energy to mechanical motion through motors and then to hydraulic energy, the system directly converts electrical energy to chemical energy at electrodes, which then generates osmotic pressure to move liquid. This direct conversion pathway improves energy efficiency.
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
Eliminates the need for mechanical parts, reducing maintenance and extending the pump's lifespan while allowing adjustable pressure and flow control through electrical current adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which provides pressurization of liquid without usage of mechanical parts by utilizing osmotic pressure
Implementation Method 2
an ion selective membrane which separates the primary medium and the secondary medium from each other
Implementation Method 3
solution with equal density which has electrical conductivity is provided in said primary medium and in said secondary medium
Implementation Method 4
a primary electrode provided in said primary medium, a secondary electrode provided in said secondary medium, a power supply associated to said primary electrode and said secondary electrode
Implementation Method 5
the solution with equal density is pressured by displacing between the first medium and the second medium and is pumped by means of the ejector
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pump (10) where the pressure of solutions, having electrical conductivity, can be increased without needing usage of mechanical parts. As an improvement, the subject matter pump (10) comprises: a primary medium (11) associated with an input port (51) of an ejector (50), a secondary medium (12) associated with a suctioning port (52), a primary electrode (21) provided in said primary medium (11), a secondary electrode (22) provided in said secondary medium (12), a power supply (20) associated to said primary electrode (21) and said secondary electrode (22), an ion selective membrane (30) and a pressure retaining membrane (40) which separate the primary medium (11) and the secondary medium (12) from each other.