Flow-Through Capacitor Purification Using PWM Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid purification systems using flow-through capacitors face issues with high complexity, cost, and inefficiency due to the need for high direct electric currents, heat dissipation, and vulnerability to DC/DC converter failures, as well as challenges in precisely controlling operating voltages across multiple capacitors connected in series.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a control circuit with pulse width modulation to apply pulsed voltages to flow-through capacitors, reducing capacitance and allowing efficient ionized particle removal with lower power consumption and reduced heat generation, while adjusting voltage duty cycles to maintain efficient purification across capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high direct electric currents are used to charge flow-through capacitors, then purification efficiency is improved, but heat dissipation increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed voltage instead of continuous direct current to charge the flow-through capacitors. The control circuit switches between charging and discharging phases, creating periodic action that reduces average current and heat dissipation while maintaining purification efficiency during the charging phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters by using pulsed voltage with variable duty cycles instead of constant direct current. The control circuit adjusts voltage amplitude, pulse width, and frequency to optimize purification efficiency while reducing power consumption and heat generation.
2Measurement precision
If DC/DC converters are used to control voltage, then voltage control is achieved, but vulnerability to converter failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the DC/DC converter from the system by using a simplified control circuit that directly generates pulsed voltage from the input voltage source. This removes the vulnerable component while maintaining voltage control capability through pulse width modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the voltage source and capacitors, using switching elements and RC circuits to generate the required pulsed voltage without needing a DC/DC converter. This intermediary approach provides voltage control while improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple capacitors are connected in series, then voltage distribution control is needed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage control by applying independent pulsed voltage signals to each capacitor through separate control circuits. This allows individual voltage distribution control for each capacitor in series while using simple, low-cost circuitry for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts the duty cycle and timing of pulsed voltage applied to each capacitor based on real-time voltage detection. This dynamic control ensures proper voltage distribution across series capacitors without requiring complex static circuitry.
4Use of energy by moving object
If pulsed voltage is applied, then power consumption is reduced, but capacitance reduction must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed voltage where the capacitor is charged during pulses and discharged between pulses. The periodic charging maintains sufficient capacitance for ion attraction during active phases while reducing average power consumption. The discharge phases allow capacitance recovery and prevent saturation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous purification action by overlapping charging and discharging cycles across multiple capacitors. While one capacitor is discharging, another is charging, ensuring continuous availability of charged capacitors for ion attraction, thus maintaining purification reliability.
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 approach results in a reliable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient liquid purification process with reduced structural complexity and improved purification efficiency by managing voltage and current effectively across capacitors.
Implementation Method 1
generate an electrostatic field between such facing electrodes aimed to attract, on the electrodes, the ionized particles present in the liquid to be purified
Implementation Method 2
attract, on the electrodes, the ionized particles present in the liquid to be purified
Implementation Method 3
employing a control circuit with pulse width modulation to apply pulsed voltages to flow-through capacitors, reducing capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus with flow-through capacitors for the purification of a liquid, which comprises: at least one cell (2) provided with at least one flow-through capacitor (4) provided with two or more electrodes facing each other, between which a liquid to be treated is susceptible to flow; electrical power supply means (13) adapted to supply a direct supply voltage (VA); a modulation circuit (14) connected in input to the electrical power supply means (13) in order to receive the supply voltage (VA) and provided with switches (22′, 22″; 23′, 23″) actuatable to apply at least one operating voltage between the facing electrodes of each capacitor (4). In addition, the present apparatus comprises a control circuit (24) which is connected to the switches (22′, 22″; 23′, 23″) of the modulation circuit (14), and is provided with a control module with pulse width modulation (PWM), which drives the switching of the switches (22′, 22″; 23′, 23″) by power supplying the facing electrodes of each capacitor (4) by means of a pulsed voltage having average value proportional to the aforesaid operating voltage.