Gas Transfer Vacuum Pump With Intersecting Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum pump mechanisms, such as molecular drag and turbo-molecular pumps, face limitations in capacity, efficiency, and size due to the fundamental arrangement of rotor and stator configurations, leading to inefficiencies in gas transfer across various vacuum pressure regimes, particularly at transitional and viscous flow conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum pump mechanism featuring a perforated or solid intersecting member that intersects a gas flow channel at an angle, allowing gas molecules to pass through or around it, with thin and smooth surfaces to minimize 'carry-over' and enhance momentum transfer, operating in a different plane than traditional systems, thereby increasing capacity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rotor-stator configurations are used in molecular drag pumps, then the pump can operate in high vacuum pressure regimes, but the pump capacity is limited and the device size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from traditional planar rotor-stator configurations to a three-dimensional intersecting geometry where the rotor intersects the stator channel at an angle. This spatial reconfiguration allows gas molecules to be pumped through the rotor along the channel axis while maintaining effective interaction, thereby increasing pump capacity without proportionally increasing device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the rotor a thin, rotating element that intersects the stator channel. The rotor's rotation creates dynamic momentum transfer to gas molecules, enabling efficient pumping action. The thin rotor design with rotational motion allows for compact configuration while maintaining pumping effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between capacity and size
2Reliability
If molecular drag mechanisms are used to achieve high vacuum pressure, then the compression ratio is improved, but the pump efficiency decreases at transitional and viscous flow regimes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the pump components, specifically the rotor-stator intersection angle and the rotor thickness. These parameter optimizations enable the pump to maintain effective compression ratio across different flow regimes. The intersecting geometry creates optimal interaction between rotor and stator that preserves compression effectiveness while improving efficiency at transitional and viscous flows
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a pump mechanism that can effectively operate across multiple vacuum pressure regimes (high vacuum, transitional, and viscous flow) using a single configuration. The intersecting rotor-stator design provides multi-functional performance, maintaining compression ratio while achieving acceptable efficiency across different flow conditions, eliminating the need for regime-specific designs
3Device complexity
If the rotor and stator are arranged in parallel planes, then the gas flow path is simple, but the gas transfer efficiency is limited due to carry-over of gas molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by moving from parallel plane arrangement to a three-dimensional intersecting configuration. The rotor intersects the stator channel at an angle, creating a more complex spatial arrangement that effectively reduces gas molecule carry-over. This dimensional change allows gas molecules to be more effectively directed through the channel while minimizing unwanted transport, improving gas transfer efficiency without excessive complexity
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 proposed mechanism achieves higher gas throughput, reduced consumption, and smaller size compared to traditional pumps, with improved compression ratios and reduced 'carry-over' of gas molecules, making it more efficient across a wider range of vacuum pressures.
Implementation Method 1
the second element is either perforated to allow gas to flow through it or is solid and arranged to allow gas to flow around it and, during use, the relative movement urges gas molecules in the channel towards the outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved vacuum pump mechanism (10) is described in which an intersecting solid or perforated element (14) is arranged to intersect a channel (12) member. Relative movement of the intersecting solid or perforated element and channel member causes gas molecules to be urged from inlet (16) to an outlet (18) of the pump. Gas molecules are constrained within the channel member and interaction of the gas molecules with the flat and smooth surfaces of the intersecting solid or perforated member (14) influence momentum of the gas molecules so that they are directed towards the outlet (18). In one embodiment, the channel member (12) is formed as a helix and the intersecting solid or perforated elements are disk-shaped. An alternative embodiment is provided having the channel member (12) configured as a spiral and the perforated elements as cylindrical skirts. The pump provides significant improvements in pump capacity, reduced power consumption and size of pump.