Induction Oil Vapor Generator for Diffusion Pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil diffusion pumps using heater wires as a heating source face issues such as disconnection, insulation defects, high temperature contact defects, rust, low energy efficiency, slow heat rising times, and limited installation flexibility due to high temperature requirements.

Innovation Solution

An oil vapor generator utilizing an induction coil immersed in hydraulic oil within the pump casing, where an alternating current is applied to heat the coil and generate magnetic flux, inducing current and Joule heat in a ferromagnetic object to vaporize the oil, eliminating the need for a consumable heater wire and enhancing energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a heater wire is used as a heating source for hydraulic oil, then the device can be formed inexpensively, but it causes various troubles such as disconnection, insulation defects, high temperature contact defects, rust, and limited installation flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidheating function reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional heater wire (mechanical/electrical contact system) with an induction heating system that uses electromagnetic fields to heat the hydraulic oil. The induction coil generates a magnetic field that induces eddy currents in a ferromagnetic heating member, which then heats the oil without direct contact. This substitution eliminates disconnection, insulation defect, and contact defect issues while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a ferromagnetic heating member as an intermediary between the induction coil and the hydraulic oil. The coil does not directly heat the oil but instead heats the ferromagnetic member, which then transfers heat to the oil through thermal conduction. This intermediary approach prevents direct contact between the heating source and oil, eliminating rust and contact defect problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a heater wire is used as a heating source, then the device structure is simple, but the energy efficiency is low and heat response is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating system complexityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the resistive heating mechanism of heater wires with induction heating using electromagnetic fields. The induction coil generates a magnetic field that directly induces eddy currents in the ferromagnetic heating member, converting electrical energy to thermal energy more efficiently. This eliminates the energy losses associated with resistive heating and improves overall energy efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The induction heating system uses alternating current at specific frequencies to generate periodic magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the ferromagnetic heating member. This periodic action allows for rapid heating response and efficient energy transfer, significantly improving heat response time compared to traditional heater wires while maintaining controlled system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If a heater wire is used, then installation is straightforward, but the installation position is limited due to high temperature requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidinstallation position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the heater wire installation system with an induction heating system where the coil and ferromagnetic heating member can be positioned more flexibly. The electromagnetic field can penetrate non-magnetic materials, allowing the heating assembly to be installed in locations that would be inaccessible to traditional heater wires that require direct contact and proximity to the oil reservoir.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If a heater wire is used as a heating source, then the initial cost is low, but the heat rising time is long and heat response is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial manufacturing costVSAvoidheat rising time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The induction heating system uses high-frequency alternating current to generate rapidly oscillating magnetic fields that induce strong eddy currents in the ferromagnetic heating member. This periodic action at optimized frequencies enables rapid heating, reducing the heat rising time significantly compared to traditional heater wires while maintaining cost-effectiveness through efficient energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating mechanism from resistive heating to induction heating, fundamentally altering the physical parameters of the heating process. By using ferromagnetic materials with specific permeability and conductivity properties, the system achieves much faster heat generation and transfer, reducing heat rising time while keeping the overall system cost competitive with traditional approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution prevents heating function loss, reduces energy consumption by 65%, shortens heat rising time, and allows for flexible installation positions, while maintaining efficient vacuum evacuation.

Implementation Method 1

an induction coil provided near the object to be heated in an electrically insulated way, and a power supply means for applying an alternating current to the induction coil. It is configured to operate the power supply means to apply an alternating current to the induction coil so as to heat the body to be heated and, thus, vaporize the hydraulic oil.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

inducing current and Joule heat in a ferromagnetic object to vaporize the oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

heat a hydraulic oil to produce oil vapor and the oil vapor in the jet is sprayed from the jet for an operation of high-vacuum exhaustion of an intake air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3088749B1Oil diffusion pump and oil vapor generator used therefor
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 SHINCRON KK
  • EP3088749B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3088749B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3088749B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is an oil diffusion pump equipped with an oil vapor generator capable of eliminating a problem that arises when a heater wire is used as a heating source for a hydraulic oil. The oil diffusion pump is a vacuum pump in which an oil vapor generator (70) is arranged in a casing (51) and operated to vaporize a hydraulic oil (8) and produce oil vapor, and this oil vapor is sprayed from a jet (53, 53a) to exhaust an intake air. The oil vapor generator (70) comprises a tubular case (71) (object to be heated) extending in an upright direction, an induction coil (75) wound around the tubular member (71) via an insulating material (73), and a power supply means for applying an alternating current to the induction coil (75). The case (71) and the coil (75) are installed in the casing so as to be immersed in the hydraulic oil (8) stored in the casing (51). The power supply means is operated to apply an alternating current to the induction coil (75) to heat the case (71) itself and thus vaporize the hydraulic oil (8).