Device for extracting water from the environment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dehumidification systems using liquid desiccants operate in batches, require manual operation, and are inefficient due to the need for instruments and operators to manipulate piston pumps, limiting continuous water extraction from the environment.
Innovation Solution
A device with an evaporation chamber, a membrane compressor system, and a control mechanism that creates a pressure and temperature gradient to continuously extract and condense water vapor, allowing for automated and continuous operation without the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piston pump system is used to extract water vapor, then water extraction capability is improved, but device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical piston pump system with a membrane-based compression system. The membrane (31) expands and contracts in response to pressure changes, compressing water vapor directly without requiring complex mechanical pumping components. This substitution maintains water extraction capability while significantly reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing pressure differentials and gas flow dynamics to drive the dehumidification process. The membrane compression system operates by creating pressure cycles that force water vapor through the desiccant and into the collection chamber, replacing mechanical pumping with pneumatic-driven fluid dynamics.
2Measurement precision
If manual operation is required to manipulate piston pump and ports, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane compression system is self-regulating, responding automatically to pressure differentials without requiring manual intervention. The membrane expands when pressure increases and contracts when pressure decreases, creating a self-regulating compression cycle that maintains control precision while eliminating the need for manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates by changing pressure parameters automatically, using pressure differentials to drive the membrane through expansion and contraction cycles. This parameter-based control replaces manual manipulation with automatic physical response to pressure changes, maintaining precision while improving ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If batch operation mode is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane compression system enables continuous operation by maintaining constant pressure cycles that continuously compress and collect water vapor. Unlike batch systems that require stopping and resetting, the membrane system operates continuously as long as pressure differentials exist, significantly improving productivity while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
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 device efficiently captures and condenses water vapor from the air, providing a continuous dehumidification process with reduced operational complexity and increased efficiency, enabling effective water extraction and regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
Their water retention properties are due to surface adsorption and capillary condensation
Implementation Method 2
Their water retention properties are due to surface adsorption and capillary condensation
Implementation Method 3
an evaporation mechanism (13) that creates a pressure and temperature gradient to evaporate water from the liquid desiccant
Implementation Method 4
a membrane compressor system, and a control mechanism that creates a pressure and temperature gradient to continuously extract and condense water vapor
Implementation Method 5
This regeneration, or release of adsorbed water vapor from the desiccant, is accomplished by heating it in order to increase its vapor pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention consists of a device for extracting water from the environment, comprising a means for capturing water from the environment by means of a liquid desiccant, an evaporation chamber, an evaporation mechanism, a duct through which liquid desiccant with water flows from the capture means to the evaporation chamber, a duct through which liquid desiccant flows from the evaporation chamber to the capture means, a reservoir for depositing water extracted from the liquid desiccant in the evaporation chamber, a duct through which water flows from the cylinder of the evaporation mechanism to the reservoir, and a control device that controls the compressor. The evaporation mechanism comprises a cylinder located inside the evaporation chamber, a membrane located inside the cylinder, and a compressor operationally connected to the membrane to inflate and deflate the membrane.