Moisture Pump with Differential Valve Area for Rapid Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moisture pumps are limited in their ability to efficiently capture moisture from enclosed spaces without increasing device size, and traditional methods like increased vent openings can lead to contamination, while desiccants have limited capacity and require regeneration.
Innovation Solution
A moisture pump with a differential valve area, featuring asymmetric adsorption and desorption ports, where the adsorption port has a larger area than the desorption port, allowing for more rapid moisture capture during adsorption and efficient moisture removal during desorption, using a heater and desiccant within a housing to manage moisture levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional moisture pumps use equal sized adsorption and desorption ports, then the device structure is simple, but the moisture capture rate is limited and device size must increase to improve performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the adsorption port area larger than the desorption port area. The adsorption port has a first area while the desorption port has a second area that is smaller than the first area. This asymmetric design allows the device to capture moisture more rapidly during adsorption while maintaining a compact overall size, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the port areas according to their specific functional requirements. The adsorption port is given a larger area to maximize moisture intake rate, while the desorption port is given a smaller area sufficient for moisture release. This localized optimization of port dimensions allows the device to achieve high productivity without increasing overall device size.
2Productivity
If vent opening size is increased to improve airflow and moisture removal, then moisture management improves, but enclosure contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a valve assembly that can dynamically open and close the ports based on operational requirements. During adsorption, the valve opens the larger adsorption port to maximize moisture intake. During desorption, the valve closes the adsorption port and opens the desorption port. This dynamic control allows efficient moisture removal while preventing contamination by sealing the enclosure during non-adsorption phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the moisture removal function from a passive vent opening and implements it through an active moisture pump system with controlled ports. This extraction allows precise control over when and how moisture is removed, achieving effective moisture management without requiring large permanent openings that would cause contamination.
3Productivity
If desiccant capacity is increased to improve moisture adsorption, then moisture management improves, but device size and regeneration frequency requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the moisture pump in alternating adsorption and desorption cycles. During adsorption, the desiccant captures moisture through the larger adsorption port. During desorption, the valve switches to allow moisture to be released through the desorption port while the desiccant is regenerated by heating. This periodic operation allows the desiccant to maintain high effective capacity without requiring excessive desiccant material, thus avoiding increased device size.
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 moisture pump effectively extends the lifecycle of components by rapidly removing moisture from enclosed environments, maintaining efficiency with a smaller footprint compared to conventional pumps and reducing the need for frequent desiccant regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
A heater is maintained in the heating chamber and configured to heat the heating chamber
Implementation Method 2
a desiccant positioned in the chamber proximate to the adsorption port(s)... for water vapor transmission into the heating chamber
Implementation Method 3
A valve assembly is located in the housing and is transitionable between an adsorption position in which the valve assembly opens the adsorption port(s) into the chamber... and a desorption position in which the valve assembly seals the adsorption port(s) and opens a desorption port
Data Source
AI summary
Systems including a moisture pump for removing moisture from an inside environment to an outside environment. The moisture pump includes a housing defining a chamber with a heater, a heat spreader, and a desiccant for selectively adsorbing water vapor in the heating chamber when the heater is off and desorbing water vapor into the heating chamber when the heater is on. A valve assembly is also maintained by the housing transitionable between an adsorption position and desorption position. The adsorption position allows water vapor to be selectively transmitted into the heating chamber from the inside environment. The desorption position allows water vapor to be transmitted from the heating chamber for transmission into the outside environment. The adsorption and desorption ports can have asymmetric adsorption and desorption areas.