Osmotic Pressure Pumping Without Mechanical Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps require continuous energy and maintenance due to mechanical parts that deform over time, leading to increased operational and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A pump design that utilizes osmotic pressure to pressurize liquids without mechanical parts, employing a primary and secondary medium separated by ion selective and pressure retaining membranes, with electrodes connected by a power supply to drive ion flow and osmotic pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical parts are used in pumps, then pumping function is achieved, but maintenance needs increase due to deformation of mechanical parts by time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pump system with an electrochemical system using ion-selective membranes and electrode pairs. The pump consists of multiple chambers separated by ion-selective membranes, with electrode pairs in each chamber that generate osmotic pressure differences through electrochemical reactions, eliminating mechanical moving parts that require maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical pump system automatically generates the driving force for liquid transport through electrochemical reactions at the electrodes. The system self-regulates the osmotic pressure differences and ion flow, eliminating the need for external mechanical actuators, motors, or moving parts that would require maintenance.
2Reliability
If mechanical parts are used in pumps, then pumping function is achieved, but operational costs increase due to continuous energy need and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pump system with an electrochemical system using ion-selective membranes and electrode pairs. The pump consists of multiple chambers separated by ion-selective membranes, with electrode pairs in each chamber that generate osmotic pressure differences through electrochemical reactions, eliminating mechanical moving parts that require maintenance.
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 eliminates the need for mechanical parts, reducing maintenance and operational costs while maintaining long-term pump functionality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ion selective membrane and a pressure retaining membrane which separate the primary medium and the secondary medium from each other
Implementation Method 2
a pressure retaining membrane which separate the primary medium and the secondary medium from each other. Thus, the solution with equal density is pressured by displacing between the first medium and the second medium
Implementation Method 3
a primary electrode provided in said primary medium, a secondary electrode provided in said secondary medium, a power supply associated to said primary electrode and said secondary electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A pump is provided, where the pressure of solutions in the pump, having electrical conductivity, can be increased without needing usage of mechanical parts. The pump includes: a primary medium associated with an input port of an ejector, a secondary medium associated with a suctioning port, a primary electrode provided in the primary medium, a secondary electrode provided in the secondary medium, a power supply associated to the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, an ion selective membrane and a pressure retaining membrane which separate the primary medium and the secondary medium from each other.