Honeycomb Oxygen Generator Tortuous Air Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oxygen generators with a honeycomb structure suffer from inefficient air passage design, leading to suboptimal oxygen gas conduction, despite the application of an electric potential to drive oxygen ions across the electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The oxygen generator features a honeycomb body with alternating rows of channels coated with porous conductive layers acting as cathode and anode electrodes, interconnected via tortuous paths and sealed with glass members, enhancing oxygen ion diffusion and collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If straight air passage is used in conventional oxygen generator, then device structure is simple, but oxygen gas conduction efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature principle by designing tortuous (curved) air passages instead of straight passages. The air passages are configured to follow a winding path through the honeycomb structure, increasing the contact area and residence time between air and the oxygen ion conductive material, thereby improving oxygen gas conduction efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If glass sealed members are added to seal channel outlets, then oxygen gas purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation principle by dividing the sealing function into modular glass sealed members that are positioned at specific locations (front and rear faces) to seal channel outlets. This segmented approach ensures oxygen gas purity by preventing contamination at critical interfaces while keeping the sealing structure manageable and not excessively complex.
3Productivity
If alternating rows of cathode and anode electrodes are implemented, then oxygen ion diffusion efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality principle by implementing alternating rows of cathode and anode electrodes within the honeycomb structure. Each row is locally optimized with specific electrode material coating (porous conductive layer) on the channel walls, creating distinct functional zones that enhance oxygen ion diffusion efficiency while following a regular pattern that facilitates manufacturing.
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 design significantly improves oxygen collection efficiency by creating a tortuous air flow path and ensuring complete sealing, allowing for better oxygen ion conduction and collection.
Implementation Method 1
yttrium partially stabilized zirconium (PSZ) as a solid electrolyte for oxygen ion to conduct therein
Implementation Method 2
the oxygen ions will diffuse to a side having low O2 concentration from the side having high O2 concentration through the conductor
Implementation Method 3
M pairs of glass sealed members corresponding to m rows of channels to seal the outlets
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen generator having a honeycomb body composed of an oxygen ion conducting material is disclosed. The honeycomb body includes one or more air channels, each of which is composed of a plurality of the first channels and the first connecting holes therebetween to form a tortuous air flow path for lengthening the detention time of air, and oxygen collection channels, each of which is composed of a plurality of the second channels and the second connecting holes therebetween for oxygen passage. The first and second channels, which extend laterally through across the body and parallel to each other, are all sealed with glass members at both the front face and back face of the body. The source gas is provided and exhausted from one side face of the body to the other side face via a plurality of air inlets and air outlets, respectively, which laterally intersect the first channels. A power source are with a negative terminal and positive terminal, respectively, connected to the air channels and oxygen collection channels, respectively, to force oxygen ion flow across the oxygen ion conducting material such that gas in oxygen collection channels will become riches in oxygen than in air channels. The oxygen within the oxygen collection channels is collected from the side face of the body through a plurality of oxygen outlets which laterally connect with the second channels.