Passive liquid collecting device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In microgravity environments, fluids distribute unevenly in reservoirs, making it challenging to separate liquid and vapor refrigerants efficiently in two-phase chiller systems, which can lead to system damage or reduced efficiency when a mixture is drawn from the accumulator.
Innovation Solution
A passive liquid collecting device with a reservoir containing rigid structures and porous capillary media, where the rigid structures are designed to guide and collect liquid refrigerant, directing it to an outlet without requiring external power, and the porous capillary media supports the liquid flow by wrapping around the rigid structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capillary material is used to separate liquid from vapor in microgravity, then liquid collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous capillary wicking material that utilizes capillary action to selectively collect liquid refrigerant from the vapor-liquid mixture in microgravity environments. The porous structure enables passive liquid transport without mechanical components, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliability through effective phase separation while avoiding the complexity of active pumping or separation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary wicking material performs self-service by automatically drawing liquid refrigerant through capillary forces without external power or control systems. The material inherently directs liquid flow based on its porous structure and surface properties, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms while ensuring reliable liquid collection in microgravity.
2Ease of operation
If pore size decreases to guide liquid to collection location, then liquid directionality is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pore size distribution within the capillary wicking material to create directional liquid flow paths. The material has different pore characteristics in different regions - larger pores for initial liquid collection and progressively smaller pores to guide liquid toward the collection location. This gradient structure achieves effective liquid directionality while using standard manufacturing techniques for porous materials.
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 ensures that the majority of refrigerant exiting the system is in a liquid form, preventing damage and maintaining efficient operation of two-phase chiller systems, even in microgravity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Capillary materials function in large part by porosity. The capillary material collects liquid, but not vapor.
Implementation Method 2
Capillary materials function in large part by porosity. The use of the material requires certain design considerations to guide liquid to a specific location instead of simply collecting and retaining the liquid.
Data Source
AI summary
A passive liquid collecting device has a reservoir with an outlet and one or more rigid structures within the reservoir. The rigid structures are configured to collect a liquid and direct the liquid to the outlet. Porous capillary media are supported by the rigid structures. A thermal control loop is also disclosed.