Passive liquid collecting device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In microgravity and zero gravity environments, fluids distribute unevenly in reservoirs, making it challenging to separate and collect the liquid phase from a mixture of liquid and vapor, which can lead to inefficient operation or damage in two-phase chiller systems and other applications.
Innovation Solution
A passive liquid collecting device with a reservoir containing rigid structures and porous capillary media, where a vapor-liquid separator with a spiral conduit and radial channels facilitates the separation of liquid from vapor using centrifugal momentum and capillary action, guiding liquid to a collection point without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If capillary material is used to separate liquid from vapor, then liquid collection is improved, but the system becomes difficult to design and manufacture efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the liquid collection function into multiple discrete rigid structures with integrated capillary media, rather than using a single complex capillary system. Each structure independently collects and channels liquid, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines rigid structural components with porous capillary media to create a hybrid system that leverages the mechanical stability of rigid materials and the liquid-wicking properties of porous materials, achieving both manufacturability and effective liquid collection
2Quantity of substance
If fluids are allowed to distribute throughout the reservoir in microgravity, then storage capacity is maximized, but liquid-vapor separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid structures with capillary media act as intermediary elements between the distributed fluid reservoir and the liquid collection point. These intermediaries selectively capture liquid from the distributed mixture and transport it to the exit, enabling separation without compromising storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Porous capillary media are used to exploit capillary forces that preferentially draw liquid into and through the porous structure while repelling vapor, achieving passive liquid-vapor separation in the distributed reservoir environment without external power
3Ease of operation
If vapor is drawn to the pump, then the system operates with simpler liquid delivery, but pump cavitation occurs causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary liquid-vapor separation before the fluid reaches the pump. By placing rigid structures with capillary media upstream, liquid is collected and delivered to the pump exit in advance, ensuring the pump receives predominantly liquid and preventing cavitation damage
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
Effectively separates and collects liquid refrigerant in a two-phase chiller system, preventing vapor from reaching the pump and ensuring efficient operation, even in microgravity environments, by using a combination of rigid structures and porous capillary media to direct liquid to a collection point.
Implementation Method 1
A first porous capillary media is supported by the at least one rigid structure... capillary material collects liquid, but not vapor
Implementation Method 2
a vapor-liquid separator in contact with at least one of the at least one rigid structure and the first porous capillary media. The vapor-liquid separator includes a guide member extending along a guide member axis having a guide inlet and a guide outlet connected by a spiral conduit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A passive liquid collecting device includes a reservoir (54) including a reservoir exit line (121) and at least one rigid structure (56) disposed within the reservoir configured to collect a liquid and direct the liquid to the reservoir exit line. A first porous capillary media (64) is supported by the at least one rigid structure and a vapor-liquid separator (110) in contact with at least one of the at least one rigid structure and the first porous capillary media. The vapor-liquid separator includes a guide member (114) extending along a guide member axis having a guide inlet (119) and a guide outlet (128) connected by a spiral conduit (118). A second porous capillary media is located radially outward from the spiral conduit on an exterior surface of the guide member. A thermal control loop is also disclosed.