Portable Moisture Trap With Thermoelectric Cooling for Vacuum Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current desiccant dryers used to prevent moisture from entering vacuum pumps are inefficient, increase air flow resistance, require frequent replacement, and lead to increased costs and waste, ultimately reducing the lifespan of vacuum pumps.
Innovation Solution
A portable moisture trap with a cooling chamber, thermoelectric device, heat sink, fan, and baffle that directs moist air through a cooling chamber to remove moisture efficiently, allowing dry air to flow to the vacuum pump without obstructing airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If desiccant dryers are used to remove moisture from air before it enters the vacuum pump, then moisture protection is improved, but air flow resistance increases and pump efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts moisture from the air stream using a condensation trap that separates and removes water vapor through cooling, rather than using desiccant materials that create flow resistance. The moisture is condensed into liquid form and collected in a reservoir, allowing dry air to pass through to the vacuum pump without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a cooling element as an intermediary between the air source and vacuum pump. This cooling element acts as a mediator that removes moisture through condensation while maintaining airflow, solving the contradiction between moisture protection and pump efficiency.
2Reliability
If desiccant dryers are used to remove moisture, then moisture protection is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation trap is designed to be self-draining, with moisture automatically collecting in a reservoir at the bottom of the trap. The system eliminates the need for complex desiccant replacement mechanisms by using gravity-driven liquid collection and simple manual draining, significantly reducing maintenance complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the state of moisture from vapor (requiring desiccant absorption) to liquid (enabling gravitational drainage). This parameter change simplifies the system by allowing moisture to be removed through phase change and gravity rather than requiring complex desiccant material replacement systems.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If desiccant dryers are used to protect the vacuum pump, then pump lifespan is extended, but cost and waste increase due to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers moisture by condensing it into liquid form and collecting it in a reservoir for easy removal. Instead of discarding saturated desiccant materials, the system continuously recycles the air stream while capturing and removing only the moisture component, eliminating waste from frequent dryer replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation trap provides continuous moisture removal without interruption, as the cooling element operates continuously to condense moisture as air passes through. This eliminates the downtime and discontinuity associated with replacing desiccant dryers, maintaining constant protection for the vacuum pump.
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 solution effectively extends the lifespan of vacuum pumps by reducing moisture entry, minimizing downtime and waste, and enhancing pump efficiency while being environmentally friendly and lightweight for easy portability.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber
Implementation Method 3
a fan residing under the heat sink, the fan being oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink
Implementation Method 4
The baffle is configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the second port.