Residual Gas Volume Measuring Device With Water-Pressurized Pump Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing residual gas volume measuring devices using strong base solutions as carbon dioxide absorbents expose pumps to deterioration, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and high maintenance costs due to solute deposition.

Innovation Solution

A residual gas volume measuring device that uses a carbon dioxide absorbent-filled airtight container, separate pressurization water reservoir, and a pump to pressurize without direct contact, minimizing pump exposure to the absorbent and reducing volume changes due to mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pump is used to pressurize the airtight container by injecting carbon dioxide absorbent, then the residual gas volume can be quickly and accurately measured, but the pump is exposed to strong base solution causing deterioration and solute deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual gas volume measurement accuracyVSAvoidpump service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a three-way valve as an intermediary device that controls the flow path of the carbon dioxide absorbent. The valve enables the pump to operate with water while the absorbent is directed through a separate path to the airtight container, preventing direct contact between the pump and corrosive absorbent solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into separate fluid paths: one path for water circulation through the pump, and another path for carbon dioxide absorbent delivery to the container. This segmentation allows independent control of each fluid stream, enabling the pump to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals while maintaining measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the pump pressurizes the container by injecting carbon dioxide absorbent, then measurement can be performed, but long-term use leads to deposition of solute such as sodium hydroxide causing pump failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidpump operational duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The three-way valve acts as a mediator that separates the pump operation from the absorbent injection process. The pump continuously circulates water through the system, while the valve periodically directs absorbent to the container, preventing solute accumulation in the pump over extended operational periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the pump is required to finely control liquid delivery amount for high measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but the pump costs more and replacement is a great burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidual gas volume measurement accuracyVSAvoidpump cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The three-way valve serves as a cost-effective intermediary that enables precise control of absorbent delivery without requiring an expensive high-precision pump. The pump only needs to handle water circulation, while the valve provides the fine control needed for accurate measurement by regulating absorbent flow to the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a simpler, less expensive water-circulating pump instead of a costly high-precision liquid delivery pump. The three-way valve compensates for the lower precision of the pump by providing accurate control of the actual measurement-critical fluid (carbon dioxide absorbent) through its valve mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Accurately measures residual gas volume by pressurizing the container with pressurization water, preventing pump deterioration and solute deposition, thus maintaining high measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

an airtight container (10) that is filled with a basic carbon dioxide absorbing liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

basic carbon dioxide absorbing liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a pump (P1) that is provided in the section of the second pipe (50) that is filled with the pressurization water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

the volume of residual gas introduced into the container to be tested can be quickly and accurately measured according to Boyle's law

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoyle's law: Boyle's Law

Data Source

PatentEP4215883B1Residual gas volume measuring device and residual gas volume measuring method
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 KYOTO ELECTRON MFG CO LTD
  • EP4215883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4215883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4215883B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a residual gas volume measuring device capable of highly accurately measuring the volume of residual gas while preventing a deterioration in a pump that pressurizes an airtight container. This residual gas volume measuring device comprises: a second pipe 50 through which an airtight container 10 filled with a basic carbon dioxide absorbing liquid and a second reservoir 40 retaining pressurization water are in communication with each other, a section closer to the airtight container 10 of which is filled with the carbon dioxide absorbing liquid, and a section closer to the second reservoir 40 of which is filled with the pressurization water; and a pump P1 that is provided in the section of the second pipe 50 that is filled with the pressurization water. Before residual gas is introduced from a container B to be tested into the airtight container 10, the pump P1 sends the pressurization water in the second pipe 50 toward the second reservoir 40, and after the residual gas is introduced from the container B to be tested into the airtight container 10, the pump P1 sends the pressurization water in the second pipe 50 toward the airtight container 10.