Segmented Ozone Generator With Independent Electrode Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ozone generators lack redundancy and flexibility, leading to decreased ozone capacity due to electrode failures and reliance on a single power source, with no option for partial operation or hot standby, resulting in inefficient ozone production and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A segmented ozone generator design with individual electrode assemblies, each with its own power supply and gas ports, allowing for selective operation and connection of segments in series or parallel, enabling redundancy, flexible operating parameters, and simplified maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ozone generators use a single power source and non-segmented electrode arrangement, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability decreases and redundancy is lost when electrode failures occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ozone generator is divided into multiple independent segments, each with its own power source and electrode assembly. This segmentation allows individual segments to operate independently, providing redundancy and reliability when electrode failures occur, while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of operating parameters by selectively activating or deactivating specific segments based on operational needs. This enables flexible control of ozone production capacity and energy consumption, optimizing the balance between reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If all electrodes are always in operation in conventional ozone generators, then the ozone production capacity is maximized, but the flexibility and adaptability decrease when partial operation is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidozone production capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ozone generator employs dynamic segment activation where individual segments can be selectively turned on or off based on operational requirements. This dynamic control provides flexibility to adapt to varying production needs while maintaining the capability for full-capacity operation when all segments are activated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables partial operation by activating only the necessary number of segments based on current ozone production requirements. This allows the system to operate at reduced capacity when full production is not needed, providing operational flexibility without permanently sacrificing productivity potential

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of repair

If conventional ozone generators use a single common gas inlet and outlet chamber, then the device structure is simplified, but the maintenance complexity increases and serviceability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveserviceabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas flow system is segmented with individual inlet and outlet ports for each segment, enabling isolated maintenance and repair of specific segments without affecting the entire system. This segmentation improves serviceability by allowing targeted access to problematic areas while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Individual segments can be extracted or isolated from the overall system for maintenance purposes. This extraction capability enables easier repair and replacement of specific electrode assemblies without requiring system shutdown or complex disassembly, improving serviceability while maintaining reasonable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If conventional ozone generators operate without redundancy, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases when significant number of electrodes fail

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ozone generator incorporates redundant segments that can be activated beforehand to compensate for potential electrode failures. This prior cushioning through redundancy ensures continuous operation even when significant numbers of electrodes fail in other segments, while maintaining manageable complexity through modular redundant units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 segmented ozone generator provides increased reliability, efficiency, and serviceability by allowing individual segment control, enabling continued ozone production despite failures and reducing maintenance complexity, while allowing for flexible operation and expansion without requiring a new generator.

Implementation Method 1

a high voltage power supply which is adapted to generate an electrical discharge between the inner and the outer electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 2

The electrodes are arranged inside a cooling water chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

cooling water chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4410740A1Segmented and maintainable ozone generator
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 XYLEM EURO GMBH
  • EP4410740A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4410740A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4410740A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present inventions relates to an ozone generator 1 having a housing 4 which has an outer casing and a first end face 21 and a second end face 30, the outer casing and the two end faces delimiting an interior space, and the end faces each having a number of mounting openings 31 into each of which an elongate electrode assembly 20 is inserted in such a way that electrode assembly extends from one mounting opening in the first end face to an opposite mounting opening in the second end face and respectively seal the two mounting openings, wherein the electrode assemblies 20 in each case constitute an ozone generator segment 2, 3, 20, each segment 2, 3, 20 comprising a number of individual electrodes which are arranged so that a gas flow through the electrodes 20 of a segment is achievable in parallel, and that each segment is provided with a gas inlet port 2a, 3a, 20a and a gas outlet port 2b, 3b 20b.