System, method, and device for solar fluid harvesting engine

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ambient water harvesting techniques require significant energy and are costly, making them impractical for many communities due to their high upfront costs and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A device that uses an absorption material to absorb and desorb water vapor between a cool and hot area, leveraging a weight differential to move the material without external energy, utilizing a passive radiative cooling film and solar heater to facilitate the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional devices (condensers, compressors, pumps, motors, heaters) are used to convert ambient water vapor into usable liquid water, then water harvesting function is achieved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater harvesting functionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption material automatically cycles between cool and hot areas driven by its own weight differential when absorbing and desorbing water vapor, eliminating the need for external motors, pumps, or compressors. The system serves itself through passive gravitational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical systems (motors, compressors, pumps) with a passive thermal-gravitational system where heat transfer and weight differential drive the water vapor conversion process without mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional devices are used for ambient water harvesting, then water harvesting function is achieved, but upfront cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater harvesting functionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption material automatically cycles between cool and hot areas driven by its own weight differential when absorbing and desorbing water vapor, eliminating the need for external motors, pumps, or compressors. The system serves itself through passive gravitational movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical systems (motors, compressors, pumps) with a passive thermal-gravitational system where heat transfer and weight differential drive the water vapor conversion process without mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional devices are used for ambient water harvesting, then water harvesting function is achieved, but upfront cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater harvesting functionVSAvoidupfront cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive absorption materials that can be easily replaced rather than investing in expensive conventional devices like compressors and condensers. The focus shifts from costly durable equipment to affordable consumable absorption media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active mechanical systems (motors, compressors, pumps) with a passive thermal-gravitational system where heat transfer and weight differential drive the water vapor conversion process without mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device operates passively, reducing energy consumption and costs, while providing a reliable source of clean water by efficiently harvesting water vapor from the air without the need for external energy inputs.

Implementation Method 1

an absorption material configured to absorb ambient fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

desorbing at least a portion of the absorbed ambient fluid from the absorption material as desorbed ambient fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

condensing at least a portion of the desorbed ambient fluid as condensed ambient fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

a solar powered heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar heating: Solar Energy

Implementation Method 5

a thermal shield having a film transparent to electromagnetic energy with wavelengths of 10-20 micrometers and reflective to at least 95% of visible light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelective radiation: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20240342646A1System, method, and device for solar fluid harvesting engine

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A device for harvesting ambient fluid includes a cool area and a hot area. The device includes an absorption material configured to absorb ambient fluid. The device includes a means for moving the absorption material between the hot area and the cool area based on a weight differential of the absorption material.