Solar Getter Pump Assembly for Fast Vacuum Panel Reactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum solar thermal panels face challenges in quickly and efficiently heating non-evaporable getter pumps within the panel without external devices, as they rely on slow thermalization by radiation and lack control over temperature, especially since Joule heating requires expensive electric feedthroughs and may not be feasible at all installation sites.
Innovation Solution
A non-evaporable getter pump assembly is designed with a solar receiver plate, supporting plates, and holding means to ensure good mechanical contact, allowing for efficient heating of getter elements through conduction, using a copper fastener and elastic washers to sandwich getter elements between plates, enhancing thermal conductivity and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If non-evaporable getters are placed within an envelope with selectively coated surfaces for solar radiation absorption, then the getter pump can be heated without external devices, but the heating process becomes slow due to thermalization mainly by radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces supporting plates as intermediary elements between the solar receiver plate and the non-evaporable getter elements. These plates provide a mechanical contact pathway that facilitates thermal conduction, acting as a mediator to transfer heat more efficiently from the solar receiver to the getter elements, thereby reducing heating time while maintaining the benefit of solar-powered heating without external devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radiation-based thermalization mechanism with a conduction-based heating mechanism. By establishing direct mechanical contact between the solar receiver plate and the getter elements through supporting plates, the system substitutes the slow radiative heat transfer with faster thermal conduction, significantly reducing the heating time required to reactivate the getter pump
2Loss of time
If Joule heating is used to reactivate the getter pump, then quick heating can be achieved, but expensive electric vacuum feedthroughs are required and may develop leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the getter pump to reactivate itself using solar energy captured by the solar receiver plate. The system is designed so that the solar receiver, when exposed to sunlight, directly heats the getter elements through thermal conduction via the supporting plates. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources and electric feedthroughs, thereby maintaining vacuum seal integrity while achieving quick reactivation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the electric heating system (Joule heating) with a thermal conduction system powered by solar radiation. By replacing the electrical mechanism with a thermal conduction mechanism through supporting plates, the system eliminates the need for electric vacuum feedthroughs, thereby avoiding the reliability issues of leaks while still achieving efficient and relatively quick heating of the getter elements
3Reliability
If non-evaporable getters are used to absorb hydrogen gas molecules, then vacuum pressure can be maintained below 0.133 Pa, but the getter surface becomes saturated quickly resulting in loss of pumping capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic reactivation cycle for the non-evaporable getter elements. The solar receiver plate, when exposed to sunlight, periodically heats the getter elements to temperatures sufficient to desorb accumulated gas molecules. This periodic thermal processing restores the getter's pumping capacity, allowing it to continue maintaining vacuum pressure over extended periods rather than becoming permanently saturated
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature as a variable parameter to change the state of the getter elements. By heating the getter elements to elevated temperatures through solar thermal conduction, the physical and chemical properties of the getter surface are temporarily altered, enabling desorption of adsorbed gas molecules. This parameter change (temperature increase) restores the getter's capacity to absorb hydrogen gas molecules, extending its operational duration
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
This solution enables quick and efficient heating of non-evaporable getter elements, allowing for effective vacuum maintenance within the panel, with adjustable temperature settings and reduced manufacturing complexity, while avoiding external heating devices and ensuring high thermal conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
a solar receiver plate, having an outer side predisposed for absorbing solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
the getter elements are heated mainly by conduction
Implementation Method 3
a getter material, which is able to capture the residual gas molecules by means of absorption and or adsorption
Data Source
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AI summary
Non-evaporable getter pump assembly (1) for a vacuum solar thermal panel, ensuring a quick and efficient heating of the getter pump, comprising: a solar receiver plate (2), having an outer side (20) predisposed for absorbing solar radiation; at least a first supporting plate (3a); at least a non-evaporable getter element (4) interposed between an inner side (21) of the solar receiver plate (2) and the first supporting plate (3a); and holding means for pressing the solar receiver plate (2) and the first supporting plate (3a) against one another sandwiching the non-evaporable getter element (4) between the two plates (2, 3a).