Selective Membrane Humidity Control for Spacecraft Condensation Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for manned spacecraft humidity control are inefficient, costly, and complex, failing to effectively remove metabolic water vapor while maintaining safety, reliability, and operational simplicity.

Innovation Solution

A humidity control system utilizing a chemically-selective membrane, such as sulfonated perfluorinated ionomer, to selectively remove water vapor through a water-vapor-partial-pressure-differential across a membrane, assisted by heat from an exothermic CO2 removal process to prevent condensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional humidity control systems are used in spacecraft, then humidity removal capability is provided, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vapor removal efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the water vapor removal function from complex mechanical systems and implements it through a chemically-selective membrane that passively separates water vapor from breathable atmosphere based on chemical affinity, eliminating the need for complex mechanical humidity control equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemically-selective membrane acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates water vapor removal through its selective chemical properties, mediating between the breathable atmosphere and the removal mechanism without requiring complex system integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional humidity control systems are used in spacecraft, then humidity removal capability is provided, but operational simplicity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater vapor removal efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chemically-selective membrane performs water vapor removal automatically based on its inherent chemical properties and the partial pressure differential, requiring no operational intervention or complex control mechanisms, thus maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If chemically-selective membrane is used for water vapor removal, then selective passage of water vapor is achieved, but condensation may occur at the membrane

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective water vapor passageVSAvoidcondensation at membrane

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful condensation effect into a beneficial heat source by utilizing the exothermic CO2 removal process to provide thermal energy that prevents condensation, transforming a harmful thermal effect into a protective mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If exothermic CO2 removal heat is used to prevent condensation, then condensation is prevented at the membrane, but energy management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation preventionVSAvoidenergy management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the CO2 removal function and the condensation prevention function into a single integrated process, where the exothermic heat from CO2 removal is directly utilized to maintain membrane temperature and prevent condensation, eliminating the need for separate heating systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system efficiently removes metabolic water vapor, reducing humidity levels while maintaining safety and reliability, and is cost-effective and simple in operation, suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one chemically-selective passage structured and arranged to provide selective passage of the water vapor based on chemical affinity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical affinity:

Implementation Method 2

at least one water-vapor-partial-pressure-differential provider structured and arranged to provide at least one water-vapor-partial-pressure differential across such at least one chemically-selective passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater-vapor-partial-pressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

heat from an exothermic CO2 removal process to prevent condensation at the chemically-selective membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS8985474B2Space humidity control systems

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 PARAGON SPACE DEVELOPMENT CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods utilizing water-vapor-partial-pressure-differential across a chemically-selective membrane to remove water vapor from a habitable spacecraft environment(s). The system preferably utilizes heat from an exothermic CO2 removal process to prevent condensation at the chemically-selective membrane.