Sublimation Pump Grating for Ultra-High Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum systems for flywheel energy storage face challenges in maintaining an ultra-high vacuum with minimal power requirements, low system weight, and uniform pressure distribution to minimize aerodynamic drag and thermal losses.
Innovation Solution
A semi-passive sublimation pump comprising a grating with a sublimation element that forms a reactive film upon heating, capturing gas molecules and reducing pressure within the vacuum chamber to ultra-high levels by chemically binding them, thus maintaining a consistent vacuum environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid nitrogen cooling systems are used to maintain superconductor magnet system at low temperatures, then the superconductor magnet system can operate at required temperatures, but the system weight increases significantly and regular maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by using cryocoolers to maintain the superconductor magnet system at low temperatures (77° Kelvin or colder) without liquid nitrogen, thereby reducing system weight while achieving the required operating temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid nitrogen cooling system with cryocoolers, eliminating the need for liquid nitrogen storage and handling infrastructure, thus reducing system weight and maintenance requirements
2Weight of stationary object
If cryocoolers are used to cool superconductors without liquid nitrogen, then system weight is reduced, but air molecules transfer significant heat to superconductors exceeding the cryocoolers' ability to maintain low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert vacuum environment by reducing air molecule density to below 10^8 molecules/cm³, preventing heat transfer to superconductors and enabling cryocoolers to maintain required temperatures without liquid nitrogen
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vacuum environment as an intermediary between the external atmosphere and the superconductor magnet system, blocking heat transfer pathways and protecting the cold superconductors from atmospheric heat
3Quantity of substance
If transfer pumps are used to reduce vacuum pressure, then gas molecules are removed from the vacuum chamber, but localized high vacuum areas are created near pump outlets while other areas have reduced vacuum level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vacuum chamber into multiple zones with distributed sublimation elements, creating localized vacuum improvement in each zone to achieve overall uniform vacuum distribution throughout the chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies sublimation elements at specific locations within the vacuum chamber to create locally optimized vacuum conditions, ensuring uniform pressure distribution across different chamber regions
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 sublimation pump effectively reduces vacuum pressure to 1.33 × 10^-3 Pa, minimizing aerodynamic drag and thermal losses while requiring low power and maintenance, and providing a lightweight solution for efficient energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
The sublimation element may be located within the grating interior and may be configured to sublimate and form a reactive film on the grating interior upon heating of the sublimation element above a sublimation temperature
Implementation Method 2
The reactive film being effective to capture gas molecules entering the grating interior through the grating opening and contacting the reactive film
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A vacuum pump may comprise a grating, and a sublimation element. The grating may have a grating opening and a grating interior that may be bounded by at least one grating surface. The sublimation element may be located within the grating interior and may be configured to sublimate and form a reactive film on the grating interior upon heating of the sublimation element above the sublimation temperature. The reactive film may be effective to capture gas molecules entering the grating interior through the grating opening and contacting the reactive film.