Undulating Evaporation Channels for Compressor Condensation Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated pharmacy systems face inefficiencies due to the presence of condensation from compressors, which requires manual removal of water vapor, leading to slower prescription filling and lack of container closure security.

Innovation Solution

An evaporation system with a housing featuring air inlets, channels with undulations, and a water reservoir, connected to a compressor unit to efficiently extract and evaporate water from pressurized air, utilizing ambient air and heated air from the compressor to enhance evaporation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual water removal is used from the compressor, then the system can operate, but the prescription filling speed decreases and operational efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprescription filling speedVSAvoidtime for manual water removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the compressor's own heated air to evaporate and remove water automatically, without requiring external manual intervention. The compressor's waste heat is utilized to drive the evaporation process, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating downtime for water removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation. The heated air from the compressor transforms liquid water into water vapor, which is then removed from the system, enabling continuous operation without manual water removal interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If the compressor operates continuously, then productivity is maintained, but water vapor accumulates and requires manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidwater vapor accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of water vapor accumulation into a beneficial process by using the compressor's own heated air to evaporate the water. The waste heat that would otherwise contribute to condensation is instead utilized to drive continuous evaporation and water removal, allowing uninterrupted operation.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous operation by implementing continuous evaporation of water vapor. The heated air constantly circulates through the water reservoir, ensuring water is continuously evaporated and removed, eliminating interruptions for manual water removal and maintaining steady productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If forced air is used to agitate tablets, then tablet dispensing is achieved, but water vapor from the compressor creates condensation issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetablet dispensing capabilityVSAvoidcondensation from compressor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor's heated air serves multiple functions: it provides forced air for tablet agitation and dispensing, and simultaneously serves as the heating medium for evaporating water from the water reservoir. This multi-functional use of the heated air eliminates condensation issues while maintaining tablet dispensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 quickly and efficiently removes water vapor, improving the speed of prescription filling and ensuring containers are properly sealed, addressing the condensation issue and enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporation system... configured to receive ambient air and water from the compressor unit, the water being extracted from pressurized air produced by the compressor unit, and to evaporate the water utilizing the ambient air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The Williams system includes a compressor that provides the forced air to agitate the tablets and to create the suction that induces the tablets through the outlet. The process of compressing air forces water vapor to liquefy in the compressed air stream.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of channels arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction, the channels having undulations; and a water reservoir that feeds water into the channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8113492B2Device and method for evaporating water from a compressor

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 PARATA SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A system for evaporating excess water from a source includes a housing having: an air inlet, the air inlet directing air in a first direction; an air outlet; a plurality of channels arranged generally perpendicular to the first direction, the channels having undulations; and a water reservoir that feeds water into the channels. In some embodiments, baffles are created with walls that depend from the ceiling of the housing and that are interdigitated with dividers that separate the channels. This configuration can remove water generated by the source (such as an external compressor unit) in a quick and efficient manner.