Vacuum Circuit Closure via Conductive Material Sublimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing electrical power supply circuits in vacuum environments, whether mechanical or electronic, face issues such as pressure bias due to thermal variations in reference chambers or reduced reliability due to complex electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a heating element made of electrically conductive material that sublimates and forms a conductive deposit between terminals only when specific vacuum pressure conditions are met, ensuring a reliable and safe closure of the power supply circuit without moving parts or complex electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical actuators with sealed reference chambers are used, then the electrical circuit can be closed based on pressure measurement, but thermal variations cause pressure bias in the reference chamber reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the reference chamber from the system entirely and replaces it with a direct comparison between chamber pressure and atmospheric pressure. The membrane directly responds to the pressure difference between the vacuum chamber and atmospheric pressure without needing a sealed reference chamber, thereby eliminating thermal bias in the reference pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element that directly translates the pressure difference between the vacuum chamber and atmospheric pressure into mechanical displacement. This eliminates the need for a reference chamber filled with liquid or gas that would be subject to thermal variations.
2Reliability
If electronic measuring instruments and relays are used, then the electrical circuit can be closed based on pressure analysis, but the system complexity increases reducing overall reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex electronic measuring instruments and relays with a simple mechanical membrane actuator that directly closes the electrical circuit through mechanical displacement. The membrane's movement under pressure difference directly actuates the circuit closing without needing electronic sensors, signal processing, or control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane actuator is a self-contained device that automatically responds to pressure changes by mechanically closing the circuit. It requires no external power source, electronic control, or additional components - the pressure difference itself drives the membrane to close the circuit when vacuum conditions are met.
3Reliability
If a heating element is used to heat conductive material for sublimation, then a conductive deposit can be formed between terminals under vacuum, but energy is consumed to reach sublimation temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition (sublimation) of a conductive material when heated in vacuum conditions. The material transitions directly from solid to vapor phase, and the vapor condenses on the cooler terminals forming a conductive bridge. This phase transition only occurs under vacuum conditions, providing both the circuit closing function and vacuum verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the conductive material from solid to vapor through heating, and then to solid again through condensation on the terminals. This parameter change (phase transition) is pressure-dependent, occurring only under vacuum conditions, thereby ensuring reliable circuit closing only when proper vacuum is achieved.
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 provides a simple, reliable, and safe mechanism for closing the electrical power supply circuit, ensuring operation only under proper vacuum conditions, with high reliability and reduced risk of mechanical or electronic failures.
Implementation Method 1
a heating, for example by Joule effect, which provides energy to an element made of electrically conductive material
Implementation Method 2
a sublimation of the element made of electrically conductive material once the latter reaches a given temperature, if the pressure conditions in the chamber correspond to the conditions required for an operation of the electric apparatus under vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A method for closing an electrical power supply circuit of an electric apparatus located in a chamber at a controlled variable pressure. The method includes heating which provides energy to an element made of electrically conductive material located in the enclosure which is open to the chamber pressure; sublimation of the element made of electrically conductive material once the latter reaches a given temperature, if the pressure conditions in the chamber correspond to the conditions required for an operation of the electric apparatus under vacuum; ejection of vapor particles of the electrically conductive material which result from the sublimation; and formation of a deposit of electrically conductive material between the two electrically conductive terminals as a consequence of the ejection of the vapor particles.