Vacuum Control System for Degassing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum control systems for degassing apparatuses fail to maintain a constant degree of vacuum, leading to instability in precision analytical instruments, particularly in miniaturized systems with sensitive detectors, and inefficiently manage vaporized component condensation during unattended operations.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum control system that continuously adjusts the rotatory power of a DC brushless motor-driven vacuum pump, using a pressure sensor to maintain constant vacuum levels and introduces a small amount of air through a constant circulation resistance tube to prevent condensation, ensuring stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a diaphragm type vacuum pump is used to decompress the vacuum vessel, then vacuum degassing can be achieved, but vaporized components condense in the pump head deteriorating pump performance
Solution Approach 1:
A cold trap is introduced as an intermediary component between the vacuum vessel and the diaphragm pump. The cold trap captures and condenses vaporized components before they reach the pump head, protecting the pump from deterioration while maintaining effective vacuum degassing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful condensation of vaporized components into a beneficial separation process. By controlling temperature and pressure conditions, the vaporized components are selectively condensed in the cold trap while the vacuum pump continues to function effectively, transforming a performance-deteriorating effect into a protective mechanism
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vacuum pump is activated intermittently or switching valve is used to adjust vacuum condition, then energy consumption is reduced, but the degree of vacuum repeatedly goes up and down causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of the vacuum pump combined with a switching valve that periodically adjusts the vacuum condition. This periodic action maintains relatively stable vacuum degree while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous pump operation
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure sensor provides feedback on the vacuum degree inside the vacuum vessel, enabling the control system to adjust pump activation and switching valve operation to maintain stable vacuum conditions while optimizing energy consumption
3Ease of operation
If the degree of vacuum is varied with some width in conventional degassing apparatus, then simple control is achieved, but variation in gas remaining amount causes baseline instability in detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback on vacuum degree, enabling the control system to maintain vacuum within a narrow, stable range. This feedback control ensures consistent gas removal while maintaining simple automated operation and detector baseline stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts vacuum pump operation and switching valve position based on real-time pressure feedback, maintaining optimal vacuum conditions for detector stability while keeping the control system simple and automated
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 maintains a consistent degree of vacuum, reduces vaporized component condensation, and enhances the stability and longevity of the vacuum system, preventing baseline instability in detectors and minimizing contamination in multi-vessel setups.
Implementation Method 1
gas permeation diaphragm by allowing the liquid to flow in one side (for example, an inside of a degassing tube) isolated with the gas permeation diaphragm such as a degassing tube, which is provided in the vacuum vessel, having a property of transmitting a gas and not transmitting a liquid
Implementation Method 2
decompressing the other side (for example, an inside of a vacuum vessel) by means of an exhaust vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
monitoring the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel using a pressure sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum control system allows the degree of vacuum in a vacuum vessel to be kept constant while removing vaporized components degassed into the vacuum vessel through a gas permeation diaphragm by stably introducing a very small amount of air into a vacuum exhaust path of the vacuum vessel. The vacuum control system controls the rotary power of a DC brushless motor, continuously controls displacement of a vacuum pump, and thus keeps the degree of vacuum in a vacuum vessel constant, by decompressing the inside of the vacuum vessel using an exhaust vacuum pump which operates with the DC brushless motor, monitoring the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel using a pressure sensor, and controlling a voltage applied to the DC brushless motor on the basis of an output signal resulting from measurement of the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel by the pressure sensor.