Vacuum Pump Temperature Control for Vapor Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum pumps face challenges in compressing gas-vapor mixtures with high vapor content, as existing solutions like gas ballast can deteriorate ultimate pressure and lack cooling, leading to condensation issues and premature component aging.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum pump with temperature-controlled cooling and adjustable operating modes, using a temperature sensor and operating electronics to manage cooling quantity and gas ballast, allowing for optimized compression of high steam content mixtures while preventing condensation and overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas ballast is admitted to compress gas-vapor mixtures, then water vapor tolerance is improved, but ultimate pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the vacuum pump to increase it to a程度 that prevents steam condensation. By operating at elevated temperatures, the pump can handle high vapor content gas mixtures without the need for gas ballast, thus maintaining ultimate pressure while improving water vapor tolerance.
2Reliability
If cooling is applied to prevent condensation, then condensation risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying cooling to prevent condensation as in conventional approaches, the patent inverts the approach by heating the vacuum pump to a elevated temperature. This inversion prevents condensation by ensuring the pump temperature remains above the dew point, eliminating the need for complex cooling devices while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If temperature is increased to prevent condensation, then water vapor tolerance is improved, but component aging accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial heating rather than full excessive heating. The pump is heated to a elevated but controlled temperature that is sufficient to prevent condensation and improve water vapor tolerance, while remaining below the threshold that would cause rapid component aging and lubricant decomposition.
4Reliability
If cooling quantity is reduced to increase temperature, then water vapor tolerance is improved, but overheating risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature monitoring and control systems that provide feedback to regulate the heating process. This ensures the pump temperature is maintained at an optimal elevated level for water vapor tolerance while preventing excessive temperature rise that would lead to overheating and component damage.
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
Enables efficient compression of gas-vapor mixtures with high steam content without deteriorating final pressure, reducing the risk of condensation and premature aging, while maintaining optimal operating temperatures for component longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device (7) whose cooling quantity can be changed
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor (13) connected to the operating electronics (8)
Implementation Method 3
The temperature of the vacuum pump increases when the amount of cooling is reduced due to the heat of compression
Implementation Method 4
the heat generated by the power loss of the drive
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The vacuum pump (1) has end pump stages (2) with a gas ballast inlet that is locked by a valve (9) i.e. magnetic valve, and a cooling device (7). An operating electronics (8) is provided for controlling a cooling rate of the cooling device. A temperature sensor (13) is connected with the operating electronics. A selecting unit (12) is connected with the operating electronics for providing choices for selecting different operating methods of the operating electronics. The cooling device has a ventilator for regulating the cooling rate from a default value. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a vacuum pump.