Vapor Delivery Device Dynamic Ejector Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vapor delivery devices experience variable dosing over time due to inconsistent liquid transport from the reservoir to the ejector, leading to unsatisfactory performance in casual applications and potentially life-threatening issues in critical uses.
Innovation Solution
A vapor delivery device with a controller that adjusts the firing frequency, number of nozzles, and firing duration of the ejector to maintain a consistent dosage as the fluid level in the reservoir decreases, using a power supply and potentially a flash heater to vaporize the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a foam or felt material is used to wick the liquid from the reservoir to the ejector, then the device structure is simple, but the liquid transport rate becomes inconsistent as the liquid level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ejector operation adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically modifies firing frequency, duration, and number of nozzles based on real-time liquid level detection, allowing the system to adapt to changing liquid transport conditions and maintain consistent dosing throughout the device service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (firing frequency, firing duration, number of active nozzles) to compensate for varying liquid levels. As the liquid level decreases and transport rate becomes inconsistent, the controller adjusts these parameters to maintain the required dosage, transforming a static system into one that responds to changing conditions
2Productivity
If the ejector fires at a constant high frequency, then the initial dosage is high, but the dosage becomes inconsistent as the liquid level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector operation is made dynamic through controller adjustment of firing frequency, duration, and nozzle selection based on liquid level. This allows the system to maintain high productivity when liquid is abundant while ensuring dosage consistency when liquid levels drop, resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring liquid level and using this information to adjust ejector parameters. The controller receives information about the decreasing liquid level and responds by modifying firing frequency and duration to compensate for reduced liquid transport, thereby maintaining consistent dosage delivery
3Reliability
If the firing frequency is reduced to compensate for lower liquid levels, then the dosage can be maintained, but the delivery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple parameters simultaneously (firing frequency, duration, and number of nozzles) rather than relying on a single parameter change. This multi-parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain dosage consistency while minimizing the increase in delivery time that would result from frequency reduction alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds dimensional complexity by controlling not just firing frequency but also firing duration and the number of active nozzles. This multi-dimensional control approach provides additional degrees of freedom to maintain dosage consistency without being constrained by time increases that would result from frequency reduction alone
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 solution ensures a consistent and controlled delivery of the vaporized fluid, maintaining the desired dosage throughout the device's service life by dynamically adjusting the ejector's operation based on fluid levels, thereby improving performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
An ejector receives the fluid, and a controller fires the ejector to express a given dosage of the fluid through a number of nozzles in the ejector into an airstream
Implementation Method 2
a flash heater receives and evaporates into the airstream the fluid expressed by the ejector
Implementation Method 3
The flash heater is at least one of a wire, strip, and grid, energized by a power supply
Implementation Method 4
The liquid source reservoir of some vapor delivery devices include a foam or felt material that wicks the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor delivery device having a reservoir for containing an amount of fluid. An ejector receives the fluid, and a controller fires the ejector to express a given dosage of the fluid through a number of nozzles in the ejector into an airstream at a firing frequency and for a firing duration. As the amount of the fluid within the reservoir decreases, the controller also at least one of reduces the firing frequency of the ejector, increases the number of nozzles, and increases the firing duration.