Vapor Pump Performance Evaluation via Salt Solution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective methods to measure the performance of vapor pumps, such as moisture pumps, which are used to mitigate damage from excessive vapor or moisture in enclosed systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves disposing a vapor pump partially within an enclosure, establishing fluid communication between the enclosure, the vapor pump, and an external environment. The method includes transferring a portion of vapor from the enclosure to the external environment and measuring changes in parameters related to the vapor's mass within the enclosure to calculate the transfer rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vapor pumps are used to mitigate moisture in enclosed systems, then moisture damage is reduced, but there is no effective method to measure pump performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture mitigation effectivenessVSAvoidpump performance measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a supersaturated salt solution as an intermediary substance that interacts with water vapor. The salt solution absorbs water vapor from the enclosure, and this absorption can be measured by monitoring changes in the salt solution's properties (such as mass or concentration). This intermediary mechanism enables indirect measurement of vapor pump performance without requiring direct observation of the pump itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of vapor pump performance with a chemical measurement approach. Instead of mechanically measuring vapor flow or pump operation, the system uses the chemical absorption of water vapor by the supersaturated salt solution and measures the resulting chemical changes (mass change, concentration change) to infer pump performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If vapor is transferred from enclosure to external environment, then humidity control is achieved, but measurement of transfer rate is complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity controlVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified measurement model by using the supersaturated salt solution as a proxy for measuring water vapor transfer. The salt solution's absorption characteristics provide a consistent and measurable relationship between vapor transfer and observable changes in the salt solution, eliminating the need for complex direct vapor flow measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in physical and chemical parameters of the supersaturated salt solution (such as mass, concentration, or saturation state) to measure vapor transfer rate. By monitoring these parameter changes over time, the system can calculate the rate of vapor transfer without requiring complex measurement equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for the evaluation of vapor pump performance by quantifying the rate of vapor transfer, thereby assessing the pump's effectiveness in maintaining the desired humidity levels within the enclosure.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing or adsorbing the portion of water vapor with the moisture pump from within the enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

desorbing water vapor, from the moisture pump, into the external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesorption: Desorption

Implementation Method 3

evaporating water, from the supersaturated salt solution, so as to restore the relative humidity to the equilibrium relative humidity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

non-limiting exemplary methods of the present disclosure are performed at an equilibrium relative humidity in the enclosure and at a constant temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal equilibrium:

Implementation Method 5

transferring, with the moisture pump, a portion of the water vapor from the enclosure to the external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass transfer: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12274973B2Methods for evaluating vapor pump performance

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that includes disposing a vapor pump partially within an enclosure, such that the vapor pump is in fluid communication with the enclosure and an external environment, and where the enclosure comprises at least one vapor. In some embodiments, a portion of the at least one vapor is transferred with the vapor pump from the enclosure to the external environment. In some embodiments, a change in at least one parameter related to a mass of the at least one vapor within the enclosure is measured. In some embodiments, a rate of the portion of the at least one vapor transferred with the vapor pump from the enclosure to the external environment is calculated. In some embodiments, the rate of the portion of the at least one vapor transferred from the enclosure to the external environment with the vapor pump is calculated based on the change in the at least one parameter.