Ball Guide and Cage Pump Design for Aggregate Sealing Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Two ball piston pumps are not effectively used for pumping heavy fillers or aggregates due to restricted flow passages and inadequate sealing of ball check valves, leading to packed out material that prevents proper operation.
Innovation Solution
A pump design incorporating a ball cage and ball guide with compliant balls and adjustable seats, utilizing the venturi effect to maintain flow and prevent material packing, along with seals to ensure proper sealing and prevent fluid separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ball check valves are used in heavily aggregate filled material, then sealing should be adequate to prevent fluid separation, but the valves cannot seal properly due to restricted flow passages
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage is segmented into multiple paths by providing multiple balls (at least two balls) within the cage, each capable of sealing against respective ports. This segmentation allows the system to maintain sealing reliability for each individual port while collectively providing adequate flow capability through multiple open paths when balls are in the open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The balls are nested within the cage structure, with each ball positioned to seal against a specific port on the piston. This nesting arrangement allows compact integration of multiple sealing elements within the confined space of the pump, enabling adequate sealing for each port while maintaining overall flow capability through the aggregate material.
2Productivity
If cementitious material is put under pressure to pump, then flow should be maintained, but water or fluid separates out from aggregate leading to packed out material
Solution Approach 1:
The piston performs rapid reciprocating movements (vibrations) that agitate the heavily filled material during pumping. This mechanical vibration prevents the material from packing out by continuously disrupting potential separation zones, maintaining homogeneity of the aggregate-filled material while enabling continuous pumping operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates with continuous reciprocating motion of the piston, ensuring uninterrupted pumping action. This continuity prevents pauses that would allow material separation to occur, maintaining both pumping productivity and material homogeneity throughout the pumping process.
3Reliability
If ball check valves are used for sealing, then fluid separation should be prevented, but the valves fail to seal properly in heavily aggregate filled material
Solution Approach 1:
Each ball within the cage is positioned to seal against a specific port, providing localized sealing quality tailored to each individual port's requirements. This local quality approach ensures that each sealing point is optimized for its specific function, preventing fluid separation at each port while accommodating the presence of aggregate material in the overall system.
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 design effectively prevents material packing and ensures proper sealing, allowing for efficient pumping of heavy fillers and aggregates by increasing flow velocity and maintaining fluid integrity.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the venturi effect to maintain flow and prevent material packing
Implementation Method 2
compliant balls and adjustable seats, utilizing the venturi effect to maintain flow and prevent material packing, along with seals to ensure proper sealing and prevent fluid separation
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2D
AI summary
A disclosure pertains to a reciprocating pump configured for pumping fillers or aggregates or cementitious material and the like. The pump comprises an outlet port, an outlet section in fluid communication with the outlet port, an inlet port, an inlet section in fluid communication with the inlet port, a substantially hollow middle section extending between and in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet sections, a piston configured for rectilinear displacement, a substantially hollow ball guide configured for rectilinear displacement within the pump, and a ball cage comprising a ball disposed therewithin.