Bellows Pump Design for Precise Liquid Metal Filling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling heat pipes with alkali metals are costly, time-consuming, and inaccurate, requiring manual manipulation of valves in heated ovens, and often result in the introduction of inert gases into the pipes, which are difficult to remove and lead to volume inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A bellows pump system with an actuator, guide rods, and a hermetically sealed bellows chamber is used to automate the filling process, enabling precise control of alkali metal volume and allowing for reuse across different heat pipe sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual valve manipulation is used in heated ovens to fill heat pipes with alkali metals, then the filling process can be performed, but the process becomes costly, time-consuming, and inaccurate with introduction of inert gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve manipulation with an automated bellows pump system. The bellows pump uses a reciprocating plunger mechanism to automatically draw alkali metal into the heat pipe through controlled expansion and contraction, eliminating the need for manual valve operations and preventing inert gas contamination while achieving precise filling volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows pump acts as an intermediary device between the alkali metal reservoir and the heat pipe. It uses a sealed bellows chamber with a plunger to transfer the alkali metal in a controlled manner, preventing direct contact between the filling process and inert gases while enabling automated, accurate dosing of the metal into the heat pipe.
2Productivity
If inert gases are introduced during the filling process, then the filling can proceed, but the gases are difficult to remove and lead to volume inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows pump creates a sealed, inert environment within its bellows chamber during the filling operation. The chamber is hermetically sealed, preventing external gases from contaminating the alkali metal during transfer. This maintains the integrity of the filling process while enabling rapid, automated operation without compromising accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If manual filling methods are used, then the process can be performed, but safety is reduced due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows pump system is designed to perform the filling operation autonomously once configured. The automated reciprocating mechanism automatically controls the alkali metal transfer without requiring operators to manually manipulate valves or monitor the process closely, eliminating human error while maintaining simple overall operation. The system self-regulates the filling volume through the bellows chamber displacement.
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 system enhances safety by reducing human error, saves costs, and ensures accurate and efficient filling of heat pipes with alkali metals, reducing downtime and material waste.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator is configured to slide the traveling stage toward the first plate to a first position to expand the bellows chamber and cause the liquid metal to flow through the intake port and into the bellows chamber. The actuator can be further configured to slide the traveling stage toward the second plate to a second position to contract the bellows chamber and cause the liquid metal to flow out of the bellows chamber and through the discharge port.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various aspects, the present disclosure provides pumps for pumping a liquid metal, systems for filling a container with a liquid metal, and methods for filling a container with a liquid metal. According to at least one aspect, a pump can include an actuator including a drive rod, a first plate, a second plate, guide rods extending between the first plate and the second plate, a traveling stage, and a bellows. The traveling stage can be operatively coupled to the drive rod and can be slidable along the guide rods intermediate the first plate and the second plate. The bellows can extend between the second plate and the traveling stage to define a bellows chamber. The actuator can be configured to slide the traveling stage to expand and contract the bellows to pump the liquid.