Bi-directional Bilge Pump with Dual Chamber and Ball Valves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bilge pumps are prone to clogging due to the accumulation of solid and semi-solid debris, which inhibits fluid removal over time, as they are designed with one-way valves that only allow fluid passage in one direction, leading to increased resistance and effort in pumping.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a secondary chamber isolated from the inlet and outlet, utilizing ball valves to facilitate bi-directional fluid flow, allowing debris to pass through larger openings and reducing structural impedance, enabling fluid expulsion during both upward and downward piston movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional one-way valves are used in bilge pumps, then fluid can be expelled in one direction, but debris accumulates around the valve causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a partition wall. The first chamber receives fluid from the inlet, while the second chamber expels fluid through the outlet. This segmentation allows debris to pass through larger openings in the partition wall from the first chamber to the second chamber, preventing accumulation around the inlet valve and reducing clogging.
2Ease of operation
If traditional plunger valve design is used, then fluid passage is controlled, but structural impedance increases resistance to pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional plunger valve is removed entirely. Instead, a partition wall with openings connects the first and second chambers. This extraction of the plunger valve eliminates the structural impedance and resistance associated with traditional valve mechanisms, allowing smoother fluid flow and reducing pumping effort.
3Productivity
If traditional pump design is used, then fluid is expelled only during plunger retraction, but pumping efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump enables continuous fluid expulsion during both the downward stroke (when fluid moves from the first chamber to the second chamber through the partition wall openings) and the upward stroke (when fluid is expelled from the second chamber through the outlet). This continuous useful action doubles the effective pumping cycles per unit time, significantly improving productivity and reducing the time required to remove bilge water.
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 design minimizes resistance and physical effort required for pumping, allowing for efficient removal of bilge fluid with reduced clogging, enabling faster and easier operation compared to traditional pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The pump may include a ball valve, positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber, configured to selectively allow passage of fluid and debris from the first chamber to the second chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump with an outer housing defining an enclosure, an inlet for admitting fluid into the outer housing and an outlet for expelling fluid from the outer housing, a piston for selectively modulating a first fluid pressure, such that the first fluid pressure is associated with a location proximate the inlet, and a member that selectively isolates a second pressure associated with a location proximate the outlet from the first fluid pressure. The pump may also include a first chamber within the outer housing for receiving fluid admitted into the pump from an ambient environment and through an inlet to the pump, a second chamber within the outer housing for receiving fluid from the first chamber, and a piston that both (i) selectively controls the flow of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber and (ii) selectively expels the fluid from the second chamber into the ambient environment.