Borosilicate Glass Roller Peristaltic Pump Corrosion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Peristaltic pumps using metal rollers are prone to corrosion when handling corrosive or caustic fluids, leading to reduced performance and service life due to fluid leakage, which can damage the pump mechanism.

Innovation Solution

The use of borosilicate glass for the roller contact surfaces and axle pins in peristaltic pumps, which are inert to most materials, including acids, preventing corrosion and maintaining performance even if fluid leaks onto the rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal rollers are used in peristaltic pumps, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but corrosion resistance to corrosive or caustic fluids deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is constructed as a composite structure with a metal core providing mechanical strength and a borosilicate glass cladding layer providing corrosion resistance. This composite design allows the roller to simultaneously achieve high mechanical strength from the metal core and excellent chemical inertness from the glass cladding that prevents corrosion when exposed to corrosive or caustic fluids.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If metal rollers are used in peristaltic pumps, then structural integrity is improved, but service life when handling corrosive fluids deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The roller combines a metal core for structural integrity with a borosilicate glass cladding layer for corrosion resistance, enabling the roller to maintain its mechanical strength while being protected from chemical degradation by corrosive fluids, thus extending service life indefinitely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If borosilicate glass is used for roller contact surfaces, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing complex solid glass rollers, the invention applies a glass cladding layer to a simpler metal core structure. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity by using a straightforward coating process rather than requiring complete glass roller fabrication, while still achieving the desired corrosion resistance on the contact surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3495660B1Peristaltic pump with rollers formed of borosilicate glass and related methods
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 REVVITY HEALTH SCIENCES INC
  • EP3495660B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495660B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495660B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A peristaltic pump for pumping a fluid includes a flexible tube and a roller. The flexible tube has inner and outer tubular opposed walls. The inner wall defines a through passage to receive the fluid. The roller has an outer contact surface. The peristaltic pump is configured to compress the flexible tube with the contact surface of the roller to thereby force the fluid through the through passage. At least the contact surface of the roller is formed of borosilicate glass.