Boundary-Layer Pump for High-Viscosity Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid pumps, particularly those handling high-viscosity fluids, face challenges in maintaining precise pressure and flow metering, as well as damaging additives and premature degradation of components like rubber hoses, leading to inconsistencies in fluid delivery and equipment wear.

Innovation Solution

A boundary-layer pump with a rotor featuring continuous helical or spiraling channels that operates in laminar flow, utilizing frictional force for fluid movement, is designed to maintain non-turbulent flow and high pressures, and includes adjustable features to prevent additive damage and constriction, with sensors for precise flow rate determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gear pump is used to move fluid, then fluid can be moved through a confined cavity, but fluid additives may be damaged by crushing points and pressure variations can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid delivery consistencyVSAvoidadditive damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the harmful meshing gears and crushing points from the pump design, extracting the damaging mechanism while retaining the ability to move fluid through a confined cavity using a different mechanism (boundary layer pump)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful turbulent flow and crushing forces into beneficial laminar flow conditions by designing a smooth, gear-free pumping action that maintains consistent pressure and protects additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If a peristaltic pump is used to dose two-part resins, then fluid can be moved through a collapsible tube, but rubber hoses degrade over time and must be replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump durabilityVSAvoidhose service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the collapsible rubber hose from the system entirely, extracting the component that degrades over time and replaces it with a durable housing and rotor assembly that can handle two-part resins without degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the disposable rubber hose requirement by using a permanent, non-degrading pump construction that does not rely on consumable flexible tubing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If a centrifugal pump is used to move fluid, then high volumes can be moved at low pressure, but the pump cannot develop high pressures and is not reversible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid volume flowVSAvoidpressure development

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the centrifugal pump approach by using a boundary layer pump that moves fluid in the opposite manner - using friction and laminar flow rather than centrifugal force - enabling high pressure development and reversibility while maintaining efficient fluid movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Stress or pressure

If a piston pump is used to move fluid, then high pressure can be developed, but pressure and flow cannot be precisely metered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure capabilityVSAvoidflow metering precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the reciprocating mechanical piston system with a continuous rotating boundary layer pump that provides smooth, pulsation-free flow, enabling precise metering while maintaining high pressure capability through the unique boundary layer pumping action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 boundary-layer pump ensures precise and consistent fluid delivery without damaging additives, operates effectively in both high and low-pressure conditions, and provides long-lasting performance by maintaining laminar flow and preventing fluid slippage, thus addressing the limitations of existing pumps.

Implementation Method 1

uses boundary-layer effects to move the media and to develop high pressures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoundary layer effect: Boundary Layer

Implementation Method 2

utilizing frictional force for fluid movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

moves fluid media in less-than-turbulent and mostly laminar flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentUS11859632B2Boundary-layer pump and method of use

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 BOWMAN JOHN LLOYD

AI summary

A device for pumping fluid such as paints, sealants, caulks, and polymers made of a rotor assembly and a pump body. The rotor assembly contains at least one laminar flow element arranged in such a manner as to conduct the fluid from inlet to outlet as the rotor spins. The rotor may vary its distance from the pump body. This arrangement provides a rotor with exceptional capacity to pump without damage to the fluid media and to measure the fluid rate at low or high rotational speed with viscosity that can vary. The device also may provide a spray nozzle or nozzles that produce a multiplicity of spray patterns.