Buffered Piston Pump for Controlled Liquid Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually actuated pump driven sprayers lack control over liquid discharge during short intermittent and long continuous strokes, leading to variable particle size, velocity, cone angle, and actuation force, and often surprise users with unexpected liquid discharge after the stroke is completed.
Innovation Solution
A pump design incorporating an inlet and outlet one-way valve, a piston with an integrated liquid accumulator within its cavity, and a resilient member to control liquid flow, ensuring consistent discharge regardless of stroke length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a buffer system is used to provide continuous discharge with repetitive pump strokes, then liquid can be discharged during the up stroke and variable stroke rate issues are mitigated, but users lose control over liquid discharge volume and timing, especially with short intermittent incomplete down strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the accumulator from the discharge line and relocates it to the pump chamber, where it can be directly controlled by the piston's movement. This allows the piston to directly control when liquid is transferred to the accumulator and when it is discharged, giving users precise control over discharge timing and volume while maintaining continuous discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a feedback mechanism where the piston's position and movement directly control the accumulator's charging and discharging cycles. The piston senses the need for discharge through its own movement cycle and automatically controls the discharge timing via the outlet valve, providing user-controlled feedback that stops discharge when the stroke is completed.
2Manufacturing precision
If precompression sprayers are used to provide distinct onset and cessation of liquid flow, then spray particle size distribution and velocity are improved, but the force to actuate increases with faster strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary compression of liquid in the pump chamber during the down stroke, building pressure before discharge. The accumulator is charged with pressurized liquid during the down stroke, and this pre-compressed liquid is then discharged during the up stroke, providing distinct onset and cessation of flow without requiring excessive actuation force.
3Productivity
If a buffer system stores excess liquid under pressure, then liquid can be discharged during the up stroke, but liquid may continue to be discharged after the down stroke is completed, surprising users
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the accumulator from the discharge line and relocates it to the pump chamber, where it can be directly controlled by the piston's movement. This allows the piston to directly control when liquid is transferred to the accumulator and when it is discharged, giving users precise control over discharge timing and volume while maintaining continuous discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston serves dual functions: it compresses liquid into the accumulator during the down stroke and controls the discharge of accumulated liquid during the up stroke. The system is self-regulating, with the piston's own movement cycle controlling the entire charging and discharging process, ensuring discharge stops when the stroke is completed.
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
Provides users with precise control over liquid discharge, maintaining consistent particle size, velocity, and actuation force, eliminating unexpected liquid release after the stroke is completed.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid accumulator operable within said piston cavity
Implementation Method 2
The buffer can release stored liquid on the return stroke or if the actuation rate is lower than necessary to supply the desired amount of liquid to exit the sprayer
Implementation Method 3
an inlet one-way valve; an outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with said pump chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A pump including an inlet one-way valve; a pump chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the inlet one-way valve; a piston slideably engaged with the pump chamber; a piston cavity within the piston and in fluid communication with the pump chamber; a liquid accumulator operable within the piston cavity; an actuator engaged with piston; and an outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the pump chamber.