Pump Check Valve Cushioning for Elastic Fatigue

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional check valves in pumps are prone to elastic fatigue and have a short lifespan due to the rapid backflow of water, which can exceed the elasticity limit of components like springs or bellows, leading to potential damage to the impeller or other pump elements.

Innovation Solution

A check valve design featuring a guiding bracket with a central hole, a spindle with a magnetized stuffing nut, a resilient element, and an annular cushion that prevents backflow and distributes pressure to avoid elastic fatigue, ensuring the resilient element does not surpass its elasticity limit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring or bellows is used in the check valve to prevent backflow, then the impeller is protected from damage, but the resilient element may surpass its elasticity limit during rapid backflow, leading to elastic fatigue and short lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of impellerVSAvoidlifespan of check valve
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cushioning element that absorbs the impact energy of rapid backflow before it reaches the resilient element (spring or bellows). This beforehand cushioning prevents the resilient element from surpassing its elasticity limit, thereby avoiding elastic fatigue and extending the check valve's lifespan while maintaining impeller protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning element acts as an intermediary between the backflowing water and the resilient element. It mediates the force transmission, reducing the peak load on the resilient element during rapid backflow events, thus protecting the resilient element from excessive stress while still enabling the check valve to function properly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If the resilient element is designed to withstand large backflow forces, then backflow prevention is effective, but the resilient element is more likely to exceed its elasticity limit, causing elastic fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackflow resistanceVSAvoidresilient element durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning element provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing excess impact energy during rapid backflow, allowing the resilient element to maintain adequate backflow resistance without being over-designed. This reduces the stress cycles on the resilient element, preventing elastic fatigue and improving durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing a cushioning element with specific compressibility and energy absorption characteristics. This modifies the force transmission profile, reducing peak forces on the resilient element while maintaining effective backflow prevention through the combined action of the cushioning element and resilient element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 check valve effectively prevents backflow and extends the operational life span by compressing the resilient element during pump operation and using the annular cushion to prevent elastic fatigue, thus protecting the pump components.

Implementation Method 1

The stuffing nut has at least one magnet and the body has a magnetic switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the resilient element is mounted around the rod of the spindle and is mounted between the guiding bracket and the stuffing nut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the annular cushion is mounted around the rod of the spindle and on the stuffing nut and mounted between the stuffing nut and the guiding bracket. the annular cushion prevents the resilient element from surpassing its elasticity limit and thereby prevents elastic fatigue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2233807B1Check valve and pump with the same
Publication Date: 2012.02.15 WALRUS PUMP CO LTD
  • EP2233807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2233807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2233807B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A pump has an outlet (11) and a check valve (20). The check valve (20) is mounted in the outlet (11) and has a guiding bracket (21), a spindle (24) and a resilient element (26). The spindle (24) has a rod (241) and a stuffing nut (242). The resilient element (26) is mounted around the rod (241) and is mounted between the guiding bracket (21) and the stuffing nut (242). When the pump is working, an impeller pumps water to flow from the inlet to the outlet (11). When the pump is not working, the check valve (20) prevents backflow of water from the outlet (11), so the impeller or other element in the pump will not be damaged.