Check Valve Flow Path Design for Compact Low-Pulsation Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory pumps face challenges in minimizing wetted components for disposal, reducing space requirements, minimizing pulsations, and ensuring sterilizability for biopharma processes, while maintaining reliable flow measurement.
Innovation Solution
A pump design incorporating a flexible wetted channel with a pulsation driver, utilizing check valves and a secondary fluid circuit to minimize pulsations and reduce wetted components, with optional sterilization capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If peristaltic pumps are used to minimize wetted components, then disposal cost is reduced, but pressure output capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into disposable wetted components (pump head, tubing) and reusable dry components (motor, control electronics). This segmentation allows the wetted portion to be inexpensive and disposable while the expensive pressure-generating components remain reusable, resolving the contradiction between low disposal cost and adequate pressure capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the disposable pump head and reusable motor assembly. This intermediary allows pressure to be transmitted from the reusable high-pressure component through the disposable low-cost component, enabling both cost-effectiveness and sufficient pressure output.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multi-head pumps are used to reduce pulsations, then flow stability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump employs a multi-phase pulsation mechanism where multiple chambers operate in sequence with staggered timing. This periodic action with multiple phases smooths out flow pulsations without requiring multiple separate pump heads, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pump chambers are nested within a single integrated pump head assembly rather than using separate pump heads. This nesting approach reduces space requirements and simplifies the overall device structure while still achieving reduced pulsations through coordinated operation of the nested chambers.
3Measurement precision
If check valves are added to improve flow measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are designed to operate automatically based on pressure differential alone, without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service operation provides flow measurement and control functionality while minimizing additional complexity in the valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve functionality is integrated into the existing pump chamber structure rather than being added as separate external components. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while still providing the flow measurement benefits.
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 design achieves compactness, low cost, and minimal pulsations, with the ability to be sterilized, addressing the challenges of existing pumps in laboratory and biopharma applications.
Implementation Method 1
a closure element disposed in the chamber movable between a first position in which it engages the baffle, preventing flow from the inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
a pump chamber having a flexible wetted channel disposed inside a housing, such that a outer chamber is defined between the wetted channel and the housing
Implementation Method 3
a pulsation driver; and a fluid circuit interconnecting the pulsation driver and the outer chamber, the fluid circuit containing a secondary fluid, wherein the pulsation driver operable to impart cyclic pressure pulsations in the secondary fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve includes: an inlet housing and extending between a first end defining an inlet of the valve, and a second end, the second end including a baffle having a plurality of inlet orifices passing therethrough; an outlet housing and extending between a first end defining an outlet of the valve and a second end, wherein the second ends cooperate to define a valve chamber; a closure element disposed in the chamber movable between a first position in which it engages the baffle, preventing flow from the inlet to the outlet, and a second position where the closure element is disengaged from the baffle, permitting flow from the inlet to the outlet; and wherein the closure element includes opposed inlet and outlet faces and a plurality of flow passageways interconnecting the inlet and outlet faces are disposed at an outer periphery of the closure element.