Circulator Pump Hydraulic Connector Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circulator pumps in hydronic systems face difficulties during maintenance due to sealed bodies that can be damaged upon removal, causing water-tight seal compromises and fluid leakage, especially when additional devices like sensors hinder access to pipe flanges.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic connector system with a releasable coupling mechanism between the circulator pump's volute flange portion and the hydraulic connector's outlet section, allowing for easy disconnection and reconnection while maintaining fluid-tight conditions, even with additional devices attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circulator pump with a sealed main body is used, then water-tight sealing is improved, but maintenance becomes difficult because the pump cannot be easily disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into separable components: the sealed main body and the removable hydraulic connector. This allows the main body to maintain its sealed integrity while the connector can be detached for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic connector acts as an intermediary component between the sealed main body and the piping system. It provides the disconnection interface, enabling maintenance without compromising the sealed main body's water-tight integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional devices like sensors are attached to the pump, then functionality is improved, but access to pipe flanges for maintenance is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the hydraulic connector from the main body, the invention creates a modular interface that can be accessed independently. Additional devices can be mounted on the main body without blocking flange access, as the connector provides a separate maintenance access path.
3Ease of repair
If the pump is removed from the piping system for maintenance, then servicing is enabled, but the water-tight seal may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into the sealed main body and the removable hydraulic connector. During maintenance, only the connector is removed from the piping system, while the sealed main body remains in place, preserving the water-tight seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic connector serves as a sacrificial intermediary that is removed for maintenance instead of the sealed main body. This protects the critical sealing interfaces from damage during routine servicing.
4Volume of moving object
If pipe flanges are positioned close to the wall for compact installation, then space utilization is improved, but removal of the pump becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the hydraulic connector from the main body, the invention creates a modular interface that can be accessed independently. The connector portion can be removed with minimal clearance requirements, enabling maintenance even when flanges are positioned close to walls.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to: a circulator pump (100), having a circulator pump main body (1) to be mounted on a piping system and comprising: an impeller (8); an electric motor (5, 6, 7) for rotating the impeller; a volute (2) defining a volute chamber (9) for housing the impeller (8). The volute (2) has a central inlet hole (14) for coupling the circulator pump (100) in a releasable manner to a hydraulic connector (101, 102) of the piping system; the volute (2) being further structured with a lateral discharge flange portion (12) for coupling to an outlet portion of the piping system. The present invention further relates to a hydraulic connector (101, 102). The present invention further relates to a pump system (99, 99'), which comprises a circulator pump (100) and a hydraulic connector (101, 102).