Common-Port Multiple-Cavity Diaphragm Pump for Low-Pulsation Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple cavity diaphragm pumps used in laboratory and biological processing face challenges such as high cost, difficulty in cleaning, air trapping, and pressure pulsations, while rotating element pumps struggle with flow range limitations and high pressures.
Innovation Solution
A radial configuration with a common annular inlet and outlet design for multiple pump cavities, utilizing flexible diaphragms and one-way valves to minimize air trapping and pressure pulsations, combined with a compact, easily manufacturable pump body design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple cavity diaphragm pumps are used to achieve wide flow range and consistent pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple cavities (typically three) that operate in parallel, each cavity contributing to the total flow while maintaining pressure stability through their coordinated operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide flow range without requiring multiple separate pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pump cavities are merged into a single integrated pump unit with a common drive mechanism. The cavities share common inlet and outlet ports, allowing the system to achieve both wide flow range and pressure stability while reducing overall device complexity compared to using multiple separate pumps.
2Productivity
If radial configuration with multiple inlets and outlets is used, then flow distribution is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates and air trapping increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a radial configuration with multiple inlets and outlets arranged around the perimeter, the invention inverts the approach by using a linear or stacked arrangement where inlets and outlets are positioned at the ends or in a sequential manner. This inversion eliminates dead zones and makes the pump body easier to clean while maintaining effective flow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts and eliminates the problematic radial arrangement of inlets and outlets that causes cleaning difficulties and air trapping. By removing this configuration and replacing it with a simpler linear or stacked arrangement, the pump achieves easier cleaning and reduced air trapping while maintaining flow distribution effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple pumps are used together to even out pressure pulses, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pump cavities are merged into a single integrated unit with a common drive mechanism and shared inlet/outlet ports. This merging allows the system to achieve pressure stability through the coordinated operation of multiple cavities while maintaining the simplicity of a single-pump maintenance model, as all cavities can be accessed and serviced through the same external interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump design creates a universal structure where multiple cavities serve multiple functions within a single unit. The common drive mechanism, inlet ports, and outlet ports serve all cavities, allowing the system to achieve pressure stabilization while maintaining ease of maintenance through a unified, multi-functional design that reduces the number of separate components to service.
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 solution provides a low-cost, easy-to-clean pump with reduced air trapping and minimal pressure pulsations, achieving a wide range of flow and pressure outputs efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in reciprocating motion
Implementation Method 2
one-way valves to minimize air trapping and pressure pulsations
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple cavity reciprocating positive displacement pump comprising plural pump cavities each including at least one pair of one-way valves the at least one pair including an inlet valve and an outlet valve, the pump being characterised in that respective inlet valves are in fluid communication with a common inlet and respective outlet valves are in fluid communication with a common outlet. The multiple cavities may include diaphragm arranged in a radial configuration for more uniform pressure output.