Compression Pump Bladder Support for High Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard diaphragm pumps are inefficient in applications with large pressure differentials, such as air conditioning systems, due to the need for oil lubrication, which leads to thermodynamic and conductivity disadvantages and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compression pump design with a bladder supported on the low-pressure side, featuring a housing and piston structure with bridge and groove bearings that provide a flexible, non-porous bladder for full evacuation of the compression cavity, eliminating the need for oil lubrication by supporting the bladder with a slide support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a standard diaphragm pump is used, then the pump structure is simple, but it cannot operate efficiently with large pressure differentials due to bladder bulging
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the bladder and the pump housing. This support structure provides mechanical backing to the bladder on the low-pressure side, preventing bulging under pressure differential while maintaining the diaphragm pump's sealing advantages. The support structure acts as a mediator that enables the bladder to withstand higher pressure differentials without compromising its flexibility or sealing function.
2Reliability
If oil lubrication is used in metal-on-metal pumps, then lubrication is provided, but thermodynamic efficiency decreases and heat transfer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the oil lubrication system from the pump design. By eliminating the need for oil lubrication, the pump avoids the thermodynamic disadvantages associated with oil refrigerant mixing, including reduced heat transfer coefficients and energy efficiency losses. The support structure enables this extraction by providing the necessary mechanical support without requiring lubricated metal contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional metal-on-metal mechanical lubrication system with a support structure that provides necessary mechanical support through a different mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for oil lubrication while maintaining structural integrity and reliability under pressure differentials.
3Manufacturing precision
If a bladder supported on the low-pressure side is implemented, then full evacuation of the compression cavity is achieved, but the support structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple components including a support plate, support ribs, and integration with the pump housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while collectively providing the necessary support. The segmented design enables full cavity evacuation by ensuring proper sealing surfaces and structural support distribution without excessive overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A compression pump has a bladder that is supported during the compression stroke on the low-pressure side of the bladder, and that can have a compression cavity that is fully evacuated during each stroke. The compression pump can have a housing with an entrance section, a center section, and a crown section. The entrance and center sections define seats to receive bridge bearings (of bridges each having a rod and a bearing). A piston can have an inlet section, a middle section, and a head section. The inlet and middle sections define seats to receive groove bearings. The bridges and groove bearings structurally hold a support structure, which supports the bladder. The support structure can be a slide support that changes shape as the piston moves within the housing. The piston head can have a valve seat that the inlet valve head is received within when it is closed.