Debris Trap Float Valve for Centrifugal Pump Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debris traps for centrifugal pumps are prone to clogging when dealing with liquids containing debris, which disrupts the priming process and can fail due to the entry of debris into narrow passageways, especially when using jet pumps or other vacuum sources.
Innovation Solution
A debris trap with a housing, fluid inlet and outlet channels, a float member, and a guide means that forms a fluid communication path with a reduced area when the float member is against a stopper, restricting debris size while maintaining minimal pressure loss and allowing vacuum transmission, and featuring distinct flow paths to prevent agglomeration and debris entry into the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a jet pump with narrow passageways is used for priming, then the priming efficiency is improved, but debris may enter and clog the narrow passageways disrupting operation
Solution Approach 1:
A debris trap is introduced as an intermediary device between the liquid source and the jet pump. The trap captures debris before it can enter the pump's narrow passageways, allowing the jet pump to maintain high priming efficiency while preventing clogging and operational disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into two functional parts: a debris separation chamber and a priming pump section. The debris trap separates harmful particles from the liquid stream before the cleaned liquid enters the jet pump, enabling each component to perform its function optimally without interference
2Reliability
If a debris trap with closed outlet port is used to capture debris, then debris capture is improved, but pressure loss increases and vacuum transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid outlet port is designed to dynamically change its opening state based on liquid level. When liquid level is low, the port remains closed to prevent debris escape. When liquid level rises and prime liquid enters the trap, the outlet port opens to allow vacuum transmission and liquid flow, thus adapting to different operational conditions to minimize pressure loss while maintaining debris capture
3Loss of energy
If the fluid outlet port is kept fully open to maintain flow, then pressure loss is minimized, but debris can escape through the outlet port
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid outlet port's opening is dynamically controlled by the liquid level in the debris trap. When the liquid level is low (no prime liquid), the port remains closed to prevent debris escape. When the liquid level rises and prime liquid enters, the port opens to allow flow and vacuum transmission, thus adaptively balancing debris prevention with pressure loss minimization
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
Effectively minimizes debris escape and agglomeration, maintains minimal pressure loss, and ensures reliable priming of centrifugal pumps by restricting debris entry into the pump, allowing for efficient operation even with liquids containing small debris.
Implementation Method 1
a float member arranged in the space, a guide means configured to guide the float member's movement as liquid level in the space changes
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a debris trap (40) for capturing debris flowing in a stream of liquid, the debris trap (40) comprising - a housing (42) having a space (44) inside the housing (42) - a fluid inlet channel (46) in connection with the space (44), - a fluid outlet channel (48) in connection with the space (44), the fluid out-let channel (48) comprising a fluid outlet port (50), - a float member (52), - a guide means (54) configured to guide the float member's (52) movement as liquid level in the space (44) changes when in use, - a stopper (53) in connection with the fluid outlet port (50) configured to stop the float member's (52) movement as liquid level in the space (44) raises, - the fluid outlet port (50) which, when the float member (52) is against the stopper (53), is configured to remain partially open. The invention relates also to a priming assembly (10) comprising the debris trap (40).