Self-priming Diaphragm Pump with Amperage Sensing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bilge pumps, particularly those using diaphragm style, fail to efficiently remove water from bilges as they often shut off prematurely, leaving residual water and are either costly or large in size, with no technology utilizing a diaphragm pump connected to a circuit board that senses motor amperage for bilge applications.
Innovation Solution
A self-priming diaphragm pump connected to a load sensing circuit board that activates and deactivates the pump based on predetermined intervals and sensed amperage draw, ensuring efficient water removal by continuing to run the pump when water is present and shutting it off when not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If exterior float switch is used to activate pump, then pump activation is automatic, but pump shuts off prematurely leaving residual water in bilge
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a microprocessor-based control board that continuously monitors amperage draw from the pump motor and uses this feedback to determine whether to continue or stop pump operation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism replaces the simple float switch, allowing the pump to run until the bilge is truly dry rather than shutting off prematurely when the float rises.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical float switch system with an electronic control system using a microprocessor-based circuit board that monitors electrical parameters (amperage draw) to control pump operation. This substitution enables more precise and accurate detection of water presence and pump shutdown conditions.
2Productivity
If vacuum tank system is used to draw water from bilge, then dry bilge is achieved, but system becomes costly and large
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm pump is self-priming, meaning it automatically draws water into its chamber without requiring an external vacuum system. The pump uses its own motor-driven diaphragm movement to create the necessary suction, eliminating the need for a separate vacuum tank system while maintaining effective water removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the pumping function and water detection/control function into a single integrated unit. The microprocessor control board is directly coupled to the diaphragm pump, merging what would traditionally be separate systems (pump motor, control electronics, water detection) into one compact assembly, reducing overall system size and cost.
3Productivity
If pump runs continuously to remove all water, then maximum water removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operation is dynamically controlled based on real-time amperage monitoring. The microprocessor adjusts the pump's operational state (run or stop) dynamically according to the detected amperage draw, which indicates whether water is present in the bilge. This dynamic control ensures the pump runs only when necessary, maximizing water removal while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
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
This solution allows for the removal of up to 99.9% of bilge water, resulting in a smaller pump design that efficiently uses the pump's reaction to water, rather than relying on random vacuum intervals, effectively addressing the inefficiencies of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the load sensing circuit board senses the amperage draw from the pump's motor
Implementation Method 2
by using a build-up of negative pressure in a vacuum tank to draw water out of the bilge
Data Source
AI summary
A self-priming diaphragm pump is connected to a circuit board which activates the self-priming diaphragm pump at predetermined intervals, e.g., for 1-3 seconds. When the self-priming diaphragm pump is activated, the circuit board senses the amperage draw from the pump's motor and either continues to run the pump or stops the pump depending on the different amperage levels read. If there is water present in the bilge, the motor is working harder, requiring more amperage and circuit board keeps the pump running. If there is no water present for the pump to draw, the amperage load is very low and the circuit board shuts the pump off, retesting it in the predetermined interval.