Double-Acting Pump Depth-Independent Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump devices are not capable of creating a depth-independent relationship between drive fluid overpressure and pump fluid pressure increase, limiting their suitability for pressure booster, intensifier, and low-pressure pump applications, especially in subsea environments where pressureless tanks are involved.
Innovation Solution
A double-acting pump device with a piston arrangement and switch mechanism that utilizes the difference in drive fluid supply and outlet pressures to achieve a desired pressure increase in the pump fluid, featuring a wide piston rod and stabilizing unit to maintain equilibrium and minimize mechanical strain, allowing for efficient pressure transfer between drive and pump sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional pump device is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot create a depth-independent relationship between drive fluid overpressure and pump fluid pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device is divided into distinct functional sections: a drive section with drive fluid inlet and outlet, a pump section with pump fluid inlet and outlet, and intermediate sections with pistons. This segmentation allows independent control of drive fluid pressure and pump fluid pressure, enabling the depth-independent pressure relationship while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate sections have asymmetric piston arrangements where the first piston has a different cross-sectional area than the second piston. This asymmetry creates different force relationships on each side of the piston rod, allowing the device to generate the required pressure difference between drive and pump fluids independently of ambient pressure, thus achieving depth-independent operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the piston cross-sectional areas are made different, then the pressure relationship is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device includes a pressure compensation mechanism that pre-establishes the force balance relationship between the drive fluid and pump fluid. By incorporating the pressure compensation chamber and pre-configured piston area ratios, the system automatically compensates for pressure variations without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on individual piston dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of the pressure relationship by changing the cross-sectional area ratio of the pistons. This parameter can be optimized during design to achieve the desired pressure multiplication factor while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerances, rather than relying on precise control of absolute dimensions
3Adaptability or versatility
If directional valves are added for fluid control, then the pressure control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The directional valves are integrated into the pump housing structure rather than being separate components. The valve seats and moving parts are combined with the housing walls and piston assemblies, reducing the number of discrete parts while maintaining the necessary fluid direction control capability for depth-independent operation
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 pump device effectively provides a desired pressure increase for the pump fluid, maintaining stable flow and pressure levels, suitable for various applications including pressure booster, intensifier, and low-pressure pump operations, while minimizing mechanical strain and extending equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes the difference between the drive fluid supply pressure and the drive fluid outlet pressure to reciprocate the piston arrangement
Implementation Method 2
axially acting forces are transferred to the pump fluid which thereby achieves a desired pressure increase
Implementation Method 3
a piston rod being slidably arranged through a partition wall in a fluid-tight manner between the drive section and the pump section
Implementation Method 4
the initiating valve switches between pressurizing and exhausting a chamber in the switch valve
Data Source
AI summary
A double-acting pump device includes a piston arrangement being slidably arranged in a pump housing. The pump housing is separated into a drive section with a drive fluid inlet and a drive fluid outlet and a pump section with an inlet and an outlet for a pump fluid. The drive section includes a switch mechanism which utilizes the difference between the drive fluid supply pressure and the drive fluid outlet pressure to reciprocate the piston arrangement, such that axially acting forces are transferred to the pump fluid which thereby achieves a desired pressure increase. Thus, the double-acting pump is arranged to utilize the energy in a supplied drive fluid to provide a defined pressure increase in a supplied pump fluid.